Associations between significant head injury in male juveniles in prison in Scotland UK and cognitive function, disability and crime: A cross sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Although the prevalence of head injury is estimated to be high in juveniles in prison, the extent of persisting disability is unknown and relationships with offending uncertain. This limited understanding makes it difficult to develop effective management strategies and interventions to improve health or reduce recidivism. This study investigates effects of significant head injury (SHI) on cognitive function, disability and offending in juvenile prisoners, and considers relationships with common comorbidities. METHODS: This cross-sectional study recruited male juvenile prisoners in Scotland from Her Majesty's Young Offenders Institute (HMYOI) Polmont (detaining approximately 305 of 310 male juveniles in prison in Scotland). To be included juveniles had to be 16 years or older, fluent in English, able to participate in assessment, provide informed consent and not have a severe acute disorder of cognition or communication. Head injury, cognition, disability, history of abuse, mental health and problematic substance use were assessed by interview and questionnaire. RESULTS: We recruited 103 (34%) of 305 juvenile males in HMYOI Polmont. The sample was demographically representative of juvenile males in prisons for young offenders in Scotland. SHI was found in 82/103 (80%) and head injury repeated over long periods of time in 69/82 (85%). Disability was associated with SHI in 11/82 (13%) and was significantly associated with mental health problems, particularly anxiety. Group differences on cognitive tests were not found. However the SHI group reported poorer behavioural control on the Dysexecutive Questionnaire and were more often reported for incidents in prison than those without SHI. Characteristics of offending, including violence, did not differ between groups. CONCLUSIONS: Although SHI is highly prevalent in juvenile prisoners, associated disability was relatively uncommon. There was no evidence for differences in cognitive test performance or offending in juveniles with and without SHI. However, signs of poorer behavioural control and greater psychological distress in juveniles with SHI suggest that they may be at greater risk of recidivism and of potentially becoming lifelong offenders. This implies a need for remedial programmes for juvenile prisoners to take account of persisting effects of SHI on mental health and self-control and education and to improve their understanding of the effects of SHI reduce the likelihood of cumulative effects from further SHI.

Broken guidewire intramedullary: what to do now?

Instrument breakage during orthopaedic procedures is relatively uncommon, but it remains a challenging problem to orthopaedic surgeons. We report a case of a broken guidewire during intramedullary nail fixation of a proximal femur fracture with subtrochanteric extension. We also report a simple yet effective technique for removal of a broken guidewire from the medulla of the proximal femur without causing much iatrogenic trauma.

The lifetime prevalence of hospitalised head injury in Scottish prisons: A population study.

BACKGROUND: There is mounting evidence that associates brain injury and offending behaviour, and there is a need to understand the epidemiology of head injury in prisoners in order to plan interventions to reduce associated disability and risk of reoffending. This is the first study to determine the lifetime prevalence of hospitalised head injury (HHI) in a national population of current prison inmates. In addition characteristics of prisoners with HHI and were compared to prisoners without HHI to discover whether those with HI differed demographically. METHODS: Whole life hospital records of everyone aged 35 years or younger and resident in a prison in Scotland on a census date in 2015 were electronically linked via their unique NHS identifier and checked for ICD-9 and 10 codes for head injury. Using a case-control design, these data were compared with a sample from the general population matched 3:1 for age, gender and area-based social deprivation. Comparison of demographic variables was made between prisoners with and without HHI. RESULTS: HHI was found in 24.7% (1,080/4,374) of prisoners and was significantly more prevalent than found in the matched general population sample (18.2%; 2394/13122; OR 2.10; 95%CI 1.87, 2.16). The prevalence of HHI in prisoners and controls was similar with the exception of a higher risk of HHI in prisoners in lower deprivation quintiles. Having three or more HHI was more common in prisoners (OR 3.04; 95%CI 2.33, 3.97) as were HHI with ICD codes for intracranial injuries (OR 1.81; 95% CI 1.54, 2.11), suggesting that more severe HHI is more prevalent in prisoners than the general population. The distributions within demographic variables and the characteristics of HHI admissions in prisoners with and without a history of HHI were similar. CONCLUSION: Prisoners in Scotland aged 35 years or younger have a higher lifetime prevalence of HHI than the general population and are more likely to have had repeated HI or intracranial injuries. Further work is required to elucidate the correspondence between self-report of HI and hospitalised records and to ascertain persisting effects of HI in prisoners and the need for services to reduce associated disability and risk of reoffending.

Exposure to an anti-androgenic herbicide negatively impacts reproductive physiology and fertility in Xenopus tropicalis.

Amphibians are threatened on a global scale and pollutants may be contributing to population declines, but how chemicals impact on their reproduction is poorly understood. We conducted a life cycle analysis to investigate the impacts of early life exposure to two anti-androgens (exposure until completion of metamorphosis;stage 66): flutamide, (50 µg/L)/linuron (9 and 45 µg/L)) on sexual development and breeding competence in Xenopus tropicalis. Our analyses included: mRNA levels of dmrt1, cyp17, amh, cyp19, foxl2 and ar (tadpoles/metamorphs), gonadal histomorphology (metamorphs/adults), mRNA levels of ar/gr (adult male brain/gonad/forelimb), testosterone/corticosterone levels (adult males), secondary sexual characteristics (forelimb width/nuptial pad: adult males) and breeding competence (amplexus/fertility: adult males). Compared to controls, feminised sex ratios and increased number of spermatogonia (adults) were observed after exposure to flutamide and the lower linuron concentration. Exposure to the lower linuron concentration also resulted in demasculinisation of secondary sexual characteristics and reduced male fertility. Flutamide exposure resulted in masculinisation of the nuptial pad and elevated mRNA levels of dmrt1, cyp17, amh and foxl2 in brains (metamorphs). Testosterone levels were higher in all treatment groups, however, overall few effects were observed in response to the higher linuron concentration. Our findings advance understanding of reproductive biology of X. tropicalis and illustrate negative effects of linuron on reproductive processes at a concentration measured in freshwater environments.

Long-term health outcomes after exposure to repeated concussion in elite level: rugby union players.

BACKGROUND: There is continuing concern about effects of concussion in athletes, including risk of the neurodegenerative disease chronic traumatic encephalopathy. However, information on long-term health and wellbeing in former athletes is limited. METHOD: Outcome after exposure to repeated brain injury was investigated in 52 retired male Scottish international rugby players (RIRP) and 29 male controls who were similar in age and social deprivation. Assessment included history of playing rugby and traumatic brain injury, general and mental health, life stress, concussion symptoms, cognitive function, disability and markers of chronic stress (allostatic load). RESULTS: The estimated number of concussions in RIRP averaged 14 (median=7; IQR 5-40). Performance was poorer in RIRP than controls on a test of verbal learning (p=0.022) and of fine co-ordination of the dominant hand (p=0.038) and not significantly different on other cognitive tests (p>0.05). There were no significant associations between number of concussions and performance on cognitive tests. Other than a higher incidence of cardiovascular disease in controls, no group differences were detected in general or mental health or estimates of allostatic load. In RIRP, persisting symptoms attributed to concussion were more common if reporting more than nine concussions (p=0.028), although these symptoms were not perceived to affect social or work functioning. CONCLUSIONS: Despite a high number of concussions in RIRP, differences in mental health, social or work functioning were not found late after injury. Subtle group differences were detected on two cognitive tests, the cause of which is uncertain. Prospective group comparison studies on representative cohorts are required.

Head injury in asylum seekers and refugees referred with psychological trauma.

OBJECTIVE: Individuals who seek asylum are frequently fleeing violent persecution and may experience head injury (HI). However, little is known about the prevalence of HI in asylum seekers and refugees (ASR) despite the potential for HI to significantly affect cognitive and emotional functioning and to compromise asylum outcomes. This preliminary study investigates the prevalence of HI in ASR referred to a complex psychological trauma service. METHOD: Participants were 115 adult ASR referred to a community psychological trauma service with moderate to severe mental health problems associated with psychological trauma. They were screened for a history of HI using a questionnaire developed for the study. Interpreters were used when required. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of HI was 51%. At least 38% of those with HI had a moderate-severe HI that could cause persisting disability. In 53% of those with HI, the cause was torture, human trafficking or domestic violence. Repeat HI can have cumulative effects on function; it was common, and was reported in 68% of those with HI. An injury to the head was not known to mental health clinicians prior to screening in 64% of cases. CONCLUSION: The emotional and cognitive consequences of HI in ASR may increase the vulnerability of this disadvantaged group, and can be associated with neurobehavioural problems affecting daily life and may compromise asylum outcomes. Routine screening for HI in ASR is needed, as are links to neuropsychology and brain injury services for advice, assessment and intervention.

The Prevalence and Severity of Joint Problems and Disability in Patients with Poliomyelitis in Urban India.

Poliomyelitis is caused by an enterovirus infection of the anterior horn cells in the spinal cord. Up to 40% of survivors recover full muscle strength, however 60-90% are left with varying degrees of residual paralysis, where the patient suffers from cramping myalgia and lower motor neuron pattern weakness. This study aimed to identify and quantify, in terms of prevalence and severity of the types of joint deformities encountered in polio sufferers. It also aimed to assess the disability caused by such problems. Finally we documented the provision and use of mobility aids, orthotics and surgery in the patient group. Impairment was confined to one lower limb, and this is consistent, as the majority of patients were infected in infancy. The study found that pes cavus, scoliosis, flexion deformity of the knee and true lower-limb shortening accounted for over half of the deformities found. The mean Barthel Disability score was 19 and over 80% of patients used at least one aid, usually in the form of a Knee-Ankle-Foot Orthosis (KAFO). Surgery also plays a large in role in the management of polio patients, however necessity needs to be assessed on an individual basis taking into account many aspects of the patient's life.

Mortality and morbidity 15 years after hospital admission with mild head injury: a prospective case-controlled population study.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate mortality rate in a population of adults admitted to hospital with mild head injury (MHI) 15 years later. DESIGN: A prospective case control, record linkage study. PARTICIPANTS: 2428 adults with MHI and an equal number of community controls (CC) were case-matched for age, gender and social deprivation. A further control group admitted with a non-head injury was in addition matched for duration of hospital admission. Controls with a history of head injury prior to study entry were excluded. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Death or survival 15 years poststudy entry. RESULTS: Mortality per 1000 per year after MHI (24.49; 95% CI 23.21 to 25.79) was higher than in CC (13.34; 95% CI 12.29 to 14.44; p<0.0001) or 'other injury' controls (OIC) (19.63; 95% CI 18.43 to 20.87; p<0.0001). Age at injury was important: younger adults (15-54 years) with MHI had a 4.2-fold greater risk of death than CC; in adults aged over 54, the risk was 1.4 times higher. Gender and social deprivation showed a similar association with death in the MHI and control groups. Repeated head injury was a risk factor for death in the MHI group. The frequency of hospital admission with systemic disease preinjury and postinjury was higher in both injury groups than in CC and higher in MHI than OIC. Prospective data in the MHI group suggest an association between preinjury lifestyle and mortality. Causes of death after MHI were similar to those of the control groups. CONCLUSIONS: Adults hospitalised with MHI had greater risk of death in the following 15 years than matched controls. The extent to which lifestyle and potential chronic changes in neuropathology explain these findings is unclear. Lifestyle factors do contribute to risk of death after MHI and this finding has implications for lifestyle management interventions.

Outcome of rehabilitation for neurobehavioural disorders.

BACKGROUND: The evidence base on neurobehavioural disorders and their rehabilitation has been growing for four decades. Over that time understanding of the need for effective interventions for a range of handicaps in personal, interpersonal and employment spheres has developed. There is a continuing need to demonstrate whether interventions, are effective and cost-sensitive. Moreover, in pursuing effectiveness, clinicians need to be able to predict which individuals are likely to benefit from a programme and here, clinical experience needs to be informed by research evidence. OBJECTIVE: To review the outcome of rehabilitation for neurobehavioural disorders. METHODS: This review initially considers the background to neurobehavioural rehabilitation and discusses methodological issues. It reviews the evidence for neurobehavioural interventions for severe head injury with emphasis on holistic models of care, behavioural treatments, interventions in non-specialist settings and for emotion perception and self-awareness. RESULTS: In general, there is a need for further high quality studies with longer follow-ups and evidence for generalisation in the community. However, there is a growing consensus that intensive holistic rehabilitation programmes can improve community reintegration and self-efficacy. For behaviour disturbance the evidence base largely comprises studies with weaker (single group or single case) designs. Overall studies here provide limited evidence in support of behavioural approaches for externalised behaviour such as aggression. Further RCT or group comparison studies are needed. In terms of negative behaviours such as apathy, there are few studies on head injury and conclusions cannot be made with confidence. Self awareness is a key issue associated with good outcome in general and research to date supports use of interventions that focus in on-task behaviour and education. The correct perception of emotions in others is a precursor to successful social interaction, and here there is very little evidence although early studies are encouraging. CONCLUSION: There is mounting evidence to support the effectiveness of non-pharmacological interventions for neurobehavioural disorders. Successful outcomes are often associated with intensive and prolonged interventions involving multidisciplinary working.

Can deficits in empathy after head injury be improved by compassionate imagery?

Severe head injury (SHI) can result in problems in empathising, which in turn is associated with social difficulties. Compassionate imagery can increase compassion in non-brain injured people and can alter how they relate to themselves and others. This preliminary study investigates whether compassionate imagery can increase empathy in those with low empathy after SHI. A between-group repeated measures design was used wth 24 participants with severe SHI and low empathy, randomly allocated to a single treatment session of compassionate imagery or a control condition of relaxation. Empathy, self-compassion and relaxation were assessed pre- and post-intervention and fear of compassion pre-intervention as a potential covariate. A group effect of compassionate imagery on empathy was not found, F(1, 21) = 0.12, p = .73. A non-specific increase in self-compassion approached significance, T = 78.00, p = 0.07, r = -.26. Fear of compassion did not correlate significantly with changes in self-compassion or empathy. Demographic and injury factors associated with SHI that may impact on treatment effectiveness are discussed. Further research that takes these factors into account is warranted.

Death after head injury: the 13 year outcome of a case control study.

BACKGROUND: Head injury is common, and the risk of subsequent disability and death is high. Increased risk of death years after injury might be explained by factors associated with, but not a consequence of, the head injury. This unique prospective study investigates mortality over 13 years after injury. METHODS: A cohort of n=767 with head injury was compared with two case control groups, matched for age, gender and deprivation, and in one control group, matched for duration of hospital admission following (non-head) injury. RESULTS: Two-fifths of the head injury cohort had died. The death rate (30.99 per 1000 per year) was much higher than in community controls (13.72 per 1000 per year). More than 1 year after injury, the death rate in younger (15-54 years) adults was much higher than in community controls (17.36 vs. 2.36 per 1000 per year) whereas in older adults the difference was more marginal (61.47 vs. 42.36). Death rate was elevated after mild and after more severe head injury, including in younger adults after mild head injury (14.82 per 1000 per year mild head injury vs. 2.21 community). Female gender and greater deprivation were not associated with increased death rates after head injury. Late after injury, deaths occurred from the same main causes as for the general population. CONCLUSION: Head injury is associated with increased vulnerability to death from a variety of causes for at least 13 years after hospital admission. There is a need to understand how head injury influences mortality, particularly in younger adults and after mild head injury.

Readability of information leaflets given to attenders at hospital with a head injury.

BACKGROUND: It is common practice for information leaflets to be given to people attending hospital after a head injury. Their role is potentially important in alerting the patient or their family to possible undetected or late-emerging cerebral complications in addition to providing guidance aimed to reduce the risk of further injury, or negative social or employment outcomes during recovery. This study examines the readability of information sheets provided by emergency departments in all Scottish hospitals. METHODS: Discharge advice leaflets pertaining to head injury from every ED in Scotland were obtained (45 leaflets from 30 hospital sites). Readability was assessed using two recognised formulae (SMOG and FRE). Legibility was assessed using the Royal National Institute for the Blind Clear Print Guidelines. Content was compared to the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN46) recommendations on the early management of head injury. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: It is estimated that less than 30% of the population would understand more than 90% of the head injury leaflets. Fewer than half of the leaflets provide even half of the patient information recommended by SIGN46. Analyses of other indicators from clear print guidelines are presented, together with a recommended format for a head injury leaflet and a metric is proposed for evaluating the usefulness of patient information leaflets in general.

Errorless learning is superior to trial and error when learning a practical skill in rehabilitation: a randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: Errorless learning is an effective strategy for the cognitive rehabilitation of memory impairment, but there is little evidence to support its use for skill learning. This preliminary study investigates whether errorless learning is superior to treatment as usual (trial and error), when teaching people with amputations and comorbid risk of vascular cognitive impairment to fit a prosthetic limb. DESIGN: A randomized control design. SETTING: A regional limb-fitting clinic at the West of Scotland Mobility and Rehabilitation Centre in Glasgow. PARTICIPANTS: Thirty adults with transtibial amputations, recruited from a regional limb-fitting clinic. Of these 42% were cognitively impaired. INTERVENTION: Random assignment to an errorless learning intervention (n = 15) or a treatment as usual control (n = 15). There were five training trials within a single session. Participants were then asked to fit their limb without assistance. MAIN MEASURES: Performance was scored from videotape recording of the first occasion when the participant attempted to fit their limb without assistance. Addenbrookes Cognitive Examination-Revised (ACE-R) was used to assess general cognitive functioning. RESULTS: The errorless learning group remembered more correct steps (mean 90.9, SD 12.1) than the control group (77.9; 8.4; P<0.001) and made fewer errors (mean 0.93, SD 1.3) than controls (2.1; 0.95); P =0.002). CONCLUSIONS: Errorless learning can benefit people with amputations in learning the practical skill of fitting a prosthetic limb. Further study that includes follow-up is warranted.

Head injury attenders in the emergency department: the impact of advice and factors associated with early symptom outcome.

PRIMARY OBJECTIVE: Many who attend hospital after head injury are not admitted to a hospital bed. This study explores the views of hospital attenders about advice received, predictors of memory for and compliance with advice and factors associated with early symptom persistence and outcome that might identify those requiring follow-up. DESIGN: A single group prospective follow-up design. METHODS AND PROCEDURE: Relationships between information obtained by emergency department (ED) staff during admission and about satisfaction with and memory for advice and about symptom persistence was compared in 200 attenders with head injury who were not admitted to hospital. The telephone interview comprised a structured interview and the Post-Concussional Symptoms Checklist. RESULTS: Satisfaction with advice was high. Despite this, a minority remembered advice (alcohol/drugs 44%; medication 38%; rest/sleep 56%; work 36%; sport 36%). At follow-up, symptom complaints were not predicted by information obtained in the ED. Attenders with retrospectively assessed post-traumatic amnesia (PTA) for more than 5 minutes reported more symptoms and poorer memory for advice at follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Although satisfaction with advice was high, memory for advice was relatively poor and was associated with longer durations of PTA. Attenders with PTA > 5 minutes should be targeted for follow-up or inpatient admission.

Can 'partial' PTSD explain differences in diagnosis of PTSD by questionnaire self-report and interview after head injury?

OBJECTIVE: Can the concept of 'partial' PTSD explain the disparity between the relatively high incidence of PTSD found using self-report questionnaires and the relatively low incidence using structured interview? It was hypothesized that self-report of greater PTSD symptom severity is associated with increased heart rate and movement when responding to questions about the traumatic event, if 'partial' PTSD is an explanation. RESEARCH DESIGN: A within participants single group design. METHODS: Twenty-one adults with head injury underwent self-report (Post-traumatic Stress Disorder Scale) and interview (Clinical Assessment of PTSD) assessments of PTSD, the Traumatic Memory Interview, self-report of mood (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale) and cognitive assessment (Wechsler Test of Adult Reading, Auditory Verbal Learning Test, Hayling Test, Digit Symbol Test), during which heart rate and motor activity were recorded. RESULTS: Self-report of greater PTSD symptom severity was not associated with increases in heart rate or movement during questions about the traumatic event. In fact, heart rate decreased from baseline in those with higher self-report scores for PTSD, consistent with curiosity about the traumatic event and not 'partial' PTSD. CONCLUSION: These preliminary findings agree with an emerging theme suggesting that, although PTSD can occur after head injury, it is easily over-diagnosed.

Cellular effects of long wavelength UV light (UVA) in mammalian cells.

UVA should receive significant consideration as a human health risk as it is a large proportion of the solar spectrum that reaches the earth's surface and because of its ability to penetrate human skin. It is only relatively recently that this has been recognized and this previously under-researched part of the UV spectrum is becoming increasingly well characterized at doses that are quite low in relation to those experienced by humans. Absorption of UVA in a cell leads to the production of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species that can damage major biomolecules including DNA and membrane lipids. Various types of damage induced in these molecules lead to significant biological effects including cytotoxicity, mutations and alterations in cell signalling pathways. Longer-term effects such as persistent genomic instability and bystander effects have also been observed following UVA treatment of mammalian cells and, as with ionizing radiation, this changes some of the fundamental thinking around tissue effects of irradiation. Antioxidants have been assessed extensively for their ability to protect against the biological effects of UVA and a number have been shown to be successful at least in-vitro, for example vitamin E and epigallocatechin-3-gallate. Other potential targets for protection are suggested through the increased understanding of some of the signalling mechanisms activated following treatment, for example the inhibition of NADPH oxidase is seen to reduce a bystander effect. The search for appropriate and successful photoprotective agents remains an important area of research.

Sleep disturbances following mild traumatic brain injury in childhood.

OBJECTIVE: To examine objective and subjective reports of sleep disturbance in school-aged children who had sustained mild traumatic brain injury (TBI) at least 6 months prior to the study. METHODS: Eighteen children aged 7-12 years with a history of mild TBI (GCS 13-15. LOC < 15 min) were compared to 30 children with orthopedic injuries using actigraphy and parental and self-report sleep questionnaires. RESULTS: Parents reported greater sleep disturbance in the mild TBI group. No significant differences were found in parental ratings of daytime sleepiness, child-reported sleep difficulties, or objective (actigraph) sleep measures. CONCLUSIONS: The finding of greater parental reports of sleep disturbance following mild TBI 6 months after injury requires greater exploration and future research with a larger sample followed from the point of injury would seem appropriate.

Death rate is increased for at least 7 years after head injury: a prospective study.

Although a high mortality rate among patients recently admitted to hospital with severe head injury is well recognized, less is known about their later mortality and very little about the ensuing lifestyle and less-severe injuries that lead to death. The aims of this study were to determine the rate of death in the first and six subsequent years after head injury, in a prospectively identified cohort admitted to hospital, and investigate the factors associated with death--comparing these with general death rates in Scottish populations. A structured sample of 767 patients aged 14 years and over was identified at the time of admission to hospital after a head injury and followed up 7 years later. A trace exercise was conducted to identify those deceased. The General Register of Scotland confirmed death and provided information about cause of death. Seven years after head injury, 206/767 (27%) people had died. Compared to the Glasgow population, risk of death was high after head injury in months 1-2 (23 times), 3-12 (3 times) and 13-84 (2 times), and overall was especially raised in younger people, even late (13-84 months) after injury (7 times). Mortality was only associated with greater severity of head injury during year 1. Pre-injury medical history was associated both with earlier and later deaths, but risk of death remained higher in those with no such history. Later deaths were often associated with lifestyle post-injury. The primary causes of death after head injury were the same as those in the general population. Compared to the general population, the death rate after admission to hospital with head injury remains high for at least 7 years, and is particularly high for those aged under 55 years. Interventions aimed at change in lifestyle may reduce this continuing excess mortality.

Clinical and cellular ionizing radiation sensitivity in a patient with xeroderma pigmentosum.

XP14BR is a cell line derived from a xeroderma pigmentosum (XP) patient from complementation group C. The patient was unusual in presenting with an angiosarcoma of the scalp, treated by surgical excision and radiotherapy. Following 38 Gy in 19 fractions with 6 MEV electrons, a severe desquamation and necrosis of the underlying bone ensued, and death followed 4 years later. The cell line was correspondingly hypersensitive to the lethal effects of gamma irradiation. We had previously shown that this sensitivity could be discriminated from that seen in ataxia-telangiectasia (A-T). The cellular response to ultraviolet radiation below 280 nm (UVC) was characteristic of XP cells, indicating the second instance, in our experience, of dual cellular UVC and ionizing radiation hypersensitivity in XP. We then set out to evaluate any defects in repair of ionizing radiation damage and to verify any direct contribution of the XPC gene. The cells were defective in repair of a fraction of double strand breaks, with a pattern reminiscent of A-T. The cell line was immortalized with the vector pSV3neo and the XPC cDNA transfected in to correct the defect. The progeny derived from this transfection showed the presence of the XPC gene product, as measured by immunoblotting. A considerable restoration of normal UVC, but not ionizing radiation, sensitivity was observed amongst the clones. This differential correction of cellular sensitivity is strong evidence for the presence of a defective radiosensitivity gene, distinct from XPC, which is responsible for the clinical hypersensitivity to ionizing radiation. It is important to resolve how widespread ionizing radiation sensitivity is amongst XP patients.

Accuracy of information on medicines in hospital discharge summaries.

BACKGROUND: At Auckland Hospital, patients have been given handwritten summaries on discharge from hospital with a copy posted to the general practitioner. A typed summary is often not completed so the list of medicines on the handwritten summary needs to be accurate and complete. METHODS: We selected 100 patient charts from the general medical service and 100 charts from the general surgical service and recorded the medicines on admission, on the inpatient medication chart and on the discharge summary. We noted errors in the recording of medicines on the discharge summary and rated the severity of errors. RESULTS: Surgical patients were discharged on 7.88 (95% confidence interval (CI) 7.40-8.64) medicines and medical patients on 8.58 (95% CI 7.87-9.29) medicines. During the admission there were 0.59 (95% CI 0.38-0.80) changes to the medicines for the surgical patients and 1.70 (95% CI 1.39-2.01) for the medical patients (P < 0.0001). There were 0.81 (95% CI 0.65-1.02) errors per surgical discharge summary and 1.42 (95% CI 1.20-1.67) errors per medical summary (P = 0.006). Four errors were graded as having the potential to cause readmission to hospital, 24 as potentially serious, 83 as potentially troublesome and 111 as minor. DISCUSSION: Error rates were high and although the majority were minor, a number of them had the potential to cause serious consequences. There were more medication changes in the medical patients and this may contribute to higher error rates in this group. There is a need to improve the accuracy of recording medicines on discharge summaries. Strategies to improve this problem are discussed.