Scot Med J
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Rapid access chest pain clinics are expanding across the country with marked resource implications despite a paucity of data regarding their efficacy. Early assessment of patients in this manner potentially delays review of patients referred via the traditional route. We conducted a prospective observational study of patients referred with chest pain to the Cardiology Outpatient Department over a four-week period in a District General Hospital to compare demographics and outcomes in patients referred to the rapid access with those referred to the general cardiology clinics. ⋯ Both populations were low risk. Discussion is needed between primary and secondary care to achieve a consensus as to the purpose of a rapid access system and how best to utilise the service appropriately. Further studies are required to assess the efficacy and health economics of this system.
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Myasthenia gravis is an acquired disorder of the neuromuscular junction characterised by fatiguable weakness of the limbs, bulbar and facial muscles and may be complicated by respiratory muscle weakness and failure. One often confirms the diagnosis by a simple serological test looking for the presence of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor antibody. ⋯ The fact that the diagnosis may prove to be challenging, compounded by the fact that the condition is relatively rare and that the antibody to the acetylcholine receptor is not always present, epidemiological data is often less than precise and indeed difficult to acquire. We felt it was necessary to try to establish the epidemiological data on seropositive myasthenia gravis in Tayside, (this has never been carried out) bearing in mind the above pitfalls, and see how the incidence compares with similar and previous studies.
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It is well established that the elderly population is vulnerable to hypothermia, leading to increased morbidity. A prospective observational study took place between 1 October 1999 and 31 December 1999 in a large teaching hospital Accident and Emergency department. Core temperature was assessed at presentation using a tympanic probe on patients over 65 years of age. ⋯ The incidence of hypothermia was higher in non-ambulant patients and those with co-morbidity; the majority of patients lived in relatively deprived areas by a postcode derived deprivation index. Mortality was 34% in patients hypothermic at presentation. Hypothermia contributes to mortality and morbidity in elderly patients; its incidence may be higher than previously reported.