[Climate change and child health: A nationwide survey among paediatricians in Germany]

BACKGROUND

Children are a vulnerable group affected by climate change. Paediatricians are important actors in protecting children from climate change-related health risks and in identifying and treating relevant health effects. The main objectives of this study were to determine how paediatricians assess the relevance of climate change-related health impacts, through which channels paediatricians can be reached most effectively, how often climate change-specific prevention measures are implemented and how they are assessed.

METHODS

Between February and July 2020, an online survey was conducted among paediatricians. The cross-sectional survey was designed to gather knowledge and attitudes about the relevance of climate change, sources of information and prevention measures. All participants who answered only one question or none at all were excluded. Differences between groups were determined using one-factorial analysis of variance. Correlations were determined using Pearson's bivariate correlation analysis and tested for two-sided significance.

RESULTS

A total of 408 questionnaires were analysed. Over 95% of the respondents were paediatricians, with just under half of them working in children's hospitals and a good third in paediatric practices. According to paediatricians, climate change has a relevant impact on children's health. The most significant effects on children's health were considered to be longer and stronger pollen seasons, neophytes and neozoa, Lyme disease and TBE (tick-borne encephalitis, summer meningoencephalitis), UV radiation and air pollutants. Certified training options in professional journals and participation in lectures or workshops at relevant congresses were identified as the two preferred types of training. Especially professional journals as the most frequently used source of information could function as a suitable tool to reach as many paediatricians as possible. 76% of the paediatricians have not yet carried out any corresponding prevention activities, although information activities for parents or children were seen as being effective by 80%. Whereas the possibilities of integrating climate change-oriented prevention activities into everyday practice, were perceived less positively. The most frequent reason given was lack of time.

DISCUSSION

To satisfy this future need for knowledge, but also for offerings from paediatricians for patients and their parents, concrete further continuous education and consultancy services must be prepared. In the future, further training offers, including the consultancy services, should be integrated into profession-specific training modules, presented at congresses, and then implemented into paediatricians' daily routine.

CONCLUSION

The results of the study illustrate that the topic "climate change and health" has a high relevance for paediatricians and that information measures for parents are considered to be effective. Although paediatricians are concerned with the topic, there is an implementation deficit. Support is needed in the form of intensifying awareness-raising projects and educational modules for paediatricians to move from knowledge to action.

Prasugrel compared to ticagrelor in primary PCI

Background

Prasugrel and ticagrelor have similar recommendations in the setting of primary PCI by current guidelines. Data comparing both in daily clinical practice of primary PCI for ST-elevation myocardial infarction is limited.

Purpose

To compare the effect of prasugrel and ticagrelor on in-hospital outcomes after primary PCI.

Methods and results

We prospectively enrolled 5365 patients treated with prasugrel (n=2785, 51.9%) or ticagrelor (n=2580; 48.1%) in the setting of primary PCI from January 2011 to December 2018 in a nationwide registry. In-hospital outcomes were compared and multiple logistic regression analysis was performed. Prasugrel treated patients were younger, less often in cardiogenic shock, with lower rates of previous stroke and had shorter ischemic time. Both groups showed similar rates of previous MI, diabetes and current resuscitation. In the univariate analysis mortality was lower in patients with prasugrel (2.5% vs. 4.4% p<0.01). Similarly, MACE (3.3% vs. 5.3%, p<0.01) and NACE (4.0% vs. 5.7% p<0.01) were lower in prasugrel treated patients, whereas major bleeding events did not differ (0.4% vs. 0.6% p=0.24).

After adjustment in multivariable analysis mortality (0.99 95% CI 0.57 to 1.72), MACE (OR 0.99 95% CI 0.65 to 1.52) as well as NACE (0.86 95% CI 0.61 to 1.22) did not differ in patients treated with prasugrel compared to ticagrelor.

Conclusion

Patients treated with prasugrel showed improved outcomes compared to ticagrelor in a large cohort of primary PCI. However, after adjustment for confounders the Advantage of prasugrel in primary PCI did not persist.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: Other. Main funding source(s): Austrian Society of Cardiology

P3402Validation of the SCORE O.P. for prediction of cardiovascular disease mortality in a large population of elderly individuals

Background

Estimation of absolute cardiovascular risk in apparently healthy individuals, using SCORE (Systematic COronary Risk Evaluation) is recommended by the ESC guidelines on cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevention in clinical practice. Recently, the SCORE system has been extended by the SCORE O.P. aiming to improve estimates of cardiovascular risk specifically in older persons (65 years and older).

Purpose

The aim of this study was to validate the SCORE O.P. in an Austrian population of 34,909 healthy individuals aged between 65 and 80 years which were prospectively followed for a minimum of 10 years.

Methods

Predicted fatal CVD and coronary heart disease (CHD) event rates within 10 years were calculated using the “SCORE O.P. risk function for low risk regions” and compared to the actually observed rates, thereby assessing calibration. In addition, predicted probabilities were plotted against observed mortality by deciles of predicted risk. Regarding discrimination, receiver operating characteristics (ROC) analysis and corresponding c-statistics were used.

Results

In 14,586 males, 1,509 deaths from CVD (10.4%) and 847 deaths from CHD (5.8%) occurred within 10 years of follow-up. SCORE O.P. predicted 1,699 fatal CVD (11.7%) and 872 CHD (6.0%) events. In male high risk individuals (10th decile), SCORE O.P. overestimated mortality from CVD and CHD. C-statistics were 0.68 (95% CI 0.67–0.70) for CVD and 0.67 (0.65–0.69) for CHD.

In 20,323 females, 1,340 deaths from CVD (6.6%) and 672 deaths from CHD (3.3%) were observed. SCORE O.P. predicted 1,232 fatal CVD (6.1%) and 539 CHD events (2.7%). In female high risk individuals (8–10th deciles), SCORE O.P. underestimated mortality from CVD and CHD. C-statistics were 0.77 (0.75–0.78) for CVD and 0.77 (0.75–0.79) for CHD.

Conclusion

With regard to overall accuracy, the SCORE O.P. performed considerably well in this elderly Austrian population. However, in high-risk individuals, cardiovascular risk was overestimated for males and underestimated for females. SCORE O.P. was able to discriminate high-risk from low-risk individuals, better in women than in men.

A prospective international Aspergillus terreus survey: an EFISG, ISHAM and ECMM joint study

OBJECTIVES

A prospective international multicentre surveillance study was conducted to investigate the prevalence and amphotericin B susceptibility of Aspergillus terreus species complex infections.

METHODS

A total of 370 cases from 21 countries were evaluated.

RESULTS

The overall prevalence of A. terreus species complex among the investigated patients with mould-positive cultures was 5.2% (370/7116). Amphotericin B MICs ranged from 0.125 to 32 mg/L, (median 8 mg/L).

CONCLUSIONS

Aspergillus terreus species complex infections cause a wide spectrum of aspergillosis and the majority of cryptic species display high amphotericin B MICs.

Differences between patients and medical professionals in the evaluation of aesthetic outcome following breast reconstruction with implants

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Most studies on breast reconstruction evaluate different surgical techniques, types of implant or time of reconstruction. Moreover, evaluations are usually performed either by surgeons or by patients, but are rarely compared. We conducted a study on aesthetic outcome following breast reconstruction with implants comparing the evaluation by patients versus medical professionals.

METHODS

Forty-seven patients, who had a breast reconstruction with implants between 2001 and 2010 (median follow-up 71 months), underwent a clinical examination, standardized photo documentation and filled out a questionnaire to evaluate their aesthetic result (rate 1 very good to 5 very poor). Photo documentation was independently evaluated by 18 medical professionals using the same evaluation instrument and the results were compared. Gender and patient aspects were taken into account.

RESULTS

We found statistically significant differences between patients and medical professional ratings. The patient evaluation was better through all categories as compared to the evaluation by medical personnel. The degree of medical education or gender aspects did not significantly affect the professional ratings. Age at reconstruction, length of follow-up or primary versus secondary reconstruction did not seem to make a difference in the evaluations of the patients versus the medical professionals..

CONCLUSION

The differences between patient and expert opinion in rating of aesthetic results indicate that patient satisfaction is influenced by multiple factors and not only by good aesthetic outcome. Patient evaluation should therefore be carefully considered in treatment and outcome studies of breast reconstruction..

Metabolic risk factors and skin cancer in the Metabolic Syndrome and Cancer Project (Me-Can)

BACKGROUND

Little is known about the associations of metabolic aberrations with malignant melanoma (MM) and nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC).

OBJECTIVES

To assess the associations between metabolic factors (both individually and combined) and the risk of skin cancer in the large prospective Metabolic Syndrome and Cancer Project (Me-Can).

METHODS

During a mean follow-up of 12 years of the Me-Can cohort, 1728 (41% women) incident MM, 230 (23% women) fatal MM and 1145 (33% women) NMSC were identified. Most NMSC cases (76%) were squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) (873, 33% women). Hazard ratios (HRs) were estimated by Cox proportional hazards regression for quintiles and standardized z-scores (with a mean of 0 and SD of 1) of body mass index (BMI), blood pressure, glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides and for a combined metabolic syndrome score. Risk estimates were corrected for random error in the measurements.

RESULTS

Blood pressure per unit increase of z-score was associated with an increased risk of incident MM cases in men and women [HR 1·17, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1·04-1·31 and HR 1·18, 95% CI 1·03-1·36, respectively] and fatal MM cases among women (HR 2·39, 95% CI 1·58-3·64). In men, all quintiles for BMI above the reference were associated with a higher risk of incident MM. In women, SCC NMSC risk increased across quintiles for glucose levels (P-trend 0·02) and there was a trend with triglyceride concentration (P-trend 0·09).

CONCLUSION

These findings suggest that mechanisms linked to blood pressure may be involved in the pathogenesis of MM. SCC NMSC in women could be related to glucose and lipid metabolism.

Subjective response and attitudes toward antipsychotic drug therapy during the initial treatment period: a prospective follow-up study in patients with schizophrenia

OBJECTIVE

In this prospective study, patients with schizophrenia were followed up for 3 months to investigate the impact of sociodemographic factors, psychopathology, change in psychopathology and side effects on subjective response and attitudes toward antipsychotics during the initial treatment period.

METHOD

We investigated 42 patients starting treatment with a new-generation antipsychotic. Next to the registration of demographic data various rating scales were used: the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), the Udvalg for Kliniske Undersogelser (UKU) Side Effect Rating Scale and the Drug Attitude Inventory (DAI).

RESULTS

Two patients experienced a first episode of the illness and were neuroleptic naïve, and 40 had suffered from at least one prior episode of schizophrenia. Longer duration of illness as well as the amelioration of psychopathological symptoms had a positive impact on subjective response to treatment. Correlations between antipsychotic-induced side effects and drug attitude tended to be weak.

CONCLUSION

Our results emphasize the necessity of improving psychopathological symptoms during the initial treatment period to improve attitudes toward and compliance with treatment.

Outcomes in Schizophrenia Outpatients Treated with Amisulpride or Olanzapine

INTRODUCTION

We compared stable patients with schizophrenia who were treated with either amisulpride or olanzapine in terms of symptomatic outcome, neurocognitive functioning, functionality, and subjective outcome.

METHODS

Sixty outpatients with chronic schizophrenia who had been treated with either amisulpride or olanzapine for at least six months were investigated.

RESULTS

The scores of positive, negative, and cognitive symptoms did not differ between the two groups, but patients treated with olanzapine had significantly lower scores on the excitement and depression/anxiety components of the PANSS. With regard to cognitive variables, patients treated with amisulpride showed significantly lower values regarding verbal fluency and significantly better verbal memory than patients treated with olanzapine. Both treatment groups were comparable with respect to functional and subjective outcome variables.

DISCUSSION

These observations add to the evidence that continuous treatment with different second-generation antipsychotics with relatively few side effects leads to comparable outcomes in patients with schizophrenia.

Prediction of serious complications in patients admitted to a surgical ward

BACKGROUND

Prediction of complications is an essential part of risk management in surgery. Knowing which patients are at high risk of developing complications will contribute to the quality and cost reduction of surgery.

METHODS

All patients admitted to a general surgical ward during a 1-year interval were followed until 30 days after discharge. Complications and data on potential risk factors were recorded prospectively. Relative risks were calculated for each risk factor and predictive values for the development of a serious or minor complication were computed using logistic regression analysis. The predictive values of different combinations of variables were expressed as receiver operating characteristic curves.

RESULTS

Of 3075 patients, 375 suffered one or more serious complications and 319 experienced a minor complication. A model was developed for prediction of serious complications, consisting of 11 variables, with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.79 (95 per cent confidence interval (c.i.) 0.76 to 0.81). The prognostic value of the model for minor complications (seven variables) was lower (AUC 0.68 (95 per cent c.i. 0.65 to 0.71)).

CONCLUSION

Serious complications in patients admitted to a surgical ward can be predicted using a model consisting of 11 variables. The risk score can be used in the decision-making process before surgery.

Seasonality of schizophrenia and stillbirths in The Netherlands

Studies from Denmark and the USA have reported a strong correlation between the seasonal pattern for stillbirths and the seasonal birth pattern for people who develop schizophrenia. It has been suggested that the correlation could be caused by a common seasonal factor (e. g. intra-uterine infections during the third trimester of pregnancy), which produces death in some fetuses and nonfatal brain changes in others, changes that are manifested in later life as schizophrenia. The aims of our study were (i) to assess the seasonal patterns for stillbirths and for pre-schizophrenic births in The Netherlands and (ii) to examine their relationship. The Dutch psychiatric registry provided data on all Dutch-born subjects who had been hospitalized at least once with a diagnosis of schizophrenia in the period 1970-1994. We selected data on patients born in the period 1926-1970 (n=29891). The government provided monthly numbers of live births and stillbirths in the latter period. Seasonality of birth was examined using Poisson regression analysis. The risk of an admission for schizophrenia was highest for people born in the months of May and June and lowest for those born in August and September. When the risk for subjects born in June was compared with the risk for subjects born in September, the Relative Risk was 1.14 [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.07 to 1.22]. The seasonal pattern of stillbirths was different, in that it showed a peak in the month of January. The low, however, as in schizophrenia, occurred in the months of August and September. The two seasonal patterns were found to be weakly correlated: Spearman's rank correlation coefficient rho=0.41 (95% CI: -0.22 to 0.80). This was the largest European study on birth seasonality in schizophrenia. The hypothesis that a common factor is responsible for a seasonal excess of stillbirths and for a seasonal birth excess of people who develop schizophrenia was not supported. The possibility remains, however, that a common factor explains seasonal (birth rate) deficits in these disorders.