Clinical medicine (London, England)
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High rates of psychological distress, depression and suicide have been reported among doctors. Furthermore, many doctors do not access healthcare by conventional means. This study aimed to increase understanding regarding non-consultant hospital doctors' (NCHDs') response to stress and barriers to accessing supports, and identify possible solutions. ⋯ Possible practical solutions were explored. NCHDS are a vulnerable population and have a particularly challenging lifestyle. Key recommendations include improved GP and counselling access for NCHDs, and addressing the culture of self-treatment and poor health behaviours through undergraduate and postgraduate education.
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A conference organised in conjunction with the British Hypertension Society at the Royal College of Physicians (London) assembled an expert panel to present recent advances in the understanding and management of hypertension - the leading reversible risk factor for global morbidity and mortality. Despite recognised therapeutic approaches, less than half of patients on treatment for hypertension achieve blood pressure control to international guideline-based targets. ⋯ Targeting degradation of natriuretic peptides by LCZ696 (a combination of valsartan and a neutral endopeptidase inhibitor) has demonstrated potential as a novel therapeutic option, with mortality benefits in heart failure beyond that solely attributable to its blood pressure lowering ability. However, critical to any therapeutic strategy is patient involvement, and it is clear that the delivery of patient-centric treatment options is vital to ensure adherence with medication and to facilitate healthier lifestyle decisions.
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Appreciation of different types of hair loss (alopecia) that may be encountered in hospital medicine is important to ensure accurate diagnosis and management, identify underlying medical conditions or treatments that may present with increased hair loss, recognise autoimmune alopecias and their associations, and understand the significant psychological impact of hair loss on an individual. This article discusses common causes of hair loss, as well as those conditions that may be associated with systemic disease, relevant to a general physician.
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Case Reports
Lesson of the month 1: Artery of Percheron occlusion - an -uncommon cause of coma in a middle-aged man.
Bilateral paramedian thalamic infarction resulting from artery of Percheron occlusion presents with a distinct clinical syndrome comprising impaired consciousness, often with vertical gaze palsy and memory impairment. This uncommon anatomical variant arises as a single artery supplying both paramedian thalami. ⋯ The acute physician should consider this diagnosis in a patient presenting with unexplained coma so that emergent treatments such as thrombolysis can be employed. Early imaging with computerised tomography can often be normal; therefore the use of magnetic resonance imaging is essential in confirming the diagnosis.