Irish journal of medical science
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Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is a systemic autoimmune disorder characterized by persistent antiphospholipid antibodies (aPLs) with arterial and venous thrombosis and/or pregnancy morbidity. In recent years, several studies have highlighted the potential role of non-criteria aPL in diagnosing APS patients. ⋯ Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is the most commonly associated disease with APS, being present in approximately 35% of cases [1]. Since the majority of the patient group in our study had APS that was secondary to SLE, non-criteria antibody positivity may be linked to the immunological activity of SLE. Large multicenter studies are necessary to investigate the clinical significance of isolated/combined positivity for criterion/non-criteria aPLs.
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Transgender patients continue to receive suboptimal health care due to transphobia and inadequate trans-competency of health care professionals. Lack of adequate training and exposure may lead to improper bedside manners. ⋯ This paper discusses the causes of iatrophobia in transgender patients and the steps that health care professionals can take to address this phenomenon. The authors believe that health care professionals that pay heed to this paper will greatly improve the competency of their care toward their transgender patients.
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Identify the impact of COVID-19 lockdown restrictions on the vitamin D status of individuals in the west of Ireland. ⋯ Vitamin D levels were higher in the 5-month period of October-February 2020-2021, and this precipitated a decline in deficiency at both thresholds, indicating that lockdown coincided with enhanced vitamin D status. We postulate that it may be attributable to changes in diet and/or supplementation, or increased sun exposure, but further confirmatory studies are required.
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Triple Assessment Breast Clinics are designed for rapid diagnosis of symptomatic patients. When there is no concordance between clinical and radiological assessment, clinicians perform clinical core biopsies. In patients with a clinically suspicious examination (S4, S5) and normal imaging, clinically guided core biopsy should be performed as per NCCP guidelines. However, substantial research does not exist on the diagnostic value or use of clinical core biopsies in non-suspicious palpable (S3) lesions and practices differ in each health system. ⋯ Despite clinical core biopsies being used in triple assessment, there is no certainty in their value except that there is high clinical suspicion. Imaging modalities are constantly improving and are already well established. When the patient is assigned a clinical score of S3 and has normal radiology, a clinical core biopsy is not required in most cases.
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While much progress has been made in reducing tobacco use in many countries, both active and passive smoking remain challenges. The benefits of smoking cessation are universally recognized, and the hospital setting is an ideal setting where smokers can access smoking cessation services as hospital admission can be a cue to action. Consistent delivery of good quality smoking cessation care across health services is an important focus for reducing the harm of tobacco use, especially among continued smokers. ⋯ The recently launched National Clinical Guideline for smoking cessation provides the template for all hospitals to ensure health services are in a position to contribute to Ireland's tobacco endgame goal.