Isr Med Assoc J
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Multicenter Study
Serum Albumin Levels as a Predictor of Mortality in Patients with Sepsis: A Multicenter Study.
Low serum albumin is known to be associated with mortality in sepsis, as it reflects effects of nutrition, catabolism, and edema. ⋯ The decline in serum albumin one week after admission is a stronger predictor of mortality in younger patients. Older patients might have other reasons for low serum albumin, which reflect chronic co-morbidity rather than acuity of disease.
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National registries for acromegaly and population-based data make an important contribution to disease understanding and management. Data concerning the epidemiology of acromegaly in Israel is scanty. ⋯ A high prevalence of acromegaly was found in northern Israel. The pituitary microadenoma frequency rate is the highest reported.
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Lower extremity amputation related to diabetes is a serious outcome, which can have devastating effects on the patient and family. The epidemiology of amputations has recently been used as a possible measure of the adequacy of medical prevention and treatment of diabetes and diabetic foot complications. ⋯ Factors other than the quality of management of patients with diabetes and complications may contribute to amputation rates; thus, making speculations from international comparisons of raw amputation rates problematic. This population was less healthy than reported in most studies.
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Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a severe psychiatric disease that is refractory to treatment. To date, there is no effective pharmacological therapy and existing psychotherapy treatment is only partially effective. In neuropsychological terms, AN is characterized by cognitive inflexibility and an overly detailed processing style. Creating artwork and drawing requires integrative thinking that encompasses the big picture. ⋯ Precise scientific drawing could be a useful instrument in the understanding and correction of a patient's distorted world and self-perspective. More evidence could be provided by further studies with a larger sample and a control group.