Leicester Royal Infirmary

About: Leicester Royal Infirmary is a healthcare organization based out in Leicester, United Kingdom. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Carotid endarterectomy. The organization has 5300 authors who have published 6204 publications receiving 208464 citations.

Venous thromboembolism associated with the management of acute thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura

Abstract: Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is not a feature of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP), but there has been a recent report of VTE in association with plasma exchange (PEX) treatment for TTP using the solvent detergent (SD) plasma, PLAS+SD. We reviewed the occurrence of VTE in 68 consecutive patients with TTP (25 men, 43 women). Eight documented VTE events [six deep venous thromboses (DVTs), three pulmonary emboli] were identified in seven patients (all female) during PEX therapy. All six DVTs were associated with central lines at the site of thrombosis. Other known precipitating factors included pregnancy, immobility, obesity and factor V Leiden heterozygosity. VTE occurred at a mean of 53 d following the first PEX. The European SD plasma, Octaplas was the last plasma to be used in PEX prior to the VTE in 7/8 events. This is the first report of VTE following Octaplas infusion. VTE is a multifactorial disease and, although several known precipitating factors were present in all patients in this study, the use of large volumes of SD plasma in PEX may be an additional risk factor. We recommend prevention of VTE with graduated elastic compression stockings (class I) at diagnosis and prophylactic low-molecular-weight heparin once the platelet count rises above 50 x 10(9)/l.

A randomized control trial of the effect of negotiated telephone support on glycaemic control in young people with Type 1 diabetes.

Abstract: Aim: To evaluate changes in self-efficacy for self-management in young people with Type 1 diabetes participating in a 'Negotiated Telephone Support' (NTS) intervention developed using the principles of problem solving and social learning theory. Methods: One-year RCT with 79 young people (male 39; mean age ± sd 16.5 ± 3.2 years, duration 6.7 ± 4.4 years, HbA1c 8.6 ± 1.5%) randomized into: Group 1 (control group), continued routine management, n = 28; Group 2, continued routine management with NTS, n = 25; Group 3, annual clinic with NTS, n = 26. Outcome measures: HbA1c, self-efficacy, barriers to adherence, problem solving, and diabetes knowledge. Results: There were no differences between the groups at baseline. Participants in Groups 2 and 3 received an average of 16 telephone calls/year (range 5–19), median duration 9 min (2–30), with a median interval of 3 weeks (1–24) between calls. Significant correlations were found between age and average length of call (r = 0.44, P Conclusions: NTS is an effective medium to deliver a simple theory-based psychological intervention to enhance self-efficacy for diabetes self-management. Reduced clinic attendance, combined with NTS, did not result in a deterioration of HbA1c. Intensive personal support needs to be combined with intensive diabetes therapy to improve glycaemic control in this age group.

Does insulin detemir have a role in reducing risk of insulin associated weight gain

Abstract: Weight gain is often perceived as inevitable with insulin therapy, particularly as we strive for tight glycaemic control and are using increasingly proactive insulin titration regimes. The United Kingdom Prospective Diabetes Study documented that weight gain occurs most rapidly soon after insulin therapy is first initiated. The timing of this side effect is particularly undesirable, as weight gain may interfere with patients' adjustment to insulin therapy and may undermine appropriate diabetes self-management behaviours. Until recently, many patients had little alternative other than to accept unwanted weight gain if they were to achieve sufficient glycaemic control to reduce risk of chronic complications of diabetes. Insulin detemir is a novel basal insulin analogue that has consistently been shown in randomized, controlled trials to have a weight-sparing effect (i.e. weight loss or reduced weight gain compared with other insulins) in both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Indeed, unlike neutral protamine Hagedorn (NPH) insulin, the weight-sparing effect of insulin detemir appears to be most prominent in people who are the most obese. The mechanisms behind the weight-sparing effect of insulin detemir are still being clarified. Reduced risk of hypoglycaemia with insulin detemir, coupled with a more consistent and reliable delivery of the desired dose than is available with traditional basal insulin, such as NPH, has been proposed to minimize defensive snacking by patients, and help to limit weight gain. However, even if this was proven, it would be unlikely to fully explain the weight-sparing effect of insulin detemir. Two additional theories have been put forward. One suggests that due to its novel method of prolonging action via acylation and albumin binding, insulin detemir may differentially influence hepatocytes more than peripheral tissues, thus effectively suppressing hepatic glucose output without promoting lipogenesis in the periphery. The second theory suggests that insulin detemir may be more effective than human insulin in communicating satiety signals within the central nervous system. Further clarification of these hypotheses is required.