Curēus
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Background Herpes zoster is caused by the reactivation of latent varicella-zoster virus, which promotes acute and chronic pain that may interfere with daily activities and reduce the quality of life. Ultrasound-guided erector spinae plane (ESP) blocks are used for a wide variety of indications in the management of acute, chronic, and postoperative pain. Our aim was to evaluate the efficacy of ultrasound-guided erector spinae plane blocks for the management of pain in herpes zoster. ⋯ The median value of analgesia time (min-max) was 18 (3-24) hours. Conclusion Our preliminary experience demonstrated that an ESP block provided sufficient analgesia in acute herpetic pain. A combination of ESP block, pregabalin, and tramadol was also effective within the three-months-period after the block performance.
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Background Anemia is one of the most common conditions that affect pregnancies, with dietary iron deficiency being its most common cause. Maternal anemia has been associated with increased risks of both maternal and neonatal adverse outcomes. This study aimed to analyze the maternal and neonatal outcomes in women with third-trimester anemia. ⋯ There was no report of maternal mortality in either group. Conclusion: Anemia in the third trimester of pregnancy is associated with adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes including neonatal death. Efforts are required to ensure adequate maternal nutritional status in order to prevent poor outcomes.
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Immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) is an autoimmune condition that affects nearly 1:10,000 people in the world. It is traditionally defined by a platelet count of less than 100 x 109L, but treatment typically depends on symptomology rather than on the platelet count itself. ⋯ In patients who continue to have severe thrombocytopenia and symptomatic bleeding despite first- and second-line treatments, the diagnosis of "chronic refractory ITP" is appropriate, and third-line treatments are evaluated. This manuscript describes the efficacy of different treatment options for primary ITP and introduces the reader to various third-line options that are emerging as a means of treating chronic refractory ITP.
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Introduction Despite a call for increased research by family-medicine physicians, there is no data on the demographics of those awarded a National Institutes of Health (NIH) R01 grant. Objective The purpose of the study was to assess recent NIH R01 funding trends over the last decade in family medicine. Methods A retrospective analysis of NIH R01 grant funding in family medicine was conducted by extracting demographic data from the NIH's Research Portfolio Online Reporting Tools Expenditures and Results (RePORTER) database from 2008 through 2017. Demographics were reported as percentages, and comparisons of the groups were performed by the t-test. Results From 2008 to 2017, the NIH awarded 139 R01 grants to principal investigators (PI) in family medicine. ⋯ No one holding a Doctorate of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) degree received an NIH R01 grant during the timeframe studied. A total of 81.97% of all MDs held a dual degree. When gender and degree were considered, no statistical difference was observed for the total amount of dollars awarded. Conclusion For the years studied, a disparity related to medical degrees was noted for those family-medicine physicians who received an NIH R01 grant. However, no gender disparity was observed.