Internal medicine
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Meta Analysis
Meta-analysis of the ADH1B and ALDH2 polymorphisms and the risk of colorectal cancer in East Asians.
The aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2) and alcohol dehydrogenase 1B (ADH1B) genes have been implicated in the development of colorectal cancer (CRC). However, the results are inconsistent. In this study, a meta-analysis was performed to assess the associations between the ALDH2 and ADH1B polymorphisms and the risk of CRC. ⋯ This meta-analysis demonstrated that the ALDH2 polymorphism, but not the ADH1B polymorphism, significantly increases the risk of CRC in East Asians.
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Review Case Reports
Dilated cardiomyopathy as a presenting feature of Cushing's syndrome.
Cardiovascular complications, including cardiomegaly, myocardial ischemia and left ventricular hypertrophy, are some of the major determinants of the mortality rate in patients with Cushing's syndrome. We herein report the case of a patient with Cushing's syndrome caused by an adrenal adenoma who presented with congestive heart failure secondary to dilated cardiomyopathy. Follow-up echocardiography showed a marked improvement in the left ventricular cardiac function, and the plasma B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels regressed after successful treatment. "Reversible" dilated cardiomyopathy is rarely associated with Cushing's syndrome; however, it should be recognized. Administering appropriate treatment in a timely manner can reverse this cardiomyopathy along with the other symptoms of Cushing's syndrome.
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To investigate the risks and benefits of prolonged dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT: thienopyridine plus aspirin) following placement of drug-eluting stents (DES). The optimal duration of DAPT is not well established. ⋯ DAPT performed beyond 12 months is associated with increased an frequency of bleeding complications and does not prevent the incidence of MACE, including stent thrombosis, during five years of follow-up after sirolimus-eluting stent implantation. Conducting larger, randomized studies will therefore be needed to confirm this finding.
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Case Reports Comparative Study
Dose reduction or intermittent administration of erlotinib: which is better for patients suffering from intolerable toxicities?
Erlotinib is an epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-tyrosine kinase inhibitor that is widely used in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer. Skin rashes and diarrhea are frequent side effects of erlotinib therapy. ⋯ We speculate that intermittent administration is better than dose reduction to simultaneously maintain the effective dose levels and reduce toxicities in such situations. We herein present four cases of patients who successfully received intermittent administration of erlotinib.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Assessment of factors associated with the quality of life in Korean type 2 diabetic patients.
This study assessed factors associated with the quality of life (QoL) and investigated the influence of age in 401 Korean type 2 diabetic patients. ⋯ The findings suggest that insulin use, depressive symptoms and a family history of diabetes can be associated with the QoL in Korean type 2 diabetic patients; however, the associations show different patterns of age dependency.