Diversion from Custody. I: Psychiatric Assessment at the Magistrates' Court

1993 ◽  
Vol 162 (3) ◽  
pp. 325-330 ◽  
Author(s):  
Philip L. A. Joseph ◽  
Mark Potter

The homeless mentally disordered defendant facing minor charges poses considerable problems regarding appropriate disposal. Psychiatric assessment may be required in order to facilitate the court's decision, but this is often available only after remand in custody. A psychiatric assessment service based at two inner-London magistrates' courts is described. Over 18 months, 201 defendants were referred. They were predominantly male, single, and of no fixed abode, suffering from serious psychiatric disorder; these defendants had often received previous in-patient treatment, frequently as detained patients. They typically were recidivists charged with minor offences. Following initial assessment, 25% were admitted to hospital, 50% were released, and 25% returned to custody. The Crown Prosecution Service discontinued 29% of cases. For those admitted directly to hospital, the mean (s.d.) time from arrest to hospital admission was 5.8 (6.8) days, significantly quicker than with prison-based assessments.

2015 ◽  
Vol 122 (3) ◽  
pp. 610-615 ◽  
Author(s):  
William W. Scott ◽  
Steven Sharp ◽  
Stephen A. Figueroa ◽  
Alexander L. Eastman ◽  
Charles V. Hatchette ◽  
...  

OBJECT Screening, management, and follow-up of Grade 3 and 4 blunt carotid artery injuries (BCAIs) remain controversial. These high-grade BCAIs were analyzed to define their natural history and establish a rational management plan based on lesion progression and cerebral infarction. METHODS A retrospective review of a prospectively maintained database of all blunt traumatic carotid and vertebral artery injuries from August 2003 to April 2013 was performed, and Grade 3 and 4 BCAIs were identified. The authors define Grade 3 injuries as stenosis of the vessel greater than 50%, or the development of a pseudoaneurysm, and Grade 4 injuries as complete vessel occlusion. Demographic information, imaging findings, number of images obtained per individual, length of radiographic follow-up examination, radiographic outcome at end of follow-up period, treatment(s), and documentation of ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA) were recorded. RESULTS Fifty-three Grade 3 BCAIs in 44 patients and 5 Grade 4 BCAIs in 5 patients were identified and had available follow-up information. The mean follow-up duration for Grade 3 BCAIs was 113 days, and the mean follow-up for Grade 4 BCAIs was 78 days. Final imaging of Grade 3 BCAIs showed that 53% of cases were radiographically stable, 11% had resolved, and 11% were improved, whereas 25% had radiographically worsened. In terms of treatment, 75% of patients received aspirin (ASA) alone, 5% received various medications, and 2% received no treatment. Eighteen percent of the patients in the Grade 3 BCAI group underwent endovascular intervention, and in all of these cases, treatment with ASA was continued after the procedure. Final imaging of the Grade 4 BCAIs showed that 60% remained stable (with persistent occlusion), whereas the remaining arteries improved (with recanalization of the vessel). All patients in the Grade 4 BCAI follow-up group were treated with ASA, although in 1 patient treatment was transitioned to Coumadin. There were 3 cases of cerebral infarction that appeared to be related to Grade 3 BCAIs (7% of 44 patients in the Grade 3 group), and 1 case of stroke that appeared to be related to a Grade 4 BCAI. All identified cases of stroke developed soon after hospital admission. CONCLUSIONS Although the posttraumatic cerebral infarction rate may be overestimated, the results of this study suggest that the Grade 3 and 4 BCAIs carry the highest stroke risk of the blunt cerebrovascular injuries, and those infarctions were identified on or shortly after hospital admission. Despite a 40% recanalization rate in the Grade 4 BCAI group and an 89% rate of persistent pseudoaneurysm in the Grade 3 BCAI group, follow-up imaging showed progressive worsening without radiographic improvement in only a small number of patients, and these findings alone did not correlate with adverse clinical outcome. Follow-up protocols may require amending; however, further prospective studies are needed to make conclusive changes as they relate to management.


2020 ◽  
Vol 79 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 1521.2-1521
Author(s):  
Y. Santamaria ◽  
M. Galvis ◽  
A. Vanegas

Background:Thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) is a clinicopathologic diagnosis defined as microangiopathic hemolytic anemia (MAHA) with associated features of thrombocytopenia and end-organ ischemia. Systemic lupus erythematosus, antiphospholipid antibody syndrome, and scleroderma, are within the autoimmune diseases, the more commonly associated with TMA. It has been considered that the association with Sjögren Syndrome (SS) is rare.Objectives:To describe one patient with TMA and SS, and to review all cases reported in the literature.Methods:We notified a clinical case of a patient with Sjögren’s syndrome and TMA. Then, we searched the medical literature finding a total of 17 cases reported with this association until 2019. Before the data obtained were tabulated by trained staff and descriptive, comparing groups and bivariate analysis was performed. The outcome of interest was the death of the patient. Stata 12.0 software was used.Results:A 26-years-old Colombian female presented with a 6-week history of petechiae in lower limbs, gingivorrhagia, menorrhagia and jaundice; and previous history of arthritis and xerostomia. On admission, in the context of severe thrombocytopenia and MAHA, MAT diagnosis was made. During hospitalization we confirm the diagnosis of SS with ANA, antiRo and salivary gland biopsy. The patient was treated with steroids (methylprednisolone 500 mg/day, 3 days), plasma exchange therapy (PLEX) and Cyclophosphamide (750 mg), with recovery of hemoglobin and platelet levels; however, the patient died due to a complication of the PLEX catheter removal procedure.A total of 18 patients diagnosed with de novo or prevalent Sjögren’s syndrome who had hospital admission with a diagnosis of TMA were included. The mean age was 54.55 years (Standard deviation (SD): 12.45) and 83.33% of the patients corresponded to the female gender.At admission, the mean of hemoglobin was 8.45 g/dL (SD: 2.55) and median platelets of 27250/mm3 (interquartile range (IQR) 10500 - 102000) were found. The most frequent clinical manifestations were central nervous system alterations (50%), followed by bleeding in the skin and renal failure (44.44%) and fever (27.78%). The most frequent antibodies found were anti-Ro (100%), anti-nuclear antibodies (80%) and anti-La (75%). The most frequently prescribed treatment was plasma exchange therapy (83.33%), intravenous steroids (61.11%), oral steroids (61.11%) and cyclophosphamide (27.78%). Of the total patients, 38.89% died and 27.7% had some relapse of TMA.In the group comparison analysis, differences were found in intravenous steroid (81.82% in those who lived vs. 28.57% in those who died p=0.039), use of PLEX (100% in those who survived vs. 57.14% in those who died p = 0.043), fever (9.09% in those who survived and 57.14% in those who died, p = 0.047), admission hemoglobin (7.65 g/dL in those who lived vs. 10.22 g/dL in those who died, p = 0.05), final platelets (148,000 in which who lived and 39,000 in those who died p = 0.02). Then, in the logistic regression analysis, an association was found between mortality and use of intravenous steroids (OR: 0.08, 95% CI 0.009 - 0.83, p = 0.35) and fever at admission (OR: 13.33 95% CI: 1.04 - 169.55, p = 0.046).Conclusion:While the association between TMA and SS is uncommon, so far 18 cases have been reported in the world medical literature. It is typically a condition of women age close to 50 years. The most frequent manifestations are neurological. Among the variables evaluated, only the use of endovenous steroids was associated with a decrease in the probability of mortality; on the contrary, the presence of fever at hospital admission increased the probability of death. The results should be evaluated with caution, since, due to the limited availability of information, they may not be generalizable to clinical practice. More information on this should be obtained in the future.Disclosure of Interests:None declared


2021 ◽  
pp. 12
Author(s):  
Faisal Konbaz ◽  
Taif Alqahtani ◽  
Nada Alharthi ◽  
Mohammad Baraja ◽  
Nazish Masud ◽  
...  

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic has challenged the healthcare system’s capacities around the world. Due to the alarming situation, medical activities have been restricted to allocate resources to treat COVID-19-infected patients. However, medical emergencies still need urgent medical intervention. Considering the lack of reliable data regarding spinal surgeries during the COVID-19 pandemic, the present study sought to analyze the pattern of spinal surgeries in KSA. Methodology: A case series of patients who had urgent spine surgeries during COVID-19 pandemic was conducted in a tertiary care hospital. Data on patients’ demographics, COVID-19 test result, American Society of Anesthesia Score, SSS grade, diagnosis, and data related to surgery and postoperative findings were collected. All collected data were then processed and analyzed. Surgical outcomes based on source of admission were compared using Chi-square test. Result: A total of 63 patients who underwent spine surgery during the COVID-19 pandemic were included. The mean age of the patients was 53 ± 18 years and males were predominant (59%). The positive COVID-19 patients were 3%. Almost half of the patients were classified into ASA II. The majority were categorized into grade B (65%) according to SSS. The frequently diagnosed condition was fracture (33%), followed by spinal stenosis (18%) and metastatic (10%), while the most mentioned location was lumbar (61%). Postoperative complications were found in 11% of the patients. The readmission rate within 30 days, unplanned return to OR and ICU admission were 19%, 13%, and 11%, respectively. While the mean duration between admission and surgery was 8 ± 20 days, the mean duration of length of stay was 20 ± 29 days. Further, a significant association was seen between the admission source and the surgical procedure performed and surgical indication. Conclusion: It has been demonstrated that the surgical intervention was only provided to patients requiring immediate or urgent spinal management. However, the length of hospitalization and duration between hospital admission and surgery was substantially prolonged. Further studies are warranted to determine the factors leading to prolonged hospitalization and time between hospital admission and surgery.


Circulation ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 116 (suppl_16) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lisa M Lewis

Background : Medication adherence (ADH) is key to decreasing hypertension (HTN)-related morbidity and mortality in older African-American (AA) adults. However, older AA adults have poorer ADH to prescribed antihypertensive medications when compared to their younger and Caucasian-American counterparts. Patient beliefs and cultural concepts about their medications influence their medication ADH. An important cultural concept in this regards is spirituality, which is a significant resource in the AA community. Thus, the purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the role of spirituality in ADH to antihypertensive medications for older AA adults. Methods: Older AA adults who were members of a Program of All Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) and who were (a) diagnosed with HTN; (b) prescribed at least one antihypertensive medication; (c) self-identified as African-American or Black; and (d) self-identified as spiritual completed one in-depth individual face-to-face in this qualitative descriptive study informed by grounded theory. Demographic data were also collected. Results : Twenty-one PACE members completed the study. All of the participants were female. The mean age of participants was 73 years with most completing high school (67%). The mean HTN diagnosis was16.7 years and mean number of prescriptions for antihypertensives was 3.3. Participants indicated that their spirituality was used in a collaborative process with formal health care to manage their ADH to antihypertensive medications. This process was identified as Partnering with God to Manage My Medications. Partnering with God to Manage My Medications indicated that the PACE members acknowledged personal responsibility for adhering to their antihypertensive medication regimen but used their spirituality as a resource for making decisions to remain adherent; coping with medication side effects; and increasing their self-efficacy to deal with barriers to ADH . Conclusions : Spirituality played a positive role in medication adherence for the PACE members. Incorporating individual beliefs, such as spirituality, into patient treatment for HTN may capitalize on their inner resources for medication ADH and demonstrates culturally appropriate care.


Author(s):  
Syed Junaid Ahmed ◽  
Abdur Rahman Mohd Masood ◽  
Safiya Sumana ◽  
Khadeer Ahmed Ghori ◽  
Javed Akhtar Ansari ◽  
...  

Objective: Hyperglycemia is a known risk factor which adversely impacts the outcomes in stroke patients compared to patients with normal blood glucose levels. Patients suffering from an acute stroke who are previously nonhyperglycemic may show elevated blood glucose levels. The present study was designed to measure the outcomes in denovo diabetic and diabetic stroke patients compared to nondiabetics.Methods: A prospective observational study over a period of 6 mo, in which 103 patients were divided into three cohorts based on their blood glucose levels (nondiabetic, denovo diabetic and diabetics). The modified Rankin scale (mRS) score was calculated at in-hospital admission and discharge in these three cohorts. The initial and final scores were correlated and mean differences with respect to outcomes between all the three cohorts was calculated.Results: The mean mRS at the time of hospital admission in diabetics and nondiabetics was 3.6±0.81 and 3.3±0.78 which decreased to 2.8±0.95 and 2.9±0.83 respectively at the time of discharge. The mean mRS score in denovo diabetic stroke patients during in-hospital admission was 4±0.81 which was calculated as 3.7±0.85 at the time of discharge. The mean difference in mRS score in diabetics vs non-diabetics was found to be 0.73±0.8 (p =<0.001). The mean difference in mRS score of denovo diabetics vs non-diabetics and denovo diabetics vs diabetics was 0.30±0.63 and 0.38±0.61 respectively (p = 0.1).Conclusion: Results of these observational study in Indian patients, highlights the need for controlling hyperglycemia in stroke patients to improve outcomes and to prevent mortality arising out of acute stroke attacks.


2013 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
pp. CMPed.S12733 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mayra Isabel Correia Pinheiro ◽  
Luciano Pamplona De Góes Cavalcanti ◽  
Rodrigo Schuler Honório ◽  
Luïs Hélder De Alencar Moreno ◽  
Mayara Carvalho Fortes ◽  
...  

We examined 11 pediatric patients with eosinophilic esophagitis with a tardy diagnosis. The symptoms were initially thought to be related to other diseases, leading to the use of inadequate therapeutic approaches. The patients were between 3 and 17 years old (mean 7.8 ± 3.8 years), and 8 of the patients were male. Common symptoms included abdominal pain, regurgitation, difficulty in gaining weight, vomiting, dysphagia, and coughing. The mean age for the onset of symptoms was 4.3 ± 2.9 years. Endoscopic findings included normal mucosa in five (45%) patients, thickening of the mucosa with longitudinal grooves in three (27%), erosive esophagitis in two (18%), and a whitish stippling in one (9%) patient. Treatment included the use of a topical corticosteroid for 10 patients. In eight (73%) cases, the treatment made the symptoms disappear. Ten patients underwent histopathological management after treatment, with a decrease in the number of eosinophils.


2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (12) ◽  
pp. 749-760
Author(s):  
Aggeliki Charalampidi ◽  
Zoe Kordou ◽  
Evangelia-Eirini Tsermpini ◽  
Panagiotis Bosganas ◽  
Wasun Chantratita ◽  
...  

Aim: Regardless of the plethora of next-generation sequencing studies in the field of pharmacogenomics (PGx), the potential effect of covariate variables on PGx response within deeply phenotyped cohorts remains unexplored. Materials & methods: We explored with advanced statistical methods the potential influence of BMI, as a covariate variable, on PGx response in a Greek cohort with psychiatric disorders. Results: Nine PGx variants within UGT1A6, SLC22A4, GSTP1, CYP4B1, CES1, SLC29A3 and DPYD were associated with altered BMI in different psychiatric disorder groups. Carriers of rs2070959 ( UGT1A6), rs199861210 ( SLC29A3) and rs2297595 ( DPYD) were also characterized by significant changes in the mean BMI, depending on the presence of psychiatric disorders. Conclusion: Specific PGx variants are significantly associated with BMI in a Greek cohort with psychiatric disorders.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yi Xu ◽  
Valyrakis Manousos ◽  
Panagiotis Michalis

&lt;p&gt;Instream vegetation may alter the mean and turbukent flow fields leading to destabilizing riverbed surface, under certain flow conditions. In particular, recent research on instream vegetation hydrodynamics and ecohydrogeomorphology has focused on how energetic flow structures and bulk flow parameters downstream a vegetation may result in riverbed destabilization. This study, demonstrated the application of a 20mm novel instrumented particle in recording entrainment rates downstream simulated vegetation patches of distinct densities, at various distances downstream these. A patch of 6mm acrilic cylinders is used to simulate the emergent vegetation having the same diameter (12cm) and different porosities or densities (void volume equal to 1.25%, 3.15%, 6.25%, 11.25%, and 17.25%). The flow velocity near the instrumented particle is recorded using acoustic Doppler velocimetry (ADV) with appropriate seeding, under clear water conditions. Preliminary results are presented with focus on the effect of vegetation patch density on the flow field and subsequent effects on particle entrainment rates and implications for bed surface destabilisation.&lt;/p&gt;


Author(s):  
Alvaro Barrera

Hospital admission to an acute psychiatric unit can be a challenging and at times distressing experience for patients, relatives, and friends. This chapter outlines the main multidisciplinary clinical tasks that must be carried out from admission to discharge, with a view to provide care that promotes dignity, autonomy, as well as a sense of hope for patients and all those involved. Taking as context the frameworks and standards provided by a several bodies, the chapter follows a chronological order starting and ending with a close look at the community mental health teams with which inpatient units must closely work for the benefit of patients and their families and friends.


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