Effectiveness of Bufei Yishen Granule () Combined With Acupoint Sticking Therapy on Quality of Life in Patients With Stable Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

Effectiveness of Bufei Yishen Granule () combined with acupoint sticking therapy on quality of life in patients with stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Chin J Integr Med. 2013 Apr; 19(4): 260-8
Xie Y, Li JS, Yu XQ, Li SY, Zhang NZ, Li ZG, Shao SJ, Guo LX, Zhu L, Zhang YJ

To evaluate the efficacy of Bufei Yishen Granule (, BFYSG) combined with Shufei Tie () acupoint sticking therapy on quality of life of patients with stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).A multi-center, double-blinded, double-dummy and randomized controlled method was adopted in this trial. A total of 244 patients were randomly assigned to a trial group and a control group according to the random number, each with 122 patients; treatment allocation occurred when the participants met the inclusion criteria and signed the informed consent form. In the trial group, patients were treated with BFYSG combined with “Shufei Tie” acupoint sticking therapy and sustained-release theophylline dummy, and in the control group patients were treated with oral sustained-release theophylline and BFYSG dummy combined with “Shufei Tie” acupoint sticking therapy dummy. The therapeutic course for two groups was 4 months and the follow-up was 6 months. The frequency and duration of acute exacerbation calculated by adding up each frequency and duration of acute exacerbation in treatment and follow-up time respectively, the quality of life measured by the World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHOQOL)-BREF scale and adult COPD quality of life (COPD-QOL) scale were observed.Among the 244 enrolled patients, 234 were screened for full analysis set (FAS); 221 were screened for per-protocol analysis set (PPS). After 4-month treatment and 6-month follow-up there were differences between the trial group and the control group in frequency of acute exacerbation (FAS: P=0.013; PPS: P=0.046); duration of acute exacerbation (FAS: P=0.005; PPS: P=0.006); scores of physiological, psychological and environment aspects of the WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire (FAS: P=0.002, P=0.006, P=0.000; PPS: P=0.00, P=0.001, P=0.000); scores of daily living ability, social activity, depression symptoms aspects of the COPD-QOL questionnaire (FAS: P=0.000, P=0.000, P=0.006; PPS: P=0.002, P=0.001, P=0.001).BFYSG combined with acupoint sticking therapy could improve the quality of life of patients with stable COPD. HubMed – depression

 

Acculturation and Associated Effects on Abused Immigrant Women’s Safety and Mental Functioning: Results of Entry Data for a 7-year Prospective Study.

J Immigr Minor Health. 2013 Apr 2;
Nava A, McFarlane J, Gilroy H, Maddoux J

Intimate partner violence has negative effects on women’s safety and wellbeing. When immigrant women are victimized the danger and poor health may intensify. The purpose was to determine the impact of acculturation on severity of violence, danger for murder, mental health functioning, and safety behaviors of abused immigrant women. Entry data of a 7-year prospective study of 106 abused immigrant women who were first time users of safe shelter or justice services is presented. The interview included the Severity of Violence Against Women Scale, Danger Assessment, Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI), Safety Behavior Checklist, and Acculturation for Hispanics instruments. A significant (p < 0.05) positive correlation between acculturation and safety behaviors and BSI scores was established. Higher acculturation scores were associated with significantly more practiced safety behaviors and higher levels of depression. Understanding the specific needs of abuse immigrant women associated with acculturation is imperative to develop interventions to interrupt abuse and promote safety and mental well-being. HubMed – depression

 

Applications of nitrous oxide for procedural sedation in the pediatric population.

Pediatr Emerg Care. 2013 Feb; 29(2): 245-65
Tobias JD

The objective of this review was to provide a general descriptive account of the physical properties, end-organ effects, therapeutic applications, and delivery techniques of nitrous oxide (N2O) as used in the arena of procedural sedation.A computerized bibliographic search regarding the applications of nitrous for provision of sedation and analgesia during procedures with an emphasis on the pediatric population was performed.The end-organ effects of N2O have been well described in the operating room setting. Aside from its effects on the central nervous system of sedation and analgesia, N2O may alter intracerebral dynamics and alter cerebral blood flow and intracranial pressure especially in patients with altered intracranial compliance. Effects on ventilation include a dose-related depression of ventilatory function and control of upper airway patency. These effects are generally limited in the absence of comorbid diseases and potentiated by other sedative and analgesic agents. The more clinically significant respiratory effect of N2O on ventilatory function is a dose-dependent depression of the ventilatory response to hypoxemia. Hemodynamic effects include a mild direct depressant effect on myocardial function, which in the absence of comorbid cardiac disease is generally compensated by stimulation of the sympathetic nervous system. Nitrous oxide may potentially aggravate pulmonary hypertension. Additional physiologic effects on neurologic and hematologic function may result in inactivation of the enzyme, methionine synthetase. Recent concern has also been raised regarding the potential effects of N2O on immune function and its relationship to perioperative surgical site infections. Given differences in the solubility, N2O will diffuse into and significantly expand gas-filled cavities. Chronic exposure of health care works to N2O is also a concern. Although there are limited data in the literature to clearly substantiate concerns regarding the reproductive toxicity of occupational exposure to N2O, appropriate scavenging and use of other techniques are mandatory. Nitrous oxide has been shown to be effective for a variety of minor surgical procedures such as venipuncture, intravenous cannula placement, lumbar puncture, bone marrow aspiration, laceration repair, dental care, and minor dermatologic procedures. It is generally as effective as midazolam, with several studies demonstrating it to be more effective. However, its utility is not as great in severely painful procedures such as fracture reduction. Demonstrated advantages to parenteral sedation include a more rapid onset and a shorter recovery time with the majority of patients preferring it to over other agents or agreeing to its use for subsequent procedures. The literature also suggests increased success rates with simple procedures such as intravenous cannula placement when compared with placebo. In general, life-threatening adverse events have not been reported. Most common adverse effects include dysphoria and vomiting. For more painful procedures, combination with another agent may be used, and in all cases, topical or infiltrative local anesthesia is recommended.In general, N2O is a useful adjunct for procedural sedation. Given the variety of procedures performed in the pediatric patient, ongoing research is required to identify the most appropriate and effective use of this agent. This may be particularly relevant when evaluating its use for procedures associated with significant pain. In these scenarios, the combination of N2O with other agents needs to be evaluated. Given the potential for adverse effects, strict adherence to published guidelines regarding procedural sedation and monitoring is suggested. HubMed – depression

 

Restlessness in right upper limb as sole presentation of restless legs syndrome.

J Neurosci Rural Pract. 2013 Jan; 4(1): 78-80
Gupta R, Lahan V, Goel D

Restless legs syndrome (RLS) rarely affects the upper limb during the initial course of disease. We present a patient who complained of symptoms suggesting RLS in the right upper limb as the sole manifestation of illness. Bilateral cervical ribs and depression were co-incidental findings. Patient responded well to dopaminergic therapy. HubMed – depression

 

Presence of depressive symptoms in patients with a first episode of acute Coronary Syndrome.

Rev Lat Am Enfermagem. 2013 Feb; 21(1): 325-31
Dessotte CA, Silva FS, Bolela F, Rossi LA, Dantas RA

to compare possible differences regarding the presence of depressive symptoms according to the clinical diagnosis of Acute Coronary Syndrome, gender and age, one week before the first cardiac event.cross-sectional, descriptive and exploratory study, which used the Beck Depression Inventory. The sample consisted of 253 patients.it was found that patients with a clinical diagnosis of unstable angina, female and under 60 years of age reported the presence of depressive symptoms more frequently.a high percentage of patients presented depressive symptoms at the time of hospitalization for the first episode of Acute Coronary Syndrome, and this prevalence was significantly higher among women, under 60 years of age, with unstable angina. These results should provide support for the care in the hospitalization, discharge and planning of the rehabilitation of these patients, as it is known that depression impairs the control of coronary disease. HubMed – depression

 

 

Dealing with Social Anxiety and Depression – First video I’ve ever posted, but after seeing hundreds of others share their story dealing with these symptoms, I thought I’d chime in. Just know that it do…