The American journal of medicine
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Observational studies of patients with rheumatoid arthritis have suggested that racial and ethnic disparities exist for minority populations. We compared disease activity and clinical outcomes across racial and ethnic groups using data from a large, contemporary US registry. ⋯ Despite improvements in disease activity across racial and ethnic groups over a 5-year period, disparities persist in disease activity and clinical outcomes for minority groups versus white patients.
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It is known that troponin elevations have prognostic importance in critically ill patients. We examined whether cardiac troponin T elevations are independently associated with in-hospital, short-term (30 days), and long-term (3 years) mortality in intensive care unit (ICU) patients admitted with sepsis, severe sepsis, and septic shock after adjusting for the severity of disease with the Acute Physiology, Age and Chronic Health Evaluation III system. ⋯ In patients with sepsis who are admitted to an ICU, cardiac troponin T elevations are independently associated with in-hospital and short-term mortality but not long-term mortality.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Mobile health messages help sustain recent weight loss.
Using regulatory focus theory, an intervention of daily weight loss-sustaining messages was developed and tested for acceptability, feasibility, and efficacy on helping people sustain weight loss. ⋯ A clinically significant decrease in mean weight, higher rate of sustained weight loss, and medium-to-large effects on sustained weight loss occurred in the promotion and prevention interventions. Tools such as this text message-based intervention that are constructed and guided by evidence-based content and theoretical constructs show promise in helping people sustain healthy behaviors that can lead to improved health outcomes.
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Oil spills are known to affect human health through the exposure of inherent hazardous chemicals such as para-phenols and volatile benzene. This study assessed the adverse health effects of the Gulf oil spill exposure in subjects participating in the clean-up activity along the coast of Louisiana. ⋯ The results of this study indicate that clean-up workers exposed to the oil spill and dispersant experienced significantly altered blood profiles, liver enzymes, and somatic symptoms.