The importance of self-esteem in the development and maintenance of psychotic experiences has been shown in previous research. However, there has been little research into the role this plays in individuals with psychosis and forensic histories. The current study investigated the effectiveness of a standardized group programme for improving self-esteem in individuals with psychosis living in high security settings. Fifteen participants were included in the group programme and measures were taken to record changes in self-esteem and symptomatology. The results demonstrated significant improvements in self-esteem over the course of the group intervention, with some effects maintained at 3-month follow-up. Improvements in depressed mood were also found. The results demonstrated the effectiveness of a group intervention for self-esteem in individuals with psychosis. The findings of this study, alongside implications for further research, are discussed.

Laboratory evidence of HPA axis suppression exists in children taking ICS for asthma. Children should be regularly screened for the presence of HPA axis suppression when treated with high-dose ICS (>500 μg/day). Consideration should be given to screening children on medium-dose ICS.

Ten healthy normal volunteers received an intravenous infusion of erythromycin lactobionate over 60 min to a total dose of 800 mg (n = 9), and 524 mg (n = 1). Blood samples were collected at 10 min intervals for 100 min and gastric contents aspirated, via a nasogastric tube, from pre‐dose to 105 min after start of infusion. Incidence and severity of three gastrointestinal symptoms (nausea, stomach discomfort and feelings of hunger), two CNS symptoms (dizziness and faintness) and a 'control' symptom (back pain) were measured using 100 mm visual analogue scales. Rate of infusion and plasma erythromycin concentration correlated with nausea (P less than 0.001) and stomach discomfort (P less than 0.001); plasma erythromycin concentration was also correlated with dizziness (P less than 0.05). Concentrations of active erythromycin in the aspirate were pH dependent. In one subject the concentration of erythromycin in the aspirate exceeded that in the plasma by 100 fold. Bile staining of samples containing the highest levels of microbiologically active erythromycin makes the origin of the erythromycin in these samples uncertain.

FeNO levels correlated with bronchodilator response in a regional pediatric asthma centre. However, FeNO accounted for only 16% and 9% of the variability in FEV1 and FEF25-75, respectively. Mean adjusted FeNO varied according to ICS type, suggesting a difference in relative efficacy between ICS beyond their dose equivalents.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of a multidisciplinary paediatric asthma clinic in reducing the morbidity associated with paediatric asthma. METHODS: An initial survey of need was undertaken in the community of Orillia, Ontario and the surrounding area. The clinic was established as a separate entity from the adult model. The multidisciplinary nature of the clinic was a priority. The effectiveness of the clinic was assessed with patient/parent reports and objectively analyzed by assessing the frequency of asthma visits to the emergency room and hospital admissions. RESULTS: Comparison was undertaken between the first year and third year of clinic operation. The number of paediatric asthma visits to the emergency room was reduced by 20%. The number of paediatric asthma inpatient visits was reduced by 12%. At the same time, the number of paediatric asthma visits to the asthma clinic increased by 200%. CONCLUSIONS: This multidiscipline paediatric asthma clinic model is community friendly and reduces the morbidity of asthma as evidenced by declining visits to the emergency room.