Postgraduate medicine
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Postgraduate medicine · Apr 2021
The relationship between chronic pain, prehypertension and hypertension. A population-based cross-sectional survey in Al-Kharj, Saudi Arabia.
Background: Chronic pain and hypertension are highly prevalent in both developing and developed countries. Although they may appear to be two separate phenomena, several studies in developed countries have found them associated at the population level. Studies in developing countries are scarce and association between pain with prehypertension are rarely explored. ⋯ I. = 0.879-1.668, P = 0.243]. Conclusion: Results of this survey suggests a statistically significant relationship between hypertension (but not prehypertension) and chronic pain. The temporality of the relationship between hypertension and chronic needs to be explored in future longitudinal studies.
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Postgraduate medicine · Apr 2021
Patient initiation and maintenance of GLP-1 RAs for treatment of obesity: Narrative review and practical considerations for primary care providers.
Obesity is a chronic, relapsing metabolic disease, linked to a number of health risks and serious complications. Although highly prevalent in adults in the United States, it is underdiagnosed and untreated. ⋯ In this review, we provide an overview of the clinical data supporting the use of liraglutide 3.0 mg, as well as practical advice for PCPs on the initiation and maintenance of treatment over the long term. This also covers the management of side effects and how to manage patient expectations over time.
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Postgraduate medicine · Apr 2021
Hearing impairment prevalence and risk factors among adults in rural China: a population-based cross-sectional study.
Objective: Over the past few decades, the prevalence of hearing impairment (HI) has rapidly increased, making HI one of the most common causes of disability, globally. The burden of HI is particularly heavy in low socioeconomic status populations. Despite extensive research into the range of HI prevalence in low socioeconomic status populations, worldwide, population-based studies have been rare. ⋯ Compared with the 45-54-year-old group, the risk of HI in individuals in the 55-64-year-old, 65-74-year-old, and ≥75-year-old groups were 25.8%, 109.9%, and 373.7% higher, respectively. Moreover, increased with each 1-mmHg SBP, the risk of HI increase 0.7% (95%CI: 1.001-1.013; P = 0.017); while increased with each 1-mmHg DBP, the risk of HI decrease 1.7% (95%CI: 0.973-0.993; P = 0.001)Conclusions: The burden of HI in rural northern China is heavy, especially among elderly men and people with elevated systolic blood pressure (SBP). Addressing HI prevention is critical for reducing the HI burden and improving quality of life.
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Postgraduate medicine · Apr 2021
Usefulness of Atherogenic index of plasma for estimating Reduced eGFR risk: Insights from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2009-2016.
Previous studies have identified Atherogenic index of plasma (AIP) as a simple measure of atherosclerosis. Because atherosclerosis plays a role in the development of renal damage, our study aims to evaluate the effect of AIP on the risk of reduced eGFR and assess its usefulness to refine the risk stratification of reduced estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). ⋯ The present work suggested a linear association between AIP and reduced eGFR. Furthermore, the results showed that the association was stronger in black race and people aged less than 50 years old. Most importantly, our work implicated the usefulness of AIP to refine the risk stratification of reduced eGFR.
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Background and aim: The diagnosis of Crohn's disease (CD) is challenging. Ongoing search for biomarkers to facilitate the diagnosis is a worthwhile endeavor. The aim of this study was to explore the role of serological markers in the diagnosis of CD at an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) referral center. ⋯ However, a decreased proportion of AYMA+ CD patients was found in those who received surgery compared with their non-surgical counterparts (p = 0.0488). Conclusions: ASCA was found to be the most accurate serological marker for the differential diagnosis of CD. Combinations of ASCA, AYMA, AYCA, and FI2Y improved diagnostic accuracy of CD.