2021 Publications

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    Twitter debate: controversies in pregnancy in IBD and liver disease.
    (BMJ Journals., 2021-09-21) Kumar, Aditi
    The August 2021 #FGDebate discussed controversies in pregnancy in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and liver disease. The debate covered the difficult topics of when to perform endoscopy and other investigations, tackling treatment in active IBD, distinguishing normal versus pathological liver parameters and management of acute fatty liver disease in pregnancy. The debate rendered a very educational and stimulating discussion from across the world, including the UK, USA, Canada and Australia, generating over 300 tweets and 700 000 impressions. In this article, we will expand on the key discussion points from the debate.
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    Autoimmune hypoglycaemia: a narrative review from the laboratory perspective.
    (AME Publishing Company., 2021-07-30) Hughes, Lauren Elizabeth; Fenn, Jonathan Samuel; Ford, Clare; Gama, Rousseau
    Whilst hypoglycaemia is common, autoimmune causes are relatively rare. Autoimmune causes of hypoglycaemia includes both insulin autoimmune syndrome (IAS), and type B insulin resistance syndrome (TBIR). IAS typically presents with post-prandial hypoglycaemia in adulthood and is characterised by inappropriately high plasma insulin, proinsulin and C-peptide concentrations during hypoglycaemia, with C-peptide:insulin molar ratios of <1, high insulin autoantibody titres and the presence of macroinsulin. TBIR typically presents with hyperglycaemia due to insulin resistance as a result of insulin receptor antibodies. TBIR may, however, also present with endogenous hyperinsulinaemic hypoglycaemia or hyperglycaemia-hypoglycaemia depending on the activating or inhibiting action of the insulin receptor antibodies. Very rarely, autoimmune hypoglycaemia may be due to insulin antibodies raised to therapeutic insulin or insulin-binding paraproteins with purported mechanisms similar to IAS in producing hypoglycaemia. This review summarises the pathophysiology and laboratory features of IAS and TBIR, and highlights the importance of considering these diagnoses in patients with hypoglycaemia associated with non-suppressed insulin levels, to prevent unnecessary pancreatic surgery.
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    Ethnicity and breast cancer in the UK: where are we now.
    (Elsevier., 2021-12-01) Vidya, Raghavan
    Abstract Outcomes from breast cancer for women in the UK have improved significantly over recent decades. These gains are largely attributable to a combination of earlier diagnosis and access to treatments delivered to patients by the National Health Service irrespective of cost. Ethnic minority groups make up almost fifteen percent of the UK population and there is concern however that these groups may have poorer outcomes from the disease. In this short report we seek to summarise what the current evidence tells us about the patterns of breast cancer incidence and outcomes in ethnic minority women in the UK in order to raise awareness about this topic and provide consideration for what future research is needed to address the gaps that may exist.
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    Sensory stimulation of the foot and ankle early post-stroke: a pilot and feasibility study.
    (Frontiers Media, 2021-07-05) Aries, Alison
    Background: Somatosensory stimulation of the lower extremity could improve motor recovery and walking post-stroke. This pilot study investigated the feasibility of a subsequent randomized controlled trial (RCT) to determine whether task-specific gait training is more effective following either (a) intensive hands-on somatosensory stimulation or (b) wearing textured insoles. Objectives: Determine recruitment and attrition rates, adherence to intervention, acceptability and viability of interventions and outcome measures, and estimate variance of outcome data to inform sample size for a subsequent RCT. Methods: Design: randomized, single-blinded, mixed-methods pilot study. Setting: In-patient rehabilitation ward and community. Participants: n = 34, 18+years, 42-112 days following anterior or posterior circulation stroke, able to follow simple commands, able to walk independently pre-stroke, and providing informed consent. Intervention: Twenty 30-min sessions of task-specific gait training (TSGT) (delivered over 6 weeks) in addition to either: (a) 30-60 min mobilization and tactile stimulation (MTS); or (b) unlimited textured insole (TI) wearing. Outcomes: Ankle range of movement (electrogoniometer), touch-pressure sensory thresholds (Semmes Weinstein Monofilaments), motor impairment (Lower Extremity Motricity Index), walking ability and speed (Functional Ambulation Category, 5-m walk test, pressure insoles) and function (modified Rivermead Mobility Index), measured before randomization, post-intervention, and 1-month thereafter (follow-up). Adherence to allocated intervention and actual dose delivered (fidelity) were documented in case report forms and daily diaries. Focus groups further explored acceptability of interventions and study experience. Analysis: Recruitment, attrition, and dose adherence rates were calculated as percentages of possible totals. Thematic analysis of daily diaries and focus group data was undertaken. Standard deviations of outcome measures were calculated and used to inform a sample size calculation. Results: Recruitment, attrition, and adherence rates were 48.57, 5.88, and 96.88%, respectively. Focus groups, daily-diaries and case report forms indicated acceptability of interventions and outcome measures to participants. The 5-m walk was selected as primary outcome measure for a future trial [mean (SD) at end of intervention: 16.86 (11.24) MTS group and 21.56 (13.57) TI group]; sample size calculation indicated 60 participants are required per group. Conclusion: Recruitment, attrition and adherence rates and acceptability of interventions and outcomes justify a subsequent powered RCT of MTS+TSGT compared with TI+TSGT.
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    The mutual benefits of patient and public involvement in research: an example from a feasibility study (MoTaStim-Foot).
    (Springer Nature, 2021-12-04) Aries, Alison
    Background: Patient and public involvement (PPI) in research has increased steadily over the last two decades and is now both expected and appropriately resourced by many funding bodies, including the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR). However, PPI in research occurs in many different capacities and numerous frameworks exist for reporting or appraising patient involvement activities. The aim of this article is to describe processes involving PPI contributions to an NIHR-funded mixed-methods feasibility study (MoTaStim-Foot). Details of PPI advisors' input, from initial identification and prioritisation of research ideas, to research delivery and dissemination, are discussed. Methods: Extensive PPI for MoTaStim-Foot is reported, with consideration of Research Design Service (RDS) advice for PPI for research, involving identifying and prioritising: design; grant proposal development; undertaking/managing research; analysing and interpreting; dissemination; implementation; monitoring and evaluation. Two PPI workshops were undertaken; success in meeting UK standards for public involvement was audited against specific success criteria by two researchers, with discussion and consideration regarding how well our PPI achieved inclusive opportunities, working together, support and learning, governance, communications and impact. How PPI can be improved for future trials was also considered. Although the advantages of PPI for researchers were considered, the benefits for PPI advisors were also analysed. Results: UK standards for public involvement were achieved, along with seven relevant research processes suggested by the RDS. PPI advisor contributions: informed study design; contributed to successful funding; enhanced trial delivery by informing participant information sheets and daily diaries; added value through undertaking note-taker roles in focus groups and helping to analyse focus group transcripts; and assisted in dissemination. However, benefits were mutual with PPI advisors reporting feeling valued and respected, a sense of pride with renewed confidence and purpose in life. Conclusions: Importance and value of PPI, to researchers and patient advisors, have been highlighted, reinforcing the benefits of working in partnership with PPI advisors.