Irish journal of medical science
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The literature emphasizes that a consideration of patients' perspectives is an important part of the assessment process; however, it is ignored by many clinicians because they believe physical impairment measures can reflect patients' perspectives about their symptoms. But the relevance of changes in physical impairments to changes in patient-reported outcome scores in rotator cuff disease is ambiguous. ⋯ This study implies that the changes in glenohumeral ROM and shoulder muscle strength do not represent the changes in patients' perspectives in pain, disability, and health-related quality of life after the physical therapy program in patients with rotator cuff disease.
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Dysphagia is common in children born prematurely or those with neuromuscular conditions or airway malformations. Few studies have reported on children with isolated dysphagia and there is significant variation in the literature regarding clinical outcomes. ⋯ Isolated dysphagia should be considered in children presenting with recurrent, otherwise unexplained respiratory symptoms. Resolution can take a number of years.
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There are no many data on association between progression rate of Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) and disease outcome. ⋯ Faster progression of GBS does not imply a poorer short-term functional outcome of the disease.
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Modern oncological and operative outcomes in esophageal cancer: the St. James's hospital experience.
Oesophageal cancer has a reputation for poor survival, and a relatively high risk of major postoperative morbidity and mortality. Encouragingly, a recent international cancer registry study reports a doubling of survival outcomes in Ireland over the last 20 years. This study focused on both oncologic and operative outcomes in patients treated with curative intent requiring surgery at a high-volume center. ⋯ Consistent with registry data on population survival for oesophageal cancer, this study highlights markedly improved survival outcomes in patients treated curatively, reflecting international trends, as well as low mortality rates; however, cardiorespiratory complications remain significant.
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Prolonged social isolation as a result of the COVID-19 global pandemic has been a source of considerable psychological distress for many people. This can manifest in many ways and if left undetected can impact negatively on general health. It is essential to understand the impact of these conditions on inflammatory arthritis (IA) patients, especially axial spondyloarthropathy (axSpA). ⋯ Females with IA reported significantly higher rates of decline in general health, mood disturbance and increased disease activity during the period of social isolation. This was reflected in a trend towards greater levels of psychological distress.