Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “IRELAND”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 469 records · Page 26Linked to original sources

Prevalence of advanced renal failure in Northern Ireland.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of advanced chronic renal failure in Northern Ireland as part of an assessment by the Renal Association of the level of service provision for treatment of such patients. DESIGN: Prospective notification of patients reaching a defined level of advanced chronic renal failure (serum creatinine concentration greater than or equal to 500 mumol/l or blood urea concentration greater than or equal to 25 mmol/l) within one year and follow up for at least three, and, at most, four years after notification. SETTING: Northern Ireland. PATIENTS: 122 Patients with a serum creatinine or blood urea concentration higher than the defined level newly detected from 1 March 1985 to 28 February 1986. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Survival after notification. RESULTS: 77 Patients of all ages/million population/year had advanced chronic renal failure compared with 67/million/year between the ages of 5 and 80 found in an earlier study of the same population. 62% Of the patients were older than 50 years. Seventeen (14%) of the patients either required dialysis or died within one month of notification, 51 (42%) survived for at least three months, and 23 (19%) for one year or longer. Three patients, all of whom were attending a renal clinic, survived for periods of 43, 45, and 46 months respectively without renal replacement treatment. CONCLUSIONS: The increased number of new patients disclosed in this survey compared with the earlier survey is mainly owing to an increased number of older patients. Such patients often have disabilities other than renal failure, are less likely to be capable of self treatment, may develop complications more often and require more frequent hospital admissions, and may not be suitable for transplantation and consequently have considerable resource implications for the NHS.

Adolescent↗

Intensive Care Society's APACHE II study in Britain and Ireland--I: Variations in case mix of adult admissions to general intensive care units and impact on outcome.

OBJECTIVES: To describe the extent of variation in the case mix of adult admissions to general intensive care units in Britain and Ireland and investigate the impact of such variation on outcome. DESIGN: Prospective, cohort study of consecutive admissions to intensive care units. SETTING: 26 general intensive care units in Britain and Ireland. SUBJECTS: 9099 admissions to the intensive care units studied. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Death or survival at discharge before and after adjustment of case mix (age, history of chronic conditions, surgical status, diagnosis, and severity of illness) according to the APACHE II method. RESULTS: Important differences in case mix were found, with large variations between the units. Hospital mortality was significantly associated with most of the case mix factors investigated. CONCLUSIONS: Comparing crude death rates in hospital between intensive care units may be misleading indicators of performance. The collection of data on case mix needs to be standardised and differences in case mix adjusted for when comparing outcome between different intensive care units.

Age Factors↗

How has fundholding in Northern Ireland affected prescribing patterns? A longitudinal study.

OBJECTIVE: To compare prescribing patterns in general practices before and after the introduction of fundholding in April 1993 to determine whether fundholding changed prescribing patterns among practices that joined the scheme. DESIGN: Analysis of prescribing data from the Drug Utilisation Research Unit's database for all practices in Northern Ireland during April 1989 to March 1996. SETTING: Northern Ireland. SUBJECTS: 23-first wave fundholders, 34 second wave fundholders, 9 third wave fundholders, and 268 non-fundholders. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Prescribing costs per 1000 patients, prescription items per 1000 patients, average cost per item, and rate of generic prescribing. RESULTS: Prescribing costs and frequency increased in all groups throughout the study. Among the fundholders the rate of increase in costs after fundholding was significantly lower than among non-fundholders. The rate of increase in cost per item fell, coinciding with a significant increase in the rate of generic prescribing. However, with regard to first wave fundholders, their yearly increase in costs in their third year as fundholders (1995-6) was similar to that of the non-fundholders. The earlier practices that joined the scheme seemed to differ in some important respects from those that joined later. CONCLUSIONS: After fundholders joined the fundholding scheme their patterns of prescribing changed compared with those of non-fundholders: the rate of increase in costs fell and there was a significant rise in the rate of generic prescribing.

Drug Costs↗

Clinical screening for developmental dysplasia of the hip in Northern Ireland.

PROBLEM: The incidence of late diagnosed developmental dysplasia of the hip requiring surgery in Northern Ireland is high. The reported incidence was 1.14 per 1000 children born during 1983-7. DESIGN: Comparative retrospective study. BACKGROUND AND SETTING: Clinical screening programme in Northern Ireland. Key measure for improvement: Reduced rate of operative intervention in children with developmental dysplasia of the hip detected after 6 months of age. STRATEGIES FOR CHANGE: Increased emphasis on staff training, introduction of a centralised nurse led clinic to improve access to orthopaedic surgeons, and increased use of ultrasonography. EFFECTS OF CHANGE: The incidence of developmental dysplasia of the hip diagnosed after 6 months in children born between January 1991 and December 1997 fell to 0.59 per 1000, presumably due to improved early detection. Nevertheless, 29 (16%) of the affected hips were not diagnosed when the child was first referred in the first 3 months of life. In addition, for 27 affected hips in children diagnosed after the age of 6 months there was a known risk factor (family history or breech delivery). LESSONS LEARNT: Improvements to screening processes can reduce late incidence of developmental dysplasia of the hip. Further steps to improve detection in children with known risk factors and rate of detection at first referral could reduce late presentation further.

Age Factors↗

Human babesiosis in Ireland: further observations and the medical significance of this infection.

Three splenectomized persons in Yugoslavia, California, and Ireland have been reported to be infected by three different Babesia species; two cases were fatal. In a study of the site where the fatal infection was contracted in Ireland, blood samples from 36 persons who had recently been bitten by ticks were inoculated into two splenectomized calves; no response to Babesia divergens was detected. Field-collected Ixodes ricinus ticks inoculated into another splenectomized calf resulted in fever and recovery of the agent of tick-borne fever (Cytoecetes phagocytophilia). This attempt to determine the presence of latent infection in human beings with intact spleens should be repeated on a larger scale in areas with a demonstrably high incidence of Babesia in ticks and animals. Few places in the world are free of piroplasms; their presence may present a hazard to splenectomized persons or to those whose splenic function is deficient.

Animals↗

Congenital brachial palsy: incidence, causes, and outcome in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the incidence and study the causes and outcome of congenital brachial palsy (CBP). DESIGN: Active surveillance of newborn infants using the British Paediatric Surveillance Unit notification system and follow up study of outcome at 6 months of age. SETTING: The United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland. PARTICIPANTS: Newborn infants presenting with a flaccid paresis of the arm (usually one, rarely both) born between April 1998 and March 1999. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Extent of the lesion at birth and degree of recovery at 6 months of age. FINDINGS: There were 323 confirmed cases giving an incidence of 0.42 per 1000 live births (1 in 2300). Significant associated risk factors in comparison with the normal population were shoulder dystocia (60% v 0.3%), high birth weight with 53% infants weighing more than the 90th centile, and assisted delivery (relative risk (RR) 3.4, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.9 to 3.9, p = 0.0001). There was a considerably lower risk of CBP in infants delivered by caesarean section (RR 7, 95% CI 2 to 56, p = 0.002). At about 6 months of age, about half of the infants had recovered fully, but the remainder showed incomplete recovery including 2% with no recovery. The relative risk of partial or no recovery in infants with extensive lesions soon after birth compared with those with less extensive lesions was 11.28 (95% CI 2.38 to 63.66, p = 0.000005). CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of CBP in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland is strikingly similar to that previously reported nearly 40 years ago. Most cases are due to trauma at delivery, which is not necessarily excessive or inappropriate. Given the uncertainty about the appropriate management of these infants, serious consideration should be given to a formal clinical trial of microsurgical nerve repair.

Arm↗

National perspective of acute coronary care in the Republic of Ireland.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the use of acute coronary care facilities in the Republic of Ireland with regard to case mix, patient characteristics, mortality and factors associated with mortality, time intervals to admission, utilisation of thrombolysis, and risk factor profiles. DESIGN: A 1 week prospective census of all hospitals admitting acute coronary cases. These comprised 23 coronary care units (CCU) and 17 combined coronary care/intensive care units (CCU/ICU). Data were collected by standardised methods on each new patient "upon whom a cardiac monitor was placed". RESULTS: Acute coronary heart disease was confirmed in 185 (44.9%) of 412 patients. Of these 109 (26.4%) had a confirmed myocardial infarction and 76 (18.4%) unstable angina. Women were significantly older than men in all groups. Of those with proven acute coronary heart disease, 42.6% were current smokers, 23.1% were aware of having a raised cholesterol concentration, and 42.3% gave a history of prior hypertension. Only 44% were transported by ambulance. Median delay time from the onset of symptoms to admission was 6 h in Dublin and 4 h elsewhere. 34.9% of patients with a confirmed myocardial infarction received thrombolysis. Mortality of patients with myocardial infarction CCU/ICU at 7 days was 10.9 %. CONCLUSIONS: There is potential for considerable improvement in the management of coronary heart disease in the Republic of Ireland through a reduction in delay times to admission to hospital, increased use of thrombolytic treatment, and intensification of advice on primary and secondary risk factors.

Adult↗

Urban-rural variation in mortality and hospital admission rates for unintentional injury in Ireland.

OBJECTIVE: To explore urban-rural differences in the mortality and hospital admission rates for unintentional injuries in the Republic of Ireland. DESIGN: Standardised mortality ratios (SMRs) in residents of urban and non-city areas (called rural areas) from all causes of unintentional injury were calculated using Central Statistics Office mortality data from 1980-2000. Hospital admission data (Hospital In-Patient Enquiry) from 1993-2000 were used to calculate standardised hospital admission ratios (SARs) in urban and rural residents. Population data were obtained from the 1981, 1986, 1991, and 1996 censuses. RESULTS: The rate of unintentional injury mortality was significantly higher in rural residents for all-cause unintentional injury mortality (SMR 103.0, 95% confidence interval 101 to 105), and specifically for deaths related to motor vehicle trauma (MVT), drowning, machinery, and firearms. There were significantly higher SMRs in urban residents for falls and poisoning. The rate of unintentional injury hospital admission was significantly higher in rural residents for all-cause unintentional injury (SAR 104.6, 95% confidence interval 104 to 105) and specifically for injuries from falls, MVT, being struck by or against an object, injuries in pedal cyclists, fire/burn injuries, and machinery injuries. SARs were significantly higher in residents of urban areas for poisoning and injuries in pedestrians. CONCLUSIONS: There are urban-rural differences in mortality and admissions for injuries in Ireland. Possible reasons for the higher rural mortality rates are higher case fatality in MVT and rural exposure to hazardous farm machinery, firearms, and open areas of water. This information could assist in targeting prevention programmes under the proposed National Injury Prevention Strategy.

Accidental Falls↗

Recent observations on leptospirosis in Northern Ireland and their bearing on current diagnostic methods.

An investigation was undertaken to assess the present importance of leptospiral infections in Northern Ireland, and in particular to look for evidence of infection by leptospiral serotypes other than L. icterohaemorrhagiae and L. canicola. Blood samples from 335 patients, sent to the laboratory for a variety of tests, were examined. After initial screening with five groups of pooled antigens, tests for leptospiral agglutinins were completed with formolized antigens prepared from 13 different serotypes. In seven patients a diagnosis of acute leptospirosis was made while nine others showed serological evidence of previous leptospiral infection. Attempts to isolate leptospirae by culture from 29 blood samples were unsuccessful. The serological results indicate that two additional leptospiral serotypes, namely L. ballum and L. bratislava, are causing human infection in Northern Ireland, and presumably also in other parts of the British Isles. Some clinical and epidemiological features associated with different types of leptospiral infection are described. It is stressed that leptospirosis is essentially a febrile illness, that meningeal symptoms are common, and that (contrary to popular belief) jaundice is by no means a constant occurrence. The implications of these findings are discussed, with special reference to the diagnosis of leptospiral infections. Laboratory diagnostic procedures are briefly reviewed, and the possible deficiencies of the agglutination test commonly used in Britain are pointed out. Some suggestions are made concerning both clinical and laboratory aspects of diagnosis, and the need for a reliable screening test for all forms of leptospiral infection is emphasized.

Adolescent↗

The quality and value of sudden infant death necropsy reporting in Ireland.

BACKGROUND: Infant necropsies are important for identifying cause of death. Recently issued guidelines have recommended investigations to be performed following sudden unexpected death in infants. AIMS: To evaluate the quality and value of infant postmortem reporting. METHODS: Postmortem reports from 1994-1996 and 1998-2000 in Ireland were evaluated using the National Sudden Infant Death Register. Scoring was by a modification of the Rushton system based on the extent of the postmortem data. The finding of additional pathological information was also assessed. RESULTS: Of the 274 cases registered during the selection period, reports were available for 245. Overall quality of necropsy reporting was below the minimum accepted standard in 55.5%; 47% of the necropsies were performed in regional paediatric pathology centres. The quality of necropsies performed in regional centres was significantly higher than those performed elsewhere. Although 86% of the cases were defined as sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS; no cause of death found), the finding of additional pathological information was significantly related to the extent of the necropsy. There was a significant improvement in the quality of necropsies after the postmortem guidelines were issued. CONCLUSIONS: The overall quality of sudden unexpected infant death necropsies in Ireland is less than adequate. A minimum accepted standard of necropsy is required before a diagnosis of SIDS can be made. Although standards have improved recently, this study highlights the need to adhere to published guidelines and the importance of auditing the effect of introducing practice guidelines on clinical practice to complete the audit loop.

Autopsy↗

Explaining the recent decrease in coronary heart disease mortality rates in Ireland, 1985-2000.

STUDY OBJECTIVES: To examine the proportion of the recent decline in coronary heart disease (CHD) deaths in Ireland attributable to (a) "evidence based" medical and surgical treatments, and (b) changes in major cardiovascular risk factors. DESIGN SETTING: IMPACT, a previously validated model, was used to combine and analyse data on the use and effectiveness of specific cardiology treatments and risk factor trends, stratified by age and sex. The main data sources were published trials and meta-analyses, official statistics, clinical audits, and observational studies. RESULTS: Between 1985 and 2000, CHD mortality rates in Ireland fell by 47% in those aged 25-84. Some 43.6% of the observed decrease in mortality was attributed to treatment effects and 48.1% to favourable population risk factor trends; specifically declining smoking prevalence (25.6%), mean cholesterol concentrations (30.2%), and blood pressure levels (6.0%), but offset by increases in adverse population trends related to obesity, diabetes, and inactivity (-13.8%). CONCLUSIONS: The results emphasise the importance of a comprehensive strategy that maximises population coverage of effective treatments, and that actively promotes primary prevention, particularly tobacco control and a cardioprotective diet.

Adult↗

Physical activity, physical fitness, blood pressure, and fibrinogen in the Northern Ireland health and activity survey.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between physical activity, physical fitness, blood pressure, and fibrinogen. DESIGN: This was a cross sectional population study using a two stage probability sample. SETTING: Northern Ireland. PARTICIPANTS: A sample of 1600 subjects aged 16-74 years from the population of Northern Ireland. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Physical activity profile from computer assisted interview using the Allied Dunbar national fitness survey scales. Physical fitness using estimation of VO2 max by extrapolation from submaximal oxygen uptake while walking on a motor driven treadmill. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure measured with a Hawksley random zero sphygmomanometer. Measurement of fibrinogen using the Clauss method. MAIN RESULTS: There were significant relationships between both current and past activity and blood pressure. These were of a magnitude that would have been clinically significant, but for the fact that, with the exception of the relationship between habitual activity and diastolic pressure (p = 0.03) and past activity and systolic pressure (p = 0.03) in men, they were not sustained after adjustment for the effect of age using analysis of variance. After adjustment for other potentially confounding factors using multiple regression, there was an inverse relationship between systolic blood pressure and past activity in men, so that those with a life-time of participation compared with a life-time of inactivity had a lower systolic blood pressure of 6 mmHg (p < 0.05). There was a highly significant (p < 0.001) inverse association between both systolic and diastolic blood pressure and physical fitness (VO2 max) which was not sustained after adjustment for possible confounding factors. There were relationships between fibrinogen and highest recorded activity (p < 0.001), habitual activity (p < 0.01), and past activity (p < 0.01) in men but no significant relationship in women. The relationship between fibrinogen and activity was no longer sustained after adjustment for possible confounding factors. There was a highly significant (p < 0.001) inverse relationship with physical fitness using VO2 max. This relationship was sustained after adjustment for possible confounding factors in both men (p < 0.05) and women (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: There was a relationship between physical activity, physical fitness, and blood pressure but the relationship was greatly influenced by age. A reduction of 6 mmHg in systolic blood pressure associated with past activity is of clinical significance and supports the hypothesis that physical activity is of benefit in reducing cardiovascular risk. There was a lower level of fibrinogen in those who were most active but this relationship was not significant after adjustment for possible confounding factors. There was also a lower level of fibrinogen those who were most fit (VO2 max) and this relationship persisted even after adjustment for possible confounding factors.

Adolescent↗

Community mothers' programme: extension to the travelling community in Ireland.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To see whether the community mothers' programme, using lay volunteer mothers to deliver a childhood development programme, could be extended successfully to the travelling community in Ireland. DESIGN: This was a prospective study of the travelling community; comparisons were made with results of a previous randomised trial of settled mothers. SETTING: A regional health authority in Ireland. PARTICIPANTS: These comprised 39 traveller and 127 settled intervention mother/ infant pairs (randomised controlled trial (RCT) intervention); settled community mothers; 105 settled control pairs (RCT control). All mothers received standard support; traveller and RCT intervention groups also received the services of a community mother. MAIN RESULTS: The travellers' sociodemographic profile differed significantly from the other groups. At the end of the study, traveller and intervention children were exposed to more cognitive games and nursery rhymes. There were significant differences in the proportions who received all three shots of their primary immunisation schedule before 12 months of age and who received "three in one" vaccination, with traveller children doing least well. The diet of traveller children surpassed that of RCT controls in all food groups except fruit; they were less likely to begin cows' milk before 26 weeks of age. Traveller mothers' diet was superior to that of RCT control and similar to RCT intervention mothers. Traveller and RCT intervention mothers were less likely to feel tired, feel miserable, and want to stay indoors than RCT control mothers. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the community mothers' programme in the travelling community are encouraging; poor immunisation uptake remains a challenge.

Accidents↗

Population predictors of community health and social service use in Northern Ireland.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To investigate the characteristics of elderly populations associated with variations in their use of community health and personal social services and to test the hypotheses that the variations are related to: (a) the age structure of an elderly population; (b) the population's socioeconomic composition, including the level of deprivation; and (c) household or living arrangements. DESIGN: A common file of 1991 population census and 1994 NHS community trust operational variables was constructed for 67 postcode sectors, with the independent variables describing the age-sex groups to be studied. Clear criteria for the exclusion of "empty" sectors were developed. Relationships using bivariate and multivariate correlation and stepwise multiple regression were explored. SETTING: Eastern Health and Social Services Board area, Northern Ireland (Belfast and hinterland). PARTICIPANTS: Population of statutory pensionable age; in aggregate, younger and older age bands. MAIN RESULTS: The age structure or mean age of the elderly population had only a weak association with the community health and social service client rate, but there were strong associations with socio-economic variables, particularly the percentage of those living alone who were without a car and the percentage of pensioner households that included an adult of below pensionable age. Parsimonious multiple regression models accounted for between 46% and 80% of the variation in the NHS community trust client rate. Greater explanations were achieved for the young elderly population than for those aged 75+ years and, when the population was divided between young and old age bands, for men than for women. CONCLUSIONS: Community health and social services for elderly people in eastern Northern Ireland were focused on those with a low income and those who were not co-resident with adults of working age. When local elderly populations are compared, per capita morbidity and dependency are often higher where the mean age is low, and vice versa, because of the inverse relationship between socioeconomic status and survival in old age. Capitation scales for resource allocation with positive age weighting will be of little use if no account is taken of the relative prevalence of need in the youngest or base age group.

Age Distribution↗

East Ireland 1980-1994: epidemiology of neural tube defects.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to describe the epidemiology of neural tube defects (NTD) in the eastern region of Ireland using the EUROCAT register of congenital malformations. DESIGN, SETTING AND PATIENTS: EUROCAT registries monitor the prevalence of congenital anomalies in defined populations using multiple sources for case ascertainment. All cases of NTD on the Dublin EUROCAT register born between 1980 and 1994 were extracted and analysed. The crude birth prevalence rate for all NTD, spina bifida, anencephaly and encephalocoele were calculated for each year. Parameters measured were: sex ratio, stillbirth rate, proportion of low birth-weight babies (< 2500 g) and the proportion who were premature (< 37 weeks gestation). MAIN RESULTS: Of 821 NTD cases, 419 (51.0%) had spina bifida, 322 (39.2%) had anencephaly, 69 (8.4%) had encephalocoele and 11 (1.3%) were iniencephalic. The crude birth prevalence of NTD decreased fourfold from 46.9/10,000 births in 1980 to 11.6/10,000 in 1994. The downward trend ceased during the early 1990's. Younger mothers had significantly higher rates of NTD affected births. Twenty two per cent of NTD cases had additional non-central nervous system anomalies. In 40 cases, there was a previous family history of NTD in siblings. Seasonal effects in birth prevalence were observed. Birth notification was the most frequent mechanism of ascertainment. CONCLUSION: There was a marked fall in the birth prevalence of NTD during the 15 year period. This change was real and not accounted for by pre-natal screening and diagnostic practises with termination of pregnancy, which is not legally permissible in Ireland. Dietary factors may have had an influence. Rates of NTD in this region are still higher than many other parts of Europe. Primary prevention strategies through increased folic acid intake are necessary to further reduce NTD affected births.

Anencephaly↗

Cystic fibrosis in Northern Ireland.

In a retrospective study of cystic fibrosis in Northern Ireland for 1961 to 1971, the incidence was 1 in 1857 livebirths, which is comparable to figures from Great Britain and the Republic of Ireland.

Cystic Fibrosis↗

Significant linkage disequilibrium between the Huntington's disease locus and markers at loci D4S10, D4S95, and D4S111 in Northern Ireland.

An analysis of the Northern Ireland Huntington's disease (HD) population of 75 families showed significant linkage disequilibrium between the HD gene and DNA markers at D4S95, D4S10, and D4S111. As the linkage disequilibrium at loci D4S10 and D4S111 is different from previous studies in the UK, but similar at locus D4S95, this suggests either that the HD mutation(s) in the Northern Ireland and British populations is not of common origin or that the haplotype of the common HD mutation has changed over time subsequent to divergence from a common origin.

Alleles↗

Butyrylcholinesterase K variant is genetically associated with late onset Alzheimer's disease in Northern Ireland.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that has been associated, sometimes controversially, with polymorphisms in a number of genes. Recently the butyrylcholinesterase K variant (BCHE K) allele has been shown to act in synergy with the apolipoprotein E epsilon4 (APOE epsilon4) allele to promote risk for AD. Most subsequent replicative studies have been unable to confirm these findings. We have conducted a case-control association study using a clinically well defined group of late onset AD patients (n=175) and age and sex matched control subjects (n=187) from the relatively genetically homogeneous Northern Ireland population to test this association. The BCHE genotypes of patients were found to be significantly different from controls (chi(2)=23.68, df=2, p<<0.001). The frequency of the K variant allele was also found to differ significantly in cases compared to controls (chi(2)=16.39, df=1, p<<0.001) leading to an increased risk of AD in subjects with this allele (OR=3.50, 95% CI 2. 20-6.07). This risk increased in subjects 75 years and older (OR=5. 50, 95% CI 2.56-11.87). At the same time the APOE epsilon4 associated risk was found to decrease from 6.70 (95% CI 2.40-19.04) in 65-74 year olds to 3.05 (95% CI 1.34-6.95) in those subjects 75 years and older. However, we detected no evidence of synergy between BCHE K and APOE epsilon4. The results from this study suggest that possession of the BCHE K allele constitutes a significant risk for AD in the Northern Ireland population and, furthermore, this risk increases with increasing age.

Age of Onset↗