Medicine
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Comparative Study
Thin-Section CT Characteristics and Longitudinal CT Follow-up of Chemotherapy Induced Interstitial Pneumonitis: A Retrospective Cohort Study.
To describe the computed tomography (CT) features of chemotherapy-induced interstitial pneumonitis (CIIP) with longitudinal follow-up. The study was approved by the local ethics committee. One hundred consecutive patients with CIIP between May 2005 and March 2015 were retrospectively enrolled. ⋯ Subsequent and second follow-up CTs showed decreased extent of total pulmonary abnormalities (P < 0.001, respectively). In comparison with Group 1 CIIP, Group 2 CIIP was more likely to be caused by molecularly targeted drugs (P = 0.030), appeared earlier (P = 0.034), and underwent more complete resolution (P < 0.001). Use of a CT pattern-recognition approach to CIIP is appropriate and practical in interpreting radiological findings.
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Observational Study
General and Abdominal Adiposity and Risk of Death in HBV Versus Non-HBV Carriers: A 10-Year Population-based Cohort Study.
Both obesity and hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection increase the risk of death. We investigate the association between general and central obesity and all-cause mortality among adult Taiwanese HBV versus non-HBV carriers. A total of 19,850 HBV carriers and non-hepatitis C virus (HCV) carriers, aged 20 years and older at enrollment in 1998 to 1999 in Taiwan, were matched to 79,400 non-HBV and non-HCV carriers (1:4). ⋯ For those with pre-existing liver disease among HBV carriers, patients with underweight have higher risk of death than those with obesity. Hepatitis B virus carriers with underweight have higher risk of death than non-HBV carriers. HBV carriers with mild abdominal obesity have the lowest risk of death, but not in the non-HBV carriers.
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Observational Study
Risk Factors for Renal Functional Decline in Chronic Hepatitis B Patients Receiving Oral Antiviral Agents.
Renal functional decline that is frequently seen during chronic hepatitis B (CHB) treatment can exert adverse effects on overall prognosis. It, however, is difficult to distinguish vulnerable patients who may experience renal dysfunction because most previous CHB studies were conducted in relatively healthy individuals. In this retrospective observational study, renal functional decline in CHB patients receiving oral antiviral agents for more than 6 months was analyzed and risk factors of chronic kidney disease (CKD) progression were determined. ⋯ Age, diabetes, kidney transplantation, underlying CKD, and simultaneous administration of diuretics were identified as risk factors for rapid CKD progression, and clevudine showed a beneficial effect. Age, hypertension, diabetes, liver or kidney transplantation, underlying CKD, and diuretics were identified as risk factors for renal functional decline. This study suggests that close monitoring of renal function and adequate management are required for CHB patients receiving antiviral agents with these risk factors.
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To determine the prevalence of antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA) in patients with infective endocarditis (IE) in internal medicine; and to compare clinical and biochemical features and outcome between patients exhibiting IE with and without ANCA. Fifty consecutive patients with IE underwent ANCA testing. The medical records of these patients were reviewed. ⋯ Our study identifies a high prevalence of ANCA in unselected patients with IE in internal medicine (24%). Our findings further underscore that ANCA may be associated with a subacute form of IE leading to multiple valve involvement and more frequent renal impairment. Because death was due to IE complications in all patients, our data suggest that aggressive therapy may be required to improve such patients' outcome.
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Observational Study
Cardiopulmonary Function, Exercise Capacity, and Echocardiography Finding of Pediatric Patients With Kawasaki Disease: An Observational Study.
Coronary artery (CA) abnormalities influence exercise capacity (EC) of patients with Kawasaki disease (KD), and Z-score of CA is a well established method for detecting CA aneurysm. We studied the influence of KD on cardiopulmonary function and EC; meanwhile we analyzed echocardiographic findings of KD patients. We also assessed the correlation between CA Z-score and EC of KD patients to see if CA Z-score of KD patients could reflect EC during exercise. ⋯ Therefore, we believe that it is important to promote cardiovascular health to KD patients and KD patients should exercise as normal peers. However, since KD patients might still have compromised coronary perfusion during exercise, it remains crucial to assess and monitor cardiovascular risk of KD patients. Max-Z of CA correlates with PRPP modest inversely and might be used as a follow-up indicator of CA reserve during exercise after acute stage of KD.