International journal of clinical practice
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Int. J. Clin. Pract. · Nov 2020
Infective endocarditis is associated with worse outcomes in stroke: A Thailand National Database Study.
There is lack of data on the association between infective endocarditis (IE) and outcomes of mortality and complications in stroke. We aimed to compare characteristics and outcomes of stroke patients with and without IE. ⋯ Our results suggest that stroke patients with IE differ from that of the general stroke population and these patients have worse outcomes. Future studies are needed to determine the best treatment strategies for stroke patients with IE.
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Int. J. Clin. Pract. · Nov 2020
An Audit of the Measurement and Reporting of Male Testosterone Levels in UK Clinical Biochemistry Laboratories.
A number of guidance documents have been published in recent years for the diagnosis and management of hypogonadism (HG). Laboratory practice has a major role in supporting guidelines with accurate and precise serum total testosterone (TT) methods and standardised pre- and post-analytical protocols. Our study investigated whether laboratory practice currently supports the management guidelines for HG. ⋯ Our survey has highlighted inconsistencies that could lead to HG (and other conditions requiring measurement of TT) not being managed appropriately. The results from this survey and from UK NEQAS reinforce the requirement for action to be considered regarding the standardisation of testosterone assays and harmonisation of laboratory practice.
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Int. J. Clin. Pract. · Nov 2020
A Retrospective Analysis Comparing Persistence and Adherence to Treatment With Free- Versus Fixed-Dose Combination of an Alpha-Blocker and an Antimuscarinic Agent in Men With LUTS in Spain.
Combination therapy with an alpha blocker (AB) plus an antimuscarinic (AM) is recommended for men with moderate-to-severe mixed lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) when monotherapy is not effective in relieving storage symptoms. This study compared treatment persistence and adherence with an AB plus AM fixed-dose combination (FDC) vs an AB plus AM free-dose combination in men with LUTS in Spain. ⋯ Treatment with an AB/AM FDC is associated with better persistence and adherence vs a free-dose combination in men with LUTS in Spain.
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Int. J. Clin. Pract. · Nov 2020
Observational StudyComparison of efficacy and safety of parenteral vs parenteral and oral glucocorticoid therapy in Graves' orbitopathy.
The most effective and safe treatment protocol for Graves' orbitopathy (GO) needs to be further assessed. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy, safety and outcome of parenteral versus parenteral and oral glucocorticoid (GC) protocols in euthyroid patients with untreated and active moderate to severe GO. ⋯ Our data suggest that CombGC therapy was more efficient with significantly less relapse rate, but with more side effects in comparison to IVGC therapy.
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Int. J. Clin. Pract. · Nov 2020
Criticality of physical/social distancing, handwashing, respiratory hygiene, and face-masking during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond.
Physical/social distancing, handwashing, respiratory hygiene and face-masking have been recommended as realistic counterstrategies to control the COVID-19 pandemic. These strategies have been critical in the fight against the present pandemic in many countries. Here we detail the background to such countermeasures, present some examples in different settings and finally emphasise that they should remain in place worldwide as a cultural and behavioural "new normal" until a vaccine or a decisive treatment for COVID-19 is developed and made available globally.