Welcome to the Musculoskeletal Elf! This is the first of many regular articles that we plan to publish on this website; highlighting reliable musculoskeletal research and guidance for health and social care professionals. Our first few blogs will have relevance to the London 2012 summer Olympic Games and Paralympic Games taking place just now. Well done [read the full story…]
Antidepressants and psychotherapies are the mainstay for treating depression, but another option is the benzodiazepine drug alprazolam, which is recommended for treating depression when anxiety is also involved. Some doctors prescribe a short course of benzodiazepines to help depressed and anxious patients, but this is not supported by NICE guidance. High-potency tranquillisers like alprazolam are [read the full story…]
Normally, we at the Learning Disabilities Elf like to look at learning disability specific research, but we thought this review of the utility of risk assessment tools was interesting and relevant to people with learning disabilities who come into contact with psychiatric and criminal justice services. Risk assessment research stresses the dynamic nature of predictors [read the full story…]
Risk assessment tools are widely used in psychiatric hospitals and criminal justice systems to help predict violent behaviour and inform sentencing and release decisions. Yet their predictive accuracy remains uncertain and expert opinion is divided, according to a new systematic review published in the BMJ. An international team of researchers led by Seena Fazel from [read the full story…]
Alveolar bone remodelling follows tooth extraction and traumatic extraction is associated with additional bone loss. Prior to extraction periodontal disease, periapical pathology and mechanical trauma can also lead to loss of bone. In order to maintain a good alveolar ridge a range for preservation procedures have been investigated. The aim of this review was to [read the full story…]
Occlusal dysaesthesia (phantom bite, occlusal neurosis, positive occlusal awareness and occlusal hyperawareness) has been defined as a persistent (more than 6 months) uncomfortable bite sensation, which does not relate to any physical alteration related to occlusion, pulp, periodontium, muscle or temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and causes significant functional impairment. Patients who complain of occlusal dysaesthesia (OD) [read the full story…]
The Swedish Council on Health Technology Assessment (SBU) systematic review of the Methods of Diagnosis and Treatment in Endodontics is now available in English, the original report in Swedish being published in 2010. The review aimed to address a number of specific questions:- How well can different diagnostic methods determine the condition of the pulp [read the full story…]
People with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) often struggle to interact socially in the same way as everyone else. Recognising emotions and communicating can be very difficult for them. One approach that has grown in popularity is social skills groups, which aim to improve social competence, communication skills and quality of life for people with ASD. [read the full story…]
Citalopram (brand names: Cipramil and Celexa) is an antidepressant drug in the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) class. It was one of the first SSRIs to come onto the market over 20 years ago and is available as tablets and as oral drops that are taken in a juice drink. There are lots of antidepressants [read the full story…]
Oral Ulcers occur more frequently, last longer and produce more painful symptoms in HIV-infected adults. Aphthous ulcers are generally classified as major, minor or herpetiform. Major ulcers can exceed 3cm in diameter and can develop into large necrotic lesions. Major ulcers are seen more commonly in HIV-infected than non-infected adults. The aim of this Cochrane [read the full story…]
