Prognosis and persistence of smell and taste dysfunction in patients with covid-19: meta-analysis with parametric cure modelling of recovery curves

OBJECTIVE

To clarify in patients with covid-19 the recovery rate of smell and taste, proportion with persistent dysfunction of smell and taste, and prognostic factors associated with recovery of smell and taste.

DESIGN

Systematic review and meta-analysis.

DATA SOURCES

PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Cochrane Library, and medRxiv from inception to 3 October 2021.

REVIEW METHODS

Two blinded reviewers selected observational studies of adults (≥18 years) with covid-19 related dysfunction of smell or taste. Descriptive prognosis studies with time-to-event curves and prognostic association studies of any prognostic factor were included.

DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS

Two reviewers extracted data, evaluated study bias using QUIPS, and appraised evidence quality using GRADE, following PRISMA and MOOSE reporting guidelines. Using iterative numerical algorithms, time-to-event individual patient data (IPD) were reconstructed and pooled to retrieve distribution-free summary survival curves, with recovery rates reported at 30 day intervals for participants who remained alive. To estimate the proportion with persistent smell and taste dysfunction, cure fractions from Weibull non-mixture cure models of plateaued survival curves were logit transformed and pooled in a two stage meta-analysis. Conventional aggregate data meta-analysis was performed to explore unadjusted associations of prognostic factors with recovery.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

The primary outcomes were the proportions of patients remaining with smell or taste dysfunction. Secondary outcomes were the odds ratios of prognostic variables associated with recovery of smell and taste.

RESULTS

18 studies (3699 patients) from 4180 records were included in reconstructed IPD meta-analyses. Risk of bias was low to moderate; conclusions remained unaltered after exclusion of four high risk studies. Evidence quality was moderate to high. Based on parametric cure modelling, persistent self-reported smell and taste dysfunction could develop in an estimated 5.6% (95% confidence interval 2.7% to 11.0%, I2=70%, τ2=0.756, 95% prediction interval 0.7% to 33.5%) and 4.4% (1.2% to 14.6%, I2=67%, τ2=0.684, 95% prediction interval 0.0% to 49.0%) of patients, respectively. Sensitivity analyses suggest these could be underestimates. At 30, 60, 90, and 180 days, respectively, 74.1% (95% confidence interval 64.0% to 81.3%), 85.8% (77.6% to 90.9%), 90.0% (83.3% to 94.0%), and 95.7% (89.5% to 98.3%) of patients recovered their sense of smell (I2=0.0-77.2%, τ2=0.006-0.050) and 78.8% (70.5% to 84.7%), 87.7% (82.0% to 91.6%), 90.3% (83.5% to 94.3%), and 98.0% (92.2% to 95.5%) recovered their sense of taste (range of I2=0.0-72.1%, τ2=0.000-0.015). Women were less likely to recover their sense of smell (odds ratio 0.52, 95% confidence interval 0.37 to 0.72, seven studies, I2=20%, τ2=0.0224) and taste (0.31, 0.13 to 0.72, seven studies, I2=78%, τ2=0.5121) than men, and patients with greater initial severity of dysfunction (0.48, 0.31 to 0.73, five studies, I2=10%, τ2<0.001) or nasal congestion (0.42, 0.18 to 0.97, three studies, I2=0%, τ2<0.001) were less likely to recover their sense of smell.

CONCLUSIONS

A substantial proportion of patients with covid-19 might develop long lasting change in their sense of smell or taste. This could contribute to the growing burden of long covid.

SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION

PROSPERO CRD42021283922.

Methodology for the development of National Multidisciplinary Management Recommendations using a multi-stage meta-consensus initiative

BACKGROUND

Methods for developing national recommendations vary widely. The successful adoption of new guidance into routine practice is dependent on buy-in from the clinicians delivering day-to-day patient care and must be considerate of existing resource constraints, as well as being aspirational in its scope. This initiative aimed to produce guidelines for the management of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma of unknown primary (HNSCCUP) using a novel methodology to maximise the likelihood of national adoption.

METHODS

A voluntary steering committee oversaw 3 phases of development: 1) clarification of topic areas, data collection and assimilation, including systematic reviews and a National Audit of Practice; 2) a National Consensus Day, presenting data from the above to generate candidate consensus statements for indicative voting by attendees; and 3) a National Delphi Exercise seeking agreement on the candidate consensus statements, including representatives from all 58 UK Head and Neck Multidisciplinary Teams (MDT). Methodology was published online in advance of the Consensus Day and Delphi exercise.

RESULTS

Four topic areas were identified to frame guideline development. The National Consensus Day was attended by 227 participants (54 in-person and 173 virtual). Results from 7 new systematic reviews were presented, alongside 7 expert stakeholder presentations and interim data from the National Audit and from relevant ongoing Clinical Trials. This resulted in the generation of 35 statements for indicative voting by attendees which, following steering committee ratification, led to 30 statements entering the National Delphi exercise. After 3 rounds (with a further statement added after round 1), 27 statements had reached 'strong agreement' (n = 25, 2, 0 for each round, respectively), a single statement achieved 'agreement' only (round 3), and 'no agreement' could be reached for 3 statements (response rate 98% for each round). Subsequently, 28 statements were adopted into the National MDT Guidelines for HNSCCUP.

CONCLUSIONS

The described methodology demonstrated an effective multi-phase strategy for the development of national practice recommendations. It may serve as a cost-effective model for future guideline development for controversial or rare conditions where there is a paucity of available evidence or where there is significant variability in management practices across a healthcare service.

The COVANOS trial - insight into post-COVID olfactory dysfunction and the role of smell training

BACKGROUND

Olfactory dysfunction is a cardinal symptom of COVID-19 infection, however, studies assessing long-term olfactory dysfunction are limited and no randomised-controlled trials (RCTs) of early olfactory training have been conducted.

METHODOLOGY

We conducted a prospective, multi-centre study consisting of baseline psychophysical measurements of smell and taste function. Eligible participants were further recruited into a 12-week RCT of olfactory training versus control (safety information). Patient-reported outcomes were measured using an electronic survey and BSIT at baseline and 12 weeks. An additional 1-year follow-up was open to all participants.

RESULTS

218 individuals with a sudden loss of sense of smell of at least 4-weeks were recruited. Psychophysical smell loss was observed in only 32.1%; 63 participants were recruited into the RCT. The absolute difference in BSIT improvement after 12 weeks was 0.45 higher in the intervention arm. 76 participants completed 1-year follow-up; 10/19 (52.6%) of participants with an abnormal baseline BSIT test scored below the normal threshold at 1-year, and 24/29 (82.8%) had persistent parosmia.

CONCLUSIONS

Early olfactory training may be helpful, although our findings are inconclusive. Notably, a number of individuals who completed the 1-year assessment had persistent smell loss and parosmia at 1-year. As such, both should be considered important entities of long-Covid and further studies to improve management are highly warranted.

Implementing a COVID-19 specialist smell clinic: experience at the Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh Teaching Hospitals (WWL), NHS Foundation Trust, United Kingdom

INTRODUCTION

It is clear that a proportion of patients continue to suffer long-lasting symptoms following acute infection with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Persistent olfactory dysfunction is one of the commonest complaints reported in the condition colloquially known as long COVID (now known as post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC)). The prevalence, risk factors and clinical course of long COVID olfactory dysfunction are not yet well understood. At present, the main stay of treatment is olfactory training. Quantitative olfactory testing and impacts on patient quality of life have not been widely studied. This study describes our experiences at Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh Teaching Hospitals, UK (WWL) of establishing a COVID-19 smell clinic, along with preliminary data on patient demographics, baseline smell test scores and quality of life questionnaire scores before olfactory training.

METHODS

We piloted a COVID-19 smell clinic. We recorded patient demographics and clinical characteristics then performed clinical assessment of each patient. Quantitative measurements of olfactory dysfunction were recorded using the University of Pennsylvania Smell Identification Test (UPSIT). We measured the impact of olfactory dysfunction on patient quality of life using the validated English Olfactory Disorders Questionnaire (eODQ).

RESULTS

20 patients participated in the clinic. 4 patients were excluded from analysis due to missing data. Median age was 35 years. 81% (n=13) of the participants were female. 50% (n=8) of patients suffered with a combination of anosmia/ageusia and parosmia, whilst 43% (n=7) of patients suffered with anosmia/ageusia without parosmia. Almost all the patients registered UPSIT scores in keeping with impaired olfaction. Patient scores ranged from 22 to 35, with the median score at 30. All patients reported that their olfactory dysfunction had an impact on their quality of life. The median eODQ score reported was 90, with scores ranging from 42 to 169 out of a maximum of 180.

CONCLUSION

We have demonstrated that it is simple and feasible to set up a COVID-19 smell clinic. The materials are inexpensive, but supervised completion of the UPSIT and eODQ is time-consuming. Patients demonstrate reduced olfaction on quantitative testing and experience significant impacts on their quality of life as a result. More research is needed to demonstrate if olfactory training results in measurable improvements in smell test scores and quality of life.

Teaching and training in Otorhinolaryngology (ORL) during the pandemic and beyond, in the United Kingdom

No abstract provided.

Management of new onset loss of sense of smell during the COVID-19 pandemic - BRS Consensus Guidelines

OBJECTIVES

The primary aim of the study is to provide recommendations for the investigation and management of patients with new onset loss of sense of smell during the COVID-19 pandemic.

DESIGN

After undertaking a literature review, we used the RAND/UCLA methodology with a multi-step process to reach consensus about treatment options, onward referral, and imaging.

SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS

An expert panel consisting of 15 members was assembled. A literature review was undertaken prior to the study and evidence was summarised for the panellists.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

The panel undertook a process of ranking and classifying appropriateness of different investigations and treatment options for new onset loss of sense of smell during the COVID-19 pandemic. Using a 9-point Likert scale, panellists scored whether a treatment was: Not recommended, optional, or recommended. Consensus was achieved when more than 70% of responses fell into the category defined by the mean.

RESULTS

Consensus was reached on the majority of statements after 2 rounds of ranking. Disagreement meant no recommendation was made regarding one treatment, using Vitamin A drops. Alpha-lipoic acid was not recommended, olfactory training was recommended for all patients with persistent loss of sense of smell of more than 2 weeks duration, and oral steroids, steroid rinses, and omega 3 supplements may be considered on an individual basis. Recommendations regarding the need for referral and investigation have been made.

CONCLUSION

This study identified the appropriateness of olfactory training, different medical treatment options, referral guidelines and imaging for patients with COVID-19-related loss of sense of smell. The guideline may evolve as our experience of COVID-19 develops.

Loss of smell and taste: a new marker of COVID-19? Tracking reduced sense of smell during the coronavirus pandemic using search trends

Objectives

It has been demonstrated that reduction in smell and/or taste is the most predictive symptom in SARS-CoV-2/Covid-19 infection. We used Google Trends to analyze regional searches relating to loss of smell and taste across Italy, Spain, France, Brazil, and the United States of America and determined the association with reported Covid-19 cases.

Methods

In order to retrieve the data, we built a Python software program that provides access to Google Trends data via an application program interface. Daily COVID-19 case data for subregions of the five countries selected were retrieved from respective national health authorities. We sought to assess the association between raw search interest data and COVID-19 new daily cases per million for all regions individually.

Results

In total, we yielded 2188 sets of Google Trends data which included 548 time series of 4 anosmia and ageusia search concepts over the study period for 137 regions. These data indicated that differences in search interest for terms relating to anosmia and ageusia, between regions, is associated with geographical trends in new Covid-19 cases.

Conclusions

We feel that Google search trends relating to loss of smell can be utilized to identify potential Covid-19 outbreaks on a national and regional basis.

Early recovery following new onset anosmia during the COVID-19 pandemic - an observational cohort study

BACKGROUND

A rapidly evolving evidence suggests that smell and taste disturbance are common symptoms in COVID-19 infection. As yet there are no reports on duration and recovery rates. We set out to characterise patients reporting new onset smell and taste disturbance during the COVID-19 pandemic and report on early recovery rates.

METHODS

Online Survey of patients reporting self-diagnosed new onset smell and taste disturbance during the COVID-19 pandemic, with 1 week follow-up.

RESULTS

Three hundred eighty-two patents completed bot an initial and follow-up survey. 86.4% reported complete anosmia and a further 11.5% a very severe loss of smell at the time of completing the first survey. At follow-up 1 week later, there is already significant improvement in self-rating of severity of olfactory loss. 80.1% report lower severity scores at follow-up, 17.6% are unchanged and 1.9% are worse. 11.5% already report compete resolution at follow up, while 17.3% report persistent complete loss of smell, with reported duration being 1 to over 4 weeks. This is reflected in the overall cumulative improvement rate of 79% patients overall in the interval between surveys.

CONCLUSIONS

A review of the growing evidence base supports the likelihood that out cohort have suffered olfactory loss as part of COVID-19 infection. While early recovery rates are encouraging, long term rates will need to be further investigated and there may be an increase in patients with persistent post-viral loss as a result of the pandemic. We further call for loss of sense of smell to be formerly recognised as a marker of COVID-19 infection.

ENT Quality Improvement Program as a tool to improve the collection of morbidity and mortality data: a multisite audit carried out over 6 months

Objective

This project aims to assess the role of a standardised process of data collection to improve morbidity and mortality data across the region.

Design

Six hospitals within the North West (UK) were recruited and adopted the ENT Quality Improvement Program (QIP) into their daily practice. Monthly anonymous data were sent back to the reviewer for trend analysis.

Outcome measures

Four outcome measures were defined: (1) number of cases recorded within the region each month; (2) assessment of the severity of cases and trends; (3) assessment of action plans reviewing any changes in practice made as a result of using this tool; (4) long-term use of the tool and qualitative feedback from units.

Results

162 patients over the 6 months were included with 180 case discussions. 170 of these were morbidities and 10 were mortalities. Mortality was more frequent in patients with a diagnosis of head and neck cancer. Of the 162 patients, 133 encountered postoperative complications. Post-tonsillectomy (62/133 47%) and post-thyroid surgery (19/133 14%) complications were the most frequently encountered. 66% of the complications were low grade with 18% requiring management under general anaesthetic. Actions plans included four policy reviews with the introduction of three new policies. All sites found the tool user-friendly and are continuing to use it beyond the data collection period.

Conclusions

The ENT QIP has been found to be a simple, user-friendly tool which has improved the quality of data over the six sites and resulted in improvements in practice. Implementation of the tool allows clinicians to critically appraise their practice and to reflect as well as to demonstrate how complications have resulted in change.

Effect of Piper cubeba L. fruit on ethylene glycol and ammonium chloride induced urolithiasis in male Sprague Dawley rats

Background

To investigate the antilithiatic effect of hydroalcoholic extract of Kabab Chini (Piper cubeba L.) fruit in male Sprague Dawley rats.

Methods

Rats were divided into six groups of six each. Group I received regular rat food and drinking water ad libitum. Groups II to VI were administered with ethylene glycol (EG) 0.75% (V/V) and ammonium chloride (AC) 1% (W/V) in drinking water for 7 days to induce urolithiasis. From 8th day Group I received 1 mL of 5% gum acacia. Group IV was treated with Cystone; V and VI groups with the hydro-alcoholic extract of Piper cubeba L. Treatment was continued for further 14 days, thereafter animals sacrificed. While Group II animals were sacrificed just after 7 days treatment with EG and AC. Group III was left untreated until 14 days and sacrificed on 22nd day. Crystalluria was analyzed on 8th and 22nd day while, urinary calcium, phosphorus, creatinine, sodium and magnesium on 22nd day. Biochemistry and histopathological studies of kidney were also carried out.

Results

Test groups showed significant reduction (p < 0.001) of crystals in urine. Serum creatinine and urea (p < 0.01) were also decreased significantly. Urine analysis showed significant increase in magnesium while calcium, sodium, chloride and phosphorus significantly decreased along with histopathological improvement in kidney tissue in treated groups.

Conclusion

From the above results it can be concluded that hydroalcoholic extract of P. cubeba L. fruit has significant inhibitory effect in calcium oxalate urolithiasis.

International study on nurses' views and experiences of compassion

BACKGROUND

Compassion is considered the cornerstone of nursing practice. However, the recent failures in delivering high-quality compassionate nursing care in the UK's National Health Service have brought the topic of compassion to the attention of the public, service providers, policy makers and academics.

AIM

The aim of this study was to explore the nurses' views and experiences of a number of compassion-related issues in nursing and describe similarities and differences at an international level as well as from the different nursing roles of the participating nurses.

METHODS

An exploratory, cross-sectional descriptive study, using the International Online Compassion Questionnaire. A total of 1323 nurses from 15 countries completed the questionnaire.

RESULTS

The majority of participants (59.5%) defined compassion as "Deep awareness of the suffering of others and wish to alleviate it" but definitions of compassion varied by country. Of participants, 69.6% thought compassion was very important in nursing and more than half (59.6%) of them argued that compassion could be taught. However, only 26.8% reported that the correct amount and level of teaching is provided. The majority of the participants (82.6%) stated that their patients prefer knowledgeable nurses with good interpersonal skills. Only 4.3% noted that they are receiving compassion from their managers. A significant relationship was found between nurses' experiences of compassion and their views about teaching of compassion.

CONCLUSION

Our study is unique in identifying the views and experiences of nurses from 15 different countries worldwide. The findings reveal that compassion is neither addressed adequately in nursing education nor supported in the practice environment by managers.

LIMITATIONS

Self-report bias was inherent to our survey study design. Furthermore, the individual cultural differences and similarities in the findings are difficult to extrapolate owing to the fact that our analysis was at country level, as well as at the level of the participating nurses.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING POLICY

Understanding the influence of culture on nurses' views about compassion is critical in the current multicultural healthcare environment and merits further research. This will potentially drive changes in nursing education (ensuring that compassion is taught to nurses) and in the way healthcare leaders and managers foster a compassionate culture within their organizations (e.g. by leading by example and compassionate to their staff).

How We Do It: A DIY Smart Phone based ENT Endoscopy

We present a simple method of preparing a smart phone based ENT endoscopy for OPD clinic and for on call ENT to provide emergency ENT care in Accident and Emergency department when required. In our experience, this method is efficient, economical and ensures mobility and flexibility of remote visual inspection and documentation. This aids in better care for patients especially where there is no easy access to traditional ENT treatment room facility. This provides a fast and cost-effective solution to simultaneously view capture and save photos and videos with a smartphone and, if required, send these pictures to oncall Consultant. This enables quicker identification, documentation and support regardless of location.

EUFOREA Rhinology Research Forum 2016: report of the brainstorming sessions on needs and priorities in rhinitis and rhinosinusitis

The first European Rhinology Research Forum organized by the European Forum for Research and Education in Allergy and Airway Diseases (EUFOREA) was held in the Royal Academy of Medicine in Brussels on 17th and 18th November 2016, in collaboration with the European Rhinologic Society (ERS) and the Global Allergy and Asthma European Network (GA2LEN). One hundred and thirty participants (medical doctors from different specialties, researchers, as well as patients and industry representatives) from 27 countries took part in the multiple perspective discussions including brainstorming sessions on care pathways and research needs in rhinitis and rhinosinusitis. The debates started with an overview of the current state of the art, including weaknesses and strengths of the current practices, followed by the identification of essential research needs, thoroughly integrated in the context of Precision Medicine (PM), with personalized care, prediction of success of treatment, participation of the patient and prevention of disease as key principles for improving current clinical practices. This report provides a concise summary of the outcomes of the brainstorming sessions of the European Rhinology Research Forum 2016.

The value of antifungal therapy in allergic fungal rhinosinusitis

BACKGROUND

Allergic fungal rhinosinusitis (AFS) is considered to part of the disease spectrum of chronic rhinosinusitis, which affects between five to fifteen per cent of the population. Currently, there is uncertainty relating to the pathological process and therefore optimal management of AFS. Studies assessing antifungal use have shown mixed results. The aim of this review is to assess the effect of antifungals on patients with AFS.

METHODS

A systematic review of the literature to include all published trials searching Pubmed, Medline (Ovid), CINAHL (EBSCO) and the Cochrane central register of controlled trials (CENTRAL) databases.

RESULTS

Sixteen studies (two systematic reviews, two meta-analysis, four randomised controlled trials, five prospective cohort studies and three retrospective studies) were included in this review. There was found to be no overall benefit of topical or oral antifungals upon endoscopic findings or patient reported outcome measures in AFS. There were no statistically significant differences in adverse effect profiles between treatment and control groups.

CONCLUSION

There is limited evidence to support the use of topical or oral antifungal agents in patients with AFS. Future research recommendations include large multicentre randomised trials with better matched patient groups and appropriate dosage and timing of antifungals.

Antilithiatic effect of Peucedanum grande C. B. Clarke in chemically induced urolithiasis in rats

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Duqu (Peucedanum grande C. B. Clarke) has been used by Unani physicians since ancient times in retention of urine, renal and bladder calculi, nephritis and other associated disorders in different dosage forms.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The aim of the study was to evaluate the antiurolithiatic activity of Peucedanum grande C. B. Clarke in experimental model.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The experiment was carried out in male Sprague Dawley rats divided into 5 groups of 8 animals each. Animals of negative control received 1ml of 5% Gum acacia throughout the study. Remaining four groups received Ethylene glycol 0.75% and Ammonium chloride 1% by adding in their drinking water for first seven days to induce urolithiasis. From 8th day, positive control received 1ml of 5% Gum acacia, standard control received Cystone in the dose of 750mg/kg while test groups A and B were treated with hydroalcoholic extract of test drug in the dose of 56mg/kg and 97mg/kg respectively up to 21 days, thereafter the animals were sacrificed. Number of CaOx crystals in urine, levels of serum calcium, phosphorus, creatinine, urea, urinary calcium and sodium were observed. Kidney homogenate analysis and histopathology were also carried out.

RESULTS

Test drug reduced number of CaOx crystals in urine (p<0.001); levels of serum calcium, phosphorus, creatinine, (p<0.001) urea, (p<0.05); urinary calcium (p<0.001) and sodium decreased significantly in standard and test groups. The urine volume increased significantly (p<0.05, 0.01) in both the test groups. Histopathology of kidney showed no CaOx crystal deposition in both the test groups.

CONCLUSION

On the basis of above findings, it can be concluded that the test drug possesses significant antiurolithiatic activity.

A surgical presentation for haemophilia A

We present the case of a 5-year-old boy with no personal or family history of bleeding disorders, who suffered from recurrent post-tonsillectomy bleeds. The patient required multiple separate emergency visits to theatre in the 2-week postoperative period to achieve haemostasis. Initial baseline coagulation tests were found to be normal. However more extensive clotting studies revealed that the patient had an undiagnosed 'mild' haemophilia A.

Fifteen-minute consultation: structured approach to management of a child with recurrent croup

Recurrent croup is a distinct clinical entity from viral croup. It is not a specific diagnosis and its presence should alert the clinician to explore the underlying cause. We discuss an evidence-based structured approach to management of a child with recurrent croup.

Can apneagraphy change our approach in management of snoring and sleep apnoea?

To evaluate role of overnight domiciliary apneagraph in diagnosing severity of sleep apnoea. Prospective audit of 37 patients with Epworth sleepiness score over ten and all patients with history of sleep apnoea presenting to ENT outpatient clinic investigated with apneagraph. Data analysed initially with pulse oximetry findings alone followed by analysis with full apneagraph findings.

RESULTS

Data analysed with pulse oximetry alone showed 31 patients to be simple snorers, but on analysis with apneagraph, 11 of these were shown to be suffering from moderate and one with severe sleep apnoea. There was no correlation between Epworth sleepiness score and severity of sleep apnoea.

CONCLUSION

Management plan can be more evidence based by using apneagraph as a mini sleep study in investigating patients with history of obstructive sleep apnoea. Apneagraph could also be used in diagnosing the level of obstruction in snorers; however, this aspect needs further studying.

Laryngopharyngeal reflux and primary snoring: a pilot case-control study

STUDY OBJECTIVES

Laryngopharyngeal reflux has been implicated as a causative factor in the aetiology of sleep related breathing disorders. However there are no reports on the association of this disorder and primary snoring in the absence of obstructive sleep apnoea. This study was undertaken to investigate any link between primary snoring and the presence of laryngopharyngeal reflux.

METHODS

A matched case-control study was performed in a district general Ear Nose Throat outpatient population in the United Kingdom. Twenty six patients referred for snoring without sleep apnoea (cases) were individually matched for gender, body mass index and age, to 26 patients referred for other otorhinolaryngological complaints (controls). Snoring was not an exclusion criterion for the controls. Exclusion criteria for both groups were previous referral or treatment for snoring and/or sleep apnoea, nasal obstruction symptoms (as a potential cause of snoring), and known history of gastrooesophageal reflux with medical treatment longer than two months. The main outcome measure was prevalence of laryngopharyngeal reflux based on the Reflux Symptom Index score.

RESULTS

Patients seeking medical advice for primary snoring are fourteen times more likely to report Reflux Symptom Index scores of more than 13 than controls.

CONCLUSIONS

Laryngopharyngeal reflux may also be implicated in the pathogenesis of primary snoring in the absence of sleep apnoea. This constitutes 3b level of evidence.

Is there evidence to link acid reflux with chronic sinusitis or any nasal symptoms? A review of the evidence

BACKGROUND

Acid reflux into the oesophagus, larynx, pharynx or nasopharynx has been suggested as a causal factor in chronic rhino-sinusitis (CRS), which can then be refractory to nasal treatments. The aim of this review was to conclude on the strength of the link between GORD, LPR, nasopharyngeal reflux, nasal symptoms and CRS.

METHOD

Medline and Embase search.

RESULTS

Nineteen papers describing varying studies on CRS, GORD, LPR and PPI therapy were found. Four adult case-controlled studies showed more acid reflux events/symptoms in refractory CRS patients. Paediatric cohort studies showed more reflux events in rhinosinusitis patients than the general paediatric population, but they are not conclusive. Many papers do not use robust CRS diagnostic criteria for inclusion into studies and take no confounding factors into consideration.

CONCLUSION

The evidence of a link is poor with no good randomised controlled trials available. The few adult studies that show any link between acid reflux and nasal symptoms are small case-controlled studies with moderate levels of potential bias. There is not enough evidence to consider anti-reflux therapy for adult refractory CRS and there is no evidence that acid reflux is a significant causal factor in CRS.

The art of tonsillectomy: the UK experience for the past 100 years

Tonsillectomy is one of the commonest ear, nose, and throat procedures performed in the United Kingdom. In the drive to reduce complication rates and improve patients' satisfaction, numerous adaptations to the traditional technique have evolved. In this article, the authors explore the changes that have been happening in the United Kingdom during the past 100 years and conclude that revisiting the traditional techniques may still be the answer to a successful procedure.

A pharmacovigilance study in medicine department of tertiary care hospital in chhattisgarh (jagdalpur), India

The aim of the present study was to observe adverse drug reactions (ADRs) with respect to polypharmacy at tertiary care centre at Bastar, Jagdalpur (Government Medical College, Jagdalpur). A prospective, observational evaluation of the ADRs conducted over a period of 6 months in Department of Medicine in Government Medical College, Jagdalpur. During the study period, a total of about 4850 patients visited the OPD and inpatient ward of medicine department, and 154 ADRs events were reported. Out of 154 reports that were identified, a higher percentage of ADRs in females (51.29%) was observed as compared to males (48.7%). Of the 154 ADRs, 76 (49.35%) were found to be mild, 55 moderate (35.71%), and 23 severe (14.93%). A total of 99 (64.28%) ADRs were observed in patients receiving four or more medications concurrently. Conversely 55 (35.71%) ADRs were detected in patients using three or less medicines. The largest number of reports was associated with antimicrobial therapy (28.57%), followed by antihypertensive (24.02%) and antidiabetics (14.28%). Among the affected organ systems, gastrointestinal ADRs constituted a major component (39.61%) followed by skin reactions (28.57%). On causality assessment, nearly 36.36% ADRs were considered as probable, 31.16% possible, and 9.74% could not be categorized and were placed under unassessable. Expected, limited ADR are permissible in normal clinical setting, but the present study focuses on the result showing increased and amplified ADR associated with the polypharmacy practices, which may be curtailed with rational drug prescribing habit.

Do gynaecology outpatients use the Internet to seek health information? A questionnaire survey

BACKGROUND

The Internet is a rich source of medical information and the general opinion among doctors is that the number of patients attending clinics with information from a web search is increasing. The purpose of this study was to assess the demographics of those who access the Internet and their attitudes towards the quality and usefulness of information provided by the Internet. This study also looked at the various sources of health information and the satisfaction rates.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional observational study. The study group consisted of a cohort of women attending the gynaecology outpatient clinic at a district general hospital in the United Kingdom. In total, 484 patients attending the gynaecology outpatient clinic completed a questionnaire which included 13 structured questions regarding access to and attitudes towards the Internet and other health sources of information.

SETTING

Questionnaires were distributed to 564 women attending gynaecology outpatient clinics for 3 months from 1 June 2005.

RESULTS

A total of 484 patients (85.6%) completed the questionnaire. Age range was 41-65 years and the median education level was completion of General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE). In total, 360/484 (74%) had sought health information about their condition from a variety of sources before attending the outpatient clinic. In total, 399/484 (82.4%) respondents had access to the Internet. Of 399 with access, 107 (26.8%) of the patients used the Internet to find information about their condition before their appointment. General practitioners remain as the primary source of health information, mainly to improve the knowledge of the condition. A total of 78/107 (73.3%) who had used the Internet before their appointment would like to continue using the Internet as a health information resource.

CONCLUSION

A significant proportion of patients had access to the Internet to find health information. The widespread availability and increased usage of medical websites by patients raises important issues regarding the need for quality control and impacts on the doctor-patient relationship.

The dimensions and structural attachments of tip links in mammalian cochlear hair cells and the effects of exposure to different levels of extracellular calcium

The tip links between stereocilia of acousticolateral hair cells have been suggested to contain cadherin 23 (CDH23) comprising an upper branched portion that is bound to a lower portion composed of protocadherin 15 (PCDH15). The molecular conformation of CDH23, its binding to PCDH15, the tip links, and mechanoelectrical transduction have all been shown previously to be sensitive to exposure to low levels of calcium. The aim of this study was to compare the characteristics of tip links in guinea-pig cochlear hair cells with reported features of the CDH23-PCDH15 complex. Tip links were examined using field emission scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy in conventional preparations and after treatment with the detergent Triton-X-100 or varying calcium concentrations in the extracellular solution. The results showed that tip links have a twisted double-stranded appearance with a branched upper region. They survived demembranation of the stereocilia by detergent suggesting that they have transmembrane domains at both ends. Their lengths, when fixed in the presence of 2 mM extracellular calcium, were approximately 150 nm. With prior exposure to 1 mM calcium their lengths were approximately 164 nm. The lengths in 50 microM calcium are similar ( approximately 185 nm) to those reported for CDH23-PCDH15 complexes in 100 microM calcium ( approximately 180 nm). Exposure to 1 microM calcium caused loss of tip links and an increased distance between the residual attachment sites. The data indicate that extracellular calcium concentration affects tip-link length. One model compatible with the recently proposed tip-link structure is that the CDH23 double strand undergoes calcium-dependent unfolding, changing the length of the links. The bundle may also tilt in the direction of the tallest row of stereocilia as the tip link lengthens and then is lost. Overall, our data are consistent with a tip link composed of complexes of CDH23 and PCDH15 but do not rule out other possibilities.

Sino-nasal assessment questionnaire: a specific outcome measure for rhinosinusitis, but what is the range in the asymptomatic population?

The sino-nasal assessment questionnaire is a system used for scoring the symptoms of chronic rhinosinusitis. However, the range of scores for this questionnaire in the healthy adult population is unknown. We aimed to establish this by recruiting 100 healthy volunteers and comparing their sino-nasal assessment questionnaire scores with those of 100 individuals who had undergone sinus surgery for rhinosinusitis. The difference in mean scores in the symptomatic group (44.62) and the asymptomatic group (8.46) was statistically significant. However, there was substantial overlap between the scores of the two groups. Factors such as age, gender and smoking did not have a statistically significant impact on the eventual score in the asymptomatic group. We believe that symptom scores can only be used effectively when the range in the asymptomatic population is known. This is so that disease severity can be gauged in the context of the normal population and post-operative improvements can be forecast.

How we do it: Evaluation of nurse-led ENT services in the UK: a preliminary descriptive postal questionnaire survey

There has been a steady growth in the volume and range of nurse led services in ENT practise in the UK. There was very little consistency in the titles of the nurses providing nurse led services but those nurses working in advanced practice roles now require courses, diplomas, degrees and study days related to ENT. Locally or nationally agreed practice guidelines can define nursing practice boundaries and ensure accountability. Monitoring and evaluation of nurse led services also requires attention.

Assessing social differences in overweight among 15- to 16-year-old ethnic Norwegians from Oslo by register data and adolescent self-reported measures of socio-economic status

OBJECTIVE

To determine to what extent self-reported and objective data on socio-economic status (SES) are associated with overweight/obesity among 15 to 16-year-old ethnic Norwegians.

DESIGN

A cross-sectional questionnaire study on health and health-related behaviors.

SUBJECTS

All school children aged 15-16 years old in 2000 and 2001 in Oslo, Norway. Response rate 88% (n=7343). This article is based on the data from the 5498 ethnic Norwegians.

MEASUREMENTS

Self-reported height and weight were used to measure overweight (including obesity) as defined by the International Obesity Task Force cutoffs at the nearest half-year intervals. SES was determined by register data from Statistics Norway on residential area, parental education and income and by adolescent self-reported measures on parental occupation and adolescents' educational plans.

RESULTS

The prevalence of overweight/obesity was low, but higher among boys (11%) than among girls (6%). Parental education (four levels) showed the clearest inverse gradients with overweight/obesity (boys: 18, 13, 10 and 7%; girls: 11, 6, 6 and 4%). Parental education remained significantly associated with overweight/obesity when adding occupation and income to the model for the boys, whereas there were no significant associations in the final model for the girls. Overweight/obesity was associated with a lower odds ratio of planning for higher education (college/university) among boys only.

CONCLUSION

For the boys, parental education was most strongly associated with overweight/obesity, and the association between overweight/obesity and educational plans appears to imply downward social mobility. The relationships between the various SES measures and overweight/obesity appeared more interrelated for the girls.

Waiting-list prioritization in the National Health Service

The aim of this study was to find out whether there is a consensus of opinion among healthcare providers and different sections of the public on the relative prioritization of common otolaryngological conditions for outpatient consultations and inpatient treatment. ENT consultants, general practitioners, administrators, NHS employees, non-ENT patients and members of the general public were given common scenarios of otolaryngological conditions and asked to prioritize them in order of importance. All the groups gave top priority for patients with suspected cancer of the larynx (outpatients) and for surgical treatment of cancer. Children with hearing problems were more commonly ranked in the top three categories than children requiring treatment for sore throats. All groups assigned those requiring rhinoplasty, treatment for snoring or hearing aids to the last three ranks. This study shows that there is a remarkable uniformity of opinion in determining clinical priorities which is similar to the traditional policies practised by UK ENT consultants.

Two case reports of cervical spinal cord injury in football (soccer) players

STUDY DESIGN

Two case reports of male football players who sustained injury to cervical spinal cord as a direct result of the sport.

OBJECTIVE

To raise the awareness that playing football (soccer), a very popular sport, may cause injury to the cervical spinal cord with dire consequences, albeit rarely.

SETTING

North West Regional Spinal Injuries Centre, Southport, UK.

CASE REPORT

We report two male football players, who sustained injury to the cervical spine and developed tetraplegia as a direct result of the sport. Case 1: A 21-year-old football player was tackled from behind while running with the football, he lost his balance and landed on his head resulting in burst fracture dislocation of C5/C6 associated with immediate onset of complete tetraplegia (ASIA-A). Case 2: A 24-year-old football player collided, head first, with his own team goalkeeper, causing a hyperextension of neck. He developed motor complete tetraplegia at C5 level, with some sensation sparing below the level of injury (ASIA-B).

CONCLUSION

Injury to the cervical spinal cord is known to occur in some team contact sports such as rugby and American football. Over time the laws and the preparation of the athletes for these games have been changed in order to minimize the neck injuries. What might not be appreciated is that playing football (soccer), a very popular sport worldwide, may cause injury to cervical spinal cord with dire consequences.

Bedside assessment of sympathetic skin response after spinal cord injury: a brief report comparing inspiratory gasp and visual stimulus

STUDY DESIGN

A case control study in five controls, and 20 tetraplegic and paraplegic patients, complete and incomplete.

OBJECTIVE

The aim was to assess the feasibility of a simple test for sympathetic system preservation after spinal cord damage in a pain-free manner and which could be undertaken worldwide without specialist equipment or manpower.

SETTINGS

Patients were attending the Southport Regional Spinal Injuries Centre, England, either as outpatients or as in-patients during rehabilitation.

METHODS

The sympathetic skin response (SSR) was recorded on a single-channel ECG recorder from the right hand and right foot in turn after inspiratory gasp (IG) or visual stimulation.

RESULTS

Unlike the visually evoked SSR, the gasp-evoked SSR was reliable, albeit of variable amplitude, and there was little difference between the hand and foot. Paraplegics had similar SSRs in the hands as the controls. There was minor insignificant habituation of response for the gasp reflex. There was occasional unexpected SSR distally in patients with complete lesions, and in patients with incomplete lesions the responses could not have been predicted from the sensory motor pattern.

CONCLUSIONS

Trained IG induces an SSR which is sufficient to elucidate sympathetic loss following spinal cord injury. It is superior to visual stimulation in this respect. Habituation is not a problem with at least 1 min between tests, and high doses of anticholinergics agents may impair the response.

Ethnic differences in obesity among immigrants from developing countries, in Oslo, Norway

OBJECTIVES

To compare ethnic and gender differences in generalized and central obesity and to investigate whether these differences persisted after adjusting for socio-demographic and lifestyle factors.

DESIGN

In 2002, the population-based cross-sectional, Oslo Immigrant Health study was conducted.

SUBJECTS

A total of 7890 Oslo residents, born between 1942 and 1971 in Turkey, Iran, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Vietnam, were invited and 3019 attended.

MEASUREMENTS

Participants completed a health questionnaire and attended a clinical screening that included height, weight, waist and hip measurements.

RESULTS

Generalized obesity (BMI> or =30 kg/m2) was greatest among women from Turkey (51.0%) and least among men from Vietnam (2.7%). The highest proportions of central obesity (waist hip ratio (WHR)>or =0.85) were observed among women from Sri Lanka (54.3%) and Pakistan (52.4%). For any given value of BMI, Sri Lankans and Pakistanis had higher WHR compared to the other groups. Despite a high mean BMI, Turkish men (27.9 kg/m2) and women (30.7 kg/m2) did not have a corresponding high WHR. Ethnic differences in BMI, waist circumference and WHR persisted despite adjusting for socio-demographic and lifestyle factors.

CONCLUSION

We found large differences in generalized and central obesity between immigrant groups from developing countries. Our data find high proportions of overweight and obese subjects from Pakistan and Turkey, but low proportions among those from Vietnam. Subjects from Sri Lanka and Pakistan had the highest WHR for any given value of BMI. Our findings, in light of the burgeoning obesity epidemic, warrant close monitoring of these groups.

Socio-demographic differences in food habits and preferences of school adolescents in Jiangsu Province, China

OBJECTIVE

To identify the differences in food habits and preferences among the adolescents according to socio-demographic characteristics.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional, cluster design survey in 2002.

SETTING

Eight middle schools in two distinct socio-economic areas of the Jiangsu province, China.

SUBJECTS

Some 824 young adolescents (12-14 y) attending public schools with a response rate of 99%.

METHODS

A self-administered questionnaire containing questions on food and meal frequencies, food preferences and socio-demographic characteristics was used.

RESULTS

High socio-economic status (SES) and urban residence was positively associated with intake of high-energy foods, such as foods of animal origin, Western style foods and dairy products. In all, 76% of the students had three meals a day regularly , but 8.1% urban students vs 3.4% rural students had breakfast only 1-3 times per week or less often. Daily fruit consumption was fairly common, but with clear differences by SES. Only about 42% of the boys and 55% of the girls from low SES families ate fruit daily, compared with 66% and 72%, respectively in the high SES families. Urban boys had the lowest proportion of daily consumers of vegetables (67.0%). More urban students drank milk daily than the rural students (68.7 vs 38.5%). The frequency of milk drinking also showed a strong positive association with SES. About 10% of the high SES boys consumed hamburgers daily compared with 2.8% of the low SES boys. More than half of the students reported a liking for Western style fast foods including hamburgers, soft drinks and chocolate. Among high SES boys, 21.5% consumed soft drinks on a daily basis; however, as many as 72.3% wanted to drink soft drinks more often if they could afford it.

CONCLUSIONS

SES and urban location were positively associated with frequency of intake of high-energy foods. Reported food preferences may enforce this trend. Nutrition education for adolescents and parents is needed to promote healthy eating. Health Authorities should strengthen the monitoring of food intake and its association with overweight/obesity.

SPONSORSHIP

This study was funded by the Norwegian Directorate of Health and Social affairs under the auspices of the Norway-China Health Agreement.

Ethnic differences in body mass index and associated factors of adolescents from minorities in Oslo, Norway: a cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVES

To examine ethnic differences in body mass index (BMI), food habits and physical activity, and determine the factors contributing to differences in BMI.

DESIGN AND METHOD

In 2000-2001, 7343 (response rate 88%) 15- and 16-year-old students, enrolled in lower secondary schools in Oslo, participated in the cross-sectional Oslo Health Study. Of these participants, 1719 were defined as ethnic minorities.

RESULTS

Significant gender and ethnic differences in mean BMI were observed. Of the ethnic minority adolescents, 5.8% were underweight (<5th percentile of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)/National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) reference distribution) and 9.1% were overweight (>85th percentile of the US CDC/NCHS reference distribution). BMI was not significantly associated with either socio-economic factors or physical activity. Food habits and physical activity differed with ethnicity but not with socio-economic factors. An ordinal regression showed that girls from East Asia (odds ratio (OR) 0.4) and boys from sub-Saharan Africa (OR 0.4) had lower BMI than the Western group. Among girls, higher BMI was associated with less frequent consumption of chocolates and sweets, full-fat milk and breakfast (OR 2.4, 1.7 and 1.7, respectively). Higher BMI, for both boys and girls, was associated with current and past dieting (OR 3.7 and 4.2, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

Adolescent food habits and physical activity varied by gender and ethnicity but not with socio-economic factors. BMI was associated with ethnicity, gender and food habits, but no significant relationship was observed with socio-economic factors or physical activity. Ethnicity, in addition to gender, should be taken into consideration when studying BMI and associated factors among adolescents.

Sensorineural hearing loss associated with psoriatic arthritis

Autoimmune inner ear disease is a well described entity. We report a case of sudden-onset sensorineural hearing loss in association with psoriatic arthritis, which has not been reported in the literature. The case satisfies the criteria for the presumptive diagnosis of autoimmune hearing loss. A high index of suspicion, with early diagnosis and aggressive treatment with steroids and/or immunosuppressive agents, is essential to prevent irreversible hearing loss. The condition of psoriatic arthritis must be added to the pantheon of autoimmune diseases that can lead to sensorineural hearing loss.