Israel Medical Association Journal : IMAJ

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No abstract text is available yet for this article.

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BACKGROUND: Several studies have shown that patients with fibromyalgia present with neuroendocrine, inflammatory, and coagulation features linked to cardiovascular disease development. However, the exact profile of cardiovascular risk factors and events in fibromyalgia remains to be defined. OBJECTIVES: To compare the profile of cardiovascular risk factors and events between fibromyalgia outpatients and the general population in Italy. METHODS: Cardiovascular risk factors and events in fibromyalgia females were collected using the criteria adopted in the CUORE Project...

BACKGROUND: Congestive heart failure (CHF) with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) or with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is a common diagnosis in patients hospitalized in the department of internal medicine. Recently, the therapeutic regimens were updated, as the sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors became an integral part of the therapeutic regimen for either HFrEF or HFpEF. OBJECTIVES: To define the demographic and clinical characteristics of CHF patients hospitalized in the department of medicine...

BACKGROUND: There is an unmet need for real-world data regarding laboratory results, co-morbidities, and medication use prior to the first symptoms of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Researchers must identify specific subpopulations at risk for developing ALS and understand pathogenic mechanisms preceding the clinical presentation of ALS as well as possible subclinical disease manifestations. OBJECTIVES: To valuate the role of laboratory results, co-morbidities, and medication use prior to the first symptoms of patients with ALS in Israel so that specific subpopulations at risk for developing ALS can be identified and for possible subclinical disease manifestations...

BACKGROUND: Long-term outcome data for bariatric surgery in patients with severe obesity (SO) (body mass index [BMI]  50 kg/m2) are scarce. OBJECTIVES: To compare perioperative morbidity and long-term outcomes between patients with SO and non-SO (NSO). METHODS: Patients with SO who underwent primary bariatric surgery with a follow-up  5 years were age- and gender-matched with NSO patients in a retrospective, case-control study...

BACKGROUND: During combined phacovitrectomy, it is common practice to suture the main corneal incision to prevent intraoperative and postoperative wound leak. However, it may be possible to avoid suturing using a self-sealing corneal incision technique as in standard cataract surgery. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the clinical outcome, safety, and complications of combined phacovitrectomy without preventive suturing. METHODS: This retrospective case series study included consecutive patients who underwent combined phacovitrectomy between January 2018 and June 2019 for mixed indications...

BACKGROUND: Age-related changes in multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) of the prostate have been reported in the general population but not in screening cohorts. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate age-related changes on prostatic mpMRI in a screening cohort of BRCA1/2 mutation carriers. METHODS: Asymptomatic BRCA1/2 mutation carriers underwent mpMRI as part of a screening program. All included patients were followed for 3 years with no evidence of prostate cancer...

BACKGROUND: At the beginning of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, many patients presented with acute hypoxemic respiratory failure, requiring ventilatory support. One treatment method was the addition of a reservoir mask to a high flow nasal cannula (HFNC) (dual oxygenation). OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the clinical outcomes of combining reservoir mask on top of a high-flow nasal cannula. METHODS: A retrospective cohort of adult patients who were admitted due to COVID-19 during the first year of the pandemic to Rambam Health Care Campus...

BACKGROUND: Data are scarce on the immunogenicity of coronavirus disease 2019 vaccines in patients with autoimmune rheumatic diseases (ARD). OBJECTIVES: To measure the immunoglobulin G (IgG) response after severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) immunization and to evaluate clinical characteristics associated with seropositivity. METHODS: Samples were collected after the second and third doses of the three different types of vaccines in ARD patients...

BACKGROUND: Influenza and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) are respiratory diseases with similar modes of transmission. In December 2021, influenza re-emerged after it had been undetected since March 2020 and the Omicron variant replaced the Delta variant. Data directly comparing the two diseases are scarce. OBJECTIVES: To compare the outcomes of patients with both the Omicron variant and influenza during 2021-2022. METHODS: We performed a retrospective study conducted in Beilinson hospital, Israel, from December 2021 to January 2022...

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No abstract text is available yet for this article.

BACKGROUND: While several studies have noted smell impairment in schizophrenia, it is unclear whether this impairment extends to acute psychosis and whether it is associated with more severe illness as expressed in extended hospitalization. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the olfactory function of patients in an acute psychotic state and correlate it with clinical symptomatology and length of hospitalization. METHODS: Olfactory function was assessed in 20 patients with schizophrenia in their first week of hospital admission for acute psychosis compared with matched controls...

BACKGROUND: Nasal obstruction is one of the most common complaints in the practice of rhinology. OBJECTIVES: To adapt the Nasal Obstruction Scale Evaluation (NOSE) questionnaire to Hebrew (H-NOSE) and to assess its sensitivity and specificity. METHODS: Candidates for surgical intervention due to isolated nasal obstruction and healthy volunteers (controls) were included in the validation. The English NOSE questionnaire was translated into Hebrew and re-translated for translation validity...