Community acquired infections in older patients admitted to hospital from care homes versus the community: cohort study of microbiology and outcomes.

Background: Residents of care homes are at risk of colonisation and infection with antibiotic resistant bacteria, but there is little evidence that antibiotic resistance among such patients is associated with worse outcomes than among older people living in their own homes. Our aim was to compare the prevalence of antibiotic resistant bacteria and clinical outcomes in older patients admitted to hospital with acute infections from care homes versus their own homes.

Methods: We enrolled patients admitted to Ninewells Hospital in 2005 who were older than 64 years with onset of acute community acquired respiratory tract, urinary tract or skin and soft tissue infections, and with at least one sample sent for culture.

Severity assessment of skin and soft tissue infections: cohort study of management and outcomes for hospitalized patients.

Background: Skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs) are caused by bacterial invasion of the skin and underlying soft tissues and can present with a wide spectrum of signs, symptoms and illness severity. They are a common indication for antimicrobial therapy. However, there are few data on treatment outcomes or the validity of clinical severity scores.

Frequency of severe hypoglycemia requiring emergency treatment in type 1 and type 2 diabetes: a population-based study of health service resource use.

Objective: To determine the incidence, predisposing factors, and costs of emergency treatment of severe hypoglycemia in people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes.

Research Design And Methods: Over a 12-month period, routinely collected datasets were analyzed in a population of 367,051 people, including 8,655 people with diabetes, to measure the incidence of severe hypoglycemia that required emergency assistance from Ninewells Hospital and Medical School (NHS) personnel including those in primary care, ambulance services, hospital accident and emergency departments, and inpatient care. Associated costs with these episodes were calculated.

Prognosis following first acute myocardial infarction in Type 2 diabetes: a comparative population study.

Aims: To estimate the incidence of death and macrovascular complications after a first myocardial infarction for patients with Type 2 diabetes.

Research Design: In a retrospective, incidence cohort study in the Tayside Region of Scotland we studied all patients hospitalized with a diagnosis of first acute myocardial infarction from 1 April 1993 to 31 December 1994. The primary endpoint was time to death.

Effect of allopurinol on mortality and hospitalisations in chronic heart failure: a retrospective cohort study.

Objective: To examine whether allopurinol is associated with any alteration in mortality and hospitalisations in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF). This hypothesis is based on previous data that a high urate concentration is independently associated with mortality with a risk ratio of 4.23 in CHF.