Variations in the use of diagnostic procedures after acute stroke in Europe: results from the BIOMED II study of stroke care

Valid classification of stroke is essential to initiate effective acute management and early secondary prevention strategies. To accurately evaluate stroke subtype a number of diagnostic procedures have to be performed. This study sought to investigate variations in use of diagnostic procedures across selected European hospitals. First-ever stroke patients were sampled over a 1-year period through 11 hospital-based registers across 10 European countries. We defined a diagnostic standard for valid aetiological classification of ischemic stroke including brain imaging, vascular imaging and echocardiography. The impact of socio-demographic, clinical and structural characteristics on performance of the diagnostic standard was assessed using multivariate logistic regression analyses. A total of 1721 patients were included in the study. 83.1% received brain imaging, ranging from 32.8% to 100%. The diagnostic standard was performed in 40.4% of stroke patients, ranging from 0% to 77.2%. Patients with increasing age ( P  < 0.001) and with more severe strokes ( P  = 0.001) were less probably to receive the diagnostic standard. Patients treated in stroke units and neurological departments were more frequently investigated with the diagnostic standard ( P  < 0.001). Less than half of hospitalized stroke patients across Europe underwent diagnostic procedures to allow for aetiological classification of stroke, which may hamper the initiation of effective early management and secondary prevention.     

To mesh or not to mesh

We are in the midst of an increasingly acrimonious discussion regarding the use of mesh in pelvic reconstructive surgery. Modern mesh kits, aggressively marketed by biotech companies, have become widespread. At times, they are used inappropriately, and significant complications such as pain syndromes and erosion are not uncommon. While conventional alternatives such as sacrospinous colpopexy and Burch colposuspension are not without their problems either, the discussion surrounding mesh use has a character never encountered before in urogynaecology. Many colleagues feel that the resolution of this conflict may be found in large randomised controlled trials such as the PROSPECT trial currently being planned in the UK. I feel that such a trial may well do more harm than good, unless certain precautions are taken. In this opinion piece I'll try and explain why.     

Assessment of deafmute patients: a study of ten years

Present prospective study was conducted on 350 patients presenting with chief complaints of impaired hearing and delayed speech from 1996–2006. The aim of the present study was to find out the prevalence of deafmutism in our area, the aetiology of childhood deafness and to ascertain the role of acoustic reflex test (ART) for hearing screening considering brain stem evoked response audiometry (BSERA) as gold standard. A detailed history, clinical and other relevant systemic examination and investigations were done to find out the cause. All patients were subjected to ART test and BSERA. Male to female ratio was 2.1:1. Prevalence was found to be 5.59 per one lac population in our district. The commonest age of presentation was in the second decade. The causes for childhood deafness were genetic (15.8%), embryopathies (10%), perinatal (10.8%) and postnatal problems (12.5%). In 50.6% cases it was aediopathic. Congenital syndromic abnormalities were found in 5.4% patients. In BSERA 21% patients were found to have residual hearing varying from 60 dB to 100dB. The positive predictive value of ART was found to be low (10.4%). Hence it was recommended that ART should not be used as screening tool for childhood deafness.     

Sex differences and science: the etiology of science excellence

Background: Are there sex differences in the etiology of high performance in science in childhood that could contribute to the under‐representation of women in scientific careers? In this study the relative contributions of genetic and environmental influences on high performance in science in both boys and girls were assessed using standard twin analyses. Methods: The sample included 3000 twin pairs from the UK Twins Early Development Study (TEDS). Science performance ratings based on the UK National Curriculum were collected from teachers when the twins were 9, 10 and 12 years old. Science excellence was defined as performing above the 85th percentile. Sex‐limitation liability threshold models were used to assess sex differences in etiology. Results: We found no evidence for quantitative or qualitative sex differences in the etiology of science excellence, which was moderately heritable (30–50%), and influenced by both shared (40–56%) and non‐shared (10–13%) environmental influences. Conclusions: Although boys and girls do not differ genetically in relation to school science performance per se, the under‐representation of women in scientific careers may be due to attitudes rather than aptitudes.     

Characteristics of 2000 patients who visited a halitosis clinic

Aims: The aim of this paper was to analyse the aetiology and characteristics of 2000 patients who visited a multidisciplinary bad breath clinic in Leuven, Belgium and to correlate organoleptic ratings with portable device measurements.
Materials and Methods: The characteristics and aetiology of breath malodour of two thousand consecutive patients who visited a halitosis consultation were explored by means of a standard questionnaire and a clinical examination, including organoleptic scores provided by a trained and calibrated judge, and a portable bad breath detector (Halimeter^®).
Results: Most patients came without referral and had complaints for several years (mean: 7 years, SD: 8 years). For 76% of the patients, an oral cause was found [tongue coating (43%), gingivitis/periodontitis (11%) or a combination of the two (18%)]. Pseudo-halitosis/halitophobia was diagnosed in 16% of the cases; and ear, nose and throat/extra-oral causes were found in 4% of the patients. Most patients had an organoleptic score <3 and a Halimeter^® value <240 p.p.b.
Conclusions: Even though it was observed that halitosis has a predominantly oral origin, a multidisciplinary approach remains necessary to identify ear, nose and throat or extra-oral pathologies and/or pseudo-halitosis/halitophobia.     

The need for research on dementia in developing countries

Dementia is one of the commonest and most disabling late-life mental disorders. Its prevalence and incidence have been assessed in developed countries, and show little geographical variation between countries and regions. Although most older people live in developing countries, little research has been carried out in those settings. There is some evidence that age-specific prevalence rates for dementia in developing countries may be relatively low. More research is needed to allow developing countries to estimate the current extent, type and cost of medical and social service provision, and to make confident predictions of future need. Research in different cultures with different levels of economic and industrial development will also increase the variance of environmental exposure, facilitating the identification of environmental risk factors and gene–environment interactions for dementia. Research methodologies need to be adapted to the different circumstances of developing countries, with implications for sampling, cognitive screening and definitive dementia diagnosis.     

The febrile stress of routine vaccination does not increase central apnoea in normal infants

Abstract We tested the hypothesis that the febrile stress of routine vaccination would increase central apnoea in normal infants. Twenty-one normal infants had continuous overnight breathing and temperature recorded at home, before and after 58 routine vaccination episodes. Central apnoea, of at least 5 sec duration, was detected by computer algorithm and confirmed by human inspection. The longest recorded apnoea was 16 sec ( n = 1) during 3629 h of sleep. Overnight rectal temperature increased after vaccination (median 0.52°C, 95% CI 0.40, 0.65). Apnoea density reduced on 46/53 vaccination nights (median -29%, 95% CI -20, -37) followed by an increase on subsequent nights (median +10%, 95% CI +1%, +21%). Overall, apnoea density was similar during the 3 nights preceding and 4 nights following vaccination (median +1%, 95% CI +9,-6). The febrile stress of routine vaccination did not increase central apnoea in normal infants.     

Bladder pain syndrome

Bladder pain syndrome (BPS) is a condition of chronic bladder pain or discomfort that can significantly disrupt normal daily activities and reduce quality of life. It can be difficult to diagnose and manage because of vague symptoms, a poorly understood aetiology and few universally effective treatments. This article reviews the current literature on BPS aetiology, clinical presentation, diagnosis, and treatment options.     

四川省基本消灭丝虫病后的巩固和监测措施(1982～1996年)

四川省于1979～1983年在秀山县试点取得一个县净化丝虫病的成功经验，并于1982年开始逐步在全省丝虫病流行区推广。30个流行县（市、区）在基本消灭丝虫病后三年内实施巩固措施，经过11—14年病原学、媒介和血清学监测已连续8～14年来检出微丝蚴血症者，9～14年未发现感染人体幼丝虫的蚊媒，纵向监测点人群抗体阳性率接近非流行区人群抗体水平，达到卫生部颁布的消灭丝虫病标准，证实基本消灭丝虫病后的巩固和监测措施适合四川省实际情况。分析认为基本消灭丝虫病后实施巩固措施和进行足够范围的人群横向监测和重点人群监测可较迅速彻底地检出和消除残存传染源，尽快达到消灭丝虫病的标准。