Objectives: This is a retrospective study that set out to assess the safety, feasibility and cost savings of temporary relaxed blood test monitoring for patients on MTX under the rheumatology service that was rolled out during the coronavirus pandemic.
Methods: This is a single-centre study that reviewed the blood tests of all patients who received an MTX prescription from the trust between December 2019 and November 2020. After the application of inclusion and exclusion criteria, the blood testing intervals and findings were analysed and collated. The cost of the blood tests was obtained from the laboratory.
Results: A total of 1194 patients were identified as having received an MTX prescription. After applying inclusion and exclusion criteria, 462 patients were included. Of these, 395 (85%) patients had a blood test within the standard 3-month schedule and 67 had blood tests within the relaxed blood monitoring schedule. Six patients had an abnormality identified on their blood tests, but no harm was caused by any of these abnormalities. The intervention resulted in a cost savings of at least £1187 from the blood test costs alone.
Conclusion: MTX is a widely used steroid-sparing agent that requires regular blood test monitoring to reduce adverse outcomes for patients. During extraordinary circumstances such as a pandemic, relaxing the interval between monitoring blood tests in stable patients is a feasible intervention. A relaxed monitoring blood test interval for a set period is safe, achievable and cost effective.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/rap/rkac100 | DOI Listing |
One Health Outlook
January 2025
Medical Virology Unit, Faculty of Basic Medical and Applied Sciences, Lead City University and Primary Health Care Board, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria.
Background: Dengue fever (DF) poses a growing global threat, necessitating a comprehensive one-health approach to address its complex interplay between human, animal, and environmental factors. In Oyo State, Nigeria, the true burden of DF remains unknown due to underdiagnosis and misdiagnosis as malaria, exacerbated by poor health-seeking behavior, weak surveillance systems, and inadequate health infrastructure. Adopting a one-health approach is crucial to understanding the dynamics of DF transmission.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBMC Pediatr
January 2025
Faculty of Nursing, Yasouj University of Medical Sciences, Kohkiloyeh and Boyer-Ahmad, Yasuj, Iran.
Background: Early and continuous exposure to painful stimuli in premature infants leads to short-and long-term complications. Listening to white noise is an accessible and inexpensive non-invasive method that can be used as a safe nursing intervention in hospitals. This study aimed to assess white noise's effect on premature Infants' physiological parameters during peripheral intravenous catheter insertion.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBMC Cancer
January 2025
Department of Pediatric Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China.
Background: Neuroblastoma, a prevalent extracranial solid tumor in pediatric patients, demonstrates significant clinical heterogeneity, ranging from spontaneous regression to aggressive metastatic disease. Despite advances in treatment, high-risk neuroblastoma remains associated with poor survival. SLC1A5, a key glutamine transporter, plays a dual role in promoting tumor growth and immune modulation.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: The proportion of people living with HIV (PLHIV) in Guangxi who are men who have sex with men (MSM) increased rapidly to nearly 10% in 2023; notably, over 95% of this particular population is currently receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART). This study aimed to describe the survival of MSM PLHIV, depict the characteristics and trends of changes in CD4 T cell counts, CD4/CD8 T cell ratio, and viral load, and explore immunological indicators that may be related to mortality during different stages of treatment.
Methods: Immunological indicators of MSM PLHIV receiving ART were extracted and categorized into baseline, mid-treatment, and last values.
BMC Gastroenterol
January 2025
Health Management Center, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, No.79 Qingchun Road, Shangcheng District, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
Objectives: Over 30% of people worldwide suffer from metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), a significant global health issue. Identifying and preventing high-risk individuals for MASLD early is crucial. The purpose of our study is to investigate the factors related to the development of MASLD and develop a risk prediction model for its occurrence.
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