International journal of clinical practice
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Int. J. Clin. Pract. · Mar 2001
Case ReportsAcute adrenocortical crisis: three different presentations.
The adrenal cortex normally produces three principal steroid hormones: the glucocorticoid cortisol, the mineralocorticoid aldosterone, and a small quantity of sex steroids. In primary adrenocortical insufficiency, there is a deficiency of both cortisol and aldosterone with characteristic clinical and laboratory findings. ⋯ Acute adrenocortical crisis is an absolute medical emergency and its presentation is not always typical. We describe three recent cases of acute adrenocortical crisis in our hospital who presented in three different ways in three different wards.
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With the increasing use of natural rubber products, latex allergy is becoming a major health concern among patients and healthcare workers. The aim of this study was to determine the availability of a latex allergy protocol and essential latex-free products in theatres. The number of latex allergy complaints among patients and theatre personnel were also studied. ⋯ Overall less than one-third of theatres in the UK have latex-free products set aside for use. A total of 505 patients with latex allergy underwent surgery; of these, there were four deaths, 18 major anaphylaxes and 483 minor complaints such as skin rash; 239 theatre personnel reported latex allergic reactions and one had a severe anaphylactic reaction. The number of cases with latex-related complications might be reduced if all hospitals had a latex allergy protocol and a range of essential latex-free products.
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Int. J. Clin. Pract. · Oct 2000
ReviewSkeletal muscle relaxants: pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics in different patient groups.
Muscle relaxants can be safely administered during anaesthesia, providing the basic pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic characteristics of the compounds together with the physiological status of the patient are known. In this review the pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics of the neuromuscular blocking agents are discussed and related to the physical health or disease state of groups of patients.
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Int. J. Clin. Pract. · Oct 2000
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical TrialRelief of sore throat with the anti-inflammatory throat lozenge flurbiprofen 8.75 mg: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of efficacy and safety.
In this double-blind study, 301 patients with subjective and objective signs of sore throat were randomly assigned to flurbiprofen 8.75 mg (n = 129), flurbiprofen 12.5 mg (n = 43) or placebo (demulcent lozenge without active drug [n = 129]). Efficacy was assessed by changes in subjective rating scales primarily after a single dose and also over a 4-day period. Flurbiprofen 8.75 mg was superior to placebo in a number of efficacy parameters, notably throat soreness. ⋯ The small sample size was considered contributory to the variable results obtained with flurbiprofen 12.5 mg lozenges, but overall these were not inconsistent with previous trials. Both treatments were tolerated well. Flurbiprofen 8.75 mg lozenges provide an effective and well tolerated treatment for sore throat.