The long QT syndrome represents a high risk for presyncope, syncope, cardiac arrest,

and sudden death. Jervell and Lange-Nielsen syndrome (JLNS) is a recessively inherited form of long QT syndrome characterized by profound sensorineural deafness and prolongation of the QT interval. Findings have shown that JLNS occurs due to homozygous and compound heterozygous pathogenic variants in KCNQ1 or KCNE1. A 3.5-year-old girl A-1331852 purchase presented to the hospital with recurrent syncope, seizures, and congenital sensorineural deafness. Her electrocardiogram showed a markedly prolonged QT interval, and she had a diagnosis of JLNS. The sequence analysis of the proband showed the presence of a pathogenic homozygous missense variant (c.728G > A, p.Arg243His). Heterozygous mutations of KCNQ1 were identified in her mother, father, and sister, demonstrating true homozygosity. Even with high-dose beta-blocker therapy, the patient had two VT attacks, so an implantable cardioverter defibrillator

was fitted. The authors suggest early genetic LBH589 in vivo diagnosis for proper management of the disease in the proband and genetic counseling for both the proband and the girl’s extended family.”
“Objective. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of brief therapy dog visits to an outpatient pain management facility compared with time spent in a waiting room.

Design. The design of this study is open-label.

Setting. This study was conducted in a university tertiary care adult chronic pain outpatient clinic.

Subjects. The subjects of this study include outpatients, adults accompanying outpatients to their appointments, and clinic staff.

Intervention. Participants were able to spend clinic waiting time with a certified therapy dog instead of waiting in the outpatient waiting area. When the therapy dog was not available, individuals remained LY333531 mouse in the waiting area.

Outcome Measures. Self-reported pain, fatigue, and emotional distress were recorded using 11-point numeric

rating scales before and after the therapy dog visit or waiting room time.

Results. Two hundred ninety-five therapy dog visits (235 with patients, 34 family/friends, and 26 staff) and 96 waiting room surveys (83 from patients, 6 family/friends, and 7 staff) were completed over a 2- month study period. Significant improvements were reported for pain, mood, and other measures of distress among patients after the therapy dog visit but not the waiting room control, with clinically meaningful pain relief (decrease >= 2 points) in 23% after the therapy dog visit and 4% in the waiting room control. Significant improvements were likewise seen after therapy dog visits for family/friends and staff.

Conclusions. Therapy dog visits in an outpatient setting can provide significant reduction in pain and emotional distress for chronic pain patients.