Irish journal of medical science
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Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is a common pulmonary manifestation of Sjögren's syndrome (SjS) and associated with an increased risk of death. Early detection and treatment of ILDs and knowing the risk factors are very important for prognosis in rheumatic diseases. ⋯ The distribution of male patients compared to female patients was higher in patients with lung involvement than in patients without lung involvement. This may be related to older age, higher smoking rate, and longer nicotine consumption in men. Age, smoking, and severity of lung involvement are more important than inflammation status and autoantibodies for prognosis.
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In this study, we aim to describe the demographic, clinical and imaging characteristics, treatment course and subsequent outcomes of the first 116 cases presenting to a tertiary Dublin hospital with COVID-19 infection and to compare whether ethnic minority background was a risk factor for poorer disease outcomes in this cohort. Of 116 cases analysed, 100 (86%) patients presented from the community, 6 (5%) from care homes and 10 (9%) were existing inpatients. Fifty-four (46%) patients identified as being from an ethnic minority group. ⋯ Patients from all other ethnic groups combined admitted to ICU were significantly younger than patients from White Irish group (OR 50.85 vs 62.83, P = 0.012). Our hospital's catchment area serves a wide-ranging and diverse population with many ethnic minority groups represented. Our data demonstrated that there was a significant overrepresentation of a younger cohort of patients from ethnic minority groups admitted to ICU with COVID-19 infection with less co-morbidities than that of the White Irish group.
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Clinical handover is an essential step in the surgical patient's hospital journey, but one that is not without risk. Within cardiothoracic surgery, endeavours to protocolise post-operative handover from cardiac theatre to cardiac intensive care units have resulted in enhanced patient safety, but little to no effort has focused on the pre-operative setting and the dissemination of information throughout the surgical team. ⋯ Clinical handover tools have the potential to enhance the quality of pre-operative handover and protect against poor handover practices such as interruptions, safe-guarding patient welfare. We provide the first cardiothoracic specific pre-operative handover tool based on the RCSE guidelines.
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The current study assessed the knowledge of the medical students regarding the nature of radiation, associated risks, and protective measures. ⋯ Most of the participants showed satisfactory result. However, the knowledge regarding protection measures was poor in almost half of the population.
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Therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) is utilised in the management of a limited number of paediatric renal conditions. Despite its widespread acceptance and advancements in the practice of apheresis, there remains a paucity of data pertaining to paediatrics. We present a large retrospective review of our cohort of paediatric patients undergoing TPE for renal indications, outlining their outcomes and complications. ⋯ Our experience of TPE, spanning 1137 exchanges, proved a safe, well-tolerated therapy. Most complications were minor, and with therapy conducted in specialised centres, there are very low levels of adverse events.