Irish journal of medical science
-
There has been a noticeable change in Irish hospitals in the demographics of patients sustaining head injuries that now includes many older patients suffering head injuries from low impact trauma. ⋯ Older patients requiring hospital admission for head injuries have significantly different care needs to younger patients admitted with head injuries. A national pathway for older patients who sustain head injuries needs to be implemented to ensure they get timely access to the investigations and specialists required.
-
To investigate the predictive power of the BUN/albumin ratio (BAR) measured in the emergency department (ED) for the requirement of renal replacement therapy (RRT) in patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) with severe COVID-19 pneumonia and acute kidney injury (AKI). ⋯ In patients with severe pneumonia who develop acute kidney injury, the BUN/albumin ratio may guide clinicians early in predicting the need for renal replacement therapy.
-
The General Medical Council (GMC) has made it mandatory to have a chaperone present during intimate examinations, including breast exams, highlighting the importance of medicolegal protection for both patients and clinicians. ⋯ This study emphasizes the vital role of chaperones in clinical practice, urging a precise definition and targeted resolution for implementation challenges. Patient preferences highlight the need for a personalized approach, and increased awareness among healthcare professionals is essential.
-
To identify the incidence and characteristics of chronic post-surgical pain (CPSP) following total knee arthroplasty and determine peri-operative influencing factors. ⋯ CPSP is common after total knee arthroplasty with an incidence of 36.5% at 6 months post procedure. Female sex, lack of multimodal analgesia, and lower Oxford Knee Scores were associated with increased CPSP.
-
Increasing data are available on the use and efficacy of rituximab (RTX) in patients with anti-muscle-specific tyrosine kinase (MuSK)-positive myasthenia gravis (MG), especially those steroid-dependent or unresponsive to traditional immunotherapies. ⋯ RTX is an effective treatment in anti-MuSK-positive MG. Furthermore, our results support the inhibition of antibody production by RTX and we recommend monitoring anti-MuSK antibody titers to follow disease progression and treatment response.