Irish journal of medical science
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Despite recent medical advances, surgery remains the mainstay treatment in colon cancer. It is well established that better patient outcomes are achieved when complex surgery including pancreatic, oesophageal and rectal surgeries are carried out in high-volume centres. However, it is unclear as to whether or not colon cancer patients receive the same benefit. Lymph node adequacy is a key performance indicator of successful oncological colonic resection which impacts on patient outcome. ⋯ This study demonstrates that colonic cancer surgery can be safely performed in a non- specialist centre with technical outcomes comparable to nationally reported figures.
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To compare patients with active and inactive fibromyalgia to better understand the impact of physical inactivity on quality of life and symptoms in these patients. ⋯ Our results reinforce the understanding that exercise can reduce symptoms of fibromyalgia and suggests that patients who practice physical exercise have a better quality of life, with fewer depressive symptoms and absences from work, and better sense of well-being.
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Increasing numbers of young adults with life-limiting conditions are living into adulthood and consequently making the transition from children's to adult services. A poorly planned transition is associated with adverse outcomes such as non-adherence to treatment and loss to follow-up, together with negative social and emotional outcomes. However, there is little descriptive data on how organisations are currently managing transition. ⋯ The findings demonstrate that caring for young adults with life-limiting conditions presents a considerable challenge to organisations and that transition from children's to adult services is an important part of this challenge.
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Despite the increasing number of publications on celiac disease, there is a lack of studies that made a holistic bibliometric evaluation of the studies on this topic. ⋯ Despite the advanced research on the diagnosis, pathophysiology, and treatment of celiac disease, the global research level about the disease is low. Therefore, the international collaboration about the disease should not remain at only regional contexts; the exchange of knowledge and common studies especially in developing or underdeveloped countries should be supported in terms of prevalence and clinic studies.
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Patients' satisfaction reporting is important for assessing the quality of care in surgical practice. Post-discharge questionnaire reporting is considered best practice; however, the logistics of this method remains problematic. ⋯ There were no significant differences in reporting between pre- and post-discharge questionnaire responses. As pre-discharge reporting is more efficient, less costly and has a higher response rate, this should be considered the preferred practice in patient satisfaction assessments.