Search Results (2)

Background: Physical activity (PA) in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) has many potential favourable outcomes including anti-inflammatory effects, improvement in quality of life and improvements in patient body composition. It is recognised that patients with IBD have a significantly decreased exercise tolerance. Aim: 1. To assess physical activity levels, behaviours and barriers to PA in IBD. 2. To assess the likelihood of patients with IBD to engage in a community-based exercise programme. 3. To examine the presence of body image concerns in IBD. Method: Patient surveys were distributed in Beaumont and Connolly Hospitals between October and December 2021. Descriptive statistics, Chi-squared testing and Pearson’s correlations were completed using Minitab. p < 0.05 denoted statistical significance. Results: Data were recorded for a total of 203 patients. Out of all patients, 62% (n = 126) had Crohn’s disease (CD). Over half of the cohort were male (n = 115). Mean weight among females was 75 kg and 83 kg among males. Exercise behaviours: Out of all patients, 71% exercise regularly, on average for 59 min, 3.2 days/week. Walking was the most common form of PA (74%). A post-diagnosis change in exercise behaviour was found in 66% with three-quarters exercising less. The primary barrier to exercise was fatigue (54%). Female gender (p = 0.007) and age < 45 years (p = 0.02) were associated with body image dissatisfaction reported in 62% of patients. Conclusion: These data demonstrate the patient-reported impact of IBD on patient participation in PA. Concerns regarding body image were common and associated with gender and age. A feasibility study of a physician-derived exercise programme in patients with active IBD is underway in Beaumont Hospital to determine the effect on patient response to therapy, inflammation and body composition outcomes (NCT05174754). Full article

Background: Pityriasis versicolor (PV), also known as tinea versicolor, is caused by Malassezia species. This condition is one of the most common superficial fungal infections worldwide, particularly in tropical climates. PV is difficult to cure and the chances for relapse or recurrent infections are high due to the presence of Malassezia in the normal skin flora. This review focuses on the clinical evidence supporting the efficacy of antifungal treatment for PV. Method: A systematic review of literature from the PubMed database was conducted up to 30 September 2014. The search criteria were “(pityriasis versicolor OR tinea versicolor) AND treatment”, with full text available and English language required. Conclusions: Topical antifungal medications are the first-line treatment for PV, including zinc pyrithione, ketoconazole, and terbinafine. In cases of severe or recalcitrant PV, the oral antifungal medications itraconazole and fluconazole may be more appropriate, with pramiconazole a possible future option. Oral terbinafine is not effective in treating PV and oral ketoconazole should no longer be prescribed. Maintenance, or prophylactic, therapy may be useful in preventing recurrent infection; however, at this time, there is limited research evaluating the efficacy of prophylactic antifungal treatment. Full article