Prevalence, outcomes, and complications of vitamin D deficiency among patients with multiple myeloma: Nationwide burden of disease.

Multiple myeloma (MM), constituting 10% of hematological malignancies, poses significant morbidity and mortality, especially with skeletal involvement. Bisphosphonate use in MM may lead to severe hypocalcemia due to vitamin D deficiency (VDD), exacerbating bone-marrow plasma cell burden. We aimed to assess VDD prevalence and its impact on outcomes in MM patients. A retrospective cross-sectional analysis (2008-2018) of nationwide inpatient data identified adult MM hospitalizations with VDD using ICD-10-CM codes. Univariate and multivariate analyses were conducted to evaluate prevalence, demographics, and outcomes, with significance set at p < 0.05. Among 330,175 MM hospitalizations, 3.48% had VDD. VDD was more prevalent among 50-75 year olds (61.72% vs 59.74%), females (53.36% vs 44.34%), Blacks (23.34% vs 22.94%), Whites (65.84% vs 65.79%), higher income brackets (26.13% vs 23.85%), and those with comorbidities like hypertension (71.12% vs 69.89%), dyslipidemia (42.47% vs 34.98%), obesity (13.63% vs 10.19%), and alcohol abuse (1.61% vs 1.34%). In regression analysis, VDD in MM patients correlated with higher morbidity (adjusted odds ratio (aOR): 1.24, 95% confidence interval (95% CI): 1.14-1.36) and major disability (aOR: 1.26, 95% CI: 1.20-1.30). MM patients with VDD exhibit worse outcomes, underscoring the importance of recognizing and managing VDD promptly. Further prospective studies are needed to validate our findings and explore the impact of vitamin D supplementation on MM patient outcomes.

The Association of Mesalamine With Kidney Disease.

The package inserts for products containing 5-aminosalicylic acid, or mesalamine, include the following language regarding the risk of adverse kidney effects: "renal impairment, including minimal change nephropathy, acute and chronic interstitial nephritis, and rarely renal failure, has been reported in patients given products such as mesalamine delayed-release tablets that contain mesalamine or are converted to mesalamine." In this article, we review the data regarding this nephrotoxicity and the recommendations regarding appropriate monitoring. Chronic interstitial nephritis is a rare occurrence in patients treated with these drugs for Crohn disease and ulcerative colitis. Patients often present with asymptomatic reductions in glomerular filtration rate, without accompanying pyuria, skin lesions, or eosinophilia, unlike cases of acute interstitial nephritis. Drug cessation is usually associated with improved kidney function. However, if left undetected, more prolonged exposure to the drug can lead to irreversible kidney failure and end-stage kidney disease. No convincing studies demonstrate efficacy of treatment with corticosteroids. Frequent monitoring of serum creatinine, especially in the first years after initiation of therapy, is recommended.

The renal transport of hippurate and protein-bound solutes.

Measurement of the concentration of hippurate in the inferior vena cava and renal blood samples performed in 13 subjects with normal or near-normal serum creatinine concentrations confirmed the prediction that endogenous hippurate was cleared on a single pass through the kidney with the same avidity as that reported for infused para-amino hippurate. This suggests that a timed urine collection without infusion would provide a measure of effective renal plasma flow. Comparison of the arteriovenous concentration differences for a panel of protein-bound solutes identified solutes that were secreted by the renal tubule and solutes that were subjected to tubular reabsorption.

Unfavorable Socioeconomic Factors Underlie High Rates of Hospitalization for Complicated Thyrotoxicosis in Some Regions of the United States.

OBJECTIVE: The authors' institution-a safety net, university, and tertiary-care hospital located in West Texas-has a high number of hospital admissions for complicated thyrotoxicosis. It was hypothesized that unfavorable socioeconomic conditions result in increased risk of poor outcomes in hyperthyroid patients, and increased rates of hospitalization for thyrotoxicosis in West Texas. The primary aim of this study was to identify factors associated with admission for complicated thyrotoxicosis in patients living in the Panhandle and Llano Estacado of Texas. METHOD: A retrospective chart review of patients aged ≥18 years with a diagnosis of thyrotoxicosis evaluated at the authors' institution from January 2011 to January 2017. Patients were divided into two groups: a hospitalized group, consisting of patients who required hospitalization for complicated thyrotoxicosis, and an outpatient group. Demographics, clinical, and biochemical data were reviewed to identify factors associated with hospitalization for complicated thyrotoxicosis. RESULTS: The hospitalized group consisted of 80 patients, and the outpatient group consisted of 294 patients. Thyrotoxicosis accounted for 0.05% of all-cause hospital admissions during the study period. Patients with thyrotoxicosis and a lack of health insurance had 12 times higher odds of being hospitalized for complicated thyrotoxicosis compared to patients with commercial insurance. Conversely, the odds of hospitalization for complicated thyrotoxicosis were reduced by 63% in patients with a higher median income, and by 33% in those with college or university studies versus high school studies. Thirty-two percent of patients hospitalized for complicated thyrotoxicosis presented with thyroid storm, and this accounted for 7% of the studied cohort. CONCLUSION: Socioeconomic conditions are the main factors associated with the odds of being admitted to a hospital in West Texas for complicated thyrotoxicosis, including thyroid storm. Patients without healthcare insurance have higher odds of admission, while patients with higher education and living in areas of higher income have lower odds of hospital admission due to thyrotoxicosis.

Lupus Hepatitis and Autoimmune Hepatitis (Lupoid Hepatitis).

Liver dysfunction occurs in approximately 50% of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and patients with SLE and elevated liver enzymes can present a complicated and difficult differential diagnosis. Lupus hepatitis and autoimmune hepatitis are 2 immunologic conditions involving the liver, which can have similar clinical, laboratory and systemic presentations, leading to difficulties in diagnosis. Physicians need to be aware of these 2 hepatic diseases as diagnosis and appropriate therapy need to occur early in the disease course to prevent progression to advanced liver disease. We review the liver diseases associated with SLE and discuss the approach to the diagnostic evaluation of these patients. In particular, differentiation between lupus hepatitis and autoimmune hepatitis requires careful clinical and often histologic evaluation.

A Case of Relapsing Polyarthritis Associated With Hidradenitis Suppurativa: Case Report and Review of Literature.

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic, inflammatory follicular skin disease with recurrent skin nodules, sinus tracts, and scarring. We observed a case of HS associated with relapsing polyarthritis. On presentation the patient had a flare of polyarthritis with an increase in the number and size of pustular nodules. He has had similar episodes 1 to 2 times yearly subsiding with antibiotic treatment. Radiographs revealed erosions and demineralization. Symptoms improved following institution of anti-inflammatory and antibiotic therapy. HS is associated with several inflammatory conditions, and dysregulation in innate immunity may play an important role in etiopathogenesis. Spondyloarthritis/sacroiliitis is the most common joint manifestation in HS and mechanism(s) underlying arthropathy is unknown. Treatment of arthritis in HS is anecdotal.

Intracranial aneurysm and sildenafil.

Sildenafil is one of the most commonly used drugs for the treatment of erectile dysfunction. To date, we found five reported cases of intracerebral bleeding and two reported cases of subarachnoid hemorrhage related to sildenafil use. We report a 49-year-old hypertensive and diabetic patient who presented with acute pulmonary edema and loss of consciousness following ingestion of 100 mg of sildenafil prior to sexual intercourse. He was not previously aware of the presence of an aneurysm and had no family history of it. Computed tomography of his head revealed a subarachnoid hemorrhage due to rupture of a saccular aneurysm with subsequent repeat hemorrhage within a few hours of presentation. A sudden increase in blood pressure led to pulmonary edema. Studies have shown that sildenafil acts on phosphodiesterase-1, -2 and -5 receptors and leads to a secondary increase in intracerebral circulation and vasodilatory effects, leading to sympathetic overactivity which increases the risk for intracranial bleeding.