Lupus Cardiomyopathy and Nephritis Associated With Adalimumab and Cytomegalovirus Infection in a Patient With Seronegative Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Case of Rhupus Syndrome.

Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) inhibitors are associated with lupus-like disease, known as anti-TNF-α-induced lupus (ATIL). Cytomegalovirus (CMV) was reported to exacerbate lupus in the literature. To date, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) triggered by adalimumab in the setting of CMV infection has never been described. We present an unusual case of a 38-year-old female with a past medical history of seronegative rheumatoid arthritis (SnRA) who developed SLE associated with the use of adalimumab and CMV infection. She had severe SLE features including lupus nephritis and cardiomyopathy. The medication was discontinued. She was initiated on pulse steroid therapy and discharged with an aggressive regimen for SLE, including prednisone, mycophenolate mofetil, and hydroxychloroquine. She remained on the medications until a year later upon follow-up. ATIL from adalimumab usually manifests only mild symptoms of SLE such as arthralgia, myalgia, and pleurisy. Nephritis is very rare, and cardiomyopathy is unprecedented. Concomitant CMV infection might contribute to disease severity. Patients with SnRA may have an increased risk of developing SLE later when exposed to such medications and infection.

A Tale of Two Surges: Differences in Outcomes in the COVID-19 Pandemic in a Community Teaching Hospital in Massachusetts.

Background The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has challenged the scientific community in the prompt implementation of therapies. We report and contrast characteristics and outcomes from two COVID-19 surges in March 2020 and December 2020 in patients at MetroWest Medical Center in Framingham. Methods The study was conducted at MetroWest Medical Center. We extracted the data of 315 patients from March 17, 2020, to June 30, 2020, and 104 patients from November 19, 2020, to December 30, 2020. All patients were inpatients and had confirmed severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). We extracted the patient's demographic information, clinical data, and given treatments. We also examined comorbidities and categorized them by the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI). The primary endpoints were intensive care unit (ICU) level of care, mechanical ventilation, or death. Results A total of 419 patients were studied. The median age was 76. During the first surge (S1), 150 (47%) were from nursing homes and 133 (42%) were from independent living. More than half (72) of the independent living patients had a primary language other than English. During the second surge (S2), 12% (13) were from nursing homes. The most common comorbidities were similar for both groups and included obesity, diabetes, and chronic lung disease. However, during the first surge, 33% (104) of the patients had dementia. The median Charlson Comorbidity Index score was worse in the first surge; the predicted 10-year survival was 21% versus 53%. The treatments given included remdesivir in 5% (16) in the first surge versus 60% (62) in the second surge. Dexamethasone was given only in the second surge in 69% (72) of the patients. Outcomes The reported outcomes are contrasted by the first versus the second surge. Admission to the intensive care unit was required in 83 (27%) of the patients during the first surge versus 15 (14%) of the patients during the second surge. Mechanical ventilation was required in 33 (11%) of the patients during the first surge versus 5 (11%) of the patients during the second surge. The overall mortality was 25% during the first surge (79) versus 9% (9) during the second surge. Conclusion Among patients with COVID-19 infection admitted to a community teaching hospital during the second Massachusetts surge, there was a significant improvement in clinical outcomes, particularly mortality, compared with patients admitted during the early pandemic. It is tempting to attribute the improved outcomes to the implementation of treatment with corticosteroids and more use of antiviral therapy. However, the patients admitted during the larger first surge were more likely to have a do not resuscitate (DNR) status on admission, be from a nursing home, have dementia, and have poorer predicted survival.

Implementing Perioperative Cardiac Risk Assessment in an Internal Medicine Residency Program: Experience from a Community Hospital.

Background: ACGME requires all Internal Medicine training programs to structure the curriculum to optimize resident educational experiences, including perioperative medicine. Teaching residents about perioperative risk management is challenging in a community hospital with limited resources and low surgical volume. Objective: Our goal was to introduce an interactive educational module on perioperative cardiac risk assessment and management in a community residency training program. Methods: The study was a single-center online education-based intervention from September 2020 to January 2021. 24 categorical internal medicine residents at MetroWest Medical center were included. A self-paced online education program followed by two sessions of a 30-minute, group modulated review and discussion were provided monthly. The pre- and post-evaluation with 20 questions were conducted to assess perioperative cardiac risk assessment and peri-operative cardiac risk management before and after education. Results: 20 out of 24 residents (83%) were included in the analysis. Medicine residents performed significantly better after involvement with the educational module by comparing the pre- and post-evaluation score (10.7 ± 2.7 vs. 13.8 ± 1.8, p < 0.001, respectively). The most significant improvement was noticed in postgraduate year PGY-1 residents (5.1 ± 2.5, p < 0.001), followed by PGY-2 (2.7 ± 1.6, p = 0.004), but not significant in PGY-3 residents (1.6 ± 2.3, p > 0.05). Conclusion: Implementing an interactive multi-modular curriculum in a community hospital increased residents' awareness and knowledge of perioperative cardiac risk assessment and management. We are confident that this will result in improved performance on the consult services.

Increased family history documentation in internal medicine resident continuity clinic at a community hospital through resident-led structured genetic education program.

We aim to assess residents' perspectives and clinical utility of obtaining family history (FH) as well as to improve the rate of FH documentation in electronic medical record (EMR) at an internal medicine resident continuity clinic at a community hospital. The residents' perspectives were assessed with questionnaires. The study period was divided into the first 10-week Phase 1 in which genetic education interventions were delivered by residents, and the second 10-week Phase 2 with minimal intervention. FH documentation in EMR was reviewed and compared to a 4-week baseline (Phase 0). We found that time constraint was the most reported barrier. We reviewed 1197 patient visits; FH was recorded in 34% (67/200), 52% (272/522), and 50% (239/475) during Phase 0, Phase1, and Phase 2, respectively. Genetic education significantly increased the rate of FH documentation in Phase 1 from baseline, which was maintained in Phase 2 despite removal of interventions. The mean age of patients with documented FH was younger than those without documentation (48 years vs 51 years; p < 0.001). Documented FH of cancers and coronary artery disease lacked important details, such as age at diagnosis, in 62% (86/138) and 51% (41/81) of them, respectively. Out of 511 patients that had documented FH, we identified 66 patients (13%) where positive family history could alter medical management. In conclusion, resident-led structured genetic education effectively increased family history documentation in EMR in internal medicine resident continuity clinic and showed clinical utility.

Fulminant COVID-19-Associated Myocarditis in an Otherwise Healthy Female.

An outbreak of a severe respiratory illness caused by a novel coronavirus that began in China in late 2019 has become a pandemic. We report the case of COVID-19-associated myocarditis in a 45-year-old healthy female who presented with solely gastrointestinal symptoms. Initial investigations revealed ST-segment elevations in her electrocardiogram (EKG), elevated troponin levels, and a positive severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-Cov-2) reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Subsequently, she had rapid deterioration with the development of cardiogenic shock within hours of admission to a community hospital in Massachusetts. This case highlights an atypical presentation of COVID-19 with a fulminant course in this emerging and evolving disease.

Stevens-Johnson Syndrome-Like Reaction After Exposure to Pembrolizumab and Recombinant Zoster Vaccine in a Patient With Metastatic Lung Cancer.

Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) is a life-threating mucocutaneous reaction predominantly induced by drugs. Targeted cancer therapies such as pembrolizumab, which has been approved for the treatment of metastatic malignancy, can cause severe skin toxicities, including SJS. They are rare and inconsistently reported. In this article, we report the case of a 80-year-old woman with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer who had a SJS-like eruption involving oral mucosa after 15 weeks of exposure of pembrolizumab (6 doses) and 7 days after 1 dose of recombinant zoster vaccine. SJS is a rare blistering disorder with high mortality rate and significant morbidity. Causes include drugs, herpes viruses, and immunization. The timing of the eruption soon after the receipt of recombinant zoster vaccine suggests a role of vaccination in our patient, yet patients receiving cancer immunotherapy may develop late-onset skin toxicity. Therefore, we recommend long-term monitoring for mucocutaneous reactions after initiation of pembrolizumab. Further research is needed to characterize the immunological pathogenesis and improve timely recognition and treatment strategies.

Sphingomonas paucimobilis empyema caused by remote foreign body aspiration.

Empyema secondary to foreign body aspiration is rare in adults. We present a case of empyema in a 77-year-old male patient related to a remote aspiration event during a dental procedure. A CT of the chest and bronchoscopy confirmed that a metallic foreign body was located within the right lower lobe bronchus. His pleural fluid culture revealed Sphingomonas paucimobilis which is a low-virulent opportunistic gram-negative bacilli and rarely causes infection. The patient received meropenem followed by levofloxacin and recovered uneventfully. The attempt of foreign body removal was failed due to chronic inflammation, and the patient refused further surgical management.

Cognitive Behavioral Psychodrama Group Therapy.

Cognitive Behavioral Psychodrama Group Therapy (CBPGT) is an effective model for working with the clinical example by Shay (this issue).The approach incorporates cognitive behavioral and psychodrama interventions, allowing group members to identify and modify negative thinking, behavior, and interpersonal patterns while increasing engagement in positive and success-based experiences (Treadwell, Dartnell, Travaglini, Staats & Devinney, 2016). The CBPGT environment creates a safe and supportive climate where clients can practice new thinking and behaviors and share their concerns freely with group members (Treadwell, Kumar, & Wright, 2004; Treadwell, Travaglini, Reisch, & Kumar, 2011). Students and clinical populations respond well to this approach and, as a result, are able to develop an awareness of their dysfunctional thought patterns and beliefs that play an important role in mood regulation. One of the most important elements of CBPGT is that it is data driven. CBPGT adds a new dimension to the fields of both cognitive behavior and group therapy and is built on a proven efficacious model. The integration of these methods may be beneficial for clients who have not responded to more traditional approaches.

Underestimation of HIV-1 plasma viral burden in patients who acquire infection abroad: the experience in a community hospital clinic.

In a suburban teaching hospital clinic, we diagnosed human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection in 10 patients who acquired the infection in Africa or Asia. All the patients had low viral plasma HIV RNA levels. This finding likely represents underestimation of true plasma viral burden in patients infected with non-B serotypes of HIV-1. Clinicians caring for immigrants with HIV infection need to be aware of the limitations of current commercial assays for the quantification of HIV-1 plasma viral burden, and better assays are needed for non-B HIV-1 serotypes.

Surveillance for transmission and antibiotic adverse events among neonates and adults exposed to a healthcare worker with pertussis.

BACKGROUND: During a hospital obstetric rotation, a medical student demonstrated classic symptoms of pertussis. The diagnosis was confirmed by isolation of Bordetella pertussis. Because this exposure occurred in a high-risk hospital setting, control measures were undertaken to prevent transmission and illness. OBJECTIVES: To identify secondary cases of pertussis, to determine compliance with chemoprophylaxis recommendations, and to monitor for adverse events associated with chemoprophylaxis following a hospital exposure to pertussis. PATIENTS: More than 500 individuals were potentially exposed, including 168 neonates; antimicrobial chemoprophylaxis was administered to 281 individuals. Fifty-eight neonates and 194 adults began azithromycin chemoprophylaxis; 18 neonates and 2 adults began erythromycin chemoprophylaxis. METHODS: Active surveillance was instituted for (1) secondary cases of pertussis among healthcare coworkers, obstetric patients, their neonates, and labor companions and (2) antibiotic compliance and tolerance. RESULTS: No secondary cases of pertussis were confirmed by laboratory tests; however, 26 suspected cases and 5 clinically compatible cases were identified. Antibiotic courses were completed by 95% of the individuals who initiated therapy. Neonates taking azithromycin had statistically significantly less gastrointestinal distress compared with neonates taking erythromycin (12% vs 50%; P = .002); there were no cases of infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis. CONCLUSIONS: Although it was not possible to assess the effectiveness of the antibiotic regimens, the lack of laboratory-confirmed secondary cases suggests control measures were successful. Data from the 58 neonates who received azithromycin suggest it may be well tolerated in this age group.

Brain natriuretic peptide and HIV-related cardiomyopathy.

The brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) assay is a new, relatively inexpensive, and simple test that has the potential to be an early, cost-effective, and reliable marker for HIV-related cardiomyopathy. We report 1 case of HIV-related cardiomyopathy and 10 cases of of HIV infection with unknown heart disease in which we measured BNP levels and performed echocardiography. We found a significant inverse relationship between BNP and left ventricular function in these patients. Further basic and epidemiologic research on BNP measurement for the detection of HIV-related cardiomyopathy is needed to support these findings, which if confirmed, could have important clinical and public health implications.

The effectiveness of collaborative story building and telling in facilitating group cohesion in a college classroom setting.

This study tested the notion that the construction and telling of a collaborative group story would facilitate the development of group cohesion within the context of an actual classroom setting over the duration of the course. Participants were 125 students in 8 classes (4 experimental, 4 control) of a group psychotherapy course that focused on the principles and techniques of cognitive behavior therapy in conjunction with psychodrama techniques. Results showed significantly higher cohesion scores in the experimental condition compared to the control condition, suggesting that collaborative story building and telling is a viable strategy for improving group cohesion.

Treatment of Comorbid Obesity and Major Depressive Disorder: A Prospective Pilot Study for their Combined Treatment.

Background. Obese individuals who suffer from major depressive disorder are routinely screened out of weight loss trials. Treatments targeting obesity and depression concurrently have not been tested. Purpose. To test the short-term efficacy of a treatment that combined behavioral weight management and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for obese adults with depression. Methods. Twelve obese females diagnosed with major depressive disorder received weekly group behavioral weight management, combined with CBT for depression, for 16 weeks. Weight, symptoms of depression, and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors were measured at baseline and week 16. Results. Participants lost 11.4% of initial weight and achieved significant improvements in symptoms of depression and CVD risk factors. Conclusions. Obese individuals suffering from major depressive disorder can lose weight and achieve improvements in symptoms of depression and CVD risk factors with 16 weeks of combined treatment. A larger randomized controlled trial is needed to establish the efficacy of this treatment.