Postgraduate medicine
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Postgraduate medicine · Jan 2024
Observational StudyExploring factors related to clinically advanced fibrosis in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease or nonalcoholic steatohepatitis.
To describe the clinical profile of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) or nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) patients in a Texas integrated delivery network (IDN) and elucidate the local relationship between patient factors and the risk of advanced fibrosis. ⋯ This study highlights the need for early screening and proactive management of metabolic risk factors for patients with NAFLD/NASH. The findings indicate a notable prevalence of obesity in the study population, a need for specialist referral for those at High-Risk of advanced fibrosis, and the importance of routine labs to evaluate metabolic factors. Primary care providers may be ideal providers to target these interventions and address this care need.
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Postgraduate medicine · Jan 2024
Observational StudyEvaluation of immature granulocyte percentage and count in pediatric nephrotic syndrome.
The importance of immature granulocytes (IGs) in most infectious and inflammatory diseases has been highlighted. This study aimed to determine the clinical usability and importance of changes in the peripheral complete blood count profile, including IG percentage (IG%) and IG count (IG#), during the relapse and remission phases in pediatric nephrotic syndrome (NS) patients. ⋯ It is probable that a high level of immature granulocyte count has a positive correlation for NS relapse in pediatric patients. The IG % and IG# can be used together as biomarkers of inflammation in pediatric NS relapse.
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Postgraduate medicine · Jan 2024
Understanding the role of the primary care physician in the management of patients with Crohn's perianal fistulas.
To understand the role of primary care physicians (PCPs) in the recognition, diagnosis, and management of Crohn's perianal fistulas (CPF) and their referral patterns and treatment expectations. ⋯ PCPs want more involvement in multidisciplinary management of patients with CPF. Continuing education providing PCPs with up-to-date information on diagnostic modalities, treatment options, early diagnosis, the role of PCPs within a multidisciplinary team, and effective initial CPF care is required.
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Postgraduate medicine · Jan 2024
Validation of the 35-mm rule in traumatic pneumothorax in an Asian population.
Thoracic injury crucially threatens human health. Recent studies have suggested using computed tomography (CT) to observe traumatic pneumothorax (PTX). However, cross-ethnic validation is required to overcome potential barriers for the global application of this method. This study aimed to validate the 35-mm rule in traumatic PTX in a Korean population. ⋯ Most patients with traumatic PTX of ≤35 mm on CT had undergone successful 4-h observation without thoracostomy. Additionally, PTX of >35 mm was an independent risk factor for observation failure. Considering the lower optimal cutoff value and high failure rates observed in this study, the current guidelines need modifications.
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Postgraduate medicine · Jan 2024
ReviewDifferentiating between segmental arterial mediolysis and other arterial vasculopathies to establish an early diagnosis - a systematic literature review and proposal of new diagnostic criteria.
Segmental arterial mediolysis (SAM) is a rare vascular disease, characterized by acute but transient vulnerability of the wall of medium-sized arteries. The most characteristic feature of SAM is its biphasic course: an injurious phase marked by acute weakness of the arterial wall leading to acute dissection and/or hemorrhage, followed by a reparative phase in which granulation tissue and fibrosis restore the injured arterial wall. ⋯ In this systematic review, we provide an overview on SAM, with an emphasis on the differential diagnosis and diagnostic work-up. We propose new diagnostic criteria to help establish a prompt diagnosis of SAM, illustrated by case examples from our multidisciplinary vascular clinic.