Arch Intern Med
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Despite poor outcomes, life-sustaining treatments including mechanical ventilation are continued for a large and growing population of patients with chronic critical illness. This may be owing in part to a lack of understanding resulting from inadequate communication between clinicians and patients and families. Our objective was to investigate the informational needs of patients with chronic critical illness and their families and the extent to which these needs are met. ⋯ Many patients and their families may lack important information for decision making about continuation of treatment in the chronic phase of critical illness. Strategies for effective communication in this clinical context should be investigated and implemented.
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Comparative Study
Secondhand smoke and health-related quality of life in never smokers: results from the SAPALDIA cohort study 2.
Although secondhand smoke (SHS) has been linked with various respiratory conditions and symptoms, its association with health-related quality of life (HRQOL) is unknown. ⋯ Secondhand smoke is associated with reduced HRQOL, more significantly so in women. Exposure to SHS at home and high levels of exposure are associated with lower SF-36 scores, suggesting a dose-response relationship.
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Prognostic information in peripheral arterial disease (PAD) may provide the basis for optimal management strategies at an early stage. This study aimed to develop a prognostic risk index for long-term mortality in patients with PAD. ⋯ A prognostic risk index for long-term mortality stratified patients with PAD into different risk categories. This may be useful for risk stratification, patient counseling, and medical decision making.
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The cardiovascular risk implications of a combined assessment of reduced kidney function and microalbuminuria are unknown. In elderly persons, traditional cardiovascular risk factors are less predictive, and measures of end organ damage, such as kidney disease, may be needed for improved cardiovascular mortality risk stratification. ⋯ Reduced kidney function and microalbuminuria are risk factors for cardiovascular death, independent of each other and traditional risk factors. The combined variable improved cardiovascular risk stratification at all age levels, but particularly in elderly persons where the predictive power of traditional risk factors is attenuated.
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Comparative Study
QT-interval effects of methadone, levomethadyl, and buprenorphine in a randomized trial.
Levomethadyl acetate, methadone hydrochloride, and buprenorphine hydrochloride are equally effective treatments for opioid dependence. Each blocks the human ether-a-go-go-related gene (hERG)-associated channel in vitro and represents a risk for QT prolongation. To compare the effects of 3 known hERG-associated channel blockers on the corrected QT (QTc), we conducted a randomized, controlled trial of opioid-addicted subjects. ⋯ Buprenorphine is associated with less QTc prolongation than levomethadyl or methadone and may be a safe alternative.