The Utility of Ambulance Dispatch Call Syndromic Surveillance for Detecting and Assessing the Health Impact of Extreme Weather Events in England.

Extreme weather events present significant global threats to health. The National Ambulance Syndromic Surveillance System collects data on 18 syndromes through chief presenting complaint (CPC) codes. We aimed to determine the utility of ambulance data to monitor extreme temperature events for action. Daily total calls were observed between 01/01/2018−30/04/2019. Median daily 'Heat/Cold' CPC calls during "known extreme temperature" (identified a priori), "extreme temperature"; (within 5th or 95th temperature percentiles for central England) and meteorological alert periods were compared to all other days using Wilcoxon signed-rank test. During the study period, 12,585,084 calls were recorded. In 2018, median daily "Heat/Cold" calls were higher during periods of known extreme temperature: heatwave (16/day, 736 total) and extreme cold weather events (28/day, 339 total) compared to all other days in 2018 (6/day, 1672 total). Median daily "Heat/Cold" calls during extreme temperature periods (16/day) were significantly higher than non-extreme temperature periods (5/day, p < 0.001). Ambulance data can be used to identify adverse impacts during periods of extreme temperature. Ambulance data are a low resource, rapid and flexible option providing real-time data on a range of indicators. We recommend ambulance data are used for the surveillance of presentations to healthcare related to extreme temperature events.

UK survey demonstrates a wide range of impacts attributable to clinical librarian services.

OBJECTIVE: To understand the impact of the UK Clinical Librarian (CL) workforce and benchmark the results against a study undertaken in the North West region of the English National Health Service (NHS). METHODS: An online survey was distributed by CLs to their service users regarding literature searches that had been carried out on their behalf in the 6 months from April to October 2017. Interviews were later carried out in person with selected respondents to the questionnaires. RESULTS: CLs across the UK contribute to a wide range of outcomes, with 41% of search requests contributing to the choice of intervention, and 41% also to the advice offered by the clinician requester to a patient or their carer. These results are in line with the previous work undertaken in the North West. DISCUSSION: CLs provide diverse services to clinical teams. They support the continuing professional development and personal research needs of team members, service development needs of organisations, and the information provided contributes to improved quality and safety of patient care. CONCLUSION: The survey confirms the findings of the earlier NW study. It demonstrates the impact of services based around literature searching on patient care.

A narrative systematic review of randomised controlled trials that compare cannulation techniques for haemodialysis.

BACKGROUND: Cannulation of arteriovenous access for haemodialysis affects longevity of the access, associates with complications and affects patients' experiences of haemodialysis. Buttonhole and rope ladder techniques were developed to reduce complications. However, studies that compare these two techniques report disparate results. This systematic review performs an in-depth exploration of RCTs, with a specific focus on cannulation as a complex intervention. METHODS: A PICO question and protocol was developed as per PRISMA-P guidance and registered on PROSPERO (CRD42018094656 https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=112895). The systematic review included any RCT performed on adult patients with end-stage kidney disease undergoing cannulation of arteriovenous fistulae or grafts for in-centre haemodialysis, as performed by healthcare staff. Assessment of quality of RCTs and data extraction were performed by two co-authors independently. Data were extracted on the study design, intervention and comparator and outcomes, including patency, infection and patients' experiences. RESULTS: The literature search identified 241 records. Ten records met inclusion criteria, which described five different RCTs that compared buttonhole to either rope ladder or usual practice. Results were disparate, with patency and infection results varying. Pain Visual Analogue scores were the only measure used to capture patients' experiences and results were inconclusive. All RCTs had differences and limitations in study design that could explain the disparity in results. CONCLUSION: Current evidence does not allow definitive conclusions as to whether buttonhole or rope ladder needling technique is superior. Future RCTs should describe interventions and comparators with adequate detail, embed process evaluation, use standardised outcome measures and build on feasibility studies to produce definitive results.

The Role of Chronic Inflammation in Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome-A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Although the current literature associates polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) with chronic inflammation, the evidence for this link remains inconclusive and its causal nature remains unclear. The purpose of this systematic review was to assess the inflammatory status in PCOS women and to determine whether it is related to PCOS or to its associated adiposity. We searched electronic databases including PUBMED, EMBASE and MEDLINE, SCOPUS, DynaMed plus, TRIP, ScienceDirect and Cochrane Library, for studies investigating C-reactive protein (CRP) and other inflammatory makers in PCOS women versus healthy controls. Quality and risk of bias for selected studies were assessed using the modified Newcastle-Ottawa scale. CRP data were extracted and pooled using RevMan for calculation of the standardized mean difference (SMD) and 95% confidence interval (CI). Eighty-five eligible studies were included in the systematic review, of which 63 were included in the meta-analysis. Pooled analysis of the 63 studies revealed significantly higher circulating CRP in PCOS women (n = 4086) versus controls (n = 3120) (SMD 1.26, 95%CI, 0.99, 1.53). Sensitivity meta-analysis of 35 high quality studies including non-obese women showed significantly higher circulating CRP in PCOS women versus controls (SMD 1.80, 95%CI, 1.36, 2.25). In conclusion, circulating CRP is moderately elevated in PCOS women independent of obesity, which is indicative of low-grade chronic inflammation.

Suicide among ambulance service staff: a review of coroner and employment records.

BACKGROUND: There is growing evidence to suggest that ambulance service staff may be at increased risk for suicide; however, few studies have explored risk factors within this occupational group. AIM: To investigate factors commonly associated with ambulance staff suicides. METHOD: Eleven ambulance service trusts across the United Kingdom were asked to return details of staff suicides occurring between January 2014 and December 2015. Coroners were then contacted to request permission to review the records of the deceased. RESULTS: Fifteen suicides were identified (73% male, mean age 42 years). Inquest data were available on 12 deaths. The most common method used was hanging. Possible risk factors identified included recent return to work following a period of sickness absence, poor mental health, relationship and debt problems, history of self-harm and the loss of a driving licence/change in job role. CONCLUSION: Identifying characteristics of suicide among this high-risk group is important to inform the development of suicide prevention initiatives. Additional research is needed with an adequate control group to further explore the risk factors identified in this study.

The impact of uterine artery embolization on ovarian reserve: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Uterine artery embolization (UAE) has been gaining increasing popularity as an effective and minimally invasive treatment for uterine fibroids. However, there has been growing concern over the risk of unintended embolization of the utero-ovarian circulation, leading to reduction of ovarian blood supply with subsequent impairment of ovarian reserve. The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of UAE on circulating anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) and other markers of ovarian reserve. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This meta-analysis included all published cohort, cross-sectional and case-control studies, as well as randomized trials that investigated the impact of UAE on circulating AMH. Data sources included MEDLINE, EMBASE, Dynamed Plus, ScienceDirect, TRIP database, ClinicalTrials.gov and the Cochrane Library from January 2000 to June 2019. All identified articles were screened, and articles were selected based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. AMH and other data were extracted from the eligible articles and entered into RevMan software to calculate the weighted mean difference between pre- and post-embolization values. PROSPERO registration number: CRD42017082615. RESULTS: This review included 3 cohort and 3 case-control studies (n = 353). The duration of follow up after UAE ranged between 3 and 12 months. Overall pooled analysis of all studies showed no significant effect of UAE on serum AMH levels (weighted mean difference -0.58 ng/mL; 95% CI -1.5 to 0.36, I2  = 95%). Subgroup analysis according to age of participants (under and over 40 years) and according to follow-up duration (3, 6 and 12 months) showed no significant change in post-embolization circulating AMH. Pooled analysis of serum follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) concentrations (4 studies, n = 248) revealed no statistically significant change after UAE (weighted mean difference 4.32; 95% CI -0.53 to 9.17; I2  = 95%). Analysis of 2 studies (n = 62) measuring antral follicle count showed a significant decline at 3-month follow up (weighted mean difference -3.28; 95% CI -5.62 to -0.93; I2  = 94%). CONCLUSIONS: Uterine artery embolization for uterine fibroids does not seem to affect ovarian reserve as measured by serum concentrations of AMH and FSH.

Assessment of Circulating Anti-Müllerian Hormone in Women Using Hormonal Contraception: A Systematic Review.

Background: The status of ovarian reserve markers during hormonal contraception (HC) remains uncertain with conflicting literature data. The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of HC on circulating anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) and other ovarian reserve markers. Materials and Methods: A systematic review was conducted, including all cohort, cross-sectional, and randomized controlled studies assessing serum anti Müllerian hormone concentration in women using HC. Data sources included MEDLINE, EMBASE, DynaMed Plus, ScienceDirect, TRIP database, ClinicalTrials.gov, and the Cochrane Library from January 2000 to October 2018. Results: A total of 366 studies were identified, of which 15 were eligible, including 3280 women, mostly using combined HC (CHC). Articles were divided according to duration of HC into short- (2-3 weeks), medium- (2-6 months), long- (>1 year), and varied-term studies. Two study designs were identified, including studies comparing AMH before and during/after CHC and studies comparing CHC users versus nonusers. Short- and medium-term studies (n = 284) reported no change in circulating AMH in women using cyclical CHC for one to six cycles. Apart from one study, all long- and varied-term studies (six studies, n = 1601) consistently showed a marked decline in AMH, antral follicle count, and ovarian volume. Three long-term studies (n = 1324) provided evidence of AMH recovery after discontinuation of HC. Conclusion: Circulating AMH seems to remain unchanged in women using cyclical CHC for up to 6 months, but appears to markedly decline in long-term users with recovery after discontinuation.

Lidocaine-prilocaine cream versus local infiltration anesthesia in pain relief during repair of perineal trauma after vaginal delivery: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Perineal trauma is a common problem that may affect women during vaginal delivery; this trauma can be either spontaneous (tear) or intentional (episiotomy). When repair of perineal trauma is required, adequate analgesics must be obtained. Topical products as lidocaine-prilocaine (EMLA) cream is one of the suggested methods, but still there is lack of evidence with regard to its efficacy and safety.Objective: The aim of this review is to assess the evidence of utilizing EMLA cream in comparison to local perineal infiltration anesthesia for pain control during perineal repair after vaginal delivery.Data sources: Medline, Embase, Dynamed Plus, ScienceDirect, TRIP database, ClinicalTrials.gov and the Cochrane Library were searched electronically from January 2006 to May 2018 for studies investigating the effect of lidocaine-prilocaine cream in relieving pain during repair of perineal trauma.Methods of study selection: All randomized controlled trials assessing effect of lidocaine-prilocaine cream versus local infiltration anesthesia in relieving pain during repair of perineal trauma were considered for this meta-analysis. Fifteen studies were identified of which four studies deemed eligible for this review. Quality and risk of bias assessment was performed for all studies.Data extraction: Two researchers independently extracted the data from the individual articles and entered into RevMan software. The weighted mean difference (WMD) and 95% confidence interval (CI) was calculated. Statistical heterogeneity between studies was assessed by the Higgins chi-square and (I2) statistics. When heterogeneity was significant, a random-effects model was used for meta-analysis. Otherwise, the fixed effect meta-analysis was used when there was no significant heterogeneity.Results: Pooled analysis of result in "pain score" was insignificant between the two groups (WMD -1.11; 95% CI (-2.55 to 0.33); p = .13). Furthermore, the use of additional analgesia showed no statistically significant difference between the two groups (WMD 1.34; 95% CI (0.66-2.71), p = .42). Regarding patient satisfaction, an overall analysis of three studies showed significant results favoring EMLA cream group users (WMD 4.65; 95% CI (1.96-11.03), p = .0005). The pooled analysis of the outcome "duration of repair" showed the significantly shorter duration of repair in EMLA cream users (n = 92) than local infiltration anesthesia (n = 95) (1.72 min; 95% CI (-2.76 to -0.67), p = .001).Conclusions: This meta-analysis suggests that topical lidocaine-prilocaine cream gives comparable results in reducing pain during perineal repair after vaginal delivery.

Ovarian reserve after salpingectomy: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Although there has been a growing concern over the possible damaging effect of salpingectomy on ovarian reserve, this issue remains uncertain. The purpose of this meta-analysis was to test the hypothesis that salpingectomy may compromise ovarian reserve. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A detailed search was conducted using MEDLINE, Embase, Dynamed Plus, ScienceDirect, TRIP database and the Cochrane Library from January 2000 to November 2016. All cohort, cross-sectional and randomized controlled studies investigating changes in circulating anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) after salpingectomy were considered. Thirty-seven studies were identified, of which eight were eligible. Data were extracted and entered into RevMan software for calculation of the weighted mean difference (WMD) and 95% CI. Two groups of studies were analyzed separately: group 1 (six studies, n = 464) comparing data before and after salpingectomy and group 2 (two studies) comparing data in women who have undergone salpingectomy (n = 169) vs. healthy controls (n = 154). RESULTS: Pooled results of group 1 studies showed no statistically significant change in serum AMH concentration after salpingectomy (WMD, -0.10 ng/mL; 95% CI -0.19 to 0.00, I2 = 0%). Similarly, meta-analysis of group 2 showed no statistically significant difference in serum AMH concentration between salpingectomy group and controls (WMD, -0.11 ng/mL; 95% CI -0.37 to 0.14, I2 = 77%). Subgroup analyses based on laterality of surgery, type of AMH kit and participants' age (<40 years) still showed no statistically significant changes in circulating AMH. CONCLUSION: Salpingectomy does not seem to compromise ovarian reserve in the short-term. However, the long-term effect of salpingectomy on ovarian reserve remains uncertain.

The impact of laparoscopic ovarian drilling on AMH and ovarian reserve: a meta-analysis.

Laparoscopic ovarian drilling (LOD) has been widely used as an effective treatment of anovulatory women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). However, there has been a growing concern over a possible damaging effect of this procedure on ovarian reserve. The objective of this study was to investigate the hypothesis that LOD compromises ovarian reserve as measured by post-operative changes in circulating anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH). This meta-analysis included all cohort studies as well as randomised controlled trials (RCTs) investigating serum AMH concentrations and other ovarian reserve markers in women with PCOS undergoing LOD. Various databases were searched including MEDLINE, EMBASE, Dynamed Plus, ScienceDirect, TRIP database, ClinicalTrials.gov and Cochrane Library from January 2000 to December 2016. Sixty studies were identified, of which seven were deemed eligible for this review. AMH data were extracted from each study and entered into the RevMan software to calculate the weighted mean difference (WMD) between pre- and post-operative values. Pooled analysis of all studies (n = 442) revealed a statistically significant decline in serum AMH concentration after LOD (WMD -2.13 ng/mL; 95% confidence interval (CI) -2.97 to -1.30). Subgroup analysis based on duration of follow-up, AMH kit, laterality of surgery and amount of energy applied during LOD consistently showed a statistically significant fall in serum AMH concentration. In conclusion, although LOD seems to markedly reduce circulating AMH, it remains uncertain whether this reflects a real damage to ovarian reserve or normalisation of the high pre-operative serum AMH levels. Further long-term studies on ovarian reserve after LOD are required to address this uncertainty.

An observational study of patient characteristics and mortality following hypoglycemia in the community.

OBJECTIVES: Characterize patients with diabetes with severe hypoglycemia requiring emergency services intervention at home and investigate 12-month mortality. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Emergency services call-outs for hypoglycemia were recorded between 2005 and 2013 in an area covering 34 000 patients with diabetes. Patient characteristics were documented together with capillary blood glucose (CBG), glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), and treatment for hypoglycemia; 12-month mortality and variables influencing survival were analyzed. RESULTS: In 1835 episodes among 1156 patients, 45% had type 1 diabetes (68.2% males) and 44% had type 2 diabetes (49.4% males), with a minority unclassified. CBG at presentation (mean±SD) was 1.76±0.72 mmol/L in patients with type 1 diabetes and 1.96±0.68 mmol/L in patients with type 2 diabetes (p<0.0001), with a higher HbA1c in the former group (8.3±1.52% (67.5±16.4 mmol/mol) and 7.8±1.74% (61.6±19.0 mmol/mol), respectively; p<0.0001). A third of patients with type 2 diabetes were not on insulin therapy and displayed lower HbA1c compared with insulin users. Glucagon was used in 37% of patients with type 1 diabetes and 28% of patients with type 2 diabetes (p<0.0001). One-year mortality was 4.45% in type 1 diabetes and 22.1% in type 2 diabetes. Age and type of diabetes were predictive of mortality in multivariable analysis, whereas CBG levels/frequency of hypoglycemia had no effect. CONCLUSIONS: Severe hypoglycemia in the community is common with a male predominance in type 1 diabetes. Severe hypoglycemia in non-insulin treated patients with type 2 diabetes is associated with lower HbA1c compared with insulin users. Severe hypoglycemia appears to be associated with increased mortality at 12 months, particularly in type 2 diabetes.