The American journal of medicine
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Review Meta Analysis
Exercise-based rehabilitation for patients with coronary heart disease: systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
To review the effectiveness of exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation in patients with coronary heart disease. ⋯ This review confirms the benefits of exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation within the context of today's cardiovascular service provision.
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Untreated preoperative anemia and acute perioperative blood loss may add to surgical risk. To understand the prevalence of anemia in surgical patients (with a primary focus on preoperative anemia), and the impact that preexisting anemia has on transfusion rates as well as on clinical and functional outcomes, a systematic review was performed of articles published between January 1966 and February 2003. The estimates of anemia prevalence in the literature ranged widely, from 5% in geriatric women with hip fracture to 75.8% in patients with Dukes stage D colon cancer. ⋯ Too few studies were found that evaluated the impact of anemia on other outcomes, such as functional status and costs and resource utilization, to draw reliable conclusions. Several other factors also limited the interpretation of the data, including the lack of a uniform definition for anemia and a dearth of studies expressly designed to quantify the prevalence and impact of anemia. Establishing a uniform definition and specifically evaluating the effect of anemia on outcomes are important considerations for future study.
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Anemia is common in patients with cancer. This systematic literature review of reports published in 1966 through February 2003 identified the prevalence of anemia in specific cancers and assessed the impact of anemia on survival and quality of life (QOL). Studies about chemotherapy-induced anemia were excluded. ⋯ Tumor hypoxia, which has been associated with resistance to radiation therapy and chemotherapy, may stimulate angiogenesis, leading to poor local control of tumors and increased morbidity and mortality. Treatment of anemia may have a significant impact on patient survival and QOL. However, a standard definition of anemia is needed, as is research about the effect of anemia on cancer progression.
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Anemia is common in patients with cancer. This systematic literature review of reports published in 1966 through February 2003 identified the prevalence of anemia in specific cancers and assessed the impact of anemia on survival and quality of life (QOL). Studies about chemotherapy-induced anemia were excluded. ⋯ Tumor hypoxia, which has been associated with resistance to radiation therapy and chemotherapy, may stimulate angiogenesis, leading to poor local control of tumors and increased morbidity and mortality. Treatment of anemia may have a significant impact on patient survival and QOL. However, a standard definition of anemia is needed, as is research about the effect of anemia on cancer progression.
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Cryofibrinogenemia is a rarely symptomatic disorder that is underrecognized due to the infrequency with which it causes symptoms. Although completely reversible, this disorder can be life threatening when untreated. ⋯ Diagnostic criteria are outlined, and therapies are assessed critically. This information should help clinicians in establishing a diagnosis of cryofibrinogenemia and initiating treatment.