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Background: The COVID‐19 pandemic poses risks to the quality of life (QoL) of relatives of individuals with intellectual disabilities. This paper investigates relatives' QoL and associated risk and buffering factors before and during the pandemic. Method: Surveys were administered to three samples of relatives in the Netherlands in 2019 (N = 105) and during the first waves of COVID‐19 in June (N = 207) and October 2020 (N = 332). Associations between QoL and care burden, care competence, social support, and resilience, and changes over time were analysed using (logistic) regressions. Results: No significant changes in overall QoL nor its domains were found. Care burden was negatively associated with QoL and increased during the pandemic. Care competence was lower than in 2019. Competence, social support, and resilience were positively associated with QoL. Conclusions: Although relatives' QoL remained stable, the pandemic poses non‐negligible risks to their wellbeing. It is, therefore, crucial to provide relatives with adequate support. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Resistance exercise training is effective to counteract the adverse effects of androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) on body composition, muscle mass and leg strength in prostate cancer patients (PCa). However, it is unknown whether these effects can be autonomously maintained after cessation of the supervised program. Sixty‐eight PCa patients on ADT were included. The exercise intervention group (EX, n = 37) performed 20 weeks of supervised resistance exercise training. Thereafter, patients were advised to autonomously continue exercise training. The control group (CON, n = 31) only received usual care. Outcome measures were compared between baseline and after 1 year. Changes during the intervention (baseline vs. 20 weeks) and follow‐up period (20 weeks vs. 1 year) were descriptively explored. In EX, 83% reported to have continued exercise training themselves. After 1 year, fat mass gains were attenuated in EX compared to CON (1.2 ± 2.6 and 2.8 ± 1.9 kg, respectively; time × treatment effect p = 0.032). The fat percentage increased, and lean mass and quadriceps muscle cross‐sectional area decreased over time, with no differences between groups (overall 1.6 ± 2.1%, −0.7 ± 2.3 kg and −2.2 ± 2.9 cm2, respectively; time effects, all p < 0.05). For muscle strength, an increase of ∼5% in EX was observed, significantly different from the ∼10% decrease in CON (p < 0.001). Subsequent analyses showed that the initial exercise training‐obtained gains in lean mass, muscle mass and strength in EX compared to CON, declined during the follow‐up period. In conclusion, PCa patients on ADT are not capable to autonomously maintain the exercise‐obtained gains of a 20‐week supervised training program over a subsequent 1‐year period. Highlights: ADT for prostate cancer results in many side effects, including muscle mass lossA supervised resistance exercise training program can counteract many side effectsAfter cessation of the supervised program, exercise benefits are not effectively preservedMore focus on sustainability of exercise programs during ADT is required [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To evaluate the rate of preterm birth (PTB) in a subsequent pregnancy in women who had undergone term induction using a Foley catheter compared with prostaglandins.Methods: This was a follow-up study of two large randomized controlled trials (PROBAAT-1 and PROBAAT-2). In the original trials, women with a term singleton pregnancy with the fetus in cephalic presentation and with an indication for labor induction were randomized to receive either a 30-mL Foley catheter or prostaglandins (vaginal prostaglandin E2 in PROBAAT-1 and oral misoprostol in PROBAAT-2). Data on subsequent ongoing pregnancies > 16 weeks' gestation were collected from hospital charts from clinics participating in this follow-up study. The main outcome measure was preterm birth < 37 weeks' gestation in a subsequent pregnancy.Results: Fourteen hospitals agreed to participate in this follow-up study. Of the 1142 eligible women, 572 had been allocated to induction of labor using a Foley catheter and 570 to induction of labor using prostaglandins. Of these, 162 (14%) were lost to follow-up. In total, 251 and 258 women had a known subsequent pregnancy > 16 weeks' gestation in the Foley catheter and prostaglandin groups, respectively. There were no differences in baseline characteristics between the groups. The overall rate of PTB in a subsequent pregnancy was 9/251 (3.6%) in the Foley catheter group vs 10/258 (3.9%) in the prostaglandin group (relative risk (RR), 0.93; 95% CI, 0.38-2.24), and the rate of spontaneous PTB was 5/251 (2.0%) vs 5/258 (1.9%) (RR, 1.03; 95% CI, 0.30-3.51).Conclusion: In women with term singleton pregnancy, induction of labor using a 30-mL Foley catheter is not associated with an increased risk of PTB in a subsequent pregnancy, as compared to induction of labor using prostaglandins. © 2020 The Authors. Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Doppler ultrasound cardiotocography is a non-invasive alternative that, despite its poor specificity, is often first choice for intrapartum monitoring. Doppler ultrasound suffers from signal loss due to fetal movements and is negatively correlated with maternal body mass index (BMI). Reported accuracy of fetal heart rate monitoring by Doppler ultrasound varies between 10.6 and 14.3 bpm and reliability between 62.4% and 73%. The fetal scalp electrode (FSE) is considered the reference standard for fetal monitoring but can only be applied after membranes have ruptured with sufficient cervical dilatation and is sometimes contra-indicated. A non-invasive alternative that overcomes the shortcomings of Doppler ultrasound, providing reliable information on fetal heart rate, could be the answer. Non-invasive fetal electrocardiography (NI-fECG) uses a wireless electrode patch on the maternal abdomen to obtain both fetal and maternal heart rate signals as well as an electrohysterogram. We aimed to validate a wireless NI-fECG device for intrapartum monitoring in term singleton pregnancies, by comparison with the FSE.Material and Methods: We performed a multicenter cross-sectional observational study at labor wards of 6 hospitals located in the Netherlands, Belgium, and Spain. Laboring women with a healthy singleton fetus in cephalic presentation and gestational age between 36 and 42 weeks were included. Participants received an abdominal electrode patch and FSE after written informed consent. Accuracy, reliability, and success rate of fetal heart rate readings were determined, using FSE as reference standard. Analysis was performed for the total population and measurement period as well as separated by labor stage and BMI class (≤30 and >30 kg/m2 ).Results: We included a total of 125 women. Simultaneous registrations with NI-fECG and FSE were available in 103 women. Overall accuracy is -1.46 bpm and overall reliability 86.84%. Overall success rate of the NI-fECG is around 90% for the total population as well as for both BMI subgroups. Success rate dropped to 63% during second stage of labor, similar results are found when looking at the separate BMI groups.Conclusions: Performance measures of the NI-fECG device are good in the overall group and the separate BMI groups. Compared with Doppler ultrasound performance measures from the literature, NI-fECG is a more accurate alternative. Especially, when women have a higher BMI, NI-fECG performs well, resembling FSE performance measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: We performed an independent validation study of all published first trimester prediction models, containing non-invasive predictors, for the risk of gestational diabetes mellitus. Furthermore, the clinical potential of the best performing models was evaluated.Material and Methods: Systemically selected prediction models from the literature were validated in a Dutch prospective cohort using data from Expect Study I and PRIDE Study. The predictive performance of the models was evaluated by discrimination and calibration. Clinical utility was assessed using decision curve analysis. Screening performance measures were calculated at different risk thresholds for the best model and compared with current selective screening strategies.Results: The validation cohort included 5260 women. Gestational diabetes mellitus was diagnosed in 127 women (2.4%). The discriminative performance of the 12 included models ranged from 68% to 75%. Nearly all models overestimated the risk. After recalibration, agreement between the observed outcomes and predicted probabilities improved for most models.Conclusions: The best performing prediction models showed acceptable performance measures and may enable more personalized medicine-based antenatal care for women at risk of developing gestational diabetes mellitus compared with current applied strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Low-dose aspirin (LDA) prophylaxis has been shown to reduce women's preeclampsia risk. Evidence regarding LDA adherence rates of pregnant women is based almost exclusively on clinical trials, giving a potentially biased picture. Moreover, these studies do not report on determinants of adherence. Since 2017, obstetric healthcare professionals in a Dutch region have assessed women's preeclampsia risk by means of a prediction tool and counseled those with an above-population average risk on LDA as a prophylactic measure.Material and Methods: From 2017 to 2018, 865 women were recruited in multiple centers and prospectively followed using web-based surveys (Expect Study II). Rates and determinants of LDA usage among women with an increased preeclampsia risk in daily practice were assessed. Results were compared with findings in a similar cohort from a care-as-usual setting lacking risk-based counseling (Expect Study I, n = 2614). Netherlands Trial Register NTR4143.Results: In total, 306 women had a predicted increased preeclampsia risk. LDA usage was higher for women receiving risk-based care than care-as-usual (29.4% vs 1.5%, odds ratio 19.1, 95% confidence interval 11.2-32.5). Daily LDA usage was positively correlated with both predicted risk and women's concerns regarding preeclampsia. Most reported reasons for non- or incomplete use were unawareness of LDA as a preventive intervention, concerns about potential adverse effects and doubts regarding the benefits.Conclusions: Risk-based counseling was associated with a higher prevalence of LDA usage, but general usage rates were low. Future research regarding potential factors improving the usage of LDA during pregnancy is necessary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Recent evidence is emerging indicating long-term effects in infants born after an episode of preterm labour (PTL), even if birth is at term. This population-based study compared long-term rates of outcomes and health-care utilisation (HCU) in children born following spontaneous preterm labour, irrespective of gestational age at delivery or of an uncomplicated pregnancy (SPTLu), with children born following full-term labour (FTL), overall stratified by comorbidity status and assessed using a composite morbidity measure (CM).Methods: Retrospective data on mother-neonate pairs were collected from a patient-linked dataset from the Netherlands Perinatal Registry and the PHARMO Database Network. Children born between 2000 and 2010 were followed until 2012.Results: Of pregnancies in 134 006 mother-neonate pairs, 122 894 (92%) pregnancies resulted in FTL, and 11 112 (8%) resulted in PTL. Of the PTL pregnancies, 6599 (59%) were SPTLu. Mean follow-up after birth was 6.6-6.7 years. Children from SPTLu pregnancies were at increased risk of neurodevelopmental and respiratory conditions compared with those from FTL pregnancies. In children from SPTLu pregnancies, the presence of the CM was associated with an increased risk of respiratory conditions and failure to thrive. Post-natal hospitalisations (incidence rate (IR) per 100 patient-years: 18.1 vs. 11.7) and specialist referrals (IR per 1000 patient-years: 290.6 vs. 184.5) occurred significantly more frequently in children from SPTLu versus FTL pregnancies.Conclusion: The increased risk of morbidities and HCU in children born following SPTLu pregnancy in this population-based setting reinforces the need for safe interventions that can effectively halt labour and lead to an improvement in childhood outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To assess the external validity of all published first-trimester prediction models based on routinely collected maternal predictors for the risk of small- and large-for-gestational-age (SGA and LGA) infants. Furthermore, the clinical potential of the best-performing models was evaluated.Design: Multicentre prospective cohort.Setting: Thirty-six midwifery practices and six hospitals (in the Netherlands).Population: Pregnant women were recruited at <16 weeks of gestation between 1 July 2013 and 31 December 2015.Methods: Prediction models were systematically selected from the literature. Information on predictors was obtained by a web-based questionnaire. Birthweight centiles were corrected for gestational age, parity, fetal sex, and ethnicity.Main Outcome Measures: Predictive performance was assessed by means of discrimination (C-statistic) and calibration.Results: The validation cohort consisted of 2582 pregnant women. The outcomes of SGA <10th percentile and LGA >90th percentile occurred in 203 and 224 women, respectively. The C-statistics of the included models ranged from 0.52 to 0.64 for SGA (n = 6), and from 0.60 to 0.69 for LGA (n = 6). All models yielded higher C-statistics for more severe cases of SGA (<5th percentile) and LGA (>95th percentile). Initial calibration showed poor-to-moderate agreement between the predicted probabilities and the observed outcomes, but this improved substantially after recalibration.Conclusion: The clinical relevance of the models is limited because of their moderate predictive performance, and because the definitions of SGA and LGA do not exclude constitutionally small or large infants. As most clinically relevant fetal growth deviations are related to 'vascular' or 'metabolic' factors, models predicting hypertensive disorders and gestational diabetes are likely to be more specific.Tweetable Abstract: The clinical relevance of prediction models for the risk of small- and large-for-gestational-age is limited. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: A higher body mass index (BMI) is associated with better survival in heart failure (HF) patients, also known as the obesity paradox. However, BMI does not account for body composition. We therefore analysed the association between abdominal fat, measured via waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), BMI and all-cause mortality in patients with HF.Methods and Results: For this analysis, 1738 patients from the Scottish BIOlogy Study to TAilored Treatment in Chronic Heart Failure (BIOSTAT-CHF) validation study were included. Patients without waist and hip measurements were excluded. WHR was defined as waist circumference/hip circumference, divided into tertiles and split for sex. A linear regression of principal components from an extensive panel of biomarkers was performed to provide insight in the pathophysiology behind a higher WHR. In total, 1479 patients were included, of which 33% were female and mean age was 75 ±11 years. A higher WHR was independently associated with a higher BMI, a higher prevalence of diabetes and higher New York Heart Association functional class. There was a significant interaction between sex and WHR on its association with mortality (P <0.001). In women, a higher WHR was associated with a higher mortality risk [hazard ratio (HR) 2.23, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.37-3.63; P =0.001], whereas no significant association was found in men (HR 0.87, 95% CI 0.63-1.20; P = 0.409). We found a strong association between a higher WHR and elevated markers of inflammation and MAPK cascade in women, while these associations were less profound in men.Conclusions: A higher WHR was associated with a higher risk of death in female but not in male HF patients. These findings challenge the obesity paradox, and suggest that fat deposition is pathophysiologically harmful and may be a target for therapy in female patients with HF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Smoking and caffeine consumption show a strong positive correlation, but the mechanism underlying this association is unclear. Explanations include shared genetic/environmental factors or causal effects. This study employed three methods to investigate the association between smoking and caffeine. First, bivariate genetic models were applied to data of 10 368 twins from the Netherlands Twin Register in order to estimate genetic and environmental correlations between smoking and caffeine use. Second, from the summary statistics of meta-analyses of genome-wide association studies on smoking and caffeine, the genetic correlation was calculated by LD-score regression. Third, causal effects were tested using Mendelian randomization analysis in 6605 Netherlands Twin Register participants and 5714 women from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children. Through twin modelling, a genetic correlation of r0.47 and an environmental correlation of r0.30 were estimated between current smoking (yes/no) and coffee use (high/low). Between current smoking and total caffeine use, this was r0.44 and r0.00, respectively. LD-score regression also indicated sizeable genetic correlations between smoking and coffee use (r0.44 between smoking heaviness and cups of coffee per day, r0.28 between smoking initiation and coffee use and r0.25 between smoking persistence and coffee use). Consistent with the relatively high genetic correlations and lower environmental correlations, Mendelian randomization provided no evidence for causal effects of smoking on caffeine or vice versa. Genetic factors thus explain most of the association between smoking and caffeine consumption. These findings suggest that quitting smoking may be more difficult for heavy caffeine consumers, given their genetic susceptibility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To identify maternal-, operator- and procedure-related variables that affect procedure-related pregnancy loss after transcervical (TC) and transabdominal (TA) chorionic villus sampling (CVS) and amniocentesis and to estimate the rates of spontaneous and procedure-related loss in comparable subgroups of women.Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study conducted at the University Medical Center Groningen and the Academic Medical Center, The Netherlands. Databases of both centers were searched to identify singleton pregnancies that had undergone a combined test and/or anomaly scan at around 20 weeks' gestation, or an invasive procedure (CVS and/or amniocentesis) between January 2001 and December 2011. Maternal characteristics, obstetric history, technical aspects of the invasive procedure, ultrasound examinations and fetal and neonatal outcomes were available for 29 201 cases. Women were categorized, according to the type of examination they had received, into the following five groups: first-trimester combined test (and 20-week anomaly scan); 20-week anomaly scan only; CVS; amniocentesis; amniocentesis after unsuccessful CVS. Rates of fetal loss were compared between groups.Results: Variables significantly associated with a higher rate of fetal loss were, for CVS, repeat attempts during the procedure, use of TC cannula instead of biopsy forceps, gestational age at procedure ≥ 13 weeks and a pregnancy after assisted reproductive techniques, and, for amniocentesis, if indication was fetal anomaly or family history of anomalies and repeat attempts during the procedure. In women aged ≥ 36 years who did not undergo an invasive procedure, spontaneous fetal loss rate (FLR) after first-trimester combined test was 1.40%, whereas after CVS, FLR was 2.76% and 2.43% for a TC and TA approach, respectively. The additional risk of fetal loss with TC-CVS was therefore 1.36% (1 : 74), which varied according to the instrument used (0.27% for forceps and 3.12% for cannula), and with TA-CVS was 1.03% (1 : 97). In women aged ≥ 36 years who underwent a 20-week anomaly scan only, spontaneous FLR was 0.63%. In women who underwent amniocentesis solely because of advanced maternal age, FLR was 1.11%. The additional risk of fetal loss with amniocentesis was 0.48% (1 : 208).Conclusion: The total rate of procedure-related fetal loss after TA- and TC-CVS and amniocentesis appears lower than the risks on which women are currently counseled. There was a trend for a decrease in risk when the level of experience of the operator increased. Copyright © 2016 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To determine the efficacy of web-based training on activity capacity and performance in children with unilateral cerebral palsy (CP).Method: In a matched-pairs randomized waitlist controlled trial, independently ambulant children and adolescents with unilateral CP were allocated to receive 30 minutes of training (intervention) 6 days per week, or usual care (waitlist control) for 20 weeks. Activity capacity was assessed using maximal repetitions of functional strength tasks and 6-minute walk test (6MWT); performance using 4-day ActiGraph GT3X+ accelerometer records at baseline and 20 weeks. Data were analysed by intention to treat comparing between groups using hierarchical linear modelling.Results: Participants were n=101, 52 males, mean age 11 years 3 months (SD 2y 4mo). Intervention participants completed a mean 32.4 hours (SD 17.2) of training, associated with significant improvements in functional strength (mean difference 19.3 repetitions; 95% confidence interval [CI] 10.8-27.7; p<0.001) and 6MWT distance (mean difference 38.9m; 95% CI 12.3-51.9; p<0.001) compared with the control group at 20 weeks, although not activity performance (p>0.05).Interpretation: Training was effective at increasing functional strength and walking endurance in independently ambulant children with unilateral CP. This did not translate into improvements in activity performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: To assess the performance of whole-body MRI including diffusion-weighted imaging (whole-body MRI-DWI) for the detection of residual disease after completion of treatment in lymphoma patients.Methods: Twenty-six patients with lymphoma prospectively underwent whole-body MRI-DWI (1.5 Tesla MR) and 18F-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET)/computed tomography (CT) for posttreatment evaluation which were visually assessed. Apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and FDG-PET/CT standardized uptake value measurements were performed in all residual lesions. An unblinded expert panel reviewed all cases and determined the presence or absence of posttreatment residual disease using all available imaging (except for whole-body MRI-DWI), clinical, and histopathological information with a follow-up of at least 6 months. The performance of whole-body MRI-DWI was compared with this panel reference standard.Results: Five of 26 patients were diagnosed with residual disease. Sensitivity and specificity for detection of residual disease with whole-body MRI-DWI were 100% and 62%, respectively. By ROC analysis, the optimal threshold of ADC was 1.21 × 10(-3) mm(2) /s with sensitivity and specificity of 100% and 91.7%, respectively.Conclusion: Our initial results suggest that visual whole-body MRI-DWI analysis has a very good sensitivity for detecting viable residual lesions after completion of therapy but lacks specificity. ADC measurements could potentially increase the specificity of whole-body MRI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To describe influences on decision-making and prognostic variables in the prenatal management of fetal lower urinary tract obstruction (LUTO).Methods: This was a prospective registry study of pregnant women with a male fetus with LUTO from centers within the British Isles and The Netherlands. Women and/or their clinicians were given the treatment option of either conservative management or vesicoamniotic shunting (VAS). Baseline characteristics of women in the registry, reasons for entry to the registry and pregnancy outcomes were assessed. The main study outcomes were survival to 28 days after delivery, further survival to 2 years and renal function. Logistic regression analysis was used to examine prognostic variables that affected outcome. Results were compared with those of women in a randomized controlled trial (RCT) who were allocated randomly to a treatment option.Results: Forty-five women were registered, of whom 78% (35/45) underwent conservative management. Twenty-seven women entered the registry owing to their clinician's preference for management and 18 because of their own preference. Compared to the conservative-management group of the RCT, a higher proportion of women in the registry opting for conservative management had a normal amniotic fluid volume at diagnosis (P = 0.05) and a diagnosis of LUTO ≥ 24 weeks' gestation (P = 0.003). On multivariable logistic regression analysis, these variables showed a significant association with perinatal survival (P < 0.001). Survival to 28 days after delivery was higher in the conservative-management group, at 69% (24/35), compared to 40% (4/10) in the VAS group (P = 0.02) but this difference had limited statistical significance owing to small study size (relative risk, 0.58 (95% CI, 0.26-1.29); P = 0.14).Conclusion: In our prospective registry, the majority of fetuses with LUTO received conservative management, which was associated with better short- and long-term outcomes. A significant proportion of these pregnancies had normal amniotic fluid volume and a gestational age at diagnosis of ≥ 24 weeks, characteristics shown to be associated with improved survival. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose To describe the concurrent incidence of pressure ulcers, urinary tract infections, and falls in hospitals and nursing homes, and the preventive care given. Additionally, the correlation between the occurrence of these adverse events and preventive care was explored. Design and Settings A prospective, 3-month, cohort study at 10 hospitals and 10 nursing homes in the Netherlands. Participants 687 hospital patients and 241 nursing home patients. Main Outcome Measures The incidence of three adverse events and preventive care given to patients at risk. During weekly visits, the patients and their files were assessed. Additionally, observations were performed. Results Seventy-seven hospital patients (11%) and 111 nursing home patients (46%) developed one or more adverse events. The incidence rate for both types of patients, and for the three adverse events combined, was 9% adverse events per patient week. In hospitals, 34% of the patients received adequate pressure ulcer preventive care, while 47% of the patients received adequate urinary tract infection preventive care, and none of the patients received adequate falls preventive care. In nursing homes, 18% of the patients received adequate pressure ulcer preventive care, 42% of the patients received adequate urinary tract infection preventive care, and less than 1% of the patients received adequate falls prevention care. Negative or no correlations were found between the incidence rates for the three adverse events. In nursing homes the incidence of pressure ulcers and preventive care were positively correlated. Conclusions There is a high incidence of adverse events in hospitals and nursing homes. Many patients at risk do not receive adequate preventive care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A multicenter prospective randomized clinical trial was undertaken to investigate the effectiveness of the Australian Medical Sheepskin (AMS) in the prevention of sacral pressure ulcers in somatic nursing home patients. Patients were randomized at admission and were then followed daily for 30 days. The experimental group received usual care plus an AMS as a layer on the mattress within ultimately 48 hours after admission; the control group received usual care only. Usual care was all the care that nursing wards normally applied for pressure ulcer prevention without any further standardization for this study. A total of 588 patients were randomized (293 control and 295 experimental group) and the data of 543 patients could be analyzed (272 from the control and 271 from the experimental group). The incidence of sacral pressure ulcers grade 1 or higher was significantly lower in the experimental group than in the control group (8.9% vs. 14.7%). In a multilevel analysis on the incidence of pressure ulcers adjusted for Braden risk score, age, and gender, it shows an odds ratio of 0.53 (95% confidence interval: 0.29-0.95), meaning a significant protective effect of the AMS. These results are in line with the results of two earlier trials on the AMS in hospital patients. The majority of patients in our trial that used an AMS rated it positively, but one-third found the sheepskin too warm. We conclude that the AMS is an effective aid in the prevention of sacral pressure ulcers in nursing home patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Unlabelled: Owing to a lack of longitudinal studies, the effect of centralization of care on pulmonary function and survival remains unclear. Three different levels of involvement of centralized care in the treatment of paediatric cystic fibrosis patients were compared with regard to longitudinal pulmonary function and nutritional and microbiological status in a 3-y period, and the literature was reviewed on the possible advantages and disadvantages of centralized care. The study included 105 paediatric patients attending the Cystic Fibrosis Centre between January 1997 and January 2001. Twenty-three patients were treated by local paediatricians according to the protocol of the Centre and were seen only once a year at the Centre, for an annual check-up (local care). Forty-one patients were treated at the Centre only (centralized care). The remaining 41 patients were treated in close cooperation between the Centre and local hospitals, with patients visiting the doctors alternately (shared care). The mean annual changes in pulmonary function and body mass index from all patients, as well as a microbiological survey, were reviewed. No significant differences were found between the three groups for annual changes in FEV1, FVC and body mass index, nor did the review of microbial colonization show any significant differences between the groups. Because the groups in this study were relatively small, the results might have been influenced by lack of power.Conclusion: In this relatively small group, no differences in pulmonary function, nutritional status or microbiological colonization between the three levels of involvement of centralized care could be found. This could signify that local paediatricians have a special role in the care for patients with cystic fibrosis, in close cooperation with the specialists at the Centre. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]