Internal medicine journal
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Internal medicine journal · May 2021
Meta AnalysisFebuxostat as a renoprotective agent for treatment of hyperuricaemia: a meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials.
The objective of this meta-analysis of randomised controlled clinical trials (RCT) was to evaluate the effects of febuxostat on kidney function in patients with hyperuricaemia. ⋯ Treating hyperuricaemia with febuxostat may slow the progression of chronic kidney disease irrespective of baseline renal function without significantly associated increased risks of major cardiovascular events, diarrhoea, joint symptoms, arrhythmia and stroke, compared to placebo.
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Internal medicine journal · May 2021
ReviewEnergy Drinks: A Narrative Review Of Their Physiological And Pathological Effects.
The consumption of energy drinks (Edks) has increased significantly in past years, with a growing market that is estimated to reach $61 billion by 2021 worldwide. Several studies demonstrated the physiological and pathological effects of these substances contained in Edks. The most common ingredient contained in Edks is caffeine, which is commonly mixed with taurine, and B-group vitamins. ⋯ We found a significant focus on arrhythmogenic risk in patients affected by long QT syndrome or other predisposing conditions for QT elongation. Other pathological effects are known as gastrointestinal, vascular and neurological disorders. Edks, as well as all caffeinated beverages, should be taken with caution or avoided in select populations, such as patients suffering from cardiovascular or neurological illnesses; their use can unmask a sleepy life-threatening disease.
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Internal medicine journal · May 2021
Long-term outcomes in patients with pulmonary embolism: results from a longitudinal cohort study.
Patients with pulmonary embolism (PE) have increased mortality in short-term; however, long-term prognosis is not well defined. ⋯ In this prospective study, we did not find association between PE and risk of all-cause mortality or SCE. Major determinants of poor clinical outcomes were advancing age and underlying comorbidities.
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Internal medicine journal · May 2021
Observational StudyLaboratory-derived early warning score for the prediction of in-hospital mortality, intensive care unit admission, medical emergency team activation and cardiac arrest in general medical wards.
General medical wards admit a varied cohort of patients from the emergency department, some of whom deteriorate during their hospital stay. Currently, we use vital signs based warning scores to predict patients at risk of imminent deterioration, but there is now a growing body of literature that commonly available laboratory results may also help to identify those at risk. ⋯ A simple laboratory-derived score obtained at patient admission is a fair to good predictor of subsequent in-patient death or cardiac arrest in general medical patients and in the older patient cohort. Prospective interventional studies are required to ascertain the clinical utility of this admission score.