Brit J Hosp Med
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Cardiogenic shock (CS) is associated with significant mortality. Advances in pharmacological therapies and mechanical circulatory support (MCS) devices have markedly improved the therapeutic approach to CS, though treatment efficacy and safety vary. ⋯ Future randomised trials should evaluate a phenotype-guided pharmaco-MCS approach to the management of CS. This paper summarises contemporary pharmacological and MCS treatments for patients with CS.
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Aims/Background Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a severe progressive disease characterized by elevated blood pressure in the lungs. Medications are a critical form of treatment for patients with PH. This study aims to explore the experiences of patients with PH undergoing polypharmacy, thereby providing a more concrete foundation for formulating targeted intervention measures. ⋯ Results There were five themes and ten sub-themes surrounding the polypharmacy experiences of the PH patients: (1) Negative emotional experience of multidrug use, including lack of disease-related medication knowledge and insufficient ability to obtain medication information; (2) Complex physical testing of multiple drugs, including adverse reactions and complex dose titration; (3) Economic burden; (4) Coping difficulties, including insufficient drug safety, excessive reliance on medical personnel, and lack of opportunities for deep participation; (5) Desire for supports, including professional and social support, as well as those from family, colleagues and classmates. Conclusion Disease, treatment, psychological factors, and social customs affect PH patients' drug use post-diagnosis, with varying experiences and degrees. Healthcare providers must offer tailored care and practical strategies for managing multiple drug use, considering patients' unique experiences and needs.
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Aims/Background Symptomatic abdominal aortic aneurysms carry significant mortality risk. This is supplemented by the Royal College of Emergency Medicine guidelines which suggest imaging for patients 50 years of age or older presenting with unexplained abdominal, flank, or back pain. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence and mortality rates of patients with symptomatic abdominal aortic aneurysms in a high-risk population and to assess scanning rates in the accident and emergency department. ⋯ However, this study reveals that scanning rates in the emergency department are low. The encouragement of scanning and improved ultrasound skills among emergency medicine clinicians can reduce missed diagnoses. Additionally, we recommend further studies to assess the mortality rates of emergent abdominal aortic aneurysm presentations.
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Aims/Background This study expanded the existing literature on obesity and distortion of body image by examining subjective and objective body type among young medical workers, specifically investigating whether fat percentage independently influences body type cognitive bias. Methods We recruited 264 participants (41.29% male, mean age 26.2 ± 3.1 years, mean body mass index (BMI) 21.7 ± 3.1 kg/m2) at a comprehensive hospital in central China. The questionnaire responses of the enrolled participants concerning basic information and body type self-assessment were extracted. ⋯ No significant relationships were found for men. Conclusion Fat percentage is an independent, nonlinear factor influencing women's body type cognitive bias. Gender and fat percentage should be considered when establishing weight management intervention strategies to prevent obesity from becoming a public health problem.
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Aims/Background Sepsis is a life-threatening condition resulting from dysregulated immune responses to infection, leading to organ dysfunction. High-density lipoprotein (HDL) and red cell distribution width (RDW) have shown significant correlations with sepsis severity, yet the combined prognostic value of HDL and RDW in evaluating sepsis severity and outcomes remains unclear. This study examines the relationship between HDL and RDW levels and sepsis severity, as well as evaluates the combined utility of these markers in predicting disease severity and patient outcomes. ⋯ Additionally, SOFA score (OR = 2.354), interleukin-6 (IL-6) (OR = 1.446), HDL (OR = 0.870), and RDW (OR = 3.502) were independent prognostic indicators (p < 0.05 for all). ROC analysis for prognosis showed that HDL combined with RDW had the highest predictive efficacy for the prognosis of sepsis, with an AUC of 0.922, sensitivity of 79.31%, and specificity of 93.24%. Conclusion The combination of HDL and RDW is a robust indicator for the evaluation of sepsis severity and is a valuable prognostic tool for assessing 30-day mortality risk in sepsis patients.