Chemical adherence testing in the clinical management of hypertension: a scoping review.

Background: Despite growing use, questions remain surrounding the utility, acceptability and feasibility of chemical adherence testing (CAT) as part of hypertension management in clinical practice.

Objectives: This scoping review aimed to (i) identify and summarise studies using CAT in hypertension management, and (ii) describe and critically evaluate how CAT is currently being used in the clinical management of hypertension.

Eligibility Criteria: Peer-reviewed and published studies in English, reporting original research in any setting, with any study design, were included.

A cost-analysis of managing secondary and apparent treatment-resistant hypertension in a specialist multidisciplinary hypertension clinic.

Objectives: A knowledge gap exists around the costs and budget impact of specialist hypertension clinics. This study reports on the cost of providing care in a multidisciplinary hypertension clinic staffed by nephrologist, endocrinologist and cardiologist, which manages patients with suspected secondary hypertension and/or apparent treatment-resistant hypertension. The aim of this study is to provide the evidence required to inform policy and planning care pathways for this patient group.

Focus on Metformin: Its Role and Safety in Pregnancy and Beyond.

Metformin is used worldwide in the treatment of type 2 diabetes and has been used in the treatment of diabetes in pregnancy since the 1970s. It is highly acceptable to patients due to its ease of administration, cost and adverse effect profile. It is effective in reducing macrosomia, large-for-gestational-age infants and reduces maternal weight gain.

Major disparities in patient-reported adherence compared to objective assessment of adherence using mass spectrometry: A prospective study in a tertiary-referral hypertension clinic.

Aim: Many challenges exist in determining true rates of adherence to antihypertensive medications among individuals in a clinic setting. For the first time, we aimed to compare patient-reported antihypertensive adherence with objective evidence using mass spectrometry spot urinalysis in a tertiary referral clinic setting.

Methods: A prospective observational single-centre cohort study was performed in a tertiary referral hypertension clinic, encompassing antihypertensive initiation and persistence.

Safety and efficacy of combining biologics or small molecules for inflammatory bowel disease or immune-mediated inflammatory diseases: A European retrospective observational study.

Background And Aims: Few data are available regarding the combination of biologics or small molecules in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients. We report safety and efficacy of such combinations through a retrospective multicentre series.

Methods: Combination therapy was defined as the concomitant use of two biologics or one biologic with a small molecule.

A prospective cohort study of the use of the fatty liver index and Fibroscan to determine the prevalence of fatty liver disease in an Irish population.

Objectives: Rates of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) are increasing worldwide. The fatty liver index (FLI) is a noninvasive predictor of NAFLD. This prospective cohort study used the FLI to estimate the prevalence of NAFLD in patients attending an Irish Acute Medical Unit (AMU), and assessed the degree of fibrosis in this group using Fibroscan.

A pragmatic randomised controlled trial of SAFMEDS to produce fluency in interpretation of electrocardiograms.

Background: SAFMEDS (Say-All-Fast-Minute-Every-Day-Shuffled) is a flashcard-type behavioural instructional methodology, involving one-minute learning trials that function both as practice and assessment, used to facilitate the development of fluency in a behaviour. The primary research question was whether SAFMEDS engenders improvement in performance beyond that conferred by usual teaching. A secondary research question was whether SAFMEDS is an effective method of producing fluency in Electrocardiogram (ECG) interpretation.

Stress, coping, and psychological resilience among physicians.

Background: Recent research has demonstrated that burnout is widespread among physicians, and impacts their wellbeing, and that of patients. Such data have prompted efforts to teach resilience among physicians, but efforts are hampered by a lack of understanding of how physicians experience resilience and stress. This study aimed to contribute to knowledge regarding how physicians define resilience, the challenges posed by workplace stressors, and strategies which enable physicians to cope with these stressors.

A review of nocturnal leg cramps in older people.

Nocturnal leg cramps are common and troublesome, especially in later life, and have a significant impact on quality of life, particularly sleep quality. This article reviews the current state of knowledge regarding the diagnosis, frequency, pathophysiology and management of cramps. Recent evidence suggests that diuretic and long-acting beta-agonist therapy predispose to leg cramps.