Annals of medicine
-
We aimed to investigate the associations between thyroid hormone sensitivity indices and diabetes in euthyroid adults in the United States and China. ⋯ TFQIFT3 was associated with a higher prevalence of diabetes both in the United States and China. However, TFQIFT4 was only associated with a higher prevalence of diabetes in the United States, not in China. Further prospective cohort studies are necessary to validate these findings.
-
Comparative Study
Improvement in signs and symptoms of severe dry eye disease after dual therapy with high-potency steroids and 0.05% cyclosporine.
To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of combining 0.05% cyclosporine A (CsA) with high-potency steroids for treating severe dry eye disease (DED). ⋯ Dual therapy combining high-potency steroids and 0.05% CsA significantly improved the signs and symptoms of severe DED compared with 0.05% CsA monotherapy, without severe complications.
-
Optimizing transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) can enhance treatment efficacy for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This study compares modified TACE (M-TACE), which combines a lipiodol-based emulsion and drug-eluting beads, with drug-eluting bead TACE (DEB-TACE) as initial therapies for solitary HCC. ⋯ M-TACE showed higher initial CR rates, lower LTP rates, and extended time to LTP compared to DEB-TACE, indicating its potential to enhance TACE effectiveness for solitary HCC.
-
A large proportion of patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) experience IBD-related inflammatory conditions outside of the gastrointestinal tract, termed extraintestinal manifestations (EIMs) which further decreases quality of life and, in extreme cases, can be life threatening. The pathogenesis of EIMs remains unknown, and although gut microbiota alterations are a well-known characteristic of patients with IBD, its relationship with EIMs remains sparsely investigated. This study aimed to compare the gut microbiota of patients with IBD with and without EIMs. ⋯ The fecal microbiota in IBD patients with EIMs is distinct from that in IBD patients without EIM and could be important for EIM pathogenesis.
-
Introduction: Adverse effects of opioids are common among older individuals, and undertreatment as well as overuse can be an issue. Epidemiological data on opioid use in older individuals are available, but scarce in hospitalized patients. Aims: The aim of this study is to examine the one-day prevalence of opioid use among older inpatients and identify the factors associated with both opioid use and dosage. ⋯ Conclusions: One in four patients received opioid treatment. It is not clear whether this reflects under- or overtreatment, but these results can serve as a benchmark for geriatric units to guide future pain management practices. The utilization of transdermal fentanyl and buprenorphine, resulting in higher doses of morphine equivalent, poses significant risks for side effects.