Swiss medical weekly
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Swiss medical weekly · Jan 2012
Comparative StudyPrevalence of multimorbidity in medical inpatients.
To validate the estimates of the prevalence of multimorbidity based on administrative hospital discharge data, with medical records and chart reviews as benchmarks. ⋯ Estimates of the prevalence of multimorbidity in medical inpatients based on administrative data, chart reviews and medical records were very high and congruent for the different definitions of multimorbidity. Agreement for rating multimorbidity based on the different data sources was moderate to good. Administrative hospital discharge data are a valid source for exploring the burden of multimorbidity in hospital settings.
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Swiss medical weekly · Jan 2012
Comparative StudySun protective behaviour of primary and secondary school students in North-Western Switzerland.
The skin cancer incidence in Switzerland is one of the highest in Europe and still on the rise. Sun protection is the main preventive measure and of utmost importance during childhood and adolescence, since sunburns within these early phases of life increase the risk of developing skin cancer in adulthood. ⋯ In order to reduce the incidence of skin cancer in Switzerland, it is essential to improve children's and adolescents' sun protective behaviour. Future skin cancer prevention campaigns should teach proper use of sunscreen, and emphasise the value of wearing clothing and seeking shade as the most effective sun protection. Furthermore, major efforts are needed to change adolescents' attitude towards a suntan.
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Swiss medical weekly · Jan 2012
The Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II score is helpful in predicting the need of relaparotomies in patients with secondary peritonitis of colorectal origin.
Secondary peritonitis of colorectal origin has considerable morbidity and mortality. Relaparotomies are frequently necessary in the course of the disease. The objective of this study was to evaluate several scores in terms of their predictive value, i.e. whether Mannheim Peritonitis Index (MPI), Acute Physiology And Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II, or Colorectal Physiological and Operative Severity Score for the Enumeration of Mortality and Morbidity (CR-POSSUM) scores can predict relaparotomies. ⋯ The Acute Physiology And Chronic Health Evaluation II score might be helpful in predicting the need for relaparotomies in patients with secondary peritonitis of colorectal origin.
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Swiss medical weekly · Jan 2012
Cerebral MRI and EEG studies in the initial management of pediatric headaches.
High resolution imaging modalities and electroencephalographic studies (EEG) are used in the assessment of children with headaches. We evaluated the role of cerebral MRI (cMRI) and EEG in the initial assessment of children with headache as the chief complaint of initial presentation. ⋯ Despite abnormal findings on neurological/physical examination in a substantial number of children with headaches, the yield of pathological cMRIs was low. The use of EEG recordings was not contributory to the diagnostic and therapeutic approach. More research is needed to better define those patients who are likely to have an intracranial pathology.
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Swiss medical weekly · Jan 2012
Attitudes, barriers and facilitators for health promotion in the elderly in primary care. A qualitative focus group study.
Effective health promotion is of great importance from clinical as well as from public health perspectives and therefore should be encouraged. Especially regarding health promotion in the elderly, general practitioners (GPs) have a key role. Nevertheless, evidence suggests a lack of health promotion by GPs, especially in this age group. The aim of our study was to assess self-perceived attitudes, barriers and facilitators of GPs to provide health promotion in the elderly. ⋯ Health promotion, especially in the elderly, is crucial but in the opinion of the GPs we involved in our study, there is a gap between public health requirements and the reimbursement system. Integration of health promotion in medical education may be needed to increase knowledge as well as attitudes of GPs regarding this issue.