Publications by authors named "O'Driscoll D"

Study Objectives: The comorbidity of insomnia and obstructive sleep apnea (COMISA) is common and associated with adverse clinical consequences. While insomnia is often underdiagnosed among individuals with OSA, the identification of insomnia among these individuals may lead to improved medical care. Our objective was to assess the performance of two simplified tools (insomnia severity index-2 (ISI-2) and ISI-3) to identify insomnia among individuals with OSA.

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Introduction: Hospitalised patients are at increased risk of poor sleep quality which can negatively impact on recovery and quality of life. This study aimed to assess sleep quality in hospitalised patients and explore the factors associated with poor sleep.

Methods: Prospective data were collected from 84 respiratory ward inpatients at time of discharge using a Likert scale questionnaire on contributing factors to sleep quality.

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Article Synopsis
  • Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a prevalent skin condition that can occur in individuals of any age, and while dupilumab shows promising efficacy as a monoclonal antibody therapy, its use has been linked to a higher occurrence of ocular side effects.
  • The British Association of Dermatologists and the Royal College of Ophthalmologists developed guidance on how to manage these dupilumab-related ocular surface disorders (DROSD) after forming a multidisciplinary group to review literature and recommendations.
  • Key recommendations include that treatment with dupilumab should not be delayed for most eye issues, hydration drops are not advised as preventive measures, and specific guidance is provided for managing DROSD in both children under 7 and those older, with a focus on
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Purpose: The aim of this study is to examine the association between household energy poverty (EP) and trajectories of emotional and behavioural difficulties during childhood.

Methods: The Growing up in Ireland study is two nationally representative prospective cohorts of children. The Infant Cohort (n = 11,134) were recruited at age 9 months (9 m) and followed up at 3, 5, 7 and 9 years (y).

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The Certified Health Informatician Australasian (CHIA) is an assessment of a candidate's capabilities measured using a core set of health informatics competencies. The aim of this paper is to describe the outcomes of the first eight years since the program's launch. This paper contributes to the competency framework and certification discourse, and knowledge of the increasing importance and recognition of health informaticians through certification.

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The Australian Health Informatics Competency Framework (AHICF) guides the healthcare workforce in identifying the required competencies to perform as a health informatician, and more definitively defines the foundational body of knowledge on which the discipline is based. The aim of this paper is to describe the conceptual foundations in developing the AHICF v1.0, detail the methods used to revise and publish AHICF v2.

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Introduction/background: Wire localisation techniques are used widely for precision surgery in many specialities. This convenient technique has not yet become mainstream in the field of head and neck surgery. With limited space and many vital structures coursing through the head and neck region, pathological nodes that are difficult to palpate can be a challenge for clinicians.

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Introduction: Melatonin has been suggested an adjunctive therapy in neonatal encephalopathy (NE). Melatonin reduces oxidative stress and neutrophil activation; however, the immunological effects in NE have not been studied.

Methods: Infants with NE and neonatal controls were prospectively recruited.

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COVID-19 AND SLEEP: The COVID-19 pandemic is associated with an increase in insomnia and impaired sleep quality Health care workers are particularly susceptible and improved with cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) Long COVID has significant effects on sleep OSA impacts on the severity of acute COVID-19 illness OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP APNOEA: Large trials of clinically representative patients confirm the cardiovascular benefits of CPAP treatment in OSA CPAP may improve long-term cognitive outcomes in OSA, but further research is needed Racial disparities in OSA prevalence and mortality risk are becoming evident Periodic evaluation of OSA risk in pregnancy is important as timing may be key for intervention to prevent or treat cardiovascular risk factors INSOMNIA: Comorbid insomnia and obstructive sleep apnoea (COMISA) can frequently co-exist and the combined negative effects of both may be deleterious, particularly to cardiovascular health There is evidence for effectiveness with novel orexin receptor antagonists.

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Background: Limited magnetic resonance (MR) pulse sequences facilitate lumbosacral nerve imaging with acceptable image quality. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of parameter modification for Diffusion Weighted Image (DWI) using Readout Segmentation of Long Variable Echo-trains (RESOLVE) sequence with opportunities for improving the visibility of lumbosacral nerves and image quality.

Methods: Following ethical approval and acquisition of informed consent, imaging of an MR phantom and twenty healthy volunteers (n=20) was prospectively performed with 3T MRI scanner.

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Study Objectives: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is linked to the emergence and progression of cardiovascular complications including hypertension, stroke, arrhythmias, coronary artery disease, and heart failure. Epidemiological studies have reported that hypertension is associated with respiratory events during REM sleep. We examined the relationship between respiratory events during REM and morning and evening hypertensive blood pressure (BP) levels in a clinical sleep population.

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Lymphomas are a heterogenous group of cancers of the lymphatic system in which disease primarily arises in lymph nodes. Extranodal disease is common; however, musculoskeletal involvement is rare. Imaging plays an important role in the diagnosis and staging of all lymphomas.

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Income inequality is an important indicator of socioeconomic position which is a determinant of social, psychological, and physical health outcomes from childhood to adulthood. Different income inequality instruments (metrics) are used to investigate associations between income inequality and health outcomes (e.g.

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Background/objectives: Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) concomitant with weight loss is a recommended treatment approach for adults with moderate-severe obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) and obesity. This requires multiple synchronous behaviour changes. The aim of this study was to examine the effectiveness of a 6-month lifestyle intervention and to determine whether the timing of starting a weight loss attempt affects weight change and trajectory after 12 months in adults newly diagnosed with moderate-severe OSA and treated at home with overnight CPAP.

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Purpose: Shift work has detrimental effects on healthcare workers, which may be further compounded by frontline work during the COVID-19 pandemic. We postulated that sleep would worsen and distress would increase during COVID-ward service.

Methods: Doctors ( = 18) were recruited from a tertiary centre during the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Melbourne, Australia.

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Following the signing of peace agreements, post-accord societies often remain deeply divided across group lines. There is a need to identify antecedents of youth's support for peace and establish more constructive intergroup relations. This article explored the effect of out-group trust, intergroup forgiveness and social identity on support for the peace process among youth from the historic majority and minorities communities in Belfast, Northern Ireland.

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Aims Developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) is an important cause of disability in children and young adults. Early diagnosis and treatment can help avoid more invasive interventions and long-term morbidity. This study examines the ultrasound screening programme conducted in University Hospital Waterford (UHW), and the outcomes for infants with DDH in the Southeast of Ireland.

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Electrically conductive composite materials are highlighted as a potential tech path toward future flexible devices for wearable health technologies. To be commercially viable, these materials must not only be mechanically soft, highly sensitive to deformation, and report a sustainable signal but also utilize manufacturing methods that facilitate large-scale production. An ideal candidate for these envisioned technologies is the viscous, electromechanically sensitive composite material g-putty.

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Background And Aims: The overall evidence on the association between gallbladder conditions (GBC: gallstones and cholecystectomy) and pancreatic cancer (PC) is inconsistent. To our knowledge, no previous investigations considered the role of tumour characteristics on this association. Thus, we aimed to assess the association between self-reported GBC and PC risk, by focussing on timing to PC diagnosis and tumour features (stage, location, and resection).

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Cannabidiol (CBD), one of the primary non-euphoric components in the L. plant, has undergone clinical development over the last number of years as a therapeutic for patients with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome and Dravet syndromes. This phytocannabinoid demonstrates functional and pharmacological diversity, and research data indicate that CBD is a comparable antioxidant to common antioxidants.

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Objective: This study aimed to examine the environmental and operational factors that disrupt sleep in the acute, non-ICU hospital setting.

Design, Setting And Participants: This was a prospective study of adult patients admitted to an acute tertiary hospital ward (shared versus single room) and sleep laboratory (single room conducive to sleep).

Main Outcome Measures: This study measured ambient light (lux) and sound (dB), number of operational interruptions, and questionnaires assessing sleep and mental health.

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