Postgraduate Medical Journal最新文献

{"title":"Comparative effect of oral drugs in improving spasticity of different etiology: a network meta-analysis.","authors":"Iris Otero-Luis, Arturo Martínez-Rodrigo, Iván Cavero-Redondo, Nerea Moreno-Herráiz, Samuel López-López, Alicia Saz-Lara","doi":"10.1093/postmj/qgae126","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/postmj/qgae126","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Spasticity, a prevalent manifestation of various neurological conditions, significantly impacts the quality of life of patients. Research on the effects of oral drugs on spasticity has produced controversial results. Thus, the aim of this network meta-analysis was to compare the efficacy of oral drugs for improving spasticity in patients with different etiologies.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We searched four different databases from their inception to 30 November 2023. A network meta-analysis using a frequentist perspective was conducted to assess the effects of different oral drugs on spasticity, evaluated by the modified Ashworth scale.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Our findings showed that, in a frequentist network meta-analysis, eperisone, diazepam, and baclofen had significantly greater spasticity, as measured by the modified Ashworth scale, than did the placebo (MD: -0.80; 95% CIs: -1.42, -0.18; MD: -0.68; 95% CIs: -1.28, -0.09; MD: -0.58; 95% CIs: -1.11, -0.06, respectively).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>In summary, our study confirmed that eperisone, diazepam, and baclofen could be effective approaches for reducing spasticity of different etiologies and could be useful approaches for improving patient quality of life. Key messages What is already known on this topic: The impact of oral drugs, such as baclofen, gabapentin, tizanidine, and dantrolene, in the treatment of spasticity has been documented. What this study adds: This study determines which of the oral drugs aimed at treating spasticity is the most effective across different etiologies. How this study might affect research, practice, or policy: This study suggests tailored treatment strategies for spasticity based on its etiology.</p>","PeriodicalId":20374,"journal":{"name":"Postgraduate Medical Journal","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2024-09-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142352496","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Bridging healthcare gaps: a scoping review on the role of artificial intelligence, deep learning, and large language models in alleviating problems in medical deserts.","authors":"Zdeslav Strika, Karlo Petkovic, Robert Likic, Ronald Batenburg","doi":"10.1093/postmj/qgae122","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/postmj/qgae122","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>\"Medical deserts\" are areas with low healthcare service levels, challenging the access, quality, and sustainability of care. This qualitative narrative review examines how artificial intelligence (AI), particularly large language models (LLMs), can address these challenges by integrating with e-Health and the Internet of Medical Things to enhance services in under-resourced areas. It explores AI-driven telehealth platforms that overcome language and cultural barriers, increasing accessibility. The utility of LLMs in providing diagnostic assistance where specialist deficits exist is highlighted, demonstrating AI's role in supplementing medical expertise and improving outcomes. Additionally, the development of AI chatbots offers preliminary medical advice, serving as initial contact points in remote areas. The review also discusses AI's role in enhancing medical education and training, supporting the professional development of healthcare workers in these regions. It assesses AI's strategic use in data analysis for effective resource allocation, identifying healthcare provision gaps. AI, especially LLMs, is seen as a promising solution for bridging healthcare gaps in \"medical deserts,\" improving service accessibility, quality, and distribution. However, continued research and development are essential to fully realize AI's potential in addressing the challenges of medical deserts.</p>","PeriodicalId":20374,"journal":{"name":"Postgraduate Medical Journal","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2024-09-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142352495","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Many faces of cutaneous leishmaniasis.","authors":"İsa An, Nebiye Yentur Doni","doi":"10.1093/postmj/qgae075","DOIUrl":"10.1093/postmj/qgae075","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Our objective in this study is to determine the atypical clinical presentations of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) patients diagnosed in Şanlıurfa province.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This retrospective study included 213 patients with atypical clinical presentations among 1751 patients diagnosed with CL between October 2019 and August 2022 in Şanlıurfa Oriental Boil Diagnosis and Treatment Center located in an endemic region for CL.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>We found the prevalence of atypical CL to be 12.1%. The most common atypical lesions were lupoid 21 (9.8%), erysipeloid 16 (7.5%), impetiginous 16 (7.5%), recidivan 15 (7%), eczematous 15 (7%), ecthyma-like 13 (6.1%), pyoderma gangrenous-like 12 (5.6%), and sporotrichoid 12 (5.6%). Other lesions with atypical clinical presentations: chalazion-like, verrucous, dental sinus-like, psoriasiform, zosteriform, lymphoma-like, juvenile xanthogranuloma-like, volcano-like, paronychial, basal cell carcinoma-like, squamous cell carcinoma-like, herpes labialis-like, keratoacanthoma-like, chancriform, annular, lichenoid, mastocitoma-like, keloidal, epidermoid cyst-like, kaposi sarcoma-like, scar leishmaniasis, granulomatous cheilitis-like, mycetoma-like, molluscum contagiosum-like, discoid lupus erythematosus-like, and dermatofibroma-like.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>In addition to the atypical clinical presentations previously reported, we also defined dermatofibroma-like, Kaposi sarcoma-like, dental sinus-like, juvenile xanthogranuloma-like, mastocytoma-like, and epidermoid cyst-like. It should be kept in mind that CL can clinically mimic many infectious, inflammatory, and neoplastic diseases, which should be considered in the differential diagnosis of long-term non-healing lesions, especially in endemic areas. Key message What is already known on this subject:  CL is known as the great imitator disease in dermatology. What this study adds:  In addition to the atypical clinical presentations previously reported, we also defined dermatofibroma-like, Kaposi sarcoma-like, dental sinus-like, juvenile xanthogranuloma-like, mastocytoma-like, and epidermoid cyst-like. How this study might affect research, practice, or policy:  CL can clinically mimic many infectious, inflammatory and neoplastic diseases, which should be considered in the differential diagnosis of long-term non-healing lesions, especially in endemic areas.</p>","PeriodicalId":20374,"journal":{"name":"Postgraduate Medical Journal","volume":" ","pages":"760-768"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2024-09-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141427430","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Comparison of diclofenac with tramadol, tizanidine or placebo in the treatment of acute low back pain and sciatica: multi-center randomized controlled trial.","authors":"Kevin K C Hung, Rex P K Lam, Herman K H Lee, Yu Fai Choi, Justin Tenney, Zhong Zuo, Marc K C Chong, Theresa S I Hui, Tak Kan Wong, Tsz Ying Yiu, Suet Yi Chan, Catherine P Y Mok, Ling Yan Leung, Wai Kit Mak, David T F Sun, Chi Hung Cheng, Colin A Graham","doi":"10.1093/postmj/qgae052","DOIUrl":"10.1093/postmj/qgae052","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Low back pain (LBP) is a leading cause of disability worldwide and has posed numerous health and socioeconomic challenges. This study compared whether nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in combination with tramadol, tizanidine or placebo would be the best treatment regime to improve the Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ) scores at 1 week.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This was a multi-center, double-blind, randomized, and placebo-controlled trial including adult patients with acute LBP and sciatica in three emergency departments in Hong Kong. Patients were randomized to the receive tramadol 50 mg, tizanidine 2 mg, or placebo every 6 hours for 2 weeks in a 1:1:1 ratio. The RMDQ and other secondary outcomes were measured at baseline, Day 2, 7, 14, 21, and 28. Data were analyzed on an intention to treat basis. Crude and adjusted mean differences in the changes of RMDQ and NRS scores from baseline to Day 7 between tizanidine/tramadol and placebo were determined with 95% confidence intervals.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Two hundred and ninety-one patients were analyzed with the mean age of 47.4 years and 57.7% were male. The primary outcome of mean difference in RMDQs on Day 7 (compared with baseline) was non-significant for tizanidine compared with placebo (adjusted mean difference - 0.56, 95% CI -2.48 to 1.37) and tramadol compared with placebo (adjusted mean difference - 0.85, 95% CI -2.80 to 1.10). Only 23.7% were fully compliant to the treatment allocated. Complier Average Causal Effect analysis also showed no difference in the primary outcome for the tizanidine and tramadol versus placebo.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Among patients with acute LBP and sciatica presenting to the ED, adding tramadol or tizanidine to diclofenac did not improve functional recovery.</p>","PeriodicalId":20374,"journal":{"name":"Postgraduate Medical Journal","volume":" ","pages":"741-750"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2024-09-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140856989","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Safe re-immunization of mRNA-1273 COVID-19 vaccine after BNT162b2 mRNA COVID-19 vaccine-induced nonepisodic angioedema with eosinophilia.","authors":"Thatchai Kampitak","doi":"10.1093/postmj/qgae060","DOIUrl":"10.1093/postmj/qgae060","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":20374,"journal":{"name":"Postgraduate Medical Journal","volume":" ","pages":"769-770"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2024-09-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140898731","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Correction to: Authentic assessment in medical education: exploring AI integration and student-as-partners collaboration.","authors":"","doi":"10.1093/postmj/qgae111","DOIUrl":"10.1093/postmj/qgae111","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":20374,"journal":{"name":"Postgraduate Medical Journal","volume":" ","pages":"783"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2024-09-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141988700","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Letter in response to \"Many faces of cutaneous leishmaniasis\".","authors":"Rupak Chatterjee, Atanu Chandra","doi":"10.1093/postmj/qgae100","DOIUrl":"10.1093/postmj/qgae100","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":20374,"journal":{"name":"Postgraduate Medical Journal","volume":" ","pages":"778-779"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2024-09-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142005034","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A systematic review and meta-analysis of acupuncture for De Quervain's tenosynovitis treatment.","authors":"Yuxi Qin, Dan Luo, Heng Qiu, Jingyu Zhang, Huang Yong, Shuguang Yu","doi":"10.1093/postmj/qgae057","DOIUrl":"10.1093/postmj/qgae057","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>De Quervain's tenosynovitis (DQt) is a prevalent chronic inflammatory musculoskeletal disorder predominantly affecting the radial aspect of the wrist. This study conducted a comprehensive review of the efficacy of acupuncture in treating De Quervain's tenosynovitis (DQt). Although there is evidence suggesting that acupuncture can alleviate symptoms of DQt-characterized by pain, swelling, and functional impairment-higher-level evidence is still required to further substantiate its efficacy and safety. This study conducted a comprehensive review of the efficacy of acupuncture in treating De Quervain's tenosynovitis (DQt).</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>By systematically searching databases such as PubMed, Science Direct, Web of Science, Google Scholar, EMbase, PEDro, China National Knowledge Infrastructure Database (CNKI), Wanfang Database, and Chongqing VIP China Science, Technology Journal Database (VIP), we retrieved randomized controlled trial (RCT) literature on acupuncture for DQt, with the search period extending to November 1, 2023. After extracting and assessing data from the included literature, we performed Meta-analysis using RevMan 5.4.1 software.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The results encompassed 14 RCT papers, involving 851 patients. The Meta-analysis findings indicated that, when compared to topical analgesics, acupuncture demonstrated a significant increase in treatment effectiveness (RR = 1.24; 95% CI = 1.11, 1.39, P = 0.0002) and a notable reduction in VAS pain scores (MD = -1.06; 95% CI = -1.51, -0.61, P < 0.00001). However, no statistically significant difference was observed in conney wrist joint scores. Furthermore, acupuncture was found to reduce VAS pain scores compared to the waiting list group. In comparison to corticosteroid injections (CSI), acupuncture did not show statistical significance in VAS, effectiveness rate, and conney wrist scores.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Acupuncture exhibited a promising trend in alleviating pain associated with DQt and enhancing treatment effectiveness. Nonetheless, due to limitations in the quantity and quality of the included studies, these findings warrant further validation through additional research.</p>","PeriodicalId":20374,"journal":{"name":"Postgraduate Medical Journal","volume":" ","pages":"709-720"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2024-09-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141458858","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Use of UK faith Centre as a COVID-19 community vaccination clinic: exploring a potential model for community-based health care delivery.","authors":"Helena Wehling, Dale Weston, Charlotte Hall, Freya Mills, Richard Amlôt, Amelia Dennis, Lindsay Forbes, Jo Armes, Munira Mohamed, Seema Buckley, Osman A Dar, Amran Mohamed, Fatima Wurie, Shuja Shafi, Sir Alimuddin Zumla, Aftab Ala","doi":"10.1093/postmj/qgae028","DOIUrl":"10.1093/postmj/qgae028","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Effective and safe vaccines against COVID-19 are essential to achieve global control of the coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2). Using faith centres may offer a promising route for promoting higher vaccine uptake from certain minority ethnic groups known to be more likely to be vaccine hesitant.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This cross-sectional study explored attendees' perceptions, experiences of being offered, and receiving COVID-19 vaccination in a local mosque in Woking, Surrey, UK. About 199 attendees completed a brief questionnaire on experiences, views, motivations about attending the mosque and vaccination on site.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The most common ethnic groups reported were White British (39.2%) and Pakistani (22.6%); 36.2% identified as Christian, 23.6% as Muslim, 5.5% as Hindu, and 17.1% had no religion. Genders was relatively equal with 90 men (45.2%) and 98 women (49.2%), and 35-44-year-olds represented the most common age group (28.1%). Views and experiences around receiving vaccinations at the mosque were predominantly positive. Primary reasons for getting vaccinated at the mosque included convenience, accessibility, positive aspects of the venue's intercultural relations, and intentions to protect oneself against COVID-19, regardless of venue type. Negative views and experiences in regards to receiving the vaccination at the mosque were less common (7% expressed no intention of recommending the centre to others), and disliked aspects mostly referred to the travel distance and long waiting times.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Offering COVID-19 vaccination in faith centres appears acceptable for different faith groups, ensuring convenient access for communities from all religions and ethnic backgrounds.</p>","PeriodicalId":20374,"journal":{"name":"Postgraduate Medical Journal","volume":" ","pages":"751-759"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2024-09-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140871545","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Treatment of metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer: from doublet therapy to triplet therapy.","authors":"Shi-Jie Ye, Rui-da Huang, Xin Fei, Zhu-Lei Tao, Wei-Hua Liu, Qi Ma","doi":"10.1093/postmj/qgae063","DOIUrl":"10.1093/postmj/qgae063","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>For metastatic prostate cancer, androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) is the key strategy to control the disease. However, after 18-24 months of treatment, most patients will progress from metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer (mHSPC) to metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) even with ADT. Once patients enter into mCRPC, they face with significant declines in quality of life and a dramatically reduced survival period. Thus, doublet therapy, which combines ADT with new hormone therapy (NHT) or ADT with docetaxel chemotherapy, substitutes ADT alone and has become the \"gold standard\" for the treatment of mHSPC. In recent years, triplet therapy, which combines ADT with NHT and docetaxel chemotherapy, has also achieved impressive effects in mHSPC. This article provides a comprehensive review of the recent applications of the triplet therapy in the field of mHSPC.</p>","PeriodicalId":20374,"journal":{"name":"Postgraduate Medical Journal","volume":" ","pages":"703-708"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2024-09-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141064797","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}