International journal of clinical practice
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Int. J. Clin. Pract. · Jan 2021
ReviewTelepsychiatry and other cutting edge technologies in Covid-19 pandemic: bridging the distance in mental health assistance.
At the end of 2019, a novel coronavirus (COVID-19) was identified in China. The high potential of human-to-human transmission led to subsequent COVID-19 global pandemic. Public health strategies including reduced social contact and lockdown have been adopted in many countries. Nonetheless, social distancing and isolation could also represent risk factors for mental disorders, resulting in loneliness, reduced social support and under-detection of mental health needs. Along with this, social distancing determines a relevant obstacle for direct access to psychiatric care services. The pandemic generates the urgent need for integrating technology into innovative models of mental healthcare. ⋯ Telepsychiatry is a promising and growing way to deliver mental health services but is still underused. The COVID-19 pandemic may serve as an opportunity to introduce and promote, among numerous mental health professionals, the knowledge of the possibilities offered by the digital era.
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Int. J. Clin. Pract. · Jan 2021
Assessment of electrocardiographic criteria for the diagnosis of left ventricular hypertrophy in the octogenarian population.
Although there are several electrocardiographic (ECG) diagnostic criteria for identifying left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), the sensitivity of these criteria remains low. Recently, the Peguero-Lo Presti criterion provides a higher sensitivity than the current criteria. We aimed to test this ECG criterion prospectively, in the octogenarian population. ⋯ The Peguero-Lo Presti criteria showed the highest sensitivity for LVH detection, and it outperformed the other validated criteria in this octogenarian population. The Peguero-Lo Presti criteria seemed to be more effective for diagnosing LVH in this setting.
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Int. J. Clin. Pract. · Jan 2021
How many patients with heart failure are eligible for Cardiac Contractility Modulation therapy?
Increasing evidence exists suggesting that cardiac contractility modulation therapy (CCM) improves symptoms in heart failure patients if various selection criteria are fulfilled. The aim of this study is to analyse an unselected sample of heart failure patients to establish what percentage of patients would meet the current criteria for CCM therapy. ⋯ Only 5.1% of all patients presenting with heart failure might benefit from cardiac CCM. This is a small proportion of the overall heart failure population. However, this population has no other current option for device therapy of their condition.
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Int. J. Clin. Pract. · Jan 2021
Epidemiology, risk factors, treatment and outcome of Candida bloodstream infections because of Candida albicans and Candida non-albicans in two district general hospitals in the United Kingdom.
Bloodstream infections caused by Candida species, known as candidemia are on the rise because of increasing complexity of surgical procedures, patient's underlying co-morbidities and shift in patient's demographics. This study was conducted to evaluate the epidemiology, risk factors, co-morbidities, antifungal treatment and outcomes of candidemia in Candida albicans (C. albicans) and Candida non-albicans (C. non-albicans) in East Sussex Healthcare Trust (ESHT), England. ⋯ C. albicans candidemia, >65 years of age and surgical procedure is associated with significant mortality, however, the use of fluconazole has shown the increased survival rate. This study suggests the surveillance of candidemia, and antifungal susceptibility pattern in current practice and the treatment.
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Int. J. Clin. Pract. · Jan 2021
Risk of idiopathic peripheral neuropathy in end-stage renal disease: A population-based cohort study.
Whether patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) have a higher risk of idiopathic polyneuropathy (IPN) than those without ESRD remains unclear. We hypothesised that carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a prodrome of IPN in patients with ESRD. ⋯ Patients with ESRD with CTS had higher incidences of idiopathic peripheral neuropathy than those without ESRD with CTS.