Irish journal of medical science
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Most patients with cancer prefer to die at home but the majority die in institutions. ⋯ The majority of people fail to achieve a home death. Resources need to be targeted to those most at risk of an institutional death; females, the elderly, the unmarried, those with haematological malignancies and residents of South Belfast.
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Scientific merit and clarity are critical in evaluation of quality in research. We hypothesised that avoidable errors of presentation adversely impact on abstract selection for scientific meetings. ⋯ Succinct presentation may reflect clarity of focus or increased writing experience. Reviewers favour concise abstracts. Concise presentation and timely submission are easily achieved and increase the likelihood of research acceptance for scientific meetings.
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Hip fracture causes significant morbidity and mortality in older women. ⋯ Factors related to falls and fracture may be more discriminatory predictors of hip fracture risk than osteoporosis in older females. Medications for sleep should be prescribed with caution. Hip fracture may have an independent effect on one year mortality, this effect is not seen in the second year.
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Injecting drug users are at high risk of acquiring blood-borne infections. Ireland has had a harm reduction policy of methadone maintenance and needle exchange since 1992. ⋯ A standardised written protocol for screening for blood-borne viruses and for immunisation against hepatitis B in methadone service attendees was clearly needed, and was subsequently introduced by the Eastern Region Health Authority.
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Respiratory disease is the major cause of morbidity and mortality in cystic fibrosis (CF). The significance of Burkholderia cepacia (B. cepacia) in the pathogenesis of lung disease in CF is debated, but its exact role remains unclear. ⋯ Acquisition of B. cepacia may be a cause of, rather than a marker for, a decrease in pulmonary function.