Journal of investigative medicine : the official publication of the American Federation for Clinical Research
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As more states legalize cannabinoid products for recreational use and medicinal purposes, the prevalence of cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome has become increasingly common. Yet, it remains unrecognized to many healthcare providers along with the most efficacious treatments. Cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome most often presents with episodic vomiting secondary to chronic daily cannabis use over several months to years. ⋯ Long-term management and prevention of further attacks are aided by tricyclic antidepressants such as amitriptyline with a dose range of 50-200 mg/d. Once a patient is in remission, amitriptyline can be tapered slowly. As cannabis becomes more widely available and accepted in the continental United States, so must education on the diagnosis of cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome and treatment strategies.
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Comorbid conditions represent a major risk for severe illness among persons with COVID-19. Previously healthy people with COVID-19 can also develop severe illness, but are expected to have better outcomes than those with comorbid conditions. Nevertheless, recent data suggest that the former may have, counterintuitively, higher risk of death among those with non-COVID sepsis. ⋯ On adjusted analyses, the odds of short-term mortality were lower among the previously healthy compared to those with comorbidities overall (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 0.84 (95% CI: 0.73-0.98)), but did not differ among those with ≥3 organ dysfunctions (aOR 1.11 (95% CI: 0.84-1.46)) and the mechanically ventilated (aOR 0.87 (95% CI: 0.68-1.12)), while being higher among those with do-not-resuscitate status (aOR 1.40 (95% CI: 1.04-1.89)). Over one in eight ICU admissions with COVID-19 were previously healthy. Although being previously healthy was associated with lower risk of death compared to those with comorbidities overall, it had no prognostic advantage among the more severely ill.
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Telemedicine is seen as a useful tool in reducing gaps in health care but this technology-enabled care can also exacerbate health inequity if not implemented with a focus on inclusivity. Though many studies have reported improvements as well as exacerbation of disparities in access to care in their telehealth programs, there does not exist a common evaluation tool to assess these programs. To mitigate the impact of COVID-19 on health care workers and protect medically vulnerable children, in March 2020 we expanded our pre-established specialty and subspecialty direct-to-patient pediatric telemedicine program in a high volume urban pediatric health system. ⋯ Future identification of these specific barriers is needed. The tool to evaluate telehealth impact/access to care through a "Pillars of Access" approach presented here could serve as a model for implementation of telehealth programs. Our study highlights telemedicine programs as a mechanism to address healthcare inequity and overcome barriers to care.
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Deep neck space infections (DNSI) are severe infections within the layers of neck fascia that are known to be associated with underlying immunocompromised states. Although uremia associated with kidney disease is known to cause immune system dysfunction, DNSI in patients with kidney disease has been poorly studied. This study investigated the prevalence of DNSI and the associated risk of mortality within the United States end-stage renal disease (ESRD) population, using a retrospective cohort study design and the United States Renal Data System database of patients (ages 18-100) who initiated dialysis therapy between 2005 and 2019. ⋯ Variables associated with increased risk of DNSI were female sex, black compared to white race, catheter, or graft compared to arteriovenous fistula (AVF) access, autoimmune disease, chronic tonsillitis, diagnoses in the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI), tobacco use, and alcohol dependence. DNSI diagnosis was an independent risk factor for mortality, which was also associated with other comorbidity factors such as older age, catheter or graft compared to AVF access, comorbidities in the CCI, tobacco use, and alcohol dependence. Because of the increased mortality risk of DSNI in the ESRD population, health professionals should encourage good oral hygiene practices and smoking cessation, and they should closely monitor these patients to reduce poor outcomes.
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In 2019, crizanlizumab was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to reduce the rate of vaso-occlusive crisis in patients with sickle cell disease (SCD). We aimed to study the real-world effectiveness of crizanlizumab in our comprehensive sickle cell center. This was a retrospective cohort analysis of patients with SCD who received at least two consecutive doses of crizanlizumab. ⋯ MEDD prior to crizanlizumab was 90; after ≥2 consecutive crizanlizumab doses, it was 60. There was also a reduction in the hospital admissions, emergency, and urgent care visit for acute pain crisis in 6 (28%) patients. This study shows that crizanlizumab was associated with improvement in patients' response, both directly and indirectly related to the reduction of opioids used, which is consistent with results from the SUSTAIN trial.