Nederlands tijdschrift voor geneeskunde
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The initial theoretical concept of a polypill was a fixed-dosed combination pill containing an antiplatelet agent, a cholesterol-lowering agent and multiple blood pressure-lowering agents aimed at the prevention of atherosclerotic vascular disease in the population aged 55 years and up. The reduction in the risk of cardiovascular disease does not depend on the cholesterol level and blood pressure at the start of treatment. ⋯ Research has shown that the use of combination products leads to a greater reduction in risk factors than the use of separate substances, possibly through improved adherence to the therapy. The use of a polypill in the prevention of vascular disease in high-risk patients may lead to a more effective reduction in risk, a decrease in costs and a reduction in pharmacological expenditure.
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Ned Tijdschr Geneeskd · Jan 2011
Review[Guideline 'Pain management for trauma patients in the chain of emergency care'].
Pain management for trauma patients is a neglected aspect in the chain of emergency care in general practices, ambulance services, mobile trauma teams and in hospital emergency departments. The aim of the guideline 'Pain management for trauma patients in the chain of emergency care' is to provide pain management recommendations for trauma patients in the chain of emergency care and thereby improve the assistance that patients receive. ⋯ The guideline contains 3 algorithms for measuring pain and for its pharmacological treatment in the chain of emergency care. Implementation of the algorithms requires an alternative working procedure; pain scores must be documented, and general practitioners and nursing staff may administer opioids intravenously.
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Diagnosing meningitis requires the information from both history-taking and physical examination in its entirety. In adults with a history that makes meningitis a possibility, specific tests used to diagnose meningeal irritation, such as for Kernig or Brudzinski signs or nuchal rigidity, probably do not affect the reliability of the diagnosis. In small children and the elderly, Kernig and Brudzinski signs are also probably of little or no diagnostic value.
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Ned Tijdschr Geneeskd · Jan 2011
Review[Shared decision-making in medical practice--patient-centred communication skills].
Most patients (70%) want to participate actively in important healthcare decisions, the rest (30%) prefer the doctor to make the decision for them. Shared decision-making provides more patient satisfaction, a better quality of life and contributes to a better doctor-patient relationship. ⋯ In shared decision-making the doctor asks many open questions, gives and requests much information, asks if the patient wishes to participate in the decision-making and explicitly takes into account patient circumstances and preferences. Shared decision-making should remain an individual choice and should not become a new dogma.
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Hip resurfacing arthroplasty was introduced as an alternative to the conventional total hip arthroplasty which had shown suboptimal results in younger patients. Application of the resurfacing technique in younger patients has increased over the last few years. To date, no randomized controlled trials with a minimum follow-up span of 10 years comparing hip resurfacing to conventional hip replacement have been conducted in patients under 55 years of age. ⋯ In addition to these disappointing revision rates, the complication of aseptic lymphocytic vasculitis caused by metal particles evoking a local tissue reaction has been increasingly reported. The resurfacing procedure recently received some negative media attention in the Netherlands, leading to confusion among patients. In order to ease patient doubts, it is important to correctly inform them as to the type of implant used, for example, by means of the website or an information card.