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Irbesartan has no short-term effect on insulin resistance in hypertensive patients with additional cardiometabolic risk factors (i-RESPOND)Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Conclusion: Irbesartan did not show significant favourable effects on insulin resistance compared with HCTZ in this study; however, may have beneficial effects on inflammation and microalbuminuria in hypertensive patients with metabolic syndrome. (Source: International Journal of Clinical Practice)
Source: International Journal of Clinical Practice - November 19, 2009 Category: Internal Medicine Authors: K. G. Parhofer, K. I. Birkeland, R. DeFronzo, S. Del Prato, A. Bhaumik, A. Ptaszynska Source Type: journals

Adding liraglutide to oral antidiabetic drug therapy: onset of treatment effects over timeEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Conclusion: Liraglutide treatment combined with OADs led to rapid improvements in FPG and SBP. Early reductions in HbA1c and body weight were also observed. Adding liraglutide to OADs early on may therefore be a good treatment option for patients with type 2 diabetes. (Source: International Journal of Clinical Practice)
Source: International Journal of Clinical Practice - November 17, 2009 Category: Internal Medicine Authors: B. Gallwitz, A. Vaag, A. Falahati, S. Madsbad Source Type: journals

Treating tobacco dependence as a chronic illness and a key modifiable predictor of diseaseEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
(Source: International Journal of Clinical Practice)
Source: International Journal of Clinical Practice - November 16, 2009 Category: Internal Medicine Authors: J. Foulds, A. C. Schmelzer, M. B. Steinberg Source Type: journals

Effect of homocysteine interventions on the risk of cardiocerebrovascular events: a meta-analysis of randomised controlled trialsEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Conclusion: There is no sufficient evidence to show that homocysteine lowering intervention can reduce the risk of cardiocerebrovascular diseases or all-cause mortality among people with preexisting vascular disease. Folic acid supplementation should not be recommended for the secondary prevention of cardiocerebrovascular diseases. More evidence from large-scale randomised controlled trials is needed to confirm this. (Source: International Journal of Clinical Practice)
Source: International Journal of Clinical Practice - November 13, 2009 Category: Internal Medicine Authors: W. Mei, Y. Rong, L. Jinming, L. Yongjun, Z. Hui Source Type: journals

Update on gout and hyperuricemiaEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
There have been recent advances in the understanding of underlying mechanisms and treatment of gout and chronic hyperuricemia, making this an important time to review the current state of the disease. The goal of this article is to provide a practical review of the current standard of care as well as discuss some new developments in the management. There is an increasing prevalence of gout and hyperuricemia worldwide. Gout confers a significant individual and societal burden and is often under-treated. Appropriate diagnosis and treatment of acute gout should be followed by aggressive and goal-oriented treatment of hyperuri...
Source: International Journal of Clinical Practice - November 11, 2009 Category: Internal Medicine Authors: J. F. Baker, H. Ralph Schumacher Source Type: journals

Underutilisation of cardiovascular medications among at-risk individualsEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Conclusions: More than 50% of at-risk respondents and > 33% of respondents with new CVD events were not taking CVD therapy as recommended by guidelines. (Source: International Journal of Clinical Practice)
Source: International Journal of Clinical Practice - November 11, 2009 Category: Internal Medicine Authors: S. J. Lewis, J. G. Robinson, K. M. Fox, S. Grandy Source Type: journals

Safety of sildenafil citrate: review of 67 double-blind placebo-controlled trials and the postmarketing safety databaseEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Conclusion: This collated review confirms generally the good tolerability and established safety profile of sildenafil 50 and 100 mg in men with ED and reveals no new safety issues. (Source: International Journal of Clinical Practice)
Source: International Journal of Clinical Practice - November 9, 2009 Category: Internal Medicine Authors: F. Giuliano, G. Jackson, F. Montorsi, A. Martin-Morales, P. Raillard Source Type: journals

An open, non-comparative, multicentre study on the impact of alfuzosin on sexual function using the Male Sexual Health Questionnaire in patients with benign prostate hyperplasiaEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Conclusions: Based on the analysis of MSHQ scores before and after alfuzosin treatment, improvement was significant on ejaculatory function, in addition to improvement on LUTS and quality of life. MSHQ is a useful tool to evaluate the male sexual dysfunction. (Source: International Journal of Clinical Practice)
Source: International Journal of Clinical Practice - November 4, 2009 Category: Internal Medicine Authors: M. K. Kim, J. Cheon, K. S. Lee, M.K. Chung, J. Y. Lee, S.W. Lee, S. W. Kim, B. H. Chung, K. Park, J. K. Park Source Type: journals

The ethics of British professional homoeopathsEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
(Source: International Journal of Clinical Practice)
Source: International Journal of Clinical Practice - November 3, 2009 Category: Internal Medicine Authors: E. Ernst Source Type: journals

Paliperidone palmitate – review of the efficacy, safety and cost of a new second-generation depot antipsychotic medicationEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Conclusions: Paliperidone palmitate is efficacious for the acute and maintenance treatment of schizophrenia and is reasonably well tolerated. It offers several advantages over other available second-generation depot antipsychotics: it comes in prefilled syringes in a number of different dosage strengths; it does not require refrigeration; it does not require supplementation with oral antipsychotics; it can be administered once monthly; it can be administered with a very small bore needle; the injection volume is small; the injection site can be either the deltoid or gluteal muscles; it does not require an additional precau...
Source: International Journal of Clinical Practice - November 3, 2009 Category: Internal Medicine Authors: L. Citrome Source Type: journals

The prevalence of vitamin D abnormalities in South Asians with type 2 diabetes mellitus in the UKEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Conclusions: Hypovitaminosis D remains a major public health issue in the Asian population and is exaggerated in patients with T2DM. The fact that vitamin D deficient women had higher HbA1c levels raises the possibility that vitamin D replacement may improve glycaemic control. (Source: International Journal of Clinical Practice)
Source: International Journal of Clinical Practice - October 27, 2009 Category: Internal Medicine Authors: A. A. Tahrani, A. Ball, L. Shepherd, A. Rahim, A. F. Jones, A. Bates Source Type: journals

Rapid relief of acute sore throat with AMC/DCBA throat lozenges: randomised controlled trialEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Conclusion: Amylmetacresol/DCBA throat lozenges provide rapid analgesic effects that last for 2 h, providing ongoing relief long after the lozenge has dissolved. The superior analgesic effects and improvements in functional impairment scores observed with AMC/DCBA throat lozenges translate into pain relief benefits that are clinically meaningful and are thus a suitable OTC treatment option for patients in the self-management of acute sore throat. (Source: International Journal of Clinical Practice)
Source: International Journal of Clinical Practice - October 21, 2009 Category: Internal Medicine Authors: D. McNally, M. Simpson, C. Morris, A. Shephard, M. Goulder Source Type: journals

Is it worthwhile to offer repeat hydrodilatation for frozen shoulder after 6 weeks?Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Conclusions: The data are suggestive that routine hydrodilatation after 6 weeks is not appropriate and should be instead offered to those patients who can tolerate it and who have not fully benefitted after a single procedure. (Source: International Journal of Clinical Practice)
Source: International Journal of Clinical Practice - October 21, 2009 Category: Internal Medicine Authors: R. K. Trehan, S. Patel, A. M. Hill, M. J. Curtis, D. A. Connell Source Type: journals

Osteoporosis management: a perspective based on bisphosphonate data from randomised clinical trials and observational databasesEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Conclusions: Understanding of the benefits of bisphosphonate treatment can be maximised by evaluating complementary data from RCTs and observational database studies. Fracture risk reduction with bisphosphonates is shown in RCTs and in real-world clinical settings. (Source: International Journal of Clinical Practice)
Source: International Journal of Clinical Practice - October 19, 2009 Category: Internal Medicine Authors: S. Boonen, R. Kay, C. Cooper, P. Haentjens, D. Vanderschueren, F. Callewaert, K. Milisen, S. Ferrari Source Type: journals

Changes in weight and metabolic parameters during treatment with antipsychotics and metformin: do the data inform as to potential guideline development? A systematic review of clinical studiesEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Conclusions: Metformin may have some value in reducing or preventing weight gain and changes in metabolic parameters during treatment with antipsychotic medication particularly in first-episode psychosis; however, it has been predominantly studied short-term and in non-Caucasian populations. A number of new trials are due to report data 2009[ndash]2013 to aid definitive interpretation of the role of metformin. Further longer-term studies are warranted before definitive guidelines can be established. (Source: International Journal of Clinical Practice)
Source: International Journal of Clinical Practice - October 18, 2009 Category: Internal Medicine Authors: C. J. Bushe, A. J. Bradley, S. Doshi, J. Karagianis Source Type: journals

Asenapine for schizophrenia and bipolar disorder: a review of the efficacy and safety profile for this newly approved sublingually absorbed second-generation antipsychoticEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Conclusions: Asenapine sublingual tablets are a new option for the treatment of acute episodes of schizophrenia and for the treatment of acute manic or mixed episodes of bipolar I disorder. Although there is no evidence for asenapine's efficacy to be superior to currently available agents, asenapine's favourable weight and metabolic profile are of clinical interest. A caveat is that the data reviewed regarding asenapine are from its manufacturer. No independent studies of asenapine's efficacy or safety are available. Obstacles to the use of asenapine are the recommendations for twice daily dosing and the need to avoid food...
Source: International Journal of Clinical Practice - October 13, 2009 Category: Internal Medicine Authors: L. Citrome Source Type: journals

Local anaesthetic vs. general anaesthetic for inguinal hernia repair: systematic review and meta-analysisEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Conclusions: Meta-analysis of the five trials comparing local and general anaesthesia for inguinal hernia repair fails to confirm the wide-ranging benefits reported by the individual studies. Local anaesthetic reduces nausea and accelerates return to normal activities following open inguinal hernia repair. The benefit of LA is sufficiently small that its use should be dictated by patient and clinician preference. (Source: International Journal of Clinical Practice)
Source: International Journal of Clinical Practice - October 9, 2009 Category: Internal Medicine Authors: A. M. Reece-Smith, A. Q. Maggio, T. Y. Tang, S. R. Walsh Source Type: journals

Managing the patient presenting with xerostomia: a reviewEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Conclusion: Xerostomia can be debilitating and primarily affects the middle aged and elderly population. The most common causes of xerostomia include medications with anticholinergic properties, dehydration, diabetes and radiotherapy for head and neck cancer. Treatment of xerostomia essentially involves addressing the cause followed by salivary substitutes and/or salivary stimulants. (Source: International Journal of Clinical Practice)
Source: International Journal of Clinical Practice - October 9, 2009 Category: Internal Medicine Authors: V. Visvanathan, P. Nix Source Type: journals

Practical guidance on intensification of insulin therapy with BIAsp 30: a consensus statementEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Conclusions: The guidelines presented here should enable general or specialist practitioners to use BIAsp 30 to intensify the insulin therapy of patients failing on basal insulin or BIAsp 30 once or twice daily. (Source: International Journal of Clinical Practice)
Source: International Journal of Clinical Practice - September 22, 2009 Category: Internal Medicine Authors: A. G. Unnikrishnan, J. Tibaldi, M. Hadley-Brown, A. J. Krentz, R. Ligthelm, T. Damci, J. Gumprecht, L. Gerő, Y. Mu, I. Raz Source Type: journals

Worldwide-Schizophrenia Outpatient Health Outcomes (W-SOHO): baseline characteristics of pan-regional observational data from more than 17,000 patients*Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Conclusions: Despite inherent diversity in these patients and the health care systems supporting them, there are striking cross-regional similarities in baseline characteristics for most measures. Not all countries are represented; regional comparisons may not be valid outside of the countries studied. (Source: International Journal of Clinical Practice)
Source: International Journal of Clinical Practice - September 21, 2009 Category: Internal Medicine Authors: J. Karagianis, D. Novick, J. Pecenak, J. M. Haro, M. Dossenbach, T. Treuer, W. Montgomery, R. Walton, A. J. Lowry Source Type: journals

A systematic approach to the investigation and diagnosis of a unilateral pleural effusionEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Fluid in the pleural space is a common sequela of a wide range of diseases which may be pulmonary, pleural or extrapulmonary. As the differential diagnosis is wide, a systematic approach to investigation and diagnosis is recommended. This review highlights the important features and recommendations for the investigation of a unilateral pleural effusion, a common condition encountered by the general physician. The aim of this study was to assist with a speedy diagnosis of the underlying pathology, using appropriate investigative techniques, while minimising the use of invasive procedures. (Source: International Journal of Clinical Practice)
Source: International Journal of Clinical Practice - September 16, 2009 Category: Internal Medicine Authors: E. E. McGrath, Z. Blades, J. Needham, P. B. Anderson Source Type: journals

How to search and harvest the medical literature: let the citations come to you, and how to proceed when they doEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Conclusion: In addition to readers searching for relevant citations, these citations themselves can be searching for readers. Clinicians and researchers can take advantage of this and efficiently harvest the medical literature with a modest investment of time. (Source: International Journal of Clinical Practice)
Source: International Journal of Clinical Practice - September 10, 2009 Category: Internal Medicine Authors: L. Citrome, S.V. Moss, C. Graf Source Type: journals

C-reactive protein as a predictor of disease in smokers and former smokers: a reviewEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Conclusions: Assay of CRP levels may be useful in monitoring disease progression and determining risk of future cardiovascular complications. However, as this marker is also an indicator of acute inflammation and challenges to the immune system, some caution must be exercised in interpreting the available data on CRP levels in patients with different chronic comorbidities. (Source: International Journal of Clinical Practice)
Source: International Journal of Clinical Practice - August 31, 2009 Category: Internal Medicine Authors: S. Tonstad, J. L. Cowan Source Type: journals

High-risk myocardial infarction patients appear to derive more mortality benefit from short door-to-balloon time than low-risk patientsEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Conclusions: A collaboration of DGH with a physician-to-patient model can deliver timely PPCI that appear to translate into mortality benefit more so in high-risk patients. Low-risk patients would therefore probably tolerate delays associated with transfer to large centres while high-risk patients would not and need alternative strategy. A collaboration of smaller hospitals with a pool of mobile interventional cardiologists could be such an alternative. (Source: International Journal of Clinical Practice)
Source: International Journal of Clinical Practice - August 19, 2009 Category: Internal Medicine Authors: P. K. Kong, D. Connolly, C. Varma, G. Lip, T. Millane, R. Davis, R. Ahmad Source Type: journals

Spinal manipulation for the early management of persistent non-specific low back pain – a critique of the recent NICE guidelinesEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
(Source: International Journal of Clinical Practice)
Source: International Journal of Clinical Practice - August 17, 2009 Category: Internal Medicine Authors: E. Ernst Source Type: journals

Where now for insulin glargine – a time for pragmatic medicine?Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
(Source: International Journal of Clinical Practice)
Source: International Journal of Clinical Practice - August 17, 2009 Category: Internal Medicine Authors: G. A. Thomson, R. Craig Source Type: journals

Ultrasound is a useful adjunct to mammography in the assessment of breast tumours in all patientsEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Conclusion: Adjunctive ultrasound assessment improves breast cancer detection in women of all ages and should be routinely used in symptomatic breast clinics. (Source: International Journal of Clinical Practice)
Source: International Journal of Clinical Practice - August 13, 2009 Category: Internal Medicine Authors: M. McCavert, M. E. O'Donnell, S. Aroori, S. A. Badger, M. A. Sharif, J. G. Crothers, R. A. J. Spence Source Type: journals

Vildagliptin therapy and hypoglycaemia in Muslim type 2 diabetes patients during RamadanEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Conclusions: Appropriate treatment adjustments can lead to improved diabetes management during Ramadan, with avoidance of significant weight gain and improved glucose control without hypoglycaemia. The addition of vildagliptin to metformin therapy during Ramadan in Muslim patients with type 2 diabetes was associated with a reduction in the incidence of hypoglycaemia. (Source: International Journal of Clinical Practice)
Source: International Journal of Clinical Practice - August 11, 2009 Category: Internal Medicine Authors: D. Devendra, B. Gohel, V. Bravis, E. Hui, S. Salih, S. Mehar, M. Hassanein Source Type: journals

The personalisation of the British National Health Service: empowering patients or exacerbating inequality?Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
(Source: International Journal of Clinical Practice)
Source: International Journal of Clinical Practice - August 6, 2009 Category: Internal Medicine Authors: Adam M. Ali Source Type: journals

Saxagliptin added to a submaximal dose of sulphonylurea improves glycaemic control compared with uptitration of sulphonylurea in patients with type 2 diabetes: a randomised controlled trialEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Conclusion: Saxagliptin added to submaximal glyburide therapy led to statistically significant improvements vs. uptitration of glyburide alone across key glycaemic parameters and was generally well tolerated. (Source: International Journal of Clinical Practice)
Source: International Journal of Clinical Practice - July 14, 2009 Category: Internal Medicine Authors: A. R. Chacra, G. H. Tan, A. Apanovitch, S. Ravichandran, J. List, R. Chen Source Type: journals

Prevalence of abdominal obesity in primary care: the IDEA UK studyEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Conclusion: Increased waist circumference is widespread in patients attending primary care in the UK and is associated with elevated levels of reported diabetes, hypertension, lipid disorders and CVD. (Source: International Journal of Clinical Practice)
Source: International Journal of Clinical Practice - July 8, 2009 Category: Internal Medicine Authors: J. Morrell, K. A. A. Fox Source Type: journals

Practical aspects of lifestyle modifications and behavioural interventions in the treatment of overactive bladder and urgency urinary incontinenceEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Behavioural interventions are effective treatments for overactive bladder (OAB) and urgency urinary incontinence (UUI). They are in part aimed at improving symptoms with patient education on healthy bladder habits and lifestyle modifications, including the establishment of normal voiding intervals, elimination of bladder irritants from the diet, management of fluid intake, weight control, management of bowel regularity and smoking cessation. Behavioural interventions also include specific training techniques aimed at re-establishing normal voiding intervals and continence. Training techniques include bladder training, whic...
Source: International Journal of Clinical Practice - July 1, 2009 Category: Internal Medicine Authors: J. F. Wyman, K. L. Burgio, D. K. Newman Source Type: journals

Value of intraoperative abdominal cavity culture in appendicectomy: a retrospective studyEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Appendicectomy is one of the most common surgical emergency procedures. Intraperitoneal culture during appendicectomy is routine practice in some hospitals, while some surgeons advocate abandoning this routine. The aim of our study is to determine the value of intraoperative abdominal cavity culture and its impact on the patient management. Retrospective analysis was performed on 498 patients who underwent appendicectomy over 2.5-year period. The median of the postoperative hospital stay was 2 days, while the median time taken to receive culture results was 3 days. A positive culture was found in 42.6%. Approximately 42.7%...
Source: International Journal of Clinical Practice - June 24, 2009 Category: Internal Medicine Authors: M. R. Moawad, S. Dasmohapatra, T. Justin, N. Keeling Source Type: journals

Can simple tests performed in the primary care setting provide accurate and efficient diagnosis of benign prostatic hyperplasia? Rationale and design of the Diagnosis Improvement in Primary Care TrialEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Effective treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) improves lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and patient quality of life, and reduces the risk of complications arising from disease progression. However, treatment can only be initiated when men with BPH are identified by accurate diagnostic tests. Current evidence suggests that diagnostic procedures employed by primary care physicians vary widely across Europe. The expected increases in BPH prevalence accompanying the gradual aging of the population, coupled with greater use of medical therapy, mean that general practitioners (GPs) are likely to have an increasing...
Source: International Journal of Clinical Practice - June 23, 2009 Category: Internal Medicine Authors: J. Carballido, R. Fourcade, A. Pagliarulo, C. Cricelli, F. Brenes, A. Pedromingo-Marino, R. Castro Source Type: journals

Intramuscular olanzapine vs. intramuscular short-acting antipsychotics: safety, tolerability and the switch to oral antipsychotic medication in patients with schizophrenia or acute maniaEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Conclusions: These findings suggest that IM olanzapine may have a favourable impact on individual patients. However, the high rate of oral concomitant medication used throughout the study limits these findings from being associated with IM olanzapine alone. (Source: International Journal of Clinical Practice)
Source: International Journal of Clinical Practice - June 23, 2009 Category: Internal Medicine Authors: R. Chandrasena, D. Dvořáková, S. I. Lee, N. Loza, S. N. Mosolov, P. Osváth, P. Pregelj, R. J. Walton, J. Karagianis, T. Treuer Source Type: journals

Failure after shockwave lithotripsy: is outcome machine dependent?Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Conclusions: The term 'extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (ESWL)-resistant stones' needs to be re-examined, as treatment with a different lithotriptor was successful in a group of stones where another machine had failed. Lithotripters with different shock wave characteristics may result in difference in the results of ESWL. Future research in ESWL should focus on stone characteristics and development of machines with the ability to adapt to specific stone features. (Source: International Journal of Clinical Practice)
Source: International Journal of Clinical Practice - March 16, 2009 Category: Internal Medicine Authors: A. N. Argyropoulos, D. A. Tolley Source Type: journals

Forensic investigation of submersion deathsEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Conclusions: A complete autopsy, histopathological examination and full toxicological screening are important to determine whether death indeed followed submersion in the water, or to see whether any natural disease or substance use have contributed or caused death. In ambiguous situations, the co-estimation of circumstantial evidence may be of invaluable importance toward the conclusion concerning the cause and the manner of death. The thorough forensic investigation of the submersion deaths not only serves the justice administration, but it also presents considerable benefits for the public health. (Source: International...
Source: International Journal of Clinical Practice - February 16, 2009 Category: Internal Medicine Authors: S. A. Papadodima, S. A. Athanaselis, E. Skliros, C. A. Spiliopoulou Source Type: journals

Aprotinin in severe acute pancreatitisEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Aprotinin, a Kunitz protease inhibitor, has a wide inhibitory action with particular activity against trypsin, chymotrypsin and kallikrein, making it theoretically attractive in ameliorating the effects of acute pancreatitis. Its use in acute pancreatitis has been studied for the last 50 years with disappointing results. In this paper, we review the previous studies and argue that all the studies have not been adequately powered, have inappropriate end-points, but most importantly have not attained adequate plasma and peritoneal levels of aprotinin to produce sufficient inhibitory activity. We hypothesise that a well-power...
Source: International Journal of Clinical Practice - January 28, 2009 Category: Internal Medicine Authors: M. Smith, H. M. Kocher, B. J. Hunt Source Type: journals

Thyroid fine needle aspiration biopsy: is topical local anaesthesia beneficial?Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Conclusions: Topical anaesthesia before palpation-guided TFNAB provides no benefit. (Source: International Journal of Clinical Practice)
Source: International Journal of Clinical Practice - September 17, 2008 Category: Internal Medicine Authors: H. Demirci, H. Erdamar, A. Karakoc, M. Arslan Source Type: journals

Tako-tsubo-like left ventricular dysfunction: transient left ventricular apical ballooning syndromeEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Conclusions/interpretations: We conclude by emphasising the importance of a more deeper knowledge of this syndrome for general physicians and cardiologists and it should be often considered as a possible diagnosis occurring in emergency department and in patients admitted in the Chest Pain Units with a diagnosis of coronary acute syndrome. (Source: International Journal of Clinical Practice)
Source: International Journal of Clinical Practice - September 17, 2008 Category: Internal Medicine Authors: E. Vizzardi, A. D'Aloia, G. Zanini, C. Fiorina, E. Chiari, S. Nodari, L. Dei Cas Source Type: journals

Exposure to noise in orthopaedic theatres – do we need protection?Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Conclusion: Noise levels in orthopaedic theatres can be at unacceptable levels, which could potentially lead to hearing problems in the staff and patients. We believe that all patients, especially the elderly patients, (who are more prone to hearing problems) should have hearing protection during orthopaedic operations that use high-powered tools. Surgeons and scrubbed theatre staff should take precautions. (Source: International Journal of Clinical Practice)
Source: International Journal of Clinical Practice - May 27, 2008 Category: Internal Medicine Authors: Z. Siverdeen, A. Ali, A. S. Lakdawala, C. McKay Source Type: journals

Value of 18F-FDG-PET/CT in patients with fever of unknown origin and unexplained prolonged inflammatory syndrome: a single centre analysis experienceEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Conclusions: Our study supports the potential interest of 18F-FDG-PET/CT in the diagnostic workup of FUO and UPIS as it helped establish a fine diagnosis in half of the cases. However, 18F-FDG-PET/CT appeared to be essential to the final diagnosis in only 23% of the cases. In our opinion, this protocol should be performed as a second level test, especially when conventional CT is normal or is unable to discriminate between active and silent lesions. (Source: International Journal of Clinical Practice)
Source: International Journal of Clinical Practice - May 7, 2008 Category: Internal Medicine Authors: L. Federici, C. Blondet, A. Imperiale, J. Sibilia, J.-L. Pasquali, F. Pflumio, B. Goichot, G. Blaison, J.-C. Weber, D. Christmann, A. Constantinesco, E. Andrès Source Type: journals

Modified transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt in the treatment of Budd-Chiari syndromeEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Conclusions: Modified transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt provides an excellent outcome in patients with BCS (occlusion of the hepatic veins). It may be regarded as an option for the acute and long-term managements of these patients. (Source: International Journal of Clinical Practice)
Source: International Journal of Clinical Practice - April 23, 2008 Category: Internal Medicine Authors: X. Wu, W. Ding, J. Cao, J. Han, J. Li Source Type: journals

Clinical indicators which necessitate renal biopsy in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients with renal diseaseEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Conclusion: Our study demonstrated that DM > 10 years and retinopathy did not exclude NDRD in type 2 DM patients, and need for renal biopsy. Higher serum albumin, lower urinary daily protein and 24-h CCr were indicative for biopsy to exclude NDRD. (Source: International Journal of Clinical Practice)
Source: International Journal of Clinical Practice - April 16, 2008 Category: Internal Medicine Authors: Y.-L. Lin, S.-J. Peng, S.-H. Ferng, C.-Y. Tzen, C.-S. Yang Source Type: journals

Investigation of early atherosclerotic changes in acromegalic patientsEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Conclusion: In active acromegalics, early atherosclerotic changes are not only attributed to the high prevalence of risk factors, but also to the abnormal GH secretion itself. (Source: International Journal of Clinical Practice)
Source: International Journal of Clinical Practice - April 15, 2008 Category: Internal Medicine Authors: İ. Kartal, H. Oflaz, B. Pamukçu, M. Meriç, F. Aral, N. Özbey, F. Alagöl Source Type: journals

Endovenous laser ablation for superficial venous insufficiencyEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Conclusion: Early outcomes and cosmesis are superior, and long-term data is accumulating that recurrence of EVLA rates may be lower. (Source: International Journal of Clinical Practice)
Source: International Journal of Clinical Practice - April 13, 2008 Category: Internal Medicine Authors: R. Durai, P. D. Srodon, C. Kyriakides Source Type: journals

Diode laser for paediatric airway procedures: a useful toolEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Conclusions: Diode laser is a good tool for several paediatric laryngeal pathologies. The ability to guide the laser light using the flexible glass fibre directly onto the area requiring vapourisation enables very precise treatment. (Source: International Journal of Clinical Practice)
Source: International Journal of Clinical Practice - April 13, 2008 Category: Internal Medicine Authors: Y. Bajaj, D. Pegg, S. Gunasekaran, L. C. Knight Source Type: journals

Clinical importance of antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody positivity during propylthiouracil treatmentEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Conclusion: Our study suggests that PTU but not Graves' disease itself is the most important factor for ANCA development. The frequency of ANCA positivity is 41.3% in our country which was not different in Graves' disease and TMNG patients. The dose of PTU and ethnic factors are not associated with ANCA positivity. After cessation of PTU, vasculitis did not develop during the 2 years of follow-up despite positive ANCA. (Source: International Journal of Clinical Practice)
Source: International Journal of Clinical Practice - February 14, 2008 Category: Internal Medicine Authors: V. Yazisiz, G. Öngüt, E. Terzioğlu, Ü. Karayalçin Source Type: journals

CA 72-4 levels in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitusEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Conclusions: Elevated levels of CA 72-4 in diabetic patients are not related to diabetes and it should be interpreted as evaluated in a non-diabetic patient. (Source: International Journal of Clinical Practice)
Source: International Journal of Clinical Practice - January 18, 2008 Category: Internal Medicine Authors: H. Demirci, H. Erdamar, A. Karakoc, M. Akturk, M. Yilmaz, M. Arslan Source Type: journals

Role of serum sodium in assessing hospital mortality in cancer patients with spontaneous tumour lysis syndrome inducing acute uric acid nephropathyEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Spontaneous tumour lysis syndrome (STLS) inducing acute uric acid nephropathy, a rare and neglected disease, presents more insidiously than conventional post-treatment tumour lysis syndrome. Although STLS is a serious and potentially fatal complication in patients with neoplastic disorders, few investigations have addressed the relevance of clinical and laboratory features in assessing prognosis. A retrospective study was conducted, reviewing the records of all patients who developed acute renal failure (ARF) at Chang Gung memorial hospital between 1 July 1999 and 30 June 2003. STLS-induced acute uric acid nephropathy was ...
Source: International Journal of Clinical Practice - November 16, 2007 Category: Internal Medicine Authors: H-H Hsu, Y-C Chen, Y-C Tian, Y-L Chan, M-C Kuo, C-C Tang, J-T Fang, S-Y Lee, C-W Yang Source Type: journals