RSS 1.0South Warwickshire University NHS Foundation Trust
South Warwickshire University NHS Foundation Trust (SWFT) provides the hospital services to South Warwickshire from four hospitals: Warwick Hospital, Leamington Spa Hospital, Stratford Hospital, and Ellen Badger Hospital. We also deliver out-of-hospital community services to the whole of Warwickshire serving a population of more than half a million from various clinics. At South Warwickshire University NHS Foundation Trust, we are committed to operating a dynamic programme of clinical research to pave the way for new approaches to treatment and care. This community represents the research outputs of the entire Trust. The research is arranged under the existing organisational structure of the Trust.
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Vitamin A deficiency: experience from a tertiary referral UK hospital; not just a low- and middle-income country issue.Objective: Vitamin A (VA) deficiency, more common in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) secondary to malnutrition, is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. The prevalence and impact of VA deficiency in high-income countries (HIC) where chronic conditions may predispose is less well understood. Design: Interpretation of serum retinol may be affected by inflammation, so C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were sought. Binary logistic regression and generalised estimating equations were performed to review the relationship between CRP and VA. Setting: We examined the scale of low and deficient VA status in our tertiary University Teaching Hospital (HIC). Participants: Patients undergoing serum retinol concentrations 2012-2016 were identified from laboratory records, and records examined. Results: Totally, 628 assays were requested, with eighty-two patients VA low (0·7-0·99 Umol/l) or deficient (<0·7 Umol/l). Sixteen patients were symptomatic (fifteen deficient), predominantly visual. Only one symptomatic patient's VA deficiency was secondary to poor intake. Other symptomatic patients had chronic illnesses resulting in malabsorption. The incidence of a low VA level increases significantly with a raised CRP. Conclusion: The majority of patients tested either were replete or likely to have abnormal VA levels due to concomitant inflammation. A minority of patients had signs and symptoms of VA deficiency and was a cause of significant morbidity, but aetiology differs from LMIC, overwhelmingly malabsorption, most commonly secondary to surgery or hepatobiliary disease. A correlation between inflammation and low VA levels exists, which raises the possibility that requesting a VA level in an asymptomatic patient with active inflammation may be of questionable benefit.
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Care of the eye during anaesthesia and intensive carePerioperative eye injuries and blindness are rare but important complications of anaesthesia. The three causes of postoperative blindness are ischaemic optic neuropathy, central retinal artery thrombosis (these can exist in tandem and have been described as ischaemic oculopathies) and cortical blindness. This review aims to improve anaesthetists' knowledge of orbital anatomy, ocular physiology and the mechanisms of perioperative eye injuries to help reduce their occurrence.
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The age-old problem of acneAcne vulgaris is one of the top three most commonly encountered dermatological problems worldwide in both primary and secondary care. Acne diagnosis and treatment date back to ancient Greek and Egyptian times. This article explores acne through the ages and discusses past theories on etiology and treatment with particular focus on the discovery of retinoids and their impact on women's health.
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Effective nurse-led interventions in heart diseaseNurses are increasingly being involved in initiatives to improve the co-ordination, delivery and eventual outcomes of health care. Key components of these initiatives include application of evidence-based treatments, ensuring individualised follow-up and the provision of "seamless" care overall. There is evidence in key areas that nurse-led interventions for patients with heart disease are effective, and that they are likely to work in other areas if properly supported and appropriate structures and systems are put in place to promote such practice. Given the promising results to date, it would be disappointing if these issues remain unresolved and the potential value of this type of interventions unfulfilled.
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Clinical outcomes at 12 months and risk of inflammatory bowel disease in patients with an intermediate raised fecal calprotectin : a 'real-world' viewObjectives: A recent systematic review confirmed the usefulness of fecal calprotectin (FC) in distinguishing organic (inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)) from non-organic gastrointestinal disease (irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)). FC levels <50 μg/g have a negative predictive value >92% to exclude organic gastrointestinal (GI) disease. Levels >250 μg/g correlate with endoscopic IBD disease activity; sensitivity 90%. We aimed to determine clinical outcomes in intermediate raised FC results (50-250 μg/g). Setting: Primary care general practices in Coventry and Warwickshire, and 3 secondary care hospitals. Participants: 443 FC results in adults (>16 years old) were reviewed from July 2012 to October 2013. Clinical data was collected from hospital databases and general practitioners. Long-term clinical data was available in 41 patients (out of 48). Primary and secondary outcome measures: The number of new diagnoses of IBD, IBS and other diagnoses for the intermediate group. The number referred and discharged from secondary care. Results: A new IBD diagnosis was made in 19% (n=8) of intermediate results (1% of normal and 38% of raised results). 5% (n=2) of intermediate results had known IBD in remission. A new IBS diagnosis was made in 27% (n=11) of intermediate results, while 34% (n=14) remained undiagnosed, although 8 of these were not referred to secondary care. Conclusions: FC testing remains useful in aiding diagnosis of organic GI conditions. However, unlike negative and strongly positive FC results, intermediate FC results lead to a mixture of diagnoses. The OR of a new diagnosis of IBD for an intermediate result compared to normal FC result was 26.6, while an intermediate FC result gave an OR of 0.54 for a new IBS diagnosis compared to normal FC. For intermediate FC results, 1 in 3 patients remained in secondary care after 12 months with an OR of 3.6 compared to a normal FC result.
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National epidemiology of digital papillary adenocarcinoma in England 2013-2020 : a population-based registry studyBackground: Digital papillary adenocarcinoma (DPA), formerly known as aggressive DPA, is a rare adnexal cancer of sweat gland differentiation with metastatic potential. DPA epidemiology and patient outcome data are a prerequisite to develop diagnostic and therapeutic guidance, which is lacking for this rare cancer. Objectives: To report the incidence, patient demographics and treatment of patients with DPA in England from 1 January 2013 to 31 December 2020 using national cancer registry data. Methods: DPA diagnoses in England during 2013-2020 were identified from the National Cancer Registration Dataset using morphology and behaviour codes. These were registered from routinely collected pathology reports and cancer outcomes and services datasets. The 2013 European age-standardised incidence rates (EASRs) were calculated. Results: In total, 36 DPA (7 in females and 29 in males) were diagnosed. The median age at diagnosis for the cohort was 54 years (interquartile range 46-64). The most frequently affected sites were upper limbs (81%). All patients in the cohort received surgical excisions. The European age-standardised incidence rate (EASRs) was 0.10 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.07-0.14] per 1,000,000 person-years (PY)]. Conclusion: This study reports the incidence and variation of DPA in England between 2013 and 2020. DPA was more common in older men and predominantly affected the upper limbs. This supports the need to develop a national policy for the reporting and management of DPA as well as clinical guideline development.
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Management of personalised guideline-driven care plans addressing the needs of multi-morbidity via clinical decision support servicesIntroduction: The clinical management of patients suffering from multiple chronic conditions is very complex, disconnected and time-consuming with the traditional care settings. C3-Cloud project aims to build an integrated care platform for addressing the growing demand for improved health outcomes of multimorbid and long-term care patients. Theory/Methods: C3-Cloud has established an ICT infrastructure enabling continuous coordination of patient-centred care activities by a multidisciplinary care team MDT and patients/informal care givers. The Coordinated Care and Cure Delivery Platform C3DP allows, collaborative creation and execution of personalised care plans for multi-morbid patients through systematic and semi-automatic reconciliation of clinical guidelines. Clinical decision support CDS systems implementing flowcharts from evidence based clinical guidelines are integrated to present suggestions for treatment goal and activities e.g. medications, follow-up appointments, diet, exercise, lab tests. Pilot site local care systems are integrated with the C3DP via the technical and semantic interoperability platform to facilitate informed decision making. Active patient involvement is realized through a Patient Empowerment Platform presenting personalized care plan to the patient and establishing a continuous bi-way communication with the patient to collect patient observations, questionnaire responses, symptoms and feedback about care plan goals and activities. Results: The following research results have been achieved to enable guideline enabled personalised care plan management for addressing the needs of multi-morbidity: 43 logical flowcharts were designed out of 4 disease guidelines Type 2 Diabetes, Heart Failure, Renal Failure and Depression. 181 CDS rules assessing 166 patient criteria and recommending 154 goal/activity suggestions were implemented as CDS services in GDL covering T2D and RF. 52 reconciliation rules were designed for eliminating contradicting guideline recommendations due to multi-morbidity. 23 HL7 FHIR profiles were defined for representing care plan and patient data. C3DP has been integrated with these CDS services via CDS-Hooks specification to recommend personalised care plan goals and activities. Discussions: In this research, we have successfully implemented an ICT infrastructure enabling guideline-driven integrated care for multi-morbid patients. Although our ICT solution covers all the technical requirements identified by clinical partners, effective implementation of integrated care in real-life care setting requires major changes in organisational responsibilities and care pathways. Conclusions: User-centred design and usability testing have successfully been completed. C3-Cloud pilot application will now be operated in 3 European pilot sites with the participation of 62 MDT members and 1200 multi-morbid patients for 15 months. Lessons learned: There are two main research lines for reconciliation of contradicting guideline recommendations: 1 fully-automated reconciliation via ontology reasoning, 2 manually-crafted reconciliation rules by clinical expert groups. Although first approach is more dynamic, research results are still for very primitive cases and not clinically validated. As we are targeting an industry-ready solution after piloting in real-life settings, we have opted for the second option. Limitations: When a new chronic disease is to be addressed within our platform, reconciliation rules covering all disease combinations have to be re-assessed by the clinical expert group. Suggestions for future research: Fully-automated reconciliation approaches need to be further studied and validated in real-life settings.
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Ankle arthroplasty: A review and summary of results from joint registries and recent studiesTotal ankle arthroplasty offers a reasonable alternative to ankle arthrodesis in carefully selected patients. It is debatable whether rheumatoid arthritis patients have better outcomes compared with those who have ankle arthroplasty for either primary osteoarthritis or post-traumatic arthritis. Aseptic loosening and infection are the most common complications requiring revision. It is worth noting that some of the best survival rates are seen in the surgeon-designer case series. The uncemented mobile or fixed bearing prostheses have better outcomes compared with their older counterparts. There is no convincing evidence to suggest superiority of one design over another among the currently available prostheses. Ankle arthroplasty surgery has a steep learning curve; the prosthesis choice should be driven by the surgeon's training and experience.
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Effects of maternal caffeine consumption on the breastfed child: a systematic reviewBackground: Nutrition in the first 1000 days between pregnancy and 24 months of life is critical for child health, and exclusive breastfeeding is promoted as the infant's best source of nutrition in the first 6 months. Caffeine is a central nervous system stimulant occurring naturally in some foods and used to treat primary apnoea in premature babies. However high caffeine intake can be harmful, and caffeine is transmitted into breastmilk. Aim: To systematically review the evidence on the effects of maternal caffeine consumption during breastfeeding on the breastfed child. Method: A systematic search was conducted to October 2017 in MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science, CINAHL, and Cochrane Library. The British Library catalogue, which covers doctoral theses, was searched and PRISMA guidelines followed. Two reviewers screened for experimental, cohort, or case-control studies and performed independent quality assessment using the Newcastle-Ottawa scale. The main reviewer performed data extraction, checked by the second reviewer. Results: Two cohort, two crossover studies, and one N-of-1 trial were included for narrative synthesis. One crossover and two cohort studies of small sample sizes directly investigated maternal caffeine consumption. No significant effects on 24-hour heart rate, 24-hour sleep time, or frequent night waking of the breastfed child were found. One study found a decreased rate of full breastfeeding at 6 months postpartum. Two studies indirectly investigated caffeine exposure. Maternal chocolate and coffee consumption was associated with increased infant colic, and severe to moderate exacerbation of infant atopic dermatitis. However, whether caffeine was the causal ingredient is questionable. The insufficient and inconsistent evidence available had quality issues impeding conclusions on the effects of maternal caffeine consumption on the breastfed child. Conclusion: Evidence for recommendations on caffeine intake for breastfeeding women is scant, of limited quality and inconclusive. Birth cohort studies investigating the potential positive and negative effects of various levels of maternal caffeine consumption on the breastfed child and breastfeeding mother could improve the knowledge base and allow evidence-based advice for breastfeeding mothers. Systematic review registration number: CRD42017078790.
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Risk of subsidence and peri-prosthetic fractures using collared hydroxyapatite-coated stem for hip arthroplasty in the elderlyIntroduction: Subsidence has been noted with both cemented and uncemented stems in hip arthroplasty. On most occasions, it's minimal (i.e. less than 2 mm) and stabilises at 1 year. However, when its progressive and significant, it causes loss of length and horizontal offset, and when symptomatic warrants a revision. Materials and methods: A retrospective radiological review of the patient database was carried out to identify all patients with age ≥ 70 years who underwent elective hip arthroplasty using uncemented HA coated collared stem and had radiographs at 1 year follow up. A total of 176 patients were identified from January 2009 to June 2010. 2 independent investigators classified the proximal femur based on Dorr type and calculated the subsidence based on Engh and Massin method of calculating the distance between the tip of greater trochanter and shoulder of the prosthesis. Results: 7 patients (4 Bs, 2 As, 1 C) had a subsidence of ≥ 2 mm (2-3.2 mm) at 1 year. None of them was symptomatic. 1 of them was secondary to a missed calcar crack and continued to subside for 9 mm before it stabilised on the lesser trochanter at 4 years follow up. There were Dorr 22 (12.5%) type A, 147(83.5%) type B and 7(4%) type C. The mean age was 77.4 years (70-91 years) and male: female ratio was 7:15. 3 patients had an intraoperative calcar crack requiring cabling. All were mobilised full weight-bearing postoperatively, and none had a subsidence of >2 mm at 1 year follow-up. Discussion: Our subgroup analysis identified that subsidence can happen when the collar is "non-functional" and the initial press fit of the stem wasn't achieved. It can also occur in an event of calcar crack, which is missed intraoperatively. In cases of calcar crack which went on to have to cable during the primary procedure, it neither changed the post-operative rehabilitation nor did it show an increased risk of subsidence. Conclusion: A fully hydroxyapatite (HA) coated collared stem, when used in elderly age group for elective THR, has only 2% risk of intraoperative periprosthetic fracture. There's a 4% risk of radiologically significant subsidence (i.e. ≥2 mm), however, it has not proven to be clinically significant in our study. Dorr canal type had no bearing on either risk of periprosthetic fracture or subsidence. Collared stems did not have a statistically significant difference in risk of subsidence and peri-prosthetic fracture in comparison to un-collared stem, although there was a non-significant trend in favour of collar use. Keywords: Corail; fracture; hip arthroplasty; peri-prosthetic; subsidence.
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Guidelines for the investigation of chronic diarrhoea in adults: British Society of Gastroenterology, 3rd editionChronic diarrhoea is a common problem, hence clear guidance on investigations is required. This is an updated guideline from 2003 for the investigations of chronic diarrhoea commissioned by the Clinical Services and Standards Committee of the British Society of Gastroenterology (BSG). This document has undergone significant revision in content through input by 13 members of the Guideline Development Group (GDG) representing various institutions. The GRADE system was used to appraise the quality of evidence and grading of recommendations.
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The Warwick Experience of the Oncotype DX Breast Recurrence Score Assay as a Predictor of Chemotherapy AdministrationIntroduction: Oncotype DX® analyses the expression of 21 genes within tumour tissue to determine a Recurrence Score® (RS). RS is a marker of risk for distant recurrence in oestrogen receptor-positive early breast cancer, allowing patient-specific benefit of chemotherapy to be evaluated. Our aim was to determine whether the introduction of Oncotype DX led to a net reduction in chemotherapy use. Methods: Consecutive patients that underwent Oncotype DX at Warwick Hospital were reviewed. Patients were anonymised and re-discussed at a multidisciplinary team meeting (MDM; without RS), and treatment recommendations were recorded. This was compared to the original MDM outcome (recommendations made with RS). Differences were analysed using Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Results: 67 patients were identified. Proportions of high, intermediate and low risk were 28, 33 and 39% (n = 19/22/26), respectively. Without RS, 56 (84%) patients were recommended for chemotherapy and 3 were not. The remaining 8 patients were deemed borderline for requiring chemotherapy and referred for discussion with an oncologist. With availability of RS, 34 (50%) patients were recommended for chemotherapy, and 24 (43%) patients were spared chemotherapy (p < 0.0005). The net reduction in chemotherapy was 33%. Conclusion: There has been a significant reduction in chemotherapy usage in patients at Warwick since the introduction of Oncotype DX. Keywords: Chemotherapy; Multigene assay; Oncotype DX; Recurrence Score.
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Ro-positive interstitial lung disease treated with cyclophosphamideInterstitial lung disease (ILD) comprises a spectrum of conditions involving inflammation and/or fibrosis of the alveolar wall causing limitation in gaseous exchange. Treatment varies depending on the underlying ILD. We describe the case of a woman presenting with a productive cough who was diagnosed with community-acquired pneumonia. While on the ward she developed type-1 respiratory failure requiring continuous positive airway pressure and intensive care unit admission. Failing to respond to targeted antimicrobials she was investigated by chest high-resolution CT and autoantibody screen to identify non-infective causes of her respiratory signs and symptoms. These demonstrated diffuse ground-glass change with peripheral honeycombing in keeping with fibrosis and alveolitis alongside high titres of anti-SS-A/Ro antibodies. She was managed with reducing course of steroids and immunosuppression with cyclophosphamide. The rational of long-term immunosuppression was based on a presumed diagnosis of lung-dominant connective tissue disease, a disease concept proposed in contemporary medical literature.
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Intraoperative assessment of the sentinel node in breast cancer by one step nucleic acid assay : experience of over 1100 patientsThis poster abstract from the 2018 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium reports a single institutions's experience of one step nucleic acid assay (OSNA) for the intraoperative assessment of the sentinel node in breast cancer patients.
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Beyond the pleura : bedside ultrasound evaluation of extravascular lung water in patients undergoing haemodialysisThis poster abstract from the British Thoracic Society Winter Meeting 2019 presents the results of a study into the use of bedside ultrasound evaluation of extravascular lung water in patients undergoing haemodialysis.
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The role of injection procedures in a multi-disciplinary chronic pain clinicThis e-poster abstract from the European Society of Regional Anesthesia presents results from data on the role of injection procedures in a multi-disciplinary chronic pain clinic.
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Identifying ‘what matters?’ : an ACT-based group programme for people with cancerThis Service Development, Models and Collaborative Working poster abstract from the Hospice UK 2019 National Conference describes a collaborative project, which aimed to develop an Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)-based group programme for cancer patients.
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Haemophagocytic lymphohystiocytosis (hlh) should be considered early in the work up of prolonged fever -experience from a secondary level paediatric unit in englandThis British Society of Haematology and UK Children’s Cancer and Leukaemia Care abstract from the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health Conference and exhibition 2019 argues that haemophagocytic lymphohystiocytosis (HLH) should be considered early in the work up of prolonged fever, based on experience from a secondary level paediatric unit in England.
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Clinical practice evaluation of osteomyelitic diabetic foot ulcers (DFU) managed through an outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy (OPAT) serviceThis abstract from the Diabetes UK Professional Conference 2019 documents the authors' experience of managing osteomyelitic diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) patients treated with outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy (OPAT) support in line with local antimicrobial policy.
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Comment on ‘The detection rate of human papillomavirus in well‐differentiated squamous cell carcinoma and keratoacanthoma: is there new evidence for a viral pathogenesis of keratoacanthoma?’This comment piece responds to an article by Conforti et al (doi: 10.1111/bjd.18212).