Medicine
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Because acne vulgaris has a chronic course, can cause cosmetic problems, and negatively affects the psychosocial functionality and quality of life of patients, patients with acne vulgaris can frequently resort to complementary medicine practices. This study aimed to examine the frequency of complementary medicine use in patients diagnosed with acne vulgaris, the methods they used, the reasons for practicing these methods, and the factors affecting these practices. In this descriptive cross-sectional study, 400 (81.4%) of 491 patients aged ≥13 years who were diagnosed with acne vulgaris and treated at the dermatology outpatient clinic at Konya Numune Hospital between February and October 2020 were enrolled. ⋯ These treatment methods may affect the treatments that their physicians will recommend. Therefore, to prevent ill-advised practices, patients should be informed about the CAM methods they use when planning their treatment. Considering the possible side effects of CAM practices, physicians need to be aware that acne vulgaris patients frequently use CAM methods and improve themselves in raising the desired awareness on this issue.
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Observational Study
The clinical significance of pyogenic liver abscess after transarterial chemoembolization or microwave ablation on malignant liver tumors: A retrospective study.
Pyogenic liver abscess (PLA) is a rare but severe complication of interventional therapy that has been little studied. We aimed to find the risk factors for PLA after transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) or microwave ablation (MWA), further explore its clinical significance and summarize our experience with its treatment. Twenty-two patients with PLA and 118 randomly selected patients without PLA after TACE/MWA were enrolled. ⋯ Timely drainage and appropriate antibiotics are the key primary measures for treating PLA. Cefoperazone sodium and sulbactam sodium or piperacillin sodium and tazobactam sodium is a good choice for the first treatment of PLA, especially before pathogenic bacteria are identified. With the emergence of drug resistance, imipenem and cilastatin sodium, and tigecycline can be used for posterior treatment.
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Observational Study
Analysis of contributing factors and nursing interventions for postoperative agitation following general anesthesia in thoracotomy patients.
To analyze the factors influencing agitation during emergence from general anesthesia in patients undergoing thoracotomy and to explore corresponding nursing interventions to optimize the postoperative recovery process. This study included 200 patients who underwent thoracotomy with general anesthesia at our hospital between January 12, 2022, and June 1, 2023. After surgery, all patients were closely monitored in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). ⋯ Based on these findings, we developed targeted nursing strategies to reduce the incidence of agitation and promote smooth recovery. Agitation during emergence from general anesthesia in patients undergoing thoracotomy is closely related to factors such as age and surgery duration. Developing personalized nursing plans based on these factors can enhance postoperative monitoring and care, thereby reducing agitation and improving recovery quality.
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Observational Study
Real-world experience with biosimilar infliximab-adba and infliximab-dyyb among infliximab-naïve patients with inflammatory bowel disease in the Veterans Health Administration.
The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) listed the infliximab (IFX) biosimilar, IFX-dyyb (Inflectra), on the Veterans Affairs National Formulary (VANF) in May 2017. In September 2018, biosimilar IFX-abda (Renflexis) became the VANF IFX product. The recommended formulary changes from one IFX biosimilar to another provided a unique opportunity to study IFX utilization patterns in IFX-naïve Veterans with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). ⋯ Healthcare utilization and laboratory findings were similar among the IFX groups. IFX utilization and laboratory patterns were clinically similar among the IFX biosimilars and RP groups, suggesting that providers did not modify their practice with biosimilars. Statistically significant differences in IFX utilization patterns are explained by formulary dynamics when the VANF product switched from IFX-dyyb to IFX-abda.
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Observational Study
Assessment of neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio and mean platelet volume values in patients with diabetes mellitus diagnosis: A case-control study.
Diabetes mellitus, fundamentally characterized by hyperglycemia, leads to significant metabolic disturbances. Type 2 diabetes mellitus is a chronic, inflammatory, preventable metabolic disease that is a significant health issue globally. The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is an essential marker of systemic inflammation. ⋯ A significant decrease in MCV levels was found as HbA1c levels increased. This suggests that evaluating red blood cells in routine controls of diabetic patients may indicate glycemic control. These findings may be valuable in early diagnosis of complications.