All clinical trials

End-stage renal disease (ESRD) presents a heavy burden on a patient's psychological and social life, as well as overall quality of life (QoL). Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in dialysis patients measures the physical, social or emotional well-being that is affected by ESRD and/or its treatment, and has been increasingly used as an outcome measure in interventional studies. Additionally, associations between social support and QoL have been observed, indicating that improved social support could improve HRQoL, morbidity and mortality in ESRD patients. However, it is not clear if hemodialysis (HD) and peritoneal dialysis (PD) have different impacts on HRQoL. Furthermore, comparisons of HRQoL and social support between HD and PD patients in the multiethnic society of Singapore have not been evaluated. As such, the investigators propose to conduct this cross-sectional study in the investigators local multiethnic ESRD patient population to evaluate and compare patient-reported outcomes (HRQoL and social support), economic and clinical laboratory outcomes in HD and PD patients. All chronic HD and PD patients seen in NUH outpatient renal or PD clinic will be included in this cross-sectional, observational study. Information on patient demographics, medical/medication histories, dialysis vintage, clinical laboratory data and associated medical costs will be obtained from clinic notes, electronic medical records and hospital databases. Patient-reported outcomes will be determined from scores of the Kidney Disease Quality of Life-Short Form, EuroQol 5 Dimensions, Family Functioning Measure, Oslo-3 Social Support Scale, Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, Kessler Psychological Distress Scale and Health Services Utilization questionnaires (for indirect costs), and compared between HD and PD patients. Results from this study will provide important HRQoL information to assist renal physicians and patients to make treatment decisions. Furthermore, intervention programs could be developed to improve social support based on patients' needs. These could in turn improve patients' HRQoL, morbidity and mortality outcomes with minimal risks involved.

The purpose of this study is to verify the discriminatory value of previously identified salivary transcriptome and proteome markers for oral squamous cell cancer in an intended use population of patients with oral lesions suspicious for cancer.

Main study objectives: To compare the temperature measured using Medisim's thermometers to the temperature measured using mercury or equivalent reference thermometers. To develop more accurate algorithms for measuring on the forehead as well as behind the ear. To test the difference between various forehead measurement locations in order to allow more convenient measuring that is not depended on the exact location.

The investigators think that there is a connection between the use of plaquenil and the prevention of Age related macular degeneration (AMD). The investigators believe that the use of plaquenil makes bruch's membrane thicker, thereby preventing Chroidal Neovascularization (CNV) growth.

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is one of the major public health problems in Western country. More than 100,000 Americans die each year from VTE. VTE is also a common complication of critical illness,1-2 and probably related to poor outcome in this patient group. Although there are guidelines about VTE prophylaxis in acutely ill medical patients and patients in medical ICU3, they are overlooked in our daily practice frequently in our country. There are many reasons for our common practice, including inadequate knowledge for the ICU physicians, more patients with bleeding tendency in ICU and low prevalence of VTE in our (eastern) country. However, the true prevalence of VTE in ICU and if thromboprophylaxis still needed in certain high risk patients are not unknown. Besides, if there is a difference in the VTE rate between western and eastern patients, what is the underlying mechanism? The major objective of this application is to answer the first part of the problem, i.e. to delineate the scope of this problem. The specific aims of this application are as follows: prevalence of venous thromboembolism in ICU in Taiwan specific risk in subgroups of ICU patients prevalence and risk factors for silent pulmonary embolism

Herpes esophagitis presents a clinical diagnostic challenge. The investigators report the first case of herpes esophagitis presenting as vocal fold palsy in an immunocompetent host. The investigators case highlights the importance of performing a detailed laryngoscopic examination in any patient with prolonged husky voice.

Introduction Cardiovascular diseases are the first cause of death in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). In 2010, EULAR Standing Committee for Clinical Affairs provides 10 recommendations for cardiovascular risk management in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, including a cardiovascular risk assessment annually. The goal of this study is to evaluate the application of EULAR recommendations in real life in patients with RA in the french population. Inclusion criteria: all patients over 18 years old with rheumatoid arthritis treated with at least one DMARDS and/or biologic therapy, affiliated to the RSI (regime social des independents which correspond to other branches of the universal healthcare insurance agency). Non inclusion criteria: patients declared as rheumatoid arthritis without DMARDS or biologic therapy or treated with steroids alone. The following analysis will be performed on the whole database of the RSI, without name identification. Evaluation criteria: at least once a years the prescription of at least one of the following items use in the evaluation of the cardiovascular risk factors: lipides dosage, glycemia, HbA1C, stress test, Carotid ultra-sonography, coronary or lower limbs arteriography, heart ultra-sonography, cardiology clinic, endocrinology clinic. This evaluation will be done on the whole national population of RSI for the year 2011 (01/01/2011 - 31/12/2011). On a subgroup of patients from the region "Provence Alpes Côte d'Azur", the investigators will analyze the year 2009, and compare to year 2011, to evaluate the impact of theses recommendations.

The purpose of this study is to examine whether the intraocular pressure of operated people under general anesthesia is affected by the artificial respiration method. If it is proven that there is such influence, the findings may lead to select the best method for patients with increased intraocular pressure. In this study, the investigators will monitor the changes observed in intraocular pressure caused during an operation in two different artificial respiration methods: Intermittent positive pressure ventilation (IPPV) High frequency jet ventilation (HFJV) Study recruited 50 patients aged 18 - 40, candidates to elective orthopedic surgery in the limbs. These patients do not suffer from general diseases that restrict their daily functioning. The selection of the type of surgery was done to prevent the involvement of any other factor, except the respiration method, determination of intraocular pressure. Exclusion Criteria: Patients who are unable to provide an Informed Consent Patients suffering from any eye disease Patients with corneal thickness less than 450 microns or more than 600 microns Smokers Patients with pulmonary disease restrictive or obstructive Patients using bronchodilator All patients operated under general anesthesia using total intravenous anesthesia )TIVA) method. All patients will be resuscitating half of the time of surgery using IPPV, and in the second half of surgery using HFJV. During the surgery the IOP will be measured by an ophthalmologist who is unaware of the respiration method. Correction will be made to the intraocular pressure values, depending on the thickness of the cornea. The results of the measurements will be collected and the clinical significance will be reviewed by acceptable statistical methods.

To follow-up the latent tuberculosis infection and evaluate the risk of developing active tuberculosis in patients with severe chronic kidney disease or receiving long-term dialysis

To evaluate the incidence and pattern of bladder symptoms and sexual function change occuring after simple hysterectomy and to analyze the influence of bladder symptoms and sexual function change on quality of life of patients.