Project description:PurposeTo evaluate the availability of human resources for ophthalmic services in mainland China.MethodsIn 2021, we conducted a nationwide survey of ophthalmic outpatient services across 2996 tertiary hospitals and 10,404 secondary hospitals in 31 provinces in mainland China.ResultsThe response rate was 73.6% (9856/13400), with 78.7% (7759/9856) providing ophthalmic services. By 2021, the total number of ophthalmologists, ophthalmic nurses, and optometrists was 48,652, 64,495, and 14,320, respectively. The densities (per 50,000 population) were 1.7, 2.25, and 0.47, respectively. The density of ophthalmologists was < 1 only in the XiZang region. The average doctor-patient ratio was 2584.8. In Shanghai and Zhejiang provinces, this ratio exceeded 4000.ConclusionThere are currently 1.7 ophthalmologists, 2.25 nurses, and 0.47 optometrists for every 50,000 people in China. The number of ophthalmologists has reached the global average, but the number of optometrists is far below the global average. And the medical pressure across China is uneven, with some provinces such as Shanghai and Zhejiang facing enormous pressure.
Project description:Objective:Arteriovenous fistulas for hemodialysis vascular access are a burden for the cardiovascular system. After successful kidney transplantation, prophylactic arteriovenous fistula ligation may improve cardiac outcomes; however, evidence is scarce. This survey investigates physicians' preference for management of arteriovenous fistulas and identifies the factors associated with preference for either arteriovenous fistula ligation or maintenance.Materials and methods:A survey was sent to members of eight national and international Nephrology and Vascular Surgery societies. The survey comprised eight case vignettes of asymptomatic patients with a functioning arteriovenous fistula after kidney transplantation. Characteristics possibly associated with treatment preferences were arteriovenous fistula flow, left ventricular ejection fraction, and patient age. Respondents were asked to state preference to maintain or ligate the arteriovenous fistula. Linear mixed-effects models were used to investigate the association of treatment preference with case characteristics.Results:A total of 585 surveys were returned. A reduced left ventricular ejection fraction of 30% (beta 0.60, 95% confidence interval 0.55; 0.65) and a high flow of 2500 mL/min (beta 0.46, 95% confidence interval 0.41; 0.51) were associated with a higher preference for arteriovenous fistula ligation. Disagreement among respondents was considerable, as in four out of eight cases less than 70% of respondents agreed on the arteriovenous fistula management strategy.Conclusion:Although respondents recognize a reduced left ventricular ejection fraction and a high flow as the risk factors, the high disagreement on management preferences suggests that evidence is inconclusive to recommend arteriovenous fistula ligation or maintenance after kidney transplantation. More research is needed to determine optimal arteriovenous fistula management after successful kidney transplantation.
Project description:BackgroundPaediatric kidney transplantation has an increased risk of surgical and vascular complications, with intensive care monitoring required postoperatively. This study aimed to determine if perioperative management affects early graft function in living donor paediatric kidney transplantation.MethodsClinical data was extracted from the electronic medical record for living donor kidney transplants at two paediatric centres covering the state of New South Wales (NSW), Australia from 2009 to 2021. Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) of 7 days and 1-month post-transplant were calculated as measures of early graft function.ResultsThirty-nine eligible patients (female n (%) 13 (33%)) with a median (IQR) age of 6 (3-9) years and pre-transplant eGFR of 7 (6-10) mL/min/1.73 m2 were analysed. Mean (SD) central venous pressure (CVP) after revascularisation was 11 (4) mmHg. Intraoperatively, mean volume of fluid administered was 84 (39) mL/kg, and 34 (87%) patients received vasoactive agents. Average systolic blood pressure (BP) in the first 24-h post-transplant was 117 (12) mmHg. Postoperatively, median volume of fluid administered in the first 24 h was 224 (159-313) mL/kg, and 17 (44%) patients received vasoactive agents. Median eGFR 7 days and 1-month post-transplant were 115 (79-148) and 103 (83-115) mL/min/1.73 m2, respectively. Linear regression analyses demonstrated that after adjusting for age, the average CVP after revascularisation and average systolic BP in the first 24-h post-transplant were not associated with eGFR in the first month post-transplant.ConclusionsTargeted intraoperative and postoperative fluid and haemodynamic characteristics were achieved but did not correlate with early graft function.
Project description:Background Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is one of the most frequent opportunistic infections in kidney transplant (KT) recipients and is a risk factor for patient and graft survival after KT. Center-to-center variation, optimal prevention and treatment strategies in pediatric KT are currently unknown. This survey aimed to assess current CMV prevention and treatment strategies used among French pediatric KT centers. Methods A web-based survey was sent to all 13 French pediatric kidney transplantation centers. Results Twelve (92%) centers responded to the survey. All centers used prophylaxis for the donor-positive/recipient-negative (D+/R-) group. For R + patients, 54% used prophylaxis, 37% used a pre-emptive strategy. In the low-risk group, D-/R-, 50% used a pre-emptive approach and 50% had no specific prevention strategy. The antiviral used by all centers for prophylaxis was valganciclovir (VGCV). The duration of prophylaxis varied from 3 to 7 months and the duration of viral load monitoring varied from 6 months to indefinitely. No center used a hybrid/sequential approach. For the treatment of CMV DNAemia, VGCV or intravenous GCV were used. Therapeutic drug monitoring of VGCV was performed in 5 centers (42%). Five centers reported drug resistance. Eight centers (67%) administered VGCV during the treatment of acute graft rejection. Conclusions There is uniformity in CMV management in some areas among pediatric KT centers in France but not in others which remain diverse and are not up to date with current guidelines, suggesting unnecessary variation which could be reduced with better evidence to inform practice.
Project description:BackgroundThe prevalence of frailty is increasing as the global population continues to age. Frailty is associated with poor perioperative outcomes including increased morbidity and mortality. The purpose of this study is to examine current practices and perspectives of anesthesiogists in Italy on the provision of care for elderly surgical patients with frailty.MethodsWe conducted a national survey. Data were collected via an online questionnaire distributed by the Italian Society of Anaesthesia, Analgesia, Resuscitation and Intensive Care (SIAARTI). Responses were collected over 24 weeks between October 2022 and March 2023.ResultsSeven-hundred thirteen anesthetists completed the survey. A total of 39.8% (277) of respondents were working in university hospitals. Frailty scoring was routinely performed in 51.8% of care settings. Only 26.3% of organizations surveyed had a dedicated pathway for perioperative management of frail elderly patients. The most common method for frailty assessment was the subjective assessment by the anesthesiologist (58.3%). More than half of the participants reported the use of ERAS items in most cases. Almost half of respondents reported the use of postoperative screening tools for delirium (45% of respondents).DiscussionWhile these results point to the resistance to clinical implementation of frailty assessment, they also highlight the perceived need for careful management. This can help in identifying elderly patients who may require targeted perioperative management and in ensuring the preservation of cognitive and functional status.
Project description:Apparently, understanding airway management status may help to reduce risk and improve clinical practice. Given these facts, our team conducted a second survey on the current status of airway management for mainland China following our 2016 national airway survey. The national survey was conducted from November 7 to November 28, 2022. An electronic survey was sent to the New Youth Anesthesia Forum, where Chinese anesthesiologists completed the questionnaire via WeChat. A total of 3783 respondents completed the survey, with a response rate of 72.14%. So far, in 2022, 34.84% of anesthesiologists canceled or delayed surgery at least once due to difficult airway. For the anticipated difficult airway management, 66.11% of physicians would choose awake intubation under sedation and topical anesthesia, while the percentage seeking help has decreased compared to the 2016 survey. When encountering an emergency, 74.20% of respondents prefer to use the needle cricothyrotomy, albeit less than a quarter have actually performed it. Anesthesiologists with difficult airway training experience reached 72.96%, with a significant difference in participation between participants in Tier 3 hospitals and those in other levels of hospitals (P < 0.001). The videolaryngoscope, laryngeal mask, and flexible intubation scope were equipped at 97.18%, 95.96%, and 62.89%, respectively. Additionally, the percentage of brain damage or death caused by difficult airways was significantly decreased. The study may be the best reference for understanding the current status of airway management in China, revealing the current advancements and deficiencies. The future focus of airway management remains on training and education.
Project description:BackgroundThere are few detailed consensus and guidelines on perioperative clinical characteristics of liver transplantation (LT) in patients with methylmalonic acidemia (MMA). This retrospective study investigated details of the clinical course and individualized treatment plan of the center with largest experience in China.MethodsA total of 7 MMA patients undergoing LT in Beijing Friendship Hospital from June 2013 to December 2017 were enrolled in the study, whose clinical data (clinical characteristics, laboratory findings, chronological changes in urine MMA levels, treatment, etc.) during perioperative period were analyzed retrospectively. All the patients received strict postoperative management.ResultsAll the 7 cases were confirmed to have isolated MMA, among which, 3 cases received living donor liver transplantation (LDLT), 4 cases received deceased donor liver transplantation (DDLT). A wild fluctuate of metabolic condition was observed within the first few days after surgery and two weeks after LT, the mean base excess of blood value (BE-B) restored to normal whereas plasma bicarbonate (HCO3 -) was still below normal value even with intermittent sodium bicarbonate correction. It also showed marked reduction in propionylcarnitine (C3) and C3/C2 level and the mean urine MMA by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was reduced by 81.7% (P<0.01) but remained >72× higher than upper limit of normal. The metabolism-correcting medications were administered as before. The renal function of one case with renal insufficiency before LT (serum creatinine rising) maintained stable by adjusting the immunosuppressive regimen during the observation period. All patients survive to date.ConclusionsLT is an effective treatment to prevent metabolic crisis, but patients with MMA tend to be metabolically fragile even after surgery. During perioperative period, close monitoring should be given for acidosis episodes so as to implement sodium bicarbonate correction. Metabolism-correcting medications are still needed. Special immunosuppressive regimen is an effective way of maintaining renal function for those with kidney dysfunction.
Project description:BackgroundKidney transplant recipients face complex perioperative challenges due to comorbidities from chronic kidney disease. This study aimed to assess perioperative complications in kidney transplant recipients and evaluate the association between the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) and complication severity using the Clavien-Dindo (CD) classification.MethodsA prospective cohort study conducted at a tertiary hospital in South Brazil from September 2020 to March 2022, including 230 adult kidney transplant recipients. Data on demographics, comorbidities, and complications were collected. Complications were categorized using the CD scale, and their relationship with CCI was analyzed using univariate and multivariate Cox regression.ResultsMean age was 49.2 ± 12.7 years, with 58.7% male recipients. The mean CCI score was 3.65 ± 1.5 points. Intraoperative complications occurred in 10.9% of patients, with notable issues including bleeding and airway difficulties. In the immediate postoperative period, 9.1% required urgent dialysis. In the 30-day follow-up, 57.8% had delayed graft function, 21.7% infections, 11.3% had vascular complications, and the mortality was 1.7%. CCI was not a significant predictor of severe complications; however, congestive heart failure was strongly associated with severe complications (HR = 6.6 95% CI 2.6-6.7, p < 0.001).ConclusionsDespite a low overall comorbidity profile, kidney transplant recipients faced significant perioperative challenges. The lack of a significant association between the CCI score and severe complications suggests that traditional risk assessment tools may not fully capture the risks specific to the early postoperative period in kidney transplantation, and future research should focus on developing more refined risk assessment models for chronic kidney disease patients.
Project description:The aim of this study was to assess current French practices in the management of patients with advanced epithelial ovarian cancer. a 58-question electronic survey was distributed anonymously to the members of the SFOG (French Society of Gynaecological Oncology), GINECO-ARCAGY (National Investigators Group for Ovarian and Breast Cancer Studies in France) and FRANCOGYN (French research group in oncological and gynaecological surgery). Initial diagnostic workup and staging, pathological data, surgical data, treatments and follow-up strategies were assessed. a total of 107 participants responded to emailed surveys. Most of the respondents were obstetrician-gynaecologists (37.4%), surgical oncologists (34.6%) and medical oncologists (17.8%). According to most (76.8%) participants, less than 50% of patients were eligible for primary debulking surgery (PDS). The LION study criteria were applied in 69.5% of cases during PDS and 39% after chemotherapy. The timing of BRCA testing was very heterogeneous and ranged from 1 to 6 months. The use of bevacizumab as an adjuvant schedule was lower in cases of no residual disease (for 54.5% of respondents) compared to cases of residual disease (for 63.6% of respondents). In cases of BRCA1-2 mutations, olaparib was given by 75.8-84.8% of respondents, whereas niraparib was given in cases of BRCA wild-type diseases. this survey provides an extensive and a unique review of current French practices in the management of patients with advanced epithelial ovarian cancer in 2021.
Project description:BackgroundChronic kidney disease (CKD) clinics across Canada provide tailored care for patients with CKD with an aim to slow progression and prevent complications. These clinics provide CKD self-management resources; however, there is limited information about what resources are being used by clinics. We undertook a survey of CKD clinics across Canada to identify self-management resources for adults aged 18 years and over with CKD categories 1 to 5 and not requiring dialysis or transplant.ObjectiveTo identify and collate self-management resources (eg, strategies, tools, educational materials) used by CKD clinics across Canada for adults with CKD (categories 1 to 5, not requiring kidney replacement therapy).DesignSelf-administered, semistructured electronic survey.Setting participantsCanadian CKD clinics with previously identified contact information.Methods and measurementsWe contacted 57 CKD English-speaking clinics and invited them to complete an online survey. The survey was available from October 2016 to January 2017 and consisted of 17 questions regarding the use and attributes of self-management resources including topic, delivery format, provider, target population, where the intervention was provided, and resource languages.ResultsForty-four clinics (77%) completed the survey. The most common topic was modality education provided in print format, by nurses. The most frequently used resource was the Kidney Foundation of Canada (KFOC) Living With Kidney Disease manual. We also identified that the majority of resources were available in English, targeting both patients and caregivers in the outpatient setting.LimitationsOur survey included Canadian adult CKD clinics, which may not be generalizability to other settings, such as care of people with CKD in primary care.ConclusionsAdult CKD clinics across Canada provide some similar resources, but also provide many different self-management resources. Even though some of the same resources were used by multiple clinics, the way they were provided them (ie, provider, location, delivery format) varied by the individual clinics. Knowledge of self-management resources currently provided in CKD clinics, along with synthesis of the literature and patient preferred self-management strategies, will inform the design and development of a novel self-management intervention that is patient-centric and adheres to the principles of self-management.