QJM : monthly journal of the Association of Physicians
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Initial management of patients who were presented to hospital after acute paracetamol overdose depends on the suspected amount ingested and more than 12 g is potentially fatal. However, the validity of this approach has received comparatively little attention. ⋯ Therefore, ingestion of >12 g predicted higher paracetamol exposure and increased risk of hepatotoxicity and supports the validity of patient history in this context.
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In-patients with high blood glucose levels have much greater mortality and morbidity rates compared to normoglycaemic individuals hospitalized with the same condition. ⋯ Untreated or under-treated hyperglycaemia was a common occurrence in patients admitted to hospital with an acute medical emergency. There may be a role for hospital-based specialist diabetes teams to take a lead in facilitating more acceptable glucose control to achieve standard 8 of the National Service Framework for Diabetes.
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Spinal epidural abscess (SEA) is a rare but severe infection requiring prompt recognition. The major prognostic factor for a favourable outcome is early diagnosis, leading to appropriate treatment. In clinical practice, a diagnosis of SEA is often not considered, particularly in the early stages of the disease when neurological symptoms are not apparent. ⋯ Although neurosurgical decompression is still the treatment of choice in the majority of cases, less invasive procedures (e.g. computed tomography-guided needle aspiration) or antimicrobial treatment alone can be applied in selected cases. The choice of the most appropriate therapy should be discussed immediately after a confirmed diagnosis in consultation with infectious disease, radiology and spinal surgery specialists. The outcome of SEA is largely influenced by the severity and duration of neurological deficits prior to surgery, stressing the importance of early recognition.
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Comparative Study
Medical and legal confusion surrounding gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) and its precursors gamma-butyrolactone (GBL) and 1,4-butanediol (1,4BD).
Gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) is used as a recreational drug, with significant associated morbidity and mortality; it is therefore a class C drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act (1971). However, its precursors gamma-butyrolactone (GBL) and 1,4-butanediol (1,4BD) remain legally available despite having similar clinical effects. ⋯ Self-reported GHB ingestion was much more common than GBL ingestion, whereas GBL was more commonly found in the seized samples. These differences suggest that GBL use may be more common than previously thought and we suggest that there should be further debate about the legal status of the precursors of GHB.
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Review Meta Analysis
The value of clinical features in the diagnosis of acute pulmonary embolism: systematic review and meta-analysis.
Clinical assessment of patients with suspected pulmonary embolus (PE) is used to estimate the probability of PE and determine what (if any) diagnostic testing is required. ⋯ Individual clinical features only slightly raise or lower the probability of PE. In isolation, they have limited diagnostic value and none can be used to rule in or rule out PE without further testing.