Increased mortality and morbidity in patients with chronic hypoparathyroidism: A population-based study.

Objectives: A population-based study was undertaken to determine the mortality and morbidity for people with hypoparathyroidism compared to the general population.

Methods: In this study, patients identified with chronic hypoparathyroidism using data linkage from regional datasets were compared with five age- and gender-matched controls from the general population. Data from biochemistry, hospital admissions, prescribing and the demographic dataset were linked.

A Population-Based Study of the Epidemiology of Chronic Hypoparathyroidism.

There are very few reports on the epidemiology of chronic hypoparathyroidism. A population-based study was undertaken to describe the prevalence and incidence of hypoparathyroidism in Tayside, Scotland. Data on biochemistry, hospital admissions, prescribing, and death records in Tayside, Scotland, from 1988 to 2015 were linked electronically.

Safety and feasibility of retrieval of intragastric balloon followed by antiobesity surgery on the same day.

Intragastric balloon insertion can achieve reasonable weight loss before antiobesity surgery. Removal needs to be followed by surgery to prevent subsequent weight gain. This study aims to establish the feasibility and safety of retrieval of the intragastric balloon and sleeve gastrectomy in the same sitting.

Predictive validity of the Dundee multiple mini-interview.

Context: The multiple mini-interview (MMI) is the primary admissions tool used to assess non-cognitive skills at Dundee Medical School. Although the MMI shows promise, more research is required to demonstrate its transferability and predictive validity, for instance, relative to other UK pre-admissions measures.

Methods: Applicants were selected for interview based on a combination of measures derived from the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) form (academic achievement, medical experience, non-academic achievement and references) and the UK Clinical Aptitude Test (UKCAT) in 2009 and 2010.

Increasing survival of hepatocellular carcinoma patients in Scotland: a review of national cancer registry data.

Objectives: This study describes changes in the survival of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) registered with the Scottish Cancer Registry between 1985 and 2008.

Methods: Data on patients diagnosed with HCC were extracted from the Scottish Cancer Registry, along with linked data on treatment and risk factors for liver disease. One-, 3- and 5-year relative survival rates were calculated for each time period and a Cox regression model was used to assess the impact of prior admissions on survival.

Appendicectomy is associated with increased pregnancy rate: a cohort study.

Objective: This study was carried out to determine whether pregnancy rate is reduced after appendicitis or appendicectomy.

Background: The association between appendicectomy, appendicitis, and subsequent fertility is controversial.

Methods: A cohort study was carried out in the Medicines Monitoring database.

Pumactant in the prevention of postoperative adhesions: a randomized trial.

Background: Postoperative intraperitoneal adhesions are a considerable source of morbidity. Supplementing compromised endogenous intraperitoneal phospholipids can reduce postoperative adhesions. A randomised, controlled, parallel group study was performed to evaluate the efficacy, safety and tolerability of pumactant in the prevention of peritoneal adhesions after abdominal colorectal surgery.

World Congress of Epidemiology 2011: themes and highlights.

Modern-day epidemiologists are confronted with huge changes, such as the rise in the global population due to reduced mortality, migration within and across countries, massive shifts in economic standing and lifestyles, and environmental degradation. With over 1000 posters, more than 100 oral presentations, 16 workshops, four lunchtime symposia, many exhibitions and immeasurable discussions, the task of capturing all highlights of the International Epidemiology Association (IEA) World Congress of Epidemiology 2011 is impossible, but this article has provided a sample. Many presenters showed that the challenges facing global health are complex, changing and in demand of measurement, and they demonstrated the central role of epidemiology.

Tracking of obesity-related behaviours from childhood to adulthood: A systematic review.

Obesity in childhood carries a wide range of physical, psychological and social disbenefits and also increases the risk of adult obesity with its well-recognised, enhanced risk of several common complex diseases as well as adverse socioeconomic and psychosocial sequelae. Understanding the tracking of the two key modifiable behaviours, food consumption and physical activity, between childhood and adulthood may illuminate the childhood determinants of adult obesity and contribute to the development of effective interventions. We performed a systematic review of the available literature on tracking of both physical activity and of dietary intake between childhood and adulthood by searching MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, PSYCInfo, Google and Google Scholar.

Supporting postpartum weight loss in women living in deprived communities: design implications for a randomised control trial.

Background/objectives: Pregnancy is a life stage where excess weight gain may occur and the postpartum period is often characterised by weight retention. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the feasibility of undertaking a randomised controlled trial of a weight loss intervention (WeighWell) in postpartum women living in areas of social disadvantage.

Subjects/methods: The study aimed to recruit 60 women who were not pregnant, 6-18 months postpartum with a body mass index >25 kg/m(2) living in areas of deprivation within Tayside, UK.

The rising tide of liver Cirrhosis mortality in the UK: can its halt be predicted?

Aim: To explore whether it is possible to predict future United Kingdom (UK) death rate of liver cirrhosis based on birth cohort models.

Method: Routinely available mortality data were plotted graphically to display the trends in cirrhosis mortality by birth cohort in several countries. Data for Italy, France, Portugal, USA, Canada, Scotland and England & Wales were plotted by birth cohort.

A feasibility study of a personalised lifestyle programme (HealthForce) for individuals who have participated in cardiovascular risk screening.

Objective: To assess the feasibility of a lifestyle intervention, focusing on diet and activity, in adults participating in cardiovascular screening.

Methods: The 12-week lifestyle intervention comprised three personalised counselling sessions plus telephone contact. Outcome data were collected by anthropometry, activity monitoring and lifestyle questionnaires.

The Thyroid Epidemiology, Audit, and Research Study (TEARS): morbidity in patients with endogenous subclinical hyperthyroidism.

Objective: Our objective was to investigate the long-term outcomes for patients with endogenous subclinical hyperthyroidism (SH).

Design: Population record-linkage technology was used retrospectively to identify patients with SH and hospital admissions from January 1, 1993, to December 31, 2009.

Patients: All Tayside residents over 18 yr old with at least two serum TSH measurements below the reference range for at least 4 months apart and normal free T(4)/total T(4) and normal total T(3) concentrations at baseline were included as potential cases.

The natural history of treated and untreated primary hyperparathyroidism: the parathyroid epidemiology and audit research study.

Background: Primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) is a common endocrine disorder with the majority of cases being mild and untreated.

Aim: To provide an update on the natural history of treated and untreated PHPT.

Design: Retrospective population-based observational study.

A record linkage study of outcomes in patients with mild primary hyperparathyroidism: the Parathyroid Epidemiology and Audit Research Study (PEARS).

Context: Primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) is a common endocrine disorder, but the majority of cases are perceived to be mild and remain untreated.

Objective: To determine the risk of mortality and morbidities in patients with mild PHPT.

Setting: Tayside, Scotland, 1997-2006.

Development of standardized methods for analysis of changes in antibacterial use in hospitals from 18 European countries: the European Surveillance of Antimicrobial Consumption (ESAC) longitudinal survey, 2000-06.

Objectives: Our objective was to develop and test standardized methods for collection and statistical analysis of longitudinal data on hospital antibacterial use from different countries.

Methods: We collected data on monthly supply of antibiotics from pharmacies in one hospital from each of 18 European countries. We applied a standardized method to classify drugs, measure use in defined daily doses and compare the effect of using occupied bed-days (OBDs) or admissions as denominators for longitudinal analysis.

The Thyroid Epidemiology, Audit, and Research Study (TEARS): the natural history of endogenous subclinical hyperthyroidism.

Objective: For patients with subclinical hyperthyroidism (SH), the objective of the study was to define the rates of progression to frank hyperthyroidism and normal thyroid function.

Design: Record-linkage technology was used retrospectively to identify patients with SH in the general population of Tayside, Scotland, from January 1, 1993, to December 31, 2009.

Patients: All Tayside residents with at least two measurements of TSH below the reference range for at least 4 months from baseline and normal free T(4)/total T(4) and total T(3) concentrations at baseline were included as potential cases.

Severity assessment of skin and soft tissue infections: cohort study of management and outcomes for hospitalized patients.

Background: Skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs) are caused by bacterial invasion of the skin and underlying soft tissues and can present with a wide spectrum of signs, symptoms and illness severity. They are a common indication for antimicrobial therapy. However, there are few data on treatment outcomes or the validity of clinical severity scores.

A 12-year follow-up study of all-cause and cardiovascular mortality among 10,532 people newly diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes in Tayside, Scotland.

Aims: To determine absolute and relative risks of all-cause and cardiovascular mortality among patients newly diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes.

Methods: In an observational cohort study using record-linkage databases, based in Tayside, Scotland, UK, we identified newly diagnosed patients with Type 2 diabetes in 1993-2004. We also identified a set of non-diabetic comparators from lists of patients registered with a general practice, individually matched to the diabetic patients by sex, age and deprivation.

Potential implications of genomic medicine in general practice.

Genomic research can link specific molecular genetic information with specific diseases. Implications of genomic medicine in general practice include developments in screening and diagnosis, predicting disease prognosis, and optimising preventive and therapeutic care. As users or co-producers of genomic information, or as collaborators in genomic research, general practitioners can help realise the potential of advances in genomic research.

The European surveillance of antimicrobial consumption (ESAC) point-prevalence survey of antibacterial use in 20 European hospitals in 2006.

Background: Point-prevalence surveys have been used to document antimicrobial use in hospitals for >20 years. However, published surveys are inconsistent with respect to population, indication, and the details of therapy that were included. We aimed to standardize a method for surveillance of antibacterial use in hospitals from different health care systems and to identify targets for quality improvement.

Antiviral treatment for Bell's palsy (idiopathic facial paralysis).

Background: Antiviral agents against herpes simplex virus are widely used in the treatment of idiopathic facial paralysis (Bell's palsy), but their effectiveness is uncertain. Significant morbidity can be associated with severe cases.

Objectives: This review addresses the effect of antiviral therapy on Bell's palsy.

Epidemiology of primary hyperparathyroidism in Tayside, Scotland, UK.

Objective: To evaluate prevalence and incidence of diagnosed primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) in adults between 1997 and 2006 in Tayside, Scotland, UK.

Design: Population-based incidence and prevalence study.

Patients: All Tayside residents aged 20 years and over with an increased serum calcium level (> 2.

A cohort study of the risk of cancer associated with type 2 diabetes.

Background: There is evidence to suggest that diabetes may increase the risk of incidence and mortality from cancer.

Methods: In a cohort study using record-linkage health-care datasets for Tayside, Scotland in 1993-2004, we followed up 9577 newly diagnosed patients with type 2 diabetes, and two matched non-diabetic comparators, in the national cancer register.

Results And Conclusions: The risk ratio for any cancer, adjusted for deprivation, was 0.

New users of metformin are at low risk of incident cancer: a cohort study among people with type 2 diabetes.

Objective: The antidiabetic properties of metformin are mediated through its ability to activate the AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK). Activation of AMPK can suppress tumor formation and inhibit cell growth in addition to lowering blood glucose levels. We tested the hypothesis that metformin reduces the risk of cancer in people with type 2 diabetes.