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BACKGROUND: Allergic contact dermatitis can negatively impact an individual's daily life in terms of work and interpersonal relationships. Patch-tested individuals show an improved quality of life (QoL). OBJECTIVES: We aimed to assess the impact on QoL after patch testing and what value an intervention would have on QoL. METHODS: Dermatology Quality of Life Index (DLQI) were assessed in participants with positive patch test reaction. The participants were randomized, in parallel design, into two groups that received either standard information (controls, n = 70) or a reminder letter in addition to standard information (intervention group, n = 66), ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01953380. RESULTS: The response rate was 74% (n = 136). The DLQI score was significantly lower 1 year after patch testing in comparison with baseline in the entire group (mean DLQI 6.3 and 4.5 respectively, 95% CI 0.93-2.72, P < 0.001). However, linear regression analyses showed no significant differences in DLQI score at follow-up between the intervention and control groups. Neither age nor gender had impact on DLQI score. CONCLUSION: There was an improvement of QoL at follow-up in the entire group. However, the intervention performed did not show any significantly greater improvement concerning QoL. Further research is needed to understand what factors apart from patch testing and medical care may affect QoL in patients with contact dermatitis, and what interventions are needed to improve QoL.

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BACKGROUND: In contact dermatitis, it is crucial to understand and remember the outcome of patch testing. Unfortunately, many patients do not remember the results of their patch tests. OBJECTIVES: Our aim was to evaluate the effects of an intervention programme in which extensive information on specific contact allergy was provided, in individuals with positive patch test reactions. METHODS: The study was designed as a randomized, investigator-blinded clinical trial. Participants with positive test reactions were randomized into two groups that received either standard information according to clinical routine or standard information and a reminder letter. Knowledge of contact allergies was evaluated using questionnaires 12 months after inclusion. RESULTS: There were 184 adults included in the trial and the response rate at 1-year follow-up was 78% (143 of 184). Sixty-five per cent (45 of 69) in the intervention group and 54% (40 of 74) in the control group reported the correct name of the allergen (P = 0·23). Participants with several - as opposed to few - positive patch test reactions had difficulty in remembering the correct names of the allergens (P = 0·001). Moreover, the type of allergy had an influence on their ability to remember the name of the allergen correctly and their ability to make changes in lifestyle. CONCLUSIONS: The intervention performed did not significantly affect the participants' ability to remember their contact allergy. To achieve better knowledge and changes in lifestyle, efforts to inform should concentrate on individuals with several positive patch test reactions, those with particular allergens, individuals over 60 years of age, and - concerning changes in lifestyle - males.

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Background: Spinal cord stimulation is an established treatment option for certain chronic pain conditions which have been previously unresponsive to conservative therapies or potentially for a subset of patients who have not improved following spine surgery. Prior to permanent lead implantation, stimulator lead trials are performed to ensure adequate patient benefit. During these trials, one of the most common complications and reasons for failure is the displacement and migration of the trial leads, resulting in lost therapeutic coverage. Other complications include infection and dislodged bulky dressings. There is a paucity of literature describing an adequate procedural method to prevent these common complications. Objective: This study utilizes a series of 19 patients to evaluate a new technique for securing percutaneous spinal cord simulator trial leads, which may minimize dislodgement and migration complications and improve the rate of trial success. Study Design: Retrospective case series. Setting: New Jersey Medical School, Department of Anesthesiology, Pain Management Division. Methods: A retrospective chart review was conducted on 19 consecutive patients undergoing placement of the percutaneous thoracic spinal cord stimulator trial leads for pain associated with lumbar spine pathology over a two-year period (2010-2012). Results: Of the 19 patients in our cohort, there was one trial lead displacement, no lead migrations, and no site infections. Thirteen patients went on to permanent lead implantation. This improved trial lead placement technique had a high success rate with a low number of complications. Limitations: Small sample size, retrospective case series, and no control group for comparison. Conclusion: This case series was able to demonstrate that our described novel spinal cord stimulator trial lead placement and dressing technique can decrease the incidence of lead displacement and migration, thus improving trial success.

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This paper is a review of the patients with multiple myeloma, hospitalized at Clinic of Haematology in Sarajevo during the period from 1993 to 1998. This study encircles 45 patients; 18 males (40%) and 27 females (60%). Clinical and laboratory records, etiology, cytomorphology and radiography were analyzed in detail. The age of patients was 59.4 years (both males and females). The trends of disease showed increasing in 1994, 1997 and 1998, comparing it with other haematological malignancies (in 1993 the percent was 5.41, in 1998 was 15.83, and the average level, during the analyzed period, was 11.34%). The patients usually came in the terminal phase and that is the reason why median survival was 12 months. According to the results, the authors make a conclusion that there are some characteristics of this disease in individuals, comparing them with the results shown in relevant studies. They find the explanation in the exposure of the population to the chronic stress and deficit of energy caused by malnutrition during the aggression against Bosnia and Herzegovina.

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