Journal of investigative medicine : the official publication of the American Federation for Clinical Research
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Multicenter Study Observational Study
Effects of human immunodeficiency virus status on symptom severity in influenza-like illness in an otherwise healthy adult outpatient cohort.
The impact of HIV on influenza-like illness (ILI) has been incompletely described in the era of combination antiretroviral therapy, particularly in the post-H1N1 pandemic period. This analysis informs on ILI in an otherwise healthy, predominantly outpatient cohort of adults with HIV in the USA. From September 2010 to March 2015, this multisite observational cohort study enrolled otherwise healthy adults presenting to a participating US military medical center with ILI, a subset of whom were HIV positive. ⋯ In this predominantly outpatient cohort of adult men, HIV had minimal impact on ILI symptom severity. Despite similar illness severity, a higher percentage of subjects with HIV reported undergoing antiviral treatment for ILI, likely reflecting differences in prescribing practices. Trial registration number: NCT01021098.
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Multicenter Study
Preoperative vitamin D deficiency is associated with increased risk of postoperative hypocalcemia after total thyroidectomy.
Prior single-institution studies suggest that preoperative vitamin D deficiency (VDD) is associated with postoperative hypocalcemia and a prolonged length of hospital stay following total thyroidectomy. In this study, we employ a multi-institutional, de-identified electronic health records database to address this issue. We hypothesize that total thyroidectomy patients with preoperative VDD will be at an increased associated risk of postoperative hypocalcemia and hospitalization. ⋯ Although the length of hospital stay after thyroidectomy was longer in the VDD group compared with the non-VDD group (p=0.03), VDD is not an independent risk factor for prolonged hospitalization following thyroidectomy (p=0.13). VDD is associated with a higher risk of hypocalcemia following total thyroidectomy. Prethyroidectomy operative screening for VDD should be considered.
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Multicenter Study
Indoleamine 2,3 dioxygenase, age, and immune activation in people living with HIV.
Immune activation complicates HIV despite antiretroviral therapy (ART). Indoleamine 2,3 dioxygenase (IDO) catabolizes tryptophan (T) to kynurenine (K), regulating immune activity, and IDO activity increases with age. This study examines the relationship of IDO activity, bacterial translocation, and aging in people living with HIV (PLWH) on ART. ⋯ K:T and neopterin were associated. PLWH had elevated IDO activity, at younger ages, despite ART. This study suggests K:T ratio increases with age in both groups and is elevated in PLWH at all ages compared with age-matched controls.