A rare cause of thyrotoxic periodic paralysis: liquorice consumption
We describe another case who presented with hypokalaemia, hyperthyroid state and paralysis after the habitual... (Source: Postgraduate Medical Journal)
Source: Postgraduate Medical Journal - April 26, 2017 Category: Journals (General) Authors: Sayiner, Z. A., Abiyev, A., Eraydin, A., Ozkaya, M. Tags: Adverse drug reactions Source Type: research
Skin autofluorescence, a non-invasive marker of advanced glycation end products: clinical relevance and limitations
Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) are protein-bound compounds derived from glycaemic and oxidative stress that contain fluorescent properties, which can be non-invasively measured as skin autofluorescence (SAF) by the AGE Reader. SAF has been demonstrated to be a biomarker of cumulative skin AGEs and potentially may be a better predictor for the development of chronic complications and mortality in diabetes than glycated haemoglobin A1c. However, there are several confounding factors that should be assessed prior to its broader application: these include presence of other fluorescent compounds in the skin that might b...
Source: Postgraduate Medical Journal - April 26, 2017 Category: Journals (General) Authors: Da Moura Semedo, C., Webb, M., Waller, H., Khunti, K., Davies, M. Tags: Reviews Source Type: research
Transcatheter aortic valve implantation: new hope in the management of valvular heart disease
Severe calcific aortic stenosis is relatively common, and unless treated with valve replacement it carries an adverse prognosis. A large number of patients, however, are denied surgery due to their advanced age or coexistent medical conditions that increase perioperative cardiovascular risks. Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI), a technique in which a bioprosthetic valve is inserted via a catheter and implanted within the diseased native aortic valve, is a new therapeutic modality for treatment of older patients with severe symptomatic aortic stenosis and other comorbidities, who have an inherently high surgical...
Source: Postgraduate Medical Journal - April 26, 2017 Category: Journals (General) Authors: Metaxa, S., Ioannou, A., Missouris, C. G. Tags: Editor's choice Reviews Source Type: research
A survey on internet usage and online learning behaviour among medical undergraduates
Conclusions
An encouraging trend is seen in the use of the internet by medical students to access medical information, but this has not translated into improved online learning behaviour. (Source: Postgraduate Medical Journal)
Source: Postgraduate Medical Journal - April 26, 2017 Category: Journals (General) Authors: Venkatesh, S., Chandrasekaran, V., Dhandapany, G., Palanisamy, S., Sadagopan, S. Tags: Continuous professional development, Postgraduate Original article Source Type: research
Alterations in the echocardiographic variables of the right ventricle in asymptomatic patients with breast cancer during anthracycline chemotherapy
Conclusions
This study shows a significant decrease in RV systolic and diastolic function during chemotherapy for 6 months. These reductions are in the normal range and can probably be considered an early indicator of anthracycline-induced cardiotoxicity. (Source: Postgraduate Medical Journal)
Source: Postgraduate Medical Journal - April 26, 2017 Category: Journals (General) Authors: Abdar Esfahani, M., Mokarian, F., Karimipanah, M. Tags: Echocardiography, Hypertension, Breast cancer, Screening (oncology), Radiology, Clinical diagnostic tests, Radiology (diagnostics), Epidemiology Original article Source Type: research
Patients perceptions and views of surgery and radioiodine ablation in the definitive management of Graves disease
Conclusions
This study provides insight into patients' experiences of surgery and RIA for Graves' disease and reinforces the importance of patient involvement in the decision-making process. (Source: Postgraduate Medical Journal)
Source: Postgraduate Medical Journal - April 26, 2017 Category: Journals (General) Authors: Hookham, J., Truran, P., Allahabadia, A., Balasubramanian, S. P. Tags: Immunology (including allergy), Ophthalmology, Radiology, Clinical diagnostic tests, Thyroid disease Original article Source Type: research
Decreased flow-mediated dilatation in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: a meta-analysis
Conclusions
FMD% in patients with RA is significantly decreased compared with healthy controls. FMD% is an important early marker of atherosclerosis. It may be used as a parameter to forecast cardiovascular disease in patients with RA. (Source: Postgraduate Medical Journal)
Source: Postgraduate Medical Journal - April 26, 2017 Category: Journals (General) Authors: Xu, S.-Z., Wang, P., Guan, S.-Y., Li, H.-M., Leng, R.-X., Pan, H.-F., Ye, D.-Q. Tags: Immunology (including allergy), Drugs: cardiovascular system, Connective tissue disease, Rheumatoid arthritis, Internet Original article Source Type: research
Application of visually based, computerised diagnostic decision support system in dermatological medical education: a pilot study
Conclusions
This study demonstrated that VCDDSS increases diagnostic accuracy by 18.75%, which means we can avoid possible misdiagnosis, provide better treatment, and avoid waste of medical resources. The user satisfaction is high. We expect wider application of this kind of decision support system in clinical practice, medical education, residency training, and patient education in the future. Further large-scale studies should be planned to confirm its application. (Source: Postgraduate Medical Journal)
Source: Postgraduate Medical Journal - April 26, 2017 Category: Journals (General) Authors: Chou, W.-Y., Tien, P.-T., Lin, F.-Y., Chiu, P.-C. Tags: Patients, Clinical diagnostic tests Original article Source Type: research
Emergency medicine educational resource use in Cape Town: modern or traditional?
Conclusions
The use of modern and electronic resources is relatively common, but traditional educational resources are still preferred. This study illustrates an opportunity for greater integration of online resources and social media in educational activities to enhance multimodal and self-directed learning. Specific training in the use of these resources and how to appraise them may further improve their utility. (Source: Postgraduate Medical Journal)
Source: Postgraduate Medical Journal - April 26, 2017 Category: Journals (General) Authors: Kleynhans, A. C., Oosthuizen, A. H., van Hoving, D. J. Tags: Emergency medicine, Adult intensive care Original article Source Type: research
Prognostic indicators and generation of novel risk equations for estimation of 10-year and 20-year mortality following acute coronary syndrome
Conclusions
Novel risk equations for all-cause, cardiovascular and cardiac mortality at 10 and 20 years were generated using follow-up data in a large patient population. (Source: Postgraduate Medical Journal)
Source: Postgraduate Medical Journal - April 26, 2017 Category: Journals (General) Authors: Magri, C. J., Debono, R., Calleja, N., Galea, J., Fava, S. Tags: Original article Source Type: research
Timeliness of referral of children with new onset type 1 diabetes
Conclusions
Our study has identified a modifiable reason for delayed referrals of children with TID. (Source: Postgraduate Medical Journal)
Source: Postgraduate Medical Journal - April 26, 2017 Category: Journals (General) Authors: Iyer, D., Choudhary, D., Agwu, J. C. Tags: Original article Source Type: research
Clinical examination in the OSCE era: are we maintaining the balance between OS and CE?
After more than three decades of assessment of clinical competence through Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCEs), are medical trainees viewing clinical examination through the lens of an assessment method? Has the structure (the OS) become more important than the skill itself (the CE)? For many students, the standards required by OSCEs are the skills expected for clinical competence. Most recent textbooks on clinical examination are based on the structure needed to succeed in an OSCE, but OSCEs were not designed to teach an ideal framework for performing a clinical examination and most medical encounters requi...
Source: Postgraduate Medical Journal - April 26, 2017 Category: Journals (General) Authors: Lafleur, A., Leppink, J., Cote, L. Tags: Editorials Source Type: research
Reducing futile attempts at resuscitation
A recent review in the BMJ has drawn attention to major concerns about ‘Do Not Attempt Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation’ (DNACPR) forms.1 One of these concerns is with the distressing number of deaths that are surrounded by futile attempts at cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Such attempts occur for a number of reasons. Some patients with terminal illnesses, or who are elderly and frail, do not have a form, perhaps because their doctors were too busy or never got round to raising the issue. Other patients may have deteriorated very soon after admission, or more quickly than anyone expected, so that no-one had...
Source: Postgraduate Medical Journal - March 22, 2017 Category: Journals (General) Authors: Launer, J. Tags: On reflection Source Type: research
Dural ectasia as an incidental finding on MRI in a patient with Marfan syndrome
A 48-year-old female with a history of Marfan syndrome and type A aortic dissection repaired with valve-sparing aortic root replacement and stable residual type B aortic dissection presented for surveillance MR angiography. At that time, dural ectasia was appreciated as an incidental finding with MRI showing high T2-weighted multilobar cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) spaces within the lower sacrum (figures 1 and 2). Anteroposterior diameter of the thecal sac was greater at the S1 level than at the L4 level, a defining feature of dural ectasia.1 Figure 1Axial T2-weighted MRI showing dural ectasia as indicated by arrow. Fig...
Source: Postgraduate Medical Journal - March 22, 2017 Category: Journals (General) Authors: Laney, D. F., Keshavamurthy, J. H., Agarwal, S. Tags: Urology, Journalology, Genetics, Pain (neurology), Interventional cardiology, Radiology, Connective tissue disease, Clinical diagnostic tests, Radiology (diagnostics), Ethics, Calcium and bone Images in medicine Source Type: research
Erratum: 'Normal serum sodium concentration among in-patients over 65 admitted to hospital: an observational study
McKee M, Exall S, Stuckler D, et al. ‘Normal’ serum sodium concentration among inpatients over 65 admitted to hospital: an observational study. Postgrad Med J 2016;92:21–6. doi:10.1136/postgradmedj-2015-133482.
Funder was omitted from this paper. David Stuckler was also funded by ERC HRES 313590. (Source: Postgraduate Medical Journal)
Source: Postgraduate Medical Journal - March 22, 2017 Category: Journals (General) Tags: Correction Source Type: research
