Stroke in a resource-constrained hospital in Madagascar.

Background: Stroke is reported as the most frequent cause of in-hospital death in Madagascar. However, no descriptive data on hospitalized stroke patients in the country have been published. In the present study, we sought to investigate the feasibility of collecting data on stroke patients in a resource-constrained hospital in Madagascar.

Medication reconciliation of patients with hip fracture by clinical pharmacists.

Objective: Medication reconciliation is a strategy for reducing medication discrepancies and improving patient safety. Transitions through different levels of care contribute to medication discrepancies caused by lack of communication. In October 2011, St Olav's Hospital initiated a fast-track model for patients with hip fractures, where clinical pharmacists (CPs) are a part of a multidisciplinary team.

The brain structural and cognitive basis of odor identification deficits in mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease.

Background: The objectives of this study were to explore the relationship between olfactory impairment, cognitive measures, and brain structure volumes in healthy elderly individuals, compared to patients with amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) or early Alzheimer's disease (AD). The primary aim was to elucidate possible differences in cognitive scores and brain structure volumes between aMCI/AD patients with relatively intact odor identification (OI) ability and those with reduced ability.

Methods: Twelve patients with aMCI, six with early AD, and 30 control subjects were included.