The American journal of the medical sciences
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Factors contributing to heart failure (HF) in African Americans (AA) are under investigation. Reduced 25(OH)D confers increased cardiovascular risk, including HF. ⋯ Hypovitaminosis D is prevalent amongst AA residing in Memphis, with or without HF. Elevations in serum PTH in keeping with secondary hyperparathyroidism are only found in AA with decompensated HF, where hypovitaminosis D and other factors are contributory.
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Having local health data is critical to combat health disparities, and zip code-level data are an underutilized source of such information. We sought to use zip code-level mortality data to determine where health disparities existed in our local area. ⋯ Using zip code-level data provides an accurate foundation from which to design local interventions to address health disparities.
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Comparative Study
Prevalence of abdominal and pelvic surgeries in patients with irritable bowel syndrome: comparison between Caucasian and African Americans.
Although controversial, studies suggest that irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is associated with an increased risk of abdominal and pelvic surgeries. However, the role of race in this interaction has not been defined. We studied the prevalence of appendectomy, cholecystectomy, and hysterectomy among African American patients with IBS among the population at large and compared it with the Caucasians residing in same area. ⋯ Based on responses to ROME II criteria questionnaire administered to community at large, IBS is not associated with greater prevalence of abdominal and pelvic surgeries. Caucasians are more likely to have these surgeries irrespective of whether they have IBS or not. Our study does not exclude the possibility that there may indeed be association between IBS and surgeries if only the IBS patients seeking health care are considered.
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Review Case Reports
Paracoccidioidomycosis (South American blastomycosis) of the larynx mimicking carcinoma.
Paracoccidioidomycosis is the most frequently identified deep mycosis in South America. Paracoccidioides brasiliensis is a thermally dimorphic fungus that is generally acquired by the respiratory route through airborne inhalation of conidia. Herein, we describe a case of a patient with paracoccidioidomycosis of the larynx mimicking carcinoma of the larynx and we review the literature regarding this unusual manifestation of this fungal infection.