Exploratory study of frequent attenders in general practice to better understand why patients seek help.

Background: Frequent attenders (defined as the top 10% of health care users or those making ≥10 visits per year) account for 30-50% of GP consultations. This has significant resource implications.

Aim: To understand the characteristics of frequent attenders (≥18-years) at an outer London general practice (list 5,876; deprivation index 5 decile) and reasons for attending.

Acute gastroenteritis-changes to the recommended original oral rehydrating salts: a review.

The World Health Organization recommended a formulation of oral rehydration salts as the intervention of choice for the treatment of acute gastroenteritis. While of value for the replacement of fluids and electrolytes, the formulation does not reduce stool volume, frequency, or symptom duration. This may prevent wide acceptance.

The influence of sexual activity on sleep: A diary study.

Aiming to promote overall health and well-being through sleep, the present studies examine to what extent sexual activity serves as a behavioural mechanism to improve sleep. The relation between sexual activity, i.e.

Lessons learned in applying the International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research methodology to translating Canadian Emergency Department Information System Presenting Complaints List into German.

Objectives: The patient's presenting complaint guides diagnosis and treatment in the emergency department, but there is no classification system available in German. The Canadian Emergency Department Information System (CEDIS) Presenting Complaint List (PCL) is available only in English and French. As translation risks the altering of meaning, the International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research (ISPOR) has set guidelines to ensure translational accuracy.

Atypical leg symptoms: does routine measurement of the ankle brachial pressure index (ABPI) in primary care benefit patients?

: Managing patients with atypical leg symptoms in primary care can be problematic. Determining the ankle brachial pressure index (ABPI) may be readily performed to help diagnose peripheral arterial disease, but is often omitted where signs and symptoms are unclear. Does routine measurement of ABPI in patients with atypical leg symptoms aid management increase satisfaction and safely reduce hospital referral? Patients with atypical leg symptoms but no skin changes or neurological symptoms underwent clinical review and Doppler ABPI measurement (suspicious finding ≤ 1.