The American journal of the medical sciences
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Review Case Reports
Sclerosing cholangitis may mimic radiological pattern of cholangiocarcinoma: Case report, differential diagnosis and review of literature.
IgG4 related sclerosing cholangitis (IgG4-SC) is a chronic cholestatic autoimmune liver disease, characterized by obstruction of the biliary tract due to IgG4-positive plasma cell infiltrations associated with fibrosis, phlebitis and presence of eosinophils. The diagnosis of the disease is supported by elevation in serum IgG4, radiological imaging and histology. ⋯ Here we are describing a case of a male patient admitted to our hospital for jaundice. The stenosis of biliary ducts shown by radiologic imaging suggested Cholangiocarcinoma but, in the patient, IgG4-SC was definitely diagnosed.
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Review Case Reports
Delayed Hemorrhagic Gastritis Caused by Immunotherapy in a Patient with Metastatic Melanoma.
Pembrolizumab is a monoclonal antibody which targets the programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) receptor of lymphocytes. It is commonly used to treat many types of malignancies. Immunotherapy-related adverse events are relatively common and include pneumonitis, colitis and hepatitis. ⋯ The symptoms (nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain) improved dramatically with a long steroid taper. An esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) performed three months after hospital discharge showed improvement in gastric mucosa, but biopsies continued to show evidence of acute and chronic gastritis. As cancer patients continue to live longer with immunotherapy, it is important for all providers to be aware of the less common side effects of newer agents such as pembrolizumab.
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Few previous studies have investigated the multiple pathways that contribute to diabetes mellitus (DM) because of the complex, simultaneous interplay of attributing covariates. Structural equation modelling (SEM) is a robust multivariate approach that measures both direct and indirect effects of variables by simultaneously utilizing several regression equations. The current study applied SEM to test a hypothesized model of the covariates affecting DM among the adult population of the Sultanate of Oman. ⋯ The results of this study further reinforce the evidence that lifestyle changes are vital for the prevention and control of DM. Individuals with a family history of DM and a high waist-to-hip ratio comprise a high-risk group and should be targeted with screening and lifestyle-intervention programs.
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Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is associated with high mortality. Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common arrhythmia seen in critically ill patients. The impact of AF on the outcomes in patients with ARDS is less understood. In this analysis we attempt to evaluate the association of concurrent AF and various clinical outcomes in patients with ARDS. ⋯ AF is associated with worse clinical outcomes, higher length of stay and cost in ARDS hospitalizations as compared to those without AF.
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Periodontal disease (PD) has been linked to a range of cardiometabolic disorders. However, the association between PD and composite cardiovascular risk has not been studied. We hypothesized that PD would be associated with an elevated atherosclerotic cardiovascular risk (ASCVD) score. ⋯ PD is associated with elevated ASCVD score. Patients with PD should be counseled regarding their elevated cardiovascular risk and risk reduction strategies should be implemented with an emphasis on routine dental care.