1.A multicenter study of neonatal stroke in Shenzhen,China
Li-Xiu SHI ; Jin-Xing FENG ; Yan-Fang WEI ; Xin-Ru LU ; Yu-Xi ZHANG ; Lin-Ying YANG ; Sheng-Nan HE ; Pei-Juan CHEN ; Jing HAN ; Cheng CHEN ; Hui-Ying TU ; Zhang-Bin YU ; Jin-Jie HUANG ; Shu-Juan ZENG ; Wan-Ling CHEN ; Ying LIU ; Yan-Ping GUO ; Jiao-Yu MAO ; Xiao-Dong LI ; Qian-Shen ZHANG ; Zhi-Li XIE ; Mei-Ying HUANG ; Kun-Shan YAN ; Er-Ya YING ; Jun CHEN ; Yan-Rong WANG ; Ya-Ping LIU ; Bo SONG ; Hua-Yan LIU ; Xiao-Dong XIAO ; Hong TANG ; Yu-Na WANG ; Yin-Sha CAI ; Qi LONG ; Han-Qiang XU ; Hui-Zhan WANG ; Qian SUN ; Fang HAN ; Rui-Biao ZHANG ; Chuan-Zhong YANG ; Lei DOU ; Hui-Ju SHI ; Rui WANG ; Ping JIANG ; Shenzhen Neonatal Data Network
Chinese Journal of Contemporary Pediatrics 2024;26(5):450-455
Objective To investigate the incidence rate,clinical characteristics,and prognosis of neonatal stroke in Shenzhen,China.Methods Led by Shenzhen Children's Hospital,the Shenzhen Neonatal Data Collaboration Network organized 21 institutions to collect 36 cases of neonatal stroke from January 2020 to December 2022.The incidence,clinical characteristics,treatment,and prognosis of neonatal stroke in Shenzhen were analyzed.Results The incidence rate of neonatal stroke in 21 hospitals from 2020 to 2022 was 1/15 137,1/6 060,and 1/7 704,respectively.Ischemic stroke accounted for 75%(27/36);boys accounted for 64%(23/36).Among the 36 neonates,31(86%)had disease onset within 3 days after birth,and 19(53%)had convulsion as the initial presentation.Cerebral MRI showed that 22 neonates(61%)had left cerebral infarction and 13(36%)had basal ganglia infarction.Magnetic resonance angiography was performed for 12 neonates,among whom 9(75%)had involvement of the middle cerebral artery.Electroencephalography was performed for 29 neonates,with sharp waves in 21 neonates(72%)and seizures in 10 neonates(34%).Symptomatic/supportive treatment varied across different hospitals.Neonatal Behavioral Neurological Assessment was performed for 12 neonates(33%,12/36),with a mean score of(32±4)points.The prognosis of 27 neonates was followed up to around 12 months of age,with 44%(12/27)of the neonates having a good prognosis.Conclusions Ischemic stroke is the main type of neonatal stroke,often with convulsions as the initial presentation,involvement of the middle cerebral artery,sharp waves on electroencephalography,and a relatively low neurodevelopment score.Symptomatic/supportive treatment is the main treatment method,and some neonates tend to have a poor prognosis.
2.Semiconducting Polymer and Photosensitizer Co-Doping Polystyrene Microspheres for Afterglow Imaging of Microplastics in Vivo
Ting-Jiao SHI ; Li-Jian CHEN ; Li-Xia YAN ; Xu ZHAO ; Xiu-Ping YAN
Chinese Journal of Analytical Chemistry 2024;52(10):1517-1527
Microplastics pose a serious threat to the environment and human health,but the circulating distribution and transport processes of microplastics in organisms have not been fully assessed.Therefore,it is of great significance to construct a probe that can image trace microplastics and visually monitor their circulation and transport in vivo.Afterglow semiconducting polymers are attractive for applications in biological imaging as they do not contain heavy metal ions,are easy to biodegrade and allow high signal-to-noise ratio afterglow imaging without continuous excitation.In this study,with styrene as reaction monomer,polyvinylpyrrolidone as surfactant,and sodium persulfate as initiator,afterglow polystyrene microspheres for in vivo imaging of microplastics were prepared.During the polymerization process,poly[(9,9-di(2-ethylhexyl)-9H-fluo-rene-2,7-vinylene)-co-(1-methoxy-4-(2-ethylhexyloxy)-2,5-phenylenevinylene)](PF-MEHPPV)and photosensitizer silicon 2,3-naphthalocyanine bis(trihexylsilyloxide)(NCBS)were co-doped into polystyrene microspheres.The prepared afterglow polystyrene microspheres exhibited an afterglow duration of 96 h and a tissue penetration depth of 1.8 cm.It was found that co-doping of PF-MEHPPV and NCBS had little effect on the particle size and Zeta potential of the microspheres,and allowed to monitor the afterglow luminescence signal in vivo for 24 h.Imaging of mouse organs after anatomy showed that the afterglow signal was still observed in the stomach of mice 48 h after gavage.This study provided a new method for imaging and tracing microplastics in vivo.
3.Molecular genetic characteristics of a family which coinheritance of rare-88 C>G (HBB:c.-138 C>G) β-thalassemia mutation with α-thalassemia and review of the literature.
Wei LI ; Li Ting CHEN ; Ying YU ; Jie WANG ; Cui Yun LI ; Tian E CAI ; Chun Jiao LU ; Dong Xue LI ; Xiu Juan TIAN
Chinese Journal of Preventive Medicine 2023;57(2):253-258
The molecular genetic characteristics of a family with rare -88 C>G (HBB: c.-138 C>G) β-thalassemia gene mutation were studied using cohort study. The cohort study was conducted from June to August 2022 by Prenatal Diagnosis Center of Sanya Women and Children's Hospital Managed by Shanghai Children's Medical Center. The phenotype and genotype were analyzed by hematological cytoanalyzer, automatic electrophoretic analysis system, and next-generation sequencing (NGS). And then, Sanger sequencing was used to verify the rare gene results. The results showed that the proband, her father, her uncle and her younger male cousin had discrete microcytosis (MCV 70.1 fl, 71.9 fl, 73.1 fl and 76.6 fl, respectively) and hypochromia (MCH 21.5 pg,22.0 pg,22.6 pg and 23.5 pg, respectively), elevated hemoglobin A2 level (5.3%, 5.4%, 5.4% and 5.5%, respectively), slightly elevated or normal fetal hemoglobin (Hb F), but no anemia. The proband was identified to have co-inherited ɑ-thalassemia (Hb Westmead gene heterozygous mutation, ɑwsɑ/ɑɑ) and β-thalassemia with a rare -88 C>G (HBB: c.-138 C>G) heterozygous mutation (β-88 C>G/βN). Her mother had the same α-thalassemia as the proband. Her father, her uncle and her younger male cousin had the same rare -88 C>G heterozygous mutations as the proband. While her grandmother and younger brother were not carrier of thalassemia. In conclusion, 4 cases of rare -88 C>G(HBB:c.-138 C>G) heterozygous mutation had been detected in a Chinese family. Carriers of this beta-thalassemia are clinically asymptomatic. This study enriches the knowledge of the thalassemia mutation spectrum in Chinese people and provides valuable information for genetic counseling, prenatal diagnosis, and prevention of thalassemia, providing a scientific basis for improving the quality of birth population and preventing birth defects.
Female
;
Humans
;
Male
;
alpha-Thalassemia/genetics*
;
beta-Globins/genetics*
;
beta-Thalassemia/diagnosis*
;
China
;
Cohort Studies
;
Genotype
;
Molecular Biology
;
Mutation
4.Clinical Characteristics of Children with Hemophagocytic Syndrome with Different EB Virus DNA Loads.
Jiao-Jiao HUANG ; Nan-Du LUO ; Zuo-Chen DU ; Jia-Hong YAN ; Jin-Hua MA ; Xiu-Li CAO ; Zhi-Xu HE ; Pei HUANG ; Yan CHEN
Journal of Experimental Hematology 2023;31(1):261-267
OBJECTIVE:
To analyze the clinical characteristics of hemophagocytic syndrome (HLH) children with different EB virus (EBV) DNA loads, and to explore the relationship between differential indicators and prognosis.
METHODS:
Clinical data of 73 children with HLH treated in our hospital from January 2015 to April 2022 were collected. According to EBV DNA loads, the children were divided into negative group (≤5×102 copies/ml), low load group (>5×102-<5×105 copies/ml) and high load group (≥5×105copies/ml). The clinical symptoms and laboratory indexes of the three groups were compared, and the ROC curve was used to determine the best cut-off value of the different indexes. Cox regression model was used to analyze the independent risk factors affecting the prognosis of children, and to analyze the survival of children in each group.
RESULTS:
The proportion of female children, the swelling rate of liver and spleen lymph nodes and the involvement rate of blood, liver, circulation and central nervous system in the high load group were higher than those in the negative group. The incidence of disseminated intravascular coagulation(DIC) and central nervous system(CNS) involvement in the high load group were higher than those in the low load group. The liver swelling rate and circulatory system involvement rate in the low load group were higher than those in the negative group(P<0.05). PLT counts in the high load group were significantly lower than those in the negative group, and the levels of GGT, TBIL, CK-MB, LDH, TG, SF, and organ involvement were significantly higher than those in the negative group. The levels of CK, LDH, SF and the number of organ involvement in the high load group were significantly higher than those in the low load group. The levels of GGT and TBIL in low load group were significantly higher than those in negative group. In terms of treatment, the proportion of blood purification therapy in the high and low load group was significantly higher than that in the negative group(P<0.01). ROC curve analysis showed that the best cut-off values of PLT, LDH, TG and SF were 49.5, 1139, 3.12 and 1812, respectively. The appellate laboratory indicators were dichotomized according to the cut-off value, and the differential clinical symptoms were included in the Cox regression model. Univariate analysis showed that LDH>1139 U/L, SF>1812 μg/L, dysfunction of central nervous system, number of organ damage, DIC and no blood purification therapy were the risk factors affecting the prognosis of children (P<0.05); Multivariate analysis shows that PLT≤49.5×109/L and dysfunction of central nervous system were risk factors affecting the prognosis of children (P<0.05). Survival analysis showed that there was no significant difference in the survival rate among the three groups.
CONCLUSION
The incidence of adverse prognostic factors in children with HLH in the EBV-DNA high load group is higher, and there is no significant difference in the survival rate of the three groups after blood purification therapy. Therefore, early identification and application of blood purification therapy is of great significance for children with HLH in the high load group.
Humans
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Child
;
Female
;
Lymphohistiocytosis, Hemophagocytic
;
Retrospective Studies
;
Risk Factors
;
DNA
;
Prognosis
5.To compare the efficacy and incidence of severe hematological adverse events of flumatinib and imatinib in patients newly diagnosed with chronic phase chronic myeloid leukemia.
Xiao Shuai ZHANG ; Bing Cheng LIU ; Xin DU ; Yan Li ZHANG ; Na XU ; Xiao Li LIU ; Wei Ming LI ; Hai LIN ; Rong LIANG ; Chun Yan CHEN ; Jian HUANG ; Yun Fan YANG ; Huan Ling ZHU ; Ling PAN ; Xiao Dong WANG ; Gui Hui LI ; Zhuo Gang LIU ; Yan Qing ZHANG ; Zhen Fang LIU ; Jian Da HU ; Chun Shui LIU ; Fei LI ; Wei YANG ; Li MENG ; Yan Qiu HAN ; Li E LIN ; Zhen Yu ZHAO ; Chuan Qing TU ; Cai Feng ZHENG ; Yan Liang BAI ; Ze Ping ZHOU ; Su Ning CHEN ; Hui Ying QIU ; Li Jie YANG ; Xiu Li SUN ; Hui SUN ; Li ZHOU ; Ze Lin LIU ; Dan Yu WANG ; Jian Xin GUO ; Li Ping PANG ; Qing Shu ZENG ; Xiao Hui SUO ; Wei Hua ZHANG ; Yuan Jun ZHENG ; Qian JIANG
Chinese Journal of Hematology 2023;44(9):728-736
Objective: To analyze and compare therapy responses, outcomes, and incidence of severe hematologic adverse events of flumatinib and imatinib in patients newly diagnosed with chronic phase chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) . Methods: Data of patients with chronic phase CML diagnosed between January 2006 and November 2022 from 76 centers, aged ≥18 years, and received initial flumatinib or imatinib therapy within 6 months after diagnosis in China were retrospectively interrogated. Propensity score matching (PSM) analysis was performed to reduce the bias of the initial TKI selection, and the therapy responses and outcomes of patients receiving initial flumatinib or imatinib therapy were compared. Results: A total of 4 833 adult patients with CML receiving initial imatinib (n=4 380) or flumatinib (n=453) therapy were included in the study. In the imatinib cohort, the median follow-up time was 54 [interquartile range (IQR), 31-85] months, and the 7-year cumulative incidences of CCyR, MMR, MR(4), and MR(4.5) were 95.2%, 88.4%, 78.3%, and 63.0%, respectively. The 7-year FFS, PFS, and OS rates were 71.8%, 93.0%, and 96.9%, respectively. With the median follow-up of 18 (IQR, 13-25) months in the flumatinib cohort, the 2-year cumulative incidences of CCyR, MMR, MR(4), and MR(4.5) were 95.4%, 86.5%, 58.4%, and 46.6%, respectively. The 2-year FFS, PFS, and OS rates were 80.1%, 95.0%, and 99.5%, respectively. The PSM analysis indicated that patients receiving initial flumatinib therapy had significantly higher cumulative incidences of CCyR, MMR, MR(4), and MR(4.5) and higher probabilities of FFS than those receiving the initial imatinib therapy (all P<0.001), whereas the PFS (P=0.230) and OS (P=0.268) were comparable between the two cohorts. The incidence of severe hematologic adverse events (grade≥Ⅲ) was comparable in the two cohorts. Conclusion: Patients receiving initial flumatinib therapy had higher cumulative incidences of therapy responses and higher probability of FFS than those receiving initial imatinib therapy, whereas the incidence of severe hematologic adverse events was comparable between the two cohorts.
Adult
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Humans
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Adolescent
;
Imatinib Mesylate/adverse effects*
;
Incidence
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Antineoplastic Agents/adverse effects*
;
Retrospective Studies
;
Pyrimidines/adverse effects*
;
Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive/drug therapy*
;
Treatment Outcome
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Benzamides/adverse effects*
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Leukemia, Myeloid, Chronic-Phase/drug therapy*
;
Aminopyridines/therapeutic use*
;
Protein Kinase Inhibitors/therapeutic use*
6.Stigma and Efficacy of Zhizhu Kuanzhong Capsules Versus Doxepin in the Treatment of Refractory Functional Dyspepsia: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Qian-Qian WANG ; Li CHENG ; Bi-Yu WU ; Hong-Yi QIU ; Ping XU ; Bo WANG ; Xiu-Juan YAN ; Sheng-Liang CHEN
Journal of Neurogastroenterology and Motility 2023;29(3):360-369
Background/Aims:
Stigma related with antidepressants is prevalent in patients with functional dyspepsia. It affects medication compliance and efficacy.Herbal medicine acquired a deep-rooted cultural identity in relieving dyspeptic symptoms in Asians. The research was designed to compare the effectiveness of Zhizhu Kuanzhong capsules (ZZKZ) versus doxepin hydrochloride (doxepin) on alleviating stigma and medication nonadherence among patients with refractory FD (rFD).
Methods:
Patients with rFD from February 2021 to February 2022 were randomly allocated to receive either doxepin (n = 56) or ZZKZ (n = 57) combined with omeprazole for 4 weeks. Medication possession ratio (MPR), the disease- and medication-associated stigma were analyzed. The scales were utilized to assess dyspeptic symptoms (Leeds Dyspepsia Questionnaire) and psychological conditions (Generalized Anxiety Disorder Questionnaire and Patient Health Questionnaire).
Results:
The MPR values for ZZKZ were significantly higher than those for doxepin (P < 0.001). The stigma scores decreased in ZZKZ group while increased in doxepin group compared to baseline after treatment. The proportion of patients showing ZZKZ-associated stigma was significantly lower than doxepin-associated stigma (P < 0.001). The MPR values were negatively correlated with posttreatment stigma scores in both groups (P < 0.001). Dyspeptic symptoms and psychological condition were improved in both groups after treatment, with no significant difference on post-treatment Leeds Dyspepsia Questionnaire, Generalized Anxiety Disorder Questionnaire, or Patient Health Questionnaire scores between 2 groups.
Conclusion
ZZKZ is superior to doxepin in alleviating stigma and medication non-adherence, with comparable efficacy in improving dyspeptic symptoms and psychological condition of patients with rFD.
7.Efficacy and Safety of Jianpi Jieyu Decoction for Patients with Mild-to-Moderate Depression of Xin (Heart)-Pi (Spleen) Deficiency Syndrome: A Multi-centre Randomized Controlled Study.
Xu CHEN ; Jiu-Xi CHEN ; Xue-Yan HAN ; Yang ZHAO ; Jing CAO ; Xiu-Zhen JIAO ; Hong-Mei LIU ; Chun-Li GUO ; Shuo MENG ; Shuai LIANG ; Jiang-Xia QI ; Dong CHEN ; Ming-Xia LI ; Yun-Xia JIAO ; Ting-Ting WANG ; Xia HONG
Chinese journal of integrative medicine 2023;29(4):299-307
OBJECTIVE:
To evaluate the efficacy and safety of Jianpi Jieyu Decoction (JJD) for treating patients with mild-to-moderate depression of Xin (Heart)-Pi (Spleen) deficiency (XPD) syndrome.
METHODS:
In this multi-center, randomized, controlled study, 140 patients with mild-to-moderate depression of XPD syndrome were included from Xiyuan Hospital of China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences and Botou Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine from December 2017 to December 2019. They were randomly divided into JJD group and paroxetine group by using a random number table, with 70 cases in each group. The patients in the JJD group were given JJD one dose per day (twice daily at morning and evening, 100 mL each time), and the patients in the paroxetine group were given paroxetine (10 mg/d in week 1; 20 mg/d in weeks 2-6), both orally administration for a total of 6 weeks. The primary outcome was the change of 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD-17) score at week 6 from baseline. The secondary outcomes included the Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA) score, Traditional Chinese Medicine Symptom Scale (TCMSS), and Clinlcal Global Impression (CGI) scores at the 2nd, 4th, and 6th weekends of treatment, HAMD-17 response (defined as a reduction in score of >50%) and HAMD-17 remission (defined as a score of ⩽7) at the end of the 6th week of treatment. Adverse events (AEs) were also recorded.
RESULTS:
From baseline to week 6, the HAMD-17 scores decreased 10.2 ± 4.0 and 9.1 ± 4.9 points in the JJD and paroxetine groups, respectively (P=0.689). The HAMD-17 response occurred in 60% of patients in the JJD group and in 50% of those in the paroxetine group (P=0.292); HAMD-17 remission occurred in 45.7% and 30% of patients, respectively (P=0.128). The differences of CGI scores at the 6th week were not statistically significant (P>0.05). There were significant differences in HAMD-17 scores between the two groups at 2nd and 4th week (P=0.001 and P=0.014). The HAMA scores declined 8.1 ± 3.0 and 6.9 ± 4.3 points from baseline to week 6 in the JJD and paroxetine groups, respectively (P=0.905 between groups). At 4th week of treatment, there was a significant difference in HAMA between the two groups (P=0.037). TCMSS decreased 11.4 ± 5.1, and 10.1 ± 6.8 points in the JJD and paroxetine groups, respectively (P=0.080 between groups). At the 6th week, the incidence of AEs in the JJD group was significantly lower than that in the paroxetine group (7.14% vs. 22.86%, P<0.05).
CONCLUSION
Compared with paroxetine, JJD was associated with a significantly lower incidence of AEs in patients with mild-to-moderate depression of XPD syndrome, with no difference in efficacy at 6 weeks. (Trial registration No. ChiCTR2000040922).
Humans
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Paroxetine/adverse effects*
;
Spleen
;
Anxiety
;
Syndrome
;
Medicine, Chinese Traditional
;
Treatment Outcome
;
Double-Blind Method
8.Cloning and functional analysis of IPI gene from Fritillaria unibracteata Hsiao et K. C. Hsia.
Jiao CHEN ; Si-min SONG ; Jie TANG ; Jin-xiu XIN ; Qian ZHANG ; Hong-jie ZHAO ; Xin CHEN ; Jia-yu ZHOU ; Hai LIAO
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica 2023;58(2):447-453
An open reading frame (ORF) of isopentenyl-diphosphate delta isomerase gene (
9.Expert consensus on late stage of critical care management.
Bo TANG ; Wen Jin CHEN ; Li Dan JIANG ; Shi Hong ZHU ; Bin SONG ; Yan Gong CHAO ; Tian Jiao SONG ; Wei HE ; Yang LIU ; Hong Min ZHANG ; Wen Zhao CHAI ; Man hong YIN ; Ran ZHU ; Li Xia LIU ; Jun WU ; Xin DING ; Xiu Ling SHANG ; Jun DUAN ; Qiang Hong XU ; Heng ZHANG ; Xiao Meng WANG ; Qi Bing HUANG ; Rui Chen GONG ; Zun Zhu LI ; Mei Shan LU ; Xiao Ting WANG
Chinese Journal of Internal Medicine 2023;62(5):480-493
We wished to establish an expert consensus on late stage of critical care (CC) management. The panel comprised 13 experts in CC medicine. Each statement was assessed based on the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) principle. Then, the Delphi method was adopted by 17 experts to reassess the following 28 statements. (1) ESCAPE has evolved from a strategy of delirium management to a strategy of late stage of CC management. (2) The new version of ESCAPE is a strategy for optimizing treatment and comprehensive care of critically ill patients (CIPs) after the rescue period, including early mobilization, early rehabilitation, nutritional support, sleep management, mental assessment, cognitive-function training, emotional support, and optimizing sedation and analgesia. (3) Disease assessment to determine the starting point of early mobilization, early rehabilitation, and early enteral nutrition. (4) Early mobilization has synergistic effects upon the recovery of organ function. (5) Early functional exercise and rehabilitation are important means to promote CIP recovery, and gives them a sense of future prospects. (6) Timely start of enteral nutrition is conducive to early mobilization and early rehabilitation. (7) The spontaneous breathing test should be started as soon as possible, and a weaning plan should be selected step-by-step. (8) The waking process of CIPs should be realized in a planned and purposeful way. (9) Establishment of a sleep-wake rhythm is the key to sleep management in post-CC management. (10) The spontaneous awakening trial, spontaneous breathing trial, and sleep management should be carried out together. (11) The depth of sedation should be adjusted dynamically in the late stage of CC period. (12) Standardized sedation assessment is the premise of rational sedation. (13) Appropriate sedative drugs should be selected according to the objectives of sedation and drug characteristics. (14) A goal-directed minimization strategy for sedation should be implemented. (15) The principle of analgesia must be mastered first. (16) Subjective assessment is preferred for analgesia assessment. (17) Opioid-based analgesic strategies should be selected step-by-step according to the characteristics of different drugs. (18) There must be rational use of non-opioid analgesics and non-drug-based analgesic measures. (19) Pay attention to evaluation of the psychological status of CIPs. (20) Cognitive function in CIPs cannot be ignored. (21) Delirium management should be based on non-drug-based measures and rational use of drugs. (22) Reset treatment can be considered for severe delirium. (23) Psychological assessment should be conducted as early as possible to screen-out high-risk groups with post-traumatic stress disorder. (24) Emotional support, flexible visiting, and environment management are important components of humanistic management in the intensive care unit (ICU). (25) Emotional support from medical teams and families should be promoted through"ICU diaries"and other forms. (26) Environmental management should be carried out by enriching environmental content, limiting environmental interference, and optimizing the environmental atmosphere. (27) Reasonable promotion of flexible visitation should be done on the basis of prevention of nosocomial infection. (28) ESCAPE is an excellent project for late stage of CC management.
Humans
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Consensus
;
Critical Care/methods*
;
Intensive Care Units
;
Pain/drug therapy*
;
Analgesics/therapeutic use*
;
Delirium/therapy*
;
Critical Illness
10.Improving Clinician-Patient Communication Alleviates Stigma in Patients With Functional Dyspepsia Receiving Antidepressant Treatment
Xiu-Juan YAN ; Hong-Yi QIU ; Qing-Qing LUO ; Bo WANG ; Ping XU ; Chen-Feng JI ; Sheng-Liang CHEN
Journal of Neurogastroenterology and Motility 2022;28(1):95-103
Background/Aims:
Antidepressants are effective in patients with functional dyspepsia (FD). However, stigma associated with FD and antidepressants may affect treatment adherence. This study aims to explore possible communication strategies to alleviate stigma and improve adherence in patients with FD.
Methods:
In this randomized, single-center, and single-blind trial, 160 patients with FD initiating antidepressant treatment were recruited. Different communication strategies were performed when prescribing antidepressants. Participants in Group 1 were told that brain is the “headquarters” of gut, and that antidepressants could act as neuromodulators to relieve symptoms of FD through regulating the functions of gut and brain. Participants in Group 2 were told that antidepressants were empirically effective for FD. Stigma scores, medication-related stigma, treatment compliance, and efficacy were analyzed.
Results:
After 8-week antidepressant treatment, the proportion of patients with FD with decreased stigma scores in Group 1 was significantly higher than in Group 2 (internalized stigma: 64.10% vs 12.00%; perceived stigma: 55.13% vs 13.33%; P < 0.01). Medication-related stigma was lower in Group 1 than in Group 2 (P < 0.05 for 3 of 4 questions). Concurrently, patients in Group 1 had better treatment compliance (0.71 ± 0.25 vs 0.60 ± 0.25, P < 0.01) and efficacy. In Group 1, participants with decreased post-treatment stigma scores showed better treatment compliance and efficacy than those with non-decreased scores. Decrease in stigma scores positively correlated with treatment compliance.
Conclusion
Improving knowledge of patients with FD of the disease and antidepressants via proper communication may be an effective way to alleviate stigma and promote adherence.

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