Staff Publication

Cauda equina compression in metastatic prostate cancer (2020)

Posted on by

Type of publication:
Journal article

Author(s):
*Siddiqui R.S.; *Cheruvu M.S.; *Ansari H.; *Van Liefland M.

Citation:
BMJ Case Reports; Dec 2020; vol. 13 (no. 12)

Abstract:
A 67-year-old man presented to his general practitioner with intermittent episodes of unilateral sciatica over a 2-month period for which he was referred for an outpatient MRI of his spine. This evidenced a significant lumbar vertebral mass that showed tight canal stenosis and compression of the cauda equina. The patient was sent to the emergency department for management by orthopaedic surgeons. He was mobilising independently, pain free on arrival and without neurological deficit on assessment. Clinically, this patient presented with no red flag symptoms of cauda equina syndrome or reason to suspect malignancy. In these circumstances, National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidelines do not support radiological investigation of the spine outside of specialist services. However, in this case, investigation helped deliver urgent care for cancer that otherwise may have been delayed. This leads to the question, do the current guidelines meet clinical requirements?

Link to full-text [NHS OpenAthens account required]

Cardiovascular disease incidence in 21 years follow-up in severe and non-severe familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH) : Data from the UK Simon Broome FH register (2020)

Posted on by

Type of publication:
Conference abstract

Author(s):
Iyen B.; Qureshi N.; Weng S.; Roderick P.; *Capps N.; Durrington P.; Mcdowell I.; Soran H.; Neil A.; Humphries S.E.

Citation:
Atherosclerosis; December 2020; vol. 315

Abstract:
Background: The Simon Broome (SB) FH register has previously reported a 2.2-fold higher Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) mortality in those with "severe-FH" (SFH) compared to "non-severe-FH" (NSFH). Here we examine CVD morbidity over 21 years follow-up, by linking the register participants with the UK secondary care Hospital Episode Statistics (HES) database.
Method(s): SFH and NSFH were as defined by the 2016 International Atherosclerosis Society criteria. Patients aged 20-79 years (52% female) were recruited from 21 UK lipid clinics and followed between 1997-2018. Outcomes analysed were composite CVD (first HES outcome of coronary heart disease (CHD), myocardial infarction, stable or unstable angina, stroke, TIA, PVD, heart failure, PCI and CABG) and then CVD subtypes. The excess Standardised Morbidity Ratio (SMbR) compared to an age-matched UK general practice sample was calculated (95% Confidence intervals).
Result(s): Of the 3553 SB register subjects, linkage with HES was available for 2988 (84%) participants, of whom 1,646 (66.7%) met the SFH definition. Overall the composite CVD SMbR was 6.55(6.20-6.92). In the SFH group (27,680 pyrs follow-up and 762 events) the SMbR for any CVD event was 9.38 (8.74-10.07), while in the NSFH group (13,750 pyrs follow-up and 237 events) was 5.87(5.17-6.67). For CHD the estimates were 11.88(11.01-12.82) vs 7.38(6.45-8.47) respectively.
Conclusion(s): CVD morbidity in conventionally treated FH patients was over 6-fold higher than the general population, with rates in those with SFH 60% higher than those with NSFH. This emphasises the potential value of more intensive lipid-lowering, and management of other risk factors for those with FH.

Case report: Evaluating the role of ultrasound in the diagnosis of bilateral persistent sciatic arteries (2020)

Posted on by

Type of publication:
Conference abstract

Author(s):
*Bell S.

Citation:
Ultrasound; 2020; vol. 28 (no. 2)

Abstract:
Peripheral vascular disease (PVD) affects 13% of the population aged over 50 in the western world and can be divided into two main groups: organic and functional. Other less common causes to include in the differential diagnosis in younger patients are Buerger's disease and anatomical variants such as duplication of the superficial femoral artery and persistent sciatic arteries (PSAs). PVD is a major cause of morbidity and mortality globally. Symptoms vary from cold extremities, intermittent claudication, to acute and critical ischaemia. All of these have a significant financial burden on critical healthcare resources. This case report evaluates the role of ultrasound in the diagnosis of bilateral PSAs. A 16-year-old female was referred by her GP to the vascular clinic presenting with bilateral intermittent claudication. On examination, missing dorsals pedis pulses were noted bilaterally. No previous imaging was available and the patient was referred for a lower limb Doppler ultrasound. Initial ultrasound scanning demonstrated no evidence of diseased vessels causing the patient's pain, but unusual arterial anatomy. Both superficial femoral arteries tapered to the distal thigh, where collaterals were demonstrated. Following the scan a diagnosis of persistent bilateral sciatic arteries was made. Ultrasound, due to its many advantages, is usually the first line imaging investigation to assess the peripheral arteries. In this case ultrasound was able to demonstrate that there was no evidence of any organically diseased vessels, but an anatomical variant causing the patient's symptoms. However, it was unable to demonstrate the overall view of the lower limb vasculature, the origin of the PSA, or provide all information to classify the sub type in view of any potential treatment or surgery. Although ultrasound is useful in the diagnosis of PSA, it lacks the ability to assess the whole of the peripheral circulation.

Clinical Orthopaedic Teaching programme for Students (COTS) (2020)

Posted on by

Type of publication:
Journal article

Author(s):
Kumar P.R.; Stubley T.; Hashmi Y.; *Ahmed U.

Citation:
Postgraduate Medical Journal; 2020 [epub ahead of print]

Abstract:
Introduction: There is a huge variation in the depth and breadth of content taught regarding orthopaedic examinations. Undergraduate students are often confused by the variability in examination teaching, therefore increasing concerns for upcoming objectively structured clinical examinations (OSCEs). Doctors, despite being expected to teach, rarely receive formal preparation, with only a handful of institutions providing necessary training. The Clinical Orthopaedic Teaching programme for Students (COTS) was designed to equip medical students with the knowledge to perform orthopaedic examinations and to synergistically provide senior students with the necessary experience for the future teaching required of them. Method(s): Six fortnightly sessions were delivered, each focusing on a specific joint examination. Student and tutor recruitment were voluntary. Pre-session and post-session multiple-choice questions (MCQs) were provided to students to assess improvement in knowledge. Anonymous feedback forms were provided to both students and tutors. Result(s): From 61 student responses, 98.4% of students stated that COTS met the learning outcomes, with content relevant for their medical curriculum. 96.7% supported COTS' near-peer teaching (NPT) style for OSCE preparation. Based on a five-point Likert scale, students displayed a mean improvement in confidence (1.7+/-1.2, p<0.001) and MCQ scores (1.3+/-1.2, p<0.001). All 10 tutors perceived an improvement of their teaching skills and confidence to teach (1.0+/-0.9, p=0.016). Conclusion(s): COTS shows that an NPT style can be used to effectively teach orthopaedic examinations, with benefits for students and tutors. With our aim to refine and upscale this programme, we publish our pilot study findings to encourage similar teaching programmes to be adopted at other universities.

Link to full-text [NHS OpenAthens account required]

Lessons of the month: Co-infection with SARS-CoV-2 and influenza B virus in a patient with community-acquired pneumonia (2020)

Posted on by

Type of publication:
Journal article

Author(s):
*Coutinho A.; *Riaz A.; *Makan A.; *Crawford E.; *Dev D.; *Srinivasan K.; *Ahmad N.; *Moudgil H.

Citation:
Clinical medicine (London, England); Nov 2020; vol. 20 (no. 6); e262–3

Abstract:
Why we only infrequently detect or report two or more respiratory viruses co-infecting an adult host is poorly understood. We report a rare case where influenza B and SARS-CoV-2 caused viral pneumonia in a 74-year-old man diagnosed during the UK winter epidemic/pandemic for these organisms and discuss concepts of co-infection.

Link to full-text [no password required]

Exploring the emotional experience of lean (2020)

Posted on by

Type of publication:
Journal article

Author(s):
Taylor S.; McSherry R.; *Cook S.; Giles E.

Citation:
Journal of health organization and management; Nov 2020 [epub ahead of print]

Abstract:
PURPOSE: This research aims to contribute to the literature on Lean implementation in healthcare by studying the emotional experiences of the relevant actors related to a Rapid Process Improvement Workshop (RPIW) in a UK healthcare context. The purpose of this study was to go beyond what people think about Lean and towards an exploration of their subjective, emotional and "feeling" experience and whether that emotional experience influenced Lean implementation. DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: A phenomenological and symbolic interactionist qualitative case study was undertaken. Data related to participants' emotional experience were collected through non-participant observation and semi-structured interviews. Data were analysed using thematic network analysis. FINDINGS: This paper provides novel insights into the emotional experience of Lean as experienced through an RPIW. The findings reveal that participation in an RPIW is much more than a technical process. It influences how people feel about themselves, is based on relationships with others, and requires mental, physical and emotional effort. All of these factors influence engagement with, initiation of and sustainability of the RPIW. RESEARCH LIMITATIONS/IMPLICATIONS: A new conceptual framework for the planning and implementation of RPIWs has been developed. However, because of the chosen research approach, the results may lack generalisability. Therefore, researchers are encouraged to test the framework and proposed practice implications. ORIGINALITY/VALUE: Despite emotions being an integral part of individual and social everyday life, emotional experience has not been studied in relation to Lean. This study is the first to explore emotions in relation to Lean, with implications for practice as to how RPIWs are managed with a new framework for implementation being proposed.

Emotional distress and adjustment in patients with end-stage kidney disease: A qualitative exploration of patient experience in four hospital trusts in the West Midlands, UK (2020)

Posted on by

Type of publication:
Journal article

Author(s):
Sein K.; Damery S.; Combes G.; Baharani J.; *Nicholas J.

Citation:
PLoS ONE; Nov 2020; vol. 15 (no. 11)

Abstract:
Objectives To explore patient perceptions and experiences of mild-to-moderate emotional distress and the support offered by kidney units to patients with end-stage kidney disease. Methods In-depth, semi-structured qualitative interviews with patients (n = 46) being treated for endstage kidney disease in four hospital Trusts, with data analysed thematically. Results Patients described multiple sources of distress and talked about the substantial burden that emotional challenges raised for their ability to manage their condition and develop coping strategies. Many patients did not feel it appropriate to disclose their emotional issues to staff on the kidney unit, due to a perceived lack of time for staff to deal with such issues, or a perception that staff lacked the necessary skills to provide resolution. Five themes were identified from the patient interviews, broadly related to patients' experience of distress, and the support offered by the kidney unit: I) the emotional burden that distress placed on patients; ii) patients' relationship with the treatment for their condition; iii) strategies for coping and adjustment; iv) patient-staff interactions and the support offered by the kidney unit, and v) the mediating impact of the treatment environment on patient experience of distress and their ability to raise emotional issues with staff. Conclusions Many patients felt unprepared for the likelihood of experiencing emotional issues as part of their condition, for which pre-dialysis education could help in managing expectations, along with support to help patients to develop appropriate coping strategies and adjustments. These findings demonstrate the importance of recognising patient distress and ensuring that talking about distress becomes normalised for patients with end-stage kidney disease.

Link to full-text [open access - no password required]

Hypertension in COPD: A review of current practice (2020)

Posted on by

Type of publication:
Poster presentation

Author(s):
*Richard Cooper, *Wong Po Fung, *Alison Perry, *James Greenway, *Harmesh Moudgil, *Koottalai Srinivasan, *Annabel Makan, *Emma Crawford, *Nawaid Ahmad

Citation:
European Respiratory Journal 2020; 56: Suppl. 64, 184.

Abstract:
Background: Patients with COPD are susceptible to cardiovascular events and a recent review article has outlined management of Hypertension in the COPD population [Finks S et al. N Engl J Med 2020;382:353-63]. It is not known how the authors’ suggestions translate into practice, so review was undertaken of a UK District General Hospital population.
Aims: The aim was to review management of hypertensive COPD patients; choice of anti-hypertensive medication, and correlations with morbidity and mortality
Methods: This was a retrospective analysis of all COPD patients who presented to hospital with an exacerbation between October and December 2019. Patients without a history of hypertension were excluded.
Results: 151 patients were admitted during this period. 71/151 were known hypertension. 52% were female, Mean Age (SD) 74 (10) years. 83% (n=59/71) were on anti-hypertensive medication/s (AH) of which 44% (n=26/59), 42% (n=25/59), 12% (7/59) and 2% (1/59) were on one, two, three and four AH respectively. 42% (30/71) patients had an exacerbation in the last 12 months and 97% (29/30) were on ≥1 AH. Unadjusted 30 day mortality was 11% (n=8/71) of which 88% (7/8) were on ≥1 AH. n=2/3 patients on beta blockers, n=2/5 on angiotensin receptor blockers (ARB), n=6/12 on calcium channel blockers (CCB), n=3/4 on ACE-inhibitors and 1/1 on Alpha blocker as a single AH had an exacerbation in the last 12 months. More patients on loop diuretics (LD) had chronic type 2 respiratory failure (n=5) or exacerbations in the last 12 months (n=10).
Conclusions:
1.CCB is the most commonly used AH agent
2.Patients on ARBs were least likely to exacerbate
3.LD may contribute to more exacerbations and chronic type 2 respiratory failure

Link to more details [no password required]