Journal of investigative medicine : the official publication of the American Federation for Clinical Research
-
Coccidioidomycosis is a fungal infection of the Western hemisphere that is endemic to the soil in areas with limited rainfall. Human and animal infections result with inhalation of arthroconidia. Most often, this is an asymptomatic event. ⋯ Treatment may not be required for the mildest illness. Azoles are commonly prescribed. Severe infections may require amphotericin B.
-
African Americans (AAs) are disproportionately affected by kidney disease and also report higher psychosocial stressors than other racial groups. Goal-striving stress (GSS) is an understudied psychosocial stressor related to attempting to accomplish one's life goals. Given the numerous social determinants that contribute to health inequities among AAs, stress from goal striving may also disproportionately affect the health of AAs and in particular kidney disease outcomes. ⋯ Those who reported high (vs low) GSS were 1.60 times more likely to experience RKFD after full adjustment (incidence rate ratio (IRR) 1.60; 95% CI 1.11 to 2.14, p=0.01). After confirming cortisol as a mediator and adding it to the model, those who reported high (vs low) GSS had 1.58 times the rate of RKFD (IRR 1.58; 95% CI 1.09 to 2.30, p=0.0153). Stress related to not achieving goals was associated with a greater risk of RKFD in this sample of AAs.
-
Vitiligo, an autoimmune disease, is a depigmentation skin disorder characterized by hypopigmentation spots and patches that are difficult to treat. The purpose of this study is to analyze the clinical efficacy of simvastatin in the treatment of vitiligo. From December 2016 to October 2019, five vitiligo patients from Peking Union Medical College Hospital were treated with simvastatin and tacrolimus. ⋯ There was no significant improvement in the other two cases. No serious acute or chronic side effects were observed. In conclusion, our results suggest that conventional oral simvastatin is safe, although it may not be effective in the treatment of vitiligo.
-
Quality gaps exist in the hepatitis C virus (HCV) care process from diagnosis to cure. To better understand current gaps and to identify targets for quality improvement, we constructed an HCV care cascade in a patient-centered medical home (PCMH) with an emphasis on the specialty referral process. We performed a retrospective study of HCV-infected patients in a PCMH using electronic health record (EPIC) data. ⋯ Of the 256 HCV RNA-positive patients, 229 (89.5%) received a specialty referral; 215 (84.0%) had an appointment scheduled; 178 (69.5%) attended the specialty appointment; 116 (45.3%) were prescribed antiviral therapy; and 87 (34.1%) had documented SVR during the study period. Of the 178 patients attending a specialty visit, 62 (34.8%) did not receive a prescription, and the barrier most often noted was the desire for further workup (40.3%). Gaps occur at all stages of the HCV care continuum, with drop-offs in care occurring both before and after linkage to specialty care.
-
Assessing congestion is challenging but important to patients with chronic heart failure (CHF). However, there are limited data regarding the association between estimated plasma volume status (ePVS) determined using hemoglobin/hematocrit data and outcomes in patients with stable CHF. We prospectively analyzed 231 patients; the median follow-up period was 35.6 months. ⋯ In receiver operating characteristic analysis, the area under the curve of ePVS for primary outcome was 0.645. ePVS determined using hemoglobin and hematocrit was independently associated with clinical outcomes for patients with stable CHF. Our study thus further strengthens the evidence that ePVS has important prognostic value in patients with stable CHF. Trial registration number ChiCTR-ONC-14004463.