Stability of diluted chlorhexidine for skin testing in drug allergy evaluations.

Background: Chlorhexidine gluconate (CHX), a common cause of perioperative anaphylaxis, is frequently used for skin testing in allergy evaluations. Although CHX's maximal nonirritating concentrations are known, the stability of its dilutions for skin testing remains unexplored, particularly when sterile water for injection (SWFI) or normal saline (NS) are used as diluents.

Objective: Our aim was to evaluate the stability and precipitation of CHX when diluted with SWFI or NS for drug allergy skin testing.

Psychological impact of an intensive care admission for COVID-19 on patients in the United Kingdom.

Background: The psychological impact of surviving an admission to an intensive care unit (ICU) with COVID-19 is uncertain. The objective of the study was to assess the prevalence of anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms in ICU survivors treated for COVID-19 infection, and identify risk factors for psychological distress.

Methods: This observational study was conducted at 52 ICUs in the United Kingdom.

The Relationship Between Longest-Held Occupation and Hand Function in Older Adults.

Objective: Hand function, an important component of daily functioning, declines with age, yet the degree to which occupation modifies such declines is largely unknown.Methods: Older adults (≥65) completed an online cross-sectional survey containing a standardized hand function questionnaire, occupation-related questions, and demographic information. Participants were then categorized by their longest-held occupation as Blue Collar or White Collar.

Management of an Aortoesophageal Fistula With Esophageal Endoluminal Wound Vacuum Therapy.

A 39-year-old man with past medical history of type A aortic dissection presented to the emergency department with hematemesis, hypotension, and tachycardia. Imaging revealed an aortoesophageal fistula. The patient was taken emergently for thoracic endovascular aortic repair to cover the area of potential fistula.

Diabetic foot ulcer photography study: a study within a trial to assess the reliability of two-dimensional (2D) photography for the assessment of ulcer healing in patients with diabetes-related foot ulcers-protocol paper.

Background: The primary endpoint in diabetes-related foot ulcer (DFU) trials is often time to healing, defined as complete re-epithelialisation with absence of drainage, requiring clinical expert assessment as the gold standard. Central blinded photograph review for confirmation of healing is increasingly being undertaken for internal validity. The Diabetic Foot Ulcer Photography study aims to determine the agreement between blinded independent review panel members for assessing ulcer healing status in patients with DFUs.