The American journal of medicine
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Pain Management in Primary Care: A Randomized Controlled Trial of a Computerized Decision Support Tool.
Primary care providers manage most patients with chronic pain. Pain is a complex problem, particularly in underserved populations. A technology-enabled, point-of-care decision support tool may improve pain management outcomes. ⋯ Early implementation of the PMSS-PC improved worst pain, but this effect cannot be attributed to clinician use of the tool. Further PMSS-PC development is not indicated, but practice-level interventions can improve pain, and studies are needed to identify the determinants of change.
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Cardiovascular disease is the most common cause of mortality and hospitalization in the United States. Transitional care initiatives can improve outcomes for cardiac patients, but it is unclear whether patients with different baseline comorbidity burden benefit equally. We evaluated the effectiveness of the Bridging the Discharge Gap Effectively (BRIDGE) program, a nurse-practitioner-led transitional care clinic, in mitigating adverse clinical outcomes in cardiac patients with varying Charlson comorbidity index (CCI). ⋯ Attendance at a transitional care clinic is inversely associated with risk of readmission and a composite endpoint in cardiac patients with low CCI. Future research should investigate modified transitional care programs in patients with varying comorbidity burden.
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Purpura and glomerulonephritis are typical presentations in IgA vasculitis. Infective endocarditis mimicking IgA vasculitis by presenting with glomerulonephritis and purpura is rarely reported. ⋯ Infective endocarditis-associated glomerulonephritis and purpura can closely mimic IgA vasculitis. Differential diagnosis is challenging, particularly when typical presentations of infective endocarditis are absent. In adults with presentations like IgA vasculitis, infective endocarditis should be evaluated through comprehensive clinical and pathological investigations. Immunosuppressive therapy can be considered in patients with severe glomerulonephritis who do not improve after proper anti-infective therapy.