PRACTICAL POINTERS

EDITORIAL COMMENTS are the editor’s assessments of the clinical practicality of articles based on his long-term review of the current literature and his 20-year publication of Practical Pointers.

2) The main ABSTRACTS section is designed as a reference. It presents structured summaries of the contents of articles in much more detail.

I hope you will find Practical Pointers interesting and helpful. The complete content of all issues for the past 5 years can be accessed at www.practicalpointers.org

Richard T. James Jr, M.D.

Editor/Publisher.

HIGHLIGHTS AND EDITORIAL COMMENTS

JANUARY 2006

One Simple Non-Threatening Question To Probe Spiritual Concerns At The End Of Life.

1-1 ARE YOU AT PEACE?

Acknowledging the importance of emotional and spiritual issues at the end of life is an important component of compassionate and comprehensive palliative care. Some physicians may question the appropriateness of their role in probing patients’ spiritual distress, as well as the practicality of addressing such issues in the time-limited setting of usual practice. Yet, a patient’s spirituality often influences treatment choices, and endows personal resources during serious illness.

Respondents (n = 248) completed several questionnaires which assessed quality-of-life at the end of life. All had advanced cancer, severe heart failure, severe COPD, or renal failure.

Examined distributions of several religious and non-religious alternative wordings—“at peace with God”; “at peace with my personal relationships”; “at peace with myself”. To promote inclusiveness, the final wording was the simple question--“Are you at peace?”

Ninety % agreed with the importance of “coming to peace with God”. Ranked equally, and as most important, “freedom from pain” and “being at peace with God”. Items measuring peacefulness correlated highly with having a chance to say goodbye; with making a positive difference in the lives of others; giving others gifts and wisdom; sharing deepest thoughts; and having a sense of meaning in life.

Feeling at peace was strongly correlated with emotional and spiritual well-being.

“The results of this study suggest that the concept of patients’ sense of being at peace may be a point in which to initiate a conversation about emotional and spiritual concerns in a non-threatening manner.”

Spirituality has been defined as the search for the ultimate meaning and purpose of life. This often involves a relationship with the transcendent. Emotional and spiritual well-being underpin the broadly worded construct of “being at peace”.

Patients’ end-of-life experiences are constructed by multidimensional layers of relationships of physiological and biochemical processes, cognitive understandings, interpersonal connections, and bonds to the transcendent.

Asking patients about the extent to which they are at peace may offer a gateway to assessing spiritual concerns. Although these issues may be heightened at the end of life, it may influence medical decisions throughout a lifetime of care.

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Read the original!

Being at peace is important at all phases of life. Asking a non-terminal 30-year old if he is at peace may lead to introspection and benefit.

Once Burned; Twice Shy

1-2 IMPACT OF ADVERSE EVENTS ON PRESCRIBING WARFARIN IN PATIENTS WITH ATRIAL FIBRILLATION

This study quantified the influence of physicians’ experiences of adverse events in patients for whom they had prescribed warfarin on their subsequent prescribing practices.

Considered patients who experienced severe gastrointestinal bleeding or hemorrhagic stroke while taking warfarin during the 120 days before admission to the hospital. Determined likelihood that the doctor who prescribed the warfarin would prescribe it to the next patient presenting with AF. (If a physician treated a patient with warfarin and the patient had serious bleeding, would this experience influence prescribing warfarin for a second patient who has AF? )

Also considered patients with AF who experienced an ischemic stroke during the preceding 120 days for whom the doctor had not prescribed warfarin. Determined the likelihood that the doctor would prescribe warfarin to the next patient with AF who consults him.

Over 500 physicians treated a patient with AF who had major bleeding while on warfarin, and then treated another patient with AF within the next 90 days.

The odds that a physician would prescribe warfarin for a second patient were 21% lower after a first patient experienced bleeding. (Some physicians were reluctant to again prescribe warfarin.)

Conversely, there were no significant changes in warfarin prescribing after a patient had a stroke while not taking warfarin. (Physicians were no more likely to prescribe warfarin for a second patient with AF despite this adverse outcome.)

“Doctors are neither passive recipients of, nor simple conduits of, clinical evidence.” We conduct an “inner consultation” with evidence, analyzing it in both a logical and intuitive way. In doing so, we are more likely to recall events which are more easily recalled. And the “chagrin factor” tends to make doctors avoid actions that cause them hassle.

Patients conduct similar internal consultations, adding the experience of a consultation to their previous intellectual and emotional understanding of illness.

“Statistical experience” and “clinical experience” guide consultations. These are not enough to clarify the dynamic interaction between patient and doctor. A third dimension is “personal significance”, a concept that captures the reciprocity of the evaluation and interpretation of a new idea by a doctor and patient together. At stake here is something quite profound, and poorly accepted within the medical community—the personal participation of the knower in all acts of understanding. Comprehension is neither an arbitrary nor passive act. It requires tacit skills of judgment.

“In medical consultations there are two participants, both personally knowing, both passionately participating, but from different perspectives, different “somewheres”. The outcome of their interaction in the form of clinical decision is an emergent property of two ways of knowing: biomedical and biographical.

The study illuminates this murky area and provides convincing evidence that within each doctor, these two ways of knowing compete for influence.

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Patient’s prior experience plays a major role in acceptance and compliance with therapy. This study points out that doctors respond to prior experience as well.

Patients and doctors consider adverse events due to commission more seriously than adverse events due to omission. When a patient with AF bleeds while he is taking warfarin, warfarin and the doctor who prescribes it get the blame (whether at fault or not). When the patient experiences an ischemic strike, there is doubt about whether warfarin would have prevented it. (It may not have prevented it.) Warfarin and the doctor would less likely be blamed.

Prior experiences and “personal knowledge” do indeed influence subsequent practice.

Do not patients’ “personal beliefs” have a much greater influence on their acceptance and compliance with treatments? Eg, belief in a placebo; belief in many “alternative medications”; belief in the advertisements of drug companies; beliefs based on ethnicity and family lore, belief in anecdotal experiences and advice of family and friends; belief in health advice given in the press, on TV, and in the Internet.

Do not physicians’ “personal beliefs” influence the treatments they advise to a greater extent than evidence-based therapy? Eg, belief in the latest advertised drug; belief in the suggestions of colleagues given in curbside consultations; belief based on their educational experiences and past training which have become outdated; belief in anecdotal evidence from small, unsubstantiated observational studies, and even “alternative medicine”.

“The Time For A Rotavirus Vaccine May Have Finally Arrived.”

1-3 THE PROMISE OF NEW ROTAVIRUS VACCINES

This issue of NEJM reports promising results from large clinical trials of two new oral vaccines:

1) Rotateq (Merck) is a penta-valent vaccine based on a bovine strain that contains 5 human-bovine viruses. It is naturally attenuated for humans. The bovine virus grows less well in the human intestine, so the aggregate titer required to immunize is greater. Three oral doses are required, with at least a month between doses. The vaccine strains are infrequently shed in the stool. It is not broadly cross-protective against other serotypes.

2) Rotarix (Glaxco Smith-Kline) is an attenuated, mono-valent vaccine derived from the most common human retrovirus strain. It is given in two doses one month apart.. It replicates well in the gut, and is frequently shed (like natural infections) in the stool. It cross-protects against most other serotypes.

Both vaccines demonstrate impressive efficacy against severe disease (85% to 98%) .

Both vaccines demonstrated a reassuring safety profile. There was no significant difference in the rate of intussusception between the vaccine and placebo

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This may be a giant step forward.

I do not understand the pathophysiology of the increased risk of intussusception reported in studies of the old vaccine (1999). Anyone out there who can suggest a connection?

Obesity Per Se In Middle Age Is A Risk Factor For CVD And Diabetes In Older Age

1-4 MIDLIFE BODY MASS INDEX AND HOSPITALIZATION AND MORTALITY IN OLDER AGE

Does excess weight in middle life confer higher risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and diabetes in older age? Does a high body mass index (BMI) per se confer risks over time independent of its effect on BP and lipids?

This prospective study, begun in 1967-73, entered over 17 000 subjects age 31 to 64 (mean age = 45). All were free of coronary heart disease (CHD) , diabetes, and major electrocardiography abnormalities.

At baseline, classified CVD risk as: 1) Low risk: BP < 120/80; total cholesterol < 200; and non smoking. 2) Moderate risk: BP 121-139/81-89; total cholesterol 200-239; non smoking; 3) Higher risk groups included subjects with any 1, 2, or 3 risk factors (BP > 140/90; total cholesterol > 240; and current smoking.

BMI categories: normal 18.5-24.9; overweight 25-29.9; obese 30 and over.

At baseline, only 7% of the entire cohort over 17 000 were at low risk. And only 4% were at both low risk and normal BMI.

Low risk group: (normal BP, normal cholesterol, and non-smoking)

Rate after age 65 per 1000 persons CHD mortality Hospitalization for CHD Diabetes

Normal BMI 30 40 44

Overweight 42 49 110

Obese 44 112 265

Moderate risk group: (moderately elevated BP and cholesterol, non-smoking)

Rate after age 65 per 1000 persons CHD mortality Hospitalization for CHD Diabetes

Normal BMI 42 53 60

Overweight 49 95 122

Obese 89 104 240

In higher risk groups (including smokers) as BMIs rose, outcomes rose in a similarly graded fashion. Within each risk stratum, the risk was higher for overweight and obese persons than for normal weight persons.

Non-smoking individuals with normal BP and normal total cholesterol who are obese in middle age have a higher risk of hospitalization and mortality from CHD and diabetes in older age than those whose weight is normal in middle age. This risk relationship extends to those with higher cholesterol and BP and to those who smoke.

Is Watchful Waiting A Safe And Acceptable Option?

1-5 WATCHFUL WAITING VS REPAIR OF INGUINAL HERNIA IN MINIMAL SYMPTOMATIC MEN

Patients often delay hernia repair until pain or discomfort occurs.

Surgical repair, while generally safe and effective, carries a long-term risks of recurrence, pain, and discomfort.

For minimally symptomatic men, the usual basis for recommending surgery is prevention of incarceration and strangulation. These are rare events.

Is deferring surgical repair a safe and acceptable option for men with minimally symptomatic inguinal hernias?

This study entered 724 men with inguinal hernias. (mean age = 57.) All were asymptomatic or had minimal symptoms. (No discomfort which limited usual activity. No difficulty in reducing the hernia. )

Randomized to: 1) watchful waiting, or 2) tension-free repair surgery.

What happened to the surgery group? 1) Intraoperative complications in 3 patients: wound hematoma requiring return to operating room; postanesthetic hypotension; and ilioinguinal nerve injury. 2) Postoperative complications in 22%: hematomas; urinary tract infections; wound infections; orchitis; urinary retention; postoperative bradycardia; deep venous thrombosis; postoperative hypertension. 3) Overall, at 2 years, discomfort was reduced slightly, but pain limited usual activities in 2%. 4) 3% of hernias recurred. 5) More than 97% were satisfied with the treatment they received.

What happened to the watchful waiting group? 1) Pain limiting usual activities occurred in 5%. 2) Cross-over to surgery 23% at 2 years, 33% at 5 years (mainly due to increased pain) 3) Complications: incarceration, bowel obstruction rare, ~ 2 in 1000 patient-years. 4) More than 97% were satisfied with the treatment they received. Overall, they experienced a slight lessening of discomfort over 2 years.

A strategy of watchful waiting (over 2 years) is a safe and acceptable option for men with minimally symptomatic inguinal hernias.

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The study does not include symptomatic hernias.

Natural history studies are valuable for informing patients when they ask—What is going to happen to me?” What should I do about it? This study gives some indication of the outcomes of surgery vs WW. However, the observation period lasted a relatively short time in the life of a hernia.

Discussions between physician and patient about likely outcomes will aid negotiations between the two and enable the patient to make informed decisions. Whether to have a non-troublesome hernia repaired is an intensely personal decision. The decision will depend on many factors, two of which are 1) the duration of the hernia.2) the age of the patient.

I believe patients whose hernias have been present for a long time and have remained non-troublesome will be more likely to avoid surgery. Recently developed hernias may cause more alarm and would lead the patient to seek a surgical consultation and tilt toward surgery.

A young man, because of his long life span, may be more accepting of surgery. He may be less willing to accept worry, bother, and anxiety over years. His hernia will be more likely to enlarge with time, and he will be more likely to develop pain and complications. (Note the study lasted only 2 to 4 [MSOffice1] years.)

An old man may be less wiling to accept surgery because his life span is shorter. He is more likely to have co-morbidity and increased risk of surgical complications.

Another important consideration: Availability of an experienced surgeon with a proven track record of fewer perioperative complications and recurrence of the hernia.

The main message of this study is to point out to middle-aged men with asymptomatic hernias that they may safely defer surgery at least for several years.

Vitamin D Deficiency During Pregnancy Is Associated With A Deficit In Bone-Mineral Accrual In The Children

1-6 MATERNAL VITAMIN D STATUS DURING PREGNANCY, AND CHILDHOOD BONE MASS AT AGE 9 YEARS

This study tested the hypothesis that low vitamin D levels in women during pregnancy have persisting effects on bone mass in their children.

Measured serum 25(OH)-vitamin D at a mean of 34 weeks of pregnancy. Classified vitamin D levels as being deficient if the serum level was under 11 ug/L and as insufficient if level was 11-20. Normal > 20.

Nine years later, measured children’s’ bone mineral content (BMC) and areal bone mineral density (BMD) by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry.

Eighteen % of women had insufficient vitamin D levels, and 31% had deficient levels. (Half of all women.)

At age 9, children of mothers with reduced concentrations of vitamin D had reduced whole-body and lumbar spine bone mass compared with children of mothers with normal serum vitamin D.

Maternal UV exposure during late pregnancy varied by season and predicted serum concentrations of D. (Mean levels in winter = 14 ug/dL; summer = 30 ug/dL). Children of mothers whose third trimester occurred in summer had higher BMD than those whose third trimester occurred in winter.

Use of vitamin D supplements predicted maternal concentrations of vitamin D. (In this cohort, only 15% of mothers took supplements containing vitamin D.) Their children at age 9 had significantly greater whole-body BMD than children of non-users.

“Our results suggest that vitamin D insufficiency (or deficiency) during late pregnancy is associated with a deficit in bone-mineral accrual in their children which persists to age 9.”

Vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency were common in these pregnant women. Supplementation could lead to enhanced peak bone mineral accrual in their children, and lead to reduced risk of fragility fracture later in life.

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Can these deficient children catch up as they grow older? I believe good nutrition including adequate calcium intake and vitamin supplementation (especially D) will allow catch up.

Vitamin D deficiency is highly prevalent in developed countries in northern latitudes in the winter. I believe it is by far the most common vitamin deficiency. Supplements are required life long.

Prevents Stroke In Women; MI In Men

1-7 ASPIRIN FOR THE PRIMARY PREVENTION OF CARDIOVASCULAR EVENTS IN WOMEN AND MEN A Sex-Specific Meta-Analysis Of Randomized Controlled Trials

The American Heart Association has reported aspirin therapy is effective in primary prevention of coronary heart disease in adults of both sexes who are at increased risk. The AHA guidelines on primary prevention recommend low-dose aspirin in women whose 10-year risk of a first coronary event exceeds 20%, and consideration for those with a 10-year risk of 10% to 20%.

This meta-analysis determined if benefits and risks of aspirin therapy in primary prevention differed between men and women.

In absolute terms:

A. Women: Aspirin for an average of 6 years resulted in a benefit of approximately 3 cardiovascular events

and 2 strokes prevented per 1000 women. No effect on MI or cardiovascular mortality.

B. Men: Aspirin for an average of 6 years resulted in a benefit of approximately 4 cardiovascular events

prevented per 1000 men. MI was significantly reduced (absolute benefit of 1 MI per 125 men treated).

No statistically significant reduction in stroke.

Major bleeding (mainly GI) occurred over 6 years in 1 of every 400 women and 1 in 300 men.

(2.5 major bleeds per 1000 women and 3 per 1000 men.)

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The benefits of aspirin for primary prevention do not approach the substantial benefits in secondary prevention.

When negotiating a treatment plan with women who may be interested in aspirin for primary prevention of CVD, clinicians may tell them the benefit over 6 years in preventing ischemic stroke is 1 in 500. The risk of major bleeding is 1 in 400 .

Men may be told the benefit over 6 years in preventing MI is 1 in 150. And the risk of major bleeding is 1 in 300.

Note that these benefit and harm effects in this study occurred in persons considered healthy.

Do the benefits outweigh the harms? In this study, benefits and harms balanced about equally. Individuals may decide for themselves after being fully informed. It depends on an estimation of the risk of CVD in each individual. In individuals at higher risk, aspirin for primary prevention may be associated with greater benefit.

Caution when prescribing primary prevention aspirin in patients with hypertension. Hypertension is the major risk for hemorrhagic stroke. Aspirin may be more dangerous in patients with hypertension because of its association with hemorrhagic stroke. BP should be well-controlled before aspirin is prescribed for primary prevention.

“A Major Modifiable Risk Factor” Eat Five or More Fruits and Vegetables Daily

1-8 FRUIT AND VEGETABLE CONSUMPTION AND STROKE

Epidemiological studies suggest that increased consumption of fruits and vegetables may be associated with reduced risk of stroke. The extent of the association is uncertain.

This meta-analysis assessed the relation quantitatively.

Literature search entered 8 studies which met inclusion criteria. (Over 257 000 individuals)

Determined frequency of fruit and vegetable intake and correlated it with frequency of incident stroke.

Grouped consumption into 3 categories: 1) less than 3 servings daily; 2) 3 to 5 servings daily, and 3) more than 5 servings daily. The standard serving was 0.5 cup.

Average follow-up = 13 years

Relative risk of stroke:

Less than 3 servings 1.00

3 to 5 servings 0.89

More than 5 0.74

Fruit and vegetables had a protective effect on both ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke.

Increased fruit and vegetable intake in the range commonly consumed (over 5 servings daily) was associated with reduced risk of stroke.

The Population Impact Of The MetS Is Much Greater.

1-9 METABOLIC SYNDROME COMPARED WITH TYPE 2 DIABETES AS A RISK FACTOR FOR STROKE. The Framingham Offspring Study

This study compared the risk of stroke in patients with DM2-alone, and with MetS-alone. Estimated the population-attributable risk of stroke associated with each.

Over 10 years, the relative risk (RR) of stroke of persons with MetS-alone (compared to those without either

DM2 or the MetS) = 2.10. The RR of stroke in persons with DM2-alone was 2.5.

The prevalence of the MetS-alone in the general population was much greater than prevalence of DM2-alone. Consequently, the population-attributable risk of stroke associated with the MetS-alone was larger than the risk of stroke associated with DM2. This was despite the higher RR of stroke associated with DM2-alone

Hyperinsulinemia and insulin resistance are accepted as prominent features of MetS. This suggests that, like impaired glucose tolerance and impaired fasting glucose, MetS may signal a prediabetic state. In the Framingham Heart Study cohort, those with MetS had a 5-fold risk of developing diabetes.

Because MetS is much more prevalent than diabetes, the population impact of the syndrome is greater.

There is a great potential for substantial reductions in stroke risk in people with MetS by treatment of its

components.

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MetS-alone per 100 000 population Risk of stroke over 10 years Abs. number experiencing stroke

22% X 100 000 = 22 000 37/461 = 0.08 or 8% 22 000 X 0.08 = 1765

DM2 per 100 000 population Risk of stroke over 14 years Abs. number experiencing stroke

5% X 100 000 = 5000 12/99 = 0.121 or 12.1% 5000 X 0.121 = 606

Thus, stroke occurred more than 3 times as frequently in persons with MetS-alone as with DM2-alone.

One in four adult Americans has MetS. This is a national disgrace. And a massive Public Health problem. Primary care clinicians bear a great responsibility for guiding patients for prevention, and for treatment once it is established. Clinicians should take the lead by preventing themselves from developing MetS.

Practical Pointers has reported many studies regarding the MetS. To refresh memory, the diagnosis requires 3 of 5 criteria to be present:

1) Elevated fasting Blood glucose -- 100-125 mg/dL

2) BP 130/85 or over, or treatment with antihypertension medication

3) Triglycerides 150 and over

4) HDL-c < 40 in men and < 50 in women

5) Waist circumference > 88 cm in women and > 102 cm in men.

Not all 5 criteria carry equal weight in their association with risk. It is becoming more evident that abdominal obesity may be the greatest culprit. It may carry the greatest potential for development of insulin resistance and hyperinsulinemia.

Eradication Results in Modest Improvements in Patients with Dyspepsia

1-10 IMPACT OF HELICOBACTER ERADICATION ON DYSPEPSIA, HEALTH RESOURCE USE, AND QUALITY OF LIFE; The Bristol Helicobacter Project.

This study determined the impact of a community-based H pylori screening and eradication program on incidence of dyspepsia.

A program in 7 general practices screened over 10 500 unselected individuals for H pylori. About 25% had dyspepsia. All were screened by a ¹³C urea breath test. 15% were positive. Of these, 1558 were randomized to a 2 week course of 1) eradication treatment with ranitidine bismuth citrate and clarithromycin, or 2) placebo.

Followed for up to 2 years for rates of primary care consultations for dyspepsia to determine if eradication influenced subsequent dyspepsia.

Treatment eradicated 91% of the infections.

Subsequently consulted for dyspepsia over the subsequent 2 years:

Treated group 55/787 = 7/100

Placebo group 78/771 = 10/100

Number needed to treat to avoid one subsequent consultation for dyspepsia = 33.

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As the investigators suggest, a trial entering only patients with dyspepsia (rather than patients selected from the general population) would likely yield a greater benefit from treatment. .

In general, treatment of the infection in patients with functional dyspepsia associated with H pylori will relieve the symptom in about 5% to 10%. Whether to test and treat depends on negotiations between patient with dyspepsia and physician. The patient may be told that eradication will cure and prevent peptic ulcer, and prevent some gastric cancers. The downside would be the cost and possible adverse effects of eradication treatment. And the likely increase in resistance of the organism to clarithromycin.

The study presents a good estimate of the percentage of free-living persons in the community who have the infection (~5% to 10%). I suspect the percentage is similar in the USA.

I suspect that, patients presenting to primary care with prolonged and troublesome dyspepsia will most likely be asked to consider endoscopy first. This would relieve anxiety and lead to more definitive therapy. If the outcome were functional dyspepsia, a “test and treat” approach would lead to reduction in symptoms in a minority of patients.

Fewer False Negative and False Positive Tests

1-11 CDC RECOMMENDS NEW TUBERCULOSIS BLOOD TEST. QuantiFERON-TB Gold

The QuantiFERON-TB Gold in vitro test replaces the older QuantiFERON-TB test which is no longer available. The CDC believes it is more accurate and represents a considerable advance over the original QuantiFERON-TB test. (MMWR December 16, 2005)

The test detects the release of interferon-gamma in fresh heparinized whole blood from sensitized persons when it is incubated with two synthetic peptides which simulate two proteins present in M tuberculosis.

No Proved Benefits

1-12 MAGNET THERAPY

Magnetic bracelets, insoles, wrist and knee bands are claimed to be therapeutic. They have been advertised to cure a vast array of ills, particularly pain. A Google search yielded over 20 000 pages, most of which tout healing properties.

Many “controlled” experiments are suspect because it is difficult to blind subjects.

Published research, both theoretical and experimental, is weighted heavily against any therapeutic benefit.

“Patients should be advised that magnet therapy has no proved benefits.” If they insist on using a magnetic device, they could be advised to buy the cheapest. This will at least alleviate the pain in their wallet.”

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The powerful placebo effect undoubtedly influences patients’ perception of benefit.

How should primary care clinicians advise magnet-use for their patients? I believe it depends on the circumstances:

1) If patients ask beforehand if magnets provide any benefit, they can be advised that there is no scientific evidence that they benefit. Then let the patients decide.

2) If patients are already using magnets and claim they receive benefit, I would be reluctant to dissuade them. I would let the placebo effect lie unrestrained. There is no associated harm.

1-13 VENOUS THROMBOEMBOLISM—18 POINTS

(Review articles appear frequently. They are interesting and informative, but long and difficult to abstract. This is an experiment. These few points emphasize the important and serve as a memory-jogger. Is it helpful? I would appreciate feed-back. Is it helpful? RTJ)

ABSTRACTS JANUARY 2006

One Simple Non-Threatening Question To Probe Spiritual Concerns At The End Of Life.

1-1 ARE YOU AT PEACE?

Acknowledging the importance of emotional and spiritual issues at the end of life constitutes compassionate and comprehensive palliative care. Some physicians may question the appropriateness of their role in probing patients’ spiritual distress, as well as the practicality of addressing such issues in the time-limited setting of usual practice. Yet, a patient’s spirituality often influences treatment choices, and endows personal resources during serious illness.

A practical and evidence-based approach to discussing spiritual concerns, such as this investigation presents, may improve quality of care at the end of life.

Previous investigations reported that a positive end-of-life experience is associated with “coming to peace”, or “being at peace”. For many persons, this sense of peacefulness in related to a religious notion of “being at peace with God”; for others it is a non-theological sense of tranquility. A sense of peacefulness may result from a clear decision about whether to continue chemotherapy, or assurance that pain and symptoms will be managed.

In some circumstances, peacefulness may lie in resolving conflicts with a loved one or within oneself; or in the relationship with God. Spiritual reflection on the meaning of illness may precede the subjective experience of peacefulness.

Resolution within the biomedical, psychosocial, and spiritual domains of life often precedes the experience of peacefulness. For some patients at the end of life, attention to issues of peacefulness is related to an antecedent, broader theme of life-closure, or “completion”.

This study explored the applicability of the concept of peacefulness, and translated qualitative attributes of what is important at the end of life into quantitative terms.

Conclusion: Asking patients about the extent to which they are at peace offers a brief gateway to assessing spiritual concerns.

STUDY

1. Respondents (n = 248) completed several questionnaires which assessed quality-of-life at the end of life. All had advanced cancer, severe heart failure, severe COPD, or renal failure.

2. Examined distributions of several religious and non-religious alternative wordings “at peace with God”; “at peace with my personal relationships”; “at peace with myself”.

3. To promote inclusiveness, the final wording was the simple question--“Are you at peace?”

RESULTS

1. Ninety % agreed with the importance of “coming to peace with God”.

2. Ranked equally, and as most important, “freedom from pain” and “being at peace with God”.

3. Items measuring peacefulness correlated highly with having a chance to say goodbye; with making a positive difference in the lives of others; giving others gifts and wisdom; sharing deepest thoughts; and having a sense of meaning in life.

4. Variations in patient responses were not explained by demographic categories, or diagnosis. There was a broad applicability across patients

5. Feeling at peace was strongly correlated with emotional and spiritual well-being.

6. Older patients with advanced illness reported greater levels of peacefulness.

DISCUSSION

1. Dying patients confront complex spiritual concerns that influence the course of their illness, treatments chosen, relationships with loved ones, and overall quality of life.

2. These fundamental issues may not be readily elicited in the usual clinical encounter. Clinicians may struggle to initiate such a discussion in a non-threatening, inclusive manner. How the question is asked is important. “What are your religious or spiritual beliefs?” may evoke mistrust and intrude on personal boundaries, causing patients to question physicians’ motivations.

3. “The results of this study suggest that the concept of patients’ sense of being at peace may be a point in which to initiate a conversation about emotional and spiritual concerns in a non-threatening manner.”

4. Spirituality has been defined as the search for the ultimate meaning and purpose of life. This often involves a relationship with the transcendent. Emotional and spiritual well-being underpin the broadly worded construct of “being at peace”.

5. The concept of asking about peace may be a gateway to larger discussions about values, preferences, and life experiences.

6. Patients’ end-of-life experiences are constructed by multidimensional layers of relationships of physiological and biochemical processes, cognitive understandings, interpersonal connections, and bonds to the transcendent. Asking patients about the extent to which they are at peace may initiate discussions that relieve suffering in all of these dimensions.

7. Indeed, spiritual concerns affect patients’ choices throughout life, not only at end-of-life.

CONCLUSION

Archives Int Med January 9, 2006; 166: 101-105 Original investigation, first author Karen F Seinhauser, V A Medical Center, Durham, NC.

Once Burned; Twice Shy

1-2 IMPACT OF ADVERSE EVENTS ON PRESCRIBING WARFARIN IN PATIENTS WITH ATRIAL FIBRILLATION

Long-term anticoagulation with warfarin reduces the risk of stroke associated with atrial fibrillation (AF). Only 30%-60% of appropriate patients receive warfarin. Physicians’ overestimation the risks of anticoagulation is the most consistently cited explanation for the observed patterns of use.

This study quantified the influence of physicians’ experiences of adverse events in patients for whom they had prescribed warfarin on their subsequent prescribing practices.

Conclusion: Physicians’ experience with bleeding events can influence their subsequent prescribing habits. Conversely, ischemic stroke occurring in patients with AF who were not treated with anticoagulation may not affect subsequent prescribing.

STUDY

1. Retrospective cohort study included all patients with AF admitted to the hospital for 1) major hemorrhage while taking warfarin, and 2) patients with AF who experienced an embolic stroke while not taking warfarin.

2. Considered patients who experienced severe gastrointestinal bleeding or hemorrhagic stroke while taking warfarin during the 120 days before admission to the hospital. Determined likelihood that the doctor who prescribed the warfarin would prescribe it to the next patient presenting with AF. If a physician treated a patient with warfarin and the patient had serious bleeding, would this experience influence prescribing warfarin for a second patient who has AF?

3. Considered patients with AF who experienced an ischemic stroke during the preceding 120 days for whom the doctor had not prescribed warfarin. Determined the likelihood that the doctor would prescribe warfarin to the next patient with AF who consults him.

RESULTS

1. Over 500 physicians treated a patient with AF who had major bleeding while on warfarin, and then treated another patient with AF within the next 90 days.

2. The odds that a physician would prescribe warfarin for a second patient were 21% lower after a first patient experienced bleeding. (Ie, some physicians were reluctant to again prescribe warfarin.)

3. Conversely, there were no significant changes in warfarin prescribing after a patient had a stroke while not taking warfarin. (Ie, the physician was no more likely to prescribe warfarin for a second patient with AF despite this adverse outcome.)

DISCUSSION

1. “Our findings provide further insight about reasons for underuse of warfarin in the treatment of atrial fibrillation.”

2. And more generally, about patterns of care for other similar conditions.

BMJ January 21, 2006; 332: 141-43 Original investigation, first author Niteesh K Choudhry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA

An editorial in this issue of BMJ (p 129-130) by Kieran Sweeney, Peninsula Medical School, Exeter, UK, comments and expands on the study:

The study is a brave attempt to quantify the under-recognized notion of personal knowledge in clinical practice. The researchers wanted to know if a previous adverse event affected subsequent prescribing.

Patients conduct similar internal consultations, adding the experience of a consultation to their previous intellectual and emotional understanding of illness.

“Statistical experience” and “clin