Postgraduate medicine最新文献

Objectives: This cross-sectional study aimed to evaluate sleep quality and perceived stress levels in Chinese patients with active minor recurrent aphthous stomatitis (MiRAS) lesions, as well as to investigate the potential relationship between sleep quality and perceived stress levels and the risk of MiRAS episodes.

Methods: The study population consisted of individuals recruited from a Chinese cohort who underwent medical and oral examinations from March 2022 to August 2023. All participants completed a set of uniform anonymous questionnaires, which included sociodemographic characteristics, clinical information, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) and the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-14). Statistical analysis was conducted using the independent sample t test, Mann-Whitney U test, Pearson's chi-square test and Pearson's correlation analysis. After adjusting for potential confounders (age, gender, marital status, and education level), multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to assess the associations of sleep quality and perceived stress levels with the risk of MiRAS episodes. Additionally, restricted cubic spline curves were constructed to visualize these correlations.

Results: A total of 329 eligible volunteers participated in the study, comprising 122 Chinese MiRAS patients and 207 healthy controls without MiRAS. Compared to healthy participants, MiRAS patients exhibited significantly higher PSQI and ISI scores (p = 0.000). However, no statistically significant difference was observed between the two groups regarding PSS-14 scores or its two subscales (p > 0.05). Multiple regression analysis indicated that lower sleep quality was significantly associated with an increased risk of MiRAS episodes (p = 0.000), whereas no statistically significant relationship was found between perceived stress levels and the risk of MiRAS episodes (p > 0.05).

Conclusion: Maintaining a regular bedtime and improving sleep quality may contribute to reducing the incidence and recurrence of MiRAS, while psychological intervention may be ineffective for MiRAS patients.

Objectives: Peritonsillar abscess (PTA) is a common deep neck infection traditionally managed with conservative measures. Quinsy Tonsillectomy (QT) is recognized as a definitive treatment but remains variably utilized. We aimed to investigate PTA management strategies and attitudes toward QT among otolaryngologists.

Methods: An anonymous questionnaire was distributed to members of the local national Society of Otolaryngology, evaluating treatment strategies based on patient characteristics and clinical scenario.

Results: A total of 108 otolaryngologists responded (response rate: 30.8%). Participants preferred to treat PTA patients as inpatients (89%) and predominantly offered incision and drainage (I&D) as the first (90.7%) and subsequent (98.1%) treatment plan. QT was favored as a primary treatment only in 1.9% of responders. QT adoption increased with multiple I&D failures, reaching 95.3% after four attempts. In patients with recurrent PTA or tonsillitis, 84.2% preferred I&D follows by interval elective tonsillectomy, while 15% considered QT. The most common reason (72.2%) to avoid QT was the perception of a high perioperative risk.

Conclusion: I&D was favored for initial PTA treatment. QT is considered after multiple failed I&D attempts, and its use is limited as a primary treatment, mainly due to concerns regarding perioperative risk.

Peroneal neuropathy, characterized by the occurrence of a foot drop, can develop due to a variety of factors, such as tumors, trauma, or metabolic conditions, making it one of the most prevalent peripheral neuropathies of the lower limbs. This condition is becoming more identifiable among patients who have undergone substantial weight reduction through bariatric surgery. The condition may present with symptoms like pain, sporadic paresthesia, and functional restrictions, primarily linked to foot drop. This case study explores an episode of acute foot drop in a patient who underwent a sleeve gastrectomy, leading to substantial weight loss.The patient, a middle-aged woman with a history of obesity, underwent sleeve gastrectomy and achieved normal body mass index (BMI) within a year. Eleven months post-surgery, she experienced a right-sided foot drop following a minor knee injury. Detailed history taking revealed noncompliance with vitamin supplementation, recurrent vomiting episodes, and a recent diagnosis of pancreatic insufficiency. Peripheral neuropathy, particularly peroneal nerve involvement, was confirmed through nerve conduction studies and radiological imaging. The mechanism of injury was attributed to rapid weight loss, potential nutrient deficiencies, and possible traction to the nerve.This case underscores the importance of early identification, comprehensive nutritional assessment, and timely intervention in managing neurological complications of post-bariatric surgery. Increased awareness among healthcare providers, particularly musculoskeletal specialists, is crucial as the prevalence of bariatric surgery continues to grow, ensuring optimal care for patients in this vulnerable population.

Background: Non-hemolytic acute transfusion reactions (ATRs) are generally not fatal, but they can cause serious increases in workload and costs as a result of blood product wastage.

Methods: A retrospective analysis was made of the data of the 7-year period between January 2016 and December 2022 to identify the possible associations between patient and product characteristics and the development of ATRs.

Results: A total of 113,666 blood products were transfused during the study period. There were 146 ATRs with an estimated rate of 1.28 per 1000 blood products administered. The most common ATR was mild allergic reactions (n = 84, 57.6%). No statistically significant relationship was found in blood group distribution between patients who had and did not develop ATR (p = 0.797). Febrile Non-hemolytic Transfusion Reaction (FNHTR) was more common in patients receiving erythrocyte suspension (ES) transfusion, and Fresh Frozen Plasma (FFP) was mostly used in those with mild allergic reactions (p < 0.001). Patient age was determined as > 60 years in those who developed FNHTR or 'others,' and < 60 years in patients with mild allergic reactions (p = 0.046).

Conclusion: The results of the current study demonstrated that regardless of blood group, the probability of developing FNHTR is high when ES is transfused in elderly patients, and the probability of developing mild allergic reaction is high when FFP is used. While recognizing that ATRs are difficult to prevent, it can be emphasized that prediction and management may become easier if clinicians keep these possibilities in mind when making transfusion decisions.

Objectives: COVID-19 infection is not limited to medical aspects, but may have significant negative impacts on education, tourism, the economy as well as sociocultural, ethical, and legal aspects. We aimed to assess the multidimensional impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on pediatricians by examining their COVID-19 infection, domestic life and quarantine, as well as work patterns, educational activities, and psychosocial impact.

Methods: An online survey consisted of seven sections and 68 questions was prepared through 'Google Forms.' The survey was sent via e-mail to physicians who are members of the National Pediatric Association of Turkey.

Results: The pandemic has affected pediatricians working in our country in a multifaceted aspect. They experienced significant anxiety/depression/stress, 8% of them felt it at a pathological level and were receiving treatment, and women and young pediatricians were more vulnerable to the pandemic. The more adequately informed about the disease, the more prepared for COVID-19 and lower levels of psychological distress, which emphasizes the importance of education and institutional continuing support. Our study showed that academic education was seriously disrupted and the satisfaction rate with virtual education was low.

Conclusion: Although COVID-19 has less impact today, it has taught us that it is necessary to be ready for new pandemics in the future. The required measures should be taken urgently and effectively healthcare professionals should follow a rational and applicable disaster plan.

Objectives: The association between diuretic use and cardiorenal outcomes remains limited in patients with stage 3-5 chronic kidney disease (CKD) and hypertension. To address this gap, we aim to investigate the long-term clinical impact of diuretic use with its pharmacological classification in Taiwanese patients with stage 3-5 CKD and hypertension who were concurrently received angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) or angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs).

Methods: Using data from the National Health Insurance Research Database (January 2008 to December 2019), we focused on individuals with stage 3-5 CKD receiving ACEIs/ARBs between 2010 and 2018. We categorized the cohort into non-diuretic, loop diuretic (furosemide), thiazide diuretic, and combination diuretic groups. We used a Cox proportional hazards regression model with propensity score matching to analyze the influence of diuretics on all-cause mortality, cardiovascular (CV) death, and cardiorenal adverse outcomes.

Results: The study included 59,719 patients, with 17,585 in the non-diuretic group and 42,134 in the diuretic group. Diuretics including furosemide use was significantly associated the risks of hospitalization for decompensated congestive heart failure (CHF), acute renal failure (ARF), end-stage renal disease (ESRD) requiring dialysis, CV mortality, and all-cause mortality (p-value <0.001). Thiazide diuretics showed no such adverse outcomes associations. The group receiving both thiazide and furosemide was more associated with all-cause mortality than the nondiuretic, thiazide, and furosemide monotherapy groups (all p-value <0.001).

Conclusion: Among stage 3-5 CKD patients on ACEIs/ARBs, loop diuretics exposure was associated with increased mortality and hospitalization for cardiorenal events, while thiazide diuretics exposure in isolation had no such associations. In the present data, we cannot evaluate the relationship between furosemide-associated adverse outcomes and worse renal function. These findings highlight the need for randomized controlled trials to assess the safety of loop diuretics in this population, urging caution in their prescription without a clear clinical indication.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the dynamic changes in the platelets of patients with severe heatstroke and the impact of these changes on the occurrence of disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) and prognosis in them.

Methods: This retrospective cohort study conducted at two tertiary hospitals recruited 264 patients with severe heatstroke. Logistic regression was used to analyze the association between platelet counts and DIC. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to evaluate the predictive performance of platelets count for DIC occurrence. We used mediation effect to analysis the role of DIC as a mediating variable to mediate the relationship between platelet count decrease after 24 hours and death.

Results: There were 214 patients with lower platelet counts compared to admission (107 × 10⁹/L[69,168] vs.171 × 10⁹/L[126,215], p < 0.001). The DIC patients had lower platelet counts than the non-DIC patients when measured in the emergency department and after 24 hours. The platelet count decrease after 24 hours was a risk factor for DIC (odds ratio [OR] = 2.710, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.069-6.869). The results of the ROC curve revealed that the predictive performance of the platelet count after 24 hours (area under the curve [AUC] = 0.8685, 95% CI = 0.8173-0.9197) was significantly better than that of the platelet count measured in the emergency department (AUC = 0.7080, 95% CI = 0.6345-0.7815). Mediation analyses showed that PLT decrease after 24 hours did not directly lead to death, but can indirectly cause death by inducing the development of DIC.

Conclusions: Decreased platelet count is an independent risk factor for DIC in patients with severe heatstroke. Although the platelet counts measured in the emergency department and after 24 hours show a good predictive performance for DIC occurrence, the prediction performance of the latter is better.

Objectives: Dyslipidemia is a well-established risk factor for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). ASCVD prevalence among people living with HIV (PLWH) is twice that of the general population. This study aimed to evaluate the infectious diseases (ID) physicians' attitudes on dyslipidemia management in PLWH.

Methods: This observational, cross-sectional study was conducted as online survey among ID physicians between November 2023 and February 2024. An e-mail with the survey link, title and purpose of the study was sent to physicians through the local ID societies. The survey included questions about physicians' demographic characteristics and their attitudes toward treating dyslipidemia in PLWH.

Results: A total of 242 physicians responded to the survey, of whom 59.9% (n = 145) were ID specialists and 40.1% (n = 97) were ID residents. Forty-one percent (n = 100) of physicians reported that they did not follow a guideline, and 26% of physicians reported that they did not use a cardiovascular risk calculator in their clinical practice. Specialists (69%) were more likely than residents (43.3%) to follow clinical guidelines for dyslipidemia management (p < 0.001). Seventy-two percent (n = 174) of physicians doubted the need to treat dyslipidemia, and 73% (n = 177) of physicians were affected by the patient skepticism. Workload and lack of time were identified by 68.6% of physicians as barriers to implementing dyslipidemia guideline recommendations.

Conclusion: A considerable number of Turkish ID physicians did not prefer using clinical guidelines for dyslipidemia and ASCVD risk calculators. Statin prescribing of physicians was influenced by workload, lack of time, patient skepticism, and lack of knowledge. Training ID physicians in primary prevention of ASCVD and management of dyslipidemia in PLWH is paramount.