La Revue de médecine interne
-
Adulterants are compounds added to street drugs to increase profits for the seller. Levamisole, a veterinary antihelminthic agent, has become the most common adulterant of cocaine. The prevalence of levamisole in samples of cocaine is increasing. Levamisole can lead to neutropenia and to a dramatic vasculopathy and even vasculitis of small and medium-size blood vessels. ⋯ Clinicians should be aware that agranulocytosis or vasculitis or vasculopathy could be related to levamisole toxicity in individuals who use cocaine.
-
Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome is a chronic disease characterized by repeated upper airway obstructions during sleep, resulting in fragmented sleep with arousals, nocturnal intermittent hypoxemia and diurnal dysfunctions. Despite its high prevalence in elderly, sleep apnea syndrome seems to be underestimated and difficult to be recognized because of the lack of clinical symptoms specificity in this population. Among the numerous consequences of the obstructive sleep apnea syndrome, cognitive impairment prevails on the attention, executive functions and memory. ⋯ In this context, the question arises whether obstructive sleep apnea syndrome is a possible etiological or aggravating factor of cognitive decline in elderly with mild cognitive impairment or Alzheimer's disease. Although there are conflicting results in studies evaluating therapeutic efficiency of continuous positive air pressure, obstructive sleep apnea syndrome seems nevertheless as a correctable factor, at least for its impact on some cognitive consequences. Looking for sleep apnea syndrome in elderly with cognitive decline should be considered in a global, diagnosis and therapeutic management.
-
Over the past decades, the incidence and the number of hospital admissions for acute pancreatitis have increased in the Western countries. The two most common etiological factors of acute pancreatitis are gallstones (including small gallstones or microlithiasis) and alcohol abuse. Acute pancreatitis is associated with a significant mortality (4-10%) and 25% in case of pancreatic necrosis, especially. ⋯ The incidence trends of acute pancreatitis possibly reflect a change in the prevalence of main etiological factors (e.g. gallstones and alcohol consumption) and cofactors such as tobacco, obesity and genetic susceptibility. Priority is to search for associated causes, especially in cases with atypical symptoms. In case of first acute pancreatitis in patients older than 50 years, the presence of a tumor (benign or malignant) has to be specifically ruled out, using CT-scan, MRI and endoscopic ultrasound.
-
The French law allows the persons of age to appoint a trusted person and to draft advance directives in case they are one day in a condition that prevents them from expressing their will regarding their health care. Our study objective was to assess patients' and relatives' knowledge and collecting their opinion regarding these means of expression of their will. ⋯ Legal means of expression of the patient's wishes and are not systematically known by the population. The possibility to appoint a trusted person is much more known than that to draft advance directives. After the release in December 2012 of the Sicard report regarding the end of life in France, an important information campaign of the general public remains to be undertaken.
-
Primary epiploic appendagitis is known to be a rare finding among causes of acute abdomen. Depending on location, it may mimic several disorders such as colonic diverticulitis and acute appendicitis. Diagnosis is sometimes performed during surgery. ⋯ Appendagitis is a rare cause of acute abdominal pain. Outcome is favorable with medical treatment only. Abdominal ultrasound and CT are helpful diagnostic tests avoiding useless surgical procedure.