Clin Med
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Case Reports
The ill, jaundiced patient: a triple whammy and the importance of waiting for all results.
There are many causes of raised liver function tests in HIV infection. This lesson discusses a case where autoimmune hepatitis, acute hepatitis B and acute toxoplasmosis were diagnosed in a lady presenting with abdominal pain and jaundice. Oral steroids for autoimmune hepatitis may have worsened the clinical picture as her hepatitis serology was not available at the time. This lesson highlights the importance of waiting for all serology results to return in an ill jaundiced patient before deciding on active management and treatment
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There have been considerable changes in the NHS, medical science and practice in the last 25 years. This article describes the developments in general practice over this period. The increase in the primary healthcare team members and the improved premises from which they now practise has revolutionised primary care. Issues of considerable influence have been the movement of care once provided in hospitals into primary care, the use of computers, new technologies, enhanced training, changes in the demographics of the workforce, the hours general practitioners work and commissioning.
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Comparative Study
Stability of plasma creatinine concentrations in acute complex long-stay admissions to a general medical service.
Assessment of glomerular filtration rate (GFR) is essential for calculating safe dosages of renally cleared drugs. Formulae for estimating reliable GFRs assume that plasma creatinine concentrations are stable. This study evaluates the variability of plasma creatinine (PCr) concentrations in patients admitted acutely to hospital. ⋯ A 10-year increase in age increased the odds of a rise in PCr over the next week by 11.1% (odds ratio = 1.11, 95% confidence interval = 1.03, 1.20; p = 0.007). Overall, baseline creatinine was a poor predictor of subsequent variation in PCr. GFR formulae for calculating renally-cleared drug dosages should be used with caution in elderly patients admitted acutely to hospital.