Arch Intern Med
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Hypokalemia is a well-known, consistent finding in thyrotoxic periodic paralysis (TPP). It is less well known that hypophosphatemia and mild hypomagnesemia are often present in TPP and that rebound hyperkalemia can occur as a result of potassium therapy. ⋯ Hypokalemia, hypophosphatemia, and mild hypomagnesemia are characteristic features of TPP. Hypokalemia occurred in 100% and hypophosphatemia in 80% of the episodes in our study. Rebound hyperkalemia is a potential hazard of potassium administration and occurred in 42% of 24 episodes.
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Multicenter Study
Depression, falls, and risk of fracture in older women. Study of Osteoporotic Fractures Research Group.
Previous studies have suggested that depression is associated with falls and with low bone density, but it is not known whether depression leads to an increased risk of fracture. ⋯ Depression is a significant risk factor for fracture in older women. The greater frequency of falls among individuals with depression partially explains this finding. Other mechanisms responsible for the association between depression and fracture remain to be determined.
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The management of patients presenting to hospital emergency departments with suspected deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is problematic because urgent diagnostic imaging capability is sometimes unavailable. Experienced physicians using clinical skills alone can classify patients with suspected DVT into low-, moderate-, and high-probability categories. ⋯ Using an explicit clinical model, emergency department physicians can accurately classify patients with suspected DVT into high-, moderate-, and low-probability groups. A management plan based on probability for DVT that avoids the need for urgent diagnostic imaging is safe and feasible in the emergency department setting.
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Because reported survival after venous thromboembolism (VTE) varies widely, we performed a population-based retrospective cohort study to estimate survival, compare observed with expected survival, and determine predictors of short-term (< or =7 days) and long-term survival (>7 days) after VTE. ⋯ Survival after VTE, and especially after PE+/-DVT, is much worse than reported, and significantly less than expected survival. Compared with DVT alone, symptomatic PE+/-DVT is an independent predictor of reduced survival for up to 3 months after onset, implying that treatment for the 2 disorders should be different.
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To construct and validate the bleeding risk prediction score, which is based on variables identified in the literature that can be easily obtained before the institution of anticoagulant therapy, in a large independent cohort of patients who were treated with anticoagulant therapy for established venous thromboembolism to allow for quantitative assessment of the risks and benefits of the therapy and to adapt the patient's management accordingly. ⋯ With the use of 3 easily obtainable, clinical variables in a prediction model, it is possible to identify a subgroup of patients at the start of anticoagulant therapy who have a high risk of developing hemorrhagic complications. Further studies should address whether additional measures to prevent bleeding decrease the bleeding incidence without compromising efficacy.