Intravitreal injection practice patterns among Chinese ophthalmologists

AIM:To describe the practice patterns of intravitreal injections(IVIs)among ophthalmologists in China.METHODS:This was a cross-sectional online survey.Ophthalmologists who had performed accumulated more than 100 injections were contacted by the Brightness Center,a hospital-based national network,to complete an anonymous,24-question,internet-based survey.They were surveyed on practices in injection techniques,pre-,and post-injections procedures.RESULTS:A total of 333 ophthalmologists from 28 provinces/municipalities/autonomous regions responded to the survey(50.68%response rate).The 91.29%of the respondents evaluated systemic risk factors by medical history,electrocardiogram(ECG)and blood test.All the respondents used pre-injection prophylactic antibiotics.Most checked intraocular pressure(IOP,99.1%)and blood pressure(96.1%)before injections.A majority of the respondents performed injections in the operating room(98.8%),wore masks(99.7%),gloves(99.4%)and sterile surgical clothing(96.1%),performed topical anesthetics(97.9%),and applied povidone-iodine(95.8%)pre-injection.The 61.26%of the respondents dilated pupil.About half of the respondents(51.05%)performed bilateral injections in the same setting.Superior temporal quadrant(40.54%)was the most frequent site of injection.Around three quarters used 30-gauge needles.Most respondents(97.9%)measured the site of injection from limbus.More than half(53.45%)performed conjunctiva displacement prior to injection.The 32.43%of the respondents checked IOP post-injection and 87.99%physicians checked hand motion(HM)or counting fingers(CF)after injection,while 36.94%observed optic nerve perfusion.All participants used topical antibiotics post-injections.Most physicians(91.89%)reviewed patients on the following day.CONCLUSION:This study provides a description of the real-world practice patterns in IVIs in China and offers critical information regarding education and training of ophthalmologists and amendment of local society guidelines.

Understanding practice patterns of glaucoma sub-specialists in India

AIM：To obtain information on the prevailing practice patterns of glaucoma specialists in India.METHODS：Glaucoma specialists attending the Annual Conference of the Glaucoma Society of India（GSI）were surveyed.This survey,conducted in 2013,was based on an interactive audience response system.RESULTS：The information was obtained from 146 glaucoma specialists.Approximately half（n=83;57%）had≥10y of experience in managing glaucoma and were in institutional practice（n=74,51%）.Goldmann applanation tonometry was preferred by 103（72%）specialists whilst n=25（17.4%）used non-contact tonometer.Indentation gonioscopy was favoured by two-thirds（n=90,66%）whereas stereoscopic optic disc examination and visual fields using Humphrey perimeter was performed by a majority of the specialists surveyed（n=115,86%and n=114;83%respectively）.Nearly three quarter specialists（n=96;72%）preferred optical coherence tomography for imaging.The primary choice for treatment of angle closure disease and primary open angle glaucoma was laser（iridotomy,n=117;93%）and medical management（prostaglandin analogue,n=104;78%）,respectively.Approximately only a third of the specialists surveyed（n=37;28%）were performing both trabeculectomy and implantation of a glaucoma drainage device and about half（n=64;47%）were not operating on congenital glaucoma at all.CONCLUSION：This survey has found conformance with preferred practice patterns in several areas of diagnosisand management of glaucoma,but there was diversity in a few areas.The information is a significant step towards improvement of glaucoma care in India,including planning for future strategies.

Practice patterns among ophthalmic surgeons in treating concomitant oculoplastic conditions in preoperative period:A questionnaire-based study

BACKGROUND Addressing oculoplastic conditions in the preoperative period ensures both the safety and functional success of any ophthalmic procedure.Some oculoplastic conditions,like nasolacrimal duct obstruction,have been extensively studied,whereas others,like eyelid malposition and thyroid eye disease,have received minimal or no research.AIM To investigate the current practice patterns among ophthalmologists while treating concomitant oculoplastic conditions before any subspecialty ophthalmic intervention.METHODS A cross-sectional survey was disseminated among ophthalmologists all over India.The survey included questions related to pre-operative evaluation,anaesthetic and surgical techniques preferred,post-operative care,the use of adjunctive therapies,and patient follow-up patterns.RESULTS A total of 180 ophthalmologists responded to the survey.Most practitioners(89%)felt that the ROPLAS test was sufficient during pre-operative evaluation before any subspecialty surgery was advised.The most common surgical techniques employed were lacrimal drainage procedures(Dacryocystorhinostomy)(63.3%),eyelid malposition repair(36.9%),and ptosis repair(58.7%).Post-operatively,47.7%of respondents emphasized that at least a 4-week gap should be maintained after lacrimal drainage procedures and eyelid surgeries.Sixty-seven percent of ophthalmologists felt that topical anaesthetic procedures should be preferred while performing ocular surgeries in thyroid eye disease patients.CONCLUSION Approximately 50%of ophthalmologists handle prevalent oculoplastic issues themselves,seeking the expertise of an oculoplastic surgeon under particular conditions.Many ophthalmologists still favor using ROPLAS as a preliminary screening method before proceeding with cataract surgery.Eyelid conditions and thyroid eye disease are not as commonly addressed before subspecialty procedures compared to issues like nasolacrimal duct obstruction and periocular infections.

Mineral and bone disorder and management in the China Dialysis Outcomes and Practice Patterns Study

Background:Despite a growing population of patients starting hemodialysis in China,little is known about markers of mineral bone disease(MBD)and their management.We present data on prevalence and correlates of hypocalcemia,hyperphosphatemia,and secondary hyperparathyroidism from the China Dialysis Outcomes and Practice Patterns Study(DOPPS),with evaluation of whether these laboratory markers triggered changes in management.Methods:We compared the frequency of measurement and prevalence of poor control of MBD markers in China DOPPS with other DOPPS regions.We also used generalized estimating equations to assess correlates of MBD markers,and separate models to assess predictors of vitamin D and phosphate binder prescriptions in the China DOPPS.Results:Severe hyperphosphatemia(>7 mg/dL)and secondary hyperparathyroidism(>600 pg/mL)were common(27%and 21%prevalence,respectively);both were measured infrequently(14.9%and 3.2%of patients received monthly measurements in China).Frequency of dialysis sessions was positively associated with hyperphosphatemia;presence of residual kidney function was negatively associated with both hyperphosphatemia and secondary hyperparathyroidism.Laboratory measures indicating poor control of MBD were not associated with subsequent prescription of active vitamin D or phosphate binder.Conclusions:There are substantial opportunities for improvement and standardization of MBD management in China.Development of country-specific guidelines may yield realistic targets and standardization of medication use accounting for availability and cost.

Adjuvant therapy for hormone receptor-positive breast cancer: Perspective from a survey on breast cancer physicians' acceptance of practice-changing data

A cross-sectional online survey was conducted.A high proportion of the Chinese breast cancer(BC)physician respondents(n=77)would prescribe extended adjuvant endocrine therapy(AET)with aromatase inhibitors(AI)beyond 5 years for postmenopausal females with BC,especially those with higher risk.Respondents with≥15 years of clinical experience were more likely to prescribe a longer duration of AET for low-risk patients.Half of the respondents considered intermittent letrozole as an acceptable option.Most respondents would prescribe adjuvant chemotherapy to genomic high-intermediate risk[Oncotype DX recurrence score(RS)21-25]females aged≤50 years regardless of the clinical risk classification.

Factors influencing the diagnosis and treatment of chronic prostatitis among urologists in China

Aim. To identify the factors influencing diagnosis and treatment of chronic prostatitis （CP） among Chinese urologists. Methods： A sample of 656 urologists from 29 provinces of China were asked to complete a questionnaire that explored attitudes towards CP as well as diagnosis and treatment patterns in the management of CP. Both univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis schemes were used to determine the factors that influence the diagnosis and treatment of CP. Results： A total of 656 questionnaires were given out. All were returned and 410 of those were included in the final univariate and multivariate analysis. Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that belief of bacterial infection in the etiology of CP （odds ratio [OR], 2.544; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.650-3.923; P 〈 0.001） was the most significant factor influencing the routine performance of bacterial culture test. Using the same model, the type of hospital （OR, 2.799; 95% CI, 1.719-4.559; P 〈 0.001） and the routine use of the 4- or the 2-glass test （OR, 3.194; 95% CI, 2.069-4.931; P 〈 0.001） were determined to be significant factors influencing the use of the National Institutes of Health （NIH） new classification system. According to the same model, belief of bacterial infection in the etiology of CP （OR, 3.415; 95% CI, 2.024-5.762; P 〈 0.001） and the routine use of bacterial culture test （OR, 2.261; 95% CI, 1.364-3.749; P 〈 0.01） were important factors influencing the routine prescription of antibiotics. Conclusion： Our findings suggest that attitudes towards CP, and the characteristics of individual urologists＇ practices may influence the diagnosis and treatment of CP among Chinese urologists.

CDIO教育模式下工程型软件人才培养的探讨(英文)

From the perspective of cultivation of engineering-type software talents,we combine with the CDIO engineering education pattern reformation of American Massachusetts Institute of Technology,adopt four step engineering content including Conceive,Design,Implement and Operate as the cultivating goal of students' ability,and analyze the current talent cultivation pattern,summarize the intensive talent cultivation of Software College,Shandong University in recent years,and bring forward an innovation on talent cultivation pattern,and illustrate practicing process under the new pattern,and report the results and achievements of talents cultivation.

Current pattern of Chinese dialysis units： a cohort study in a representative sample of units

Background Understanding the characteristics of Chinese dialysis patients and the current practice trends is the first step to evaluate the association between practice pattern and outcome in these populations. In the present study, we evaluated the status of medical treatment and characteristic features of chronic dialysis patients in China. Methods Through a clustering sampling, we selected 9 centers from the largest dialysis facilities in 6 cities around China. All adult undergoing dialysis in the selected units were screened. A total of 2388 （1775 on hemodialysis （HD） and 613 on peritoneal dialysis （PD）） patients were finally enrolled. All data were collected at enrollment on the bases of review of medical records. Results In this cohort, 1313 （55.0%） were male. The mean age was 54 years old. The median time for dialysis was 26 months （12-51 months）. Seventy-five percent of patients were on HD and 25.0% on PD. Among PD patients, about 21% patients did not receive dialysis adequacy. For HD patients, about 14.0% of them did not achieve dialysis adequacy when the target of kt/V was set as 1.2. Only 44.7% of patients achieved blood pressure target of 140/90 mmHg. About 60% of patients did not reach the hemoglobin target of 110 g/L even though 85.0% of them were treated with erythropoietin. In addition, 48.5% of the patients had uncontrolled mineral metabolism revealed by the high calcium-phosphate product. Compared with HD patients, higher level of serum glucose, triglyceride, and total and low density lipoprotein cholesterol were more common in PD patients. Conclusions This observational study suggests that many Chinese dialysis patients did not achieve the therapeutic target, particularly in blood pressure control, anemia correction, and mineral balance. PD patients were more likely to suffer metabolic disturbance.

Evidence-Based Chinese Medicine Clinical Practice Guideline for Stomach Pain in Hong Kong

Stomach pain in Chinese medicine（CM） is a very common disorder in clinical practice and it has been listed as one of the pilot three conditions in Hong Kong to develop evidence-based CM clinical practice guidelines（CM CPGs）. The aim of this stomach Pain CPG is to summarize the treatment methods of stomach pain with CM and evaluate reasonably, then to guide local licensed CM practitioners and provide beneficial reference for social medical decision makers and patients. In this manuscript, we defined stomach pain in CM and the category of chronic gastritis in Western medicine. The clinical manifestation, CM pattern classification, and CM intervention including herbal medicine treatment based on pattern differentiation, symptomatic treatment, acupuncture treatment, regulation and nursing were illustrated.

Use of prostate-specific antigen testing in Medicare beneficiaries:Association with previous evaluation

Objective:Determine uptake of prostate-specific antigen(PSA)testing in Medicare benefi-ciaries according to previous receipt of PSA testing.Methods:A 5%random sample of men aged 67 years or older without a previous diagnosis of prostate cancer was identified through 2009-2012 Medicare claims.We measured the annualized frequency of PSA screening among men due for PSA testing,stratified by PSA testing use in the previous 2 years,and clustered by ordering provider.Results:Throughout the study period,PSA testing use was consistently higher for men with previous screening than for men without previous screening.For men without previous screening,there was a decline in testing that was most pronounced in 2012.Compared with 2009,the cor-responding odds ratios were 0.98[95%confidence interval(CI)(0.96-1.00)]in 2010,0.94[95%CI(0.92-0.95)]in 2011,and 0.66[95%CI(0.65-0.68)]in 2012.In contrast,for men with previous screening,PSA testing frequency was stable from 2009 to 2011,and declined to a lesser extent in 2012[odds ratio 0.80,95%CI(0.79-0.81)].Conclusion:Receipt of PSA testing is highly dependent on whether an individual was tested in the recent past.In previously unscreened men,the largest decrease occurred in 2012,which may reflect in part the publication of US Preventive Services Task Force guidelines,but there was much less impact among men already being screened.