A prospective case control study of functional outcomes and related quality of life after colectomy for neoplasia.

Aim: Our aim was to assess bowel function and its effect on overall quality of life (QOL) when compared to healthy controls after colectomy.

Methods: Patients undergoing resection of colorectal neoplasia were recruited pre-operatively and followed up at 6 and 12 months, to assess 'early' bowel function. Patients who underwent surgery 2 to 4 years previously were recruited for assessment of 'intermediate' bowel function.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of the diagnostic accuracy of pyruvate kinase M2 isoenzymatic assay in diagnosing colorectal cancer.

Background: Screening programmes exist in many countries for colorectal cancer. In recent years, there has been a drive for a non-invasive screening marker of higher sensitivity and specificity. Stool-based pyruvate kinase isoenzyme M2 (M2-PK) is one such biomarker under investigation.

Does the site of anastomosis for esophagectomy affect long-term quality of life?

Long-term survival after esophagectomy is improving, and hence, quality of life (QOL) of these patients has become a priority. There has been extensive debate regarding the optimal site of surgical anastomosis (cervical or intrathoracic). We aimed to evaluate the impact of anastomotic site on long-term QOL postesophagectomy.

Osteoporosis and fragility fractures: identifying those at risk and raising public awareness.

This article outlines key points for nurses in delivering optimal osteoporosis care. It describes the epidemiology of the condition, risk factors, risk assessment, screening and treatment. It also discusses the importance of raising awareness and future developments in treating this increasingly common condition.

Role of radiology in the management of primary aldosteronism.

The diagnosis of primary aldosteronism, the most common form of secondary hypertension, is based on clinical and biochemical features. Although radiology plays no role in the initial diagnosis, it has an important role in differentiating between the two main causes of primary aldosteronism: aldosterone-producing adenoma (APA) and bilateral adrenal hyperplasia (BAH). This distinction is important because APAs are generally managed surgically and BAH medically.

Coronary revascularisation in women.

Coronary heart disease is the leading cause of death in men and women worldwide. It is still considered a disease of men and there has been little recognition of its importance in women. Gender differences exist in acute and chronic ischaemia in terms of clinical manifestations, investigations and treatment.

Management of HIV-related lymphoma in HIV treatment centres in North Thames Region.

We describe an audit of lymphoma care in HIV-positive patients. In the smaller units (< 500 patients) areas of potentially sub-optimal care were identified.

Using telemedicine for distance education.

We assessed the use of videoconferencing as an educational tool for students and emergency nurse practitioners based at a minor injuries unit. Nineteen teaching sessions were conducted by videoconferencing, followed by a debriefing session in which the participants made observations about their educational experience. The participants observed that the experience was rewarding.

Avoiding artificiality in teleconsultations.

The ideal videoconferencing environment would produce the minimum feeling of artificiality for its users. We assessed nurse and patient perceptions of artificiality by varying the technical and operational procedures for telemedicine in a minor injuries unit. Twenty-five patients and eight emergency nurse practitioners (ENPs) participated in simulated teleconsultations under a variety of different conditions and completed a Likert-scale survey.

Changes in the workplace with telemedicine.

The opinions of 110 emergency nurse practitioners (ENPs) practising telemedicine in 11 British minor injury units were sought using a questionnaire. There were 90 respondents (82%). The respondents thought that, since telemedicine had been introduced, they had become more open to change (96%) and more ready to grasp opportunities (93%).

ENP review clinics.

As public expectations of the health service progressively increase, there will be greater pressure to increase the staffing of A&E. departments. An additional expectation is that the public wants the provision of local services.