Irish journal of medical science
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Since the outbreak of COVID-19 in December 2019, there have been more than 115 million cases worldwide (1). Symptoms of COVID-19 vary widely and the spectrum of clinical presentation has yet to be fully characterised (2). Many countries have detailed their early experience with COVID-19, with a focus on the clinical characteristics of the disease. However, to our knowledge, there has been no such study detailing symptoms in the Irish population. ⋯ These data represents an early picture of the clinical characteristics of COVID-19 in an Irish population. It also highlights the potential use of self-reported data globally as a powerful tool in helping with the pandemic.
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The emergence of the novel coronavirus Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and the coronavirus disease COVID-19 has impacted enormously on non-COVID-19-related hospital care. Curtailment of intensive care unit (ICU) access threatens complex surgery, particularly impacting on outcomes for time-sensitive cancer surgery. Oesophageal cancer surgery is a good example. This study explored the impact of the pandemic on process and short-term surgical outcomes, comparing the first wave of the pandemic from April to June in 2020 with the same period in 2019. ⋯ Continuing surgical resection for oesophageal cancer was feasible and safe during the COVID-19 pandemic in Ireland. The national response to this threat was therefore successful by these criteria in the curative management of oesophageal cancer.
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Based on the severity of thrombocytopenia, patients with immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) are at an increased risk of mucocutaneous or major bleeding. ⋯ Emergency physicians should be aware of the occurrence of vaccine-induced ITP in patients who present with bleeding manifestations, especially after the current boost in COVID-19 vaccination drive worldwide.
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Three-meter backward walk test (3MBWT) and 50-ft walk test (50FWT) are frequent physical performance tests in clinical practice. ⋯ The 3MBWT and 50FWT are valid and reliable performance tests in community-dwelling older adults. MDC value of both tests provides an essential contribution to clinical practice.
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Electric scooters (e-scooters) have become popular within a short time. With its growing popularity, the number of admissions to emergency services due to e-scooter injuries has also increased. In this study, we aimed to analyze the clinical and demographic characteristics of e-scooter injuries applied to our emergency department. ⋯ We consider that serious injuries can be prevented by establishing legal regulations regarding the use of e-scooters and determining the appropriate routes for e-scooters, hence making e-scooters a safer means of transportation.