Populations at risk for alveolar echinococcosis, France.

During 1982-2007, alveolar echinococcosis (AE) was diagnosed in 407 patients in France, a country previously known to register half of all European patients. To better define high-risk groups in France, we conducted a national registry-based study to identify areas where persons were at risk and spatial clusters of cases. We interviewed 180 AE patients about their way of life and compared responses to those of 517 controls.

Disability in patients consulting for anxiety or mood disorders in primary care: response to antidepressant treatment.

Background: The primary objective of this prospective observational study was to evaluate changes in self-reported disability in patients with anxiety or mood disorders 3 months after initiating antidepressant treatment.

Methods: This study included 8396 patients consulting 2433 general practitioners in France for a major mood episode, generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, panic disorder, or obsessive-compulsive disorder. Treatment was initiated with the antidepressant that the physician considered appropriate.

[Nursing management of ventilation and sedation in patients suffering from septic shock].

A significant number of intubated, ventilated and sedated patients suffering from septic shock develop acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). The supervision by a multidisciplinary team optimises both the management of ventilation and the sedation analgesia of the patient. The nursing supervision and care related to this pathology are specific.

Clinical features and evolution of alveolar echinococcosis in France from 1982 to 2007: results of a survey in 387 patients.

Background & Aims: Alveolar echinococcosis (AE) is a rare disease in humans, caused by the larval stage of the fox tapeworm Echinococcus multilocularis.

Methods: We present here 387 detailed AE cases diagnosed in France from 1982 to 2007 actively identified by a retrospective survey performed in 1997-1998 and prospectively thereafter.

Results: Male:female ratio was 1.

Comparison of norepinephrine-dobutamine to epinephrine for hemodynamics, lactate metabolism, and organ function variables in cardiogenic shock. A prospective, randomized pilot study.

Objective: There is no study that has compared, in a randomized manner, which vasopressor is most suitable in optimizing both systemic and regional hemodynamics in cardiogenic shock patients. Hence, the present study was designed to compare epinephrine and norepinephrine-dobutamine in dopamine-resistant cardiogenic shock.

Design: Open, randomized interventional human study.

Increased muscle-to-serum lactate gradient predicts progression towards septic shock in septic patients.

Purpose: During septic shock, muscle produces lactate and pyruvate by way of an exaggerated Na(+), K(+)-ATPase-stimulated aerobic glycolysis associated with epinephrine stimulation. We hypothesized that patients with sepsis without shock and increased epinephrine levels or an increased muscle-to-serum lactate gradient are likely to evolve towards septic shock. Thus, in sepsis patients, we investigated (1) whether muscle produces lactate and pyruvate, and (2) whether muscle lactate production is linked to epinephrine levels and the severity of the patient's condition.

[Management of urinary tract infections in women. Epidemiologic survey of 7916 women in general practice].

Objective: To evaluate the management of urinary tract infections in women by general practitioners and compare it with official French guidelines.

Methods: This survey enrolled 1587 general practitioners in France and 7916 adult women. Exclusion criteria for patients included: pregnancy, diabetes, neurogenic bladder, or urinary catheters.

Roles and practices of general practitioners and psychiatrists in management of depression in the community.

Background: Little is known about depressed patients' profiles and how they are managed. The aim of the study is to compare GPs and psychiatrists for 1 degrees) sociodemographic and clinical profile of their patients considered as depressed 2 degrees) patterns of care provision.

Methods: The study design is an observational cross-sectional study on a random sample of GPs and psychiatrists working in France.