Risk factors Resources

Disordered gambling is a behavioural addiction that causes harms to individuals, their families and wider society. Gambling harms have been recognised as a public health concern, but little attention has been given in health care to enable community nurses to identify and support patients experiencing gambling-related harms. Uptake of gambling support has been low due to the perceived stigma experienced by the person. Community nurses can use the Making Every Contact Count (MECC) approach when interacting with patients by identifying the signs of harmful gambling, discussing this with their patients, and signposting them to appropriate support. This article explores how community nurses can do this.

The first article in this two-part series looking at faecal incontinence (FI) outlined its effect on people’s quality of life, highlighted its prevalence, explained the different definitions
available and summarised the anatomy and physiology of the lower intestinal tract (Yates, 2023). Here, part two concentrates on the multiple causes/risks of FI, the knowledge and skills r equired to complete a basic assessment and initiate conservative therapies, including the role of medication and pelvic floor rehabilitation, and also discusses management options for FI.

Dementia is an umbrella term used to describe a group of symptoms characterised by behavioural changes, loss of cognitive and social functioning brought about by progressive neurological disorders. It is estimated that around one million people live with a dementia in the UK, with that figure set to rise to 1.2 million by the year 2040. We are learning more about the risk factors for developing dementia over the life course. This paper discusses the non-modifiable and modifiable risk factors for dementia and considers health promotion and health education activities that can be used by community nurses.

When patients present with red lower legs, the cause is often assumed to be cellulitis or erysipelas. There are, however, several alternative conditions which mimic the clinical signs of cellulitis or erysipelas, which can lead to misdiagnosis. It is important that the
cause is correctly diagnosed to prevent inappropriate prescribing of antibiotics. This article discusses the different potential causes of ‘red legs’, in addition to cellulitis and erysipelas, together with clinical signs and symptoms to enable community nurses to differentiate
between them and implement appropriate treatments. Systemic antibiotics may not be the most appropriate management, and with the current focus on reducing antibiotic usage, community nurses need to be confident that they are prescribing them appropriately
and safely, and only when required.

Pneumonia is defined as an infection of the lung tissue in which the air sacs become filled with microorganisms, fluid and inflammatory cells, affecting the function of the lungs (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence [NICE], 2021a). The disease can affect anyone at any age and is a cause of morbidity mortality around the world, and particularly likely to result in poor outcomes in the elderly, babies and young children, and those with additional health problems (Htun et al, 2019). This article focuses on community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) in adults, and hopes to give nurses and non-medical prescribers an insight into the recognition, treatment and management of this disease in the adult population, with the aim of reducing hospital admissions and improving outcomes for those patients affected.

There are a number of eye diseases that increase in prevalence in older age, all of which affect vision to varying degrees. Impaired vision can impact significantly on an older person’s quality of life and ability to live independently. This article addresses the most common eye diseases seen in older adults. It discusses risk factors, signs, symptoms as well as treatment and management, with the aim of providing an overview for nurses, thus increasing knowledge, understanding and confidence in this area.

This article critically evaluates the evidence and guidelines relating to the current cervical screening policy in England. The findings are benchmarked against policies in the rest of the developed world to enable both a comparison of the interpretation of research and guidelines by other agencies, and identification of good practice worldwide. Evidence pertaining to the age at which screening is commenced will constitute the prominent discussion point.

Robyn Lotto, RGN, Dip HE, BA (hons), MSc (merit) NIHR Leicester Cardiovascular Biomedical Research Unit, Glenfield Hospital, Groby Rd, Leicester
Jane Williams, MA, BSc (Hons), RCNT, RNT, RGN., Senior Lecturer, Huddersfield University

Article accepted for publication: February 2012

Dr Finbarr Martin discusses the nutritional needs of elderly people.

Dr Finbarr Martin, MD, MSc FRCP is a Consultant Physician and Senior Lecturer, Guys & St Thomas’ Hospital Trust, London.
Article accepted for publication July 2001.

Sharon Goodall & Mr Haytham Al-Khaffaf describe a study which evaluated primary care assessment of risk factors in patients with peripheral vascular disease.
Sharon Goodall RN, Dip (HE), BSc (Hons), PG Cert (Research) is a Vascular Research Nurse. Mr Haytham Al-Khaffaf MD, FRCS is a Consultant Vascular Surgeon, Burnley Healthcare NHS Trust.
Article accepted for publication September 2001.