Irish journal of medical science
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The objective of our study is to retrospectively investigate if the HOSPITAL score, LACE index, and RAHF scale exhibit any bias based on gender and race in heart failure readmissions. ⋯ Our study demonstrated that the HOSPITAL score and the RAHF scale showed significant differences in predicting 30-day readmissions risk based on race and gender, respectively, in heart failure patients, whereas the LACE index did not show any significant difference.
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Health literacy is considered a social determinant of population health, but also relates to making informed health decisions. Little information is available on the oral health literacy (OHL) among young adults, and this is crucial to inform targeted interventions on oral health and care. ⋯ Approximately, one-in-four third-level university students in Cork City have adequate OHL which is lower compared to the general Irish population but still significantly high in specific groups.
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Screening programmes decrease the incidence of colorectal, breast and cervical cancer. As such, it is imperative that medical health professionals are educated on the screening programmes available and are aware of the research basis justifying them. ⋯ Medical students expressed a wish to understand the research basis of a common clinical screening programme (for cervical cancer) as well as the research basis for not providing screening to low risk populations (for ovarian cancer). Further research in this area may include exploring how this is taught in other medical schools.
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This retrospective study reviews the maxillofacial fractures (MF) over a 5-year period at the National Maxillofacial Unit, St James Hospital Dublin, with an emphasis on female patients. ⋯ This study confirms maxillofacial fractures are less common in females. The female age distribution demonstrates two peaks, one in early adult and a second in old age. This may be explained by females living longer and independently and at risk for falls. The most commonly reported fracture aetiology in females was "falls." This raises concerns as to whether "falls" are used to explain an assault. There is an informal concern amongst maxillofacial surgeons that females presenting with facial trauma may be the victims of domestic violence, which may be denied by the victims.