Symptoms of anxiety, depression and fear in healthcare workers and non-healthcare workers undergoing outpatient COVID-19 testing in an urban Australian setting.

This study assessed symptoms of anxiety, depression and fear of COVID-19 in members of the general community and healthcare workers (HCWs) attending for COVID testing. This cross-sectional study was conducted in a public hospital COVID-19 testing clinic (June-September 2020) using self-administered questionnaires (i.e. the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and the Fear of COVID-19 Scale). In all, 430 participants who met the criteria for COVID-19 testing with nasopharyngeal and throat swabs completed the questionnaires. The mean (±s.d.) age of participants was 37.6 ± 12.6 years. HCWs made up 35.1% of the sample. Overall, the mean (±s.d.) score for anxiety was 6.09 ± 4.41 and 'case' prevalence (any severity) was 151/430 (35.1%), higher than normative population scores. Higher anxiety was found in women (P = 0.001) and in clients who had previously been tested for coronavirus (P = 0.03). HCWs had lower anxiety scores than members of the general community (P = 0.001). For depression, the mean (±s.d.) score was 4.18 ± 3.60, with a 'case' prevalence (any severity) of 82/430 (19.1%), similar to normative population scores. Women reported a higher level of COVID-19 fear (P = 0.001), as did people with a lower education level (P = 0.001). A greater psychological impact of COVID-19 was observed in women, people undergoing repeat testing and participants reporting lower levels of educational attainment. HCWs had fewer symptoms of anxiety and depression than non-HCWs attending the same clinic for COVID-19 testing. This information can be used to plan mental health interventions in primary care and testing settings during this and future pandemics.

The Prevalence of Respiratory Symptoms in Irish Dairy Farmers.

Work-related respiratory disease is a significant risk in the farming community. We assessed respiratory symptoms using a validated work-related respiratory questionnaire in 126 dairy farmers (19-75 years; 91.3% male). The prevalence of cough symptoms was 34.4%. Thirty-seven farmers (29.4%) complained of upper airway symptoms while forty (31.7%) complained of eye problems. Cumulated symptoms scores did not indicate higher than normal rates of chronic lung disease. Only 10 farmers (7.9%) were taking medication for lung conditions. Only 7 (5.6%) were current smokers. The rate of respiratory symptoms did not relate to the herd size or the method of animal feeding used by the farmers. The incidence of respiratory symptoms remains high among Irish dairy farmers. While the exact reason for this is unknown it may be related to continuing work- related dust exposure.

Epidemiology of Haemophilus type b invasive disease in childhood in Glasgow.

The objective of this study was to investigate the epidemiology of invasive disease due to Haemophilus influenzae type b in childhood in Glasgow. A retrospective study has been made on the hospital records of 252 children aged 0 to 12 years admitted to Glasgow hospitals during 1981-1990. The annual incidence of invasive Haemophilus influenzae type b disease in Glasgow was estimated at 39 per 100,000 children less than five years of age per year. The figure for Haemophilus meningitis was 23.8 per 100,000 children less than five years of age per year. Ninety-five per cent of all cases occurred in children less than five years of age and 72.1% of meningitis cases occurred before two years of age. There was a mortality of 2.77%. Long-term neurological sequelae were found in 15.3% of the survivors. The annual incidence of Haemophilus influenzae type b disease is slightly higher in Glasgow than previously reported for the United Kingdom. The study provides baseline data to help assess efficacy of proposed early childhood vaccination.

Malignant osteopetrosis: hypercalcaemia after bone marrow transplantation.

A 3 year old girl presented with malignant osteopetrosis, which was treated by allogeneic bone marrow transplantation. Successful engraftment was complicated by prolonged hypercalcaemia, which was controlled by a combination of a bisphosphonate, phosphate infusions, vigorous resalination, and salmon calcitonin. She was alive and well 16 months after the transplant.

Length measurement in small neonates.

The Prematometer is a new instrument for the accurate measurement of the length of small neonates inside incubators. It is capable of giving precise results.