Irish journal of medical science
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Multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) has been increasingly recognised as an important tool in the diagnosis of prostate cancer. PI-RADSv2 guidelines recommend that important clinical information including prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels, examination findings, and biopsy information should be included in mpMRI requests. PIRADS score and PSA density (PSAD) are both independent predictors for the presence of a clinically significant prostate cancer. ⋯ Great variation in the quality of information contained in both requests and reports for prostate mpMRIs exists within our service. We aim to improve this by collaborating with our radiology colleagues to develop a proforma for requesting and reporting of mpMRIs for our radiology systems to ensure important clinical and radiological information is provided in future.
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Observational Study
A combined role for low vitamin D and low albumin circulating levels as strong predictors of worse outcome in COVID-19 patients.
We aimed to assess the combined role of vitamin D and albumin serum levels as predictors of COVID-19 disease progression. ⋯ The measurement of both vitamin D and serum albumin levels on COVID-19 patients' admission, and their combined evaluation, provides a simple prognostic tool that could be employed to guide prompt clinical decisions.
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Safeguarding refers to the protection of health and wellbeing and enabling "life free from harm, abuse and neglect" (Safeguarding People 2019). In Ireland, the Health Service Executive (HSE) drafted a revised 2019 policy to replace the original policy on safeguarding adults at risk of abuse. A Safeguarding Committee was founded in Beaumont Hospital, Dublin to prepare for policy implementation and staff training. ⋯ Knowledge and confidence gaps can be addressed in future training. Identifying education gaps will help guide training and policy implementation.
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The (derived) neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (dNLR) is a potential predictive biomarker in the era of checkpoint inhibitors (CPI). An elevated dNLR is associated with worse outcomes across several malignancies. However, there is no clearly defined cut-off in the clinical setting. ⋯ Lower pre-CPI treatment dNLR is associated with improved OS. A decrease in dNLR during treatment confers improved OS.
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Kinesiophobia can be a barrier for physical activity in patients with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) and it can develop as a result of fear and avoidance reactions due to fatigue. However, there is no valid and reliable scale available to assess kinesiophobia due to fatigue in PwMS. ⋯ TSK-F has excellent reliability and moderate-to-good validity in evaluating kinesiophobia and the scale may be a useful outcome measurement for assessment of kinesiophobia due to fatigue in PwMS.