Irish journal of medical science
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Symptomatic peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is a common cause for referral from primary care to vascular surgery. Best medical therapy (BMT), encompassing anti-platelets, statins, smoking cessation, blood pressure and glycaemic control, is a cornerstone of PAD management. However, these easily modifiable risk factors are often left unaddressed between referral and clinic review. ⋯ Our first-cycle results identified significant scope for improvement in community-based risk factor modification for PAD referrals. We aim to continue supporting and educating our colleagues that effective medical management can start safely in primary care and further explore the barriers preventing this.
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Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) regulates inflammatory response and CD4+ T cell differentiation in autoimmune diseases, while its clinical role in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) lacks sufficient evidence. Subsequently, this study intended to explore the vertical change of PCSK9, and its linkage with T helper (Th) cells, regulatory T (Treg) cells, clinical features, and treatment outcomes in RA patients. ⋯ Circulating PCSK9 shows the potency as a biomarker for disease management and treatment outcome prediction of csDMARDs in RA.
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We present key information from international registries in relation to primary total hip arthroplasty. The specific questions of interest include which bearings are superior in total hip arthroplasty (THA), which fixation types are optimal, do any specific implants perform better than others, and what is the latest update in the hip fracture setting? This is a comprehensive review of the major English-speaking hip arthroplasty registries across the globe. Key trends and developments in implant performance are identified and presented in the current article. Key points from review of all registries confirm that ceramic-on-polyethylene and metal-on-polyethylene continue to be the commonest bearings. ⋯ Dual mobility (DM) bearings are increasing in use and show higher early revision rates than unipolar bearings-they tend to be used for more complex indications (fracture/tumor/revision) and show similar revision rates to unipolar bearings when used exclusively in primary elective THA for osteoarthritis. We present current trends in THA based on current registry data from across the globe. Clinical signals of concern are emerging for THA uncemented femoral stem fixation and DM bearings in specific clinical contexts. These signals should be monitored across the literature in order to reduce the overall revision burden.
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Heart failure (HF) is the only cardiovascular disease with an ever-increasing incidence. ⋯ A novel and comprehensive personalized "GLVC" scoring system is an easily available and effective tool for predicting the adverse outcomes in HF.
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To investigate the frequency and characteristics of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) that occurred on the gerontopsychiatric ward of Hannover Medical School over a 6-year period. ⋯ Type and prevalence of ADRs in the present study were largely in accordance with previous reports. By contrast, we did not observe a relationship between advanced age or female sex and ADR occurrence. We detected a risk signal for cardiopulmonary ADRs related to general anaesthesia in the context of ECT that warrants further investigation. Elderly psychiatric patients should be carefully screened for cardiopulmonary comorbidities before initiation of ECT.