Internal medicine journal
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Internal medicine journal · Dec 2014
A possible role of serum uric acid as a marker of metabolic syndrome.
The association between serum uric acid (SUA) levels and metabolic syndrome (MetS) has recently been reported in several cross-sectional and longitudinal studies. We investigated SUA as a biomarker to predict future development of MetS in healthy Korean men without diabetes or hypertension and determined the optimal cut-off levels of SUA. ⋯ Our results indicate that an increased level of SUA, even within the normal range, is associated with future development of MetS in healthy middle-aged men.
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Internal medicine journal · Dec 2014
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter StudyMetoclopramide for patients with intractable hiccups: a multicentre, randomised, controlled pilot study.
Limited data exist regarding the efficacy of metoclopramide in the treatment of intractable hiccups. ⋯ Metoclopramide appears to be a promising candidate for the treatment of patients with intractable hiccups, with mild adverse events. However, further clinical trials are required to confirm these results.
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Internal medicine journal · Dec 2014
ReviewConsensus guidelines for diagnosis, prophylaxis and management of Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia in patients with haematological and solid malignancies, 2014.
Pneumocystis jirovecii infection (PJP) is a common cause of pneumonia in patients with cancer-related immunosuppression. There are well-defined patients who are at risk of PJP due to the status of their underlying malignancy, treatment-related immunosuppression and/or concomitant use of corticosteroids. Prophylaxis is highly effective and should be given to all patients at moderate to high risk of PJP. Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole is the drug of choice for prophylaxis and treatment, although several alternative agents are available.
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Internal medicine journal · Dec 2014
ReviewConsensus guidelines for antifungal prophylaxis in haematological malignancy and haemopoietic stem cell transplantation, 2014.
There is a strong argument for the use of antifungal prophylaxis in high-risk patients given the significant mortality associated with invasive fungal disease, the late identification of these infections, and the availability of safe and well-tolerated prophylactic medications. Clinical decisions about which patients should receive prophylaxis and choice of antifungal agent should be guided by risk stratification, knowledge of local fungal epidemiology, the efficacy and tolerability profile of available agents, and estimates such as number needed to treat and number needed to harm. ⋯ These include the availability of new medications and/or formulations, and a focus on refining and simplifying patient risk stratification. Used in context, these guidelines aim to assist clinicians in providing optimal preventive care to this vulnerable patient demographic.