The Epidemiology of UK Autoimmune Liver Disease Varies With Geographic Latitude.

Background & Aims: The epidemiology of autoimmune liver disease (AILD) is challenging to study because of the diseases' rarity and because of cohort selection bias. Increased incidence farther from the Equator has been reported for multiple sclerosis, another autoimmune disease. We assessed the incidence of primary biliary cholangitis (PBC), primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC), and autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) in relation to latitude.

Publication of UK NICE Clinical Guidelines 168 has not significantly changed the management of leg ulcers in primary care: An analysis of The Health Improvement Network database.

Background: NICE Clinical Guidelines (CG) 168, published in July 2013, recommend specialist vascular referral for all leg ulcers, defined as a break in the skin below the knee that has not healed within two weeks.

Aim: To examine the impact of CG168 on the primary care management of leg ulcers using The Health Improvement Network database.

Methods: An eligible population of approximately two million adult patients was analysed over two 18-month periods before and after publication of CG168.

Analysis of Effect of National Institute for Health and Care Excellence Clinical Guideline CG168 on Management of Varicose Veins in Primary Care Using the Health Improvement Network Database.

Objective/background: In July 2013, new UK guidelines recommended that all patients with symptomatic varicose veins (VV) be referred to a specialist vascular service for consideration of superficial venous intervention (SVI). In the UK, general practitioners (GPs) in primary care control access to publicly funded vascular services provided through the National Health Service. GP awareness and concordance with Clinical Guideline (CG)168 recommendations is vital if patients with VV are to receive evidence-based treatment in line with national recommendations.

Predictors of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in primary care among adults living in developed countries: a systematic review.

Background: Early diagnosis of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is important because antiretroviral therapies are more effective if infected individuals are diagnosed early. Diagnosis of HIV relies on laboratory testing and determining the demographic and clinical characteristics of undiagnosed HIV-infected patients may be useful in identifying patients for testing. This systematic review aims to identify characteristics of HIV-infected adults prior to diagnosis that could be used in a prediction model for early detection of patients for HIV testing in UK primary care.

Predictors of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in primary care: a systematic review protocol.

Background: Antiretroviral therapies for human immunodeficiency virus are more effective if infected individuals are diagnosed early, before they have irreversible immunologic damage. A large proportion of patients that are diagnosed with HIV, in United Kingdom, would have seen a general practitioner (GP) within the previous year. Determining the demographic and clinical characteristics of HIV-infected patients prior to diagnosis of HIV may be useful in identifying patients likely to be HIV positive in primary care.

Statins in heart failure: retrospective cohort study using routine primary care data.

Introduction: Studies suggest no benefit from statins in heart failure (HF), but many individuals in primary care are prescribed statins before HF diagnosis. This study aimed to assess the effect of a statin prescription prior to HF diagnosis on survival in an incident HF population.

Material And Methods: Cases of HF diagnosed between 1995 and 2004 in 315 UK primary care practices were identified from electronic case records and followed up for 2 years from diagnosis.