Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

A Snapshot Investigation Into The Availability And Access To Codeine-Containing Medications Amongst The Irish Population., Katie O'Brien, Pádraig Mckeown, Joseph Phelan

International Undergraduate Journal of Health Sciences

Codeine phosphate is a mild to moderate analgesic and has a weak cough suppressant activity that is available to purchase as an over the counter (OTC) painkiller in Ireland as a compound product. In recent years, countries such as Australia have introduced laws that prohibit the sale of the drug without a valid prescription. This move by Australia begs the question as to why this legislation was introduced and should Ireland follow suit.

The primary aims of the study were to determine knowledge among the general public of codeine-containing medications and their usage levels. The survey also investigated whether current …

An Investigation Into The Prevalence Of Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococci Within An Irish Hospital, Dylan Casey

International Undergraduate Journal of Health Sciences

Vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) are well-recognised nosocomial pathogens that pose a significant threat to public health. Associated with poorer clinical outcomes than their vancomycin-sensitive counterparts, the prevalence of VRE in Ireland has increased in recent times, with the European Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance Network reporting that out of 29 countries, Ireland demonstrated the highest rates of vancomycin resistance among invasive Enterococcus faecium isolates between 2011 and 2014 (2011; 34.9%, 2012; 44.0%, 2013; 42.7%, 2014; 45.1%). Herein, we investigate VRE prevalence in the Mercy University Hospital (MUH) – an acute care hospital in southern Ireland. A total of 21 first-time VRE infections were …

An Investigation Into Over The Counter Painkiller Use, Shane M. Cusack, Angeline D. Lagali, Andreia Stavrianos

International Undergraduate Journal of Health Sciences

This study comprises a survey to examine the use, risks, and awareness of over-the-counter (OTC) pain medication. The survey was a paper-based survey extended to the general public in Cork, Ireland from February 24^th 2020 to March 14^th 2020. A Microsoft Excel template (16.34 2020) was used to analyse the results of the 106 valid responses that were received. Responses showed that 105/106 individuals had taken an OTC painkiller in their lifetime. Paracetamol was the most used OTC painkiller with 98.1% of people having taken it in the past. The overall majority of individuals were aware of …

Microangiopathic Haemolytic Anaemia Diagnosis And Management In Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura And Haemolytic Uraemic Syndrome: A Review, Adam P. Korneluk

International Undergraduate Journal of Health Sciences

Microangiopathic haemolytic anaemia (MAHA) describes non-immune haemolysis by intravascular fragmentation of red blood cells, resulting from microvascular thrombosis characteristic of thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA). TMA-associated MAHAs include several diseases but are mostly associated with thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) and haemolytic-uremic syndrome (HUS). TTP is caused by a severe deficiency in ADAMTS13 proteinase, responsible for regulating coagulation, either due to presence of anti-ADAMTS13 (acquired iTTP; immune-mediated) or mutations in ADAMTS13 itself (congenital cTTP). HUS is caused by abnormal and uncontrolled complement activation, either by bacterial toxin activity (typical dHUS) or lack of normal regulatory proteins (atypical aHUS). This review focuses on TTP …

Diabetes Mellitus And Immunomodulation: A Double-Edged Sword., James Harte

International Undergraduate Journal of Health Sciences

Diabetes is an endocrinological disorder characterised by chronic hyperglycaemia due to abnormalities in insulin secretion, insulin action or a combination of both. According to the International Diabetes Federation, 463 million people worldwide are living with diabetes; 700 million people will be affected by 2045. The severity of the disease is dependent on the type and the stage of progression; when not correctly managed, diabetes can lead to potentially life-threatening micro- and macrovascular complications.

Prior to the discovery of insulin in 1922, the life expectancy of children with diabetes was short and the prognosis was very poor. The advocated treatment for …

Coagulopathy In Covid-19: A Review, Shannon Ginty

International Undergraduate Journal of Health Sciences

Recent data has demonstrated that the pathophysiology of severe COVID-19 infection is associated with a significant pulmonary coagulopathy. Thrombotic complications have been reported in approximately 35-45% of patients with severe COVID-19. Entry of SARS-CoV-2 into the host cells leads to dysregulation in inflammatory signalling pathways, disrupting the normal coagulation mechanism. The hypercoagulability with abnormal clot formation is attributed to the inappropriately elevated immune response, culminating in a ‘cytokine storm’ with high levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and subsequent thrombosis. The coagulopathy in COVID-19 affects many coagulation parameters such as D-dimer levels, fibrinogen levels, platelet count and prothrombin time. Coagulation parameters must …

Full Issue: The International Undergraduate Journal Of Health Sciences, Volume 1, Issue 1, June 2021

International Undergraduate Journal of Health Sciences

The full June 2021 issue (Volume 1, Issue 1) of the International Undergraduate Journal of Health Sciences