Are sarcopenia and its individual components linked to all-cause mortality in heart failure? A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective: The objective of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to assess sarcopenia and its components as prognostic factors in patients with heart failure (HF).

Methods: From inception to December 2022, a systematic literature search was carried out utilizing PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Cochrane Library databases. A meta-analysis employing a random-effects model was performed to assess the pooled effects.

COVID-19 induced type 1 diabetes: A systematic review of case reports and series.

Aims: To provide an overview of reported cases of new-onset type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1D) following COVID-19 infection.

Methods: PubMed and Scopus library databases were screened for relevant case reports published between January 2020 and June 2022. Study design, geographic region or language were not restricted.

What are the chances of having a second epileptic seizure?

The studyNeligan A, Adan G, Nevitt SJ, et al. Prognosis of adults and children following a first unprovoked seizure. 2023;1:1-75.

Sarcopenia is associated with a greater risk of polypharmacy and number of medications: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Polypharmacy in older adults is associated with multiple negative consequences that may affect muscular function, independently from the presence of medical conditions. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to investigate the association of sarcopenia with polypharmacy and higher number of medications. A systematic literature search of observational studies using PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus and Cochrane Library databases was conducted from inception until June 2022.

The incidence and prevalence of epilepsy in the United Kingdom 2013-2018: A retrospective cohort study of UK primary care data.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to update overall incidence and prevalence calculations for epilepsy of the United Kingdom (UK) and its constituent nations (England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales).

Methods: We used data from primary care practices contributing to the Clinical Practice Research Datalink (CRPD), based on the electronic health records of 14 million patients, representing approximately 20% of the population. CPRD contains data from two different health record systems: the Vision clinical system (CPRD GOLD database) and the EMIS Web® clinical system (CPRD Aurum database).

Graves' disease following vaccination against SARS-CoV-2: A systematic review of the reported cases.

The newly developed COVID-19 vaccines have established a safe profile, yet some individuals experience a wide range of adverse events. Recently, thyroid dysfunction, including Graves' disease, has been observed after administration of different COVID-19 vaccines, although causality remains a matter of debate. The aim of this systematic review was to examine the available literature and provide an overview of reported cases of Graves' disease following COVID-19 vaccination.

Disability from chronic ear disease in Nepal assessed using the World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0 instrument.

Objective: Globally, South Asia has the highest proportion of disabling hearing loss. There is a paucity of data exploring the associated hearing loss and disability caused by chronic middle-ear disease in South Asia in the setting of surgical outreach. This study aimed to measure disability using the World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule 2.

Is a separate clinical pathway for first seizures justified? Appraisal of the first seizure pathway at a tertiary neuroscience centre.

Objectives: To investigate the clinical characteristics, final diagnosis, investigation results, management, response to anti-seizure medications (ASMs) and clinical outcomes of individuals assessed in a First Seizure service over a 5-year period.

Methods: Retrospective analysis of 772 individuals who were clinically assessed in a dedicated First Seizure service at National Hospital for Neurology & Neurosurgery (NHNN), Queen Square over a 5-year period.

Results: 772 individuals were assessed following a suspected or reported first seizure (median age of 54, average age of 39.

An observational study of initial HIV RNA decay following initiation of combination antiretroviral treatment during pregnancy.

Background: In pregnancy, reduction of HIV plasma viral load (pVL) for the prevention of vertical transmission is time-constrained. The study primary objective is to investigate factors associated with faster initial HIV RNA half-life decay when combination antiretroviral treatment (cART) is initiated in pregnancy.

Methods: This was a multicentre, retrospective, observational study, conducted in south England, United Kingdom, between August 2001 and February 2018.

Adapting IAPT services to support frontline NHS staff during the Covid-19 pandemic: the Homerton Covid Psychological Support (HCPS) pathway.

Unlabelled: The Coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic is exerting unprecedented pressure on NHS Health and Social Care provisions, with frontline staff, such as those of critical care units, encountering vast practical and emotional challenges on a daily basis. Although staff are being supported through organisational provisions, facilitated by those in leadership roles, the emergence of mental health difficulties or the exacerbation of existing ones amongst these members of staff is a cause for concern. Acknowledging this, academics and healthcare professionals alike are calling for psychological support for frontline staff, which not only addresses distress during the initial phases of the outbreak but also over the months, if not years, that follow.

How is the risk of being diagnosed with referable diabetic retinopathy affected by failure to attend diabetes eye screening appointments?

Background/aims: This study examines the anecdotal impression that in diabetes eye screening there is a relationship between number of consecutive missed screening appointments and the incidence of referable retinopathy at the next screening appointment that is attended.

Methods: A retrospective observational audit was conducted of data from 62,067 people who were due for annual diabetes eye screening in the North East London Diabetes Eye Screening Programme between January 2010 and January 2017, and who had missed at least one screening appointment within that time.

Results: Missing 5 consecutive screening appointments increased the incidence of referable retinopathy from a programme average of 4% up to 15%.

Is oncoplastic breast conserving surgery oncologically safe? A meta-analysis of 18,103 patients.

Background: Oncoplastic Breast Conserving Surgery (OBCS) allows adequate resection margins of tumours unsuitable for standard breast conserving surgery (SBCS) whilst allowing for better cosmesis and reduced morbidity when compared to mastectomy. However, there is limited evidence on its oncological safety.

Methods: This study aims to compare oncological safety of OBCS with SBCS and mastectomy by examining the relative risk of cancer recurrence and re-operation rates through meta-analysis.

Revision of failed shoulder arthroplasty: epidemiology, etiology, and surgical options.

Background: Our aim was to analyze the epidemiology, etiologies, and revision options for failed shoulder arthroplasty from 2 tertiary centers.

Methods: From 1993 to 2013, 542 failed arthroplasties were revised in 540 patients (65% women): 224 hemiarthroplasties (HAs, 41%), 237 anatomic total shoulder arthroplasties (TSAs, 44%) and 81 reverse total arthroplasties (RSAs, 15%). Data about patients, pathology, and reintervention procedures, as well as intraoperative data, were analyzed from our 2 local registries that prospectively captured all the revision procedures.

Association of HIV status with sexual function in women aged 45-60 in England: results from two national surveys.

Increasing numbers of women living with HIV are reaching their midlife. We explore the association of HIV status with sexual function (SF) in women aged 45-60 using two national cross-sectional surveys: the third British National Survey of Sexual Attitudes and Lifestyles ("Natsal-3") and "PRIME", a survey of women living with HIV attending HIV clinics across England. Both studies asked the same questions about SF that take account not only sexual difficulties but also the relationship context and overall level of satisfaction, which collectively allowed an overall SF score to be derived.

Topical corticosteroids in clinical practice.

Topical corticosteroids are common medications prescribed for skin problems encountered in the primary care or dermatology clinic settings. As skin conditions comprise of around 20% of cases seen in primary care, this article written to guide readers, especially non-dermatologists on the appropriate potency of topical corticosteroids to be chosen for skin problems of patients and to list the side effects both local and systemic.

Postoperative critical care and high-acuity care provision in the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand.

Background: Decisions to admit high-risk postoperative patients to critical care may be affected by resource availability. We aimed to quantify adult ICU/high-dependency unit (ICU/HDU) capacity in hospitals from the UK, Australia, and New Zealand (NZ), and to identify and describe additional 'high-acuity' beds capable of managing high-risk patients outside the ICU/HDU environment.

Methods: We used a modified Delphi consensus method to design a survey that was disseminated via investigator networks in the UK, Australia, and NZ.

Early Detection for Colorectal Cancer: ASCO Resource-Stratified Guideline.

Purpose: To provide resource-stratified, evidence-based recommendations on the early detection of colorectal cancer in four tiers to clinicians, patients, and caregivers.

Methods: American Society of Clinical Oncology convened a multidisciplinary, multinational panel of medical oncology, surgical oncology, surgery, gastroenterology, health technology assessment, cancer epidemiology, pathology, radiology, radiation oncology, and patient advocacy experts. The Expert Panel reviewed existing guidelines and conducted a modified ADAPTE process and a formal consensus-based process with additional experts (Consensus Ratings Group) for two round(s) of formal ratings.

Epilepsy mortality trends in Cuba compared with England and Wales: 1987-2010.

There are limited epilepsy mortality data from developing countries and Latin America in particular. We examined national epilepsy mortality data from Cuba and contrasted them with comparable data from England and Wales. National epilepsy mortality data for Cuba between the years 1987 and 2010 were obtained from the Medical Records and Health Statistics Bureau of the Cuban Public Health Ministry (www.

Research priorities for respiratory nursing: a UK-wide Delphi study.

Respiratory nurses make a significant contribution to the delivery of respiratory healthcare, but there is a dearth of nurse-led, practice-focused, published research. Using a modified three-round Delphi, this study sought to identify research priorities for respiratory nursing to inform a national research strategy. Study information and the survey link were sent electronically to members of UK professional respiratory organisations.

Perceived need of, and interest in, HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis amongst men who have sex with men attending three sexual health clinics in London, UK.

HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) has proven efficacy in reducing the risk of HIV infection in men who have sex with men (MSM), but has not yet been commissioned in the UK. The aim of this study was to investigate perceived need and benefit (or experience of) PrEP among HIV-negative MSM attending sexual health clinics. HIV-negative MSM attending three sexual health centres in London, UK were opportunistically invited to complete a questionnaire.

An observational study to assess if automated diabetic retinopathy image assessment software can replace one or more steps of manual imaging grading and to determine their cost-effectiveness.

Background: Diabetic retinopathy screening in England involves labour-intensive manual grading of retinal images. Automated retinal image analysis systems (ARIASs) may offer an alternative to manual grading.

Objectives: To determine the screening performance and cost-effectiveness of ARIASs to replace level 1 human graders or pre-screen with ARIASs in the NHS diabetic eye screening programme (DESP).