Hippokratia
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Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is frequent in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Systemic inflammation plays an important role in both COPD and MetS. The aim of this study was to assess the frequency of MetS in COPD patients and to evaluate the status of systemic inflammation in COPD patients with MetS and those without MetS. ⋯ This study shows that MetS is frequent in patients with COPD. Systemic inflammatory markers are higher in COPD patients with MetS than in patients without MetS. These findings suggest that physicians should screen COPD patients for associated MetS and elevated circulatory inflammatory markers. Management of these disorders should reduce the risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in these patients. Hippokratia 2016, 20(2):110-114.
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Quality of life (QoL) assessment contributes to the better care of cancer patients. The aim of the study was to determine QoL among treated patients with advanced cancer (ACPs) in the island of Crete, Greece, their satisfaction with the given care and to evaluate possible differences in QoL between in- and day care clinic patients. ⋯ ACPs in the present study were found to have an overall good QoL, functioning, and symptoms scores and were satisfied with the given care. Fatigue, dyspnea, alopecia, and sexual dysfunction were found to be among the most frequently reported distressing symptoms. Hippokratia 2016, 20(2): 139-145.
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Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a progressive myopathic disorder, inherited as X-linked recessive traits, in which muscle weakness is the primary symptom. Correlation between DMD and hypokalemia is reported in only three case reports. Recent investigations have focused on the nutritional management of patients with DMD. However, there are no data regarding recommendations on potassium intake. Description of case: We report the case of a 15-year-old male patient with DMD, who developed sudden cardiac arrest following severe hypokalemia (K: 1.3 mEq/L) during a lower respiratory tract infection. Hypokalemia was gradually corrected with intravenous potassium chloride. The patient, after a prolonged hospitalization due to hypoxic encephalopathy, was discharged from the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) on mechanical ventilation. ⋯ Severe hypokalemia is a rare complication of DMD, with potentially lethal consequences. Therefore, in patients with DMD, potassium levels should be closely monitored and adjusted with appropriate diet or potassium supplements as needed. Hippokratia 2016, 20(2): 163-165.
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Atrial fibrillation is a rare but important nonatherosclerotic cause of ST elevation myocardial infarction. ⋯ We have to notice the importance of the appropriate antithrombotic treatment in atrial fibrillation to prevent systemic embolism. In selected cases with ST elevation myocardial infarction due to coronary embolism, aspiration thrombectomy with or without balloon dilatation or stenting can be safely performed. Hippokratia 2016, 20(2):160-162.
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Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a visual-impairing disorder of the developing retinal vasculature in premature infants. Recent advances in neonatal care have led to an increase in the vulnerable premature population. The aim of this retrospective study was to assess the incidence of ROP and its risk factors according to degree of prematurity. ⋯ Our study confirmed the importance of birth weight as an independent ROP risk factor. Sepsis, NEC, PDA, and prolonged mechanical ventilation have been shown to be independent risk factors in the different gestational age groups. Hippokratia 2016, 20(2): 121-126.