Articles: disease.
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Hospital readmission is a significant problem for patients with complex chronic illnesses such as liver cirrhosis. ⋯ Hospital readmissions frequently occur in patients with cirrhosis and are associated with liver disease severity. The impact of functional and social factors on readmissions is unclear.
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Lupus vulgaris, the commonest form of tuberculosis of the skin, presents with a plaque that enlarges slowly with advancing edges while showing atrophy at other areas. It may be acquired by the blood stream, via lymph, by contiguous spread or from external inoculation. We describe a case of lupus vulgaris with a large erythematous-scaly plaque of 44 × 26 cm over the back and a similar 7 × 5 cm plaque over the right thigh. ⋯ Histopathology of the area showed caseating granulomas with Langhans giant cells, epitheloid cells and lymphocytes. A diagnosis of lupus vulgaris was made. This case is being presented owing to the large size of the lesion.
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Hypertension is common, affecting over one billion people worldwide. In sub-Saharan Africa, hypertensive disease not only affects the older population but is becoming increasingly prevalent in younger individuals. In South Africa (SA), >30% of the adult population has hypertension, making it the single most common cardiovascular risk factor and the predominant contributor to cardiovascular disease and mortality. Elevated blood pressure is the most common perioperative comorbidity encountered in non-cardiac surgical patients, with an overall prevalence of 20 - 25%, and it remains poorly controlled in low- and middle-income countries. Hypertension in the perioperative setting may adversely affect patient outcome. It therefore not only flags possible perioperative challenges to anaesthesiologists, but also identifies patients at risk of long-term morbidity and mortality. ⋯ The perioperative period may be an important opportunity to identify undiagnosed hypertensive patients. The perioperative encounter may have a significant public health implication in facilitating appropriate referral and treatment of patients with hypertension to decrease long-term cardiovascular complications in SA.