Postgraduate medical journal
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Letter Case Reports
Postexercise facilitation in Lambert-Eaton myasthenia syndrome.
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Patients with immune thrombocytopaenia (ITP) have a wide spectrum of disease severity and bleeding risk even at similar platelet counts. Hence, additional clinical and laboratory factors may be considered in the evaluation of bleeding risk in ITP. ⋯ A risk-stratified approach to management of ITP is hoped to reduce bleeding complications in high-risk patients; however, the outcomes of such management approach need to be studied prospectively. Additionally, whether therapy intensification or combination of dual therapy such as intravenous immunoglobulin or rituximab in combination with dexamethasone can reduce bleeding complications in high-risk ITP should be studied in the future.
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It has been reported that lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)) is associated with the risk of cardiovascular disease. The present study aimed to examine the association of Lp(a) levels with the presence and severity of coronary artery disease (CAD) in female patients. ⋯ Circulating Lp(a) levels were independently associated with the presence and severity of CAD in the postmenopausal females, suggesting that Lp(a) may be useful for prevention and risk-stratification of CAD in female individuals.
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Fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) is a non-invasive biomarker for airway eosinophilic inflammation. However, the clinical value of ultrahigh FeNO (≥100 parts per billion (ppb)) in predicting asthma is never explored. We aimed to investigate the value of ultrahigh FeNO as a predictor of bronchial hyperresponsiveness (BHR), an important index for asthma diagnosis. ⋯ Ultrahigh FeNO correlates with BHR and could serve as a practical alternative to methacholine challenge to support an asthma diagnosis in patients with suspected asthma in primary care.
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Internationally, supporting surgical trainees during pregnancy, maternity and paternity leave is essential for trainee well-being and for retention of high-calibre surgeons, regardless of their parental status. This study sought to determine the current experience of surgical trainees regarding pregnancy, maternity and paternity leave. ⋯ Over a quarter of surgical trainees felt unsupported by their department during pregnancy, while a quarter of male trainees experience difficulty in arranging paternity leave. Efforts must be made to ensure support is available in pregnancy and maternity/paternity leave.