Diabetes care and pregnancy outcomes for women with pregestational diabetes in Ireland.

AIMS: Pre-gestational diabetes mellitus (PGDM) is associated with adverse outcomes. We aimed to examine pregnancies affected by PGDM; report on these pregnancy outcomes and compare outcomes for patients with type 1 versus type 2 diabetes mellitus; compare our findings to published Irish and United Kingdom (UK) data and identify potential areas for improvement. METHODS: Between 2016 and 2018 information on 679 pregnancies from 415 women with type 1 Diabetes Mellitus and 244 women with type 2 diabetes was analysed. Data was collected on maternal characteristics; pregnancy preparation; glycaemic control; pregnancy related complications; foetal and maternal outcomes; unscheduled hospitalisations; congenital anomalies and perinatal deaths. RESULTS: Only 15.9% of women were adequately prepared for pregnancy. Significant deficits were identified in availability and attendance at pre-pregnancy clinic, use of folic acid, attaining appropriate glycaemic targets and appropriate retinal screening. The majority of pregnancies (n = 567, 83.5%) resulted in a live birth but the large number of infants born large for gestational age (LGA) (n = 280, 49.4%), born prematurely <37 weeks and requiring neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admission continue to be significant issues. CONCLUSIONS: This retrospective cohort study identifies multiple targets for improvements in the provision of care to women with pre-gestational DM which are likely to translate into better pregnancy outcomes.

Clinical Features and Location of Intracranial Edema in Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome (PRES) Patients.

This is an observational analytic study on clinical features and location of intracranial edema in case of posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES). Place of study was Square Hospitals Ltd. Dhaka, Bangladesh. Study period was 1 year (from January 2010 to January 2011). Number of total cases was 5. Mean age of patients was 21 years. Common clinical features were headache, seizure and visual disturbance. Mean time of developing clinical feature(s) was 4.6 days after NVD or LUCS. Intracranial edema was common in occipital, frontal and parietal lobes.

An Irish National Diabetes in Pregnancy Audit: aiming for best outcomes for women with diabetes.

AIMS: The purpose of this study was to identify the number of pregnancies affected by pre-gestational diabetes in the Republic of Ireland; to report on pregnancy outcomes and to identify areas for improvement in care delivery and clinical outcomes. METHODS: Healthcare professionals caring for women with pre-gestational diabetes during pregnancy were invited to participate in this retrospective study. Data pertaining to 185 pregnancies in women attending 15 antenatal centres nationally were collected and analysed. Included pregnancies had an estimated date of delivery between 1 January and 31 December 2015. RESULTS: The cohort consisted of 122 (65.9%) women with Type 1 diabetes and 56 (30.3%) women with Type 2 diabetes. The remaining 7 (3.8%) pregnancies were to women with maturity-onset diabetes of the young (MODY) (n = 6) and post-transplant diabetes (n = 1). Overall women were poorly prepared for pregnancy and lapses in specific areas of service delivery including pre-pregnancy care and retinal screening were identified. The majority of pregnancies 156 (84.3%) resulted in a live birth. A total of 103 (65.5%) women had a caesarean delivery and 58 (36.9%) infants were large for gestational age. CONCLUSIONS: This audit identifies clear areas for improvement in delivery of care for women with diabetes in the Republic of Ireland before and during pregnancy.

Seroprevalence of Toxoplasmosis among Hemato-oncology patients in Kelantan

@# Toxoplasmosis is a zoonotic disease caused by Toxoplasma gondii that is prevalent in humans and animals. This study was aimed to determine the seroprevalence of T. gondii infection among hemato-oncology patients and its association with sociodemographic and behavioural characteristics. This cross-sectional study was conducted at the Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) involving 56 blood samples from hemato-oncology patients. Anti-T. gondii IgG and IgM antibodies and IgG avidity were determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA). The association of T. gondii exposure, sociodemographic, and behavioural characteristics were assessed by a questionnaire and face-to-face interviews. Twenty-eight (50%) patients were seropositive for T. gondii antibodies, where 27 (48.21%) patients were IgG+/IgM- and one patient (1.79%) was IgG+/IgM+ with high avidity index, indicating infection of more than 20 weeks. A univariate analysis showed that age, gender, ethnicity, marital status, educational level, employment status, stem cell transplant, blood transfusion, close contact with cats, water supply, and consumption of undercooked meat were not significantly associated with Toxoplasma seropositivity (p > 0.05). Our study has demonstrated, for the first time, the serological evidence of T. gondii exposure among hemato-oncology patients in Hospital USM. Our findings indicated that latent toxoplasmosis was relatively prevalence among our patients. Therefore, serological screening tests should be considered for immunocompromised patients as well as the implementation of health education programmes to encourage a healthy lifestyle and the consumption of healthy food among them.

Seroprevalence of Toxoplasmosis among Hemato-oncology patients in Kelantan.

Toxoplasmosis is a zoonotic disease caused by Toxoplasma gondii that is prevalent in humans and animals. This study was aimed to determine the seroprevalence of T. gondii infection among hemato-oncology patients and its association with sociodemographic and behavioural characteristics. This cross-sectional study was conducted at the Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) involving 56 blood samples from hemato-oncology patients. Anti-T. gondii IgG and IgM antibodies and IgG avidity were determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA). The association of T. gondii exposure, sociodemographic, and behavioural characteristics were assessed by a questionnaire and face-to-face interviews. Twenty-eight (50%) patients were seropositive for T. gondii antibodies, where 27 (48.21%) patients were IgG+/IgM- and one patient (1.79%) was IgG+/IgM+ with high avidity index, indicating infection of more than 20 weeks. A univariate analysis showed that age, gender, ethnicity, marital status, educational level, employment status, stem cell transplant, blood transfusion, close contact with cats, water supply, and consumption of undercooked meat were not significantly associated with Toxoplasma seropositivity (p < 0.05). Our study has demonstrated, for the first time, the serological evidence of T. gondii exposure among hemato-oncology patients in Hospital USM. Our findings indicated that latent toxoplasmosis was relatively prevalence among our patients. Therefore, serological screening tests should be considered for immunocompromised patients as well as the implementation of health education programmes to encourage a healthy lifestyle and the consumption of healthy food among them.

High intake of dietary fibre from fruit and vegetables reduces the risk of hospitalisation for diverticular disease.

BACKGROUNDS AND AIMS: High intake of dietary fibres has been associated with a reduced risk of DD. However, reports on which type of dietary fibre intake that is most beneficial have been conflicting. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between different dietary fibres and hospitalisation due to diverticular disease (DD) of the colon. METHODS: This was a major cohort study. The Swedish Mammography Cohort and the Cohort of Swedish Men were linked to the Swedish Inpatient Register and the Causes of Death Register. Data on the intake of dietary fibre were collected through questionnaires. The effect of intake (in quartiles) of different types of dietary fibre on the incidence of hospitalisation due to DD was investigated using multivariable Cox regression. Estimates were adjusted according to age, BMI, physical activity, co-morbidity, intake of corticosteroids, smoking, alcohol intake and education level. RESULTS: Women with intake of fruit and vegetable fibres in the highest quartile (median 12.6 g/day) had a 30% decreased risk of hospitalisation compared to those with the lowest intake (4.1 g/day). Men within the highest quartile (10.3 g/day) had a 32% decreased risk compared to those with a low intake (2.9 g/day). High intake of fibres from cereals did not affect the risk. CONCLUSION: A high intake of fruits and vegetables may reduce the risk of hospitalisation due to DD. Intake of cereals did not influence the risk.

Regional Versus Local Anaesthesia for Haemodialysis Arteriovenous Fistula Formation: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Arteriovenous fistula (AVF) formation is the most common vascular access procedure for patients requiring haemodialysis. However, it is associated with high failure rates, influenced by vessel diameter and arterial inflow. Mode of anaesthesia may affect these factors, and subsequently AVF maturation rates. OBJECTIVE: To perform a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the effect of anaesthesia type for autologous primary radiocephalic or brachiocephalic AVF creation on subsequent fistula failure rates. METHODS: The online databases of Medline, EMBASE, CINAHL, The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, ClinicalTrials.gov, and Google Scholar as well as vascular and anaesthesiology conference abstracts were searched on August 1, 2016. Randomised control trials (RCTs) that reported the effect of anaesthesia type on subsequent failure rates during autologous AVF creation were included. Two independent reviewers performed methodological assessment and data extraction. Random effects models were used to calculate pooled effect size estimates. A sensitivity analysis was also carried out. RESULTS: Four RCTs (286 patients) were identified with 286 autologous AVFs. There were 48 fistula failures. Most of the studies suffered from significant methodological flaws. There was a significantly lower failure rate among patients undergoing regional (12/143) compared with local (36/143) anaesthesia (OR 0.28, 95% CI 0.14-0.57). On sensitivity analysis, having excluded the most heavily weighted study, the results remained significant (OR 0.20, 95% CI 0.05-0.75). CONCLUSIONS: The use of regional anaesthesia is associated with lower AVF failure rates when compared with local anaesthesia in patients undergoing primary forearm AVF formation for haemodialysis.

Pomalidomide-induced hypothyroidism.

Hypothyroidism is a recognized side effect of thalidomide drugs. We herein report a case of 83-year-old Irish female with a diagnosis of multiple myeloma and a background history of type 2 diabetes mellitus and hypertension. Our patient received pomalidomide and multiple courses of chemotherapy and achieved very good initial response for her multiple myeloma but subsequently she relapsed. She did not have any past history of thyroid disease or family history of thyroid disorders. Prior to treatment with pomalidomide, her thyroid function test was completely normal. She was commenced on pomalidomide in February 2017. Four weeks post treatment, she presented with worsening fatigue, and as a part of her workup, a thyroid function test was performed. Her free T4 was low at 7.2 pmol/L (reference range: 9.0-20.0) while her TSH was elevated at 44.7 mIU/L (reference range: 0.35-4.94). Pomalidomide treatment was terminated, and she was commenced on thyroid hormonal therapy replacement therapy with thyroxine with good clinical and biochemical response. Practitioners prescribing pomalidomide should be aware of this potential complication and patients who are receiving immunomodulatory drugs like pomalidomide should undergo regular thyroid hormone levels screen. LEARNING POINTS: Overt hypothyroidism is a side effect of pomalidomide.Thyroid function test should be included as a screening test with regular review in patients receiving pomalidomide.Unexplained worsening fatigue in patients receiving pomalidomide should raise the possibility of overt hypothyroidism.

Barriers to exercise in obese patients with type 2 diabetes.

BACKGROUND: Although regular exercise is a critical component of the management of type 2 diabetes, many patients do not meet their exercise targets. Lack of exercise is associated with obesity and adverse cardiovascular outcomes. AIM: We aimed to assess exercise habits in obese Irish patients with type 2 diabetes to determine if patients are adhering to exercise guidelines and to identify perceived barriers to exercise in this group. DESIGN: A cross-sectional study of obese patients with type 2 diabetes attending routine outpatient diabetes clinics at our institution, a public teaching hospital located on the outskirts of Dublin City. METHODS: A total of 145 obese patients with type 2 diabetes were administered a questionnaire to evaluate exercise habits and perceived barriers to exercise. Anthropometric details were measured. RESULTS: About 47.6% (n = 69) of patients exercised for <150 minutes per week (40% of males, 62% of females; P = 0.019) and these patients had a higher body mass index than those meeting targets (35 vs. 33.5 kg/m(2); P = 0.02). Perceived barriers to exercise were varied, with lack of time and physical discomfort being the most common. Reported barriers to exercise varied with age, gender and marital status. CONCLUSION: This study highlights the challenges facing clinicians in improving exercise levels in patients, and the need to identify the specific barriers to exercise in the individual to improve health outcomes.

Proposed new approach for treating Paget's disease of bone.

BACKGROUND: Paget's disease of the bone (PDB) is a localized disorder of bone remodeling. Nitrogen-containing bisphosphonates (N-BPs) are the treatment of choice. AIM: We aimed to determine the effectiveness of N-BPs in our practice. METHODS: We prospectively tabulated clinical, imaging and biochemical data as well as interventions. RESULTS: All patients (n = 31) received one or more different N-BPs such as alendronate, risedronate, and zoledronic acid (ZA). Median (absolute range) serum total alkaline phosphatase (ALP) declined from 302 (55-1,600) to 69 (37-101) IU/L. In a subgroup of patients (n = 18) who received ZA after receiving an oral N-BP, median serum total ALP declined from 197 (44-1, 603) to 65 (37-95) IU/L. CONCLUSIONS: Newly diagnosed patients with PDB should be treated for 6 months with oral N-BPs prior to administration of intravenous ZA. Repeat ZA infusions are necessary only if the serum total ALP levels rise above normal, or if symptoms or complications attributable to PDB persist.

Itraconazole cyclodextrin solution for fluconazole-refractory oropharyngeal candidiasis in AIDS: correlation of clinical response with in vitro susceptibility.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of itraconazole cyclodextrin solution in fluconazole-refractory oropharyngeal candidiasis (OPC), and to correlate clinical outcome with in vitro susceptibility and serum azole levels. DESIGN: A prospective, open-label, intervention study. SETTING: A university hospital, which serves as the provincial HIV referral center. PATIENTS AND INTERVENTIONS: Thirty six HIV-infected individuals referred for fluconazole-refractory OPC were evaluated prospectively between May 1993 and March 1995, including clinical assessment, serum azole levels, and susceptibility testing of Candida spp, isolates. Itraconazole solution was administered orally at a daily dose of 200 mg for 14 days, followed by suppressive therapy. Thirty-four patients were evaluable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Resolution of oral pseudomembranous lesions. RESULTS: Initial isolates were Candida albicans (n = 33), C. glabrata (n = 1), C. krusei (n = 1), and mixed infection with C. albicans and C. krusei (n = 1). Fluconazole serum levels obtained at the time of failed therapy ranged from 4.7 to 40 mg/l (median, 12.9 mg/l). Itraconazole was generally well tolerated. Clinical responses were observed in 65% (22 out of 34) of evaluable cases. Among the responders, relapse had occurred within 2 months for four (36%) out of 11 cases who continued with follow-up. The median fluconazole minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) was 64 mg/l for isolates from fluconazole-refractory cases, compared with a median of 0.5 mg/l for control isolates (P = 0.002). The median itraconazole MIC for isolates from fluconazole-refractory cases was 1.25 mg/l, compared with a median of 0.078 mg/l for controls (P = 0.011). CONCLUSION: A correlation between clinical response and in vitro susceptibility was clearly demonstrated for fluconazole, but not for itraconazole. Itraconazole cyclodextrin solution may be effective for fluconazole-refractory OPC and should be considered prior to salvage therapy with intravenous amphotericin B.

Anti-infective therapy for viral pneumonia.

The recognition of viruses as causes of pneumonia in both immunocompetent and immunocompromised hosts has expanded dramatically. The number of therapeutic agents available for treatment of these illness also has increased in the last decade. Each of these agents has demonstrated a limited therapeutic indication for treatment of viral pneumonia. Many of these agents inhibit viral DNA synthesis through actions as nucleoside analogs (such as acyclovir and ganciclovir). However, a variety of alternative mechanisms of inhibition of viral replication are used. Ribavirin, while being a nucleoside analogue, also appears to exert broad antiviral activity by a variety of enzymatic inhibitory mechanisms. Foscarnet, an inorganic pyrophosphate analogue, offers additional treatment options for herpesviruses by acting as a direct virus DNA polymerase inhibitor. The tricyclic amines amantadine and rimantadine inhibit influenza A replication by interfering with viral uncoating after cell penetration. Thus, these two agents are largely effective as prophylaxis. The search for novel antiviral drugs, such as neuraminadases inhibitors with selective influenza activity, is currently in progress.

Use of image analysis in determining masticatory efficiency in patients presenting for immediate dentures.

Image analysis was used to determine masticatory efficiency and performance before and after placement of immediate dentures. Sections of cored carrot were used as the test food and the particle size of chewed expectorated food was measured using image analysis. Measurements were shown to be accurate and reproducible. Masticatory function of immediate-denture patients was also compared with a similar number of dentate individuals and experienced complete-denture wearers. Dentate subjects were significantly (P less than .01) more efficient at masticating the test food than were the complete- or immediate-denture wearers. The new method of measurement removes the necessity for the unpleasant and unhygienic sieving process previously used in this type of study.