Medicine
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Review Case Reports
Thyroid hormone resistance syndrome caused by heterozygous A317T mutation in thyroid hormone receptor β gene: Report of one Chinese pedigree and review of the literature.
Thyroid hormone resistance syndrome (THRS) is a rare disorder with increased concentrations of free thyroxine (FT4) and triiodothyronine (FT3), but normal or slightly increased thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). The mutations in the thyroid hormone receptor β (THRβ) gene are thought to be the main pathogenesis. ⋯ We present 1 pedigree of THRS with heterozygous A317T mutation in THRβ gene in the proband and his mother, which is the first reported mutation in Chinese and provides a comprehensive review of available literature.
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Patients with poststroke complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) show different symptoms compared to other types of CRPS, as they usually complain of shoulder and wrist pain with the elbow relatively spared. It is thus also known by the term "shoulder-hand syndrome."The aim of this study is to present a possible pathophysiology of poststroke CRPS through ultrasonographic observation of the affected wrist before and after steroid injection at the extensor digitorum communis (EDC) tendon in patients suspected with poststroke CRPS. Prospective evaluation and observation, the STROBE guideline checklist was used. ⋯ After the injection of steroid to the wrist, CSA and swelling of the affected wrist compared to that before the treatment was significantly decreased (P < 0.001). The VAS score declined significantly after the injection (P < 0.001). Our results suggest that the pathophysiology of poststroke CRPS might be the combination of frozen shoulder or rotator cuff tear of shoulder and soft tissue injury of the wrist caused by the hemiplegic nature of patients with stroke.
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Observational Study
Prevalence and impact of Clostridium difficile infection in elderly residents of long-term care facilities, 2011: A nationwide study.
The elderly population is particularly vulnerable to Clostridium difficile infection (CDI), but the epidemiology of CDI in long-term care facilities (LTCFs) is unknown. We performed a retrospective cohort study and used US 2011 LTCF resident data from the Minimum Data Set 3.0 linked to Medicare claims. We extracted CDI cases based on International Classification of Diseases-9 coding, and compared residents with the diagnosis of CDI to those who did not have a CDI diagnosis during their LTCF stay. ⋯ Importantly, CDI was associated with higher mortality (24.7% vs 18.1%, P = 0.001). CDI is common among the elderly residents of LTCFs and is associated with significant increase in 3-month mortality. The prevalence is higher in the Northeast and risk stratification can be used in CDI prevention policies.
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Comparative Study Observational Study
Physiotherapists working in clinics have increased risk for new-onset spine disorders: a 12-year population-based study.
Health care professionals are known to have a high risk for work-related musculoskeletal disorders. However, the information on the risk of new-onset spine-related musculoskeletal disorders (SRMDs) in health care professionals is insufficient. This study aimed to investigate new-onset spine disorder associations among physical, occupational, and pharmacy health care professionals working in different workplaces. ⋯ This may be the first study regarding new-onset SRMD in physiotherapists based on a powerful nationwide population-based database. We conclude that working in clinics is a potential risk for new-onset SRMD in physiotherapists. Therefore, we suggest that physiotherapists should pay more attention to this issue to prevent the development of spine disorders.
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Comparative Study Observational Study
Role of gender in types and frequency of coronary artery aneurysm and ectasia.
This study aimed to evaluate the role of gender in types and frequency of coronary artery aneurysm and ectasia. We assessed retrospectively the angiography records of 6100 patients. At first, we mainly reviewed angiographic movies for the presence of coronary ectasia and/or aneurysm. ⋯ Incidence of CAE presence on the RCA was significantly greater in males than females (2.7% vs 1.9%, P < 0.05). This study showed that incidence of CAE is more common in males than females. Particularly, frequency for the involvement of CAE on RCA and concurrently on 3 vessels is greater in male patients than female patients.