scholarly journals Follow-up of early stage melanoma: Specialist clinician perspectives on the functions of follow-up and implications for extending follow-up intervals

2012 ◽  
Vol 107 (5) ◽  
pp. 463-468 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lucie Rychetnik ◽  
Kirsten McCaffery ◽  
Rachael L Morton ◽  
John F Thompson ◽  
Scott W Menzies ◽  
...  
Author(s):  
Renuka M. Tenahalli

Shweta Pradara (Leucorrhoea) is the disease which is characterized by vaginal white discharge. Vaginal white discharge this symptom is present in both physiological and pathological condition, when it becomes pathological it disturbs routine life style of the woman. Most of the women in the early stage will not express the symptoms because of hesitation and their busy schedule. If it is not treated it may leads to chronic diseases like PID (Garbhashaya Shotha etc.) Charaka mentioned Amalaki Choorna along with Madhu and Vata Twak Kashaya Yoni Pichu Dharana. This treatment is used in Shweta Pradara shown positive results, hence a study was under taken to assess its clinical efficacy. 30 diagnosed patients of Shweta Pradara were randomly selected, allocated in three groups. Group A and Group B received Amalaki Choorna with Madhu and Vata Twak Kashaya Yoni Pichu Dharana respectively and Group C received Amalaki Choorna with Madhu followed by Vata Twak Kashaya Yoni Pichu Dharana for 15 days. The patients were assessed for the severity of the symptoms subjectively and objectively before and after the treatment and at the end of the follow up. Data from each group were statistically analyzed and were compared. No side effects were noted and it may be considered as an effective alternative medicine in Shweta Pradara (leucorrhea). Amalaki is rich in natural source of vitamin C and contains phosphorus, iron and calcium. Honey contains carbohydrate, vitamin C, phosphorus iron and calcium. All together these help to increase Hb% and immunity. Vata Twak Kashaya contains tannin which helps to maintain normal pH of the vagina.


Author(s):  
Guangyao Wu ◽  
Arthur Jochems ◽  
Turkey Refaee ◽  
Abdalla Ibrahim ◽  
Chenggong Yan ◽  
...  

Abstract Introduction Lung cancer ranks second in new cancer cases and first in cancer-related deaths worldwide. Precision medicine is working on altering treatment approaches and improving outcomes in this patient population. Radiological images are a powerful non-invasive tool in the screening and diagnosis of early-stage lung cancer, treatment strategy support, prognosis assessment, and follow-up for advanced-stage lung cancer. Recently, radiological features have evolved from solely semantic to include (handcrafted and deep) radiomic features. Radiomics entails the extraction and analysis of quantitative features from medical images using mathematical and machine learning methods to explore possible ties with biology and clinical outcomes. Methods Here, we outline the latest applications of both structural and functional radiomics in detection, diagnosis, and prediction of pathology, gene mutation, treatment strategy, follow-up, treatment response evaluation, and prognosis in the field of lung cancer. Conclusion The major drawbacks of radiomics are the lack of large datasets with high-quality data, standardization of methodology, the black-box nature of deep learning, and reproducibility. The prerequisite for the clinical implementation of radiomics is that these limitations are addressed. Future directions include a safer and more efficient model-training mode, merge multi-modality images, and combined multi-discipline or multi-omics to form “Medomics.”


2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
J Lahti ◽  
J Harkko ◽  
H Sumanen ◽  
K Piha ◽  
O Pietiläinen ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Mental ill-health in young adults is a major public health and work-life problem. We examined in a quasi-experimental design whether occupational psychologist appointment can reduce subsequent sickness absence due to mental disorders among young Finnish employees. Methods The present study was conducted among 18-39-year-old employees of the City of Helsinki using register data from the City of Helsinki and the Social lnsurance Institution of Finland. We used Wald test to compare the differences in sickness absence days due to mental disorders (ICD-10, F-diagnosed) between those treated (occupational psychologist appointment for work ability support) and the non-treated (no psychologist appointment) during a one year follow-up. The full sample (n = 2156, 84% women) consisted of employees with mental disorder diagnosed sickness absence during 2009-2014. To account for the systematic differences between the treated and non-treated, the participants were matched according to their characteristics (age, sex, occupational class, education, previous sickness absence and psychotropic medication). The matched sample included 886 participants. We excluded those with treatment before the treatment screening time (± 3 months to the end of sickness absence period), non-treated with treatment during the follow-up and those that could not be matched (lack of common support). Results In the full sample, the mean of sickness absence days due to mental disorders was 17.7 (95% CI, 11.4, 24.1) days for those treated (n = 240) and 23.2 (95% CI, 20.5, 25.9) days for non-treated (n = 1916), difference being non-significant. The corresponding figures in the matched sample were (16.8, 95% CI, 9.5-24.1) for those treated (n = 195) and (27.8, 95% CI, 22.6-32.9) for non-treated (n = 691), difference being statistically significant (p = 0.02). Conclusions This quasi-experiment suggests that seeing an occupational psychologist to support work ability may be reduce mental health related sickness absence. Key messages We showed that supporting work ability at an early stage may prevent sickness absence due to mental disorders. More efforts to provide early stage support for maintaining work ability may prove useful in reducing sickness absence rates in younger employees.


2021 ◽  
Vol 80 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 1306.1-1306
Author(s):  
P. Tremaskina ◽  
E. Loginova ◽  
T. Korotaeva ◽  
S. Glukhova ◽  
A. Lila

Background:The concept of treat to target (T2T) in psoriatic arthritis (PsA) has been established recently and already shown its benefits [1]. But the long-term outcomes of the T2T have not been studied yet.Objectives:To study 5 years (yrs) follow-up of PsA patients (pts) treated according to T2T strategy at the early stage.Methods:35 (M/F–17/18) PsA pts fulfilling CASPAR criteria, who were treated according to T2T strategy at the early stage (PsA duration≤2 yrs) within 24 months (mos) were analyzed. At the time of evaluation mean age is 42.7±11.2 yrs, median (Me) PsA duration 72 [60;95] mos, psoriasis duration 120 [88;180] mos. All pts underwent standard clinical examinations of PsA before started T2T therapy and at follow-up. Within 24 mos of T2T strategy all pts were taking Methotrexate (MTX) monotherapy in increasing dose up to 25 mg/wk and 18 out of 35 (51%) pts received MTX in combination with iTNF. When T2T study was stopped all pts were treated according to standard care with NSAIDs, bDMARDs, MTX, tsDMARDs based on PsA activity and physician decision. The number of pts achieved minimal disease activity (MDA, 5 of 7) and remission by DAPSA (≤4)/low disease activity (LDA)≤14) at the 24 mos of T2T strategy and at 5 yrs follow-up were calculated. The results are presented in the form of mean values, median, upper and lower quartiles.Results:Me duration of follow-up is 68 [53.5;81.5] mos. At 24 mos Me DAPSA 3.48 [0.45;21.76], remission by DAPSA (REM-DAPSA) were seen in 20 out of 35 (57%) pts, LDA-DAPSA in 4 (12%) pts, moderate activity (MoA) by DAPSA in 6 (17%) pts and high disease activity by DAPSA (HDA-DAPSA) in 5 (14%) pts. MDA was noted in 21 out of 35 (60%) pts. At 5 yrs Me DAPSA 7.4 [2.22;13.87], REM-DAPSA was noted in 12 (34%) pts, LDA-DAPSA in 14 (40%), MoA-DAPSA in 5 (14%), HDA-DAPSA in 4 (12%) pts. MDA was observed in 17 of 35 pts (49%). Among 20 pts who had REM-DAPSA at 24 mos only 6 pts (30%) remained in remission at 5 yrs follow-up and 12 out of 21 pts (57.14%) remained in MDA status.Conclusion:In early PsA pts remission and MDA are achievable goal of T2T strategy. But most pts lost remission/MDA after this strategy was changed to a standard care, despite being in remission/MDA status before change of therapy. Further investigations of the long-term outcomes of T2T strategy in PsA, including radiographic outcomes are needed.References:[1]Coates LC, Moverley AR, McParland L, et al. Lancet 2015; 386: 2489–98.Disclosure of Interests:None declared.


2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-18
Author(s):  
Mohammed AlKindi ◽  
Sundar Ramalingam ◽  
Lujain Abdulmajeed Hakeem ◽  
Manal A. AlSheddi

Salivary gland tumors (SGT) comprise 3% of all head and neck tumors, are mostly benign, and arise frequently in the parotid gland. Pleomorphic adenoma (PA) is the commonest SGT, representing 60-70% of all benign parotid tumors. Clinically, parotid PA presents as irregular, lobulated, asymptomatic, slow-growing preauricular mass, involving both superficial and deep lobes, and could grow to gigantic proportions. Histologically, PA has epithelial and mesenchymal elements in chondromyxoid matrix and is managed surgically. Based on a review of 43 cases reported in English literature since 1995, giant parotid PA is reported as large as 35 cm (diameter) and 7.3 kg (resected weight). Although rare, 10 cases of malignant transformation were reported in the review. Surgical management included extracapsular dissection (ECD), superficial parotidectomy, and total parotidectomy for benign tumors, and adjuvant radiation or chemotherapy for malignant tumors. We further present the case of a 36-year-old healthy male with slow-growing and asymptomatic giant parotid PA, of 4-year duration. The patient presented with firm, lobulated preauricular swelling, provisionally diagnosed as PA based on radiographic and cytological findings. The tumor was resected through ECD, and the patient had uneventful postoperative recovery and a 7-year recurrence-free follow-up period. Histological examination revealed epimyoepithelial proliferation punctuated by chondromyxoid areas, with extensive squamous metaplasia and keratin cysts. To the best of knowledge from indexed literature, giant parotid PA is rarely reported in Saudi Arabia. In addition to its rarity, this case is reported for its benign nature despite atypical histological presentation, successful surgical management without complications, and long-term recurrence-free follow-up. Based on this report, clinicians must be aware of atypical histological presentations associated with PA and plan suitable surgical management and follow-up to avoid morbidity. Nevertheless, attempts must be made to diagnose and manage these lesions at an early stage and before they reach gigantic proportions.


2014 ◽  
Vol 122 (5) ◽  
pp. 349-358 ◽  
Author(s):  
Malgorzata Lanowska ◽  
Mandy Mangler ◽  
Ulrike Grittner ◽  
Gerta Rose Akbar ◽  
Dorothee Speiser ◽  
...  

Dermatology ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Jurr Boer

<b><i>Background:</i></b> Patients with hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) are still often disappointed with the current treatments offered and there is a clear demand for more effective options. Since the late 1990s there has been a revival in the use of radiotherapy (RT) for different benign diseases, including HS. During the past 20 years one case series and some scattered case reports have described promising results of RT. <b><i>Objectives:</i></b> To evaluate the long-term efficacy of RT in early-stage HS. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> A postal survey-based long-term follow-up with simple factual questions of partly retrospective and partly contemporary characteristics was performed. Sixty-four patients (96 axillae), diagnosed with mild to moderate HS were irradiated with a orthovoltage unit with 100 kV, 3 mm Al or 200 kV, 0.5 Cu filtering, respectively. Four to six biweekly fractional doses ranging from 0.75 to 1 Gy up to a total dose of 6 Gy in one series, and in chronic cases followed by four daily fractions of 2 Gy up to a total dose of 14 Gy, were given. Late treatment toxicity and the rate of remission of the disease were evaluated. <b><i>Results:</i></b> The overall response rate of the survey was 64.1% with 40.6% (26/64) valid, complete questionnaires. In total, 40 axillae were irradiated in these 26 patients. After a median follow-up of 40 years (range 32–52) complete remission of the lesions occurred in 34 of the 40 sites (85%). None of the 26 patients with 40 irradiated sites reported adverse effects at the time of the survey. <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> RT appears to be an effective treatment for early and mild HS in the majority of patients. In this case series, no side effects were reported after a median follow-up period of 40 years.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Magnus Zingmark ◽  
Fredrik Norström

Abstract Background Knowledge is scarce on how needs for home help and special housing evolve among older people who begin to receive support from municipal social care. The purpose of this study was to describe baseline distributions and transitions over time between levels of dependency among older persons after being granted social care in a Swedish municipality. Methods Based on a longitudinal cohort study in a Swedish municipality, data was collected retrospectively from municipal records. All persons 65 years or older who received their first decision on social care during 2010 (n = 415) were categorized as being in mild, moderate, severe, or total dependency, and were observed until the end of 2013. Baseline distributions and transitions over time were described descriptively and analysed with survival analysis, with the Kaplan-Meier estimator, over the entire follow-up period. To test potential differences in relation to gender, we used the Cox-Proportional hazards model. Results Baseline distributions between mild, moderate, severe, and total dependency were 53, 16, 24, and 7.7%. During the first year, between 40 and 63% remained at their initial level of dependency. Among those with mild and moderate levels of dependency at baseline, a large proportion declined towards increasing levels of dependency over time; around 40% had increased their dependency level 1 year from baseline and at the end of the follow-up, 75% had increased their dependency level or died. Conclusions Older people in Sweden being allocated home help are at high risk for decline towards higher levels of dependency, especially those at mild or moderate dependency levels at baseline. Taken together, it is important that municipalities make use of existing knowledge so that they implement cost-effective preventative interventions for older people at an early stage before a decline toward increasing levels of dependency.


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