Subjective sleep complaints in patients attending a substance use disorder clinic.

This study evaluated subjective reports of sleep difficulties in patients attending a designated consultant in The Drug Treatment Centre Board (DTCB). 89 patients consented to participate representing a 51% response rate. Approximately 65% complained of sleep difficulties. All those who complained of sleep problems had multiple sleep difficulties. About 37% reported six month duration of complaints at time of assessment. There was a significant association between reports of sleep difficulties with homelessness (Pearson's X2 = 6.298, p < 0.012), cigarette smoking (Pearson's X2 = 6.017, p < 0.014) and day time sleep (Pearson's X2 = 3.920, p < 0.048). Sleep problems are common amongst patients attending our opioid replacement treatment programme. The present study suggests measures to ensure a holistic management of complaints.

Congenital diaphragmatic hernia: neonatal outcomes following referral to a paediatric surgical centre.

Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) is a rare malformation observed in approximately 1 in 3000 live births. Estimates of postnatal survival range from 50 to 70% despite advances in neonatal care. Antenatal diagnosis is associated with termination of pregnancy in 25-50% pregnancy internationally which may not be reflective of the Irish population. We aimed to evaluate the mortality of infants with CDH who survived to admission in a tertiary referral paediatric hospital between 1996 and 2007. The Hospital In-Patient Enquiry system was used to determine the number of neonatal referrals for CDH to OLHSC between 1996 and 2007. Mortality, sex distribution, length of patient stay and the number of cases per year were examined. 141 neonates with CDH were over 12 years with approximately 12 referrals per annum of which 82 (58%) were male and 59 (42%) female. The average length of stay in the hospital was 33 (range 0-364) days. Overall 71% of the patients survived to discharge. In the first epoch (1996-2001) survival was 63% compared with 78% in the later epoch (2002-7). The overall survival for neonates with CDH presenting to OLCHC during the 12 year-period was 71% although this improved to 78% in recent epoch. Further study of associated congenital anomalies, number of terminations of pregnancy, complexity of the diaphragmatic defect and degree of pulmonary hypertension are required to compare this population with other international centres.