Two rare vaccine side effects detected in large global study
Feb 26, 2024 · The largest vaccine safety study to date has identified two new, but very rare, side effects associated with covid-19 vaccines—transverse myelitis and acute disseminated encephalomyelitis. The Global Vaccine Data Network cohort study included 99 million vaccinated people from 10 sites across eight countries. Researchers compared the observed with expected rate for 13 neurological, blood, and ...
Quality improvement into practice | The BMJ
Mar 31, 2020 · Definitions of quality improvement. Improvement in patient outcomes, system performance, and professional development that results from a combined, multidisciplinary approach in how change is delivered. 3. The delivery of healthcare with improved outcomes and lower cost through continuous redesigning of work processes and systems. 4.
Postural hypotension - The BMJ
Apr 23, 2021 · Postural hypotension is a drop in blood pressure (≥20 mm Hg systolic and/or ≥10 mm Hg diastolic) that occurs within 3 minutes of standing. Test for it in people who have symptoms of lightheadedness or dizziness on changing from lying or sitting to standing posture or those with an unexplained fall. Age over 60 years, diabetes, Parkinson’s ...
Interpreting an isolated raised serum alkaline phosphatase level in …
Apr 3, 2013 · This article discusses the most common causes of raised alkaline phosphatase levels in an asymptomatic patient and provides advice on the relevant investigations. #### Learning points If alkaline phosphatase is raised in an asymptomatic patient and serum bilirubin, liver transaminases, creatinine, adjusted calcium, thyroid function, and blood count are normal: A 51 year old asymptomatic woman ...
Investigating raised creatine kinase | The BMJ
Jun 23, 2021 · A 76 year old man with hypercholesterolaemia is referred to the lipid clinic because of persistently raised creatine kinase activity of 1000 IU/L or above (reference range 40-320 IU/L) after trying multiple statins. He describes no significant myalgia but had some proximal muscle weakness, which is demonstrated when he stands up from a …
What do we know about covid-19’s effects on the gut? | The BMJ
May 1, 2024 · Not just a respiratory infection, covid can cause symptoms throughout the body. Gastrointestinal symptoms are common in both acute and long covid, with gut issues often persisting long after initial infection. Katharine Lang investigates Lack of appetite, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, and abdominal pain. These may not be the symptoms people expect with covid, but around 50% of people experience ...
Pernicious anaemia - The BMJ
Apr 24, 2020 · Pernicious anaemia is an autoimmune disorder affecting the gastric mucosa with impaired absorption of dietary cobalamin (vitamin B12) resulting in B12 deficiency. Figure 1 depicts the pathophysiology of pernicious anaemia. Vitamin B12 is essential for production of blood cells and myelination of nerves. Its deficiency causes megaloblastic anaemia.
Vitamin B12 deficiency: NICE guideline summary | The BMJ
Jun 13, 2024 · Vitamin B 12 deficiency is associated with a range of symptoms and signs, resulting in substantial variation in patient presentation. While epidemiological data are limited, cross sectional studies from the UK and US suggest a prevalence of 3% in people aged 20-39, increasing with age up to about 20% in people aged 85 and over.1 2 Complications of vitamin B 12 deficiency include visual changes ...
Gout: diagnosis and management—summary of NICE guidance
Aug 30, 2022 · Measure the serum urate level in people with symptoms and signs of gout to confirm the clinical diagnosis (serum urate level ≥360 μmol/L (6 mg/dL)). If serum urate level is <360 μmol/L during a flare and gout is strongly suspected, repeat the serum urate level measurement at least two weeks after the flare has settled.
Who should consume high-dose folic acid supplements before …
Jun 7, 2022 · ### What you need to know Neural tube defects are fatal or disabling birth defects resulting from failure of the neural tube to close approximately 21-28 days after conception.1 Neural tube defects, which include spina bifida, anencephaly and encephalocele, are common congenital anomalies estimated to affect 18.6 per 10 000 live births worldwide; 50% of cases result in elective terminations or ...