Relationship between obesity index and cardiovascular risk in primary care patients on Crete, Greece: a data driven sub-analysis.

BACKGROUND: The present sub-analysis aimed to examine the relationship between obesity index and cardiovascular risk among primary care attendees. STUDY DESIGN: Stratified random sampling was previously used to recruit general practitioners, practicing on Crete island, Greece, whose patients were then enrolled. METHODS: Initial sample included 815 primary care attendees (55.7% women; mean age 65.2 years; range 40-98 years). Due to missing values regarding 13 participants, data from 802 patients were included for the current analysis. Body measurements (weight, height), among other bio-clinical parameters, were recorded upon practice visit. The 10-year cardiovascular disease risk was estimated using the European Society of Cardiology (and other societies), 10-year Systematic Coronary Risk Estimation and multivariate linear regression was used to assess relationships between Obesity Index and cardiovascular disease risk. RESULTS: Higher risk is shown to be significantly related with male gender, older age, unemployed/retired status, urban area of living or smoking (p<0.05), as well as with higher levels of obesity index (stand. beta=0.048, p=0.028). CONCLUSIONS: Obesity Index may be useful for cardiovascular disease risk prediction and correction at the primary care settings, since obesity is easily addressed during the first medical contact.

Impact of varicocele on biological markers of gonadal function.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to evaluate the potential effect of varicocele in the hormonal and clinical profile of adolescents. METHODS: Twenty adolescents at Tanner stage 4-5 with left varicocele were studied and compared with a control group of 20 healthy adolescents. All patients underwent ultrasonographic testicular volumetry as well as hormonal evaluation of inhibin B, testosterone, baseline and gonadotropin-releasing hormone stimulated, follicle-stimulating hormone as well as luteinizing hormone. Statistical analysis was performed using the student's t test with p value <0.05 taken as statistical significant. RESULTS: Patients with varicocele showed reduced levels of inhibin B compared to controls and a significant reduction in the testicular volume on the affected side. The response of luteinizing hormone to gonadotropin-releasing hormone stimulation was significantly higher in the varicocele group compared to the control group. Furthermore a significant inverse relationship of inhibin B compared to follicle-stimulating hormone was noted. CONCLUSION: Serum inhibin B levels could represent a useful marker of Sertoli cell damage caused by varicocele.

Rectus sheath hematoma in a single secondary care institution: a retrospective study.

PURPOSE: Rectus sheath hematoma (RSH) represents an unusual abdominal wall pathology, frequently confounded as acute abdomen, with high mortality rates reported especially among elderly patients. The purpose of this retrospective study was to delineate characteristics of the patients diagnosed with RSH at the First Surgery Department of the Saint George General Hospital of Chania, Greece over a 5-year period. METHODS: Seven patients with a median age of 62 years (range 51­85) were included in the study. Clinical features, demographics, management and outcome are summarized. RESULTS: The most common predisposing risk factor was anticoagulation. Acute onset abdominal pain and painful palpable abdominal mass, located more often on the right lower abdominal quadrant, were the most frequent initial symptoms. Management was mostly conservative [6 (85.7 %)] with disruption of anticoagulation, analgesia and bed rest. Blood transfusion was performed in hemodynamic compromised patients [2 (28.5 %)]. One patient was not appropriately diagnosed. On admission, the patient presented severe hemodynamic compromise and for this reason underwent emergency explorative laparotomy. The majority of the patients [6 (85.7 %)] experienced an uncomplicated clinical recovery and were discharged home after a mean hospital stay of 10 days (range 7­12). CONCLUSIONS: Surgeons as well as primary care physicians have to be aware of the clinical diagnostic tests and include the condition in the differential diagnosis of acute onset abdominal pain. Prompt recognition will prevent unnecessary surgical intervention and potential complications.

Primary omental torsion in a 9 year old girl: a case report.

Primary torsion of the omentus is an extremely unusual cause of acute abdomen in the pediatric population. This condition occurs from twist of the pedicle of the omental apron around its longer axis, leading to edema, ischaemia and necrosis. Here we present a rare case of a 9 year old girl referred by her general practitioner due to severe right lower quadrant abdominal pain with a presumed diagnosis of acute appendiceal inflammation. Surgical operation disclosed primary omental torsion. The infarcted segment was resected and the girl's clinical recovery was uneventful without any complication. The condition may mimic a variety of other causes of acute abdominal symptoms. In this case report, a presumed diagnosis of acute appendicitis urgently induced the decision of a surgical approach. Physicians involved in the acute pediatric care have to include this rare condition in the differential diagnosis of acute onset right-sided abdominal pain.

Rupture of a splenic artery aneurysm in a previously healthy 53-year-old male.

Splenic artery aneurysms are unusual clinical conditions that may be ruptured resulting into adverse health outcomes. Pregnancy, portal hypertension and atherosclerosis are conditions that predispose to the formation of splenic artery aneurysms. A rare case of a previously healthy man referred to our department by his general practitioner complaining of acute abdominal pain is presented. During the hospital stay, the patient presented hemodynamic instability. Abdominal computed tomography disclosed perihepatic and perisplenic fluid accumulation. A diagnosis of ruptured splenic artery aneurysm was performed and the patient was operated successfully with splenectomy and ligation of the splenic artery. Although the condition is rare, physicians have to be aware of the high mortality rates caused by a ruptured splenic artery aneurysm and include this in the differential diagnosis when they encounter patients with acute abdominal pain and hemodynamic instability.

Acute non-traumatic pancreatitis in a patient with pancreas divisum: a case report.

Pancreas divisum is a frequent congenital anatomical anomaly characterized by the failure of fusion of the ducts of Santorini and Wirsung during fetal development. Although the condition usually remains asymptomatic, it has been reported to be a predisposing factor of chronic and recurrent idiopathic pancreatitis. We report a case of acute non-traumatic pancreatitis in a 54-year-old Caucasian male with pancreas divisum. Diagnosis was established based on the findings from magnetic resonance imaging and magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography. The patient was managed conservatively and was discharged home having an uneventful clinical course after five days of hospitalization. Although the role of the pancreas in the induction of acute pancreatitis is still a matter of debate, physicians have to be aware about this prevalent pancreatic anatomic abnormality. Timely detection may help in the prevention of potential recurrent pancreatic reaction.

Perforation of Meckel's diverticulum by a wood splinter in a 4-year-old child: a case report.

Perforation of Meckel's diverticulum by a foreign body represents an unusual and serious clinical occurrence. We present a case of a 4-year-old male who was admitted with symptoms of abdominal pain in the right iliac fossa, raising the suspicion of acute appendicitis. Exploratory laparotomy disclosed normal appendix and perforation of Meckel's diverticulum caused by a wood splinter. Meckel's diverticulectomy was performed and the child had an uneventful postoperative course. Preoperative diagnosis of perforated Meckel's diverticulum remains a challenging issue. Diagnosis should be considered in the presence of a right lower quadrant abdominal pain or a positive history of ingestion of a sharp foreign body.

Schmidt's syndrome presenting as a generalised anxiety disorder: a case report.

Schmidt's syndrome or autoimmune polyglandurar syndrome type 2 represents an uncommon endocrine disorder composed by Addison's disease with autoimmune thyroid disease and/or type 1 diabetes mellitus. The syndrome usually affects women in the fourth decade of their lives. Prompt diagnosis and treatment can prevent serious complications. We present the case of a 64-year-old woman with generalised anxiety, facing socio-economic problems. Her symptoms attributed to stress led to a late diagnosis. Physicians involved have to be aware about endocrine disorders of which first manifestations may have atypical components mimicking mental health problems.

Ruling in the diagnosis of methanol intoxication in a young heavy drinker: a case report.

Methanol poisoning is a relatively rare but potentially serious medical emergency. Toxicity results when methanol is successively oxidized to the active metabolites formaldehyde and formic acid. We report a case of a 23-year-old male, a high daily alcohol consumer, who attended the local primary health care centre complaining of sudden visual loss. A presumed diagnosis of methanol intoxication was suggested based on the patient's visual impairment and the history of alcohol ingestion. Specific therapy was initiated before a definitive diagnosis. Gas chromatographic determination of methanol levels confirmed the initial diagnostic suspicion. In this case, prompt recognition of methanol intoxication and treatment conditioned a favorable clinical outcome. Given that timely diagnosis and antidote administration are crucial issues in terms of prognosis, we underline the necessity for physicians to be alert for entities provoked by rare environmental factors.

Abdominoscrotal hydrocele in a 9-month old infant.

Abdominoscrotal hydrocele represents an uncommon condition, especially in childhood, resulting from the communication of a large scrotal hydrocele with the abdominal cavity through the inguinal canal. The disorder has been associated with a variety of pathological entities such as hydronephrosis, lymphedema, and malignancy of the tunica vaginalis. Diagnosis is made by physical examination and confirmed by abdominal ultrasound scan. Surgical correction, although complex, remains the optimal therapeutic option. The present article reports the case of a 9-month infant from Greece with abdominoscrotal hydrocele. Regardless of rarity, the disorder should be included in the differential diagnosis of scrotal and abdominal masses, as early diagnosis and surgical intervention may prevent the development of potential complications. The difficulty in establishing a preoperative diagnosis highlights the necessity for a physician to have a high level of familiarity with abdominoscrotal hydrocele and its possible complications. Awareness of this abnormality will ensure its prompt recognition and optimal management.

Managing venous thromboembolic events in daily practice: "time is never enough".

Pulmonary embolism is an insidious life-threatening condition. Its diagnosis represents a challenging topic in daily clinical practice since the recognition and the appropriate management of the condition can lead to the decrease of potentially fatal consequences. We present a clinical case which highlights the necessity for an increased level of 'surveillance' from the involved physicians since features of thromboembolic events may be elusive or vague.