Schweizerische Rundschau für Medizin Praxis = Revue suisse de médecine Praxis
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Schweiz. Rundsch. Med. Prax. · May 1993
[Continuous home oxygen therapy in chronic obstructive bronchopneumopathy].
Long-term oxygen therapy (LTOT) has a significant effect on the survival of patients with chronic obstructive bronchitis and/or emphysema (COPD). The rationale for this therapy is based on prevention of the increase in pulmonary arterial tension resulting from chronic hypoxia. ⋯ Indication for LTOT depends on precise criteria. Information to the patients and to the medical community is essential for the success of this therapy.
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Several distinct patterns of rheumatic manifestations can be seen throughout the course of Lyme borreliosis: intermittent and migratory musculoskeletal pain without objective findings, intermittent arthritis, chronic erosive arthritis, and joint deformities under affected skin in acrodermatitis chronica atrophicans. Commonly, Lyme arthritis is a late disease manifestation. A clinical history of extra-articular disease manifestations is the most reliable key to Lyme arthritis. ⋯ Otherwise, Lyme arthritis will be frequently over-diagnosed. Lyme arthritis can be cured with antibiotics. However, treatment failures occur with any of the hitherto recommended regimens.
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Advances in the technology of infusion pumps and ports have opened a new spectrum of indications. The choice of the device is dependent on the specific indication. ⋯ As demonstrated in several studies, ports can be safely used for chronic pain treatment. However, as with the use of infusion pumps, the indications for use must be evaluated carefully and especially-trained staff is a prerequisite for success.
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Schweiz. Rundsch. Med. Prax. · Mar 1993
[Chronic tumor pain and opiates: a survey of prescription practice among physicians of German-speaking Switzerland].
Motivated by clinical experience that opioids are still not administered adequately in cancer pain, a survey about their use involving 1200 physicians of the German-speaking part of Switzerland was conducted. The results confirm that a part of the treating physicians uses opioids not rationally, but that the majority follows established guidelines in the treatment of cancer pain. The results are compared and discussed with the current literature on the management of cancer pain.