Journal of general internal medicine
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The triglyceride-glucose index (TyG index), calculated as the logarithmic product of fasting triglyceride and glucose concentrations, is recognized as a simple marker of insulin resistance. However, the association between the TyG index and future decline of renal function remains unclear in the general population. ⋯ In the general population, high TyG index was associated with future renal function decline. The TyG index may be useful in identifying individuals at high risk for future renal function decline in the setting of health checkups.
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Service-learning courses improve medical students' ability and willingness to participate in community engagement as future physicians. However, few studies examine the community partners' (CP) perceptions of the utility of these courses in accomplishing the goals of their organizations. ⋯ CPs acknowledged that this service-learning course provides collective benefit to students, community organizations, and community members. However, challenges such as navigating student schedules and understanding course expectations lead to additional work for CPs. Acting on suggestions for improvement will help secure this course's longevity and collective benefit to the community.
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The prevalence of co-occurring chronic pain and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has yet to be established in a nationally representative sample of US veterans, and little is known about the individual contributing roles of these disorders to the psychiatric and functional burden of this comorbidity. ⋯ Results underscore the importance of whole health care that considers a broad range of health and functional domains in the assessment and treatment of co-occurring chronic pain and PTSD in veterans.
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Hepatitis C (HCV) is a curable chronic infection, but lack of treatment uptake contributes to ongoing morbidity and mortality. State and national strategies for HCV elimination emphasize the pressing need for people with HCV to receive treatment. ⋯ To address the remaining barriers and facilitators providers experience in initiating HCV treatment, strategies will need to expand educational initiatives for primary care providers, further support local infrastructures and integrated care systems, promote public awareness campaigns, remove prior authorization requirements and treatment limitations, and address the negative reputation of outdated HCV treatments. Addressing these issues should be considered priorities for HCV elimination approaches at the state and national levels.