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Biomedical subjects

Jenny Hughes

Publications and source records attributed to Jenny Hughes.

8 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2005

Use of IGIV in the treatment of atopic dermatitis, urticaria, scleromyxedema, pyoderma gangrenosum, psoriasis, and pretibial myxedema.

There has been a rapid expansion in the use of IGIV for an ever-growing number of conditions. It is a product with an excellent safety record without the side effects of steroids or other immunosuppressive agents. There have been numerous recent advances in our understanding of the mechanisms of action of IGIV in many of the conditions for which it is being used, but there is still much to be learned. IGIV has had a major impact in neurology, haematology, immunology, rheumatology and dermatology. The limitations for IGIV are cost of the preparation itself and the logistical problems associated with its administration. Here we describe the published evidence for the use of high-dose IGIV in the dermatological conditions atopic dermatitis, urticaria, scleromyxedema, pyoderma gangrenosum, psoriasis and pretibial myxedema. These conditions have an emerging evidence base for hdIGIV which is relatively small consisting mainly of case reports and small case series. The outcomes in a number of these conditions appear encouraging, but as the reports are likely to reflect a bias for positive results, one must be cautious about drawing firm conclusions.

Dermatitis, Atopic↗
PubMed2003

Postinflammatory hyperpigmentation following torture.

Hyperpigmentation after torture in darker skinned patients has regularly been noted, although its pathophysiology, and thus its forensic importance, has not previously been documented. Hyperpigmentation is not well described in the dermatological literature. It is the result of inflammation. Any inflammation can cause hyperpigmentation, and the shape of the resulting lesion can closely follow the contours of the site of original inflammatory response. This can be important in correlating the lesion with the alleged cause. It also helps to establish the differential diagnosis of the lesion, which also assists in assessing the degree of consistency between the lesion and the alleged cause. Patterns of hyperpigmentation can therefore, be helpful in assessing allegations of torture months or years after the event.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2003

Primary care-led NHS.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗
PubMed1999

Identifying factors affecting the placement of mentally ill patients.

BACKGROUND: There is now general agreement that a comprehensive psychiatric service can operate with the minimum use of in-patient facilities. Consequently, the emphasis in most European countries is on reducing the number of inpatient beds and expanding the range of community care facilities, including day hospital services, available to mentally ill patients. Decision-making with respect to placement is now even more important given the changes currently taking place on the supply side. METHOD: The study examines the factors that influence placement decision-making between inpatient care and day hospital care in one Health Board in Ireland. Placement was examined over a 9 month period for all patients presenting for treatment in one particular area with a population of 39000 people. Patients were not randomized between the two settings due to ethical concerns about the randomization process. The issue of placement is analysed using a logit estimation procedure. RESULTS: The results suggest that two variables have a significant affect on placement for the population under review: whether the patient is accompanied at the time of admission and the domicile of the patient. CONCLUSIONS: Greater flexibility with respect to the opening hours of day hospital facilities, linked to improved transport facilities, together with further analysis on the process of admission to hospital, particularly the dynamics of the interaction between providers, patients, and accompanying persons, may improve placement decision-making for mentally ill patients.

Journal Article↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Sexually transmitted infections: a medical anthropological study from the Tari research unit 1990-1991.

This paper describes medical anthropological research conducted while I was based at the Tari Research Unit for six months in 1990-1991. The research aimed to gain a deeper understanding of the social factors surrounding the transmission of sexually transmitted infections, which had escalated following a local gold rush in 1989. Although HIV/AIDS was a very minor health issue in Papua New Guinea at that time, medical staff were aware of the likelihood of the disease becoming prevalent in the highlands in the near future. The research indicated that many people regarded sexually transmitted infections (STIs) as a nuisance, rather than a serious health risk. Discussions with chronic sufferers revealed that they were more concerned about the dangers of infertility than the immediate effects of the infections. The paper considers the risk-taking that the people of Tari, the Huli, were prepared to accept and suggests ways in which these risks might be minimized.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗