This dissertation investigates the early recognition of persistent somatic symptoms (PSS) in primary care. A stepwise approach was used mapping the optimal methods for re-using primary care records... Show moreThis dissertation investigates the early recognition of persistent somatic symptoms (PSS) in primary care. A stepwise approach was used mapping the optimal methods for re-using primary care records for predictive modeling of PSS. This is important since up to 10% of the general population experiences PSS. Moreover, general practitioners (GPs) often encounter difficulties in recognizing PSS, which may delay adequate intervention, subsequently resulting in unnecessary high burden on the patient and health care system. The findings from this dissertation show that a complex interplay between factors from all biopsychosocial domains contribute to PSS-onset. Survey results show that GPs differ in their methods of PSS-registration. Many GPs indicate missing an unambiguous classification scheme and report needing more support, tools, and/or education for PSS-related consultations. Predictive modeling of different PSS-syndromes shows both overlapping and syndrome-specific predictors. Early predictive modeling of the broad spectrum of PSS shows moderate predictive accuracy based on seven approaches for candidate-predictor selection, including theory-driven and temporal and non-temporal data-driven approaches. In conclusion, this dissertation provides comprehensive evidence of the complexity of identification of PSS. Furthermore, it indicates that simple data-driven approaches could support PSS classification in primary care, although this should be combined with a multidisciplinary care approach. Show less
Background Artificial intelligence (AI)-based mobile phone apps (mHealth) have the potential to streamline care for suspicious skin lesions in primary care. This study aims to investigate the... Show moreBackground Artificial intelligence (AI)-based mobile phone apps (mHealth) have the potential to streamline care for suspicious skin lesions in primary care. This study aims to investigate the conditions and feasibility of a study that incorporates an AI-based app in primary care and evaluates its potential impact. Methods We conducted a pilot feasibility study from November 22nd, 2021 to June 9th, 2022 with a mixed-methods design on implementation of an AI-based mHealth app for skin cancer detection in three primary care practices in the Netherlands (Rotterdam, Leiden and Katwijk). The primary outcome was the inclusion and successful participation rate of patients and general practitioners (GPs). Secondary outcomes were the reasons, facilitators and barriers for successful participation and the potential impact in both pathways for future sample size calculations. Patients were offered use of an AI-based mHealth app before consulting their GP. GPs assessed the patients blinded and then unblinded to the app. Qualitative data included observations and audio-diaries from patients and GPs and focus-groups and interviews with GPs and GP assistants. Findings Fifty patients were included with a median age of 52 years (IQR 33.5-60.3), 64% were female, and 90% had a light skin type. The average patient inclusion rate was 4-6 per GP practice per month and 84% (n = 42) successfully participated. Similarly, in 90% (n = 45 patients) the GPs also successfully completed the study. GPs never changed their working diagnosis, but did change their treatment plan (n = 5) based on the app's assessments. Notably, 54% of patients with a benign skin lesion and low risk rating, indicated that they would be reassured and cancel their GP visit with these results (p < 0.001). Interpretation Our findings suggest that studying implementation of an AI-based mHealth app for detection of skin cancer in the hands of patients or as a diagnostic tool used by GPs in primary care appears feasible. Preliminary results indicate potential to further investigate both intended use settings. Show less
Grondelle, S.E. van; Bruggen, S. van; Rauh, S.P.; Zwan, M. van der; Cebrian, A.; Seidu, S.; ... ; Vos, R.C. 2023
AimsCovid-19 caused changes on the delivery of diabetes care. This study aimed to explore perceptions of healthcare providers across Europe concerning 1) the impact of covid-19 on delivery of... Show moreAimsCovid-19 caused changes on the delivery of diabetes care. This study aimed to explore perceptions of healthcare providers across Europe concerning 1) the impact of covid-19 on delivery of diabetes care; 2) impact of changes in diabetes care on experienced workload; 3) experiences with video consultation in diabetes care.MethodsCross-sectional survey among healthcare providers in the Netherlands, United Kingdom, Turkey, Ukraine and Sweden, with a focus on primary care.ResultsThe survey was completed by 180 healthcare providers. During the COVID-19 pandemic 57.1% of respondents provided less diabetes care and 72.8% observed a negative impact on people with diabetes. More than half of respondents (61.9%) expressed worries to some extent about getting overloaded by work. Although the vast majority considered their work meaningful (85.6%). Almost half of healthcare providers (49.4%) thought that after the pandemic video-consultation could be blended with face-to-face contact.ConclusionsLess diabetes care was delivered and a negative impact on people with diabetes was observed by healthcare providers. Despite healthcare providers’ feeling overloaded, mental wellbeing seemed unaffected. Video consultations were seen as having potential. Given the remaining covid-19 risks and from the interest of proactive management of people with diabetes, these findings urge for further exploration of incorporating video consultation in diabetes care. Show less
Bulk, S. van den; Spoelman, W.A.; Dijkman, P.R.M. van; Numans, M.E.; Bonten, T.N.; Leiden Univ Med Ctr LUMC 2022
Background: The prevalence of coronary artery disease is increasing due to the aging population and increasing prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors. Non-acute chest pain often is the first... Show moreBackground: The prevalence of coronary artery disease is increasing due to the aging population and increasing prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors. Non-acute chest pain often is the first symptom of stable coronary artery disease. To optimise care for patients with non-acute chest pain and make efficient use of available resources, we need to know more about the current incidence, referral rate and management of these patients. Methods: We used routinely collected health data from the STIZON data warehouse in the Netherlands between 2010 and 2016. Patients > 18 years, with no history of cardiovascular disease, seen by the general practitioner (GP) for non-acute chest pain with a suspected cardiac origin were included. Outcomes were (i) incidence of new non-acute chest pain in primary care, (ii) referral rates to the cardiologist, (iii) correspondence from the cardiologist to the GP, (iv) registration by GPs of received correspondence and; (v) pharmacological guideline adherence after newly diagnosed stable angina pectoris. Results: In total 9029 patients were included during the study period, resulting in an incidence of new non-acute chest pain of 1.01/1000 patient-years. 2166 (24%) patients were referred to the cardiologist. In 857/2114 (41%) referred patients, correspondence from the cardiologist was not available in the GP's electronic medical record. In 753/1257 (60%) patients with available correspondence, the GP did not code the conclusion in the electronic medical record. Despite guideline recommendations, 37/255 (15%) patients with angina pectoris were not prescribed antiplatelet therapy nor anticoagulation, 69/255 (27%) no statin and 67/255 (26%) no beta-blocker. Conclusion: After referral, both communication from cardiologists and registration of the final diagnosis by GPs were suboptimal. Both cardiologists and GPs should make adequate communication and registration a priority, as it improves health outcomes. Secondary pharmacological prevention in patients with angina pectoris was below guideline standards. So, proactive attention needs to be given to optimise secondary prevention in this high-risk group in primary care. Show less
Ouden, H. den; Vos, R.C.; Pieterse, A.H.; Rutten, G.E.H.M. 2022
Aims: To analyse the performance of a Shared Decision Making (SDM) intervention, we assessed perceived and experienced SDM in General Practitioners (GPs) and patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM)... Show moreAims: To analyse the performance of a Shared Decision Making (SDM) intervention, we assessed perceived and experienced SDM in General Practitioners (GPs) and patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM).Methods: Cluster-Randomised Controlled Trial (cRCT) testing the effect of a decision aid. Opinions and experienced role regarding SDM were assessed in 72 patients and 18 GPs with the SDM-Q-9 (range 0-45) and Control Preferences Scale (CPS, 0-5), and observed SDM with the OPTION5 (0-20). SDM at baseline was compared to 24 months' follow-up using paired t-tests.Results: At baseline, perceived levels of SDM did not significantly differ between GPs and patients with T2DM (difference of 2.3, p = 0.24). At follow-up, mean patients' perceived level of SDM was 7.9 lower compared to baseline (p < 0.01), whereas GPs' opinions had not changed significantly. After both visits, mean CPS scores differed significantly between patients and GPs. OPTION5 scores ranged between 6 and 20.Conclusion: Patients and GPs perceived similar baseline levels of SDM. Two years later, patients perceived less SDM, while GPs did not change their opinion. SDM was appropriate immediately after training, but perhaps GPs fell back in old habits over time. We recommend repeated SDM training. Show less
Vijver, P.L. van de; Schalkwijk, F.H.; Numans, M.E.; Slaets, J.P.J.; Bodegom, D. van 2022
Background: Physical inactivity has contributed to the current prevalence of many age-related diseases, including type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Peer coach physical activity... Show moreBackground: Physical inactivity has contributed to the current prevalence of many age-related diseases, including type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Peer coach physical activity intervention are effective in increasing long term physical activity in community dwelling older adults. Linking peer coach physical activity interventions to formal care could therefore be a promising novel method to improve health in inactive older adults to a successful long-term physical activity intervention. Methods: We evaluated the effects of linking a peer coach physical activity intervention in Leiden, The Netherlands to primary care through an exercise referral scheme from July 2018 to April 2020. Primary care practices in the neighborhoods of three existing peer coach physical activity groups were invited to refer patients to the exercise groups. Referrals were registered at the primary care practice and participation in the peer coach groups was registered by the peer coaches of the exercise groups. Results: During the study, a total of 106 patients were referred to the peer coach groups. 5.7% of patients participated at the peer coach groups and 66.7% remained participating during the 1 year follow up. The number needed to refer for 1 long term participant was 26.5. The mean frequency of participation of the referred participants was 1.2 times a week. Conclusion: Linking a peer coach physical activity intervention for older adults to a primary care referral scheme reached only a small fraction of the estimated target population. However, of the people that came to the peer coach intervention a large portion continued to participate during the entire study period. The number needed to refer to engage one older person in long term physical activity was similar to other referral schemes for lifestyle interventions. The potential benefits could be regarded proportional to the small effort needed to refer. Show less
The goal of this thesis is to gain additional knowledge on wishes of older persons on personalized healthcare and to explore possibilities to further implement personalized healthcare in general... Show moreThe goal of this thesis is to gain additional knowledge on wishes of older persons on personalized healthcare and to explore possibilities to further implement personalized healthcare in general practice. This thesis consists of two parts: in the first part the impact of health complaints on daily life as experienced by older persons is explored. Additionally, their expectations concerning GP services are mapped. Opportunities to improve care provided by general practices to community-dwelling older persons are described in the second part. The opinions of older persons provided valuable input for the studies.The ideas explored may contribute to further improvement of personalized healthcare in general practices for older persons living at home and can be used to set up larger studies to further explore these results. From the perspective of older persons, this would address the desire to be more involved in their own healthcare. This could lead to a better appreciation of older patients’ goals in clinical practice, while enhancing the motivation and feeling of responsibility of older patients for their own health complaints (e.g. experiencing a sense of control). GPs and other health professionals can benefit from being better informed of their older patients’ health situation. Show less
The thyroid gland plays a crucial role in regulating nearly all bodily processes. A particular state of thyroid function, dubbed subclinical hypothyroidism (with high thyroid-stimulating hormone ... Show moreThe thyroid gland plays a crucial role in regulating nearly all bodily processes. A particular state of thyroid function, dubbed subclinical hypothyroidism (with high thyroid-stimulating hormone [TSH] and normal free thyroid hormone [fT4] in blood tests), becomes more prevalent with advancing age and it is unclear how this condition should be interpreted in community-dwelling older people (arbitrarily 65 years and older). Whether or not the condition is associated with negative health consequences, and whether treatment with levothyroxine (artificial thyroid hormone) is warranted, are subjects of decades-long debate. This thesis aims to identify whether subclinical hypothyroidism is associated with a range of relevant outcomes, and whether levothyroxine treatment leads to benefits, in community-dwelling older persons. The results in this thesis demonstrate that subclinical hypothyroidism is not associated with clinically (e.g. physical and cognitive function, mood or mortality risk) or biologically (e.g. thyroid antibodies or anaemia) relevant outcomes. Levothyroxine treatment does not provide benefits. These results suggest that subclinical hypothyroidism in older people is a strictly biochemical diagnosis, they support more conservative diagnostic approaches and do not support routine treatment with levothyroxine. More research is needed before extrapolating to more specific subgroups and to assess whether international guidelines should be updated. Show less
Family health history (FHH) is a valuable yet underused healthcare tool for assessing health risks for both prevalent disorders like diabetes, cancer, and cardiovascular diseases, and for rare,... Show moreFamily health history (FHH) is a valuable yet underused healthcare tool for assessing health risks for both prevalent disorders like diabetes, cancer, and cardiovascular diseases, and for rare, monogenic disorders. Full implementation of FHH collection and analysis in healthcare could improve both primary and secondary disease prevention for individuals and, through cascade testing, make at risk family members eligible for pre-symptomatic testing and preventative interventions. In addition to risk assessment in the clinic, FHH is increasingly important for interpreting clinical genetic testing results and for research connecting health risks to genomic variation. Despite this value, diverse implementation gaps in clinical settings undermine its potential clinical value and limit the quality of connected health and genomic data. The NHGRI Family Health History Group, an open-membership, US-based group with international members, believes that integrating FHH in healthcare and research is more important than ever, and that achievable implementation advances, including education, are urgently needed to boost the pace of translational utility in genomic medicine. An inventory of implementation gaps and proposed achievable strategies to address them, representing a consensus developed in meetings from 2019-2020, is presented here. The proposed measures are diverse, interdisciplinary, and are guided by experience and ongoing implementation and research efforts. Show less
In countries where GPs fulfill a central role in the health care system, like in the Netherlands, the lack of value-based incentives in GP payment systems may have negative consequences for value... Show moreIn countries where GPs fulfill a central role in the health care system, like in the Netherlands, the lack of value-based incentives in GP payment systems may have negative consequences for value delivered in other parts of the health care spectrum. We evaluate an experiment in which GPs were allowed to share in savings in total health care expenditures, conditionally on achieving quality targets. At least in theory, these so-called 'shared savings contracts' incentivize GPs to become critical gatekeepers, coordinate the provision of care and substitute for specialist services when appropriate. This study evaluates a Dutch shared savings program targeted at GPs. This study employs a difference-in-differences design using a regional control group of non-participating GPs. We find that program participation led to savings in health care expenditures (-2%), while patient satisfaction was unaffected and while the results for other quality indicators were ambiguous. Additional analyses show that savings have been predominantly realized by lowering the volume of specialist care, and that almost every participating GP displayed cost-saving behavior. This finding suggests that shared savings contracts, even when added as a mere complemented to existing volume-based payment models, already elicit substantive effort to increase the value of health care provided.(c) 2021 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. This is an open access article under the CC BY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).In countries where GPs fulfill a central role in the health care system, like in the Netherlands, the lack of value-based incentives in GP payment systems may have negative consequences for value delivered in other parts of the health care spectrum. We evaluate an experiment in which GPs were allowed to share in savings in total health care expenditures, conditionally on achieving quality targets. At least in theory, these so-called ?shared savings contracts? incentivize GPs to become critical gatekeepers, coordinate the provision of care and substitute for specialist services when appropriate. This study evaluates a Dutch shared savings program targeted at GPs. This study employs a difference-in-differences design using a regional control group of non-participating GPs. We find that program participation led to savings in health care expenditures (-2%), while patient satisfaction was unaffected and while the results for other quality indicators were ambiguous. Additional analyses show that savings have been predominantly realized by lowering the volume of specialist care, and that almost every participating GP displayed cost-saving behavior. This finding suggests that shared savings contracts, even when added as a mere complemented to existing volume-based payment models, already elicit substantive effort to increase the value of health care provided. ? 2021 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. This is an open access article under the CC BY license Show less
Objective: The objective of this study was to identify key features to be addressed in the reporting of deprescribing trials and to elab-orate and explain CONSORT items in this regard.Study Design... Show moreObjective: The objective of this study was to identify key features to be addressed in the reporting of deprescribing trials and to elab-orate and explain CONSORT items in this regard.Study Design and Setting: As a first step in a multistage process and based on a systematic review of deprescribing trials, we elab-orated variation in design, intervention, and reporting of the included trials of the review. We identified items that were missed or insufficiently described, using the CONSORT and TIDieR checklists. The resulting list of items, which we considered relevant to be reported in deprescribing trials, were discussed in a single-round Delphi exercise and subsequently in a full-day face-to-face meeting with an international panel of 14 experts. We agreed on CONSORT items for further elaboration with regard to design and reporting of deprescribing trials.Results: We identified seven CONSORT items on trial design, participants, intervention, outcomes, flowchart, and harms, where the investigators of deprescribing trials should take into consideration specific aspects, such as whether or not to use placebo or how to inform participants.Conclusion: This article presents an elaboration to the CONSORT statement for the reporting of deprescribing trials. It may also support investigators in motivated design choices. (c) 2020 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. This is an open access article under the CC BY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Show less
Jimenez, G.; Spinazze, P.; Matchar, D.; Huat, G.K.C.; Kleij, R.M.J.J. van der; Chavannes, N.H.; Car, J. 2020
Background: Despite digital health providing opportunities to enhance the quality, efficiency and safety of primary healthcare, the adoption of digital tools and technologies has been slow, partly... Show moreBackground: Despite digital health providing opportunities to enhance the quality, efficiency and safety of primary healthcare, the adoption of digital tools and technologies has been slow, partly because of poor digital health literacy. For primary healthcare systems to take full advantage of these technologies, a capable, digitally literate workforce is necessary. Still, the essential digital health competencies (DHCs) for primary healthcare have not been explored. This review aims to examine the broad literature on DHCs as it applies to Primary Care (PC) settings.Methods: We performed a scoping review on all types of research linking DHCs to PC. We searched all major databases including Medline, Embase, CINAHL, and Cochrane Library in November 2019. Concurrently, a thorough grey literature search was performed through OpenGrey, ResearchGate, Google Scholar, and key government and relevant professional associations' websites. Screening and selection of studies was performed in pairs, and data was analysed and presented using a narrative, descriptive approach. Thematic analysis was performed to identify key DHC domains.Results: A total of 28 articles were included, most of them (54 %) published before 2005. These articles were primarily aimed at PC physicians or general practitioners, and focused on improving knowledge about information technologies and medical informatics, basic computer and information literacy, and optimal use of electronic medical records. We identified 17 DHC domains, and important knowledge gaps related to digital health education and curriculum integration, the need for evidence of the impact of services, and the importance of wider support for digital health.Conclusions: Literature explicitly linking DHCs to PC was mostly published over a decade ago. There is a need for an updated and current set of DHCs for PC professionals to more consistently reap the benefits of digital technologies. This review identified key DHC domains and statements that may be used to guide on the development of a set of DHC for PC, and critical knowledge gaps and needs to be considered. Such a DHC set may be used for curricula development and for ensuring that the essential DHC for PC are met at a clinical or organizational level, and eventually improve health outcomes. Show less
McCloskey, E.; Rathi, J.; Heijmans, S.; Blagden, M.; Cortet, B.; Czerwinski, E.; ... ; Papapoulos, S. 2020
This study in 8 countries across Europe found that about 75% of elderly women seen in primary care who were at high risk of osteoporosis-related fractures were not receiving appropriate medication.... Show moreThis study in 8 countries across Europe found that about 75% of elderly women seen in primary care who were at high risk of osteoporosis-related fractures were not receiving appropriate medication. Lack of osteoporosis diagnosis appeared to be an important contributing factor. Introduction Treatment rates in osteoporosis are documented to be low. We wished to assess the osteoporosis treatment gap in women >= 70 years in routine primary care across Europe. Methods This cross-sectional observational study in 8 European countries collected data from women 70 years or older visiting their general practitioner. The primary outcome was treatment gap: the proportion who were not receiving any osteoporosis medication among those at increased risk of fragility fracture (using history of fracture, 10-year probability of fracture above country-specific Fracture Risk Assessment Tool [FRAX] thresholds, T-score <= - 2.5). Results Median 10-year probability of fracture (without bone mineral density [BMD]) for the 3798 enrolled patients was 7.2% (hip) and 16.6% (major osteoporotic). Overall, 2077 women (55%) met one or more definitions for increased risk of fragility fracture: 1200 had a prior fracture, 1814 exceeded the FRAX threshold, and 318 had a T-score <= - 2.5 (only 944 received a dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry [DXA] scan). In those at increased fracture risk, the median 10-year probability of hip and major osteoporotic fracture was 11.2% and 22.8%, vs 4.1% and 11.5% in those deemed not at risk. An osteoporosis diagnosis was recorded in 804 patients (21.2%); most (79.7%) of these were at increased fracture risk. The treatment gap was 74.6%, varying from 53% in Ireland to 91% in Germany. Patients with an osteoporosis diagnosis were found to have a lower treatment gap than those without a diagnosis, with an absolute reduction of 63%. Conclusions There is a large treatment gap in women aged >= 70 years at increased risk of fragility fracture in routine primary care across Europe. The gap appears to be related to a low rate of osteoporosis diagnosis. Show less
Background The cluster randomized controlled trial on (cost-)effectiveness of integrated chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) management in primary care (RECODE) showed that integrated... Show moreBackground The cluster randomized controlled trial on (cost-)effectiveness of integrated chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) management in primary care (RECODE) showed that integrated disease management (IDM) in primary care had no effect on quality of life (QOL) in COPD patients compared with usual care (guideline-supported non-programmatic care). It is possible that only a subset of COPD patients in primary care benefit from IDM. We therefore examined which patients benefit from IDM, and whether patient characteristics predict clinical improvement over time. Method Post-hoc analyses of the RECODE trial among 1086 COPD patients. Logistic regression analyses were performed with baseline characteristics as predictors to examine determinants of improvement in QOL, defined as a minimal decline in Clinical COPD Questionnaire (CCQ) of 0.4 points after 12 and 24 months of IDM. We also performed moderation analyses to examine whether predictors of clinical improvement differed between IDM and usual care. Results Regardless of treatment type, more severe dyspnea (MRC) was the most important predictor of clinically improved QOL at 12 and 24 months, suggesting that these patients have most room for improvement. Clinical improvement with IDM was associated with female gender (12-months) and being younger (24-months), and improvement with usual care was associated with having a depression (24-months). Conclusions More severe dyspnea is a key predictor of improved QOL in COPD patients over time. More research is needed to replicate patient characteristics associated with clinical improvement with IDM, such that IDM programs can be offered to patients that benefit the most, and can potentially be adjusted to meet the needs of other patient groups as well. Show less
Background The knee is symptomatically the most frequent affected joint in osteoarthritis and, in the Netherlands and other Western countries, is mainly managed by general practitioners (GPs). An... Show moreBackground The knee is symptomatically the most frequent affected joint in osteoarthritis and, in the Netherlands and other Western countries, is mainly managed by general practitioners (GPs). An intra-articular glucocorticoid injection is recommended in (inter) national guidelines for patients with knee osteoarthritis as an option for a flare of knee pain and/or for those who are not responding well to pain medication. An innovative approach that could replace the intra-articular injection is an intramuscular gluteal glucocorticoid injection. An intramuscular injection is easier to perform than an intra-articular injection with lesser risk of severe local adverse reactions. We hypothesize that intramuscular gluteal glucocorticoid injection is non-inferior in reducing knee pain compared to intra-articular glucocorticoid injection, with potentially a longer lasting effect than intra-articular injection. Methods/design The study will be a pragmatic randomized controlled non-inferiority trial with two parallel groups. A total of 140 patients aged 45 years and older with knee osteoarthritis who contacted their general practitioner and have persistent knee pain (score >= 3 on 0-10 numerical rating scale; 0 = no knee pain) will be included. Patients will be randomly allocated (1:1) to an injection of 40 mg triamcinolone acetonide intra-articular in the knee joint or intramuscular in the ipsilateral ventrogluteal area. The effect of treatment will be evaluated by questionnaires at 2, 4, 8, 12, and 24 weeks after injection. The primary outcome is patients' reported severity of knee pain measured with the pain subscale of the Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score 4 weeks after injection. Statistical analysis will be based on both the per-protocol and the intention-to-treat principle. Discussion This study will evaluate non-inferiority of intramuscular glucocorticoid injection compared to intra-articular glucocorticoid injection for knee osteoarthritis symptoms. Trial sponsor Erasmus MC University Medical Center Rotterdam. PO-box 2040. 3000 CA Rotterdam. The Netherlands. Show less
Background Little is known about the symptoms glioma patients experience in the year before diagnosis, either or not resulting in health care usage. This study aimed to determine the incidence of... Show moreBackground Little is known about the symptoms glioma patients experience in the year before diagnosis, either or not resulting in health care usage. This study aimed to determine the incidence of symptoms glioma patients experienced in the year prior to diagnosis, and subsequent visits to a general practitioner (GP).Methods Glioma patients were asked to complete a 30-item study-specific questionnaire focusing on symptoms they experienced in the 12 months before diagnosis. For each indicated symptom, patients were asked whether they consulted the GP for this issue.Results Fifty-nine patients completed the questionnaires, 54 (93%) with input of a proxy. The median time since diagnosis was 4 months (range 1-12). The median number of symptoms experienced in the year before diagnosis was similar between gliomas with favourable and poor prognosis, i.e. 6 (range 0-24), as were the five most frequently mentioned problems: fatigue (n = 34, 58%), mental tiredness (n = 30, 51%), sleeping disorder (n = 24, 41%), headache (n = 23, 39%) and stress (n = 20, 34%). Twenty-six (44%) patients visited the GP with at least one issue. Patients who did consult their GP reported significantly more often muscle weakness (11 vs 3, p = 0.003) than patients who did not, which remained significant after correction for multiple testing, which was not the case for paralysis in hand/leg (10 vs 4), focussing (11 vs 6) or a change in awareness (9 vs 4).Conclusions Glioma patients experience a range of non-specific problems in the year prior to diagnosis, but only patients who consult the GP report more often neurological problems. Show less
Background: Diagnosing pneumonia can be challenging in general practice but is essential to distinguish from other respiratory tract infections because of treatment choice and outcome prediction.... Show moreBackground: Diagnosing pneumonia can be challenging in general practice but is essential to distinguish from other respiratory tract infections because of treatment choice and outcome prediction. We determined predictive signs, symptoms and biomarkers for the presence of pneumonia in patients with acute respiratory tract infection in primary care.Methods: From March 2012 until May 2016 we did a prospective observational cohort study in three radiology departments in the Leiden-The Hague area, The Netherlands. From adult patients we collected clinical characteristics and biomarkers, chest X ray results and outcome. To assess the predictive value of C-reactive protein (CRP), procalcitonin and midregional pro-adrenomedullin for pneumonia, univariate and multivariate binary logistic regression were used to determine risk factors and to develop a prediction model.Results: Two hundred forty-nine patients were included of whom 30 (12%) displayed a consolidation on chest X ray. Absence of runny nose and whether or not a patient felt ill were independent predictors for pneumonia. CRP predicts pneumonia better than the other biomarkers but adding CRP to the clinical model did not improve classification (- 4%); however, CRP helped guidance of the decision which patients should be given antibiotics.Conclusions: Adding CRP measurements to a clinical model in selected patients with an acute respiratory infection does not improve prediction of pneumonia, but does help in giving guidance on which patients to treat with antibiotics. Our findings put the use of biomarkers and chest X ray in diagnosing pneumonia and for treatment decisions into some perspective for general practitioners. Show less
Houwink, E.J.F.; Hortensius, O.R.; K. van boven; Sollie, A.; Numans, M.E. 2019
In een cross-sectioneel onderzoek is nagegaan hoe het op de lange duur met CVA patiënten gaat die in het Haaglanden Medisch Centrum te Den Haag opgenomen zijn geweest vanwege een beroerte. Er is... Show moreIn een cross-sectioneel onderzoek is nagegaan hoe het op de lange duur met CVA patiënten gaat die in het Haaglanden Medisch Centrum te Den Haag opgenomen zijn geweest vanwege een beroerte. Er is gekeken naar verschillende aspecten zoals handfunctie, werkhervatting, stemmingsproblemen en zorggebruik. Het blijkt dat, ondanks alle behandelingen die gegeven worden, een grote groep van deze mensen restbeperkingen ervaart. Hun partners voelen zich fors belast, vooral als er sprake is van stemmingsproblemen en als werkhervatting niet lukt. Ook jaren later geeft de meerderheid van CVA patiënten aan nog steeds zorgvragen te hebben die niet beantwoord zijn. Ze lijken beter hun weg te vinden in de eerstelijn voor hun fysieke problemen dan voor hun mentale problemen. Er is gekeken naar de mate waarin eerstelijns behandelaars zich hebben georganiseerd met betrekking tot chronische behandeling en begeleiding van CVA patiënten. Een goed georganiseerd netwerk, met een visie op kwaliteitsaspecten en scholing, is maar op enkele plaatsen in het land beschikbaar. Er zijn aanbevelingen geformuleerd om de ontwikkeling van eerstelijns netwerken voor CVA patiënten te stimuleren. Show less
