Introdução: A asma e a DPOC são doenças crônicas inflamatórias que afetam a qualidade de vida dos pacientes. O tratamento medicamentoso é feito, em sua maioria, por via inalatória utilizando para isso os dispositivos inalatórios. O uso incorreto dos dispositivos inalatórios diminui a eficácia dos medicamentos, o que pode ocasionar a não aderência dos pacientes ao tratamento. Vários tipos de programas educativos para asma e DPOC têm sido desenvolvidos, diferenciando-se quanto à forma de abordagem, à situação em que a doença é atendida e aos desfechos considerados. O farmacêutico por meio de um programa educacional pode orientar os pacientes sobre a técnica correta dos dispositivos inalatórios e auxiliar este paciente na adesão ao tratamento. Objetivos: Realizar a compilação e sistematização dos resultados dos trabalhos apresentados pelo programa de atenção farmacêutica aos pacientes asmáticos e portadores de DPOC do ICHC FMUSP e do programa de pós-graduação de Fisiopatologia Experimental. Método: estudo retrospectivo e descritivo dos trabalhos de conclusão dos alunos do Curso de Aprimoramento Profissional em Farmácia Hospitalar e Introdução a Farmácia Clínica da Divisão de Farmácia do ICHC FMUSP e do programa de pós-graduação de Fisiopatologia Experimental da Faculdade de Medicina da USP. Estes estudos desenvolveram a temática da atenção farmacêutica e educação em asma e em DPOC, apresentados entre os anos de 2004 a 2012 que não tiveram artigos ou capítulos de livros publicados. Resultados: Foram enviados três capítulos para publicação no livro Atenção Farmacêutica - Gestão e Prática do HCFMUSP e um artigo será publicado no Jornal Brasileiro de Pneumologia. Conclusão: Publicações acadêmicas com o tema atenção farmacêutica ao paciente portador de doenças respiratórias crônicas demonstram a importânica da orientação/ educação desses pacientes quanto ao tratamento de suas doenças respiratórias / Introduction: Asthma and COPD are chronic inflammatory diseases that affect the quality of life of patients. Drug treatment is done mostly by inhalation, using for it inhalation devices. Incorrect use of inhalers decreases the effectiveness of medications which can cause non-adherence of patients to treatment. Various types of educational programs for asthma and COPD have been developed, differing on the mode the approach, the situation in which the disease is answered and the outcomes considered. The pharmacist through an educational program can educate patients about the proper technique of inhalation devices and assisting the patient to adhere to treatment. Objectives: Perform the compilation and systematization from studies data submitted by the pharmaceutical care program for patients with asthma and COPD developed by pharmacists from course of improvement of the Division of Pharmacy ICHC USP and also by the program of graduate Experimental Pathophysiology, Faculty of Medicine, USP. Method: A retrospective, descriptive study with the outcomes of studies of the students that completed the course in Professional Development Course in Hospital Pharmacy and Introduction to Clinical Pharmacy, of Division of Pharmacy of ICHC USP and the program graduate in Experimental Pathophysiology, Faculty of Medicine of USP. The studies show the theme of pharmaceutical care and asthma education and COPD, submitted between the years 2004 to 2012 and who had no articles or book chapters related books published. Results: three book chapters were sent for publication in the book Pharmaceutical Care - Management and Practice HC FMUSP and one article will be published in the Brazilian Journal of Pulmonology. Conclusion: academic publications on the theme pharmaceutical care to patients with chronic respiratory diseases shows the importance orientation/education of patients regarding the treatment of their respiratory diseases

O objetivo do autor neste trabalho foi definir critérios pré-operatórios de invasão do seio cavernoso em imagens de Ressonância Magnética (RM) de pacientes com adenomas hipofisários. Neste estudo retrospectivo, foram revisadas as imagens de RM de 103 pacientes com adenomas hipofisários tratados cirurgicamente (48 com invasão do seio cavernoso) e compararam 8 sinais de imagem com os achados cirúrgicos (critério de referência para invasão). A análise estatística foi realizada utilizando o teste de qui-quadrado (X2), e a sensibilidade, especificidade, valor preditivo positivo(VPP) e valor preditivo negativo (VPN) foram obtidos para cada grupo de sinais. Também foram calculados, por regressão logística, os valores de \"odds ratio\" dos critérios mais significativos, e realizada a regressão logística múltipla para análise conjunta desses critérios. O seio cavernoso não estava invadido com certeza quando: a glândula hipofisária normal estava interposta entre ele e o adenoma (VPP, 100%); o compartimento venoso medial foi visibilizado (VPP, 100%); a porcentagem de envolvimento carotídeo pelo tumor foi menor que 25% (VPN, 100%) e o tumor não cruzava a linha intercarotídea medial (VPN, 100%). A invasão do seio cavernoso era certa (VPP, 100%) se: a porcentagem de envolvimento carotídeo era igual ou maior que 45%; 3 ou mais compartimentos venosos não eram visibilizados e o compartimento venoso lateral não era visibilizado. A presença de invasão era altamente sugestiva quando: o compartimento venoso inferior não era visibilizado (VPP, 92,8%); o tumor cruzava a linha intercarotídea lateral (VPP, 96,1%) e quando a parede dural lateral do seio cavernoso estava abaulada (VPP, 92,3%). Na análise conjunta, o critério com maior significância estatística para invasão foi o envolvimento carotídeo pelo adenoma > 30% / The author\'s objective in this study was to define preoperative MRI criteria of cavernous sinus invasion by pituitary adenoma. In this retrospective study, the authors reviewed the MR images of 103 patients with pituitary adenomas treated surgically (48 with cavernous sinus invasion) and compared 8 groups of MR imaging signs with the surgical findings (the standard of reference criterion for invasion). Statistical analysis was performed using a qui-square test (X2), and the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) were obtained for each group of signs. The odds ratio of the most significant criteria was also obtained and the multiple logistic regression test was used to evaluate the criteria all together. The cavernous sinus was definitely not invaded when: normal pituitary gland was interposed between the adenoma and it (PPV, 100%); the medial venous compartment was depicted (PPV, 100%); the percentage of encasement of the intracavernous internal carotid artery (ICA) was lower than 25% (NPV, 100%) and the medial intercarotid line was not crossed (NPV, 100%). Invasion of the cavernous sinus was certain (PPV, 100%) if: the percentage of encasement of the intracavernous ICA was 45% or greater and three or more venous compartment or the lateral venous compartment was not depicted. It was highly probable invaded if: the inferior venous compartment was not depicted (PPV, 92,8%); the lateral intercarotid line was crossed (PPV, 96,1%) and the lateral dural wall of the cavernous sinus was bulged (PPV, 92,3%). The most valuable criterion of cavernous sinus invasion by statistical analysis was the percentage of encasement of intracavernous ICA >30%.

Introdução: A injúria renal aguda vem se apresentando como uma complicação frequente na população no contexto intra-hospitalar, e as terapias de substituição renal são empregadas como método de tratamento. Neste cenário, o cateter temporário para hemodiálise tornou-se um dispositivo essencial à terapêutica. Todavia, as complicações mecânicas e infecciosas tornaram-se eventos associados à prestação de assistência à saúde, acarretando índices elevados de morbidade e mortalidade nos pacientes acometidos por injúria renal aguda em hemodiálise. Objetivos: avaliar os fatores associados à retirada do cateter temporário para hemodiálise, bem como os motivos relacionados à solicitação de hemocultura e os fatores associados à infecção da corrente sanguínea relacionada ao cateter temporário para hemodiálise. Pacientes e Métodos: trata-se de um estudo observacional retrospectivo, envolvendo pacientes internados em um hospital público universitário de alta complexidade especializado em Cardiologia e Pneumologia, da cidade de São Paulo, Brasil. O estudo foi realizado no período de 01de julho de 2009 - 31de dezembro de 2010, sendo aprovado pela Comissão de Ética para análise de Projetos de Pesquisa (CAPPesq) do HCFMUSP nº0342/11. Resultados: foram avaliados 1.140 pacientes, atendidos pelo serviço de Nefrologia da instituição, dos quais 723 pacientes foram excluídos por não atenderem aos critérios de inclusão e 417 pacientes compuseram a amostra; 657 cateteres temporários foram utilizados durante o período. Os cateteres apresentaram duração média de 13 dias. O fluxo sanguíneo insuficiente para manutenção da hemodiálise foi a principal complicação mecânica associada à retirada do cateter temporário (30,7%), enquanto os fatores relacionados à infecção foram responsáveis por 31,1% dos casos, sendo a febre o principal sinal flogístico. A análise de Kaplan-Meier demonstrou maior sobrevida dos cateteres relacionados aos fatores infecciosos. A infecção da corrente sanguínea (ICS) relacionada ao cateter temporário para hemodiálise foi diagnosticada em 5,5% da população, com taxa de infecção de 5,54/1.000 cateteres-dia. Patógenos Gram negativos foram responsáveis por 52% dos casos de ICS-laboratorial, com predomínio das bactérias da família Enterobacteriacea; seguidas por germes Gram positivos (26%), sendo o Sthapylococcus spp de maior incidência e os fungos representados pela Candida não albicans (22%). Conclusões: fluxo sanguíneo insuficiente foi a principal causa mecânica para a retirada do cateter temporário para hemodiálise. No que concerne aos aspectos infecciosos, demostrou-se a necessidade de vigilância epidemiológica permanente, tendo em vista as altas taxas de suspeita infecciosa. A infecção da corrente sanguínea relacionada ao cateter temporário para hemodiálise apresentou taxas superiores aos preconizados em diretrizes internacionais. Finalmente, o perfil microbiológico identificado sugere predomínio da rota endoluminal de contaminação / Introduction: Acute kidney injury is a frequent complication in hospitalized patients, in which renal replacement therapies are frequently required. In this scenario, temporary venous access catheters for hemodialysis have become an essential therapy device. However, mechanical and infectious complications have become morbid events associated with health care provision, resulting in high morbidity and mortality in these patients. Objectives: To evaluate the factors associated with the removal of temporary catheters for hemodialysis, reasons for the request of blood culture, and the factors associated with bloodstream infection related to temporary catheters for hemodialysis. Patients and Methods: it was performed a retrospective observational study involving patients admitted to a tertiary public hospital specialized in Cardiology and Pneumology in the city of São Paulo, Brazil. The study was conducted between 1st July 2009 - 31st December 2010, and approved by the Ethics Committee for Analysis of Research Projects (CAPPesq) HCFMUSP nº0342/11. Results: A total of 1140 patients were evaluated by the Nephrology attending physicians. From the total sample, 723 patients were excluded for not fulfilling the inclusion criteria, resulting in a final sample of 417 patients with 657 temporary catheters whose mean duration was 13 days. Insufficient blood flow was the main complication associated with mechanical removal of temporary catheters (30.7%) while the factors associated with infection accounted for 31.1%, in which fever was the main infectious signal. The Kaplan-Meier analysis showed higher survival for catheters associated with infectious factors. A bloodstream infection (BSI) related to temporary catheters for hemodialysis was diagnosed in 5.5% of the population with an infection rate of 5.54/1,000 catheter-days. Gram negative pathogens were responsible for 52% of laboratorial ICS, with predominance from Enterobacteriaceae bacteria; followed by Gram positive germs (26%), with predominance of Staphylococcus spp and fungi represented by Candida non-albicans (22%). Conclusions: insufficient blood flow was the main mechanical factor for the removal of temporary catheters for hemodialysis. Regarding the infectious aspects, it was demonstrated the need for rigorous surveillance because of the high rates of suspected infections. Bloodstream infections associated with temporary catheters for hemodialysis presented higher rates than those determined in international guidelines. Finally, the microbiological profile suggests the predominance of endoluminal route of contamination

INTRODUÇÃO: O carcinoma de pulmão de pequenas células (CPPC) e o carcinoma neuroendócrino (CNE) extra-pulmonar apresentam características histopatológicas e tratamentos similares, porém os desfechos encontrados nos dois grupos podem ser diferentes. Avaliamos a expressão de alguns biomarcadores e a associação destes com taxa de resposta (TR) à quimioterapia baseada em platina e sobrevida global (SG) nos dois grupos. METODOS: Realizamos estudo retrospectivo de pacientes com CPPC e CNE extra-pulmonares tratados com quimioterapia baseada em platina. Todas as amostras tumorais foram revisadas pelo mesmo patologista (R.S.S.M.) e analisadas quanto a expressão imunoistoquímica de Ki-67, ERCC1, Bcl-2 e Lin28a, a qual foi determinada através do H-escore (calculado multiplicando o produto da intensidade da coloração - 0 a 3 - com a porcentagem de células positivas - 0 a 100 -, podendo variar de 0 a 300 - positivo quando >= 200). Os biomarcadores foram analisados tanto como variáveis contínuas quanto categóricas e a TR foi determinada por RECIST 1.1. A associação entre a expressão de cada biomarcador e a TR foi avaliada através do teste de qui-quadrado ou teste exato de Fisher para variáveis categóricas e regressão logística simples para variáveis contínuas. Sobrevida global foi estimada por Kaplan-Meier e as curvas foram comparadas por log-rank. O modelo de regressão de cox foi utilizado para avaliar associação entre SG e a expressão de biomarcadores como variável contínua. RESULTADOS: Entre Julho de 2006 e Julho de 2014, 142 pacientes foram identificados: N=82 (57,7%) com CPPC e N=60 (42,3%) com CNE extra-pulmonar. As características clínicas eram semelhantes em ambos os grupos. Mediana de ki67 foi de 60% (7-100) no CPPC e de 50% (20-95%) no segundo grupo (p=0,858). Com uma mediana de 5 ciclos por paciente (N=123 elegíveis para análise de TR), a TR foi de 86,8% no CPPC, enquanto nos com CNE extra-pulmonar, foi de 44,6% (p < 0.001). A mediana de SG (N=132 elegíveis para análise da SG) foi similar entre os grupos (10,3 meses em CPPC e 11,1 meses em CNE extra-pulmonar; p=0,069). Não houve diferença no padrão de expressão do ERCC1 (p=0,277) e do Lin28a (p=0,051) entre os grupos. Bcl2 foi expresso em 38 pacientes (46,3%) com CPPC e em 17 pacientes (28,3%) com CNE extra-pulmonar (p=0,030). Apenas no grupo com CNE extra-pulmonar, a alta expressão do Bcl2 foi associada com pior prognóstico (8,0 meses vs 14,7 meses; p=0,025). A expressão dos demais marcadores em CNE extra-pulmonar e dos quatro em CPPC não apresentou influência sobre a SG, não havendo também associação entre estes e a taxa de resposta à quimioterapia. Dentre os pacientes com CNE extra-pulmonar, não houve diferença na SG ou na TR entre os pacientes com carcinoma bem diferenciado (N=13;) e com carcinoma pouco diferenciado (N=47). CONCLUSÃO: Apesar do CPPC e do CNE extra-pulmonar serem tratados de forma semelhante, nesta coorte a taxa de resposta entre os grupos foi significativamente diferente. Quando comparado com CPPC, os pacientes com CNE extra-pulmonar apresentam uma menor responsividade à quimioterapia baseada em platina, mas com tendência a maior SG. Dentre os CNE extra-pulmonares, a alta expressão de Bcl-2 foi associada a pior prognóstico. Os demais biomarcadores não apresentaram papel preditor de resposta ou prognóstico / INTRODUCTION: Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) and high-grade extrapulmonary neuroendocrine carcinomas (EPNEC) share similar histopathological features and treatment, but outcomes may differ. We evaluated the expression of biomarkers and their association with response rate (RR) to platin-based chemotherapy and overall survival (OS) in these entities. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective analysis of patients with advanced EPNEC and SCLC treated with platinum-based chemotherapy. A single pathologist (R.S.S.M.) revised all samples. Paraffin-embedded tumor samples were tested for Ki-67, ERCC1, Bcl-2 and Lin28a expression by immunohistochemistry (IHC). Final IHC score (H-score) was calculated multiplying the intensity of staining by grading (0-300, with >= 200 considered positive). Biomarkers were analyzed as both categorical and continuous variables. RR was determined by RECIST 1.1. Associations between each biomarkers expression and RR were assessed using Chi-square or Fisher\'s exact test for categorical variables and univariate logistic regression for continuous variables. OS was estimated by the Kaplan-Meier method and curves were compared by log-rank. Cox regression analysis was used to evaluate any association between biomarkers expression (continuous variables) and OS. RESULTS: From July 2006 to July 2014, 142 patients were identified: N=82 (57,7%) with SCLC and N=60 (42,3%) with EPNEC. Baseline clinical characteristics were similar. Median Ki67 was 60% (7-100) among SCLC patients and 50% (20-95%) in EPNEC (p=0,858). With a median of 5 cycles per patient in both groups (N=123 evaluable patients), the RR was significantly higher in the SCLC group (86,8% vs 44.6%; p < 0.001). Median OS (N=132 evaluable patients) was similar between the groups (10.3 months in SCLC and 11.1 months in EPNEC; p=0,069). In the EPNEC group, there wasn\'t any difference in OS or RR between the patients with welldifferentiated (N=13) and poorly differentiated carcinoma (N=47). ERCC1 (p=0.277) and Lin28a (p=0.051) were similarly expressed between the groups. Bcl2 was expressed in 38 SCLC patients (46.3%) and in 17 EPNEC patients (28.3%; p=0.030). Only in the EPNEC group, Bcl2 high expression was associated with worse survival (8.0 months vs 14.7 months; p = 0.025). RR to chemotherapy was not influenced by the expression of the ERCC1, Lin28a, Bcl-2, Ki-67 in either EPNEC or SCLC groups. CONCLUSION: Even though SCLC and EPNEC are treated similarly, in this cohort, the rate response differed significantly. When compared with SCLC, patients with EPNEC apparently had tumors less responsive to platin-based chemotherapy, but tended to live longer. In EPNEC treated with platin, high expression of Bcl2 was associated with poor prognosis. We could not identify additional predictive or prognostic biomarkers

O objetivo do estudo foi estudar a expressão de timidilato sintase (TS) como fator preditivo para eficácia de quimioterapia adjuvante com 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) e como fator prognóstico para sobrevida em pacientes portadores de câncer colorretal. Trata-se de estudo retrospectivo em uma série de 114 pacientes com carcinoma colorretal estádios II ou III, distribuídos em dois grupos: 1)cirurgia exclusiva (n=61); 2)cirurgia seguida de quimioterapia com 5-FU (n=53). A expressão de TS foi determinada por imunoistoquímica. Observou-se que a expressão intratumoral de TS foi capaz de selecionar pacientes que se beneficiaram com emprego de quimioterapia adjuvante, mas não se mostrou como variável independente para risco de recidiva ou óbito / The purpose of this study was trying to assess the value of TS expression as a predictive factor in the efficacy of adjuvant chemotherapy in colorectal cancer, as well as its independent prognostic value for survival. It deals with a retrospective study that assesses a series of 114 individuals with high risk colorectal cancer, distributed into two different groups: 1)surgery alone (n=61); 2)surgery and 5-FU-based chemotherapy (n=53). TS expression was determined by immunohistochemistry. We observed that TS expression may select patients that benefit from adjuvant chemotherapy, but it was not shown as an independent variable for the risk of recurrence or death

Foram analisados os resultados retrospectivos do transplante de medula óssea alogênico em 100 pacientes portadores de leucemia mielóide crônica, divididos em dois grupos: Grupo I, de 49 pacientes que recebeu alta hospitalar após a pega medular, e grupo II, de 51 pacientes, que recebeu alta precocemente, antes da pega medular, para acompanhamento ambulatorial. Foram comparados os dias de ocupação de leitos hospitalares, a morbidade e a mortalidade entre os grupos de alta até o dia 100 pós transplante. Verificou-se que, no grupo de alta precoce, houve, significativamente, menos dias de ocupação de leitos hospitalares, sem aumento da morbidade e da mortalidade / We analyzed the results of a retrospective study of 100 patients with chronic myelogenous leukemia submitted to allogeneic stem cell transplantation in one of two settings: Group I, with 49 patients, transplanted in the traditional inpatient and group II, with 51 patients, in partial outpatient. We compared the median number of days spent in hospital, morbidity and mortality within 100 after bone marrow transplantation. We concluded that there was a significant reduction in the median of hospital length of stay in the partial outpatient group, without increasing morbidity and mortality

There are few data on the associations between anaemia, allogeneic blood transfusion (ABT), patient blood management, and outcome after arthroplasty in the UK. National agencies nevertheless instruct NHS Trusts to implement blood conservation measures including preoperative anaemia management. Internationally, blood management programmes show encouraging results. METHODS: We retrospectively audited 717 primary hip or knee arthroplasties in a UK general hospital and conducted regression analyses to identify outcome predictors. We used these data to modify previously published algorithms for UK practice and audited its introduction prospectively. The retrospective audit group served as a control. RESULTS: Preoperative haemoglobin (Hb) concentration predicted ABT (odds ratio 0.25 per 1 g dl(-1), P<0.001). It also predicted the length of stay (LOS, effect size -0.7 days per 1 g dl(-1), P=0.004) independently of ABT, including in non-anaemic patients. Patient blood management implementation was associated with lower ABT rates for hip (23-7%, P<0.001) and knee (7-0%, P=0.001) arthroplasty. LOS for total hip replacement and total knee replacement decreased from 6 (5-8) days to 5 (3-7) and 4 (3-6) days, respectively, after algorithm implementation (P<0.001). The all-cause re-admission rate within 90 days decreased from 13.5% (97/717) before to 8.2% (23/281) after algorithm implementation (P=0.02). CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that preoperative Hb predicts markers of arthroplasty outcome in UK practice. A systematic approach to optimize Hb mass before arthroplasty and limit Hb loss perioperatively was associated with improved outcome up to 90 days after discharge.

To assess the validity of case mix adjustment methods used to derive standardised mortality ratios for hospitals, by examining the consistency of relations between risk factors and mortality across hospitals. DESIGN: Retrospective analysis of routinely collected hospital data comparing observed deaths with deaths predicted by the Dr Foster Unit case mix method. SETTING: Four acute National Health Service hospitals in the West Midlands (England) with case mix adjusted standardised mortality ratios ranging from 88 to 140. PARTICIPANTS: 96 948 (April 2005 to March 2006), 126 695 (April 2006 to March 2007), and 62 639 (April to October 2007) admissions to the four hospitals. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Presence of large interaction effects between case mix variable and hospital in a logistic regression model indicating non-constant risk relations, and plausible mechanisms that could give rise to these effects. RESULTS: Large significant (P<or=0.0001) interaction effects were seen with several case mix adjustment variables. For two of these variables-the Charlson (comorbidity) index and emergency admission-interaction effects could be explained credibly by differences in clinical coding and admission practices across hospitals. CONCLUSIONS: The Dr Foster Unit hospital standardised mortality ratio is derived from an internationally adopted/adapted method, which uses at least two variables (the Charlson comorbidity index and emergency admission) that are unsafe for case mix adjustment because their inclusion may actually increase the very bias that case mix adjustment is intended to reduce. Claims that variations in hospital standardised mortality ratios from Dr Foster Unit reflect differences in quality of care are less than credible.

No / We retrospectively reviewed the hospital records of 68 patients who had been referred with an injury to the posterolateral corner of the knee to a specialist knee surgeon between 2005 and 2009. These injuries were diagnosed based on a combination of clinical testing and imaging and arthroscopy when available. In all, 51 patients (75%) presented within 24 hours of their injury with a mean presentation at eight days (0 to 20) after the injury. A total of 63 patients (93%) had instability of the knee at presentation. There was a mean delay to the diagnosis of injury to the posterolateral corner of 30 months (0 to 420) from the time of injury. In all, the injuries in 49 patients (72%) were not identified at the time of the initial presentation, with the injury to the posterolateral corner only recognised in those patients who had severe multiple ligamentous injuries. The correct diagnosis, including injury to the posterolateral corner, had only been made in 34 patients (50%) at time of referral to a specialist knee clinic. MRI correctly identified 14 of 15 injuries when performed acutely (within 12 weeks of injury), but this was the case in only four of 15 patients in whom it was performed more than 12 weeks after the injury. Our study highlights a need for greater diligence in the examination and investigation of acute ligamentous injuries at the knee with symptoms of instability, in order to avoid failure to identify the true extent of the injury at the time when anatomical repair is most straightforward.

No / To assess clinical outcomes and cost-effectiveness of using a two-layer cohesive compression bandage (TLCCB; Coban 2) compared with a two-layer compression system (TLCS; Ktwo) and a four-layer compression system (FLCS; Profore) in treating venous leg ulcers (VLUs) in clinical practice in the UK, from the perspective of the National Health Service (NHS). METHOD: This was a retrospective analysis of the case records of VLU patients, randomly extracted from The Health Improvement Network (THIN) database (a nationally representative database of clinical practice among patients registered with general practitioners in the UK), who were treated with either TLCCB (n=250), TLCS (n=250) or FLCS (n=175). Clinical outcomes and health-care resource use (and costs) over six months after starting treatment with each compression system were estimated. Differences in outcomes and resource use between treatments were adjusted for differences in baseline covariates. RESULTS: Patients' mean age was 75 years old and 57% were female. The mean time with a VLU was 6-7 months and the mean initial wound size was 77-85 cm2. The overall VLU healing rate, irrespective of bandage type, was 44% over the six months' study period. In the TLCCB group, 51% of wounds had healed by six months compared with 40% (p=0.03) and 28% (p=0.001) in the TLCS and FLCS groups, respectively. The mean time to healing was 2.5 months. Patients in the TLCCB group experienced better health-related quality of life (HRQoL) over six months (0.374 quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) per patient), compared with the TLCS (0.368 QALYs per patient) and FLCS (0.353 QALYs per patient). The mean six-monthly NHS management cost was pound2,413, pound2,707 and pound2,648 per patient in the TLCCB, TLCS and FLCS groups, respectively. CONCLUSION: Despite the systems studied reporting similar compression levels when tested in controlled studies, real-world evidence demonstrates that initiating treatment with TLCCB, compared with the other two compression systems, affords a more cost-effective use of NHS-funded resources in clinical practice, since it resulted in an increased healing rate, better HRQoL and a reduction in NHS management cost. The evidence also highlighted the lack of continuity between clinicians managing a wound, the inconsistent nature of the administered treatments and the lack of specialist involvement, all of which may impact on healing. DECLARATION OF INTEREST: This study was supported by an unrestricted research grant from 3M Health Care, UK. 3M Health Care had no influence on the study design, the collection, analysis, and interpretation of data, or on the writing of, and decision to submit for publication, the manuscript.