Irish journal of medical science
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Review Meta Analysis
Increased leptin levels in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: a meta-analysis.
Published data regarding the association of leptin levels with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are contradictory. To derive a more precise estimation of this relationship, a meta-analysis was performed. ⋯ The present meta-analysis suggested that leptin levels were higher in RA patients than those in healthy controls, which may be subject to different region, race, age, BMI, disease duration and disease activity.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
Evaluation of the effect of intra-operative intravenous fluid on post-operative pain and pulmonary function: a randomized trial comparing 10 and 30 ml kg(-1) of crystalloid.
Existing evidence suggests that administration of intravenous fluids has been shown to improve outcomes including pain in gynecological laparoscopic surgery but the optimum fluid dose has not been determined. ⋯ Liberal compared to restrictive administration of i.v. crystalloid is associated with a clinical modest reduction in pain. Pulmonary dysfunction was not increased with liberal fluid administration.
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Intensive care units (ICU) in Irish academic centres are known to fare as well as their international counterparts. Our aim in this study was to characterise the role and outcomes of an ICU in a smaller Irish hospital and to compare these to international best practice. ⋯ Critical care can be provided safely and in line with current best practice in smaller Irish hospitals. There is a cohort of patients for whom care may be best provided in a tertiary centre, how best to provide for these patients will likely be achieved by early identification (e.g. with SOFA score). Bed capacity issues remain problematic.