Revista médica de Chile
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Revista médica de Chile · May 2015
[The cost of polypharmacy in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus].
Polypharmacy or the concomitant use of three or more medications, may increase the complexity of health care and its costs. ⋯ Medications represent less than 50% of total expenses of diabetic patients with polypharmacy.
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Suicide is a complex phenomenon that has accompanied human beings throughout history. Its strong association with mental disorders led to its medicalization and psychiatrists became the physicians in charge of diagnosing and treating patients at risk of suicide. This article discusses the potential limitations that psychiatrists may face when diagnosing suicide risk and providing optimal care. ⋯ We propose that although diagnosing and adequately treating patients at risk of suicide would be the psychiatrist's responsibility, the act of suicide itself is personal and non-transferable. Considering the latter as part of the medical team's responsibilities would turn working with patients with mental disorders into a fearless act. Finally, suicide should be considered to be part of the natural history of the evolution of many mental disorders and, thus, should constitute a specific topic when training specialists.
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Revista médica de Chile · Apr 2015
Case Reports[Intracranial sinus venous thrombosis in ulcerative colitis. Report of one case].
Intracranial sinus venous thrombosis (ICSVT) is a rare complication of ulcerative colitis that affects from 1.7 to 7.5% of patients. We report a 22 year-old male with ulcerative colitis in treatment with mesalazine and prednisone presenting with headache and speech disturbances. ⋯ Anticoagulation with heparin was started which was changed to oral anticoagulation with warfarin. The patient was discharged ten days after admission.
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Revista médica de Chile · Apr 2015
[Amerindian admixture estimation based on serological and molecular methods].
Amerindian admixture is an important parameter to consider in epidemiological studies in American countries, to make a proper selection of cases and controls. ⋯ In Chile, Amerindian admixture estimates obtained using ABO*A could be used as an alternative to AIMs in justified cases provided the sample size is reasonably large.