Autologous Fascial Slings for Stress Urinary Incontinence: a 17-year Follow-up of a Randomised Controlled Study.

Introduction And Hypothesis: Safety concerns with the use of mesh in vaginal surgery have been ongoing. Autologous fascial slings (AFS) avoid foreign body complications. We compared the long-term (17-year) outcomes of two AFS repair methods-the standard sling and short sling (sling-on-string), and assessed durability and patient satisfaction of these for the treatment of stress urinary incontinence (SUI).

Incident atrial fibrillation and adverse clinical outcomes during extended follow-up of participants recruited to the remote heart rhythm sampling using the AliveCor heart monitor to screen for atrial fibrillation: the REHEARSE-AF study.

Aims: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is an important risk factor for stroke, which is commonly asymptomatic, particularly in older patients, and often undetected until cardiovascular events occur. Development of novel technology has helped to improve detection of AF. However, the longer-term benefit of systematic electrocardiogram (ECG) screening on cardiovascular outcomes is unclear.

Investigating the feasibility of recruitment to an observational, quality-of-life study of patients diagnosed with atrial fibrillation (AF) who have experienced a bleed while anticoagulated: EQUAL-AF feasibility study protocol.

Background: Oral anticoagulation therapies (OATs) are often prescribed in conjunction with medications to restore normal heart rate rhythm which can limit the risk of an atrial fibrillation (AF) related stroke and systemic thromboembolism. However, they are associated with the serious side effect of bleeding. Both clinically relevant nonmajor bleeding (CRNMB) and major bleeding while anticoagulated are believed to have a significant impact on patient quality of life (QoL).

Single-lead ECGs (AliveCor) are a feasible, cost-effective and safer alternative to 12-lead ECGs in community diagnosis and monitoring of atrial fibrillation.

Background: Community management of atrial fibrillation (AF) often requires the use of electrocardiographic (ECG) investigation. Patients discharged following treatment of AF with fast ventricular response (fast AF) can require numerous ECGs to monitor rate and/or rhythm control. Single-lead ECGs have been proposed as a more convenient and relatively accurate alternative to 12-lead ECGs for rate/rhythm management and also diagnosis of AF.

Assessment of Remote Heart Rhythm Sampling Using the AliveCor Heart Monitor to Screen for Atrial Fibrillation: The REHEARSE-AF Study.

Background: Asymptomatic atrial fibrillation (AF) is increasingly common in the aging population and implicated in many ischemic strokes. Earlier identification of AF with appropriate anticoagulation may decrease stroke morbidity and mortality.

Methods: We conducted a randomized controlled trial of AF screening using an AliveCor Kardia monitor attached to a WiFi-enabled iPod to obtain ECGs (iECGs) in ambulatory patients.

Lactobacilli and bifidobacteria in the prevention of antibiotic-associated diarrhoea and Clostridium difficile diarrhoea in older inpatients (PLACIDE): a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicentre trial.

Background: Antibiotic-associated diarrhoea (AAD) occurs most frequently in older (≥65 years) inpatients exposed to broad-spectrum antibiotics. When caused by Clostridium difficile, AAD can result in life-threatening illness. Although underlying disease mechanisms are not well understood, microbial preparations have been assessed in the prevention of AAD.

A multicentre randomised controlled trial evaluating lactobacilli and bifidobacteria in the prevention of antibiotic-associated diarrhoea in older people admitted to hospital: the PLACIDE study protocol.

Background: Antibiotic associated diarrhoea complicates 5-39% of courses of antibiotic treatment. Major risk factors are increased age and admission to hospital. Of particular importance is C.

Randomized, controlled, parallel-group prospective study to investigate the clinical effectiveness of early insulin treatment in patients with latent autoimmune diabetes in adults.

Background: Latent autoimmune diabetes in adults [LADA] is a type 1 diabetes that is slowly developing. This means many people are treated as having type 2 diabetes at diagnosis as they are adults who are not immediately insulin dependent. LADA can be distinguished from type 2 diabetes by antibody tests.

Influencing referral practice using feedback of adherence to NICE guidelines: a quality improvement report for dyspepsia.

Problem: Rising demand and increasing waiting times for upper gastrointestinal endoscopy (gastroscopy).

Design: Quality improvement study with pre- and post-intervention data collection.

Setting: Three endoscopy units in two hospital trusts (Singleton, Morriston and Baglan Hospitals endoscopy units), UK.

Absence of ageism in access to critical care: a cross-sectional study.

Background: in recent years, the NHS has been accused of ageism frequently and from many fronts. Previous studies have shown that the number of critical care beds in the UK is inadequate to meet the needs of the population. This study asks whether there is discrimination against older people in access to these critical care beds.