Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Interventions For Neurocognitive Dysfunction, J Ellero, M Lubomski, B Brew

Medical Papers and Journal Articles

Purpose of review: To evaluate current barriers to HIV cure strategies and interventions for neurocognitive dysfunction with a particular focus on recent advancements over the last three years.

Recent findings: Optimal anti-retroviral therapy (ART) poses challenges to minimise neurotoxicity, whilst ensuring blood brain barrier penetration and minimising the risk of cerebrovascular disease. CSF biomarkers, BCL11B and neurofilament light chain may be implicated with a neuroinflammatory cascade leading to cognitive impairment. Diagnostic imaging with diffusion tensor imaging as well as resting-state fMRI show promise in future diagnosis and monitoring of HAND.

Summary: The introduction of ART has resulted in a dramatic …

Understanding Practitioner Professionalism In Aboriginal And Torres Strait Islander Health: Lessons From Student And Registrar Placements At An Urban Aboriginal And Torres Strait Islander Primary Health Care Service, D Askew, V Lyall, S Ewen, D Paul, M Wheeler

Medical Papers and Journal Articles

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples continue to be pathologised in medical curriculum, leaving graduates feeling unequipped to effectively work cross-culturally. These factors create barriers to culturally safe health care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

In this pilot pre-post study, we followed the learning experiences of 7 medical students and 4 medical registrars undertaking clinical placements at an urban Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander primary health care service in 2014. Through analysis and comparison of pre- and post-placement responses to a paper-based case study of a fictitious Aboriginal patient, we identified four learning principles for medical professionalism: student …

Students' Satisfaction With A Web-Based Pharmacy Program In A Re-Regulated Pharmacy Market, M Gustafsson, S Mattsson, G Gallego

Medical Papers and Journal Articles

In response to the shortage of pharmacists in Northern Sweden, a web-based Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy program was established at Umeå University in 2003. In 2009, the Swedish pharmacy market was re-regulated from a state monopoly to an open market, but it is unknown what impact this has had on education satisfaction. The objectives of this study were to examine the level of satisfaction among graduates from a web-based pharmacy program and to describe what subjects and skills students would have liked more or less of in their education. A secondary objective was to compare the level of satisfaction …

Prevention Of Osteoporotic Refractures In Regional Australia, E Davidson, A Seal, Z Doyle, K Fielding, J Mcgirr

Medical Papers and Journal Articles

Objective: Clinical guidelines recommend that patients who sustain a minimal trauma fracture (MTF) should receive a bone mineral density (BMD) scan and bisphosphonate (or equivalent) therapy if diagnosed with osteoporosis. A pilot fracture liaison service (FLS) was implemented in regional NSW to improve adherence to the guidelines.

Design: Prospective cohort study with an historical control.

Setting: Primary care.

Participants: Control (n = 47) and cohort (n = 93) groups comprised patients consenting to interview who presented with a MTF to the major referral hospital 4 months before and 12 months after FLS implementation respectively.

Main outcome measures: Primary outcome measures …

General Practitioner And Registrar Involvement In Refugee Health: Exploring Needs And Perceptions, C Harding, A Seal, G Duncan, A Gilmour

Medical Papers and Journal Articles

Objective: Despite the recognition that refugees should have equitable access to healthcare services, this presents considerable challenges, particularly in rural and regional areas. Because general practitioners (GPs) are critical to resettlement for refugees and play a crucial role in understanding their specific health and social issues, it is important to know more about the needs of GPs.

Methods: In-depth interviews were conducted with 14 GPs and GP registrars who trained with a New South Wales regional training provider with the aim of assessing the needs and attitudes of GPs in treating refugees and the perceived effect that refugees have on …

An Education Intervention To Improve Health Literacy And Decision Making About Supporting Self-Care Among Older Australians: A Study Protocol For A Randomised Controlled Trial, C Smith, E Chang, G Gallego, L Balneaves

Medical Papers and Journal Articles

Background: Older Australians are high consumers of complementary and alternative medicines (CM). To help older people to take an active role in their health, we will develop and evaluate a novel educational intervention to support decision self-efficacy, and improve health literacy skills.

Methods: The primary hypothesis is that participants receiving a web/DVD plus booklet intervention compared with a booklet-only group will demonstrate an increase in decision self-efficacy. This study is a randomized controlled trial. One hundred and sixty-eight people aged 65 years and older will be recruited from community settings comprising retirement villages and community groups, based in Sydney, Australia. …

Association Of Waist Circumference With Outcomes In An Acute General Surgical Unit, T Ryan, P Gosal, A Seal, J Mcgirr, N Williams

Medical Papers and Journal Articles

Background: Obesity prevalence is increasing in Australia, particularly in non-metropolitan areas. The effect of obesity on acute surgical outcomes is not known. We aimed to record waist circumference (WC) (surrogate for obesity) amongst acute surgical unit (ASU) patients in a New South Wales regional hospital, and compare outcome measures (length of stay (LOS), unplanned return to theatre, readmission rates, intensive care unit (ICU) admission and mortality).

Methods: Retrospective cohort study of 4 months of consecutive ASU admissions, excluding age

Results: Of 695 admissions, 512 met the inclusion criteria (47.1% female, average age 52.8 years (SD 22.3)), with 85.1% (P < 0.001) of females and 69.4% (P =0.166)ofmales having an increased- or high-risk WC. This compares to rates amongst inner regional populations of 71.0% (female) and 66.4% (male). LOS was longer for high-risk patients (5.0 days versus 3.7 days, P = 0.002). However, the mean age of high-risk patients was greater (56.6 years versus 46.9 years, P = 0.001) and LOS was longer for those aged ≥60 (P < 0.001). After controlling for age, high-risk WC was not associated with any outcome measure, except amongst ICU admissions, where high-risk patients stayed longer (15.5 days versus 6.8 days, P <0.001).

Conclusion: …

Undetectable Mannose Binding Lectin And Corticosteroids Increase Serious Infection Risk In Rheumatoid Arthritis, Graeme J. Carroll, Krista Makin, Maxine Garnsey, Max Bulsara, Bronwyn V. Carroll, Shona M. Curtin, Erin M. Allan, Andrew Mclean-Tooke, Christine Bundell, Monica L. Kemp, Pooja Deshpande, Dana Ihdayhid, Sophie Coleman, Tracie Easter, James Triplett, Timothy Disteldorf, C Helen Marsden, Michaela Lucas

Medical Papers and Journal Articles

Background: Infection is the leading cause of death in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Corticosteroid (CS) use is a known and important risk factor for serious infections (SIs). Mannose binding lectin (MBL) is a genetically determined component of the innate immune system implicated in neonatal infections.

Objective: Our aim was to determine whether MBL deficiency is a risk factor for SIs in RA and to compare it with CS use and also synthetic and biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD) therapy.

Methods: Data on 228 patients with RA were collected for up to 7 years (median = 5.9 years). Serum MBL concentrations were …

Policymakers' Experience Of A Capacity-Building Intervention Designed To Increase Their Use Of Research: A Realist Process Evaluation, A Haynes, S Brennan, S Redman, A Williamson, S Makkar, G Gallego, P Butow

Medical Papers and Journal Articles

Background: An intervention’s success depends on how participants interact with it in local settings. Process evaluation examines these interactions, indicating why an intervention was or was not effective, and how it (and similar interventions) can be improved for better contextual fit. This is particularly important for innovative trials like Supporting Policy In health with Research: an Intervention Trial (SPIRIT), where causal mechanisms are poorly understood. SPIRIT was testing a multi-component intervention designed to increase the capacity of health policymakers to use research.

Methods: Our mixed-methods process evaluation sought to explain variation in observed process effects across the six agencies that …

Does The Doctrine Of Double Effect Apply To The Prescription Of Barbiturates? Syme Vs The Medical Board Of Australia, Xavier Symons

Medical Papers and Journal Articles

The doctrine of double effect (DDE) is a principle of crucial importance in law and medicine. In medicine, the principle is generally accepted to apply in cases where the treatment necessary to relieve pain and physical suffering runs the risk of hastening the patient’s death. More controversially, it has also been used as a justification for withdrawal of treatment from living individuals and physician-assisted suicide. In this paper, I will critique the findings of the controversial Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) hearing Syme vs the Medical Board of Australia. In that hearing, Dr Rodney Syme, a urologist and euthanasia …

Detection And Management Of Familial Hypercholesterolaemia In Primary Care In Australia: Protocol For A Pragmatic Cluster Intervention Study With Pre-Post Intervention Comparisons, Diane Arnold-Reed, Tom Brett, Lakkhina Troeung, Alistair Vickery, Jacquie Garton-Smith, Damon Bell, Jing Pang, Tegan Grace, Caroline Bulsara, Iain Li, Max Bulsara, Gerald F. Watts

Medical Papers and Journal Articles

Introduction: Familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH), an autosomal dominant disorder of lipid metabolism, results in accelerated onset of atherosclerosis if left untreated. Lifelong treatment with diet, lifestyle modifications and statins enable a normal lifespan for most patients. Early diagnosis is critical. This protocol trials a primary care-based model of care (MoC) to improve detection and management of FH.

Methods and analysis: Pragmatic cluster intervention study with pre-post intervention comparisons in Australian general practices. At study baseline, current FH detection practice is assessed. Medical records over 2 years are electronically scanned using a data extraction tool (TARB-Ex) to identify patients at increased …

Use And Outcomes Of Targeted Therapies In Early And Metastatic Her2-Positive Breast Cancer In Australia: Protocol Detailing Observations In A Whole Of Population Cohort, Benjamin Daniels, Sarah J. Lord, Belinda E. Kiely, Nehmat Houssami, Philip Haywood, Christine Y. Lu, Robyn L. Ward, Sally-Anne Pearson

Medical Papers and Journal Articles

Background: The management of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive breast cancer (BC) has changed dramatically with the introduction and widespread use of HER2-targeted therapies. However, there is relatively limited real-world information on patterns of use, effectiveness and safety in whole of population cohorts. The research programme detailed in this protocol will generate evidence on the prescribing patterns, safety monitoring and outcomes of patients with BC treated with HER2- targeted therapies in Australia.

Methods/design: Our ongoing research programme will involve a series of retrospective cohort studies that include every patient accessing Commonwealth-funded HER2-targeted therapies for the treatment of early …

Pharmacists' Satisfaction With Their Work: Analysis Of An Alumni Survey, Maria Gustafsson, Sofia Mattsson, Andy Wallman, Gisselle Gallego

Medical Papers and Journal Articles

Background: The level of job satisfaction among practicing pharmacists is important because it has been found to affect job performance and employee turnover. The Swedish pharmacy market has undergone major changes in recent years, and little is known about pharmacists’ job satisfaction.

Objectives: The objective of this study was to investigate the level of job satisfaction and associated factors among graduates from the web-based pharmacy programs at Umeå University.

Methods: Job satisfaction of pharmacists was measured as part of an alumni survey conducted with those who graduated from the pharmacy programmes between 2006 and 2014. Data analysis included descriptive statistics, …

Effectiveness And Efficiency Of Training In Digital Healthcare Packages: Training Doctors To Use Digital Medical Record Keeping Software, Nicola Benwell, Kathryn Hird, Nicholas Thomas, Erin Furness, Mark Fear, Greg Sweetman

Medical Papers and Journal Articles

Objective: Fiona Stanley Hospital (FSH) is the first hospital in Western Australia to implement a digital medical record (BOSSnet, Core Medical Solutions, Australia). Formal training in the use of the digital medical record is provided to all staff as part of the induction program. The aim of the present study was to evaluate whether the current training program facilitates efficient and accurate use of the digital medical record in clinical practice.

Methods: Participants were selected from the cohort of junior doctors employed at FSH in 2015. An e-Learning package of clinically relevant tasks from the digital medical record was created …

Electroconvulsive Therapy For Agitation In Schizophrenia: Meta-Analysis Of Randomized Controlled Trials, Xiaojing Gu, Wei Zheng, Tong Guo, Gabor S. Ungvari, Helen F.K. Chiu, Xiaolan Cao, Carl D'Arcy, Xiangfei Meng, Yuping Ning, Yu-Tao Xiang

Medical Papers and Journal Articles

Background: Agitation poses a significant challenge in the treatment of schizophrenia. Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is a fast, effective and safe treatment for a variety of psychiatric disorders, but no meta-analysis of ECT treatment for agitation in schizophrenia has yet been reported.

Aims: To systematically evaluate the efficacy and safety of ECT alone or ECT-antipsychotics (APs) combination for agitation in schizophrenia.

Methods: Systematic literature search of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) was performed. Two independent evaluators selected studies, extracted data about outcomes and safety with available data, conducted quality assessment and data synthesis. The Grades of Recommendation, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) …

Sleep Duration And Patterns In Chinese Older Adults: A Comprehensive Meta-Analysis, Li Lu, Shi-Bin Wang, Wen-Wang Rao, Gabor S. Ungvari, Chee H. Ng, Helen F.K Chiu, Juan Zhang, Changgui Kou, Fu-Jun Jia, Yu-Tao Xiang

Medical Papers and Journal Articles

This meta-analysis examined the mean sleep duration and patterns in Chinese older adult population. A literature search was systematically conducted covering major English (PubMed, Embase and PsycINFO) and Chinese (Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), WanFang and SinoMed) databases. Data in studies with the mean and standard deviation of sleep duration and/or the proportion of short and long sleep durations in Chinese older adults were extracted and pooled using random-effects models. Subgroup analyses were conducted according to gender, region, area, survey time and sample size. A total of 36 studies with 150,616 subjects were included for analyses. The pooled mean sleep …

Establishing Contemporary Trends In Hepatitis B Sero-Epidemiology In An Indigenous Population, Jane Davies, Shu Qin Li, Steven Y. Tong, Rob W. Baird, Miles Beaman, Geoff Higgins, Benjamin C. Cowie, John R. Condon, Joshua S. Davis

Medical Papers and Journal Articles

Background: Indigenous populations globally are disproportionately affected by chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection however contemporary sero-prevalence data are often absent. In the Indigenous population of the Northern Territory (NT) of Australia the unique C4 sub-genotype of HBV universally circulates. There are no studies of the sero-prevalence, nor the impact of the vaccination program (which has a serotype mismatch compared to C4), at a population-wide level.

Methods: We examined all available HBV serology results obtained from the three main laboratories serving NT residents between 1991 and 2011. Data were linked with a NT government database to determine Indigenous status and …

The Prevalence Of Insomnia In The General Population In China: A Meta-Analysis, X. Cao, S. Wang, B. Zhong, L. Zhang, G. Ungvari, N. Chee, L. Lu, H. Chiu, G. Lok, J. Lu, F. Jia, Y. Xiang

Medical Papers and Journal Articles

This is the first meta-analysis of the pooled prevalence of insomnia in the general population of China. A systematic literature search was conducted via the following databases: PubMed, PsycINFO, EMBASE and Chinese databases (China National Knowledge Interne (CNKI), WanFang Data and SinoMed). Statistical analyses were performed using the Comprehensive Meta-Analysis program. A total of 17 studies with 115,988 participants met the inclusion criteria for the analysis. The pooled prevalence of insomnia in China was 15.0% (95% Confidence interval [CI]: 12.1%-18.5%). No significant difference was found in the prevalence between genders or across time period. The pooled prevalence of insomnia in …

Dynamic Simulation Modelling Of Policy Responses To Reduce Alcohol-Related Harms: Rationale And Procedure For A Participatory Approach, Jo-An Atkinson, Eloise O'Donnell, John Wiggers, Geoff Mcdonnell, Jo Mitchell, Louise Freebairn, Devon Indig, Lucie Rychetnik

Medical Papers and Journal Articles

Development of effective policy responses to address complex public health problems can be challenged by a lack of clarity about the interaction of risk factors driving the problem, differing views of stakeholders on the most appropriate and effective intervention approaches, a lack of evidence to support commonly implemented and acceptable intervention approaches, and a lack of acceptance of effective interventions. Consequently, political considerations, community advocacy and industry lobbying can contribute to a hotly contested debate about the most appropriate course of action; this can hinder consensus and give rise to policy resistance. The problem of alcohol misuse and its associated …

Trends In Chlamydia And Gonorrhoea Testing And Positivity In Western Australian Aboriginal And Non-Aboriginal Women 2001-2013: A Population Based Cohort Study, J. Reekie, B. Donovan, R. Guy, J. Hocking, J. Kaldor, D. Mak, S. Pearson, D. Preen, H. Wand, J. Ward, B. Liu

Medical Papers and Journal Articles

Aims: To examine trends in chlamydia and gonorrhoea testing and positivity in Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal women of reproductive age.

Methods: A cohort of 318002 women, born between 1974-1995, residing in Western Australia (WA) was determined from birth registrations and the 2014 electoral roll. This cohort was then probabilistically linked to all records of chlamydia and gonorrhoea nucleic acid amplification tests (NAAT) conducted between 1st January 2001 and 31st December 2013 by two large WA pathology laboratories. Trends in chlamydia and gonorrhoea testing and positivity were investigated over time and stratified by Aboriginality and age group.

Results: The proportion of women …

Single-Stage Osseointegrated Reconstruction And Rehabilitation Of Lower Limb Amputees: The Osseointegration Group Of Australia Accelerated Protocol-2 (Ogaap-2) For A Prospective Cohort Study, Munjed Al Muderis, William Lu, Kevin Tetsworth, Belinda Bosley, Jiao Jiao Li

Medical Papers and Journal Articles

Introduction: Lower limb amputations have detrimental influences on the quality of life, function and body image of the affected patients. Following amputation, prolonged rehabilitation is required for patients to be fitted with traditional socket prostheses, and many patients experience symptomatic socket–residuum interface problems which lead to reduced prosthetic use and quality of life. Osseointegration has recently emerged as a novel approach for the reconstruction of amputated limbs, which overcomes many of the socket-related problems by directly attaching the prosthesis to the skeletal residuum. To date, the vast majority of osseointegration procedures worldwide have been performed in 2 stages, which require …

Adjunctive Melatonin For Tardive Dyskinesia In Patients With Schizophrenia: A Meta-Analysis, C. Sun, W. Zheng, X. Yang, D. Cai, C. Ng, G. Ungvari, H. Li, Y. Wu, Y. Ning, Y. Xiang

Medical Papers and Journal Articles

Background: Tardive dyskinesia (TD) is characterized by abnormal and involuntary movements. Importantly, TD could cause considerable personal suffering and social and physical disabilities.

Aims: This meta-analysis based on randomized controlled trials (RCTs) systematically assessed the therapeutic effect and tolerability of melatonin for TD in schizophrenia.

Methods: A computerized and systematical search of both Chinese (Wanfang Data, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), SINOMED) and English (PubMed, PsycINFO, Embase, Cochrane Library databases) databases, from their inception until June 8, 2017, was conducted by two independent authors. The severity of TD symptoms were the primary outcome measure and analyzed using a random effects …

Antenatal Influenza And Pertussis Vaccine Uptake Among Aboriginal Mothers In Western Australia, Kennia Lotter, Annette K. Regan, Tyra Thomas, Paul V. Effler, Donna B. Mak

Medical Papers and Journal Articles

Background: Antenatal influenza and pertussis vaccination prevent serious disease in mothers and infants. Aboriginal individuals are at increased risk of infection yet little is known about vaccine coverage among Aboriginal mothers.

Aims: To estimate the uptake of influenza and pertussis vaccination among pregnant Aboriginal women in Western Australia and identify barriers and enablers to vaccination.

Materials and methods: Four hundred Aboriginal women, aged ≥18 years, who gave birth to a live infant between April and October 2015, were randomly selected and invited to participate in telephone interviews. Of the 387 women who did not decline, 178 had a functioning phone …

Gene Expression Analysis Of Bovine Embryonic Disc, Trophoblast And Parietal Hypoblast At The Start Of Gastrulation, P Pfeffer, C Smith, P Maclean, D Berg

Medical Papers and Journal Articles

In cattle early gastrulation-stage embryos (Stage 5), four tissues can be discerned: (i) the top layer of the embryonic disc consisting of embryonic ectoderm (EmE); (ii) the bottom layer of the disc consisting of mesoderm, endoderm and visceral hypoblast (MEH); (iii) the trophoblast (TB); and (iv) the parietal hypoblast. We performed microsurgery followed by RNA-seq to analyse the transcriptome of these four tissues as well as a developmentally earlier pre-gastrulation embryonic disc. The cattle EmE transcriptome was similar at Stages 4 and 5, characterised by the OCT4/SOX2/NANOG pluripotency network. Expression of genes associated with primordial germ cells suggest their presence …

Prevalence Of Smoking In Patients With Bipolar Disorder, Major Depressive Disorder And Schizophrenia And Their Relationships With Quality Of Life, Xiao-Hong Li, Feng-Rong An, Gabor S. Ungvari, Chee H. Ng, Helen F.K. Chiu, Ping-Ping Wu, Xin Jin, Yu-Tao Xiang

Medical Papers and Journal Articles

Few studies have compared the prevalence of smoking between patients with bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder (MDD) and schizophrenia. This study examined the prevalence of smoking and its relationships with demographic and clinical characteristics, and quality of life (QOL) in patients with these psychiatric disorders. A total of 1,102 inpatients were consecutively screened. Psychopathology and QOL were measured with standardized instruments. The prevalence of current smoking in the whole sample was 16.7%; 17.5% in bipolar disorder, 10.6% in MDD and 18.5% in schizophrenia. The rates of smoking in bipolar disorder (p = 0.004, OR = 2.5, 95%CI: 1.3–4.7) and schizophrenia …

Non-Invasive Assessment Of Pulmonary Vascular Resistance In Pulmonary Hypertension: Current Knowledge And Future Direction, P Naing, H Kuppusamy, G Scalia, G Hills, D Playford

Medical Papers and Journal Articles

Pulmonary Hypertension (PHT) is relatively common, dangerous and under-recognised. Pulmonary hypertension is not a diagnosis in itself; it is caused by a number of differing diseases each with different treatments and prognoses. Therefore, timely and accurate recognition of the underlying cause for PHT is essential for appropriate management. This is especially true for patients with Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH) in the current era of disease-specific drug therapy.

Measurement of Pulmonary Vascular Resistance (PVR) helps separate pre-capillary from post-capillary PHT, and is measured with right heart catheterisation (RHC). Echocardiography has been used to derive a number of non-invasive surrogates for PVR, …

Plasmodial Hsp40s: New Avenues For Antimalarial Drug Discovery, M Daniyan, G Blatch

Medical Papers and Journal Articles

Malaria, an infectious disease caused by Plasmodium spp, is one of the world's most dangerous diseases, accounting for more than half a million deaths yearly. The long years of co-habitation between the parasite and its hosts (human and mosquito), is a testimony to the parasite’s ability to escape the immune system and develop drug resistance mechanisms. Currently, an important search area for improved pharmacotherapy are molecular chaperones of the heat shock protein family, abundant in Plasmodium falciparum and contributing to its continuous survival and development. Thus far, small molecule inhibitor studies on P. falciparum Hsp70s and Hsp90s have indicated that …

Association Of Cerebral Small Vessel Disease Burden And Health-Related Quality Of Life After Acute Ischemic Stroke, Yan Liang, Yang-Kun Chen, Min Deng, Vincent C.T. Mok, De-Feng Wang, Gabor S. Ungvari, Chiu-Wing W. Chu, Akane Kamiya, Wai-Kwong Tang

Medical Papers and Journal Articles

Objective: Cerebral small vessel disease (SVD) is associated with increased mortality, disability and cognitive decline, depression in stroke survivors. This study examined the association between SVD burden, defined by a combination of SVD markers, and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in acute ischemic stroke.

Methods: Patients admitted with acute ischemic stroke of any etiology were prospectively screened between January 2010 to December 2014 and enrolled in the study if they met study entry criteria. HRQoL was evaluated with the 12-item Stroke Specific Quality of Life (SSQoL) at 3 months after the onset of acute ischemic stroke. SVD was ascertained by …

Beta-Blocker Under-Use In Copd Patients, Kuan Pin Lim, Sarah Loughrey, Michael Musk, Melanie Lavender, Jeremy P. Wrobel

Medical Papers and Journal Articles

Background: Cardiovascular (CVS) comorbidities are common in COPD and contribute significantly to morbidity and mortality, especially following acute exacerbations of COPD (AECOPD). Beta-blockers (BBs) are safe and effective in COPD patients, with demonstrated survival benefit following myocardial infarction. We sought to determine if BBs are under-prescribed in patients hospitalized with AECOPD. We also sought to determine inpatient rates of CVS and cerebrovascular complications, and their impact on patient outcomes.

Methods: Retrospective hospital data was collected over a 12-month period. The medical records of all patients 40 years of age coded with a diagnosis of AECOPD were analyzed. Prevalent use and …

The Psychometric Properties Of The Quick Inventory Of Depressive Symptomatology-Self-Report (Qids-Sr) In Patients With Hbv-Related Liver Disease, Mei Liu, Yuanyuan Wang, Jing Zhao, Sujun Zheng, Gabor S. Ungvari, Chee H. Ng, Zhong-Ping Duan, Yu-Tao Xiang

Medical Papers and Journal Articles

Background: Comorbid depression in Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is common. Developing accurate and time efficient tools to measure depressive symptoms in HBV is important for research and clinical practice in China.

Aims: This study tested the psychometric properties of the Chinese version of the 16-item Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology (QIDS-SR) in HBV patients.

Methods: The study recruited 245 depressed patients with HBV and related liver disease. The severity of depressive symptoms was assessed with the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) and the QIDS-SR.

Results: Internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha) was 0.796 for QIDS-SR. The QIDS-SR total score was significantly correlated …