Fatigue in post-poliomyelitis syndrome: association with disease-related, behavioral, and psychosocial factors.

Objective: To determine the biopsychosocial correlates of general, physical, and mental fatigue in patients with postpoliomyelitis syndrome (PPS) by assessing the additional contribution of potentially modifiable factors after accounting for important nonmodifiable disease-related factors. It was hypothesized that disease-related, behavioral, and psychosocial factors would contribute in different ways to general, physical, and mental fatigue in PPS and that a portion of fatigue would be determined by potentially modifiable factors.

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Elevated serum inflammatory markers in post-poliomyelitis syndrome.

Objectives: To determine (i) whether serum inflammatory markers TNFalpha, IL-1beta. IL-6, and leptin are increased in post-poliomyelitis syndrome (PPS) compared to healthy controls; and (ii) whether an association exists between elevated inflammatory markers and clinical parameters in PPS. The cause of PPS is unknown, but abnormal inflammatory responses have been implicated in several small studies.

Long-term survival rate of pediatric patients after blood transfusion.

Background: Studies in adults report posttransfusion survival rate (PTSR) at 1 to 10 years of 41 to 67 percent. There are no published studies specifically addressing PTSR in pediatric patients. The objectives of this study were to evaluate PTSR and risk factors associated with death in children receiving transfusions.

Effect of an interdisciplinary educational program on antipsychotic prescribing among nursing home residents with dementia.

Objective: To assess the effect of an interdisciplinary educational program in reducing the use of antipsychotics in nursing home residents with dementia.

Methods: We conducted a longitudinal pilot study to test the implementation of a 7-month interdisciplinary educational program in a fixed cohort of residents with dementia receiving antipsychotics. The program included consciousness-raising, educational sessions, and clinical follow-up.

Effect of an educational intervention on optimizing antibiotic prescribing in long-term care facilities.

Objective: To assess the effect of an educational intervention aimed at optimizing antibiotic prescribing in long-term care (LTC) facilities.

Design: Cluster randomized, controlled trial.

Setting: Eight public LTC facilities in the Montreal area.

Use of neuroleptics: study of institutionalized elderly people in Montreal, Que.

Objective: To determine the prevalence of neuroleptic use in long-term care institutions in the greater Montreal, Que, area and to estimate the extent of use of atypical neuroleptics.

Design: Cross-sectional study in which single-day chart reviews were conducted to evaluate the prevalence of use of conventional and atypical neuroleptics.

Setting: Ten long-term care institutions in the greater Montreal area.