STUDY OBJECTIVE - Nested case-control study aimed to assess the quality of life of community dwelling participants aged 65 years or over with newly diagnosed Essential Tremor (ET). METHODS AND RESULTS - Thirty-two participants with newly diagnosed ET and 32 age and gender matched controls were administered the Rand-SF36 quality of life questionnaire. Medical co-morbidities were also assessed in the two groups. Results - Participants with ET had significantly lower scores in the physical function, role limitation because of physical function, role limitation as a result of emotional problem, pain, and energy/vitality subscales of the Rand-SF36 when compared with controls. CONCLUSIONS - Older patients with newly diagnosed ET have poorer quality of life than their community dwelling counterparts without ET.

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Eighty-nine patients were studied; 47 in the MAU group and 42 in the non-MAU group. The MAU cohort was significantly older (84.1 ± 7.9 years v. 80.4 ± 7.8 years, respectively, P=0.03); and had shorter ED LOS (4.9 ± 3.0h v. 6.5 ± 2.8h, P=0.012). Overall hospital LOS did not differ except for patients with 'cellulitis', (5.7 ± 4.9 days for MAU cohort v. 14.8 ± 6.8 days for non-MAU cohort, P=0.022). There was no significant difference in mortality, readmission rate or discharge destination. Conclusions. The MAU can be an effective service model for older patients. More research is required to confirm this and to define the key elements that are essential for its effectiveness.

Recurrent cellulitis following successful treatment is common and prevention should be a major component in the management of cellulitis. Conditions that increase the risk of recurrence include chronic edema, venous disease, dermatomycosis and obesity. These risk factors should be actively managed as further episodes of cellulitis increases the risk of recurrence. The role of non-antibiotic measures is important and should be first-line in prevention. Antibiotic prophylaxis is effective, but its role is limited to non-purulent cellulitis where risk factors are appropriately managed.

BackgroundCellulitis requiring intravenous therapy can be managed via out of hospital programs, but a high number of patients are still admitted to hospital.ObjectiveWe aimed to review the clinical features, management and outcomes of patients with cellulitis requiring intravenous therapy in a Hospital in the Home (HITH) program compared to patients who are admitted to hospital.MethodsA prospective cohort study of patients with limb cellulitis requiring intravenous antibiotics was conducted at a metropolitan principal referral hospital.ResultsA total of 100 patients out of 113 eligible patients were recruited. Forty-eight were treated entirely in hospital and 52 were treated entirely or partially via HITH. Patients treated in hospital were older (mean 69.2 vs 56.7 years, p<0.001), less mobile, have more comorbidities (Charlson Comorbidity Index mean 2.2 vs 1.2, P=0.005) and more associated active illness. All patients with Eron Class III were admitted to hospital. Patients treated in hospital had a higher incidence of acute renal failure (27.1% vs 3.8%, p=0.001), nosocomial infection (10.4% vs 0.0%, P=0.023), and a higher 28-day hospital readmission rate (10.4% vs 0.0%, P=0.023).ConclusionApproximately half of the patients who require intravenous therapy can be treated via an out of hospital program. Patients admitted to hospital were more unwell and more likely to suffer complications. The presence of comorbid illness does not necessarily exclude participation in HITH and careful selection is essential to ensure safe outcomes.