Chronic tic disorders may have a huge influence on quality of life. Habit reversal training (HRT) and exposure response prevention (ERP) are effective treatments. In a blinded assessed, open trial, this study evaluates the effectiveness of a newly developed Scandinavian tic treating manual designed to treat adolescents with a chronic tic disorder, combining HRT and ERP. The study compared the efficacy of treatment based on the same manual delivered either individually or in groups. The study was an open randomized controlled clinical trial in which adolescents were randomized to either individual or group therapy. Both therapies included nine sessions. The parents were offered group-based psycho-education. The exclusion criteria were chosen to design a study that would be close to clinical practice. This is the first Scandinavian study that examines the effectiveness of a treatment manual combining HRT and ERP delivered in an individual and group setting. The study showed a significant reduction of the Total Tic score on the Yale Global Tic Severity Scale both in the individual (effect size 1.21) and group setting (effect size 1.38). A total of 66.7% of participants were considered responders. There was no statistical significant difference between the individual and group setting apart from the functional impairment score. The reductions were comparable with those shown in other studies. The participants applied both HRT and ERP, and the majority (36/59) reported an increased post-treatment experience of control. The newly designed Scandinavian manual was equally effective in the individual and group setting with effect sizes comparable with those shown in other studies.

BACKGROUND: Mycobacterium tuberculosis is acid-fast and able to survive in the gastrointestinal tract. Thus, bacteria can be found in stool if sputum is swallowed. In this study, the accuracy of different diagnostic stool methods (microscopy, polymerase chain reaction PCR and culture) among adults with pulmonary TB (PTB) were assessed and compared with sputum culture.METHODS: Embase and PubMed were searched to identify studies with data on stool testing among patients with clinically presumed or microbiologically verified PTB.RESULTS: Thirteen relevant studies were included. A pooled sensitivity of one or more of the three TB identifying methods was 79.1% (95% CI 61.5–92.5). The sensitivity of stool microscopy, PCR and culture was respectively 41.1% (95%CI 24.9–58.2), 89.7% (95% CI 81.4–95.9) and 38.0% (95% CI 26.2–50.6). The heterogeneity of the studies included was high.CONCLUSION: Our review findings indicate that the analysis of stool specimens as part of PTB diagnostics is useful. PCR methods were particularly helpful in detecting a substantial proportion of patients with PTB.

Results: 80/92 referrals were analysed. The reasons for referral were: clinical 82.5%, family history 5%, and rhythm disturbances 11%. Acyanotic congenital heart disease (CHD) was diagnosed in 64% (of which 64% left to right, 29.4% obstructive lesions and 8% regurgitant lesions) and 8.75% of cases were diagnosed as cyanotic CHD. All cyanotic CHD were picked up immediately after birth.10% were found to have rhythm disturbances (SVT, WPW).2.5% of cases were classed as life threatening. 20% required interventions and 12.5% of the referral were normal and discharged. Conclusions:Cardiology service provided by PEC with support from tertiary cardiology centre is safe and effective even in the absence of telemedicine. Weekly access to tertiary paediatric cardiology service by PEC provides continuous medical education, constructive feedback and opportunity to discuss non-urgent cases thereby avoiding unnecessary referrals. Background: The management of the paediatric department has required an increase and a consolidation of the quality of nursing in our specialized units in the paediatric ward.