Brit J Hosp Med
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Delirium occurs in up to 50% of general hospital inpatients and is even more common in terminal illness. It is associated with a high morbidity and mortality, regularly missed and importantly is often either preventable or treatable.
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It is sometimes not possible to relieve symptoms adequately in dying patients. When all other remedies have failed, sedation can be a useful means to relieve terminal suffering. When used appropriately, palliative sedation does not, and should not, shorten life.
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Given the impact of autism as a disorder there has been surprisingly little rigorous research into its treatment. Positive findings from pilot trials of parent-child interventions have led to funding of the Pre-school Autism Communication Trial, which will be an important step in developing an evidence base for early intervention.