Management of Hip Fractures at an Academic Center: Challenges and Opportunities.

OBJECTIVE: To assess characteristics of patients with hip fractures and investigate the extent of osteoporosis-related care they receive at a tertiary referral center in Lebanon. METHODS: A retrospective review of charts of 400 patients admitted with a hip fracture to the American University of Beirut-Medical Center, between January 1, 2011 and December 31, 2015. We reviewed medical records of adults admitted with a nonpathologic/nontraumatic hip fracture, and evaluated basic demographics and relevant clinical information, associated risk factors, and the management received. RESULTS: The mean age of the population was 78 ± 10 years and men constituted 37%. Women were more likely to be assessed and/or treated. On admission, 21% were taking calcium and 18% vitamin D supplementation. During hospitalization, vitamin D level was assessed in only 39% of patients; a dietary and an osteoporosis consult were requested on only 32% and 22% of the cases, respectively. One-fourth to a third of patients were discharged on calcium or vitamin D, and less than 5% on bisphosphonates. Bone mineral density was measured in a minority although 21% had a history of previous contralateral hip fracture. One year mortality rate in a subset where follow-up available was 12% in men and 7% in women. CONCLUSION: A large care gap in the management of patients admitted with hip fracture persists despite clear national osteoporosis guidelines. This study provides a strong impetus for establishing and monitoring a fracture liaison service to understand and address barriers to providing optimal care to patients with osteoporosis.

Transduodenal EUS-guided FNA of the right adrenal gland to diagnose lung cancer where percutaneous approach was not possible.

Although endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration (EUS-guided FNA) of the left adrenal gland is safe and accurate compared to the percutaneous approach, there are no reports to our knowledge about EUS-guided FNA of the right adrenal gland performed in Lebanon and the Middle East. We report the case of a 64-year-old male who presented with a swollen right calf and right flank pain and was diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis with a right calf deep venous thrombosis. A computerized tomography of the chest and abdomen revealed a round solid mass of the right adrenal gland, a right upper lobe mass and centrilobular emphysema of both lungs. Percutaneous biopsy of the right adrenal gland was declined as the patient was quoted a high risk of bleeding. EUS-guided FNA of the right adrenal was performed via the transduodenal approach confirming the final diagnosis of metastatic lung cancer. This case shows that the right adrenal gland can be sampled with EUS-FNA via the duodenal approach to diagnose metastatic lung cancer, especially when the percutaneous approach is not feasible.

Antidiabetic medications in patients with heart failure.

Diabetes mellitus increases the mortality secondary to heart failure independent of hypertension and coronary artery disease. Several hypoglycemic agents are used to achieve glycemic control, of which several classes however still raise controversies in terms of safety in patients with concomitant heart failure: Metformin does not carry an increased risk of exacerbation in patients with stable heart failure, yet should be avoided in patients with unstable disease or chronic kidney disease. Sulfonylureas are neither associated with an increased mortality, nor do they seem to have deleterious effects on heart failure. Thiazolidinediones are relatively contraindicated in patients with New York Heart Association class III or IV disease secondary to concerns of fluid retention and heart failure exacerbation. Glucagon-like peptide 1 agonists have shown trends towards improvement of heart failure parameters. Dipeptidylpeptidase 4 inhibitors show an overall neutral outcome, although saxagliptin can possibly be associated with an increased risk of hospitalization for heart failure. The use of sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors is associated with beneficial cardiovascular outcomes, and further studies are underway.

A Customized Mobile Application in Colonoscopy Preparation: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

OBJECTIVES: Adherence with diet and prescribed purgative is essential for proper cleansing with low-volume bowel preparations. The aim of this work was to assess the effect of a customized mobile application (App) on adherence and quality of bowel preparation. METHODS: One hundred and sixty (160) eligible patients scheduled for elective colonoscopy were randomly assigned to paper (control) or App-based instructions. The preparation consisted of low-fiber diet for 2 days, clear fluids for one day and split-dose sodium picosulfate/magnesium citrate (SPS). Before colonoscopy, information was collected regarding adherence with, and utility of the provided instructions. The colonoscopists, blinded to assignment, graded bowel preparation using the Aronchick, Ottawa, and Chicago preparation scales. The primary endpoint was adherence with instructions. Quality of preparation was a secondary endpoint. RESULTS: No difference in overall adherence or bowel cleanliness was observed between the study arms. Adherence was reported in 82.4% of App vs. 73.4% of controls (P=0.40). An adequate bowel preparation on the Aronchick scale was noted in 77.2 vs. 82.5%, respectively (P=0.68). Mean scores on the Ottawa and Chicago scales were also similar. Gender, age, time of colonoscopy, and BMI did not influence preparation or adherence. Compliance with the clear fluid diet component was noted in 94% of patients with BMI<30 vs. 77% with BMI≥30 (P<0.01). SPS was well tolerated by 81.9% of patients. The App was user-friendly and received higher overall rating in this respect than paper instructions (P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: SPS is well tolerated and effective for bowel cleansing regardless of instruction method. Customized smartphone applications are effective, well-accepted and could replace standard paper instructions for bowel preparation.ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02410720.