In recent years, the prevalence of hypertension in China has gradually increased. Although the awareness rate, treatment rate and control rate of hypertensive patients in China have been significantly raised, the overall level is still lower than that of western developed countries. In order to improve the rate of family blood pressure control, real-time warning of patients’ overall blood pressure level to doctors and the implementation of doctor-side medical intervention to patients are becoming a necessary condition. At present, the maturing home blood pressure tele-monitoring (HBPT) enhances the feasibility of increasing the interaction between doctors and patients. Randomized controlled trial evidence proves that remote monitoring can improve patient compliance and improve target blood pressure control rate. This paper introduces the relevant research results of HBPT in recent years, aiming to explore the advantages of HBPT for hypertension management and the prospect of further promotion and application.
ObjectiveTo compare home blood pressure monitoring (HBPM) versus ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) versus office blood pressure monitoring (OBPM) in diagnosis and management of hypertension, and to find the optimal blood pressure measurement and management.MethodsThe following were compared among three BP monitoring, such as cost-effectiveness, prognostic value of target organ damage (TOD), predictive value of the progress in chronic kidney disease (CKD) and blood pressure variety (BPV). ResultsCompared to OBPM, ABPM was the most cost-effective method in the primary diagnosis of hypertension, but HBPM was the optimal method in long-term and self-management in hypertension. In hypertensives, compared to OBPM, HBPM and ABPM, especially HBPM, had a stronger predictive value for cardiovascular events, stroke, end-stage renal dysfunction (ESRD) and all-cause mortality. In hypertensives with renal dysfunction, controlling HBPM and ABPM, especially controlling ABPM, was an effective way to slow the progress in renal dysfunction, to decrease cardiovascular events, and to decrease the need of dialysis. All BPV derived from OBPM, ABPM and HBPM had a predictive significance of cardiovascular events, and HBPM BPV performed the best.ConclusionCompared to OBPM, ABPM is the best method in primary diagnosis of hypertension and BP control in CKD patients, while HBPM is the best method in predicting and in evaluating BPV, as well as in long-term and self-management in hypertension.
Objective To investigate the diabetic knowledge of primary hospital doctors and diabetes patients, and to explore the way to improve the capability of primary hospitals in preventing and treating diabetes. Methods Between January 2013 and June 2014, we set questionnaires to learn the profiles of diabetes knowledge of 328 internal and general medicine doctors including 43 chronic disease management workers from fifteen township hospitals and two community health centers, 152 doctors from village clinics, and 575 diabetes patients in Xindu District of Chengdu City. We made questionnaires for doctors and patients respectively to investigate their knowledge on diabetes and blood sugar control in the patients. Finally, we made plans to train doctors in primary hospitals according to the results of the investigation. Results For township hospitals, 328 questionnaires were given out with 319 retrieved, and the valid retrieval rate was 97.3%; 152 questionnaires were given out to village doctors and 149 were retrieved, with a valid retrieval rate of 98.0%; and we gave out 575 questionnaires to the diabetes patients and retrieved 539, with a valid retrieval rate of 93.7%. Primary hospitals were insufficient in their drug varieties. Among doctors in township hospitals, 7.8% had bachelor’s degree, 53.6% had received post-secondary education, and 38.6% had received secondary vocational education. Most of the village doctors had not received any professional medical education, among whom, 89.9% had a certificate of village doctors and 10.1% had a certificate of assistant doctors. The diabetes questionnaire score of primary hospital doctors was low, while the score of chronic disease management workers was relatively higher (P<0.05). For diabetes patients, medical investment was inadequate, treatment rate was low, common sense of diabetes was insufficient, and glycosylated hemoglobin control rate was only 13.5%. Conclusions Diabetes patients in primary hospitals have a poor disease control, which is probably associated with the insufficient publicity and education from doctors. It is necessary to train primary hospital doctors at all levels. In order to get the best therapeutic effect, we advocate that diabetes should be managed by doctors of chronic disease management, although they should receive systematic training for a long time.
ObjectiveTo establish a normal reference value range of specific thyroid function in pregnant women corresponding to Beckman reagent in Chengdu.MethodsWe randomly selected 120 non-pregnant women and 445 pregnant women who underwent routine examinations at the First Affiliated Hospital of Chengdu Medical College from November 2016 to June 2017; tested for free triiodothyronine (FT3), free thyroxine (FT4), and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) in serum; used SPSS 24.0 to calculate the bilateral limit of each index (Section 2.5, 97. 5 Quot); established the normal range of Beckman reagent.ResultsThe reference ranges of FT3, FT4, and TSH in the first, second, and third trimester of pregnancy were 4.41–6.33, 4.17–6.12, and 3.86–6.39 pmol/L; 7.64–14.63, 6.62–13.69, and 6.62–12.51 pmol/L; 0.21–3.62, 0.16–4.35, and 0.89–4.88 mU/L; respectively. There was no significant difference in serum TSH between the first and second trimester (P>0.05), and neither between the first and second trimesters and the controls in serum FT3 (P>0.05). The differences in serum FT3, FT4, and TSH among the rest of trimesters, and between each trimester and the normal control group were statistically significant (P<0.05). There was a significant correlation between TSH and FT4 in the early and middle stages of pregnancy (r=–0.277, –0.392, P<0.01).ConclusionThe reference value of FT3, FT4, and TSH in pregnant women with Beckman reagent was significantly different from that in non-pregnant women.
ObjectivesTo assess the methodological quality of Chinese clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) for respiratory diseases published in 2017, so as to provide evidence for developing and updating CPGs of this field in the future.MethodsWanFang Data, CNKI, VIP, CBM databases, Medlive and other related websites were electronically searched to collect Chinese CPGs for respiratory diseases published from January 2017 to December 2017. Four reviewers independently evaluated the quality of eligible guidelines by using Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation Ⅱ (AGREE Ⅱ) instrument.ResultsA total of 37 guidelines were included. The mean scores of the six AGREE Ⅱ domains (scope and purpose, stakeholder involvement, rigor of development, clarity and presentation, applicability, editorial independence) were 59.3%, 25.1%, 10.8%, 59.1%, 25.8%, and 7.3%, respectively. Only 1 guideline (2.7%) was recommended for clinical use, and 2 guidelines (5.4%) were recommended with modification.ConclusionsThe CPGs for respiratory diseases published in China in 2017 have higher quality than CPGs published prior to 2017, however great discrepancies exist when comparing with international guidelines of average level. More attention should be paid on the rigorousness of methodology and the practicality of content in the future development of CPGs.
Objective To explore the effectiveness of proximal femoral nail antirotation (PFNA) combined with mini plate for reconstruction of lateral femoral wall in the treatment of type AO/Orthopaedic Trauma Association (AO/OTA) type 31-A3 intertrochanteric fracture. Methods The clinical data of 70 elderly patients with AO/OTA type 31-A3 intertrochanteric fracture treated between January 2013 and January 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. They were divided into group A (PFNA alone, 35 cases) and group B (PFNA combined with mini plate reconstruction of lateral femoral wall, 35 cases). There was no significant difference in the general data of gender, age, side, cause of injury, time from injury to operation between the two groups (P>0.05). The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, fracture healing time, postoperative complications, and the tip apex distance (TAD) at 2 months after operation were recorded and compared between the two groups. Harris hip score was used to evaluate the function at 12 months after operation. Results Both groups were followed up 9-21 months, with an average of 16.6 months. The operation time and intraoperative blood loss in group A were significantly less than those in group B (P<0.05); there was no significant difference in TAD between the two groups at 2 months after operation (t=0.096, P=0.462). There were 5 complications (14.3%) occurred in group A, including 2 cases of blade perforating from the hip joint, 2 cases of screw back out, and 1 case of bone nonunion; only 1 case (2.9%) in group B had screw back out after operation; there was no significant difference in the incidence of complications between the two groups (χ2=2.917, P=0.088). All the fracture healed in group B, and 1 patient in group A suffered bone nonunion and eventually main nail fracture. The healing time of fracture in group A [(15.6±2.7) weeks] was significantly longer than that in group B [(12.5±2.5) weeks], showing significant difference (t=2.064, P=0.023). At 12 months after operation, according to Harris score, the results were excellent in 5 cases, good in 9 cases, fair in 13 cases, and poor in 8 cases in group A, the qualified rate (Harris score>70) was 77.14%; and the results were excellent in 7 cases, good in 11 cases, fair in 16 cases, and poor in 1 case in group B, the qualified rate was 97.14%; there was significant difference in the qualified rate between the two groups (χ2=6.248, P=0.012). Conclusion Compared with PFNA alone, the treatment of AO/OTA type 31-A3 intertrochanteric fracture with PFNA combined with mini plate reconstruction of lateral femoral wall can significantly reduce postoperative complications, promote fracture healing, and improve functional recovery of patients after operation.
ObjectiveTo systematically evaluate the dose-response relationship between coffee consumption and liver cancer risk. MethodsThe PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, EMbase, CNKI, VIP, WanFang Data, and CBM databases were searched from inception to December 2022. Two reviewers independently screened literature, extracted data and assessed the risk of bias of the included studies. Meta-analysis was then performed by using Stata 17.0 software. ResultsFifteen studies (11 cohort studies and 4 case-control studies) involving 557 259 participants were included. The results of meta-analysis showed that coffee consumption was significantly negatively associated with the risk of liver cancer (RR=0.39, 95%CI 0.27 to 0.57, P<0.01). The dose-response meta-analysis showed a non-linear dose-response relationship between coffee consumption and the risk of liver cancer (P<0.01). Compared with people who did not drink coffee, people who drank 1 cup of coffee a day had a 25% lower risk of liver cancer (RR=0.75, 95%CI 0.67 to 0.83), and people who drank 2 cups of coffee a day had a 38% lower risk of liver cancer (RR=0.62, 95%CI 0.56 to 0.70). The risk of liver cancer decreased by 45% (RR=0.55, 95%CI 0.48 to 0.62) for 3 cups of coffee and by 51% (RR=0.49, 95%CI 0.43 to 0.56) for 4 cups of coffee. ConclusionCurrent evidence suggests that there is a nonlinear dose-response relationship between coffee consumption and the risk of liver cancer. These results indicate that habitual coffee consumption is a protective factor for liver cancer. Due to the limited quality and quantity of the included studies, more high quality studies are needed to verify the above conclusion.
Objective To analyze the difference of sputum flora between acute exacerbation and stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients basing on metagenomic next generation sequencing (mNGS), and its relationship with clinical indicators. The role of sputum flora of COPD patients in unexplained deterioration was explored, so as to find a targeted treatment plan. Methods From December 2021 to June 2022, 54 COPD patients who had a history of smoking were recruited, including 25 patients in stable COPD (SCOPD group) and 29 patients in acute exacerbation (AECOPD group). The sputum was collected and sequenced by mNGS, and the difference of sputum flora between the two groups was compared. Results Compared with SCOPD group, the evenness of sputum flora (Shannon index) in AECOPD group decreased significantly (P=0.019, Mann-Whitney U test). At the phylum level, the relative abundance of Fusobacteria in AECOPD group was significantly lower than that in SCOPD group (Z=–2.669, P=0.008). At genus level, compared with SCOPD group, the relative abundance of Fusobacterium and Haemophilus in AECOPD group decreased significantly (Z=–3.062, P=0.002; Z=–2.143, P=0.032), and the relative abundance of Granulicatella increased significantly (Z=–2.186, P=0.029). At species level, the relative abundance of sputum Haemophilus parainfluenzae, Moraxella catarrhalis and Haemophilus influenzae in AECOPD group was significantly lower than that in SCOPD group (Z=–2.230, P=0.026; Z=–2.125, P=0.034; Z=–2.099, P=0.036). At the time of acute exacerbation of COPD, the relative abundance of Gemella in sputum was positively correlated with forced expiratory volume in first second/forced vital capacity (FEV1/FVC) and body mass index (r=0.476, P=0.009; r=0.427, P=0.021), which was negatively correlated with nutrition risk screening 2002 (r=–0.570, P=0.001). The relative abundance of Neisseria and Neisseria subflava was negatively correlated with GOLD grade (r=–0.428, P=0.020; r=–0.455, P=0.013). The relative abundance of Rothia aeria was posotively correlated with C-reactive peotein (r=0.388, P=0.038). Conclusions There are significant differences of sputum flora in phylum, genus and species level between stable and acute exacerbation COPD patients. The evenness of sputum flora in COPD patients in acute exacerbation is significantly lower than that in patients in stable stage. Fusobacteria, Fusobacterium, Gemella and Nesseria (Neisseria subflava) may play a beneficial role in COPD, while Rothia aeria may be associated with COPD exacerbation.
Objective To analyze the clinical information of COVID-19 patients of Shanghai National Exhibition and Convention Center cabin hospital, and to explore the medical management strategy to provide thoughtful suggestions for other cabin hospitals and governments as valuable references. Methods The clinical data of 174 308 patients confirmed COVID-19 in Shanghai National Exhibition and Convention Center cabin hospital from April 9 to May 31, 2022 were retrospectively reviewed. There were 103 539 male and 70 769 female patients, with an average age of 41.50±15.30 years. Medical and nursing management strategy was summarized. Results Among the 174 308 patients, 71.5% (124 630 patients) were asymptomatic. The vaccination rate of patients with COVID-19 in the cabin hospital was 76.5% (133 338 patients), and the majority of none vaccinated patients were children under the age of 10 years and the elderly over the age of 60 years, the vaccination rate of whom was only 25.0% (1 322 patients) and 63.9% (13 715 patients), respectively. In addition, the proportion of mild symptom type in the patients not vaccinated was significantly higher than that in the vaccinated patients (P≤0.01). The average hospitalization time of patients in cabin hospital was 7.39±0.53 days, which was 7.01±2.12 days for patients under 60 years and 8.21±0.82 days for patients over 60 years. The hospitalization time of elderly patients was significantly longer (P≤0.01), and the hospitalization time of elderly patients at age over 60 years without vaccination was 8.94±1.71 days, which was significantly longer than the average hospitalization time and the time of elderly patients vaccinated (P≤0.01). The number of patients combined with basic diseases was 27 864 (16.0%), of which cardiovascular diseases accounted for 81.3% (22 653 patients). A total of 2 085 patients were transferred and treated in designated hospitals. Conclusion Large scale cabin hospitals are helpful to cut off the source of infection. Attention shall be paid to the sorting of admission and timely transfer to other hospital during the patients management. Most of the patients have a good prognosis after treatment. The vaccination of key population and community-based screening will be the next step of focus.
The widespread application of composite endpoints in clinical research has afforded researchers a more comprehensive perspective, enabling a deeper understanding of intricate medical issues. Simultaneously, it effectively enhances the efficiency and efficacy of studies, thereby reducing the overall economic costs of research. A profound comprehension of the strengths and limitations of composite endpoints is crucial for their correct application and the accurate interpretation of results. This paper aims to introduce the recent advancements in the application of composite endpoints in clinical trials, discussing their advantages and limitations, and providing practical recommendations for their use. The intention is to offer guidance to researchers in understanding and managing composite endpoints effectively.