The dilemma: scleroderma renal crisis vs lupus nephritis in a patient with mixed connective tissue disorder.

INTRODUCTION: Mixed connective tissue disorder (MCTD) is a rare connective tissue disorder characterized by features of systemic lupus erythematosus, dermatomyositis, systemic sclerosis, and rheumatoid arthritis. MCTD is associated with an elevated antibody titer to U1 small nuclear ribonucleoprotein. CASE DESCRIPTION: A 49-year-old man presented to the emergency department for evaluation of worsening shortness of breath with associated for bilateral hand pain and swelling associated with morning stiffness which was initially thought to be related to systemic lupus erythematous (SLE). He was also found to have a positive autoantibody, and he was later diagnosed with MCTD complicated by scleroderma renal crisis. CONCLUSION: MCTD is a rare connective tissue disorder with overlapping features of SLE, dermatomyositis, systemic sclerosis, and rheumatoid arthritis. The diagnosis of MCTD requires a high index of suspicion and careful workup. Immunosuppressive therapy is the mainstay of treatment that improves patient outcomes.

Weil's Disease in an HIV-Infected Patient.

Leptospirosis is a zoonosis caused by the spirochete Leptospira. Most cases of leptospirosis are mild to moderate and self-limited. The course of disease, however, may be complicated by multiorgan dysfunction with liver and kidney failure causing Weil's disease. Leptospirosis is also rare among HIV-infected patients. We report a case of an HIV-infected patient with Weil's disease.

Exertional Rhabdomyolysis After CrossFit Exercise.

Multiple studies have reported the metabolic benefits of high-intensity exercise programs like CrossFit. If these high-intensity exercises are not done in a proper structured pattern, adverse outcomes like rhabdomyolysis can occur. Here we discuss a case of a patient who undertook one session of CrossFit exercise and developed exertional rhabdomyolysis. A 22-year-old Caucasian male presented to the emergency department with complaints of generalized body ache and passage of dark-colored urine. His symptoms began after two days of an exhaustive session of CrossFit exercise. Blood test in the emergency showed elevated creatine kinase (CK) of 132,540 units per liter (U/L), normal renal function (creatinine and blood urea nitrogen), and normal serum electrolytes. His clinical symptoms and lab findings were consistent with exertional rhabdomyolysis. He was treated with aggressive intravenous fluids and oral hydration therapy. He did not develop any complication and he was discharged on the sixth day. This case report demonstrates a possible preventable rhabdomyolysis that developed secondary to undue participation in CrossFit exercise.

Healthcare Utilization by Frail, Community-Dwelling Older Veterans: A 1-Year Follow-up Study.

OBJECTIVES: Frailty is a prevalent clinical syndrome associated with a high risk of adverse health outcomes, including disability, morbidity, and mortality, that has become a major challenge for the healthcare system. The aim of this prospective study was to determine the level of healthcare utilization in prefrail and frail community-dwelling older military veterans. METHODS: We studied a cohort of community-dwelling older veterans aged 65 years and older 1 year at the Miami Veterans Affairs Medical Center to determine their levels of healthcare utilization. We administered the 5-item FRAIL (Fatigue, Resistance, Ambulation, Illnesses, & Loss of Weight) scale, from which patients were categorized into three groups: robust, prefrail, and frail. Chart reviews were conducted to confirm weight loss and number of illnesses. One year later, information regarding hospital admissions, emergency department (ED) visits, and primary care visits was obtained. RESULTS: We evaluated 291 participants, mean age 74 ± 8 years, 112 (38.5%) of whom were African American, 179 (61.5%) were white, and 40 (13.7%) were Hispanic. Overall, 49 (16.8%) participants were frail, and 161 (55.4%) prefrail. After adjusting for age and Charlson Comorbidity Index, frail status was associated with ED admission (odds ratio [OR] 2.7, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.2-6.1) and primary care visits (OR 3.4, 95% CI 1.5-7.3); however, it was not significantly associated with hospital admission (OR 2.2, 95% CI 0.9-5.2). CONCLUSIONS: In a sample of community-dwelling older veterans, frailty was found to be significantly associated with an increased frequency of ED visits and primary care visits, but not with hospital admissions. Identifying patients with frailty may allow for targeted interventions that improve healthcare outcomes and may reduce healthcare utilization.