#Obesity Is the Most Common Risk Factor for Chronic #liver Disease

Obesity has been associated with liver fibrosis, yet guidelines do not emphasize it as an independent risk factor in which to have a high index of suspicion of advanced disease.. ..We prospectively recruited patients from a primary care practice with hazardous alcohol use and/or type 2 diabetes and/or obesity. Subjects were invited for a transient… Continue reading #Obesity Is the Most Common Risk Factor for Chronic #liver Disease

Relationship of #nutritional status, #inflammation, and serum #albumin levels during acute illness: A prospective study

Low serum albumin levels resulting from inflammation-induced capillary leakage or disease-related anorexia during acute illness are associated with poor outcomes. We investigated the relationship of nutritional status and inflammation with low serum albumin levels and 30-day mortality in a large cohort. ..Of 2,465 patients, 1,019 (41%) had low serum albumin levels (<34 g/L), 619 (25.1%)… Continue reading Relationship of #nutritional status, #inflammation, and serum #albumin levels during acute illness: A prospective study

Trends in Self-perceived #Weight Status, Weight Loss Attempts, and Weight Loss Strategies Among Adults in the United States, 1999-2006

..Increasing trends were observed in current measured BMI (difference, 1.20; 95% CI, 0.92-1.47; P for trend < .001), current measured weight (difference 2.77 kg; 95% CI, 1.92-3.61 kg; P for trend < .001), adjusted, self-reported, prior-year weight (difference, 2.36 kg; 95% CI, 1.52-3.21 kg; P for trend < .001), and the difference between measured and adjusted self-reported weight (difference 0.70 kg;… Continue reading Trends in Self-perceived #Weight Status, Weight Loss Attempts, and Weight Loss Strategies Among Adults in the United States, 1999-2006

Bedside #Optic Nerve Ultrasonography for Diagnosing Increased Intracranial #pressure: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Optic nerve ultrasonography (optic nerve sheath diameter sonography) has been proposed as a noninvasive, quick method for diagnosing increased intracranial pressure ..Accuracy estimates were similar among studies stratified by patient age, operator specialty and training level, reference standard, sonographer blinding status, and cutoff value. The optimal cutoff for optic nerve sheath dilatation on ultrasonography was… Continue reading Bedside #Optic Nerve Ultrasonography for Diagnosing Increased Intracranial #pressure: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Effect of Standard vs Intensive Blood #Pressure Control on the Risk of Recurrent #Stroke

The Systolic Blood Pressure Intervention Trial (SPRINT) demonstrated that a systolic blood pressure (BP) target less than 120 mm Hg was superior to less than 140 mm Hg for preventing vascular events. This trial excluded patients with prior stroke; therefore, the ideal BP target for secondary stroke prevention remains unknown. ..Throughout the overall follow-up period,… Continue reading Effect of Standard vs Intensive Blood #Pressure Control on the Risk of Recurrent #Stroke

Phase 2a randomized, placebo-controlled study of anti–IL-33 in peanut #allergy

IL-33, found in high levels in participants with allergic disorders, is thought to mediate allergic reactions. Etokimab, an anti–IL-33 biologic, has previously demonstrated a good safety profile and favorable pharmacodynamic properties in many clinical studies ..Efficacy measurements for active vs. placebo participants at the day 15 and 45 food challenge (tolerating a cumulative 275 mg… Continue reading Phase 2a randomized, placebo-controlled study of anti–IL-33 in peanut #allergy

Physical #activity offsets genetic risk for incident #depression assessed via electronic health records in a biobank cohort study

Polygenic risk was associated with increased odds of incident depression, and physical activity showed a protective effect of similar but opposite magnitude, even after adjusting for BMI, employment status, educational attainment, and prior depression. Higher levels of physical activity were associated with reduced odds of incident depression across all levels of genetic vulnerability, even among… Continue reading Physical #activity offsets genetic risk for incident #depression assessed via electronic health records in a biobank cohort study

Results of a 6-week treatment with 10 mg prednisolone in patients with hand #osteoarthritis (HOPE): a double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial

..The mean change between baseline and week 6 on VAS-reported finger pain was −21·5 (SD 21·7) in the prednisolone group and −5·2 (24·3) in the placebo group, with a mean between-group difference (of prednisolone vs placebo) of −16·5 (95% CI −26·1 to −6·9; p=0·0007). The number of non-serious adverse events was similar between the groups.… Continue reading Results of a 6-week treatment with 10 mg prednisolone in patients with hand #osteoarthritis (HOPE): a double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial

Clinical presentation, treatment, and short-term outcomes of #lung injury associated with e-cigarettes or #vaping: a prospective observational cohort study

..33 (55%) of 60 were admitted to an intensive care unit (ICU). 53 (88%) of 60 patients presented with constitutional symptoms, 59 (98%) with respiratory symptoms, and 54 (90%) with gastrointestinal symptoms. 54 (90%) of 60 were given antibiotics and 57 (95%) were given steroids. Six (10%) of 60 patients were readmitted to an ICU… Continue reading Clinical presentation, treatment, and short-term outcomes of #lung injury associated with e-cigarettes or #vaping: a prospective observational cohort study