Economic assessment of pressure sore prevention using a computerized mattress system in patients with spinal cord injury.

Purpose: To assess the economic profitability of a new computerized mattress system in patients with spinal cord injuries (SCI) by comparison with two other alternatives, as an example of the use of a quantitative approach for decision-making in choosing between alternatives for sore prevention.

Method: The cost of achieving one day without signs of impending pressure sore was compared between the alternative options using cost minimization analysis. Savings in nursing costs for the three options were calculated for cost-benefit analysis.

Increased risk of type 2 diabetes in noncirrhotic patients with chronic hepatitis C virus infection.

Objectives: To investigate whether patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection without evidence of cirrhosis have an increased risk of diabetes mellitus (DM) and to evaluate possible risk factors for diabetes in this group.

Patients And Methods: We conducted a case-control study of 45 consecutive eligible patients with HCV infection and no clinical, scintigraphic, or histological evidence of cirrhosis, and a control group of 90 subjects without liver disease matched by age, sex, and body mass index and similar in their origin distribution. Eighty-eight patients with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection with no evidence of cirrhosis were also evaluated.

[Giant cavernous hemangioma of the liver].

Hemangioma, the most common benign tumor of the liver, is found in 2% of all autopsies. Giant cavernous hemangiomas are those larger than 4 cm, and the only ones of clinical importance. During 1991-95 we saw 69 patients with cavernous hemangiomas of the liver ranging from 2 to 25 cm in diameter.