European journal of internal medicine
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Eur. J. Intern. Med. · Feb 2020
Review Meta AnalysisPrevalence of gastrointestinal malignancy in iron deficiency without anaemia: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
Iron deficiency anaemia is associated with gastrointestinal (GI) malignancy and is an indication for GI investigations. However, the relevance of iron deficiency without anaemia (IDWA) and the underlying risks of GI malignancy are uncertain. Therefore, the aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of GI malignancy in patients with IDWA overall and in clinically relevant subgroups. ⋯ Overall, IDWA is associated with a low risk of GI malignancy. Older patients and non-screening populations are at elevated risk and require GI investigations. Those not in these subgroups have a lower risk of GI malignancy and may wish to be monitored following discussion of the risk and potential benefits of GI investigations.
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Estimating static kidney function accurately and detecting changes in kidney function in a timely fashion are challenging but critically important tasks. Serum creatinine is the most widely used functional biomarker of the kidney. However, its use is associated with substantial shortcomings. ⋯ In this review, the pathways involved in creatinine generation and metabolism as well as the techniques involved in measuring creatinine concentrations are discussed. This allows for the discussion of the value and pitfalls in using creatinine as a marker of kidney function. In addition, information regarding alternative functional biomarkers of the kidney is provided.
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Eur. J. Intern. Med. · Feb 2020
Nonspecific intraventricular conduction delay is associated with future occurrence of atrial fibrillation in patients with structurally normal heart.
We aimed to elucidate the long-term prognosis of nonspecific intraventricular conduction delay (NIVCD) in patients with structurally normal heart. ⋯ It is suggested that NIVCD may be associated with future occurrence of atrial fibrillation in patients with structurally normal heart and sinus rhythm.
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Eur. J. Intern. Med. · Feb 2020
Increased serum uric acid level predicts poor prognosis in mildly severe chronic heart failure with reduced ejection fraction. An analysis from the MECKI score research group.
Hyperuricemia prognostic impact on clinical outcomes in chronic heart failure (HF) patients has been investigated with inconclusive results. ⋯ SUA is confirmed to be associated with increased mortality, but in less severe HF only. However SUA did not show additional prognostic power to the MECKI score.