Internal medicine
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Objective The daily step count is associated with mortality in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). However, the factors associated with this phenomenon are not yet fully understood. We therefore clarified its association with clinical parameters. ⋯ The daily step count, ESMCSA, and 6MWD were lower in patients with sarcopenia than in those without sarcopenia. Conclusion A lower daily step count was associated with a smaller erector spinae muscle area and sarcopenia in patients with IPF. Further studies are warranted to confirm the importance of physical therapy for muscle strengthening in patients with IPF.
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Case Reports
Pyothorax and Constrictive Pericarditis after Chemoradiotherapy for Esophageal Cancer: A Case Report.
A 75-year-old man underwent chemoradiotherapy for advanced esophageal cancer. After nine years, he was hospitalized for left pyothorax. Consequently, the patient underwent drainage and window opening surgery. ⋯ Unfortunately, extracorporeal circulation did not improve his condition, and he ultimately died. An autopsy revealed adhesion between the pericardium and pleura, especially the pericardium in contact with the left thoracic cavity, which was markedly thickened. This suggests that constrictive pericarditis, a latent complication of chemoradiotherapy, is aggravated by pyothorax.
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A 74-year-old woman presented to our hospital with syncope after a coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection. Upon admission, she passed out, and an 8 second sinus arrest was detected during telemetry monitoring. ⋯ The head-up tilt test revealed a vasodepressor reflex syncope. The need for permanent pacemakers in patients with syncope following COVID-19 therefore remains controversial.