Internal medicine
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Objective The interleukin-6 (IL-6) inhibitor satralizumab is an established treatment for neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD). Although IL-6 inhibitors are generally well-tolerated, serious infections, including sepsis, can occur. In this study, we compared the sepsis characteristics in NMOSD patients administered satralizumab (NMOSD-satralizumab) to those in rheumatoid arthritis patients administered tocilizumab (RA-tocilizumab), another IL-6 inhibitor. ⋯ Urosepsis was relatively infrequent in RA-tocilizumab (term 1: 24.2%, term 2: 20.1%). Conclusion Safe satralizumab use requires risk factor assessment to minimize the incidence of severe infections. Management of UTIs is also recommended.
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Thyroid storm is a life-threatening clinical condition that is usually triggered by untreated or interrupted treatment of Graves' disease, leading to the sudden onset of severe thyrotoxicosis, which requires an immediate diagnosis and treatment based on diagnostic criteria. Cases of thyroid storm caused by painless/painless subacute thyroiditis are very rare. We herein report an 85-year-old man with features of severe thyrotoxicosis caused by painless/painless subacute thyroiditis who had no uptake of 99mTcO4 and was negative for thyroid-stimulating hormone receptor antibodies. In thyroid storm patients in whom the findings are inconsistent with Graves' disease, careful follow-up and management are necessary, assuming the possibility of painless or painless subacute thyroiditis.
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Over 55 million people reportedly suffer from dementia worldwide. In Japan, it is estimated that 1 in 5 people over 65 years old will have dementia by 2025, of which more than 20% will live with symptoms that require home/nursing care. ⋯ It is important to consider non-pharmacological interventions that contribute to effective coping strategies for mitigating the caregiver burden. Online communication tools may be a viable intervention measure to educate caregivers on the importance of sharing resilient coping strategies to reduce their stress so that they can continue to provide care for their loved ones.
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A 57-year-old woman experienced chest pain. A coronary angiogram revealed middle left anterior descending artery stenosis. ⋯ She experienced no recurrence of angina for five years with PCSK9i treatment. PCSK9i can reduce not only LDL-C but also LP-(a) levels, resulting in cardiac event risk reduction.
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We herein report a case of congenital bilateral hypoplasia of the internal carotid artery (ICA) that was diagnosed by bone window computed tomography (CT) and cerebral angiography. A 23-year-old woman presented with left dominant quadriplegia. Brain magnetic resonance imaging showed not only massive infarcts in the anterior circulation but also poor depiction of the bilateral ICAs. ⋯ Cerebral angiography revealed narrowing of each ICA above its bifurcation, and the blood supply to the intercranial carotid systems developed from the vertebrobasilar system through the posterior communicating arteries and posterior cerebral arteries. We diagnosed the patient with congenital bilateral hypoplasia of the ICA based on bone CT and cerebral angiography findings. Performing both bone window CT and cerebral angiography can facilitate the diagnosis of congenital hypoplasia of the ICA.