Wiener klinische Wochenschrift
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Wien. Klin. Wochenschr. · Mar 2022
Seronegative autoimmune hepatitis in children : A real diagnostic challenge.
Classical autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is characterized by the presence of conventional autoantibodies (anti-smooth muscle, antinuclear and anti-liver-kidney-microsomal antibodies). The absence of such autoantibodies in some patients does not preclude AIH diagnosis or the need for its treatment. This group of patients was termed seronegative AIH. Whether non-conventional autoantibodies can identify this group of patients is still elusive. We aimed to study the prevalence of seronegativity of conventional autoantibodies and the occurrence of non-conventional autoantibodies in children with AIH. ⋯ Seronegative AIH represents a substantial percentage of pediatric patients diagnosed with AIH. They were even negative for non-conventional autoantibodies. Furthermore, apart from autoantibodies, seronegative AIH is almost indistinguishable from the classical AIH and the majority of patients were treatment responders. This favorable response to immunosuppression deserves sustainable efforts for considering such a diagnosis and start therapy to halt disease progression is worthwhile.
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Wien. Klin. Wochenschr. · Mar 2022
ReviewFrank's sign and paired ear creases of the helix : Current concepts of significance for morbidity.
Frank's sign (FS) was described in 1973 as an auricular marker for cardiovascular disease presenting as a crease of the auricular lobule. Since its first clinical description, there have been multiple studies underlining the role of FS in a myriad of conditions, such as atherosclerosis, hypertension, cerebrovascular disease, peripheral artery disease, metabolic diseases as well as studies looking at physiological differences in the auricular shape that may mimic FS; however, a complex study to comprehensively analyze the clinical, gross, and histological findings of patients with FS has not yet been performed. Most studies focused on a specific system, mechanism of disease entry. This short review tries to summarize the current knowledge of FS in relation to diseases as well as its clinical classification, histology, and association with the recently described paired ear creases of the helix, as an attempt to reveal the dubious role of FS as a possible prognostic and predictive marker.
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Wien. Klin. Wochenschr. · Mar 2022
Randomized Controlled TrialPositive effect of colors and art in patient rooms on patient recovery after total hip or knee arthroplasty : A randomized controlled trial.
Environmental stimuli and well-being are considered to be significant factors in patients' rehabilitation. The aim of this study was to describe the effect of colors and art in hospital rooms on patients' recovery after total hip or knee arthroplasty. ⋯ The use of colors in hospital rooms is an effective intervention to improve well-being and to enhance faster rehabilitation. We could demonstrate a positive effect of colors on patients' postoperative QOL.
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Wien. Klin. Wochenschr. · Mar 2022
Randomized Controlled TrialAn fMRI study of cognitive remediation in drug-naïve subjects diagnosed with first episode schizophrenia.
The purpose of our functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) study was to examine brain activity using a "1-back" paradigm as working memory task in drug-naïve subjects with first episode schizophrenia before and after cognitive remediation training. ⋯ In this randomized study the number of activation clusters during a working memory task increased after cognitive remediation training. Our data show that neurobiological effects of cognitive remediation can be identified in the very early course of schizophrenia.
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Wien. Klin. Wochenschr. · Mar 2022
ReviewEducational programmes for frail older people, their families, carers and healthcare professionals : A systematic review.
More people are living with frailty and requiring additional health and support services. To improve their management, the "Frailty: Core Capability Framework" in the United Kingdom recommends frailty education for older individuals, their families, carers and health professionals. We performed a systematic review of specific educational programmes for these groups. ⋯ Educational programmes for older people, their carers and health professionals are important for effective frailty prevention and management. To be maximally beneficial, they should be easily accessible to all target populations and include empowerment, self-care and health promotion. Further research should explore the formulation of widely applicable, user-friendly programmes and delivery formats that can be tailored to different client groups.