Medicine
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At present, detailed demographic and clinical data of moyamoya disease (MMD) in the population of Southeast China are lacking. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the epidemiological and clinical features of MMD in Southeast China. Our cohort included 170 patients diagnosed with MMD over the preceding 5 years. ⋯ Of all patients, 83.9% were able to live independently with no significant disability, and 89.8% showed improved cerebral hemodynamics. Our study provided detailed demographic and clinical data on Southeastern Chinese patients with MMD, which was consistent with findings in other parts of China. Raising clinical awareness of MMD in primary hospitals is important to facilitate early diagnosis and timely treatment of MMD patients.
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The mechanism of allergic rhinitis (AR) remains unclear. Most researchers believe that AR is the result of a combination of environmental and genetic factors. Sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) is a treatment that can change the natural course of AR through immunomodulatory mechanism and maintain efficacy after the treatment. ⋯ The Simpson index of AR group was significantly higher than that of CG and SLIT groups, but not different between SLIT group and CG group. The abundance of Bacteroidete and Firmicutes remarkably increased in the AR group, but Bacteroidete reduced to CG level after SLIT. AR patients have different nasal microbiome composition, but we do not know how it happened and whether the AR condition affected nasal microbiome composition or nasal microbiome affected AR.
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Fungal infection (FI) is a life-threatening condition in cirrhotic patients. However, a population-based study is required to determine the short-term mortality of these patients. The Taiwan National Health Insurance Database was used to enroll 1214 cirrhotic patients with FIs who were hospitalized between January 1, 2010 and December 31, 2013. ⋯ The overall 30-day and 90-day mortality rates for patients with invasive FIs were 25.7% and 49.9%, respectively (P < .001). After adjusting for sex, age, and other comorbidities, the following 90-day mortality prognostic factors were statistically different: renal function impairment (hazard ratio = 1.98, 95% confidence interval = 1.05-3.70, P = .034), concurrent with bacterial infections (hazard ratio = 1.75, 95% CI = 1.07-2.88, P = .027). Half of the cirrhotic patients died within 90-daysdue to invasive FIs, highlighting the importance of renal function impairment and concurrent with bacterial infections as an important prognostic factor.
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The aim was to study the independent risk factors for chronic low back pain after lumbar compression fractures undergoing percutaneous kyphoplasty (PKP), and to establish a nomogram prediction model accordingly. Data were collected from patients with lumbar compression fractures from January 2017 to December 2021 at the Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to determine the independent risk factors for chronic low back pain after receiving PKP for lumbar compression fractures, and the corresponding nomogram was established. ⋯ A total of 792 patients with lumbar compression fractures were included in the study, and 188 patients had chronic postoperative low back pain, with an incidence of 23.74%. After univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis, a total of 5 variables were identified as independent risk factors for chronic low back pain after undergoing PKP for lumbar compression fractures, namely having diabetes (OR, 1.607; 95% CI, 1.157-3.205), preoperative T value < -2.5 SD (OR, 2.697; 95% CI, 1.417-5.021), multiple lumbar fractures (OR, 1.815; 95% CI, 1.415-3.201), lumbar compression ≥ 50% (OR, 2.854; 95% CI, 1.411-6.524), and bone cement leakage (OR, 2.911; 95% CI, 1.715-6.817). The nomogram for chronic low back pain after PKP for lumbar compression fractures constructed in this study has good predictive accuracy and helps orthopedic surgeons to intervene earlier in patients at high risk of chronic low back pain after undergoing PKP for lumbar compression fractures.
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Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is prevalent in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and is associated with substantial morbidity, mortality, and a lower quality of life. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of PAD, clinical profile, and related risk factors among patients with CKD in Iraq (a low-to middle-income country). A cross sectional study comprised 175 CKD patients, of them 60% were male, their mean age was 56 ± 12.5 years, attending Nephrology unit, Hawler Teaching Hospital, Erbil, Iraq between march 2022 and November 2022. ⋯ Peripheral artery disease was prevalent in patients with CKD in Iraq, and the most affected patients were asymptomatic. Older age, male sex, hypertension, diabetes, prior coronary artery disease, advanced CKD stages, albuminuria, higher glycated hemoglobin level, and increased high-sensitivity C-reactive protein level were identified as risk factors. Early detection of occult PAD might enhance efforts toward proper prevention and treatment.