Piranavie Srikantha, Ursula Winterfeld, F. Girardin, Alice Panchaud, Nicole Ochsenbein-Kölble, A. Simões-Wüst
AIMS OF THE STUDY: Limited knowledge exists regarding exposures to non-therapeutic chemicals by women planning to conceive, or during pregnancy or breastfeeding. The Swiss Teratogen Information Service (STIS) provides information to healthcare professionals about medications and other exposures during pregnancy or breastfeeding. This study aimed to describe the queries on non-therapeutic chemicals addressed to the STIS over the past two decades. METHODS: Using data from the STIS for the years 2000 to 2019, we conducted a descriptive analysis of all queries related to women’s exposures to non-therapeutic chemicals during pregnancy planning, pregnancy or breastfeeding. RESULTS: Over two decades, the STIS database recorded 320 exposures to chemicals. Workplace settings accounted for over 60% of queries, followed by exposures at home (20%). In almost half (48%) of the queries, more than one chemical was mentioned, totalling 885 chemicals across these 320 queries. Commonly mentioned chemicals included isopropanol, acetone and lead. Solvents were the leading category of products (16%), followed by cleaning products (10%), paints (8%) and insecticides (5%). The follow-up data showed five diverse cases of congenital malformations, accounting for 4.0% (5 out of 125) of the sample, a figure in line with the background risk of malformations in the general population. CONCLUSIONS: This study emphasises the importance of conducting research that comprehensively captures the highly heterogeneous exposures to non-therapeutic chemicals during pregnancy and suggests that attention should be given not only to professional settings, but also to domestic contexts.
{"title":"Exposures to non-therapeutic chemicals before, during and after pregnancy: data from the Swiss Teratogen Information Service (STIS)","authors":"Piranavie Srikantha, Ursula Winterfeld, F. Girardin, Alice Panchaud, Nicole Ochsenbein-Kölble, A. Simões-Wüst","doi":"10.57187/s.3751","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.57187/s.3751","url":null,"abstract":"AIMS OF THE STUDY: Limited knowledge exists regarding exposures to non-therapeutic chemicals by women planning to conceive, or during pregnancy or breastfeeding. The Swiss Teratogen Information Service (STIS) provides information to healthcare professionals about medications and other exposures during pregnancy or breastfeeding. This study aimed to describe the queries on non-therapeutic chemicals addressed to the STIS over the past two decades.\u0000METHODS: Using data from the STIS for the years 2000 to 2019, we conducted a descriptive analysis of all queries related to women’s exposures to non-therapeutic chemicals during pregnancy planning, pregnancy or breastfeeding.\u0000RESULTS: Over two decades, the STIS database recorded 320 exposures to chemicals. Workplace settings accounted for over 60% of queries, followed by exposures at home (20%). In almost half (48%) of the queries, more than one chemical was mentioned, totalling 885 chemicals across these 320 queries. Commonly mentioned chemicals included isopropanol, acetone and lead. Solvents were the leading category of products (16%), followed by cleaning products (10%), paints (8%) and insecticides (5%). The follow-up data showed five diverse cases of congenital malformations, accounting for 4.0% (5 out of 125) of the sample, a figure in line with the background risk of malformations in the general population.\u0000CONCLUSIONS: This study emphasises the importance of conducting research that comprehensively captures the highly heterogeneous exposures to non-therapeutic chemicals during pregnancy and suggests that attention should be given not only to professional settings, but also to domestic contexts.","PeriodicalId":509527,"journal":{"name":"Swiss Medical Weekly","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-07-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141641685","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Lukas Reinhard, Lars Clarfeld, Niels Gobin, Christoph Knoblauch, Patrick Järgen, J. Le Boudec, Meret Merker, C. Rimensberger, Céline Roulet, Nora Schaub, Katja Töttler, M. Wertli, Sven Streit
AIM OF THIS STUDY: General internal medicine is a crucial element in healthcare systems. Understanding how many people are and will be working in this field is important to maintain and improve quality for patients in healthcare systems. This can provide a basis for political decisions. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study to analyse the current and future workforce of generalists (general practitioners and internists in hospitals) in Switzerland. The Swiss Society of General Internal Medicine (SSGIM) distributed a survey to all members. Respondents were asked about their current average workload in 2023 and planned workload in 2033. The responses were used to calculate full-time equivalent (FTE) for the current and future workforce of generalists and to extrapolate FTE for all active SSGIM members. To model the demand by 2033, we derived different scenarios. RESULTS: Of all 6,232 active SSGIM members, 2,030 (33%) participated: 46% female, 25% (largest age group) 56-65 years old, 19% still in postgraduate training. The average workload in 2023 was 78% for female and 87% for male generalists; the FTE extrapolated to all active SSGIM members in 2023 was 5,246. By 2033, 1,935 FTEs (36%) will retire, 502 FTEs (10%) will reduce their workload, 116 FTEs (2%) will increase their workload and 2,800 FTEs (53%) will remain in the workforce with the same workload as in 2023. To maintain the same workforce as in 2023, 2,321 new FTEs (44%) will be needed by 2033. To fill this gap of 232 FTE new generalists per year, we modelled different scenarios with assumptions of interest, workload, migration and dropouts. CONCLUSIONS: Within only one decade, 44% of the current workforce of generalists will disappear, mainly due to retirement and decreased workload. To fill this gap, various scenarios need to be incorporated. Politicians are called upon to create the political framework to create attractive training and working conditions for generalists to address the future demand for healthcare services.
{"title":"Current and future workforce of general internal medicine in Switzerland: a cross-sectional study","authors":"Lukas Reinhard, Lars Clarfeld, Niels Gobin, Christoph Knoblauch, Patrick Järgen, J. Le Boudec, Meret Merker, C. Rimensberger, Céline Roulet, Nora Schaub, Katja Töttler, M. Wertli, Sven Streit","doi":"10.57187/s.3861","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.57187/s.3861","url":null,"abstract":"AIM OF THIS STUDY: General internal medicine is a crucial element in healthcare systems. Understanding how many people are and will be working in this field is important to maintain and improve quality for patients in healthcare systems. This can provide a basis for political decisions.\u0000METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study to analyse the current and future workforce of generalists (general practitioners and internists in hospitals) in Switzerland. The Swiss Society of General Internal Medicine (SSGIM) distributed a survey to all members. Respondents were asked about their current average workload in 2023 and planned workload in 2033. The responses were used to calculate full-time equivalent (FTE) for the current and future workforce of generalists and to extrapolate FTE for all active SSGIM members. To model the demand by 2033, we derived different scenarios.\u0000RESULTS: Of all 6,232 active SSGIM members, 2,030 (33%) participated: 46% female, 25% (largest age group) 56-65 years old, 19% still in postgraduate training. The average workload in 2023 was 78% for female and 87% for male generalists; the FTE extrapolated to all active SSGIM members in 2023 was 5,246. By 2033, 1,935 FTEs (36%) will retire, 502 FTEs (10%) will reduce their workload, 116 FTEs (2%) will increase their workload and 2,800 FTEs (53%) will remain in the workforce with the same workload as in 2023. To maintain the same workforce as in 2023, 2,321 new FTEs (44%) will be needed by 2033. To fill this gap of 232 FTE new generalists per year, we modelled different scenarios with assumptions of interest, workload, migration and dropouts.\u0000CONCLUSIONS: Within only one decade, 44% of the current workforce of generalists will disappear, mainly due to retirement and decreased workload. To fill this gap, various scenarios need to be incorporated. Politicians are called upon to create the political framework to create attractive training and working conditions for generalists to address the future demand for healthcare services.","PeriodicalId":509527,"journal":{"name":"Swiss Medical Weekly","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-07-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141640888","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
John Kikoïne, A. Nowacka, Sara Schukraft, T. Abdurashidova, P. Yerly, Piergiorgio Tozzi, Zied Ltaief, L. Rosner, R. Hullin, Matthias Kirsch
INTRODUCTION: Real-world outcomes with the HeartMate 3 left ventricular assist device (LVAD) depending on whether it’s a bridge to transplantation (BTT) or destination therapy (DT) are poorly studied. We aimed to compare the profile and clinical outcomes of patients supported with HeartMate 3 according to a BTT or a DT pre-implantation strategy. METHODS: All patients consecutively implanted with HeartMate 3 at our centre (University Hospital of Lausanne, Switzerland) in 2015–2022 were analysed in a retrospective observational study. Indications for HeartMate 3 implantation were advanced heart failure despite optimal medical treatment. Patients were treated with a vitamin K antagonist anticoagulant combined with antiplatelet therapy after HeartMate 3 implantation and were followed up monthly at our institution. RESULTS: Among 71 patients implanted with HeartMate 3 between 2015 and 2022, 51 (71.8%) were implanted as a BTT and 20 (28.2%) as DT. Their median age was 58 (IQR: 52–69) years and 84% of patients were classified as INTERMACS profiles 2–4. The median follow-up duration was 18.3 (IQR: 7.5–33.9) months. Patients in the DT group were older than those in the BTT group (p <0.001) and had more chronic renal failure (p <0.001). They also had a lower 5-year survival rate (mean ± standard error: 87.3 ± 5.6% vs 49.4 ± 15.1%) and more adverse events such as renal dysfunction requiring temporary perioperative dialysis (p = 0.08) or bleeding (p = 0.06). CONCLUSION: Although patients supported with HeartMate 3 have favourable survival, those with LVAD-DT have poorer outcomes. There is a need to better select patients eligible for LVAD-DT in order to limit the burden of adverse events and improve their prognosis.
{"title":"Clinical outcomes of HeartMate 3 left ventricular assist device support with a Bridge to Transplant vs a Destination Therapy strategy: a single-centre retrospective cohort","authors":"John Kikoïne, A. Nowacka, Sara Schukraft, T. Abdurashidova, P. Yerly, Piergiorgio Tozzi, Zied Ltaief, L. Rosner, R. Hullin, Matthias Kirsch","doi":"10.57187/s.3529","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.57187/s.3529","url":null,"abstract":"INTRODUCTION: Real-world outcomes with the HeartMate 3 left ventricular assist device (LVAD) depending on whether it’s a bridge to transplantation (BTT) or destination therapy (DT) are poorly studied. We aimed to compare the profile and clinical outcomes of patients supported with HeartMate 3 according to a BTT or a DT pre-implantation strategy.\u0000METHODS: All patients consecutively implanted with HeartMate 3 at our centre (University Hospital of Lausanne, Switzerland) in 2015–2022 were analysed in a retrospective observational study. Indications for HeartMate 3 implantation were advanced heart failure despite optimal medical treatment. Patients were treated with a vitamin K antagonist anticoagulant combined with antiplatelet therapy after HeartMate 3 implantation and were followed up monthly at our institution.\u0000RESULTS: Among 71 patients implanted with HeartMate 3 between 2015 and 2022, 51 (71.8%) were implanted as a BTT and 20 (28.2%) as DT. Their median age was 58 (IQR: 52–69) years and 84% of patients were classified as INTERMACS profiles 2–4. The median follow-up duration was 18.3 (IQR: 7.5–33.9) months. Patients in the DT group were older than those in the BTT group (p <0.001) and had more chronic renal failure (p <0.001). They also had a lower 5-year survival rate (mean ± standard error: 87.3 ± 5.6% vs 49.4 ± 15.1%) and more adverse events such as renal dysfunction requiring temporary perioperative dialysis (p = 0.08) or bleeding (p = 0.06).\u0000CONCLUSION: Although patients supported with HeartMate 3 have favourable survival, those with LVAD-DT have poorer outcomes. There is a need to better select patients eligible for LVAD-DT in order to limit the burden of adverse events and improve their prognosis.","PeriodicalId":509527,"journal":{"name":"Swiss Medical Weekly","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-07-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141658750","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Clara Hayes Vidal-Quadras, Isshak Mrabet Deraoui, Vincent Muehlethaler
BACKGROUND: Non-pharmaceutical interventions during the COVID-19 pandemic caused an unusual epidemiology in bronchiolitis hospitalisations, with a peak in the summer seasons of 2020 and 2021. AIM: The aim of this study was to analyse data from a 5-year period (2018–2022) at Hôpital du Jura in Delémont, Switzerland, regarding bronchiolitis hospitalisations before, during and towards the end of the COVID-19 pandemic in order to prepare for future changes in bronchiolitis epidemiology. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Anonymous retrospective data on bronchiolitis hospitalisations for children under 2 years of age with hospital admission date from 1 January 2018 to 31 December 2022 was obtained from the Health Records Coding Unit of our hospital. RESULTS: A clear shift in the peak of bronchiolitis is seen in 2021 compared to the three previous years. Starting in spring 2022, the trend begins to mimic pre-pandemic years. For respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) bronchiolitis hospitalisations specifically, an important peak in hospitalisations is seen in the summer months of 2021, with over 20 admissions, compared to zero admissions in the previous years. This peak shifts to the winter months in 2022. CONCLUSIONS: The non-pharmacological interventions implemented during 2020 and early 2021 did not cause a long-lasting seasonal shift in bronchiolitis. In 2022, when the non-pharmacological interventions were no longer in place in the non-hospital setting, the peak of bronchiolitis hospitalisations is seen once again in the winter months. We predict that hospitalisation patterns will gradually revert to those of pre-pandemic years.
{"title":"Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the epidemiology of bronchiolitis at Hôpital du Jura in Delémont, Switzerland: a retrospective observational study","authors":"Clara Hayes Vidal-Quadras, Isshak Mrabet Deraoui, Vincent Muehlethaler","doi":"10.57187/s.3768","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.57187/s.3768","url":null,"abstract":"BACKGROUND: Non-pharmaceutical interventions during the COVID-19 pandemic caused an unusual epidemiology in bronchiolitis hospitalisations, with a peak in the summer seasons of 2020 and 2021.\u0000AIM: The aim of this study was to analyse data from a 5-year period (2018–2022) at Hôpital du Jura in Delémont, Switzerland, regarding bronchiolitis hospitalisations before, during and towards the end of the COVID-19 pandemic in order to prepare for future changes in bronchiolitis epidemiology.\u0000MATERIALS AND METHODS: Anonymous retrospective data on bronchiolitis hospitalisations for children under 2 years of age with hospital admission date from 1 January 2018 to 31 December 2022 was obtained from the Health Records Coding Unit of our hospital.\u0000RESULTS: A clear shift in the peak of bronchiolitis is seen in 2021 compared to the three previous years. Starting in spring 2022, the trend begins to mimic pre-pandemic years. For respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) bronchiolitis hospitalisations specifically, an important peak in hospitalisations is seen in the summer months of 2021, with over 20 admissions, compared to zero admissions in the previous years. This peak shifts to the winter months in 2022.\u0000CONCLUSIONS: The non-pharmacological interventions implemented during 2020 and early 2021 did not cause a long-lasting seasonal shift in bronchiolitis. In 2022, when the non-pharmacological interventions were no longer in place in the non-hospital setting, the peak of bronchiolitis hospitalisations is seen once again in the winter months. We predict that hospitalisation patterns will gradually revert to those of pre-pandemic years.","PeriodicalId":509527,"journal":{"name":"Swiss Medical Weekly","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141690614","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Airborne transmission of respiratory viruses – Recognised in the 1940s, but then forgotten?","authors":"","doi":"10.57187/oped.64","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.57187/oped.64","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":509527,"journal":{"name":"Swiss Medical Weekly","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141407438","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Elisavet Stavropoulou, Anne Huguenin, Giorgia Caruana, O. Opota, Nancy Perrottet, Dominique S. Blanc, Bruno Grandbastien, Laurence Senn, P. Bochud, Frédéric Lamoth
AIMS OF THE STUDY: Invasive mould infections are life-threatening complications in patients with haematologic cancer and chemotherapy-induced neutropenia. While invasive aspergillosis represents the main cause of invasive mould infections, non-Aspergillus mould infections, such as mucormycosis, are increasingly reported. Consequently, their local epidemiology should be closely monitored. The aim of this study was to investigate the causes of an increased incidence of non-Aspergillus mould infections in the onco-haematology unit of a Swiss tertiary care hospital. METHODS: All cases of proven and probable invasive mould infections were retrospectively identified via a local registry for the period 2007–2021 and their incidence was calculated per 10,000 patient-days per year. The relative proportion of invasive aspergillosis and non-Aspergillus mould infections was assessed. Factors that may affect invasive mould infections’ incidence, such as antifungal drug consumption, environmental contamination and changes in diagnostic approaches, were investigated. RESULTS: A significant increase of the incidence of non-Aspergillus mould infections (mainly mucormycosis) was observed from 2017 onwards (Mann and Kendall test p = 0.0053), peaking in 2020 (8.62 episodes per 10,000 patient-days). The incidence of invasive aspergillosis remained stable across the period of observation. The proportion of non-Aspergillus mould infections increased significantly from 2017 (33% vs 16.8% for the periods 2017–2021 and 2007–2016, respectively, p = 0.02). Building projects on the hospital site were identified as possible contributors of this increase in non-Aspergillus mould infections. However, novel diagnostic procedures may have improved their detection. CONCLUSIONS: We report a significant increase in non-Aspergillus mould infections, and mainly in mucormycosis infections, since 2017. There seems to be a multifactorial origin to this increase. Epidemiological trends of invasive mould infections should be carefully monitored in onco-haematology units in order to implement potential corrective measures.
{"title":"Investigations of an increased incidence of non-Aspergillus invasive mould infections in an onco-haematology unit","authors":"Elisavet Stavropoulou, Anne Huguenin, Giorgia Caruana, O. Opota, Nancy Perrottet, Dominique S. Blanc, Bruno Grandbastien, Laurence Senn, P. Bochud, Frédéric Lamoth","doi":"10.57187/s.3730","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.57187/s.3730","url":null,"abstract":"AIMS OF THE STUDY: Invasive mould infections are life-threatening complications in patients with haematologic cancer and chemotherapy-induced neutropenia. While invasive aspergillosis represents the main cause of invasive mould infections, non-Aspergillus mould infections, such as mucormycosis, are increasingly reported. Consequently, their local epidemiology should be closely monitored. The aim of this study was to investigate the causes of an increased incidence of non-Aspergillus mould infections in the onco-haematology unit of a Swiss tertiary care hospital.\u0000METHODS: All cases of proven and probable invasive mould infections were retrospectively identified via a local registry for the period 2007–2021 and their incidence was calculated per 10,000 patient-days per year. The relative proportion of invasive aspergillosis and non-Aspergillus mould infections was assessed. Factors that may affect invasive mould infections’ incidence, such as antifungal drug consumption, environmental contamination and changes in diagnostic approaches, were investigated.\u0000RESULTS: A significant increase of the incidence of non-Aspergillus mould infections (mainly mucormycosis) was observed from 2017 onwards (Mann and Kendall test p = 0.0053), peaking in 2020 (8.62 episodes per 10,000 patient-days). The incidence of invasive aspergillosis remained stable across the period of observation. The proportion of non-Aspergillus mould infections increased significantly from 2017 (33% vs 16.8% for the periods 2017–2021 and 2007–2016, respectively, p = 0.02). Building projects on the hospital site were identified as possible contributors of this increase in non-Aspergillus mould infections. However, novel diagnostic procedures may have improved their detection.\u0000CONCLUSIONS: We report a significant increase in non-Aspergillus mould infections, and mainly in mucormycosis infections, since 2017. There seems to be a multifactorial origin to this increase. Epidemiological trends of invasive mould infections should be carefully monitored in onco-haematology units in order to implement potential corrective measures.","PeriodicalId":509527,"journal":{"name":"Swiss Medical Weekly","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-03-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140378686","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Ana Durovic, Alexandra Ursula Scherrer, David Widmer, Andreas F. Widmer
AIMS:This study evaluated an approach to establishing a comprehensive nationwide surveillance system for Clostridioides difficile infection in Switzerland. We report the results of patient-related surveillance and calculate the incidence rate of C. difficile infection in Switzerland in 2022. METHODS: Initiated in 2017 by the National Centre for Infection Prevention (Swissnoso), in collaboration with the Swiss Centre for Antibiotic Resistance (ANRESIS), laboratory surveillance enables the automatic import of C. difficile infection laboratory data and is fully operational. However, the very limited number of participating laboratories impedes the generation of representative results. To address this gap, Swissnoso introduced patient-related surveillance, with a questionnaire-based survey used across Swiss acute care hospitals. RESULTS: This survey revealed an incidence of 3.8 (Poisson 95% CI: 3.2–4.5) C. difficile infection episodes per 10,000 patient-days, just above the mean rate reported by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC). Additionally, we report substantial heterogeneity in laboratory tests, diagnostic criteria and infection control practices among Swiss hospitals. CONCLUSION: This study underscores the importance of a joint effort towards standardized surveillance practices in providing comprehensive insights into C. difficile infection epidemiology and effective prevention strategies in Swiss healthcare settings. The patient-related approach remains the gold standard for C. difficile infection surveillance, although it demands substantial resources and provides results only annually. The proposed implementation of nationwide automated laboratory-based surveillance would be pragmatic and efficient, empowering authorities and hospitals to detect outbreaks promptly and to correlate infection rates with antibiotic consumption.
{"title":"Evaluation of a surveillance system for Clostridioides difficile infections for Swiss hospitals","authors":"Ana Durovic, Alexandra Ursula Scherrer, David Widmer, Andreas F. Widmer","doi":"10.57187/s.3571","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.57187/s.3571","url":null,"abstract":"AIMS:This study evaluated an approach to establishing a comprehensive nationwide surveillance system for Clostridioides difficile infection in Switzerland. We report the results of patient-related surveillance and calculate the incidence rate of C. difficile infection in Switzerland in 2022.\u0000METHODS: Initiated in 2017 by the National Centre for Infection Prevention (Swissnoso), in collaboration with the Swiss Centre for Antibiotic Resistance (ANRESIS), laboratory surveillance enables the automatic import of C. difficile infection laboratory data and is fully operational. However, the very limited number of participating laboratories impedes the generation of representative results. To address this gap, Swissnoso introduced patient-related surveillance, with a questionnaire-based survey used across Swiss acute care hospitals.\u0000RESULTS: This survey revealed an incidence of 3.8 (Poisson 95% CI: 3.2–4.5) C. difficile infection episodes per 10,000 patient-days, just above the mean rate reported by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC). Additionally, we report substantial heterogeneity in laboratory tests, diagnostic criteria and infection control practices among Swiss hospitals.\u0000CONCLUSION: This study underscores the importance of a joint effort towards standardized surveillance practices in providing comprehensive insights into C. difficile infection epidemiology and effective prevention strategies in Swiss healthcare settings. The patient-related approach remains the gold standard for C. difficile infection surveillance, although it demands substantial resources and provides results only annually. The proposed implementation of nationwide automated laboratory-based surveillance would be pragmatic and efficient, empowering authorities and hospitals to detect outbreaks promptly and to correlate infection rates with antibiotic consumption.","PeriodicalId":509527,"journal":{"name":"Swiss Medical Weekly","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-03-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140079049","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Introducing “opt out” organ donation in Switzerland: lessons from the UK experience","authors":"Jordan A. Parsons","doi":"10.57187/s.3572","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.57187/s.3572","url":null,"abstract":"No abstract available.","PeriodicalId":509527,"journal":{"name":"Swiss Medical Weekly","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-03-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140079841","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Kerstin Wissel, Pietro Vernazza, Stefan Kuster, Katharina Hensel-Koch, A. Bregenzer
BACKGROUND: To eliminate chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection by 2030, 90% of those infected must be diagnosed and 80% treated. In Switzerland, >40% of the estimated 32,000 infected people are still undiagnosed. In the canton of St Gallen, HCV prevalence and cascade of care have only been studied in the centralised opioid agonist therapy (OAT) setting (institutions), although about 80% of OAT patients are treated decentrally (general practitioner [GP] or pharmacy). AIM: To describe HCV prevalence and cascade of care among patients in the decentralised OAT programme of the canton of St Gallen, Switzerland, and compare it to contemporaneous data from the centralised setting. METHODS: For each patient receiving his/her OAT from a GP or pharmacy on 1 April 2021, the cantonal medical office sent a questionnaire to the prescribing GP. Patient characteristics, HCV antibody (Ab)/RNA screening uptake, HCV Ab/RNA prevalence and HCV treatment uptake were obtained and compared to those of patients of the Medizinisch-soziale Hilfsstelle 1 in St Gallen (centralised setting). RESULTS: Of the 563 OAT patients under the care of 127 GPs, 107 patients from 41 GPs could be analysed (median age: 48 years [IQR: 40–56]; ongoing intravenous drug use: 25%; OAT provider: 66% GP, 34% pharmacy). HCV Ab screening uptake was 68% (73/107) with an HCV Ab prevalence of 68% (50/73) among those tested. Of the HCV Ab-positive patients, 84% (42/50) were HCV RNA-tested, among whom 57% (24/42) were viraemic. HCV treatment uptake was 83% (20/24), with 95% (19/20) achieving a sustained virological response. Non-uptake of HCV screening and treatment tended to be higher among patients receiving OAT at the pharmacy vs at the GP’s office: 37% vs 26% (p = 0.245) for screening and 30% vs 7% (p = 0.139) for treatment. The proportion never HCV Ab-tested and the proportion of HCV Ab-positives never HCV RNA-tested was significantly higher in the decentralised compared to the centralised setting: 32% vs 3% (p <0.001) never Ab-tested and 16% vs 0% (p = 0.002) never RNA-tested. In contrast, HCV treatment uptake (83% vs 78%), sustained virological response rate (95% vs 100%) and residual HCV RNA prevalence among the HCV Ab-positive (12% vs 14%) were comparable for both settings. CONCLUSION: In the decentralised OAT setting of the canton of St Gallen, HCV Ab prevalence is high. Since HCV Ab and RNA screening uptake are markedly lower than in the centralised setting, potentially >40% of patients with chronic HCV are not diagnosed yet. HCV screening in the decentralised setting needs improvement, e.g. by increasing awareness and simplifying testing. High HCV treatment uptake and cure rates are possible in centralised and decentralised settings.
{"title":"Hepatitis C prevalence and cascade of care among patients in the decentralised opioid agonist therapy programme of the canton of St Gallen, Switzerland: a cross-sectional study","authors":"Kerstin Wissel, Pietro Vernazza, Stefan Kuster, Katharina Hensel-Koch, A. Bregenzer","doi":"10.57187/s.3352","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.57187/s.3352","url":null,"abstract":"BACKGROUND: To eliminate chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection by 2030, 90% of those infected must be diagnosed and 80% treated. In Switzerland, >40% of the estimated 32,000 infected people are still undiagnosed. In the canton of St Gallen, HCV prevalence and cascade of care have only been studied in the centralised opioid agonist therapy (OAT) setting (institutions), although about 80% of OAT patients are treated decentrally (general practitioner [GP] or pharmacy).\u0000AIM: To describe HCV prevalence and cascade of care among patients in the decentralised OAT programme of the canton of St Gallen, Switzerland, and compare it to contemporaneous data from the centralised setting.\u0000METHODS: For each patient receiving his/her OAT from a GP or pharmacy on 1 April 2021, the cantonal medical office sent a questionnaire to the prescribing GP. Patient characteristics, HCV antibody (Ab)/RNA screening uptake, HCV Ab/RNA prevalence and HCV treatment uptake were obtained and compared to those of patients of the Medizinisch-soziale Hilfsstelle 1 in St Gallen (centralised setting).\u0000RESULTS: Of the 563 OAT patients under the care of 127 GPs, 107 patients from 41 GPs could be analysed (median age: 48 years [IQR: 40–56]; ongoing intravenous drug use: 25%; OAT provider: 66% GP, 34% pharmacy). HCV Ab screening uptake was 68% (73/107) with an HCV Ab prevalence of 68% (50/73) among those tested. Of the HCV Ab-positive patients, 84% (42/50) were HCV RNA-tested, among whom 57% (24/42) were viraemic. HCV treatment uptake was 83% (20/24), with 95% (19/20) achieving a sustained virological response. Non-uptake of HCV screening and treatment tended to be higher among patients receiving OAT at the pharmacy vs at the GP’s office: 37% vs 26% (p = 0.245) for screening and 30% vs 7% (p = 0.139) for treatment. The proportion never HCV Ab-tested and the proportion of HCV Ab-positives never HCV RNA-tested was significantly higher in the decentralised compared to the centralised setting: 32% vs 3% (p <0.001) never Ab-tested and 16% vs 0% (p = 0.002) never RNA-tested. In contrast, HCV treatment uptake (83% vs 78%), sustained virological response rate (95% vs 100%) and residual HCV RNA prevalence among the HCV Ab-positive (12% vs 14%) were comparable for both settings.\u0000CONCLUSION: In the decentralised OAT setting of the canton of St Gallen, HCV Ab prevalence is high. Since HCV Ab and RNA screening uptake are markedly lower than in the centralised setting, potentially >40% of patients with chronic HCV are not diagnosed yet. HCV screening in the decentralised setting needs improvement, e.g. by increasing awareness and simplifying testing. High HCV treatment uptake and cure rates are possible in centralised and decentralised settings.","PeriodicalId":509527,"journal":{"name":"Swiss Medical Weekly","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-02-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140409962","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Maximilian Karczewski, S. Simic, Lanja Saleh, Albina Nowak, Morton G. Schubert, Diego Moretti, Dorine W. Swinkels, Felix Beuschlein, Paolo M. Suter, P. Krayenbuehl
BACKGROUND: Iron deficiency without anaemia is a common health problem, especially in young menstruating women. The efficacy of the usually recommended oral iron supplementation is limited due to increased plasma hepcidin concentration, which reduces iron absorption and leads to side effects such as intestinal irritation. This observation raises the question of how low-dose iron therapy may affect plasma hepcidin levels and whether oral iron intake dose-dependently affects plasma hepcidin production. METHODS: Fifteen non-anaemic women with iron deficiency (serum ferritin ≤30 ng/ml) received a single dose of 0, 6, 30, or 60 mg of elemental oral iron as ferrous sulfate on different days. Plasma hepcidin was measured before and seven hours after each dose. RESULTS: Subjects had an average age of 23 (standard deviation = 3.0) years and serum ferritin of 24 ng/ml (interquartile range = 16–27). The highest mean change in plasma hepcidin levels was measured after ingesting 60 mg of iron, increasing from 2.1 ng/ml (interquartile range = 1.6–2.9) to 4.1 ng/ml (interquartile range = 2.5–6.9; p < 0.001). Iron had a significant dose-dependent effect on the absolute change in plasma hepcidin (p = 0.008), where lower iron dose supplementation resulted in lower plasma hepcidin levels. Serum ferritin levels were significantly correlated with fasting plasma hepcidin levels (R2 = 0.504, p = 0.003) and the change in plasma hepcidin concentration after iron intake (R2 = 0.529, p = 0.002). CONCLUSION: We found a dose-dependent effect of iron supplementation on plasma hepcidin levels. Lower iron dosage results in a smaller increase in hepcidin and might thus lead to more efficient intestinal iron absorption and fewer side effects. The effectiveness and side effects of low-dose iron treatment in women with iron deficiency should be further investigated. This study was registered at the Swiss National Clinical Trials Portal (2021-00312) and ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT04735848).
{"title":"The magnitude of the plasma hepcidin response to oral iron supplements depends on the iron dosage","authors":"Maximilian Karczewski, S. Simic, Lanja Saleh, Albina Nowak, Morton G. Schubert, Diego Moretti, Dorine W. Swinkels, Felix Beuschlein, Paolo M. Suter, P. Krayenbuehl","doi":"10.57187/s.3635","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.57187/s.3635","url":null,"abstract":"BACKGROUND: Iron deficiency without anaemia is a common health problem, especially in young menstruating women. The efficacy of the usually recommended oral iron supplementation is limited due to increased plasma hepcidin concentration, which reduces iron absorption and leads to side effects such as intestinal irritation. This observation raises the question of how low-dose iron therapy may affect plasma hepcidin levels and whether oral iron intake dose-dependently affects plasma hepcidin production.\u0000METHODS: Fifteen non-anaemic women with iron deficiency (serum ferritin ≤30 ng/ml) received a single dose of 0, 6, 30, or 60 mg of elemental oral iron as ferrous sulfate on different days. Plasma hepcidin was measured before and seven hours after each dose.\u0000RESULTS: Subjects had an average age of 23 (standard deviation = 3.0) years and serum ferritin of 24 ng/ml (interquartile range = 16–27). The highest mean change in plasma hepcidin levels was measured after ingesting 60 mg of iron, increasing from 2.1 ng/ml (interquartile range = 1.6–2.9) to 4.1 ng/ml (interquartile range = 2.5–6.9; p < 0.001). Iron had a significant dose-dependent effect on the absolute change in plasma hepcidin (p = 0.008), where lower iron dose supplementation resulted in lower plasma hepcidin levels. Serum ferritin levels were significantly correlated with fasting plasma hepcidin levels (R2 = 0.504, p = 0.003) and the change in plasma hepcidin concentration after iron intake (R2 = 0.529, p = 0.002).\u0000CONCLUSION: We found a dose-dependent effect of iron supplementation on plasma hepcidin levels. Lower iron dosage results in a smaller increase in hepcidin and might thus lead to more efficient intestinal iron absorption and fewer side effects. The effectiveness and side effects of low-dose iron treatment in women with iron deficiency should be further investigated.\u0000This study was registered at the Swiss National Clinical Trials Portal (2021-00312) and ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT04735848).","PeriodicalId":509527,"journal":{"name":"Swiss Medical Weekly","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-02-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140452334","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
京公网安备 11010802042870号
京ICP备2023020795号-1
扫码关注我们
求助内容：
应助结果提醒方式：