Isr Med Assoc J
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Concern about the side effects of allogeneic blood transfusion has led to increased interest in methods of minimizing peri-operative transfusion. Technologies to minimize allogeneic transfusion include drugs such as aprotinin, desmopressin, tranexamic acid and erythropoietin, and techniques such as acute normovolemic hemodilution, cell salvage and autologous pre-donation. ⋯ There is considerable practice variation in the use of technologies to minimize exposure to peri-operative allogeneic blood transfusion in Israel.
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Musculoskeletal complaints represent the second most common reason for visits to a physician, second only to the common cold. The limited capability of medical treatment for musculoskeletal disease requires modification of communication with patients by attending to their perception of the disease. ⋯ The high level of patient satisfaction with their primary physicians' care for musculoskeletal symptoms may reflect the overall tendency of the elderly population to be satisfied with its primary care physicians. However, their high level of expectations (related to perceived efficacy of medical treatment) and their unrealistic perceptions of disease may lead to disappointment and non-compliance with their doctor's recommendations. Management of musculoskeletal disease in the elderly should address the patients' disease perceptions, as well as their therapeutic and functional needs.
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Familial Mediterranean fever is a genetic disease in which some characteristic gene mutations have been found. ⋯ This study characterizes the phenotype-genotype in specific ethnic groups of patients with FMF.