This Month’s IMJ
October 2017 Vol 110 Number 9
IMJ Commentary
Patient Reported Outcomes
JFA Murphy, Editor
Editorial
Preventing Excessive Gestational Weight Gain and Postpartum Weight Retention.
V O’Dwyer, F McAuliffe.
Original Papers
Investigating the Barriers to the Uptake of Diabetic RetinaScreen
GH Bennett, A Tuthill
Bennett and Tuthill address the issue of screening for retinopathy in diabetic patients. They identified a number of barriers to diabetic retina screen. GPs were concerned about the time spent on the phone making appointments. Prior attendance at the hospital eye clinic was a barrier for patients.
Determination of the Lung Clearance Index (LCI) in a Paediatric Cystic Fibrosis Cohort
M Mulligan, L Collins, CP Dunne, L Keane, B Linnane
Mulligan et al describe the use of Exhalyzer D in a paediatric CF clinic. There were 68 children with CF and 23 controls. There was a linear correlation between CCI and FEV1.
Decrease in the Uptake of Seasonal Influenza Vaccine in Persons Aged 65 Years and Older In Ireland since the 2009 Influenza A (H1N1) Pdm09 Pandemic
K Chaintarli, A Barrasa, S Cotter, J Mereckiene, J O’Donnell, L Domegan
Chaintarli et al report that patients 65 years and older have a lower uptake of the influenza vaccine since the 2009 H1N1 pandemic. Factors include the perception that influenza is a mild disease and the linking of the vaccine to severe side-effects.
Self-Harm, Methadone Use and Drug-Related Deaths amongst Those Registered As Being of No Fixed Abode or Homeless in Ireland
R W Glynn, E Lynn, E Griffin, M Fitzgerald, M Ward
Glynn et al report that the percentage on the central (methadone) treatment list (CLT) increased from 2% to 7% from 2011-2014. The number of presentations with deliberate self-harm among those of no fixed abode increased by 49% between 2007-2014.
The Perception of Art among Patients and Staff on a Renal Dialysis Unit
C Corrigan, L Peterson, C McVeigh, PJ Lavin, GJ Mellotte, C Wall, A Baker Kerrigan, L Barnes, D O’Neill, H Moss
Corrigan et al describe the experiences of both patients and staff with the introduction of an arts activity in a renal dialysis. The patients found that it passed the time, relieved boredom, helped self -expression, was something new, increased the community feel to the unit. The staff felt that it reduced depression, anxiety, social boredom and helped patients to pass the time
Menorrhagia Outcomes of Minimally Invasive Treatments (MOMITS): A 2 to 5-year follow-up
CM McCarthy, CB Burke
McCarthy and Burke report on 2 minimally invasive treatments of menorrhagia. Thermal balloon endometrial ablation (TBEA) and Levonorgestrel intrauterine system (LNG-IUS). Sanitary pad use during the heaviest day of bleeding reduced by 8.4 and 5.2 pads in the TBEA and LNG-IUS respectively. The quality of life scores also improved.
Antenatal Pertussis Vaccination: Why are General Practitioners Reluctant? A Mixed Methods Study
A O’Connell, A Tummon, K Coleman, A Jordan, J McCormack, M E Kelly
O’Connell et al report on the attitudes and concerns of 109 GPs regarding the administration of antenatal pertussis vaccination. 57% actively encouraged, 39% were ambivalent, and 4% discouraged. Safety concerns were the major reservation. Numerous GPs felt unsupported by the HSE and their secondary care colleagues. The authors suggest that maternal vaccinations be incorporated into standard antenatal documentation.
Surgical Site Infection after Caesarean Section? There Is an App for That: Results from a Feasibility Study On Costs and Benefits
C G Fawsitt, S Meaney, RA Greene, P Corcoran
Fawsitt et al report that wound infections after a caesarean section may occur after the patients goes home. The authors report on the use an app or integrated app in the detection and management of these infections. The app allows women to record symptoms and measures such as temperature, heart rate and pain. The integrated app provides a facility for the data to be checked by a midwife daily. The patient’s preference was for the integrated app. The costs of the service are also explored.
Interaction of Broadband Access and Education Levels in Determining the Rate of Emergency Medical Admissions
R Conway, S Cournane, D Byrne, D O’Riordan, S Coveney, B Silke
Conway et al have examined the effect of broadband access, educational status on admission rates. Broadband was a linear predictor of admission rates from 50.8 with the least broadband access to 17.9 in those with the highest access.
Case Reports
Acute Respiratory Failure Post Single Lung Transplantati
A Daly, D Eaton, J J Egan, K C Redmond
Daly et al describe a case of pulmonary vein stenosis complicated by early thrombosis post single lung transplant.
An Unusual Presentation of Sarcoidosis
Ú Lannin, J Hayes
Lannin and Hayes report a case of bilateral pleural effusions secondary to sarcoidosis. The diagnosis was confirmed on pleural biopsy.
Treatment Options for Amelobastic Carcinoma of the Mandible: A Case Series and Review of the Literature
GA Sheridan, MA Nusrath, MToner, L F A Stassen
Sheridan et al describe 3 cases of ameloblastic carcinoma affecting the mandible. It is a rare malignant odontogenic neoplasm. Surgery excision is the mainstay with adjuvant radiotherapy in some cases.
Short Reports
Donegal Going against the Flow: National Differences in Long-Term Urinary Catheterisation Rates in Men (> 65 Years) With Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy.
R Stewart, D Maguire, K Hanley , P Armstrong
Stewart et al report that there is high rate of urinary catheter change 10.2% in Donegal compared with Waterford 2.7% and South Dublin 0.17%. The point out that this could be a proxy for lack of access to basic urology services.
Prevalence and Seasonal Variation of Incidental MRI Paranasal Inflammatory Changes in an Asymptomatic Irish Population
R Wilson, H Kuan Kok, D Fortescue-Webb, O Doody, O Buckley, W C Torreggiani
Wilson et al reviewed the brain MRI scans of 221 patients. The prevalence of paranasal sinus inflammatory changes was 45%. As measured over the months January and June it did not appear to be overly affected by the winter or summer seasons.
Book Review
Wombs with a View: Illustrations of the Gravid Uterus from the Renaissance through the Nineteenth Century
Lawrence D. Longo and Lawrence P. Reynolds. Springer, 2016
Letters to the Editor
Bisphosphonates in General Practice: An Audit on the Management of Osteoporosis
A Akintola, S Sidky
Judge Obstetricians by Intention; Not Intervention
J Rafi
A Case of Pleuroparenchymal Fibroelastosis
M Kooblall, CM Burke, Mark Towers, L Cormican