Staff Publication

Impact of the new UK guidelines on the emergency management of anaphylaxis at two hospitals (2024)

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Type of publication:

Conference abstract

Author(s):

*Elshahawy M.; *Kadambi M.; *Inani M.; Hughes D.; Clarke D.; Cooper A.; Goddard S.; Diwakar L.

Citation:

Allergy: European Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. Conference: European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology Hybrid Congress. Virtual. 79(Supplement 113) (pp 328-329), 2024. Date of Publication: 01 Oct 2024.

Abstract:

Background: In 2021, the UK Resuscitation Council made changes to the guidance on the management of acute anaphylaxis. The most significant of these included a) removal of antihistamine (chlorpheniramine) and steroid (hydrocortisone) from the algorithm b) Advise to administer repeated doses of IM adrenaline every 5 minutes until there has been an improvement in breathing and circulation. We carried out an audit to understand how the change in guideline has impacted patient care. Other aspects audited include measurement of serum tryptase and referral to specialist clinic. Method(s): This was a retrospective study using Ambulance Service and hospital notes to assess management of all patients presenting to the accident and emergency department at the university hospital of North Midlands (UHNM) and Shrewsbury and Telford hospitals (SaTH) with anaphylaxis in the years 2018 and 2022. ICD 10 codes were used to identify patients. Result(s): A total of 103 and 109 patients presented in 2018 and 2022 respectively with anaphylaxis. A&E and ambulance notes were available for 100 patients in 2018 (97%) and 103 (95%) patients in 2022. There were no deaths. Patient groups similar in age (range: 1-90 yrs) and gender (60% female) for both years across both sites. Less than half had tryptase measured. A significant number of patients with only skin symptoms were classified as having anaphylaxis. There was a significant reduction in the use of steroids and antihistamines between 2018 and 2022. Use of adrenaline was lower in 2022. Very few patients were referred to specialist clinics in both years, particularly from SaTH hospital. Conclusion(s): Anaphylaxis maybe over diagnosed in the emergency department. There has been some adherence to the new UK guideline for anaphylaxis management. Most patients still do not have serum tryptase checked. Referral rates are low.

DOI: 10.1111/all.16299

Use of GLP-1 analogues in Prader-Willi syndrome with type 2 diabetes: Tackling the underlying pathogenetic mechanism (2025)

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Type of publication:

Conference abstract

Author(s):

*Basavaraju N.; *Jones A.; *Wilkes V.; *Singh P.; *Moulik P.

Citation:

Diabetic Medicine. Conference: Diabetes UK Professional Conference 2025. Glasgow . 42(Supplement 1) (no pagination), 2025. Date of Publication: 01 Feb 2025.

Abstract:

Background and Aims: Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) is a rare genetic neurodevelopmental disorder causing hypothalamic-pituitary dysfunction, hyperphagia resulting in weight gain, short stature and mild cognitive impairment. We present two cases of PWS and role of GLP-1 analogues. Material(s) and Method(s): Retrospective review of two cases. Case 1: A 31-year-old female with PWS at the age of 7 years, learning difficulty, type 2 diabetes at 28 years, treated with metformin, linagliptin. She continued to gain weight despite calorie restriction, commenced on Semaglutide. Case 2: A 25-year-old female with PWS at age of 4 years, type 2 diabetes at 18 years, treated with metformin. Due to suboptimal glycaemic control, empagliflozin and liraglutide started. Result(s): Case 1: At initiation of Semaglutide, weight 93 kg, BMI 43.6 kg/m2, glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) 106 mmol/mol (ref: 20-41). Twenty months on GLP-1 analogue, weight reduced by 21 kg, and HbA1c was 38 mmol/mol with reduction in appetite and positive change in eating habits. Case 2: At initiation of liraglutide, weight 91 kg, BMI 35 kg/ m2, HbA1c 72 mmol/mol. Six months later appetite, food cravings reduced; HbA1c 65 mmol/mol, weight stable. Conclusion(s): PWS is associated with high ghrelin, low insulin levels, visceral adiposity resulting in hyperphagia causing altered glucose metabolism predisposing to cardiovascular complications. Mainstay of treatment is behavioural modifications posing stress to patient and caregiver. There is no approved pharmacological management for this aspect of PWS. Systematic review on use of GLP-1 analogues with PWS showed improved glycaemic control, reduced appetite, without any significant side effects. Our patients showed improvements with metabolic control of type 2 diabetes, reducing food cravings. Further studies are required to explore exact mechanism of ghrelin suppression by GLP-1 analogues in PWS.

DOI: 10.1111/dme.15498

Outcomes of TEMS (Trans-anal Endoscopic Micro-Surgery) for early rectal cancer in a DGH - 10 years' experience (2024)

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Type of publication:

Conference abstract

Author(s):

Kumar S.; *Rehman S.; *McCloud J.; *Clarke R.G.

Citation:

Colorectal Disease. Conference: Association of Coloproctology of Great Britain and Ireland Annual Meeting. Wales United Kingdom. 26(Supplement 1) (pp 71-72), 2024. Date of Publication: 01 Sep 2024.

Abstract:

Introduction: Trans-anal Endoscopic excision for Early Rectal Cancer (ERC) is low risk with excellent outcomes. Strict patient selection with discussion in an ERC MDT identifies appropriate patients for local excision. Trans-anal Endoscopic microsurgery (TEMS) with full-thickness excision is suitable for T1 rectal cancers as well as more advanced cancers in patients with significant comorbidity not fit for major surgery. We present results over a 10-year period. Method(s): We reviewed outcomes of patients undergoing TEMS for ERC, staged on MRI scans between March 2012 and Jan 2022 with follow up to Dec 2023. We included all patients withpotentially curable tumours and excluded patients deemed palliative at presentation. Result(s): 241 TEMS cases were performed with 73 for ERC with T1, T2 and T3 cancers being 70% (51/73), 24% (17/73) and 6% (5/73) respectively. Recurrence rates for T1 Cancer (Sm1, Haggit 1) was 0%. T1/2 with adverse histology was 18.7% to 41.7% and T3 was 80%. Resection margin R0 for T1 lesions was 86%-100% and for T2-T3 lesions was 20-60%. Correlation of T stage, resection margin and adverse histology to recurrence rates was significant. There were no major complications or deaths with 90 days. Conclusion(s): TEMS is a curative option for patients with ERC offering organ preservation and significantly less comorbidity than major resection. This is particularly important in the comorbid patient. Combination treatments with oncology can optimise outcomes in cancers with poor prognostic features and close surveillance will identify any local recurrence requiring salvage surgery.

DOI: 10.1111/codi.17066

Effect of high altitude on glucose and continuous glucose monitoring in insulin-treated diabetes: A case study (2025)

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Type of publication:

Conference abstract

Author(s):

*Basavaraju N.; *Jones A.; *Wilkes V.; *Singh P.; *Moulik P.

Citation:

Diabetic Medicine. Conference: Diabetes UK Professional Conference 2025. Glasgow . 42(Supplement 1) (no pagination), 2025. Date of Publication: 01 Feb 2025.

Abstract:

Background: Hypobaric hypoxia and low temperatures at high altitude can cause hyperglycaemia or hypoglycaemia in people with diabetes, inaccuracy with capillary blood glucose monitoring and insulin freezing. At altitude, even mild neuroglycopaenia could have serious effects. Case: A 65-year-old lady with post-pancreatitis diabetes, treated with only basal insulin Glargine travelled on a skiing holiday 3000 feet above sea level. Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) data 2 weeks before, 1 week during and 2 weeks after travel and ambulatory glucose profile (AGP) data were analysed. Mean glucose readings increased from 9.7 to 10.7 mmol/L with activity, level 2 time above range and level 1 time above range increased from 9% and 30% to 15% and 37%, respectively, time in range reduced from 61% to 48% post-high altitude travel. There was pronounced dawn phenomenon and postprandial glucose rise particularly after breakfast during high altitude travel. Glargine dose remained unchanged. These changes reverted back to baseline after descent. Discussion(s): Acute mountain sickness and hypoxia stimulates sympathoadrenergic activity and production of epinephrine, norepinephrine and cortisol. This inhibits skeletal muscle glucose uptake, stimulates muscle glycogenolysis and increases lactate production resulting in increased glucose production by liver. Increased insulin sensitivity at high altitude may be due to exercise induced upregulation of skeletal muscle GLUT4 receptor translocation. One study demonstrated high resting level of norepinephrine, glucose, c-peptide and cortisol levels on sudden ascent which normalised after acclimatisation. Cold temperature is more detrimental in accuracy of glucose measurement than hypoxia. One CGM study has shown similar increase in nocturnal glucose at high altitude. Literature on management of insulin-treated diabetes at high altitude is sparse and warrants further studies.

DOI: 10.1111/dme.15498

Interventions to preserve beta cell function in patients with newly diagnosed type 1 diabetes: A systematic review and network meta-analysis of non-antigen-specific immunotherapies (2025)

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Type of publication:

Conference abstract

Author(s):

Beese S.E.; Narendran P.; Price M.J.; Tomlinson C.; Sharma P.; Harris I.M.; Adriano A.; Andrews R.C.; Moore D.J.; Quinn L.; Gada R.; *Horgan T.J.; Maggs F.; Burrows M.

Citation:

Diabetic Medicine. Conference: Diabetes UK Professional Conference 2025. Glasgow . 42(Supplement 1) (no pagination), 2025. Date of Publication: 01 Feb 2025.

Abstract:

Background: Type 1 diabetes is characterised by destruction of pancreatic beta cells. We aimed to determine the effectiveness of immunotherapies for preserving residual beta cell function through c-peptide measurement in newly diagnosed type 1 diabetes. Method(s): A systematic review and network meta-analysis (NMA) was undertaken of RCTs of non-antigen-specific immunotherapies to preserve beta cells in newly diagnosed type 1 diabetes. Searches were carried out in MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane CENTRAL and trial registries (31 July 2024). Risk of bias was assessed using Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool 1. A frequentist NMA was undertaken in R. The primary outcome was c-peptide and interventions were analysed by class. Result(s): Sixty trials were included (4597 patients, 32 classes) plus 43 ongoing/unpublished studies. Forty-one trials were eligible for the NMA. Eleven interventions demonstrated statistically significantly higher c-peptide at 12 months compared with placebo: MSC; both autologous and Wharton's jelly-derived cells, azathioprine, interferon alpha (5000 IU), dendritic cells, golimumab, low-dose ATG, 3 mg 1-course teplizumab, baricitinib, cyclosporin and 9/11 mg 2-course teplizumab (I2 = 66%). All these interventions, except for 9/11 mg 2-course teplizumab and cyclosporin, demonstrated >60% chance of being ranked first. Infusion of MSC (Wharton's jelly-derived) ranked highest (median rank 1, 95% CI 1-2). Few studies were considered high risk of bias overall. Conclusion(s): Whilst several interventions demonstrated statistically significantly better c-peptide levels at 12 months, the findings should be interpreted with caution. Heterogeneity was evident and some comparisons were based on limited data. However, these findings identify the most promising of therapies that should be studied further in head-to-head and combination RCTs.

DOI: 10.1111/dme.15498

Improving oxygen prescription compliance on acute medical wards at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital (2025)

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Type of publication:

Service improvement case study

Author(s):

*Jeyapradeeban Arunachalam, *Evelyn Shennaike, *Omolola Awe, *Muhammad Ali

Citation:

SaTH Improvement Hub, December 2025

SMART Aim:

To increase the proportion of acute medical inpatients receiving oxygen who have a valid oxygen prescription (signed, dated, with an identifiable prescriber and target saturation range) from 10.8% to at least 20% within 4 weeks on the acute medical wards at RSH.

Link to PDF poster