Presse Med
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Pulmonary hypertension and interstitial lung disease are the two main causes of death in systemic sclerosis. The hallmark of these complications is dyspnea on exertion. Assessment of dyspnea in systemic sclerosis is based on a questionnaire; 6-minute walk test and Borg index. ⋯ Peak velocity of tricuspid regurgitation as measured by echocardiography is the main parameter to evaluate the risk of pulmonary hypertension before performing a right heart catheterization. Diastolic left ventricle dysfunction is another frequently encountered cause of dyspnea in systemic sclerosis. Other less common causes are pericarditis, respiratory muscle involvement, lung cancer, pulmonary embolism.
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Patients with epilepsy have a two to three fold increased risk of death as compared to the age-matched general population. This increased risk of death primarily affects young adults with drug resistant epilepsy. Sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP) is one of the main cause of mortality in that population, and appears to be the direct consequence of a seizure. ⋯ The risk of SUDEP is increased in patients with nocturnal seizures, generalized tonic-clonic seizures, and poor compliance. This risk can be decreased by nocturnal supervision. There is yet no consensus regarding the information about SUDEP that should be delivered to patients with epilepsy, but it seems reasonable to individualize this information according to each patient form of epilepsy.
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The peripartum cardiomyopathy is a rare form of dilated cardiomyopathy. Its etiology remains unclear and is likely multifactorial. The diagnosis is based on the association of clinical heart failure and systolic dysfunction assessed by echocardiography or magnetic resonance imaging. ⋯ Complete recovery of systolic function is observed in 50 % of the case. The mortality risk is low. Subsequent pregnancy should be discouraged, especially if systolic function did not recover.
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To assess the proportion of lower respiratory tract infections (LRTI) attributable to influenza virus and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) during the 2005-2006 winter period, among hospitalized elderly in a geriatric unit of a French hospital near Paris and and describe the characteristics of these infections. ⋯ Influenza and RSV are an important cause of LRTI in elderly during the winter months, influenza infections can occurring among vaccinated elderly. It seems necessary to achieve further clinical studies about LRTI in elderly and to study the impact of rapid diagnostic tests to improve the management of these infections.