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Background: Patients with hematological malignancies (HM) frequently present thrombocytopenia and higher risk of bleeding. Although transfusion is associated with higher risk of adverse events and poor outcomes, prophylactic transfusion of platelets is a common practice to prevent hemorrhagic complications. Thromboelastometry has been considered a better predictor for bleeding than isolated platelet counts in different settings. In early stages of sepsis, hypercoagulability may occur due to higher fibrinogen levels. Objectives: To evaluate the behavior of coagulation in patients with HM who develop sepsis and to verify whether a higher concentration of fibrinogen is associated with a proportional increase in maximum clot firmness (MCF) even in the presence of severe thrombocytopenia. Methods: We performed a unicentric analytical cross-sectional study with 60 adult patients with HM and severe thrombocytopenia, of whom 30 had sepsis (sepsis group) and 30 had no infections (control group). Coagulation conventional tests and specific coagulation tests, including thromboelastometry, were performed. The main outcome evaluated was MCF. Results: Higher levels of fibrinogen and MCF were found in sepsis group. Both fibrinogen and platelets contributed to MCF. The relative contribution of fibrin was significantly higher (60.5 ± 12.8% vs 43.6 ± 9.7%; P < .001) and that of platelets was significantly lower (39.5 ± 12.8% vs 56.4 ± 9.7%; P < .001) in the sepsis group compared with the control group. Conclusion: Patients with sepsis and HM presented higher concentrations of fibrinogen than uninfected patients, resulting in greater MCF amplitudes even in the presence of thrombocytopenia.

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OBJECTIVE: To compare the perioperative outcomes of patients undergoing abdominal hysterectomies for leiomyomas before and after the implementation of an enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocol in a teaching hospital. METHODS: This prospective cohort study compared a patient group from a historical series (pre-ERAS) with another group after ERAS implementation. Fasting time, length of hospital stay, complications, readmission rates, and procedure-related hospital costs were analyzed. RESULTS: Altogether, 187 patients were included in the analysis: 92 (49.2%) and 95 (50.8%) in the pre-ERAS and ERAS groups, respectively. Both groups had similar clinical characteristics. We observed reductions in surgical outcome findings: fasting time (13.9 to 6.7 h, P < 0.001), bladder catheter usage (21.1 to 10.9 h, P < 0.001), infection rates (20.7% to 5.3%, P = 0.002), length of stay (57.5 to 37.6 h), and 38.4% of the total estimated mean cost per procedure (USD $1570.8 to USD $967.2, P < 0.001) in the pre-ERAS and ERAS groups, respectively. Hospital readmission rates (P > 0.99) did not increase. CONCLUSION: ERAS protocol implementation for hysterectomies involving uterine leiomyomas reduced the length of hospital stay, surgical site infection rates, and hospital costs. A mean savings of USD $603.6 per procedure would allow 62.4% more hysterectomies to be performed.

Assuntos

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BACKGROUND: Brazil has a high burden of cervical cancer, even though it is preventable, traceable and treatable. Hence, this study evaluated levels of knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) related to cervical cancer screening and diagnosis and acceptance of self-screening techniques among women aged 24 and greater. METHODS: A cross-sectional KAP survey was administered to n = 4206 women and spanned questions relating to cervical cancer, HPV, speculum, Pap test and colposcopy. Questionnaire was disseminated through a major hospital's social media platforms, intranet and gynecologic-oncology clinics. Logistic regressions evaluated associations between sociodemographic characteristics and knowledge, attitudes, and preventative behaviors against cervical cancer. Participants indicated willingness to try DNA-HPV self-sampling and cervix self-visualization (self-colposcopy). FINDINGS: Participants were mostly white individuals (70.5%) with higher education and from social classes A and B. They demonstrated superior levels of KAP than described in the literature, with over 57.8% having answered 80+% of questions correctly. KAP scores were predicted by social class, educational attainment, race, history of premalignant cervical lesions and geographic location. About 80% and 63% would be willing to try DNA-HPV self-sampling and cervix self-visualization, respectively. Interest in self-screening was associated with adequate attitude (OR = 1.85) and inadequate practice (OR = .83). INTERPRETATION: Adequate KAP are fundamental for the successful implementation of a self-screening program. Participants were interested in methods that provide them with greater autonomy, control and practicality. Self-screening could address barriers for under-screened women such as shame, discomfort, distance from clinics and competing commitments, enabling Brazil to reach the WHO's cervical cancer elimination goals. It could also decrease excess medical intervention in over-screened populations by promoting shared decision-making.

Assuntos

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In this case report, we present the first report of erythema elevatum diutinum after treatment of juvenile idiopathic arthritis with abatacept. Although it could also be coincidental, in our case, the appearance of vasculitis was not blocked by the simultaneous administration of a stimulation inhibitor, and alerts to the fact that as effective as a abatacept may be to control of the inflammatory articular symptoms, this might not translate into control of the disease.

Assuntos