Postgraduate medicine
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Recurrence may most likely develop during the course of the disease in patients presented with early stage melanoma at initial diagnosis. The specific risk factors for early and late recurrences following definitive surgical excision have yet to be determined. The aim of this study was to analyze the early and late relapses in stage I-III cutaneous melanoma patients. ⋯ The current study has detected potential risk factors for relapse of patients who developed ER and LR. These indicators may be useful for rational follow-up programs of the patients.
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Postgraduate medicine · Apr 2019
Real-world misuse, abuse, and dependence of abuse-deterrent versus non-abuse-deterrent extended-release morphine in Medicaid non-cancer patients.
Opioids with abuse-deterrent properties may reduce widespread abuse, misuse, and diversion of these products. This study aimed to quantify misuse, abuse, dependence, and health resource use of extended-release morphine sulfate with sequestered naltrexone hydrochloride (ER-MSN; EMBEDA®), compared with non-abuse-deterrent extended-release morphine (ERM) products in Medicaid non-cancer patients. ⋯ Misuse, abuse, and dependence events were numerically lower in patients receiving ER-MSN compared with those receiving ERM products.
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Postgraduate medicine · Jan 2019
ReviewEfficacy and renal outcomes of SGLT2 inhibitors in patients with type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease.
To review glucose-lowering efficacy and changes in renal function associated with sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors among patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). ⋯ In patients with T2DM and CKD, SGLT2 inhibitors have a decreased glucose-lowering effect compared to patients without CKD. Renal benefits among patients with CKD are similar to those without CKD and include a significant reduction in albuminuria and reduced incidence of worsening albuminuria. Given that CKD and T2DM are both associated with increased cardiovascular risk, we believe these agents should considered as preferred add-on agents in most patients with uncontrolled T2DM and eGFR >30 ml/min/1.73 m2. Ongoing studies will provide additional information as to whether these agents should be added to the current standard of care for CKD patients, with and without T2DM.
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Postgraduate medicine · Jan 2019
MEFV gene variants in children with Henoch-Schönlein purpura and association with clinical manifestations: a single-center Mediterranean experience.
Henoch-Schönlein purpura (HSP) is characterized by non-thrombocytopenic palpable purpura, abdominal pain, and arthralgia/arthritis. We aimed to describe the clinical presentations of children with HSP in a single center and compare the prevalence of each manifestations between patients with MEFV variants, particularly in exon 10 and those without. ⋯ MEFV variants in exon 10 may affect clinical presentation of HSP in populations where FMF is common. While HSP may be an initial symptom of FMF, we speculate that physicians should be aware of FMF possibility in children with intussusception and lower hemoglobin, higher serum IgA, leukocyte, and platelet count.
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Postgraduate medicine · Jun 2018
A case series study of hypopituitarism in older patients with and without gastrointestinal symptoms.
Some older individuals who present with gastrointestinal symptoms as their chief complaint were ultimately diagnosed with hypopituitarism instead of gastrointestinal diseases. The aim of this study was to find the characteristics of biochemical indicators in these patients so as to reduce early misdiagnosis. ⋯ Nausea and vomiting were the most common gastrointestinal symptoms in older patients with hypopituitarism, which were associated with lower serum sodium and cortisol. In addition, we hope to share the research to our gastroenterologists that serum sodium and cortisol should be tested when meeting elder patients with unexplained gastrointestinal symptoms.