Nederlands tijdschrift voor geneeskunde
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Ned Tijdschr Geneeskd · May 2003
Comment[The Dutch College of General Practitioners' practice guideline 'Delirium in elderly people'; response from clinical geriatrics].
Delirium in elderly people is a severe condition that requires vigorous medical attention. Therefore, the Dutch College of General Practitioners has duly chosen to develop a practice guideline 'Delirium in elderly people'. It is likely that many general practitioners are only partly familiar with delirium in elderly people because the prevalence of delirium in general practice is low. ⋯ However, several diagnostic issues merit further attention. For example, the guideline does not contain a diagnostic algorithm and the description of the clinical presentation of a delirium is brief. In addition, the guideline lacks a clear overview of the most important risk factors for a delirium as well as a careful description of the difference between delirium and dementia.
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Ned Tijdschr Geneeskd · May 2003
[A welcome guide for evaluating medical research involving human subjects].
In 1999, the Dutch Medical Research Involving Human Subjects Act came into force. The principal aim of this Act is to provide protection for human subjects who take part in medical research. Medical research involving human subjects may only be carried out after it has been approved by a recognised medical ethics committee. ⋯ The CCMO has recently published a guide for the local medical ethics committees. It presents an excellent overview of all the legal and practical aspects of the work of medical ethics committees. The guide is highly recommended.
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Ned Tijdschr Geneeskd · May 2003
Case Reports[Behçet's disease in a Dutch boy with painful skin lesions].
A 14-years-old Dutch boy had pain in both calves, recurrent oral ulcers, fever, hoarseness and erythema nodosum-like skin lesions. Laryngoscopic examination revealed a vocal cord ulcer and leukocytoclastic vasculitis was visible in a skin biopsy. Based on the clinical picture, the diagnosis of 'incomplete juvenile Behçet's disease' was established. ⋯ Diagnostic criteria have been formulated, but in most cases there is a delay before these criteria are fulfilled due to the slow clinical course of the disease. All organ systems may be affected; mucocutaneous and skin lesions are the most frequent manifestations. Therapy depends on the severity and the symptoms of the disease.