/library/oar/handle/123456789/1072 Tue, 11 Nov 2025 07:51:51 GMT 2025-11-11T07:51:51Z /library/oar/handle/123456789/1150 Title: The development of a speech and language screening test for Maltese older persons Authors: Delia, Kenneth; Ellul Mercer, Elena; Fiorini, Helen; Ameen, Alexandra Abstract: Aim: To develop the first screening test for Maltese speaking older adults with acquired language difficulties based on normative data, referred to in the study as Language Screening Test for the Elderly (LeST). Methodology: Normative data were collected from a representative sample of 77 elders living in the community, through cluster sampling from the five regions of Malta. Inclusion criteria: i) functional hearing abilities, ii) no history of neurological disorders, and iii) no cognitive impairment. Eighteen subjects were excluded. Factors taken into account: a) age (60 to 79 years and 80+ years), b) gender, c) educational background, d) literacy and e) bilingualism. A pilot study was carried out on 20 participants. Data collection was carried out at day centres by four speech language pathologists (SLPs). The LeST was also administered on ten subjects with aphasia and results were compared to the normal population. Results: Correlation and comparative statistical analysis of the data revealed that 1) scores were not affected by gender, age or locality, 2) p-values reach significance for factors related to bilingualism and literacy, and 3) the mean scores differ significantly between the control and test group. A cut-off point for receptive skills and one for expressive skills were also obtained. Conclusion: The test is valid for the purpose of language screening and would serve to ensure early identification of language impairment. Sun, 01 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT /library/oar/handle/123456789/1150 2012-01-01T00:00:00Z /library/oar/handle/123456789/1149 Title: The role of the A C395 IFNGR1 mutation in determining susceptibility to intracellular infection in Malta Authors: Anderson, Suzanne T.; Mangion, Mariella; Newport, Melanie J.; Felice, Alex; Hibberd, Martin; Levin, Mike; Attard Montalto, Simon Abstract: Background: The first human mycobacterial susceptibility gene was identified amongst four children on the island of Malta in 1995. All affected children were homozygous for a nonsense mutation at position 395 of the interferon gamma receptor 1 (IFNGR1) gene, and all but one died of overwhelming mycobacterial infection. The population of Malta has high rates of infection with intracellular pathogens; leishmania, brucellosis and tuberculosis are all endemic, while leprosy, which was previously endemic, has only recently been eradicated. We hypothesised that heterozygous carriers of the IFNGR1 gene mutation, while resistant to infection with poorly pathogenic organisms, may have increased susceptibility to infection with more virulent pathogens. Methodology and Result: Screening patients with a past history of intracellular infection and healthy newborns for the presence of the IFNGR1 A->C395 mutation, using sequence specific primer PCR, did not identify any carriers of the mutation. Conclusion: These results suggest that the IFNGR1 mutation is unlikely to be of public health significance on Malta. Sun, 01 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT /library/oar/handle/123456789/1149 2012-01-01T00:00:00Z /library/oar/handle/123456789/1148 Title: Interstitial lung disease in Malta Authors: Gouder, Caroline; Fenech, Manwel; Montefort, Stephen Abstract: Aim: To establish the prevalence, management and response to treatment of interstitial lung disease (ILD) in Malta. Methodology: The personal files of 102 living and 26 deceased patients with ILD under the care of 4 respiratory physicians were reviewed retrospectively. The investigations utilised for reaching the diagnosis, patient management and response to treatment were analysed. Results: The prevalence of ILD was estimated at 24.9 per 100,000 population. Pulmonary function tests were performed at least once in 109 patients (n=128, 85%), and pletysmography and exercise oximetry in 36 patients (n=128, 28%). A chest x-ray (CXR) was performed in 120 patients (n=128, 93.7%), of which 8 (n=120, 6.66%) were normal, a computed tomography scan of the thorax in 113 patients (n=128, 88.3%), all of which showed fibrotic changes and a DTPA scan in 17 patients (n=128, 13.3%). Regarding more invasive investigations, bronchoalveolar lavage was performed in 10 patients (n=128, 7.8%), open lung biopsy in 4 patients (n=128, 3.1 %), video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery in 4 patients (n=128, 3.1%) and transbronchial lung biopsy in 7 patients (n=128, 5.5%). Corticosteroids were the most common drugs prescribed in 64 patients (n=128, 50%) followed by azathioprine in 23 patients (n=128, 18%) and cyclophosphamide in 3 patients (n=128, 2.3%). There was a definite worsening in lung function associated with increasing age. There was no standardisation of follow up for these patients. Conclusion: The method of diagnosis, management and follow up of patients with ILD locally requires improvement to optimise standards of care and hence compare with proposed international guidelines. Sun, 01 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT /library/oar/handle/123456789/1148 2012-01-01T00:00:00Z /library/oar/handle/123456789/1147 Title: Hospital management of community-acquired pneumonia in Malta Authors: Callus, Roberta; Micallef, Josef; Mamo, Jonathan; Montefort, Stephen Abstract: Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) remains a common diagnosis requiring hospital admission and a leading cause of death worldwide. No local guideline is currently available for the management of CAP. Our aim was to evaluate current practices in the management of CAP at Mater Dei Hospital, Malta. In this prospective study we looked at all adult patients admitted with CAP in winter and summer (105 consecutive days for both seasons). Data collected and analysed included: basic patient demographics; symptoms at presentation; antibiotics prescribed and time of administration; co-morbidities; CURB65; blood oxygenation levels; admission plan; length of stay and follow-up; length of stay, follow-up chest radiography and death within 30 days from hospital admission. Of note the average time to first dose antibiotic was 7 hours 48 minutes (range 2 hours 13 minutes – 14 hours 17 minutes). A total of 178 patients (50.1%) were admitted with CURB65 scores of 0 (n=99) and 1 (n=86). Most of these could have been discharged and managed in the community with significant impact on hospital bed occupancy. Eventual standardisation of acute management of CAP by the set-up of a local guideline will improve outcome and reduce hospital bed occupancy. Sun, 01 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT /library/oar/handle/123456789/1147 2012-01-01T00:00:00Z