Chronic diseases

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a major contributor to morbidity and mortality in sickle cell disease (SCD). Anemia, induced by chronic persistent hemolysis, is associated with progressive deterioration of renal health resulting in CKD. Moreover, patients with SCD experience acute kidney injury (AKI), a risk factor for CKD, often during vasoocclusive crisis associated with acute intravascular hemolysis. However, the mechanisms of the hemolysis-driven pathogenesis of the AKI-to-CKD transition in SCD remain elusive...

BACKGROUND: Mobile health (mHealth) uses mobile technologies to promote wellness and help disease management. Although mHealth solutions used in the clinical setting have typically been medical-grade devices, passive and active sensing capabilities of consumer-grade devices like smartphones and activity trackers have the potential to bridge information gaps regarding patients' behaviors, environment, lifestyle, and other ubiquitous data. Individuals are increasingly adopting mHealth solutions, which facilitate the collection of patient-generated health data (PGHD)...

Mucosa-associated biofilms are associated with many human disease states, but the host mechanisms promoting biofilm remain unclear. In chronic respiratory diseases like cystic fibrosis (CF), Pseudomonas aeruginosa establishes chronic infection through biofilm formation. P. aeruginosa can be attracted to interspecies biofilms through potassium currents emanating from the biofilms. We hypothesized that P. aeruginosa could, similarly, sense and respond to the potassium efflux from human airway epithelial cells (AECs) to promote biofilm...

Skeletal muscle atrophy is characterized by a decrease in muscle mass and strength caused by an imbalance in protein synthesis and degradation. This process naturally occurs upon reduced or absent physical activity, often related to illness, forced bed rest, or unhealthy lifestyles. Currently, no treatment is available for atrophy, and it can only be prevented by overloading exercise, causing severe problems for patients who cannot exercise due to chronic diseases, disabilities, or being bedridden. The two murine models commonly used to induce muscle atrophy are hindlimb suspension and ankle joint immobilization, both of which come with criticalities...

Although dietary potassium restriction is an acceptable approach to hyperkalemia prevention, it may be insufficient for outpatients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Most outpatients with CKD use community pharmacies owing to the free access scheme in Japan. The MieYaku-CKD project included a community pharmacist-led nutritional intervention for dietary potassium restriction, with the goal of determining its efficacy for patients' awareness of potassium restriction and serum potassium levels in outpatients with CKD...

The main goal of this study was to examine the relationship between exposure to mass media health campaign massages and the uptake of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) screening services in Ghana and whether this relationship differs by place of residence. Available evidence suggests a general low uptake of NCDs screening in developing country settings. Unfortunately, many NCDs evolve very slowly and are consequently difficult to detect early especially in situations where people do not screen regularly and in settings where awareness is low...

OBJECTIVE: To determine the long-term survival of patients receiving home hemodialysis (HHD) through self-punctured arteriovenous access. METHODS: We conducted an observational study of all patients receiving HHD at our facility between 2001 and 2020. The primary outcome was treatment survival, and it was defined as the duration from HHD initiation to the first event of death or technique failure. The secondary outcomes were the cumulative incidence of technique failure and mortality...

INTRODUCTION: Microvascular dysfunction (MVD) is a hallmark feature of chronic graft dysfunction in patients that underwent orthotopic heart transplantation (OHT) and is the main contributor to impaired long-term graft survival. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of MVD on functional and structural properties of cardiomyocytes isolated from ventricular biopsies of OHT patients. METHODS: We included 14 patients post-OHT, who had been transplanted for 8...

INTRODUCTION: Hyperphosphatemia and hyperparathyroidism are common in end-stage kidney disease and are associated with poor outcomes. In addition to adequate dialysis, medications are usually required for optimum control of serum phosphate and parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels. The use of calcium-based phosphate binders (CBPBs) and active vitamin D is associated with an increase in serum calcium and worsening vascular calcification. To overcome these limitations, non-calcium-based phosphate binders (NCBPBs) and calcimimetics have been developed...

INTRODUCTION: The natural outcome of coronary plaque in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) is unique, which can be analyzed quantitatively by optical flow ratio (OFR) software. METHODS: A total of 184 ACS patients with at least one nonculprit subclinical atherosclerosis (NSA) detected by optical coherence tomography (OCT) at baseline and 1-year follow-up were divided into non-CKD group (n = 106, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR)> 90 mL/(min×1...

OBJECTIVE: Multiple inflammatory mechanisms dynamically interact in the development of chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP). Disruption of the relationship between host and environmental factors on the mucosal surface leads to the development of inflammation. Microorganisms constitute the most important part of environmental factors. METHODS: 28 volunteers (18 CRSwNP patients and 10 healthy individuals) were included in the study. Eight patients were recurrent nasal polyposis cases, and the remaining were primary cases...

RATIONALE: Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) cause right ventricular dysfunction which can impact other solid organs. However, the profiles and consequences of hepatic injury due to PAH and CTEPH have not been well-studied. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to identify underlying patterns of liver injury in a cohort of PAH and CTEPH patients enrolled in 15 randomized clinical trials conducted between 1998 and 2014...

RATIONALE: The American Thoracic Society recommended a single reference equation for spirometry but the impact to patients is not known. OBJECTIVE: To estimate the effect of changing to a single reference equation among Veterans with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). METHODS: Cross-sectional study including Veterans aged ≥40 to ≤89 years with COPD and spirometry results from 21 facilities between 2010 - 2019. We collected race/ethnicity data from the electronic health record...

Background: The association between surgical approach and post-hepatectomy liver failure (PHLF) in cirrhotic patients is poorly understood. We hypothesize that patients will have similar rates of liver failure regardless of whether they undergo minimally invasive liver resection (MILR) or open liver resection (OLR) in major liver resections. In contrast, there will be lower rates of PHLF in patients undergoing minor hepatectomy via the MILR approach. Methods: Propensity score matching was used to analyze regression by matching the MILR to the OLR cohort...

OBJECTIVES: This study simulated the potential multiyear health and economic benefits of participation in 4 cardiometabolic virtual-first care (V1C) programs: prevention, hypertension, diabetes, and diabetes plus hypertension. STUDY DESIGN: Using nationally available data and existing clinical and demographic information from members participating in cardiometabolic V1C programs, a microsimulation approach was used to estimate potential reduction in onset of disease sequelae and associated gross savings (ie, excluding the cost of V1C programs) in health care costs...

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There is a large burden of treatable dermatologic conditions in refugee populations. Parasitic infestations are particularly common when there are barriers to basic hygiene, crowded living or travel conditions, and lack of access to health care. Body lice are associated with anemia and can transmit a variety of diseases; chronic impetigo secondary to scabies is a leading cause of chronic kidney disease globally. Dermatologists have unique skills to identify skin infections, inflammatory diseases, and infestations...

BACKGROUND: Left atrial stiffness index (LASI), defined as the ratio of early diastolic transmitral flow velocity/lateral mitral annulus myocardial velocity (E/e') to peak atrial strain, reflects reduced left atrial (LA) compliance and represents an emerging marker that can be used for noninvasive measurement of fibrosis of LA in patients with mitral regurgitation (MR). OBJECTIVE: To investigate the impact of chronic MR in children and adolescents on the remodeling and function of the LA, quantified through strain parameters and diastolic function...

BACKGROUND: Among non-pharmacological interventions, Multiwave Locked System (MLS) Laser therapy has been used in patients with several musculoskeletal pathologies and in combination with other therapeutical interventions. The effects of sole MLS therapy on pain and function in patients with chronic non-specific low-back pain are unknown. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of MLS Laser therapy on pain, function, and disability in patients with chronic non-specific low back pain in comparison to a placebo treatment group...

This meta-analysis aimed to assess the impact of identity-building interventions on recovery identity and patient-reported health outcomes in chronic disease patients. We identified 15 relevant empirical studies (comprising 2261 patients) from 989 records through extensive keyword searches and manual screening conducted between March 2nd and March 13th, 2023. Utilizing the Cochrane tool, meta-regression, and the GRADE approach, we evaluated these studies for their characteristics, findings, and quality. The analysis revealed that identity-building interventions, encompassing recovery-oriented group, interest group, and linguistic approaches, positively influenced identity synthesis and had varying effects on health outcomes...