Mayo Clinic proceedings
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To study the clinical course of patients with multiple myeloma (MM) that relapses after initial therapy. ⋯ Our study revealed decreasing response duration with increasing number of salvage regimens, probably reflecting acquired drug resistance and an increasing proliferative rate of the myeloma cells. Patients who experienced relapse after initial treatment and received salvage therapy had a median survival of nearly 1.5 years. This must be remembered when making treatment decisions for these patients and must be factored in when assessing the efficacy of new therapies.
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Mayo Clinic proceedings · Jul 2004
ReviewEvaluation and management of asymptomatic carotid artery stenosis.
Internal carotid artery stenosis (ICAS) is responsible for approximately 30% of ischemic strokes. Internal carotid artery stenosis of greater than 50% is present in about 4% to 8% of the population aged 50 to 79 years. Natural history studies and clinical trials have shown a small increase in stroke risk in patients with increasing degrees of ICAS, especially in those with greater than 80% reduction in carotid artery diameter. ⋯ Clinicians continue to struggle with treatment decisions for patients with asymptomatic ICAS. Carotid endarterectomy for asymptomatic ICAS should be considered only for medically stable patients with 80% or greater stenosis who are expected to live at least 5 years, and only in centers with surgeons who have a demonstrated low (<3%) perioperative complication rate. We outline the prevalence and natural history of ICAS, the evidence for CEA in patients with asymptomatic ICAS, the roles of screening and monitoring for ICAS, the methods of evaluating ICAS, and the implications for practicing clinicians.
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Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a common disorder with a prevalence of 5% to 15%. Primary care physicians must become familiar with management of this disorder. ⋯ Nonpharmacological approaches, including mental alerting activities, avoiding substances or medications that may exacerbate RLS, and addressing the possibility of iron deficiency, are discussed. The role of carbidopa/levodopa, dopamine agonists, opioids, benzodiazepines, and anticonvulsants for the different types of the disorder is delineated.