Managing stroke risk in patients with atrial fibrillation: a cross-sectional analysis of socio-demographic inequalities in a London borough.

BACKGROUND: Stroke prevention is essential for patients with atrial fibrillation (AF), but some receive sub-optimal management. We reviewed those with a recorded AF diagnosis assessed with CHA2DS2-VASc stroke risk score (SRS) and socio-demographic determinants of anticoagulation prescribing. The objective was to compare with national guidance recommendations, which recommend anticoagulant therapy for SRS ≥ 2, to determine if there were inequalities in management. METHODS: A cross-sectional design was used to analyze records from all (n = 41) general practices in one London borough. Patients were excluded if they were <18 years, had AF resolved or diagnosed < 3 months. Logistic regression identified socio-demographic factors associated with high SRS and anticoagulant prescribing. RESULTS: Of 2913 patients, 2885 (99.0%) had an SRS, and 2411 (83.6%) a score ≥ 2 and 82.9% (1999 of 2411) were prescribed anticoagulation. Women (compared with men), Black and Mixed/Multiple ethnic groups (compared with White), and those living in most deprived areas (compared with least) were more likely to have a score ≥ 2. Patients with a high SRS from Black and Mixed/Multiple ethnic groups and aged 18-74 years were less likely to be prescribed anticoagulation. CONCLUSION: We found evidence of age and ethnic inequity in anticoagulation prescribing for stroke prevention in patients with AF.

Implications of the growing burden of diabetes for premature cardiovascular disease mortality and the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goal target 3.4.

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are a major cause of deaths globally, and cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of these deaths. 42% of NCD deaths are premature (occurring before the age of 70 years). As part of the United Nations 3rd Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) on health and wellbeing, target 3.4 is to reduce premature mortality from NCDs by one third between 2015 and 2030. This target adds to the World Health Organization (WHO) target of reducing premature deaths from NCDs by 25% between 2010 and 2025. As diabetes is a major risk factor for CVD, it is important to account for the trends in diabetes when considering premature CVD mortality. We aimed to describe the global trends in diabetes prevalence and mortality, critically review the literature on the estimated attainability of the WHO and SDG targets, and determine if and how these studies accounted for trends in diabetes. Worldwide, the prevalence of diabetes is rising, with an estimated 9.0% global prevalence in adults aged 20-69 by 2030, and low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) having the largest increase of the burden in absolute numbers and age-standardized prevalence. There is a lack of data from most LMICs on the excess CVD mortality associated with diabetes and therefore no consensus on the global risk of CVD mortality in people with diabetes. Where data do exist, there are discrepancies between studies on the direction of mortality trends from diabetes over time. We reviewed 12 studies that estimated the attainability of the WHO or SDG targets for premature NCD mortality. Seven of these considered the potential impacts of achieving the 2025 WHO risk factor targets. Six studies modelled the impact of current trends in risk factors, including diabetes, continuing toward the target dates. Four studies compared this 'business as usual' model with the attainment of the risk factor targets for the world as whole and individual regions, 2 studies for NCD mortality overall, and 2 specifically for CVD mortality. On the impact of diabetes with regards to attainment of the WHO or SDG targets for premature CVD mortality, the overall results were inconclusive. Some concluded that none of the countries or regions considered would meet the targets, and others predicted that in some areas, the targets would be met. Examining the potential impact of trends in diabetes on future CVD mortality rates in LMICs is limited by a relative lack of high quality studies, including on the age specific excess mortality associated with diabetes. Filling these data gaps will enable better estimates of the potential impacts on future CVD mortality of the rapidly increasing prevalence of diabetes in LMICs and help to better inform health policy and the attainment of SDG target 3.4.

Health and other impacts of community food production in Small Island Developing States: a systematic scoping review

[ABSTRACT]. Objective. To explore what is known on community-based food production initiatives (CFPIs) in Small Island Developing States, particularly the health, social, economic, and environmental impacts of and on CFPIs. Methods. This was a systematic scoping review using 14 electronic databases to identify articles published from 1997 to 2016 on the topic of CFPIs in Small Island Developing States. From 8 215 articles found, 153 were eligible and abstracted. Analysis focused on geographic location, typology, methodology, study design, theoretical frameworks, and impacts. Results. Most research was conducted in the Pacific or Caribbean (49% and 43% of studies, respectively) and primarily focused on fishing and crop farming (40%, 34%). Findings indicate a predominance of research focusing on the environmental impact of marine and coastal resources on CFPIs, and very limited evidence of CFPI impact on human health, particularly nutrition and diet-related outcomes. There was a lack of explicit theoretical frameworks to explain the impacts of CFPIs. Conclusions. Evidence of impacts of CPFIs in Small Island Developing States is limited and the approaches taken are inconsistent. This review demonstrates the need and provides a basis for developing a coherent body of methods to examine the impacts of CFPIs and provide evidence to guide policy, especially as it relates to health.

[RESUMEN]. Objetivo. Explorar las iniciativas de producción de alimentos basadas en la comunidad (CFPI, por sus siglas en inglés) en los pequeños Estados insulares en desarrollo, en particular su impacto sanitario, social, económico y ambiental. Métodos. Se realizó una revisión sistemática exploratoria usando 14 bases de datos electrónicas para identificar artículos publicados entre 1997 y 2016 sobre las CFPI en los pequeños Estados insulares en desarrollo. De 8 215 artículos encontrados, 153 fueron elegibles y resumidos. El análisis se centró en la ubicación geográfica, el tipo de iniciativa, la metodología, el diseño del estudio, el marco teórico y el impacto. Resultados. La mayoría de las investigaciones se realizaron en el Pacífico o el Caribe (49% y 43% de los estudios, respectivamente) y se centraron principalmente en la pesca y el cultivo (40%, 34%). Los hallazgos indican un predominio de investigaciones centradas en el impacto ambiental de los recursos marinos y costeros en las CFPI, y una evidencia muy limitada del impacto de las CFPI en la salud humana, en particular en resultados relacionados con la nutrición y la dieta. Faltan marcos teóricos explícitos para explicar el impacto de las CFPI. Conclusiones. La evidencia del impacto de las CPFI en los pequeños Estados insulares en desarrollo es limitada y los enfoques adoptados son inconsistentes. Esta revisión demuestra la necesidad de efectuar estudios y proporciona una base para desarrollar métodos coherentes para examinar el impacto de las CFPI y proporcionar evidencia para guiar las políticas, especialmente las relacionadas con la salud.

[RESUMO]. Objetivo. Explorar iniciativas de produção alimentar baseada na comunidade (CFPI) em pequenos Estados insulares em desenvolvimento, particularmente seu impacto na saúde, social, econômico e ambiental. Métodos. Uma revisão sistemática exploratória foi realizada utilizando 14 bases de dados eletrônicas para identificar artigos publicados entre 1997 e 2016 sobre CFPI em pequenos Estados insulares em desenvolvimento. Dos 8 215 artigos encontrados, 153 foram elegíveis e resumidos. A análise centrou-se na localização geográfica, no tipo de iniciativa, na metodologia, no desenho do estudo, no referencial teórico e no impacto. Resultados. A maior parte da pesquisa foi realizada no Pacífico ou no Caribe (49% e 43% dos estudos, respectivamente) e se concentrou principalmente na pesca e na agricultura (40%, 34%). Os resultados indicam uma predominância de pesquisas focadas no impacto ambiental dos recursos marinhos e costeiros na CFPI, e evidências muito limitadas do impacto das CFPI na saúde humana, particularmente nos resultados relacionados à nutrição e dieta. Não existem quadros teóricos explícitos para explicar o impacto das CFPI. Conclusões. A evidência do impacto das CPFI em pequenos Estados insulares em desenvolvimento é limitada e as abordagens adotadas são inconsistentes. Esta revisão demonstra a necessidade de estudos e fornece uma base para o desenvolvimento de métodos coerentes para examinar o impacto das CFPI e fornecer evidências para orientar políticas, especialmente aquelas relacionadas à saúde.

Health and other impacts of community food production in Small Island Developing States: a systematic scoping review.

OBJECTIVE: To explore what is known on community-based food production initiatives (CFPIs) in Small Island Developing States, particularly the health, social, economic, and environmental impacts of and on CFPIs. METHODS: This was a systematic scoping review using 14 electronic databases to identify articles published from 1997 to 2016 on the topic of CFPIs in Small Island Developing States. From 8 215 articles found, 153 were eligible and abstracted. Analysis focused on geographic location, typology, methodology, study design, theoretical frameworks, and impacts. RESULTS: Most research was conducted in the Pacific or Caribbean (49% and 43% of studies, respectively) and primarily focused on fishing and crop farming (40%, 34%). Findings indicate a predominance of research focusing on the environmental impact of marine and coastal resources on CFPIs, and very limited evidence of CFPI impact on human health, particularly nutrition and diet-related outcomes. There was a lack of explicit theoretical frameworks to explain the impacts of CFPIs. CONCLUSIONS: Evidence of impacts of CPFIs in Small Island Developing States is limited and the approaches taken are inconsistent. This review demonstrates the need and provides a basis for developing a coherent body of methods to examine the impacts of CFPIs and provide evidence to guide policy, especially as it relates to health.

Mistaken identity: endometrial or rectal cancer?

A 59-year-old woman with a previous history of endometrial and breast cancer was referred to the colorectal rapid access clinic with abdominal cramps, per rectal bleeding and diarrhoea. CT, MRI and flexible sigmoidoscopy confirmed a rectal tumour and due to its appearance, it was thought to be a primary rectal malignancy. The patient underwent an anterior resection and end colostomy. Histology confirmed a metastatic endometrial adenocarcinoma, which is an unusual site for endometrial metastasis. Her postoperative recovery has been unremarkable and the patient has subsequently been discharged from the general surgical team.

Acute oesophageal necrosis syndrome.

An 89-year-old woman with a known hiatus hernia presented to the accident and emergency department with acute onset epigastric pain. CT of the thorax and abdomen revealed a large hiatus hernia with mesentero-axial volvulus but no evidence of strangulation. A large aneurysmal aortic arch and descending aorta were visible with associated mural thrombus. As the pain was worsening, following discussion with the patient, the decision to operate was taken. The hiatus hernia was successfully reduced and the stomach looked healthy. The oesophagus, however, appeared black almost throughout its entire length consistent with acute oesophageal necrosis syndrome, a rare and lethal disease. Left lateral thoracotomy followed by cervicotomy was performed to retrieve a healthy oesophageal segment, which was anastomosed to the cardiac end of the stomach. Despite treatment in the intensive care unit, the patient's condition progressively deteriorated and she died of multiorgan failure 12 days later.