RESUMEN
Hemorrhagic pericardial effusion is a rare presenting sign of undiagnosed rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We present a case of a 58-year-old female with a history of mucinous cystadenoma with subsequent omental caking status-post small bowel resection, chronic intermittent bilateral knee pain, carpal tunnel syndrome of the left hand, and drainage of a peritoneal inclusion cyst two days prior to admission. The patient had pleuritic chest pain and acute-onset shortness of breath but was hemodynamically stable on presentation. Transthoracic echocardiogram and CT scan demonstrated a large pericardial effusion measuring 1.5 cm anteriorly, 2.21 cm posteriorly, and 2.5 cm laterally. Diagnostic pericardiocentesis revealed a hemorrhagic pericardial fluid with a glucose level of 133 mg/dL, pH of 7.34, albumin of 2.6 g/dL, red blood cell count of 401,000 cells per cubic millimeters (CUMM), white blood cell count of 1,400 CUMM, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) of 930 U/L, and protein of 5 g/dL. Infectious and malignancy workups were negative. Rheumatologic workup was positive for elevated rheumatoid factor and anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide. The patient was diagnosed with RA; she was started on methotrexate with folic acid, and a pericardial drain was kept in place for three days. We present a brief review of the workup, etiologies, and therapeutic approach for patients who present with hemorrhagic pericardial effusion secondary to undiagnosed RA.
RESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Cancer-related cognitive impairment (CRCI) has long-term effects on survivor quality of life, but CRCI research on patients with gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) is lacking. The aims of this study were to investigate CRCI and concomitant quality of life among patients with GIST. METHODS: An online survey was used to assess CRCI in adult patients with GIST using the validated Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Cognitive-v.3. Age, education, demographically indexed IQ, general health, and quality of life factors (e.g., fatigue, emotional distress) were also assessed. The online survey was administered through five international GIST and sarcoma support organizations. RESULTS: Over the 3-month recruitment period, the survey was completed by 485 participants: mean age, 57.80 (SD, 11.51), median 5 years after diagnosis. A majority (63.91%) reported experiencing cognitive symptoms with a significant negative quality of life impact. Controlling for age, patients with GIST ≥5 years after diagnosis reported worse cognitive function than those <5 years after diagnosis (p < .05) but did not differ in educational level or IQ. Whereas longer term survivors were more likely to have been treated with tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) therapies, there was no observed association of TKI therapy with self-reported cognitive impairments. CONCLUSIONS: A majority of GIST patients report cognitive symptoms that have a negative impact on quality of life, with longer term survivors (≥5 years) tending to report more cognitive impairments. Given the success of TKI therapy to substantially increase overall survival of patients with GIST, addressing CRCI in clinical practice may improve long-term GIST survivor function and quality of life.
