Glenfield Hospital

About: Glenfield Hospital is a healthcare organization based out in Leicester, United Kingdom. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. The organization has 1382 authors who have published 1812 publications receiving 99238 citations. The organization is also known as: Glenfield General Hospital.

How to Screen for Non-Adherence to Antihypertensive Therapy

Abstract: The quality of assessment of non-adherence to treatment in hypertensive is poor. Within this review, we discuss the different methods used to assess adherence to blood-pressure-lowering medications in hypertension patients. Subjective reports such as physicians’ perceptions are inaccurate, and questionnaires completed by patients tend to overreport adherence and show a low diagnostic specificity. Indirect objective methods such as pharmacy database records can be useful, but they are limited by the robustness of the recorded data. Electronic medication monitoring devices are accurate but usually track adherence to only a single medication and can be expensive. Overall, the fundamental issue with indirect objective measures is that they do not fully confirm ingestion of antihypertensive medications. Detection of antihypertensive medications in body fluids using liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry is currently, in our view, the most robust and clinically useful method to assess non-adherence to blood-pressure-lowering treatment. It is particularly helpful in patients presenting with resistant, refractory or uncontrolled hypertension despite the optimal therapy. We recommend using this diagnostic strategy to detect non-adherence alongside a no-blame approach tailoring support to address the perceptions (e.g. beliefs about the illness and treatment) and practicalities (e.g. capability and resources) influencing motivation and ability to adhere.

Extra-pleural pneumonectomy for malignant pleural mesothelioma: the risks of induction chemotherapy, right-sided procedures and prolonged operations.

Abstract: Objective: With the increasing incidence of malignant pleural mesothelioma and renewed interest in radical surgery as a therapeutic option, we have examined our experience of extra-pleural pneumonectomy, to document the incidence and management of its peri-operative complications. Methods: This analysis was conducted using prospectively entered data contained within the departmental database, with additional information from retrospective case note review. Details of patient selection criteria and operative modifications are included. Results: Over a 59-month period, extra-pleural pneumonectomy was carried out on 74 patients (66 men; 8 women; median age 57 years). Fifteen patients (20%) received cisplatin-doublet induction chemotherapy. The majority (80%) of patients had epithelial tumours and 85% of patients had disease in International Mesothelioma Interest Group stages III and IV. The 30-day post-operative mortality was 6.75% (five patients) and significant morbidity was recorded in 47 patients (63%). Major complications included those of technical origin (diaphragmatic patch dehiscence 8.1%; chylothorax 6.7%; intra-thoracic haemorrhage 6.7%; bronchopleural fistula 6.7%), cardiovascular morbidity (atrial fibrillation 17.5%; mediastinal shift with subacute tamponade 10.8%; right ventricular failure 4%; pulmonary embolus 2.7%) and respiratory morbidity (pneumonia 10.8%; acute lung injury 8.1%). Admission to intensive care was required in 19 patients (26%). Univariate analysis identified the incidence of acute lung injury and mediastinal shift to be significantly associated with induction chemotherapy (PZ0.005 and 0.014, respectively). In addition to this, laterality of operation influenced respiratory morbidity (PZ0.018) and admission to intensive care (PZ0.025). Finally, prolonged operations (greater than the median) were associated with an increased risk of technical (PZ0.018) and gastro-intestinal (PZ 0.023) complications. Conclusions: Extra-pleural pneumonectomy is associated with a high rate of morbidity, but an acceptable mortality rate can be achieved with increasing peri-operative experience. Surgery following induction chemotherapy requires extra vigilance for the development of post-operative respiratory complications. q 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Helicobacter pylori and lung function, asthma, atopy and allergic disease—A population-based cross-sectional study in adults

Abstract: Background Exposure to microbes may result in the polarization of the immune system and a decrease in the risk of asthma and associated allergic disease, whilst exposure to Helicobacter pylori has been hypothesized to increase the risk of obstructive airways disease. We tested the hypotheses that exposure to H. pylori reduces the risk of asthma and allergic disease and is associated with a decrease in lung function. Methods Data were collected on allergic disease symptoms, forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC), bronchial reactivity, allergen skin sensitization, serum IgE and H. pylori serological status in 2437 randomly selected adults. Results Individuals with serological evidence of exposure to H. pylori had lower lung function, FEV1 being lower by 53 ml (95% CI 1-106) and FVC 83 ml (95% CI 20-145) lower in the cross-sectional analysis. These differences ceased to be statistically significant after adjustment for height or socio-economic status. There was no association between H. pylori serological status and measures of asthma or atopy in the cross-sectional analysis, and there was no significant association between H. pylori serological status and decline in FEV1 and FVC over 9 years. Conclusion Although H. pylori exposure may be associated with lower cross-sectional FEV1 and FVC, this association was not independent of height or socio-economic status. There was no association between H. pylori exposure and either chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), measures of allergic disease or decline in lung function.

Comparison of peak oxygen consumption during cycle and treadmill exercise in severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Abstract: BACKGROUND--In normal subjects treadmill exercise usually produces the greatest maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max). This may not be true for patients with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in whom bicycle exercise, which offers support for the shoulder girdle, may produce a higher oxygen consumption than treadmill exercise. The aim of this study was to determine which mode of exercise produced the greatest oxygen consumption in patients with severe COPD. METHODS--Eight patients with severe COPD (forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) more than three standardised residuals below predicted) exercised to a symptom limited maximum on a bicycle and on a treadmill on separate days. The workload on the bicycle wa increased by 10 watts each minute, and the treadmill gradient was increased by 2.5% alternate minutes whilst the speed remained constant. Measurements of oxygen consumption (VO2), ventilation (VE), heart rate, and oxygen saturation were made, and capillary blood gases were measured before and immediately after exercise. Lactate concentration was measured before and four minutes after exercise. RESULTS--There were no differences at peak exercise between the two forms of exercise for VO2 (median 11.7 and 12.2 ml/min/kg for bicycle and treadmill, respectively), for VE (median 26.6 and 25.0 l/min, respectively), and for heart rate (median 119 and 115 beats/min, respectively). The median lactate levels after bicycle exercise were higher than those after the treadmill (2.42 v 0.94 mmol/l). CONCLUSIONS--Although only a small number of patients was studied and individual variability was large, there was no clear difference between the two forms of exercise. Regular bicycle exercise was unfamiliar to this group of patients and generated the greatest lactate response. The results do not support the hypothesis that bicycle exercise will produce a better performance in patients with severe COPD, but the two modes of exercise cannot be used interchangeably.

Towards a safety net for management of 22q11.2 deletion syndrome: guidelines for our times.

Abstract: The commonest autosomal deletion, 22q11.2 deletion syndrome (22q11DS) is a multisystem disorder varying greatly in severity and age of identification between affected individuals. Holistic care is best served by a multidisciplinary team, with an anticipatory approach. Priorities tend to change with age, from feeding difficulties, infections and surgery of congenital abnormalities particularly of the heart and velopharynx in infancy and early childhood to longer-term communication, learning, behavioural and mental health difficulties best served by evaluation at intervals to consider and initiate management. Regular monitoring of growth, endocrine status, haematological and immune function to enable early intervention helps in maintaining health. Conclusion: Guidelines to best practice management of 22q11DS based on a literature review and consensus have been developed by a national group of professionals with consideration of the limitations of available medical and educational resources.