Postgraduate medicine
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Postgraduate medicine · Mar 2024
The predictive value of the HALP score for no-reflow phenomenon and short-term mortality in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction.
ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is a medical emergency demanding immediate intervention, and primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI) is the standard of care for this condition. While PCI has proven highly effective, a subset of patients experience the devastating no-reflow phenomenon, and some face increased short-term mortality. The Hemoglobin, Albumin, Lymphocyte, and Platelet (HALP) score, a novel biomarker-based tool, has recently surfaced as an innovative predictor of these adverse outcomes. This study aims to investigate the groundbreaking findings that designate a low HALP score as a robust risk factor for no-reflow and short-term mortality in STEMI patients. ⋯ HALP score can independently predict the development of no-reflow and short-term mortality in STEMI patients undergoing pPCI.
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Postgraduate medicine · Mar 2024
Prognostic significance of body mass index and serum albumin as the indicators of nutritional status in small cell lung cancer.
Body mass index (BMI) and serum albumin (ALB) level are long-established markers that reflect the nutritional status and eventually the prognosis of cancer patients. The objective of the study was to determine the clinical significance of these factors and specify their roles in outcomes compared with performance status (PS) and weight loss (WL), which are considered the most significant patient-related prognostic factors in small cell lung cancer (SCLC) treated with platinum-etoposide-based chemotherapy. ⋯ Even though BMI and serum albumin showed no prognostic value in SCLC patients treated with chemotherapy, PS was found to be the most significant prognostic factor in both LD- and ED-SCLC stages.
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Postgraduate medicine · Mar 2024
Association between variants in TCF7L2, CTRB1/2, and GLP-1R genes and response to therapy with glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists.
The factors determining the response to treatment with glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1- RAs) have not been clarified. The present study investigated the association between polymorphisms in TCF7L2, CTRB1/2, and GLP-1 R genes and response to GLP-1 RAs regarding glycemic control and weight loss among Greek patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). ⋯ There is no evidence suggesting a role for the variants studied in response to GLP-1 RA therapy in people with T2DM. However, specific demographic and clinical factors may be related to a better response to treatment with these agents.
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Postgraduate medicine · Mar 2024
Thrown in at the deep end: a qualitative study with physicians on the purpose and challenges of discharge interviews.
Against the backdrop of poor discharge communication in hospitals, this study explores the purpose of discharge interviews from the physicians' perspective and the challenges they are confronted with. Discharge interviews are legally required in Germany as part of the discharge management. Led by the ward physician, the discharge interview should summarize relevant information about the hospital stay, medication, lifestyle interventions and follow-up treatment. ⋯ The lack of preparation for discharge interviews in medical school makes it particularly challenging for physicians to translate their theoretical knowledge into patient-centered discharge communication. Medical training on discharge interviews should be expanded in terms of theoretical input on the ideal content, its purpose and potential (e.g. in reducing readmissions), as well as practical exercises.
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Postgraduate medicine · Jan 2024
Correlation of morning dry mouth with clinical features of OSA in a community population: a cross-sectional study.
Morning dry mouth, commonly seen in Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) patients, is absent in current OSA screening tools. This study evaluated the link between morning dry mouth and OSA's clinical symptoms and complications, aiming to determine its viability as a screening indicator. ⋯ This study has been registered at www.ClinicalTrials.gov (registration identifier: NCT03532893) on 21 May 2018.