International journal of clinical practice
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Int. J. Clin. Pract. · Oct 2017
Review Meta AnalysisEfficacy of AMC/DCBA lozenges for sore throat: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
Lozenges containing Amylmetacresol and 2,4-Dichlorobenzylalcohol (AMC/DCBA, eg Strepsils® ) are marketed as a remedy for acute sore throat. This over-the-counter formulation has antiseptic and local anaesthetic qualities. ⋯ Lozenges with AMC/DCBA can be a safe treatment option to relieve pain in patients with uncomplicated sore throat looking for local treatment options and valuing the modest additional effect compared with non-medicated lozenges. Registration: PROSPERO CRD42015008826.
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Int. J. Clin. Pract. · Oct 2017
Prevalence and associations of general practitioners' ordering of "non-symptomatic" prostate-specific antigen tests: A cross-sectional analysis.
Testing for asymptomatic prostate cancer with prostate specific antigen (PSA) is of uncertain benefit. Most relevant authorities recommend against screening, and for informed patient choice. We aimed to establish the prevalence and associations of "non-symptomatic" PSA-testing of men aged 40 or older by early-career general practitioners (GP registrars). ⋯ GP registrars frequently order "asymptomatic" PSA tests. Our findings suggest that non-compliance with current guidelines for PSA screening may be relatively common and that targeted education is warranted.
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Int. J. Clin. Pract. · Oct 2017
Observational StudyPersistence and adherence with mirabegron vs antimuscarinics in overactive bladder: Retrospective analysis of a UK General Practice prescription database.
Persistence with antimuscarinic (AM) drugs prescribed for overactive bladder (OAB) is poor. This study aimed to compare persistence and adherence with the beta-3-adrenoceptor agonist mirabegron (MIR) vs AMs over 12 months. ⋯ MIR was associated with a significantly longer time to discontinuation, greater persistence and better adherence than AMs. However, there was a steep decline in persistence with all drugs after 1 month. This is unlikely to be wholly explained by anticholinergic adverse events, as it was also seen with MIR. The lower proportion of MIR patients who were treatment-naive reflects current prescribing guidelines whereby MIR is prescribed after an initial generic AM trial. The study was limited by the small number of MIR patients. Study identifier: ISN 178-MA-3059.
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Int. J. Clin. Pract. · Sep 2017
The Maastricht Frailty Screening Tool for Hospitalised Patients (MFST-HP) to Identify Non-Frail Patients.
The Maastricht frailty screening tool for hospitalised patients (MFST-HP) is a frailty screening tool that is fully integrated in the nursing assessment at admission. This study aims to determine the predictive value of the MFST-HP for the health outcomes length of hospital stay, discharge destination, readmission and mortality. ⋯ The MFST-HP seems to operate more strongly as a non-frailty indicator than as a frailty indicator and may in this respect help professionals to decide upon subsequent care. The MFST-HP is able to rule out 84% of the non-frail population in this study. The remaining 16% need to be assessed by means of a comprehensive geriatric assessment or rapid geriatric assessment, to gain more insight in the level of vulnerability in the frail-group.
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This is a medical kitty hawk moment. Drones are pilotless aircrafts that were initially used exclusively by the military but are now also used for various scientific purposes, public safety, and in commercial industries. The healthcare industry in particular can benefit from their technical capabilities and ease of use. ⋯ The FAA is challenged with keeping pace legislatively with the rapid advances in drone technology. This relative lag has been perceived as slowing the proliferation of drone use. Despite these regulatory limitations, drones are showing significant potential for transforming healthcare and medicine in the 21st century.