BACKGROUND: Preparedness before discharge correlates with good clinical outcomes. OBJECTIVE: The study described the perception, attitudes, and perceived preparedness of patients and caregivers for discharge from the Internal Medicine wards of the University of the Philippines-Philippine General Hospital (UP-PGH). METHODS: A cross-sectional survey among 142 patients about to be discharged from the Internal Medicine wards of the Philippine General Hospital and/or their caregivers from May to June 2017 was done using a validated Filipino version of B-PREPARED, an 11-item self-administered questionnaire that measures patient preparedness for home. The questionnaire has three domains: self-care information, equipment/services, and confidence. The highest possible B-PREPARED score is 22 with higher scores indicating better discharge preparedness. Mean B-PREPARED scores were calculated. Post-hoc linear regression analysis between the scores and characteristics was performed. RESULTS: The Filipino translation of the B-PREPARED questionnaire had good internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha 0.8). One hundred forty-two patients and caregivers participated. The mean B-PREPARED score was 14.57 ± 4.34, with a median of 15. The lowest scores were for information on available community services (1.20 ± 0.76), arranged equipment (0.83 ± 0.88), information on side effects of medications (1.19 ± 0.85), and additional information sought (0.61 ± 0.92). There was no significant correlation between preparedness and age, employment status, educational attainment, diagnosis, length of hospitalization, the number of admissions one year prior, or whether the respondent was a patient or caregiver. CONCLUSION The Filipino translation of the B-PREPARED questionnaire had good internal consistency. Although most participants reported being confident and prepared for discharge, most felt they did not receive sufficient information on side effects and available community services, and assistance in arranging for the necessary equipment for home care.

BACKGROUND: Diarrhea is a common and disabling symptom seen in patients with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection and the Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS). The diarrhea is chronic and results in malabsorption contributing to cachexia. Symptomatic treatment can improve the quality of life and nutritional status of these patients.

The endogenous group of opiates known as enkephalins function as anti-secretory agents without affecting intestinal transit. Racecadotril (acetorphan) is an orally active enkephalinase inhibitor. Available studies have focused on the use of racecadotril in healthy adults and children with acute infectious diarrhea.

OBJECTIVES:To assess the efficacy of racecadotril (acetorphan) in reducing the duration and frequency of bowel movement in adult HIV patients with chronic diarrhea.

METHODS:  Electronic databases were searched for randomized controlled trials which used racecadotril for chronic diarrhea in HIV patients. Three independent reviewers assessed the quality of the two studies based on the Cochrane Infectious Disease Group prior to inclusion in study. Data extracted were analyzed using Revman Version 5. Test for heterogeneity was performed using the chi square test.

RESULTS: Results showed the standardized mean difference for the two trials comparing racecadotril to placebo and octreotide in reducing bowel movements from baseline was -1.00 (95% CI -1.16 to -0.84, Z=12.08, p<0.00001), showing a beneficial effect. Response rate for the two trials comparing racecadotril to placebo or octreotide in reducing bowel movements from baseline was -0.13 (95% CI -0.26 to 0.01, Z=1.84, p<0.07), showing a trend towards benefit in terms of response rates. Heterogeneity was statistically insignificant (p=1, I2=0%).

CONCLUSIONS: There is evidence pointing to a benefit in using racecadotril in HIV and AIDS-associated, non-infectious diarrhea by decreasing the frequency of loose stools. An individualized approach is still recommended in its use for HIV patients with chronic diarrhea.

Human ; Racecadotril ; Hiv ; Diarrhea

INTRODUCTION: Anthracycline is a cornerstone in the treatment of various cancers. One major limitation to its use is cardiotoxicity. Renin angiotensin system (RAS) inhibitors have been shown to attenuate myocardial injury, initial data is promising in its use as prophylaxis for anthracyclineinduced cardiotoxicity. The aim of the study is to determine effectiveness of prophylactic RAS inhibitors in preventing anthracycline-induced cardiotoxicity and adverse cardiac events among adult cancer patients

METHODS: Systematic search of databases PUBMED, MEDLINE, EMBASE, and CENTRAL was done. Selection criteria were: 1) randomized controlled trials (RCT) 2) adult cancer patients with normal ejection fraction and without heart failure symptoms 3) RAS inhibitors as prophylaxis versus placebo 4) development of cardiac events, all-cause mortality and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) reduction as outcomes. Two reviewers independently assessed the trials. Disagreements were resolved with a third reviewer. Test for effect of intervention, heterogeneity, trial quality and risk of bias were assessed using the Cochrane Review Manager Software version 5.3.

RESULTS: Five RCTs involving 530 adult patients, with average age of 50± two years old, and average follow-up from six months to three years were included. Combined clinical outcomes of heart failure, cardiac events and all-cause mortality showed an RR of 0.27[95%CI 0.18, 0.40],p<0.00001, in favor of RAS inhibitors. There is same benefit in LVEF preservation with mean difference of 4.37%[95%CI 1.20, 7.55;p=0.007]. Exploratory subgroup analysis showed significant benefit in LVEF preservation with combined RAS inhibitor and beta-blocker, with mean difference of 2.45%[95%CI 1.27, 3.63]. There is overall significant heterogeneity (I2=95%). Excluding one article with high-risk population, after sensitivity analysis, showed same benefit but reduced heterogeneity.

CONCLUSION: Renin angiotensin system (RAS) inhibitors may be used as prophylaxis for cardiotoxicity. As prophylaxis, it reduced the clinical outcome of cardiac events, heart failure, and all-cause mortality among cancer patients needing anthracycline. Combined RAS inhibitor and betablocker limits LVEF reduction.

Human ; Male ; Female ; Cardiotoxicity ; Renin-angiotensin System ; Medline ; Stroke Volume ; Patient Selection ; Follow-up Studies ; Anthracyclines ; Pubmed ; Heart Failure ; Adrenergic Beta-antagonists ; Neoplasms