Irish journal of medical science
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Diabetic foot ulcers (DFU) are associated with an increased risk of lower limb amputation and death. Reported mortality rates for patients with DFU are as high as 50% after 5 years. ⋯ Diabetic foot disease is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in clinical practice. It remains to be seen whether implementation of the national model of foot care in 2011 will improve outcomes for patients with high-risk diabetic foot disease.
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To describe the impact of a nurse-led telephone self-management support (SMS) service for people with asthma and COPD in Ireland. ⋯ Roll-out of SMS should include staff training to promote positive service user experience and should include routine monitoring and evaluation to assure equitable reach and quality of key evidence-based care processes.
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The main somatic symptoms of fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) are chronic musculoskeletal pain, stiffness, and fatigue, all of which are related to the muscle system and its functioning. ⋯ Whether in newly diagnosed or established disease, muscle measurement values and quality of life parameters were significantly decreased in patients with FMS compared with healthy controls.
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Vitamin D status may play a role in the development of atopic diseases due to its action on lung development and immune system development and function. ⋯ The development of childhood atopy may be associated with maternal vitamin D deficiency in early pregnancy among a cohort of women at risk of vitamin D deficiency. Further research is required to explore the relationship between vitamin D and atopy, particularly among women with poor vitamin D status, and whether supplementation should be prioritised in early pregnancy to reduce childhood atopy.
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Subjects with severe obesity (BMI > 40 kg/m2) have worse physical function and sleep less than lean people (BMI 18.5-25 kg/m2). ⋯ In conclusion, abnormal sleep duration is associated with reduced physical function in non-elderly severely obese subjects. The effects of sleep hygiene interventions in this cohort warrant further assessment and may be beneficial to their physical function.