Ugeskrift for laeger
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Ugeskrift for laeger · Jun 2003
Case Reports[Compartment syndrome of the lower part of the leg, exceptional trauma mechanism].
Acute compartment syndrome (CS) is a limb threatening condition which warrants emergency treatment. We describe a case of a 37-year-old man with acute CS developed without major trauma. ⋯ As a consequence of this case the department purchased a pressure transducer. Measurement of high pressure could have saved the patient for an undue risk of serious complications.
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Since the onset of multiple sclerosis (MS) mainly occurs in younger persons between the age of 20 and 40, sexual dysfunctions have great impact on their quality of life. About 50% of all female and about 75% of all male patients complain of sexual dysfunctions. The primary symptoms among males are erective and ejaculative dysfunctions and reduced libido, while female patients mainly complain of reduced libido, problems achieving orgasm, decreased vaginal lubrication and changes in vaginal sensitivity. ⋯ Diagnosing and treating sexual dysfunctions in MS should ideally be carried out by a specialized "MS-team" with the core professionals being the neurologist, urologist, (neuro) psychologist and the nurse. Information about symptoms and their possible causes is an important part of the treatment, and not least learning more efficient coping strategies. Both for the patient and for the couple honest and open informative communication including information about sexual aids and perhaps also medical treatment will often result in minimizing the sexual problems and increasing quality of life.
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Ugeskrift for laeger · Jun 2003
Comparative Study[Cost-of-illness of asthma in Denmark in the year 2000].
The total number of asthmatic patients in Denmark in the year 2000 was about 300,000 out of a total population of 5.3 million. The aim of this study was to evaluate cost-of-illness for all asthma patients in Denmark for the year 2000. ⋯ The estimated cost is consistent with data from other national and international sources, suggesting that our estimate be close to the real cost. Costs due to asthma may be expected to increase due to the increase in prevalence of asthma.
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Ugeskrift for laeger · Jun 2003
[Acute normovolemic hemodilution combined with inhibition of fibrinolysis and use of cell saver in total hip arthroplasty].
Transfusion with homologous blood is not without costs for the recipient: An increased risk of postoperative infections must be anticipated, and the risk of transfusion-transmitted viral infections is of growing concern. This has increased the interest for methods which can reduce the need for intraoperative blood transfusion. The goal of this study was to determine if acute normovolemic hemodilution combined with fibrinolytic inhibition and the use of cell saver can reduce the need for homologous blood transfusion in total hip arthroplasty compared to the cellsaver technique alone. ⋯ Although the cell saving technique is effective in total hip arthroplasty, this study demonstrates that a further reduction of blood loss and homologous blood transfusion can be achieved by combining the method with acute normovolemic hemodilution and pharmacological inhibition of fibrinolysis.
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Reflex dystrophy or Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) is a neuropathic pain condition in a limb after a trauma. Pain is not limited to one or more dermatomes and there is a disproportion between the intensity of the pain and the eliciting trauma. Among physicians in Denmark it is not common knowledge that CRPS also affects children. ⋯ The treatment should be administered by a multi-disciplinary team. The incidence of CRPS in children in Denmark is unknown but the condition is probably under-diagnosed. Early diagnosis and active treatment may reduce the duration of the condition considerably.