Medicine
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Observational Study
Syphilis prevalence and risk factors among young men presenting to the Brazilian Army in 2016: Results from a national survey.
The Conscripts Survey has been conducted periodically by the Brazilian Department of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs), AIDS, and Viral Hepatitis (DIAHV) in collaboration with the Brazilian Ministry of Defense for over 2 decades. It aims to assess the syphilis prevalence and obtain data on knowledge regarding STIs and their risk factors among conscripts enlisted for the Brazilian Army. This cross-sectional study was conducted among conscripts across Brazil aged 17 to 22 years from August to December 2016. ⋯ Although not significant, only 25.4% of the conscripts who had a confirmed syphilis reported the use of condoms with steady partners, 32.4% with casual partner, and 24.3% with any partner. We found that syphilis is on the rise among the young Brazilian male population. The increase in its prevalence, particularly among MSM, highlights the need for urgent public health interventions, action plans, and implementation of risk reduction strategies aimed at this population.
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Observational Study
Comorbidities, risk, and socioeconomic factors of uninsured cancer survivors.
Cancer patients can be well-connected to resources during treatment but become lost to follow-up and subsequently may receive treatment in free clinics for chronic morbidities. Few studies have examined outcomes for uninsured patients with cancer histories in free clinics, but research examining socioeconomic determinants emphasizes poor cancer outcomes for patients with lower socioeconomic statuses (SES). Demographic data and chronic disease measures were extracted from medical charts of patients treated in 8 free clinics in 2016 in Tampa Bay. ⋯ Among uninsured patients, those with cancer histories had greater mortality risk by CCI than those without. Chronic conditions such as diabetes, cerebrovascular disease, and chronic pulmonary disease existed in patients with cancer histories, affecting their mortality risk. Uninsured patients with a history of cancer are in greater need for chronic disease management and prevention.
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Case Reports
Lithium intoxication presenting as altered consciousness and arrhythmia with cardiogenic shock: A case report.
Lithium has been used to treat bipolar disorder. Lithium has a narrow therapeutic index, with a therapeutic level between 0.6 and 1.5 mEq/L. The possible complications of lithium overdose include altered mental status, hand tremor, muscle weakness, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, seizure, syncope, and arrhythmia. Lithium intoxication can be fatal and is difficult to diagnose in patients without a history of lithium intake. The occurrence of serious cardiac arrhythmias is rare in lithium intoxication. ⋯ If an emergency physician encounters a patient with altered consciousness and arrhythmia with cardiogenic shock, the patient's drug intake history should be carefully reviewed to rule out cardiovascular problems on the basis of the patient's clinical condition.
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Review Meta Analysis
Assessing the methodological and reporting quality of network meta-analyses in Chinese medicine.
An increasing number of network meta-analyses (NMAs) in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) have been published recently, but the quality of them was lack of assessment. This study aims to evaluate the methodological and reporting quality of NMAs in TCM. ⋯ The methodological and reporting quality of NMAs in TCM is moderate. Identified shortcomings of published NMAs should be taken into consideration in further trainings of authors and editors of NMAs in TCM. Future researchers should be encouraged to apply PRISMA-NMA, and a recognized tool for the assessment of NMA methodology was wanted.
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Review Meta Analysis
Soshiho-tang for treating common cold in children younger than 12 years: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
Soshiho-tang (SST) is widely used to treat common cold in East Asian countries. Many clinical trials assessing the efficacy and safety of SST formulas for the treatment of pediatric common cold have been reported. The aim of this systematic review is to assess the available clinical evidence on the use of SST formulas in the treatment for common cold in children younger than 12 years. ⋯ This systematic review will be published in a peer-reviewed journal and will also be disseminated electronically and in print. The review will be updated to inform and guide health care practices.