BACKGROUND: Secondary prevention therapies, such as angiotension converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, beta-blockers and statins, are known to reduce cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to examine the prevalence of coronary heart disease (CHD) and the prescribing of secondary preventive therapies in the period 1990-2002. METHODS: The General Medical Services prescription database was used to identify the study cohort, those with CHD, in each year 1990-2002. CHD was defined in two ways: prescription of any nitrate, and co-prescription of nitrate and aspirin. In addition, co-prescription of secondary preventive agents including statins, ACE inhibitors and beta blockers were examined. RESULTS: We found a significant increasing prevalence of CHD from 1990 to 2002 in both men and women. There was a significant increase (p < 0.0001) in the prescribing rate for beta blockers, ACE inhibitors, and for statins, buta significant decrease (p < 0.0001) for calcium channel blockers. CONCLUSION: These trends reflect the growing evidence base on the effectiveness of secondary preventive therapies, and the implementation of the National Cardiovascular Health Strategy.

Adrenergic beta-Antagonists↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Radioimmunoassay for immunoreactive [des-Leu10]-angiotensin I.

A specific radioimmunoassay for the angiotensin-derived peptide [des-Leu10]-angiotensin I (AI-dL) is described. Antisera obtained from rabbits injected with immunogen prepared by coupling bovine beta-thyroglobulin to the peptide with carbodiimide were specific to this peptide and did not recognise related angiotensin peptides such as AI, AII, AIII, nor did they recognise other peptides such as bradykinin, substance P, bombesin or dynorphin(1-8). Immunoreactive AI-dL was detected for the first time in the plasma of rats and humans following purification by HPLC at concentrations of 78 and 40 pg/ml, respectively. Concentrations of AI-dL are increased following chronic administration of captopril to rats.

Angiotensin I↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Audit in health care--the process of reviewing quality. Research Committee of the Faculty of Public Health Medicine.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Humans↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Best practices. Critical indicators of enterprise performance.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Benchmarking↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Unexplained musculoskeletal pain in people of South Asian ethnic group referred to a rheumatology clinic - relationship to biochemical osteomalacia, persistence over time and response to treatment with calcium and vitamin D.

BACKGROUND: Hypovitaminosis D continues to be a problem for South Asian people living in the UK. This study investigates the association between widespread unexplained pain and biochemical osteomalacia in this group of people. METHODS: All South Asian patients attending with unexplained widespread pain (CWP) over a two-year period had biochemical tests for osteomalacia: calcium, phosphate, alkaline phosphatase, vitamin D (25OHD), and parathyroid hormone (PtH). For comparison, a control group consisted of patients in whom a specific rheumatic diagnosis (SRD) had been made. A follow up questionnaire was sent enquiring about pain, disability and dietary habits. A small proportion of the responders attended for a further set of biochemical tests for osteomalacia. RESULTS: The majority of patients in both groups had a raised PtH (124/220, 57%) and a low 25OHD (117/160, 73%). Where data on both PtH and 25OHD were available, 47% (64/137) had a combination of reduced 25OHD and raised PtH. Few of these patients had abnormal calcium, phosphate or alkaline phosphates. From the postal questionnaire the prevalence of disability and continuing pain was high in both groups, with the majority of respondents complaining of difficulty with activities and nearly half needing help. Pain was widespread, the same or worse and graded above 7/10 for 69% and 78% of respondents in the CWP and SRD groups respectively. Overall, sixty one percent of respondents thought their gait pattern had changed in the last year. No significant differences were seen between respondents based on diagnosis (CWP or SRD), initial or subsequent PtH levels, or current calcium and vitamin D consumption. At the time of the second blood test, 52% of those with an elevated PtH on the first test now had a normal PtH value but 31% of those with a normal PtH first time had an elevated PtH. CONCLUSION: This observational study conducted in a rheumatology clinic in the north of England has shown high levels of biochemical osteomalacia in people of South Asian origin and high levels of persistent pain and disability, unrelated to diagnosis, biochemical status or treatment with calcium and vitamin D.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Regional anatomical differences in the venographic occurrence of deep venous thrombosis and long-term follow-up.

The purpose of this study was to analyze the various factors that influence the anatomical site of occurrence of DVT and to determine if the clinical course differed in patients afflicted with DVT at different anatomical sites in the lower extremity. Forty four of 92 patients undergoing venography during a 4-1/2 year period had positive venograms for DVT. Patients were grouped into one of three categories: iliofemoral thrombosis (IFT) n = 9, superficial femoral vein thrombosis with or without distal thrombosis (SFV) n = 21, and popliteal/calf thrombosis (clot limited to below the knee) (PCT) n = 14. Patients in the IFT group had a significantly prolonged hospital stay (p less than .05) and a significantly lower mean weight (129 lbs) when compared to the PCT group (173 lbs) (p less than .05). Pain was present equally among the three groups. Swelling was much more common in the SFV group, whereas tenderness was most frequent in the PCT group. Of those patients with swelling, 70% were in the SFV group and of those patients with tenderness, 60% were in the PCT group. DVT as the primary diagnosis was seen in 39% of cases of which half had disease limited to the PCT region. Post-op DVT occurred equally among the groups. DVT occurred much more frequently in the PCT region after myocardial infarctions and after orthopedic procedures, whereas in patients with malignancies, the most common site was the SFV region. Pulmonary embolism developed in 11% of patients and occurred in the IFT and SFV groups only. No patient with DVT of the calf/popliteal developed a pulmonary embolism.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Body Weight↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Pneumobilia as the sole radiographic finding in emphysematous cholecystitis.

Emphysematous cholecystitis is an uncommon variant of acute cholecystitis. Pneumobilia with air in the biliary radicles is rarely seen in the disease and has been previously described in only four cases which the author could find in the English literature. Herein, we report a fifth case and a brief review of the literature.

Aged↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Impact of a collaborative immunisation programme in an inner city practice.

OBJECTIVES: To describe the impact of a collaborative immunisation programme, between an inner city practice and the Eastern Health Board (EHB). DESIGN: An observational study using a computer database formed from practice and EHB records. SETTING: One Dublin inner city practice with three partners located in an area with a deprived socio-economic profile. SUBJECTS: All patients in the practice aged more than six months and less than five years identified both from practice registers and opportunistically during study period. RESULTS: 342 children, older than six months and less than five years were identified at start and 464 (a 36% increase) by end of the programme. Uptake changed for DPT from 30% before, to 57% after the programme (p < 0.0005), for DT from 15% to 13%, for Hib from 7% to 50% (p < 0.0005) and for MMR (over 15 months) from 53% to 75% (p < 0.0005). Uptake of the DPT, Hib and MMR was 35% among GMS eligible, 51% among GMS ineligible (p < 0.005). CONCLUSION: A collaborative immunisation programme significantly improved practice uptake rates. These improved rates still do not attain declared national targets. To achieve these targets, radical overhaul of the immunisation service is required.

Cooperative Behavior↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Efficacy of inactivated H5N2 influenza vaccines against lethal A/Chicken/Queretaro/19/95 infection.

The control and eventual eradication of H5N2 influenza virus from domestic poultry in Mexico is dependent on the use of avian influenza (AI) vaccine strategies. This study was performed to determine the amount of hemagglutinin (HA) antigen required to control the signs of disease from a highly pathogenic H5N2 influenza virus (A/Chicken/ Queretaro/19/95) and the amount of antigen required to prevent shedding of virus from vaccinated birds. Six commercial inactivated water in oil H5N2 vaccines available in Mexico were compared with standardized vaccines to assess their efficacy. The amount of HA required to prevent the signs of disease from A/Chicken/Queretaro/19/95 influenza virus was approximately 0.4 microgram per dose. Each of the six commercially available vaccines prevented disease signs, and half of the vaccines significantly reduced viral shedding from vaccinated birds. There is a need for standardization of AI virus vaccine, and the antigen content should be increased in some of the commercially available AI vaccines in Mexico.

Animals↗