Ministério da Defesa Nacional

On condition maintenance management is gaining general acceptance both in ships as in other domains. This is a natural result given evolution of low cost sensors, statistical methodology, telecommunications, software and superabundance of observational data. In this paper we analyze the effects of digital revolution on the usual maintenance policies and anticipate its consequences on ships maintenance management. Specifically, we try to show that on condition maintenance is, intrinsically, a data driven maintenance policy and the natural solution that results from the convergence of those economic and technological realities. The development of statistical methodology capable of transforming, in real time, those data mountains in useful knowledge is, accomplished routinely using almost free software or, at least, easily accessible resources. The paper identifies and illustrates with real data examples some of the main consequences and issues associated to this new reality and its effects on main maintenance policies and management organizations.

Tuberculosis is an infectious disease caused by mycobacteria which belongs to the genus Mycobacterium and the family Mycobacteriaceae. Although tuberculosis is known for thousands of years, it is still an important diagnostic and therapeutic problem throughout the world, especially in poorer countries. Still correct diagnosis of active infection with M. tuberculosis causes many difficulties. The paper presents the most relevant issues concerning the diagnosis and treatment of tuberculosis, to be reflected in daily practice.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) has been a serious health and social problem. Population based survey revealed that around 40 per cent of the whole population reported monthly GERD related symptoms. When not treated properly GERD can lead to severe complications such as Barrett's oesophagus (BE) and adenocarcinoma as a consequence. Various methods can be useful in diagnosis of GERD but only gastroscopy is a widespread investigation that enables to establish the diagnosis of reflux disease. The symptoms of reflux disease can be effectively treated by drugs, surgical procedures remain the way of curing the cause of gastroesophageal reflux. Nowadays the laparoscopic fundoplication is a standard in operative treatment of the ailment. was to evaluate of GERD treatment with laparoscopic "floppy" Nissen fundoplication (LFN). A group of 41 patients who underwent LNF were recruited for the study. All qualified patients underwent pre and post-surgical upper GI endoscopy and were requested to answer the questions in a GERD-related quality of life questionnaire. The main group of patients was divided into two subgroups--those with concomitant hiatal hernia and those without hernia. The outcomes of treatment were then compared between the subgroups. After the procedure the endoscopic improvement of reflux oesophagitis and better symptoms self-assessment were found. Laparoscopic "floppy" Nissen fundoplication is an effective method of treatment of erosive oesophagitis and its symptoms.

Non-erosive gastroesophageal reflux disease (NERD) is still underappreciated type of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). It is not a homogenous group of patients with real reflux, oversensitivity of esophagus and functional dyspepsia. Nowadays often in classifications of GERD patients with NERD are omitted. Many endoscopic lesions are found in esophagus in NERD, especially color change of mucosa. Erythrema is nowadays taken into account. Unequivocal are also opinions about histological image. Many histological lesions are found but not a specific lesions were typified. Probably it is the best to associate NERD with clinical symptoms, endoscopic and histological image.

Exacerbations are the key drivers of the costs of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This was the multicenter study of patients with COPD aimed at evaluating direct and indirect cost of exacerbations under usual clinical practice in primary and secondary care form societal perspective. It was observational, multicenter study with participation of 196 subjects with moderate or severe COPD, defined according to the current GOLD criteria. Patients presenting at the selected health care centres were included into the study in the sequential manner if they fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Exacerbations were divided into three different severity types according to Anthonisen N.R. classification. The management of exacerbations followed the usual clinical practice. The number of exacerbations was 3.8 (3.2-4.4) in hospitalised patients and 1.7 (1.4-1.9) in ambulatory treated patients (1EURO was 3.85 PLN in 2007). The average direct health-care cost per exacerbation was PLN 5548 (95% CI = 4543; 6502) and PLN 524.1 (95% CI = 443; 614) in secondary and primary care respectively. In secondary care, the drug acquisition and oxygen therapy cost represented 18.3% of total direct costs, diagnostic tests costs accounted for 14.5%, the other hospital care and post-discharge followup visit costs 67%. Costs varied considerably with the severity of COPD before the exacerbation as well as the duration of COPD. In primary care the cost structure was as follows: diagnostic tests and medical devices 47.5%, drug acquisition costs 41% and doctors visits 11.4%. The average indirect costs per exacerbation were PLN 127.78 and PLN 100.56, in secondary and primary respectively (n.s) Exacerbations of COPD are costly. Cost of exacerbation managed in secondary care is almost 10-fold higher than in primary care. Prevention of moderate-to-severe exacerbations, requiring hospitalization could be very cost-effective strategy.