Safety and Efficacy of Anidulafungin for Fungal Infection in Patients With Liver Dysfunction or Multiorgan Failure.

Background: The objective of this study was to review our clinical experience on the safety and efficacy of anidulafungin, an echinocandin antifungal, in the treatment of invasive fungal infections (IFIs) in patients with moderate to severe abnormal liver function tests or multiorgan failure and IFI, in a large United Kingdom Liver Centre.

Methods: The clinical records of the first 50 consecutive patients treated for IFI with anidulafungin between January 7, 2009 and March 2, 2011 were analyzed. Data were collected on demographics, underlying disease, disease characteristics, hematological and biochemical parameters, IFI, concomitant bacterial and viral infections, response to anidulafungin, and anidulafungin-related adverse events.

The UK patient experience of relapse in Multiple Sclerosis treated with first disease modifying therapies.

Background: The fixed, progressive disability associated with late Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is known to have a major impact on patients and their families, but the impact of relapse earlier in the disease course is less well documented, particularly from the patient׳s perspective. This study aimed to understand the effects of relapse for people with MS (PwMS), focussing on the years immediately after starting disease modifying therapy (DMT) when experience of a relapse may particularly influence a patient׳s opinions of their disease and its therapy.

Methods: This was a multi-centre, retrospective, observational research study, recruiting patients from 7 UK NHS Hospital Trusts.

Effectiveness of omalizumab in severe allergic asthma: a retrospective UK real-world study.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the "real world" effects of the monoclonal antibody omalizumab (OMB) when used to treat severe persistent allergic asthma in UK clinical practice.

Methods: A 10-center retrospective observational study was carried out to compare oral corticosteroid (OCS) use and exacerbation frequency in 12 months pre- versus post-OMB initiation in 136 patients aged ≥12 years with severe persistent allergic asthma. All patients received ≥1 dose of OMB.

Real world evaluation of three models of NHS smoking cessation service in England.

Background: NHS Stop Smoking Services provide various options for support and counselling. Most services have evolved to suit local needs without any retrospective evaluation of their efficiency.Three local service evaluations were carried out at Bournemouth & Poole Teaching Primary Care Trust (PCT) (PCT1), NHS South East Essex (PCT2) and NHS Warwickshire (PCT3) to describe the structure and outcomes associated with different services.

How much does it cost a specialist palliative care unit to manage constipation in patients receiving opioid therapy?

The burden of constipation from the patient's perspective has been well described. The aim of this study was to evaluate the cost of managing constipation in patients taking opioids in a specialist palliative care inpatient unit. A retrospective review of the medical records of 58 patients (70 admissions) who died during a six-month period was undertaken to identify prescribing patterns for opioids and oral laxatives and tasks associated with managing constipation in these patients.

Acute medical care. The right person, in the right setting--first time: how does practice match the report recommendations?

An acute medicine Royal College of Physicians report makes key recommendations. This study reviews organisational issues and consultant working patterns against these recommendations. Thirty-nine trusts in England and Wales were asked to participate in an online survey, which 27 completed.