Thyroid Storm and Complete Heart Block after Treatment with Radioactive Iodine.

Thyroid storm is a rare endocrine emergency characterized by dysfunction of multiple organ systems. Thyroid storm is more common in Graves' disease and can be precipitated by surgery, trauma, infection, metabolic abnormalities, iodine load, and parturition. We present a diagnostically challenging case of thyroid storm precipitated by radioiodine therapy and accompanied by bradycardia, a rare but life-threatening complication related to treatment for hyperthyroidism.

THE MANAGEMENT OF HYPERGLYCEMIA IN NONCRITICALLY ILL HOSPITALIZED PATIENTS TREATED WITH CONTINUOUS ENTERAL OR PARENTERAL NUTRITION.

OBJECTIVE: Hyperglycemia is a common problem in hospitalized patients receiving artificial nutrition, and this development of hyperglycemia during parenteral nutrition therapy (PNT) and enteral nutrition therapy (ENT) increases the risks of hospital-related complications and mortality. This review aims to discuss the pathogenesis of hyperglycemia from artificial nutrition in the hospital, summarize current evidence on the treatment of hyperglycemia with insulin in these patients, and review current guidelines. METHODS: A systematic literature review using PubMed and the Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) terms "hyperglycemia," "enteral nutrition," and "parenteral nutrition" were used to evaluate the current evidence available for treating noncritically ill patients with hyperglycemia who were receiving artificial nutrition. RESULTS: The literature review showed that few randomized control trials exist regarding treatment of hyperglycemia in this cohort of patients, and the multiple retrospective evaluations that have addressed this topic provided varied results. In general, intravenous (IV) continuous insulin infusion offers the best glycemic control; however, this route of insulin administration is often burdensome for floor patients and their care teams. Administration of scheduled subcutaneous (SQ) insulin in patients on ENT or PNT is a safe and effective way to manage hyperglycemia, however limited data exist on an appropriate insulin regimen. CONCLUSION: Further prospective, randomized control trials are necessary to determine the optimal treatment of hyperglycemia for patients receiving ENT or PNT. ABBREVIATIONS: BG = blood glucose; CG = conventional glycemic control; ENT = enteral nutrition therapy; GIP = glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide; GLP-1 = glucagon-like peptide 1; IG = intensive glycemic control; IV = intravenous; NPH = neutral protamine Hagedorn; PNT = parenteral nutrition therapy; SQ = subcutaneous; T2DM = type 2 diabetes mellitus; TDD = total daily dose; TPN = total parenteral nutrition.

Resident and Preceptor Perceptions of Preceptor Integration Into Resident Clinic Scheduling Templates.

BACKGROUND: Some internal medicine residency programs on X+Y schedules have modified clinic preceptor schedules to mimic those of the resident cohort (resident matched). This is in contrast to a traditional model, in which preceptors supervise on the same half-day each week. OBJECTIVE: We assessed preceptor and resident perceptions of the 2 precepting models. METHODS: We surveyed 44 preceptors and 97 residents at 3 clinic sites in 2 academic medical centers. Two clinics used the resident-matched model, and 1 used a traditional model. Surveys were completed at 6 months and 1 year. We assessed resident and preceptor perceptions in 5 domains: relationships between residents and preceptors; preceptor familiarity with complex patients; preceptor ability to assess milestone achievements; ability to follow up on results; and quality of care. RESULTS: There was no difference in perceptions of interpersonal relationships or satisfaction with patient care. Preceptors in the resident-matched schedule reported they were more familiar with complex patients at both 6 months and 1 year, and felt more comfortable evaluating residents' milestone achievements at 6 months, but not at 1 year. At 1 year, residents in the resident-matched model perceived preceptors were more familiar with complex patients than residents in the traditional model. The ability to discuss patient results between clinic weeks was low in both models. CONCLUSIONS: The resident-matched model increased resident and preceptor perceptions of familiarity with complex patients and early preceptor perceptions of comfort in assessment of milestone achievements.

Clinical markers of Crohn's disease severity and their association with opiate use.

BACKGROUND: The safety of opiate use for patients with Crohn's disease (CD) has long been a concern. The recent Crohn's therapy, resource, evaluation, and assessment tool (TREAT) registry update has added to these concerns by demonstrating an association of opiate use with an increased risk of infection and death in CD. While the association is clear, the relationship of opiates to these negative outcomes is not. It is unknown whether opiates are a contributing factor to these negative outcomes or if their use is merely a marker of more severe disease. We hypothesized that opiate use is not harmful in CD but is a marker of disease severity and would be associated with commonly accepted clinical markers of severe CD such as early age at CD onset, disease duration, small intestinal involvement, a history of fistula or stricture, and lower quality of life (QOL) scores. METHODS: Data on CD history including pain medication usage were obtained from an interviewer directed survey of patients admitted to two tertiary care hospitals over a 2-year period. CD as the primary admitting diagnosis was not required. Active opiate use was defined by usage within the past month prior to admission. RESULTS: A total of 133 patients were approached to participate, of whom 108 consented to the survey, and 51 were active opiate users. Opiate using CD patients were more commonly smokers (22% vs. 3.45%, P < 0.010), had fistulas (40% vs. 22.4%, P < 0.048) and had a poorer quality of life score by short form inflammatory bowel disease questionnaire (mean 3.80 vs. 4.34, P < 0.036) than non-opiate users. No difference was found between opiate users and non-users for age of diagnosis, disease duration, or a history of strictures. CONCLUSIONS: The study findings demonstrate that opiate use in CD is associated with markers of disease severity including fistulas, smoking, and lower QOL scores. The findings suggest that opiates may not be directly harmful to patients with CD, but may merely be another marker of disease severity. However, given opiates unproven benefits for long term CD pain control and risk of dependence, caution should still be exercised in their use.