Acta clinica Croatica
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Acta clinica Croatica · Jun 2017
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative StudyThoracic Epidural Versus Intravenous Patient-Controlled Analgesia after Open Colorectal Cancer Surgery.
The aim of the study was to compare thoracic epidural analgesia (TEA) and intravenous patient-controlled analgesia (IV-PCA) after open colorectal cancer surgery. This prospective study included sixty patients scheduled for elective open colorectal surgery and randomized to either postoperative IV-PCA with morphine (n=30) or TEA with a mixture of levobupivacaine, fentanyl and adrenaline (n=30). Th e primary outcome was return of bowel function. ⋯ Nausea, sedation and postoperative delirium occurred less frequently in TEA group (p<0.05, p<0.001 and p<0.05, respectively). TEA demonstrated significantly better effectiveness than IV-PCA after open colorectal cancer surgery and had a positive impact on bowel function, dietary intake, patient satisfaction and early mobilization. The results of this study demonstrated the importance of implementation of TEA as a preferred method for postoperative pain control after major open colorectal surgery.
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Acta clinica Croatica · Jun 2017
Herpes Group Viruses: a Seroprevalence Study in Hemodialysis Patients.
Herpes group viruses (herpes simplex virus, HSV; varicella-zoster virus, VZV; cytomegalovirus, CMV; and Epstein-Barr virus, EBV) remain an important cause of morbidity in immunocompromised persons. The aim of the study was to analyze the prevalence of HSV-1, HSV-2, VZV, CMV and EBV in patients undergoing hemodialysis. During a three-year period (2013-2015), 152 consecutive serum samples from hemodialysis patients and 150 healthy subjects (control group) were tested for the presence of IgM/IgG antibodies to herpes group viruses. ⋯ The prevalence of HSV-2 and EBV was similar in both groups (12.5% vs. 12.7%, p=0.137 and 98.0% vs. 95.3%, p=0.113, respectively). There was no difference in IgG seropositivity according to gender and place of residence. Logistic regression showed that older age was a significant predictor for CMV and EBV IgG seropositivity (increase in age by one year: CMV OR=1.055; 95%CI=1.030-1.080 and EBV OR=1.075, 95%CI=1.023-1.130).
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The aim of the study was to investigate whether there is difference in the quality of life between mothers of children with cerebral palsy and mothers of healthy children, as well as whether the quality of life in mothers of children with cerebral palsy depends on their level of education, child's mobility and child's functional status. A total of 141 mothers participated in the research. Mothers were divided into two groups, 71 mothers of children with cerebral palsy and 70 mothers of healthy children from the Tuzla Canton (Bosnia and Herzegovina). ⋯ Mothers of children with cerebral palsy had poorer quality of life than mothers of healthy children in all investigated domains. In relation to mobility of the child, the quality of life was worse in mothers whose children did not move in the area of social functioning in comparison to mothers whose children had the ability to move independently. A statistically significant negative correlation existed between functional status of a child measured with GMFCS and social functioning of mothers, mothers' daily activities, parental functioning, family functioning, and overall quality of life of mothers.