Correlation between pedicle size and the rate of pedicle screw misplacement in the treatment of thoracic fractures: Can we predict how difficult the task will be?

Study Design: A retrospective study.

Objective: To correlate the incidence of pedicle-screw (PS) misplacement with the dimensions of the pedicles in the treatment of thoracic spine fractures.

Summary Of Background Data: The technical challenge of internal fixation with PS in the thoracic spine has been well documented in the literature.

The epidemiology of assault-related hospital in-patient admissions and ED attendances.

The aim of this study was to describe the epidemiology and impact of serious assault warranting in-patient care over six years and its impact on ED attendances in a large teaching hospital in Dublin over 2 years. There were 16,079 emergency assault-related inpatient hospital discharges reducing from 60.1 per 100,000 population in 2005 to 50.

The arterial supply of the cervical and thoracic spinal muscles and overlying skin: Anatomical study with implications for surgical wound complications.

Postoperative spinal wound dehiscence is a significant complication following the posterior midline approach. It is postulated that this approach disrupts the vasculature supplying the paraspinal muscles and overlying skin. Although the spinal vasculature has been investigated previously, the smaller arterioles have not been described in the context of the posterior midline approach.

Trends in the incidence of lower extremity amputations in people with and without diabetes over a five-year period in the Republic of Ireland.

Aims: To describe trends in the incidence of non-traumatic amputations among people with and without diabetes and estimate the relative risk of an individual with diabetes undergoing a lower extremity amputation compared to an individual without diabetes in the Republic of Ireland.

Methods: All adults who underwent a nontraumatic amputation during 2005 to 2009 were identified using HIPE (Hospital In-patient Enquiry) data. Participants were classified as having diabetes or not having diabetes.

The economic cost of chronic noncancer pain in Ireland: results from the PRIME study, part 2.

Unlabelled: To assess the economic cost of chronic pain in Ireland, information was gathered from 140 people with chronic pain. Direct and indirect costs attributable to chronic pain and medical conditions of which chronic pain was a feature were recorded retrospectively for 12 months. Mean cost per chronic pain patient was estimated at €5,665 per year across all grades of pain, with mean costs increasing according to the severity of pain.

Trends in COPD mortality and in-patient admissions in men & women: evidence of convergence.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is one of the leading causes of mortality. Although more prevalent in men, it is anticipated that, due to the convergence in smoking rates, the prevalence rate in women will surpass that of men. There were 14,519 deaths attributable to COPD in the period 2000-2009.

A budget impact analysis of natalizumab use in Ireland.

Background: Multiple sclerosis is the commonest cause of disability in young Irish adults. Natalizumab reduces disability progression in those patients with relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis who are suitable for it. First line disease modifying therapies are given in the community and are paid for by the hi-tech drug scheme.

Chronic pain in the Republic of Ireland--community prevalence, psychosocial profile and predictors of pain-related disability: results from the Prevalence, Impact and Cost of Chronic Pain (PRIME) study, part 1.

The aims of the PRIME study (Prevalence, Impact and Cost of Chronic Pain) were 3-fold: (1) to determine the point prevalence of chronic pain in Ireland; (2) to compare the psychological and physical health profiles of those with and without chronic pain; and (3) to explore a predictive model of pain-related disability. A postal survey of 3136 people was conducted with a representative community-based sample of adults. Measures were obtained for sociodemographic variables, physical and psychological well-being, depressive symptoms, presence of pain, pain severity, pain-related disability, and illness perceptions.

Single-level/single-stage debridement and posterior instrumented fusion in the treatment of spontaneous pyogenic osteomyelitis/discitis: long-term functional outcome and health-related quality of life.

Study Design: Retrospective study.

Objective: To support single-level posterior debridement and instrumented interbody fusion as a single-stage procedure for spontaneous pyogenic osteomyelitis/discitis.

Summary Of Background Data: The best surgical technique for patients with bacterial spinal infections is still a matter of debate.

Folic acid supplement use in the prevention of neural tube defects.

In 2008, planned folic acid fortification for the prevention of Neural Tube Defects (NTD) was postponed. Concurrently, the economic recession may have affected dietary folic acid intake, placing increased emphasis on supplement use. This study examined folic acid supplement use in 2009.

The learning curve of pedicle screw placement: how many screws are enough?

Study Design: A retrospective study.

Objective: Assess the learning curve of pedicle screw (PS) placement of a Spinal Surgery Fellow (SSF) with no previous experience with the technique.

Summary Of Background Data: Recent studies have attempted to identify the learning curve for different surgical procedures to define training requirements.

Factors that predict poor outcomes in patients with traumatic vertebral body fractures.

Study Design: Prospective cohort study.

Objective: To identify factors that predict poor patient-reported outcomes in patients with traumatic vertebral body fracture(s) of the thoracic and/or lumbar spine without neurological deficit.

Summary Of Background Data: There is a paucity of information on factors that predict poor patient-reported outcomes in patients with traumatic vertebral body fracture(s) of the thoracic and/or lumbar spine without neurological deficit.

Length of stay and associated costs of obesity related hospital admissions in Ireland.

Background: Obesity is the cause of other chronic diseases, psychological problems, obesity shortens the lifespan and puts strain on health systems. The risk associated with childhood obesity in particular, which will accelerate the development of adult morbidity and mortality, has been identified as an emerging public health problem.

Methods: To estimate the length of stay and associated hospital costs for obesity related illnesses a cost of illness study was set up.

Hepatitis B reactivation in an Irish dialysis unit, 2005.

In April 2005, a case of reactivation of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection occurred in a patient undergoing haemodialysis in an Irish hospital. This incident potentially affected patients attending hospitals throughout the country, so a national incident team was set up coordinate the response to the incident.A total of 306 dialysis patients, attending 17 different dialysis centres (14 in Ireland), were identified as having been potentially exposed to HBV as a result of this incident.

Increase in observed mental health difficulties one year after acute coronary syndrome: general practitioner survey.

Background: General practitioners (GPs) are often the first to assess mental health difficulties after acute coronary syndrome (ACS).

Aims: To determine whether GPs observed an increase in mental health difficulties one-year post-hospitalisation for ACS.

Methods: Postal survey.

The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale depression subscale, but not the Beck Depression Inventory-Fast Scale, identifies patients with acute coronary syndrome at elevated risk of 1-year mortality.

Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate the use of short-form depression scales in assessing 1-year mortality risk in a national sample of patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS).

Methods: Patients with ACS (N=598) completed either the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale depression subscale (HADS-D) or the Beck Depression Inventory-Fast Scale (BDI-FS). Their mortality status was assessed at 1 year.

Impact of briefly-assessed depression on secondary prevention outcomes after acute coronary syndrome: a one-year longitudinal survey.

Background: Patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS) are at increased risk of further acute cardiac events. Secondary prevention aims to decrease morbidity and mortality post-ACS. Depression is related to increased risk in this population, and to poorer secondary prevention activities.

Cardiac rehabilitation services in Ireland: the impact of a coordinated national development strategy.

Background: The national Cardiovascular Health Strategy including specific plans for cardiac rehabilitation was launched in Ireland in 1999. A survey of cardiac rehabilitation services was conducted in 2003 to evaluate progress on service provision.

Aim: To establish levels of service provision, service formats and geographic distribution of cardiac rehabilitation services in 2003 and compare them with the status pre-Strategy (1998).

Gender differences in the presentation and management of acute coronary syndromes: a national sample of 1365 admissions.

Background: Gender differences in presentation and management of acute coronary syndromes (ACS) are well established internationally. This study investigated differences in a national Irish sample.

Design: Cross-sectional survey.

Nine-year comparison of presentation and management of acute coronary syndromes in Ireland: a national cross-sectional survey.

Background: Shorter time to treatment is associated with lower mortality in acute coronary syndromes (ACS). A previous (1994) survey showed substantial delays for acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in Ireland. The present study compared current practice with 1994 and surveyed acute coronary syndromes as a more complete contemporary evaluation of critical cardiac care than assessing AMI alone.

Ethical approval for national studies in Ireland: an illustration of current challenges.

Background: Ethical approval of research projects is, appropriately, an essential prerequisite in health settings.

Aims: This paper outlines difficulties encountered with procedures for gaining ethical approval for two multicentre surveys in Ireland.

Methods: The experiences of two national surveys were documented.

Implications of the increasing female participation in the general practice workforce in Ireland.

Almost one in three Irish general practitioners (GPs) are now women, a ratio that has doubled since the early 1990s. The increase in numbers of women entering general practice training looks likely to continue and will have a formative influence on the future of general practice. This study investigates the implications for Irish general practice of the increasing feminization of the workforce.

Clinical outcome and return to sport after the surgical treatment of spondylolysis in young athletes.

We studied prospectively 22 young athletes who had undergone surgical treatment for lumbar spondylolysis. There were 15 men and seven women with a mean age of 20.2 years (15 to 34).