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- Machowska, A, et al.
(author)
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Dialysis access, infections, and hospitalisations in unplanned dialysis start patients: results from the OPTiONS study
- 2017
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In: The International journal of artificial organs. - : SAGE Publications. - 1724-6040 .- 0391-3988. ; 40:2, s. 48-59
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Unplanned dialysis start (UPS) associates with worse clinical outcomes, higher utilisation of healthcare resources, lower chances to select dialysis modality and UPS patients typically commenced in-centre haemodialysis (HD) with central venous catheter (CVC). We evaluated patient outcomes and healthcare utilisation depending on initial dialysis access (CVC or PD catheter) and subsequent pathway of UPS patients. Methods In this study patient demographics, access procedures, hospitalisations, and major infectious complications were analysed over 12 months in 270 UPS patients. PD technique survival and impact of switching from HD to PD was examined along with logistic regression to investigate factors predicting AV fistula formation. Results 72 UPS patients started with PD catheter and 198 with CVC. PD patients were older and more comorbid but had a significantly lower number of access procedures while there was no difference in hospitalisation or major infections. 13/72 initial PD patients switched to HD and 1-year technique survival was 79%. 158/198 patients remained on HD and 73/158 reported permanent access formation. Older age, OR = 0.34 (CI, 0.17-0.68) and cardiac failure, OR = 0.31(CI, 0.13–0.78), were significant negative predictors of receiving fistula. Younger patients, OR = 0.29 (CI, 0.11–0.79) and those who received AVF, OR = 0.11 (CI, 0.03–0.38), had significantly lower odds of death. Discussion UPS with initial PD was possible in many patients and was associated with lower requirement for access procedures. AVF formation in UPS patients starting on HD was associated with better 1-year survival. Modality switching in UPS patients requires careful clinical management, including clinical practice patterns promoting permanent HD access formation.
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- Winters, Z E, et al.
(author)
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International validation of the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer QLQ-BRECON23 quality-of-life questionnaire for women undergoing breast reconstruction.
- 2018
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In: British Journal of Surgery. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 0007-1323 .- 1365-2168. ; 105, s. 209-222
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- BACKGROUND: The aim was to carry out phase 4 international field-testing of the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) breast reconstruction (BRECON) module. The primary objective was finalization of its scale structure. Secondary objectives were evaluation of its reliability, validity, responsiveness, acceptability and interpretability in patients with breast cancer undergoing mastectomy and reconstruction.METHODS: The EORTC module development guidelines were followed. Patients were recruited from 28 centres in seven countries. A prospective cohort completed the QLQ-BRECON15 before mastectomy and the QLQ-BRECON24 at 4-8 months after reconstruction. The cross-sectional cohort completed the QLQ-BRECON24 at 1-5 years after reconstruction, and repeated this 2-8 weeks later (test-retest reliability). All participants completed debriefing questionnaires.RESULTS: A total of 438 patients were recruited, 234 in the prospective cohort and 204 in the cross-sectional cohort. A total of 414 reconstructions were immediate, with a comparable number of implants (176) and donor-site flaps (166). Control groups comprised patients who underwent two-stage implant procedures (72, 75 per cent) or delayed reconstruction (24, 25 per cent). Psychometric scale validity was supported by moderate to high item-own scale and item-total correlations (over 0·5). Questionnaire validity was confirmed by good scale-to-sample targeting, and computable scale scores exceeding 50 per cent, except nipple cosmesis (over 40 per cent). In known-group comparisons, QLQ-BRECON24 scales and items differentiated between patient groups defined by clinical criteria, such as type and timing of reconstruction, postmastectomy radiotherapy and surgical complications, with moderate effect sizes. Prospectively, sexuality and surgical side-effects scales showed significant responsiveness over time (P < 0·001). Scale reliability was supported by high Cronbach's α coefficients (over 0·7) and test-retest (intraclass correlation more than 0·8). One item (finding a well fitting bra) was excluded based on high floor/ceiling effects, poor test-retest and weak correlations in factor analysis (below 0·3), thus generating the QLQ-BRECON23 questionnaire.CONCLUSION: The QLQ-BRECON23 is an internationally validated tool to be used alongside the EORTC QLQ-C30 (cancer) and QLQ-BR23 (breast cancer) questionnaires for evaluating quality of life and satisfaction after breast reconstruction.
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