Understanding the social context of fatal road traffic collisions among young people: A qualitative analysis of narrative text in coroners' records

Background: Deaths and injuries on the road remain a major cause of premature death among young people across the world. Routinely collected data usually focuses on the mechanism of road traffic collisions and basic demographic data of those involved. This study aimed to supplement these routine sources with a thematic analysis of narrative text contained in coroners' records, to explore the wider social context in which collisions occur. Methods. Thematic analysis of narrative text from Coroners' records, retrieved from thirty-four fatalities among young people (16-24 year olds) occurring as a result of thirty road traffic collisions in a rural county in the south of England over the period 2005-2010. Results: Six key themes emerged: social driving, driving experience, interest in motor vehicles, driving behaviour, perception of driving ability, and emotional distress. Social driving (defined as a group of related behaviours including: driving as a social event in itself (i.e. without a pre-specified destination); driving to or from a social event; driving with accompanying passengers; driving late at night; driving where alcohol or drugs were a feature of the journey) was identified as a common feature across cases. Conclusions: Analysis of the wider social context in which road traffic collisions occur in young people can provide important information for understanding why collisions happen and developing targeted interventions to prevent them. It can complement routinely collected data, which often focuses on events immediately preceding a collision. Qualitative analysis of narrative text in coroner's records may provide a way of providing this type of information. These findings provide additional support for the case for Graduated Driver Licensing programmes to reduce collisions involving young people, and also suggest that road safety interventions need to take a more community development approach, recognising the importance of social context and focusing on social networks of young people. © 2014 Pilkington et al.; licensee BioMed Central Ltd

Sickle cell disease: a case report of renal amyloidosis

Abstract Background The development of proteinuria and reduced glomerular filtration rate is associated with higher mortality among patients with sickle cell disease (SCD). AA amyloidosis, also associated with increased mortality, in SCD is rare. We present a case of a woman with homozygous sickle cell disease with nephrotic syndrome and antibodies to double stranded DNA without clinical features of systemic lupus erythematosus. Kidney biopsy reveals AA amyloidosis and is the first report of concomitant AA amyloidosis with antibodies to double stranded DNA in SCD. Case presentation A 40-year-old Central African woman with homozygous sickle cell disease and history of vaso-occlusive pain crises undergoes kidney biopsy for nephrotic-range proteinuria. Kidney biopsy reveals AA type amyloidosis, which is a rare manifestation of SCD in the kidney. Her anemia worsens with an ACE inhibitor, initiated to reduce proteinuria and limit GFR decline, so it was discontinued. Hydroxyurea, shown to decrease the frequency of vaso-occlusive crises and lower proteinuria, was subsequently initiated but then discontinued due to worsening anemia. Unfortunately, her glomerular filtration rate worsens. Conclusions AA amyloidosis and antibodies to double stranded DNA can occur in sickle cell disease. ACE inhibition and hydroxyurea decrease proteinuria so they may limit progression of chronic kidney disease. Hydroxyurea also decreases frequency of vaso-occlusive pain crises so it might be helpful in limiting progression of renal AA amyloidosis. However, further studies are needed to determine optimal treatment strategies for AA amyloidosis in sickle cell disease

As in Real Estate, Location Is What Matters: A Case Report of Transplant Ureteral Obstruction Due to an Inguinal Hernia

Background: Kidney allograft dysfunction is common and often reversible but can lead to allograft loss if not promptly evaluated. Transplant ureteral obstruction in an inguinal hernia is a rare cause of allograft dysfunction, but early recognition may prevent allograft loss. Case Presentation: We present a case of a man with acute kidney allograft dysfunction who received a deceased donor kidney transplant 6 years earlier for end-stage kidney disease secondary to polycystic kidney disease. Abdominal ultrasounds revealed hydronephrosis without full visualization of the transplant ureter. Abdominal computed tomography revealed moderate hydronephrosis of the transplant kidney due to obstructed herniation of the transplant ureter in a right inguinal hernia. A stent was inserted into the transplant ureter to prevent further allograft dysfunction and facilitate hernia repair. Conclusions: Transplant ureteral obstruction is a rare cause of acute kidney allograft dysfunction, and its detection can be challenging. The recognition of transplant ureteral obstruction is vital to timely management for preventing allograft loss

Thiazide diuretic-caused hyponatremia in the elderly hypertensive: will a bottle of Nepro a day keep hyponatremia and the doctor away? Study protocol for a proof-of-concept feasibility trial

Abstract Background Hypertension is the most common modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular disease, with an increasing prevalence with age, but with easily available medications to control it. Adverse effects of these medications do limit their use, in particular hyponatremia due to thiazide and thiazide-like diuretics. This is more common in the elderly patients due to a combination of inadequate protein intake and impaired urinary dilution capability, made worse by additional thiazide use. Limiting free water intake and increasing protein intake are often not successful resulting in thiazide avoidance. Daily protein supplement is a potential option in this clinical scenario. We describe the protocol for a feasibility study to explore this option. Methods This is a single-arm, prospective, open-label proof-of-concept trial, including elderly patients with thiazide diuretic-induced hyponatremia. Forty patients will be enrolled and receive a bottle of a protein supplement daily, providing 120 mmol of solutes and permitting an extra 163 mL free water loss, for 4 weeks. The main outcome measures will be (1) feasibility for enrollment, (2) safety of the intervention, and (3) potential efficacy of the intervention in improving hyponatremia. Secondary outcome measures will include changes in urine osmolality, body weight, and urea measurements. Discussion Thiazide diuretic-induced hyponatremia is an important adverse effect, with significant clinical impact, such as delirium and falls, and limits the use of these potent antihypertensive agents. There are little data on the effect or safety of protein supplementation and also on whether a trial of this is feasible. The results of this proof-of-concept feasibility trial will help plan and execute a larger definitive trial to test protein supplementation as an effective strategy in this condition. Trial registration The trial is registered with Clinical trials, registration identifier: NCT02614807

In-center Nocturnal Hemodialysis: Another Option in the Management of Chronic Kidney Disease

Background and objectives: Some patients are not optimally treated by conventional in-center hemodialysis (HD) and are unable to perform home HD. We examined the effect of in-center thrice-weekly nocturnal HD (INHD) on patient outcomes