Factors Associated With Delayed Gastric Emptying in Symptomatic Diabetic and Non-diabetic Patients: A Retrospective Observational Study.

Background Gastroparesis, characterized by delayed gastric emptying without mechanical obstruction, is a significant complication, especially in diabetic individuals. It manifests through symptoms such as abdominal bloating, feelings of fullness, and pain. This study investigates the prevalence of gastroparesis among non-diabetic and diabetic patients, exploring associations with demographic data, hemoglobin A1C (HbA1C) levels, and symptoms. Methodology This retrospective, observational, cohort study included patients with gastroparesis symptoms who underwent a nuclear gastric emptying study from January 2021 to April 2023. The study analyzed demographic data, symptoms, and HbA1c levels to identify correlations with delayed gastric emptying. Results Of 157 patients, 34.4% exhibited delayed gastric emptying. Diabetic patients comprised 29.3% of the sample, with a notable disease duration of over 10 years in 77.3% of cases. Symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, epigastric pain, and early satiety were prevalent, with significant associations between delayed emptying and female gender, higher HbA1c, and vomiting. Conclusions Delayed gastric emptying is significantly associated with female gender, elevated HbA1c levels, and when vomiting is the presenting symptom. Highlighting the importance of awareness among healthcare providers and the community, the findings encourage collaborative efforts for further gastroparesis research to better understand the predictive factors and mechanisms.

Admission levels of Soluble Urokinase Plasminogen Activator Receptor (suPAR) are Associated with the Development of Severe Complications in Hospitalised COVID-19 Patients: A Prospective Cohort Study.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the association between plasma levels of the soluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR) and the incidence of severe complications of COVID-19. METHODS: 403 RT-PCR-confirmed COVID-19 patients were recruited and prospectively followed-up at a major hospital in the United Arab Emirates. The primary endpoint was time from admission until the development of a composite outcome, including acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), intensive care unit (ICU) admission, or death from any cause. Patients discharged alive were considered as competing events to the primary outcome. Competing risk regression was used to quantify the association between suPAR and the incidence of the primary outcome. RESULTS: 6.2% of patients experienced ARDS or ICU admission, but none died. Taking into account competing risk, the incidence of the primary outcome was 11.5% (95% confidence interval [CI], 6.7-16.3) in patients with suPAR levels >3.91 ng/mL compared to 2.9% (95% CI, 0.4-5.5) in those with suPAR ≤3.91 ng/mL. Also, an increase by 1 ng/mL in baseline suPAR resulted in a 58% rise in the hazard of developing the primary outcome (hazard ratio 1.6, 95% CI, 1.2-2.1, p = 0.003). CONCLUSION: suPAR has an excellent prognostic utility in predicting severe complications in hospitalised COVID-19 patients.

Hipotiroidismo subclínico y pérdida de embarazo: una revisión de la literatura / Subclinical Hypothyroidism and Pregnancy Loss: A Literature Review

Existe una alta prevalencia de hipotiroidismo subclínico (SCH) en el embarazo. Está vinculado a una importante morbilidad y mortalidad materna y fetal. Los efectos de SCH sobre el embarazo incluyen mayores riesgos de hipertensión gestacional y ruptura prematura de membranas (PROM). Sus fetos y bebés tenían más probabilidades de sufrir de bajo peso al nacer (LBW) y retraso del crecimiento intrauterino (IUGR). El riesgo de aborto espontáneo se informa alto en varios estudios para SCH no tratado. SCH se asocia directamente con una mayor presencia de anti -cuerpos anti TPO en suero materno. La detección temprana y el tratamiento de SCH han sido testigos de mejores resultados en términos de resultado del embarazo. Esta revisión se centra para establecer la relación de una mayor prevalencia de SCH en los países en desarrollo, así como su asociación con el aumento de los cuerpos anti TPO en suero materna y sacar una conclusión que puede ayudar a reducir las razones y proporcionar una solución. Este estudio concluyó que SCH es más frecuente en los países en desarrollo, ya sea debido a la deficiencia de yodo, una disminución de la conciencia sobre este problema o menos acceso a las instalaciones médicas. Por lo tanto, se sugiere que las hembras con antecedentes de partos prematuros, IUGR anteriores o abortos involuntarios deben someterse a una detección de hipotiroidismo subclínico y niveles de anticuerpos anti TPO durante sus visitas prenatales

There is a high prevalence of subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) in pregnancy. It is linked to significant maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. SCH's effects on pregnancy include increased risks of gestational hypertension and premature rupture of membranes (PROM). Their fetuses and infants had been more likely to suffer from low birth weight (LBW) and intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR). The risk of miscarriage is reported high in various studies for untreated SCH. SCH is directly associated with increased presence of anti TPO anti bodies in maternal serum. Early detection and treatment of SCH have witnessed better results in terms of pregnancy outcome. This review focuses to establish the relationship of increased prevalence of SCH in the developing countries as well as its association with increased anti TPO anti bodies in maternal serum and draw a conclusion which can help narrow down the reasons and provide solution. This study concluded that SCH is more prevalent in developing countries, either due to iodine deficiency, decreased awareness about this problem or less access to medical facilities. Therefore, it is suggested that females with history of preterm deliveries, previous IUGRs, or miscarriages should undergo screening for subclinical hypothyroidism and Anti TPO antibody levels during their antenatal visits.

UNA ENCUESTA DE CONOCIMIENTOS, ACTITUDES Y MEDIDAS PREVENTIVAS TOMADAS POR ESTUDIANTES DE MEDICINA Y ODONTOLOGÍA DURANTE LA PANDEMIA DE COVID-19 EN RIAD, ARABIA SAUDÍ / A Survey of Knowledge, Attitude, and Preventive Measures Taken by Medical and Dental Students during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Objetivo: Con la enfermedad del coronavirus-2019 (COVID-19) convirtiéndose en una aflicción global, es imperativo evaluar el conocimiento, la actitud y las prácticas de los incipientes profesionales de la salud ante la pandemia. Por lo tanto, este estudio tuvo como objetivo evaluar el conocimiento y la actitud de los estudiantes de medicina y odontología frente a la infección COVID-19. Además, se analizaron las medidas preventivas ejercidas por ellos durante el brote. Método: Este estudio fue un estudio prospectivo, transversal, basado en un cuestionario. Se llevó a cabo en un período de 5 meses desde el 15 de abril de 2021 hasta el 15 de septiembre de 2021. Se difundió un cuestionario autoadministrado bien diseñado y validado a través de la plataforma Google Forms a 726 estudiantes de medicina y odontología de Riyadh, Arabia Saudita, después de obtener el consentimiento informado electrónico. Resultado: De los 726 encuestados, 490 eran mujeres y 236 hombres. Según los resultados, >50% de la población del estudio siguió al Ministerio de Salud, KSA, como su fuente de información para obtener las últimas actualizaciones sobre la infección por COVID-19, el 17,8% confió en las actualizaciones de la Organización Mundial de la Salud y el 17,1% recurrió a la red social actualizaciones Se encontró que el 92,33% de los estudiantes de medicina y odontología tenían un conocimiento adecuado de la pandemia y que el 96,55% demostró una actitud positiva hacia esto. Además, el 81,84% de los participantes adoptaron buenas prácticas con respecto a la infección. Conclusión: El presente estudio estableció que los estudiantes de medicina y odontología de Riyadh, Arabia Saudita, tienen un conocimiento adecuado sobre la pandemia. Los estudiantes también mostraron una actitud positiva hacia la situación. Sin embargo, con la disminución de la tasa de infección, las medidas prácticas se han reducido.

Objective: With coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) becoming a global affliction, it is imperative to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practices of budding healthcare professionals toward the pandemic. Hence, this study aimed to evaluate the knowledge and attitude of medical and dental students toward COVID-19 infection. In addition, the preventive measures exercised by them during the outbreak were analyzed. Method: This study was a prospective, cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study. It was conducted over a period of 5 months from April 15, 2021 to September 15, 2021. A well-designed and validated self-administered questionnaire was disseminated through the Google Forms platform to 726 medical and dental students of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, after obtaining electronic informed consent. Result: Of the 726 respondents, 490 were women and 236 were men. As per the results, >50% of the study population followed the Ministry of Health, KSA, as their source of information to obtain latest updates on COVID-19 infection, 17.8% relied on the World Health Organization updates, and 17.1% resorted to social network updates. It was found that 92.33% of the medical and dental students had adequate knowledge of the pandemic and that 96.55% demonstrated a positive attitude toward it. Furthermore, 81.84% of the participants adopted good practices with regard to the infection. Conclusion: The present study established that the medical and dental students of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, have an adequate knowledge about the pandemic. The students also displayed a positive attitude toward the situation. However, with the decline in the infection rate, the practice measures have been reduced.

Sudden retinal vein thrombosis in a patient with nephrotic syndrome.

The authors report a sudden painless blindness in a 42-year-old male with membranous nephropathy of idiopathic origin. He was admitted with a history of decreased urine output and painful abdomen of a 3-day duration in the Department of Nephrology, Sheri Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences, Srinagar, Kashmir - a tertiary care centre in the state of Jammu and Kashmir, India. On evaluation, he was found to have renal vein thrombosis. On day 3 of admission, he suddenly developed progressive painless blindness. Indirect ophthalmoscopic examination showed retinal vein thrombosis. Patient's clinical condition deteriorated due to his underlying condition and he succumbed to his illness. Renal vein thrombosis as a complication of nephrotic syndrome is well known. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case of retinal vein thrombosis in the course of nephrotic syndrome.