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Management of epididymo-orchitis in primary care: results from a large UK primary care database.

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND:Epididymo-orchitis is a common urological presentation in men but recent incidence data are lacking. Guidelines for management recommend detailed investigation and treatment for sexually transmitted pathogens, such as Chlamydia trachomatis. Data from secondary care indicate that these guidelines are poorly followed. It is not known how epididymo-orchitis is managed in UK general practice. AIM:To estimate the incidence of cases of epididymo-orchitis seen in UK general practice, and to describe their management. DESIGN OF STUDY:Cohort study. SETTING:UK general practices contributing to the General Practice Research Database (GPRD). METHOD:Men, aged 15-60 years, consulting with a first episode of epididymo-orchitis between 30 June 2003 and 30 June 2008 were identified. All records within 28 days either side of the diagnosis date were analysed to describe the management of these cases (including location) and to compare this management with guidelines. RESULTS:A total of 12 615 patients with a first episode of epididymo-orchitis were identified. The incidence was highest in 2004-2005 (25/10 000) and declined in the later years of the study. Fifty-seven per cent (6943) of patients were managed entirely within general practice. Of these, over 92% received an antibiotic, with ciprofloxacin being the most common one prescribed. Only 18% received a prescription for doxycycline. Most men, including those under 35 years, had no investigation recorded and fewer than 3% had a test for chlamydia. CONCLUSION:These results indicate low rates of specific testing and treatment for sexually transmitted infections in males who attend general practice with symptoms of epididymo-orchitis. There is a need for further research to understand the pattern of care delivered in general practice.

SUBMITTER: Nicholson A

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2944950 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Management of epididymo-orchitis in primary care: results from a large UK primary care database.

Nicholson Amanda A Rait Greta G Murray-Thomas Tarita T Hughes Gwenda G Mercer Catherine H CH Cassell Jackie J

The British journal of general practice : the journal of the Royal College of General Practitioners 20101001 579

<h4>Background</h4>Epididymo-orchitis is a common urological presentation in men but recent incidence data are lacking. Guidelines for management recommend detailed investigation and treatment for sexually transmitted pathogens, such as Chlamydia trachomatis. Data from secondary care indicate that these guidelines are poorly followed. It is not known how epididymo-orchitis is managed in UK general practice.<h4>Aim</h4>To estimate the incidence of cases of epididymo-orchitis seen in UK general pr ...[more]

PMID: 20883615

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Project description:BackgroundIncreasing breastfeeding initiation and duration rates is one of the UK Department of Health national targets for improving the health of the population. One reason contributing to the high rates of breastfeeding discontinuation may be that primary care teams may not have sufficient knowledge to help mothers overcome problems experienced in the early days and may also give conflicting advice. Previous studies have shown that general practitioners are happy to participate in practice-based educational sessions and have expressed a need for breastfeeding education. This study was carried out as part of the training to achieve 'UNICEF UK Baby Friendly Initiative in a community health care setting' status. It aimed to improve the breastfeeding expertise and advice about the management of breastfeeding problems within the primary care team using a CD-ROM breastfeeding learning package, and to assess the usefulness and acceptability of this educational intervention.MethodsSix UK general practitioner (GP) practices were involved in a questionnaire survey of multiprofessional groups before and after an interactive training session. This focussed on managing and solving problems, particularly mastitis and nipple thrush. The questionnaire included 20 questions on attitudes to and knowledge of breastfeeding, and eight multiple-choice questions on breastfeeding management. Non-parametric statistics (Mann-Whitney, Kruskal-Wallis and Wilcoxon tests) were used to compare the groups and to explore changes in knowledge after training.ResultsFifty primary care health professionals (29 GPs, 18 health visitors, 3 midwives) attended the sessions. There was an increase in scores relating to knowledge about breastfeeding after training, especially for the GPs and for those who did not have their own children. Health visitors improved their scores on recognition of the symptoms of poor attachment at the breast, and GPs showed greatest improvement in resolving sore nipples and recognising nipple thrush.Changes in practice were reported and positive comments made about involving GPs and health visitors together in practice-based education.ConclusionUsing an electronic teaching resource is feasible for updating the knowledge of the primary care team. It can help to improve breastfeeding expertise and advice about breastfeeding problem management.

Project description:OBJECTIVES:Care gaps in asthma may be highly prevalent but are poorly characterised. We sought to prospectively measure adherence to key evidence-based adult asthma practices in primary care, and predictors of these behaviours. DESIGN:One-year prospective cohort study employing an electronic chart audit. SETTING:Three family health teams (two academic, one community-based) in Ontario, Canada. PARTICIPANTS:884 patients (72.1% female; 46.0±17.5 years old) (4199 total visits; 4.8±4.8?visits/patient) assigned to 23 physicians (65% female; practising for 10.0±8.6 years). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:The primary outcome was the proportion of visits during which practitioners assessed asthma control according to symptom-based criteria. Secondary outcomes included the proportion of: patients who had asthma control assessed at least once; visits during which a controller medication was initiated or escalated; and patients who received a written asthma action plan. Behavioural predictors were established a priori and tested in a multivariable model. RESULTS:Primary outcome: Providers assessed asthma control in 4.9% of visits and 15.4% of patients. Factors influencing assessment included clinic site (p=0.019) and presenting symptom, with providers assessing control more often during visits for asthma symptoms (35.0%) or any respiratory symptoms (18.8%) relative to other visits (1.6%) (p<0.01). SECONDARY OUTCOMES:Providers escalated controller therapy in 3.3% of visits and 15.4% of patients. Factors influencing escalation included clinic site, presenting symptom and prior objective asthma diagnosis. Escalation occurred more frequently during visits for asthma symptoms (21.0%) or any respiratory symptoms (11.9%) relative to other visits (1.5%) (p<0.01) and in patients without a prior objective asthma diagnosis (3.5%) relative to those with (1.3%) (p=0.025). No asthma action plans were delivered. CONCLUSIONS:Major gaps in evidence-based asthma practice exist in primary care. Targeted knowledge translation interventions are required to address these gaps, and can be tailored by leveraging the identified behavioural predictors. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER:NCT01070095; Pre-results.

Dataset Information

Management of epididymo-orchitis in primary care: results from a large UK primary care database.

Publications

Management of epididymo-orchitis in primary care: results from a large UK primary care database.

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