European journal of clinical investigation
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Eur. J. Clin. Invest. · Oct 2015
Additional Prognostic Value of EAS index in predicting the occurrence of rehospitalizations in chronic heart failure: data from the Daunia Heart Failure Registry.
Tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) may be useful in identifying subjects at higher risk among patients with chronic heart failure (CHF). The clinical role of newly developed TDI parameters, however, still needs to be documented. ⋯ EAS index assessed by TDI may be helpful in predicting the risk of rehospitalizations in subjects with CHF. EAS index may represent an independent adjunctive tool for the risk stratification of patients with CHF in addition to 'traditional' tools such as LVEF or MPI.
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Several requirements and regulations have been issued to promote clinical trial transparency through prospective registration of trials, disclosure of results, access to trial reports submitted to regulatory agencies and access to anonymized patient-level data. Clinical trial results are disseminated through articles. Yet, many present outcome reporting bias. ⋯ Two proposals have been suggested or implemented to tackle outcome reporting bias that are discussed in this article. Editors should implement quality-control processes aiming at preventing outcome reporting bias. Readers should be informed as to the efficiency of the implemented process.
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Eur. J. Clin. Invest. · Aug 2015
Observational StudySepsis biomarkers in neutropaenic systemic inflammatory response syndrome patients on standard care wards.
Neutropaenic patients are at a high risk of contracting severe infections. In particular, in these patients, parameters with a high negative predictive value are desirable for excluding infection or bacteraemia. This study evaluated sepsis biomarkers in neutropaenic patients suffering from systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS). Further, the predictive capacities of evaluated biomarkers in neutropaenic SIRS patients were compared to non-neutropaenic SIRS patients. ⋯ In neutropaenic SIRS patients, none of the evaluated biomarkers was able to adequately identify infection. LBP and PCT presented a good performance in identifying bacteraemia. Therefore, these markers could be used for screening purposes to increase the pretest probability of blood culture analysis.
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Hyponatraemia is a very common medical condition that is associated with multiple poor clinical outcomes and is often managed suboptimally because of inadequate assessment and investigation. Previously published guidelines for its management are often complex and impractical to follow in a hospital environment, where patients may present to divergent specialists, as well as to generalists. ⋯ The algorithm we have developed reflects the best available evidence and extensive clinical experience and provides practical, useable guidance to improve patient care.
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Eur. J. Clin. Invest. · Jul 2015
Gonadal failure is associated with visceral adiposity in myotonic dystrophies.
Hypogonadism occurs in myotonic dystrophies type 1 (MD1) and type 2 (MD2). Sertoli and Leydig cell secretions, including insulin-like peptide-3 (INSL3), anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) and inhibin B, were evaluated in male patients with MD. ⋯ AMH and inhibin B secretion failures are common in male patients with MD and are more severe than Leydig cell hormones impairment. AMH and inhibin B measurements might provide clinical utility in evaluating fertility in patients with MD. Serum T, AMH and inhibin B productions are negatively influenced by increased fat mass, while AMH and inhibin B might be markers of muscle impairment.