Factors associated with repeat diagnosis of syphilis in genitourinary medicine (GUM) clinic attendees in the North East of England, 2002–2014

2018 ◽  
Vol 29 (8) ◽  
pp. 790-799 ◽  
Author(s):  
G Dolan ◽  
M Chauhan ◽  
K Foster ◽  
M Basta ◽  
S Bushby ◽  
...  

This study aimed to identify factors associated with repeat syphilis infection in North East England, in order to inform local prevention and control opportunities. We undertook a case–case study comparing individuals diagnosed with single or multiple episodes of syphilis infection within genitourinary medicine (GUM) clinics in NE England (12 clinics serving a population of 2.5 million). Study cases were verified as having had true re-infection by a GUM clinician (using serological and/or clinical parameters) and control cases (3 per case) frequency matched to cases by age and year of presentation. The odds of exposure to sexual behavioural and clinical factors were compared for cases and control cases using stepwise multivariable logistic regression. We included 66 cases and 235 control cases. The majority of cases (62/66) and control cases (165/235) were men who had sex with men (MSM). Data were missing for 0–64% of cases across different variables. Following multivariable analysis HIV seropositivity (OR 23.3, 95% CI 4.32–125.9), failure to attend follow-up (OR 4.63, 95% CI 1.11–19.31), stage of infection and deprivation were associated with re-infection ( p < 0.001). In this study, HIV seropositivity and failure to attend follow-up were associated with re-infection with syphilis. Actions targeted at these groups may help to reduce ongoing transmission.

2014 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 179-185 ◽  
Author(s):  
Suvadip Chatterjee ◽  
Kofi W. Oppong ◽  
John S. Scott ◽  
Dave E. Jones ◽  
Richard M. Charnley ◽  
...  

Background & Aims: Autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP) is a fibroinflammatory condition affecting the pancreas and could present as a multisystem disorder. Diagnosis and management can pose a diagnostic challenge in certain groups of patients. We report our experience of managing this condition in a tertiary pancreaticobiliary centre in the North East of England.Methods: Patients were identified from a prospectively maintained database of patients diagnosed with AIP between 2005 and 2013. Diagnosis of definite/probable AIP was based on the revised HISORt criteria. When indicated, patients were treated with steroids and relapses were treated with azathioprine. All patients have been followed up to date.Results: Twenty-two patients were diagnosed with AIP during this period. All patients had pancreatic protocol CT performed while some patients had either MR or EUS as part of the work up. Fourteen out of 22 (64%) had an elevated IgG4 level (mean: 10.9 g/L; range 3.4 - 31 g/L). Four (18%) patients underwent surgery. Extrapancreatic involvement was seen in 15 (68%) patients, with biliary involvement being the commonest. Nineteen (86%) were treated with steroids and five (23%) required further immunosuppression for treatment of relapses. The mean follow up period was 36.94 months (range 7 - 94).Conclusion: Autoimmune pancreatitis is being increasingly recognized in the British population. Extrapancreatic involvement, particularly extrahepatic biliary involvement seems to be a frequent feature.Diagnosis should be based on accepted criteria as this significantly reduces the chances of overlooking malignancy. Awareness of this relatively rare condition and a multi-disciplinary team approach will help us to diagnose and treat this condition more efiectively thereby reducing unnecessary interventions.


2020 ◽  
Vol 68 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Silvia Corona ◽  
Paolo Barbier ◽  
Guangyu Liu ◽  
Osafo A. Annoh ◽  
Marcio Scorsin ◽  
...  

2021 ◽  
pp. 095646242110364
Author(s):  
Thuong V Nguyen ◽  
Hau P Tran ◽  
Nghia V Khuu ◽  
Phuc D Nguyen ◽  
Tu N Le ◽  
...  

The objective of this study was to determine the temporal trends and factors associated with HIV and syphilis infection among men who have sex with men (MSM) in southern Vietnam. Data from the 2014–2018 national HIV sentinel surveillance of MSM aged 16 years or older were collected from three provinces, including An Giang ( N = 761), Can Tho ( N = 900), and Ho Chi Minh City ( N = 1426), and examined for changes in prevalence rates of HIV and syphilis and risk behaviors over time. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to assess the trends and correlates of HIV and syphilis infections among MSM. There were upward trends for HIV (9.5% in 2014 to 14.2% in 2018, p-trend<0.01), syphilis (4.9% in 2014 to 8.0% 2018, p-trend<0.01), and HIV/syphilis co-infection (1.9% in 2014 to 3.1% in 2018, p-trend=0.01). Factors associated with HIV infection included place of residence, early sexual debut, consistent condom use and not engaging in anal sex during the past month, not knowing one’s HIV test results, having ever injected drugs, and having active syphilis. Additionally, early sexual debut and being HIV positive were associated with syphilis infection. Rising prevalences of these infections among MSM suggests an urgent need for comprehensive intervention packages for HIV/STI prevention.


2018 ◽  
Vol 77 (10) ◽  
pp. 1405-1412 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lianne Kearsley-Fleet ◽  
Rebecca Davies ◽  
Diederik De Cock ◽  
Kath D Watson ◽  
Mark Lunt ◽  
...  

ObjectivesBiologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (bDMARDs) have revolutionised treatment and outcomes for rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The expanding repertoire allows the option of switching bDMARD if current treatment is not effective. For some patients, even after switching, disease control remains elusive. This analysis aims to quantify the frequency of, and identify factors associated with, bDMARD refractory disease.MethodsPatients with RA starting first-line tumour necrosis factor inhibitor in the British Society for Rheumatology Biologics Register for RA from 2001 to 2014 were included. We defined patients as bDMARD refractory on the date they started their third class of bDMARD. Follow-up was censored at last follow-up date, 30 November 2016, or death, whichever came first. Switching patterns and stop reasons of bDMARDs were investigated. Cox regression identified baseline clinical factors associated with refractory disease. Multiple imputation of missing baseline data was used.Results867 of 13 502 (6%) patients were bDMARD refractory; median time to third bDMARD class of 8 years. In the multivariable analysis, baseline factors associated with bDMARD refractory disease included patients registered more recently, women, younger age, shorter disease duration, higher patient global assessment, higher Health Assessment Questionnaire score, current smokers, obesity and greater social deprivation.ConclusionsThis first national study has identified the frequency of bDMARD refractory disease to be at least 6% of patients who have ever received bDMARDs. As the choice of bDMARDs increases, patients are cycling through bDMARDs quicker. The aetiopathogenesis of bDMARD refractory disease requires further investigation. Focusing resources, such as nursing support, on these patients may help them achieve more stable, controlled disease.


Circulation ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 142 (Suppl_3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mandeep S Sidhu ◽  
Karen P Alexander ◽  
Zhen Huang ◽  
Sean M O’Brien ◽  
Bernard R Chaitman ◽  
...  

Background: In the ISCHEMIA (International Study of Comparative Health Effectiveness with Medical and Invasive Approaches) trial, all-cause mortality was similar in patients with stable ischemic heart disease (SIHD) randomized to invasive (INV) and conservative (CON) management strategies. This analysis details specific causes of cardiovascular (CV) and non-CV mortality by treatment group. Methods: In ISCHEMIA, 289 deaths occurred after a median follow-up of 3.2 years; 145 (5.6%) in INV and 144 (5.6%) in CON (HR 1.05, CI 0.83-1.32). Deaths were adjudicated by an independent Clinical Events Committee as CV, non-CV with or without a CV contributor or undetermined. The protocol defined CV death as deaths from CV causes, non-CV causes with CV contributor, and cause undetermined; non-CV death was defined as death from non-CV causes without a CV contributor. Multivariable analyses were used to identify factors associated with cause-specific death. Results: CV death was similar between groups [INV 92 (3.6%), CON 111 (4.3%); HR 0.87 (CI 0.66, 1.15)], but INV had more non-CV death [INV 53 (2.0%), CON 33 (1.3%); HR 1.63 (CI 1.06, 2.52)]; fewer undetermined deaths [INV 12 (0.5%) and CON 26 (1.0%); HR 0.48 (0.24, 0.95)] and more malignancy deaths [INV 41 (1.6%), CON 20 (0.8%); HR 2.11 (1.24, 3.61)]. In multivariable analysis, risk factors associated with CV death were age [HR 1.42 (CI 1.19-1.70) per 10-year increase], diabetes [HR 1.39 (CI 1.03-1.87)], history of heart failure [HR 1.96 (CI 1.33-2.91)], and eGFR [HR 1.18 (CI 1.11-1.26) per 5-ml/min decrease below 80ml/min]. Factors associated with non-CV death were age [HR 2.31 (CI 1.75-3.03) per 10-year increase] and randomization to INV [HR 1.76 (CI 1.13-2.75)]. Conclusions: In ISCHEMIA, all-cause mortality was similar for the INV and CON strategies. Excess non-CV deaths in INV with a higher number of deaths from malignancy but a higher number of undetermined deaths in CON requires further evaluation.


2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
A Sanyahumbi ◽  
G Karthikeyan ◽  
T Aliku ◽  
A Beaton ◽  
J Carapetis ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Screening echocardiography (echo) detects subclinical rheumatic heart disease (RHD) which is categorised as definite or borderline. The natural history of subclinical RHD is not known. Follow up single centre studies have included a relatively small number of participants, and have shown variable progression rates. Aim To determine incidence of and factors associated with progression and regression among a cohort of children with baseline subclinical RHD across multiple countries and regions. Methods This is a retrospective cohort study of RHD evolution in children with subclinical RHD. Study sites were Australia, Fiji, Malawi, New Zealand, and Uganda. Progression or regression was determined from echos obtained at baseline and most recent follow-up. Factors associated with echo progression or regression were identified using multivariable logistic regression. Results 482 participants (131 with definite, 351 with borderline subclinical RHD) from 5 countries were included (mean age 11.5 years, range 5–19 years). Mean follow up was 3.4 yrs (range 0.4–9.5 yrs). Of 482 participating children, 204 (42%) regressed. Among 131 children with definite lesions, 48 (37%) regressed to borderline or normal, and 83 (63%) remained definite. Among 351 children with borderline lesions, 39 (11.1%) progressed, 156 (44.4%) remained borderline, and 156 (44.4%) regressed to normal. World Heart Federation defines subcategories based on characteristics of affected valves. By subcategory, children with definite C (pathological aortic regurgitation and 2 morphologic characteristics of the aortic valve) and borderline A (at least 2 morphologic features of the mitral valve without pathologic mitral regurgitation or stenosis) were less likely to regress, and borderline A was more likely to progress. In univariable analysis, good adherence (>80%) to penicillin prophylaxis (BPG) was associated with more regression among all patients (definite + borderline) (OR 1.9, CI 1, 3.5; p=0.04) but this association did not remain significant after adjustment. With multivariable analysis, borderlines prescribed BPG was the only factor related to progression from borderline to definite (OR 4.1, CI 1.8, 9.3, p<0.01). Conclusion This is the largest reported subclinical RHD cohort followed to report outcomes. 42% of definite RHD regressed with subtype C more likely to regress. 11% of borderline RHD progressed. Borderline A was more likely to progress and less likely to regress. We have also identified that being prescribed BPG is associated with borderline progression. This is likely because children with more advanced borderline disease may be more likely to be prescribed BPG. This study highlights that RHD evolution is variable out to 3–4 years post echo detection. While borderline disease is likely, in some cases, to reflect the earliest change of RHD, how this should be monitored and whether it should be treated with BPG should be a priority for future prospective evaluation.


Author(s):  
Kavindhran Velen ◽  
Nguyen Viet Nhung ◽  
Nguyen Thu Anh ◽  
Pham Duc Cuong ◽  
Nguyen Binh Hoa ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Tuberculosis (TB) continues to account for significant morbidity and mortality annually. Household contacts (HHCs) of persons with TB are a key population for targeting prevention and control interventions. We aimed to identify risk factors associated with developing TB among HHCs. Methods We conducted a nested case-control study among HHCs in 8 provinces in Vietnam enrolled in a randomized controlled trial of active case finding for TB. Cases were any HHCs diagnosed and registered with TB within the Vietnam National TB Program during 2 years of follow-up. Controls were selected by simple random sampling from the remaining HHCs. Risk factor data were collected at enrollment and during follow-up. A logistic regression model was developed to determine predictors of TB among HHCs. Results We selected 1254 HHCs for the analysis: 214 cases and 1040 controls. Underlying characteristics varied between both groups; cases were older, more likely to be male, with a higher proportion of reported previous TB and diabetes. Risk factors associated with a TB diagnosis included being male (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.4; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.03–2.0), residing in an urban setting (aOR, 1.8; 1.3–2.5), prior TB (aOR, 4.6; 2.5–8.7), history of diabetes (aOR, 3.1; 1.7–5.8), current smoking (aOR, 3.1; 2.2–4.4), and prolonged history of coughing in the index case at enrollment (OR , 1.6; 1.1–2.3). Conclusions Household contacts remain an important key population for TB prevention and control. TB programs should ensure effective contact investigations are implemented for household contacts, particularly those with additional risk factors for developing TB.


2016 ◽  
Vol 28 (7) ◽  
pp. 679-684 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah O’Connell ◽  
Anna O’Rourke ◽  
Eileen Sweeney ◽  
Almida Lynam ◽  
Corinna Sadlier ◽  
...  

In an era of antiretroviral therapy (ART) for all HIV-1-infected patients, our primary aim was to describe prevalence and characteristics of patients disengaged from care at an urban ambulatory HIV clinic. We conducted a nested case–control study. All patients who disengaged from care (defined as being lost to follow-up for at least one year) from 2007 to 2014 inclusive were identified. Cases were matched to controls in a 1:4 ratio. A total of 1250 cases were included; 250/2289 (10.9%) of patients attending our HIV clinic disengaged from 2007 to 2014. One hundred and twenty-six (50.4%) were heterosexual, 81 (32.4%) were men who have sex with men and 40 (16%) were intravenous drug users. On univariate analysis only, patients with heterosexual risk were more likely to disengage from care (50.4% vs. 33.7%, p: <0.001). Those who disengaged were younger, mean age of 39 (p: <0.001). A higher proportion of patients who disengaged from care was not receiving ART and did not have a suppressed HIV-1 viral load (p: <0.001). On multivariable analysis, Irish patients were less likely to disengage from HIV care (odds ratio: 0.567, p: 0.002). Factors associated with non-retention in HIV care have been identified. A semi-structured interview of those patients who re-engaged will take place to further examine reasons for disengagement from care.


1932 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 35-67 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. H. Iliffe

The primary object of the work of 1928 was to follow up the discovery in 1927 of the unexpectedly strong and heavy foundation underlying the north-east corner mound. As a result of this year's work it is evident that this corner mound represents some heavy structure which is best explained as a circular corner tower built into the town walls at their northeast angle; but even its foundations were so broken up that it was impossible to discover any outline or recover a complete ground plan. Oh the outside, instead of extending beyond the walls themselves, the circumference of the structure lay flush with the curved external angle of the walls, while on the inside its circumference projected slightly beyond the angle of the walls proper. It was thus rather an internal than an external tower, a fact which it is important to bear in mind.


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