A Time-varying Analysis of General Practice Prescribing in the COVID-19 Era: Lessons from Prescription Dynamics in a Pandemic.

Background/aim: Pharmacotherapy is vital in medicine, but inappropriate and inadequate use of medications significantly impacts global mortality and morbidity. Increased prescribing may indicate irrational use or prolonged illness, while decreased prescribing could suggest undertreatment, supply shortages, or the availability of safer and, more effective treatments. The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted health systems, potentially altering prescribing patterns.

Transient Ischaemic Attack in a Patient With Conn Syndrome: A Case Report and Literature Review on the Importance of Identifying Secondary Hypertension.

Background/aim: Transient ischaemic attack (TIA) is characterised by a temporary neurological dysfunction resulting from focal ischaemia in the brain, spinal cord or retina without acute infarction. These episodes typically last less than 24 hours and are significant predictors of subsequent ischaemic strokes. Hypertension is a major risk factor for cerebrovascular events, and primary aldosteronism (PA) is recognised as a common cause of secondary hypertension.

Heart Failure Masked as Pulmonary Embolism in Non-adherent Patient With Atrial Fibrillation: Case Report and Analytical Review of the Literature.

Background/aim: Atrial fibrillation (AF) and heart failure (HF) commonly co-occur, significantly increasing morbidity and mortality. Poorly controlled AF can contribute to complications like HF and is associated with conditions, such as stroke and pulmonary embolism (PE). This report involves a man with AF who had persistent respiratory symptoms and left-sided chest pain, initially suspected to be PE, but eventually diagnosed as HF.

Chest Pain at Rest With Unremarkable ECG and Cardiac Enzymes: Case Study Emphasising the Importance of Clinical Suspicion in the Diagnosis of Coronary Artery Disease.

Background: Coronary artery disease (CAD), primarily caused by atherosclerosis, is a leading cause of death, presenting as angina or myocardial infarction. Advances in cardiac imaging, angiography, and procedures like percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) or coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery have improved early detection and management of this condition. This report presents the case of a man who experienced worsening exertional chest pain and discomfort while at rest.

Improving Antimicrobial Stewardship in Acute Sore Throat: Comparison of FeverPAIN and McIsaac Scores with Molecular Point of Care Testing Using Abbott ID NOW.

The diagnosis of streptococcal throat infection is an area where current practice results in significant over-diagnosis of bacterial infection, with the resulting implications for antimicrobial use and resistance. The use of molecular point of care testing (POCT) has previously been shown to alter antibiotic prescribing decisions when compared to Centor scoring. This paper explores the impact of the addition of POCT to clinical assessment using the McIsaac and FeverPAIN scoring systems.