Internal medicine
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Objective The underlying pathophysiology varies according to stroke subtype. However, stroke heterogeneity among patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) remains unstudied. We hypothesized that the contribution of SLE to stroke might vary according to its subtype and investigated the associations of SLE and various stroke subtypes. ⋯ Stroke recurrence or death was observed in 40% of patients within 5 years after the initial stroke onset. Conclusion The contributions of SLE to stroke varied significantly according to the stroke subtype. Given the unfavorable prognosis, close stroke subtype-specific observation by rheumatologists and stroke specialists is recommended after stroke events.
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Objective Previous studies have described several prognostic factors for heart failure (HF); however, these results were derived from registries consisting of conventional age groups, which might not represent the increasingly aging society. The present study explored the prognostic factors for all-cause death in hospitalized patients with HF across different age categories using an acute HF registry that included relatively old patients. Methods From a total of 1,971 consecutive patients with HF, 1,136 patients were enrolled. ⋯ A Cox proportional-hazard regression analysis revealed that the presence of atrial fibrillation [hazard ratio (HR): 23.3, 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.36-231.1, p=0.007] was a notable predictive factor for all-cause death in the ≤65 years old group, whereas the Clinical Frailty Scale score (HR: 1.33, 95% CI: 1.16-1.52, p<0.001) and hypoalbuminemia (HR: 0.49, 95% CI: 0.31-0.78, p=0.003) were predictors in the >85 years old group. Conclusions Atrial fibrillation was a notable predictor of HF in young patients, whereas frailty and low-grade albuminemia were essential predictive factors of HF in elderly patients. With the increasing number of elderly patients with HF, comprehensive multidisciplinary treatment will be necessary.
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Objective Esophageal diverticulum is rare, and the concomitance of esophageal motility disorders (EMDs) and the efficacy of novel endoscopic treatment have not been investigated in Japan. Methods An examination including high-resolution manometry (HRM) was performed for patients with both EMDs and epiphrenic diverticulum. EMD-related epiphrenic diverticulum and Zenker's diverticulum were treated using salvage peroral endoscopic myotomy (s-POEM) and endoscopic diverticulotomy, respectively. ⋯ Conclusion In epiphrenic diverticulum patients, concomitant EMDs are not rare and should be carefully diagnosed. A normal lower esophageal sphincter pressure on HRM does not always mean a normal lower esophageal sphincter relaxation. S-POEM and endoscopic diverticulotomy are effective minimally invasive treatment options for EMD-related epiphrenic diverticulum and Zenker's diverticulum.
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Objective Immunomodulatory drugs and proteasome inhibitors are therapeutic options for polyneuropathy, organomegaly, endocrinopathy, monoclonal gammopathy, and skin changes (POEMS) syndrome. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the combination of ixazomib, lenalidomide, and dexamethasone (IRd) for POEMS syndrome. Methods Six consecutive patients with POEMS syndrome who were treated with the IRd regimen at Chiba University Hospital between April 2018 and August 2021 were included. ⋯ The median level of sVEGF decreased from 2,395 pg/mL (range, 802-6,120 pg/mL) to 1,428 pg/mL (range, 183-3,680 pg/mL) in three months. Adverse events, including rash, neutropenia, sensory peripheral neuropathy, and nausea, were observed in three patients, which necessitated dose reduction or discontinuation of treatment. Conclusion IRd can be a therapeutic option for POEMS syndrome, albeit with careful monitoring of adverse events.
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Objective We investigated the relationship between the amount and frequency of fish intake, and the white blood cell (WBC) count and aerobic exercise habits. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study between April 2019 and March 2020 at the Health Planning Center of Nihon University Hospital on a cohort of 8,981 male subjects. Results The average amount and frequency of fish intake were 134±85 g/week and 2.14±1.28 days/week, respectively. ⋯ Therefore, the amount of fish intake could be substituted by the average number of days of fish intake per week. Conclusion A high fish intake was an independent determinant of a low WBC count and engagement in regular aerobic exercise, regardless of whether the fish intake was defined by the amount or frequency of fish intake. However, since fish intake frequency can be measured more easily, this may be used to measure the fish intake.