Ugeskrift for laeger
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This case report describes three cases of acute massive pulmonary embolism treated with surgical embolectomy at Skejby Sygehus (Aarhus University Hospital), Denmark, in the period from March 2005 to January 2006. It was necessary to open each pulmonary artery in all three patients in order to remove as much of the embolic material as possible. ⋯ They all had normal echocardiography postoperatively. Surgical embolectomy is therefore a feasible treatment for acute massive pulmonary embolism.
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An elaborated research methodology elucidating the scientific quality of health-related quality of life questionnaires has been developed. With the availability of a methodology that can investigate important aspects of the validity and reliability of questionnaires, the central question is no longer whether questionnaire based studies are valid, but to what extent their validity in specific applications has been sufficiently researched. Newer statistical methods will facilitate a shift towards interactive, individualized questionnaires.
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The article reviews methods, experiences, and results of quality of life research in cancer, and presents recommendations. The research has comprised descriptive studies, end-points in clinical trials, prognostic studies, and clinical applications of quality of life questionnaires. There is a need for additional quality of life studies in relation to all cancer sites and treatments but such studies should be undertaken only when the necessary resources are available, as only well-conducted studies are of value.
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Pediatric health-related quality of life (HRQoL) assessment has increased during the last decade. However, the use of HRQoL measures in paediatric clinics and in paediatric clinical trials is still limited. ⋯ Routine implementation of HRQoL measures in paediatric clinics might improve patient-physician communication, patient and parent satisfaction as well as clinical outcome. Both generic and disease-specific instruments should be used, and paediatric HRQoL norms need to be established in Denmark.