Thyroid Ultrasound Appropriateness Identification Through Natural Language Processing of Electronic Health Records.

Objective: To address thyroid cancer overdiagnosis, we aim to develop a natural language processing (NLP) algorithm to determine the appropriateness of thyroid ultrasounds (TUS). Patients and Methods: Between 2017 and 2021, we identified 18,000 TUS patients at Mayo Clinic and selected 628 for chart review to create a ground truth dataset based on consensus. We developed a rule-based NLP pipeline to identify TUS as appropriate TUS (aTUS) or inappropriate TUS (iTUS) using patients' clinical notes and additional meta information. In addition, we designed an abbreviated NLP pipeline (aNLP) solely focusing on labels from TUS order requisitions to facilitate deployment at other health care systems. Our dataset was split into a training set of 468 (75%) and a test set of 160 (25%), using the former for rule development and the latter for performance evaluation. Results: There were 449 (95.9%) patients identified as aTUS and 19 (4.06%) as iTUS in the training set; there are 155 (96.88%) patients identified as aTUS and 5 (3.12%) were iTUS in the test set. In the training set, the pipeline achieved a sensitivity of 0.99, specificity of 0.95, and positive predictive value of 1.0 for detecting aTUS. The testing cohort revealed a sensitivity of 0.96, specificity of 0.80, and positive predictive value of 0.99. Similar performance metrics were observed in the aNLP pipeline. Conclusion: The NLP models can accurately identify the appropriateness of a thyroid ultrasound from clinical documentation and order requisition information, a critical initial step toward evaluating the drivers and outcomes of TUS use and subsequent thyroid cancer overdiagnosis.

Real Practice Assessment of Persistent Symptoms After Initiation of Levothyroxine.

OBJECTIVE: Levothyroxine (LT4) is the standard treatment for hypothyroidism. However, certain patients experience persistent symptoms even after achieving euthyroid status with LT4 therapy. We aimed to determine the frequency of persistent or new symptoms in patients with hypothyroidism after initiating LT4. METHODS: This retrospective study included patients with hypothyroidism who started on LT4 between January 2017 and December 2019 at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, USA. Five hundred patient charts were randomly selected for review. Patients with at least 1 documented follow-up encounter after LT4 initiation were evaluated for ≤3 follow-up visits regarding their biochemical status and symptoms. RESULTS: We included 356 patients, a majority of whom were female (66.6%), white (92.3%), and obese (71.9%), with an average age of 59.5 years. At the baseline visit, approximately one-half of the patients (177/356, 47.7%) reported hypothyroid symptoms, with fatigue being the most common symptom. During the follow-up periods, we observed that 17.8% (28/157), 17.9% (19/106), and 19.3% (11/57) of patients had normal thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) values but persistent symptoms, while 12.3% (19/156), 19.9% (16/107), and 8.9% (5/56) had normal TSH values but new symptoms. Overall, during each respective follow-up period, 26.7% (42/157), 27.3% (29/106), and 28% (16/57) of patients experienced persistent or new symptoms alongside normal TSH values, with fatigue being the most constant symptom. CONCLUSION: Our findings indicate that approximately 1 in every 4 patients with hypothyroidism receiving LT4 therapy and achieving normal TSH levels experience persistent or new hypothyroid symptoms. The cause of these symptoms remains unclear, emphasizing the need for a better understanding of their underlying causes and the development of effective management strategies.

Physical Examination of the Thyroid: Accuracy in Detecting Thyroid Nodules and Frequency of Additional Findings.

OBJECTIVE: Thyroid palpation is a common clinical practice to detect thyroid abnormalities. However, its accuracy and potential for additional findings remain unclear. This study aimed to assess the diagnostic accuracy of physical exams in detecting thyroid nodules. METHODS: A retrospective observational study was conducted on a random sample of adult patients who underwent their first-time thyroid ultrasound between January 2015 and September 2017, following a documented thyroid physical exam. The study assessed the performance of thyroid palpation in detecting 1 or multiple thyroid nodules, as well as the proportion of additional findings on ultrasounds due to false positive thyroid palpation. RESULTS: We included 327 patients, mostly female (65.1%), white (84.1%), and treated in a primary care setting (54.4%) with a mean age of 50.8 years (SD 16.9). For solitary thyroid nodules, the physical exam had a sensitivity of 20.3%, specificity of 79.1%, an accuracy of 68.5%, negative predictive value of 81.8%, and positive predictive value of 17.6%. For detecting a multinodular goiter, physical exams demonstrated a sensitivity of 10.8%, specificity of 96.5%, accuracy of 55.4%, negative predictive value of 53.9, and positive predictive value of 73.9%. Among 154 cases with palpable nodules, 60% had additional nodules found in subsequent thyroid ultrasound. CONCLUSION: Thyroid physical exam has limited diagnostic performance and leads to additional findings when followed by a thyroid ultrasound. Future efforts should be directed at improving the accuracy of thyroid physical exams or re-evaluating its routine use.

Clinical Outcomes of Radioactive Iodine Redifferentiation Therapy in Previously Iodine Refractory Differentiated Thyroid Cancers.

Objective: Redifferentiation therapy (RDT) can restore radioactive iodine (RAI) uptake in differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) cells to enable salvage 131I therapy for previously RAI refractory (RAIR) disease. This study evaluated the clinical outcomes of patients who underwent RDT and identified clinicopathologic characteristics predictive of RAI restoration following RDT. Methods: This is a retrospective case series of 33 patients with response evaluation criteria in solid tumors (RECIST)-progressive metastatic RAIR-DTC who underwent RDT between 2017 and 2022 at the Mayo Clinic (Rochester, MN). All patients underwent genomic profiling and received MEK, RET or ALK inhibitors alone, or combination BRAF-MEK inhibitors for 4 weeks. At week 3, those with increased RAI avidity in metastatic foci received high-dose 131I therapy. Baseline and clinicopathologic outcomes were comprehensively reviewed. Results: Of the 33 patients, 57.6% had restored RAI uptake following RDT (Redifferentiated subgroup). 42.1% (8/19) with papillary thyroid cancers (PTC), 100% (4/4) with invasive encapsulated follicular variant PTCs (IEFV-PTCs), and 100% (7/7) with follicular thyroid cancers (FTC) redifferentiated. All (11/11) RAS mutant tumors redifferentiated compared with 38.9% (7/18) with BRAF mutant disease (6 PTC and 1 IEFV-PTC). 76.5% (13/17) of redifferentiated and 66.7% (8/12) of non-redifferentiated patients achieved a best overall RECIST response of stable disease (SD) or non-complete response/non-progressive disease. Both subgroups had a median 12% tumor shrinkage at 3 weeks on drug(s) alone. The redifferentiated subgroup, following high-dose 131I therapy, achieved an additional median 20% tumor reduction at 6 months after RDT. There were no statistically significant differences between both groups in progression free survival (PFS), time to initiation of systemic therapy, and time to any additional therapy. Of the entire cohort, 6.1% (2/33) experienced histologic transformation to anaplastic thyroid cancer, 15.1% (5/33) died, and all had redifferentiated following RDT and received 131I therapy. Conclusion: RDT has the potential to restore RAI avidity and induce RECIST responses following 131I therapy in select patients with RAIR-DTC, particularly those with RAS-driven "follicular" phenotypes. In patients with PTC, none of the evaluated clinical outcomes differed statistically between the redifferentiated and non-redifferentiated subgroups. Further studies are needed to better characterize the long-term survival and/or safety outcomes of high-dose RAI following RDT, particularly whether it could be associated with histologic anaplastic transformation.

Appropriateness of Levothyroxine Prescription: A Multicenter Retrospective Study.

CONTEXT: Levothyroxine is one of the most prescribed medications in the United States. OBJECTIVE: This study explores the appropriateness of levothyroxine prescriptions. METHODS: A retrospective multicenter study was conducted on adult patients who were prescribed levothyroxine for the first time between 2017 and 2020 at three academic centers in the United States. We classified each case of levothyroxine initiation into one of three mutually exclusive categories: appropriate (clinically supported), indeterminate (clinically unclear), or nonevidence based (NEB, not clinically supported). RESULTS: A total of 977 participants were included. The mean age was 55 years (SD 19), there was female (69%) and White race predominance (84%), and 44% had possible hypothyroid symptoms. Nearly half of the levothyroxine prescriptions were considered NEB (528, 54%), followed by appropriate (307, 31%) and indeterminate (118, 12%). The most common reason for NEB prescription was an index thyrotropin (TSH) value of less than 10 mIU/L without previous TSH or thyroxine values (131/528, 25%), for appropriate prescription, was overt hypothyroidism (163/307, 53%), and for an indeterminate prescription was a nonconfirmed subclinical hypothyroidism with TSH greater than or equal to 10 mIU/L (no confirmatory testing) (51/118, 43%). In multivariable analysis, being female (odds ratio [OR]: 1.3; 95% CI, 1.0-1.7) and prescription by a primary care provider (OR: 1.5; 95% CI, 1.2-2.0) were associated with NEB prescriptions. CONCLUSION: There is a considerable proportion of NEB levothyroxine prescriptions. These results call for additional research to replicate these findings and to explore the perspective of those prescribing and receiving levothyroxine.

Drivers of Thyroid Ultrasound Use: A Retrospective Observational Study.

OBJECTIVE: Excessive use of thyroid ultrasound (TUS) contributes to the overdiagnosis of thyroid nodules and thyroid cancer. In this study, we evaluated drivers of and clinical trajectories following TUS orders. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective review of 500 adult patients who underwent an initial TUS between 2015 and 2017 at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. A framework was employed to classify the indication for TUS, and it was characterized as inappropriate when ordered without a guideline-based indication. Medical records were reviewed for up to 12 months following the TUS, and clinical outcomes were evaluated. RESULTS: The mean age mean age (SD) was 53.6 years (16.6), 63.8% female, and 86.6% white. TUS orders were triggered by incidental findings on unrelated imaging (31.6%), thyroid symptoms (20.4%), thyroid abnormalities on routine physical examination (17.2%), and thyroid dysfunction workup (11.8%). In females and males, the most common reason were incidental findings on imaging (female, 91/319, 28.5% and male, 67/181, 37.0%). In primary care practice, TUS orders were mostly triggered by symptoms (71/218, 32.5%), while thyroid dysfunction workup was the primary reason in endocrinology (28/100, 28.0%). We classified 11.2% (56/500) TUS orders as likely to have been ordered inappropriately based on current guidelines. Finally, 119 patients (119/500, 23.8%) had a thyroid biopsy with 11.8% had thyroid cancer (14/119. 11.8%). CONCLUSIONS: Incidental findings on imaging, symptoms, and routine physical exam findings in asymptomatic patients were the most prevalent drivers of TUS. Furthermore, 1 in 10 TUS were likely inappropriately ordered based on current practice guidelines.

Medical Therapy in Patients with Moderate to Severe, Steroid-Resistant, Thyroid Eye Disease.

Background: Corticosteroid therapy is often employed in thyroid eye disease (TED), but its efficacy is variable. Teprotumumab and tocilizumab have been considered as effective alternatives. This study aims to evaluate their clinical outcomes and safety in patients with steroid-resistant TED. Methods: A retrospective case-control study was conducted between 2018 and 2022 within a national multicenter health system. Thirty-seven patients with moderate to severe steroid-resistant TED treated with teprotumumab or tocilizumab (cases) were compared with steroid-naïve patients treated with similar therapy (controls). Due to lack of steroid-naïve patients treated with tocilizumab, a control subgroup for tocilizumab was not included in the analysis. Demographic and clinical characteristics were described. Proptosis, diplopia, clinical activity score (CAS), and disease severity (European Group on Graves' orbitopathy classification) were evaluated at weeks 0, 12, 24, and 52 after therapy initiation. Results: Thirty-one patients received teprotumumab (13 cases and 18 controls) and 6 received tocilizumab (cases). The mean age was 57 years (standard deviation ±14.3), median duration of TED was 11.5 months (interquartile range [IQR]: 7.2-17.7), and median excess proptosis was 4 mm (IQR: 2-8) above the upper limit of normal for sex and race. At week 24, in the teprotumumab cases, 81% had proptosis response (reduction of ≥2 mm), 45.5% resolution of diplopia, 85.7% disease inactivation (CAS <3), and 58.3% reverted to mild disease severity. There were comparable results in teprotumumab controls, with no significant differences between subgroups. In the tocilizumab cases, 50% had a proptosis response, 16.7% resolution of diplopia, 100% disease inactivation, and 75% returned to mild disease. In the teprotumumab cases, there was a trend toward worsening proptosis and diplopia between weeks 24 and 52. In the same time frame, the tocilizumab cases had a trend toward worsening diplopia, disease activity, and severity. In the teprotumumab subgroup, 46.2% experienced otic changes and 23.1% hyperglycemia. In the tocilizumab subgroup, there were no reported adverse events. Conclusions: Teprotumumab and tocilizumab improved inflammation in patients with moderate to severe TED who had failed previous steroid therapy. Additionally, the teprotumumab cases demonstrated similar improvement in proptosis and diplopia to the teprotumumab controls. Further evaluation, particularly regarding the long-term response and side effect profile, of these medications in steroid-resistant TED is needed.

Artificial Intelligence in Thyroidology: A Narrative Review of the Current Applications, Associated Challenges, and Future Directions.

Background: The use of artificial intelligence (AI) in health care has grown exponentially with the promise of facilitating biomedical research and enhancing diagnosis, treatment, monitoring, disease prevention, and health care delivery. We aim to examine the current state, limitations, and future directions of AI in thyroidology. Summary: AI has been explored in thyroidology since the 1990s, and currently, there is an increasing interest in applying AI to improve the care of patients with thyroid nodules (TNODs), thyroid cancer, and functional or autoimmune thyroid disease. These applications aim to automate processes, improve the accuracy and consistency of diagnosis, personalize treatment, decrease the burden for health care professionals, improve access to specialized care in areas lacking expertise, deepen the understanding of subtle pathophysiologic patterns, and accelerate the learning curve of less experienced clinicians. There are promising results for many of these applications. Yet, most are in the validation or early clinical evaluation stages. Only a few are currently adopted for risk stratification of TNODs by ultrasound and determination of the malignant nature of indeterminate TNODs by molecular testing. Challenges of the currently available AI applications include the lack of prospective and multicenter validations and utility studies, small and low diversity of training data sets, differences in data sources, lack of explainability, unclear clinical impact, inadequate stakeholder engagement, and inability to use outside of the research setting, which might limit the value of their future adoption. Conclusions: AI has the potential to improve many aspects of thyroidology; however, addressing the limitations affecting the suitability of AI interventions in thyroidology is a prerequisite to ensure that AI provides added value for patients with thyroid disease.

Cardiovascular benefits and risks associated with calcium, vitamin D, and antiresorptive therapy in the management of skeletal fragility.

Osteoporosis affects one in every five women over the age of 50 worldwide. With a rapidly ageing population, the prevalence of fragility fractures, considered a largely preventable consequence of osteoporosis, is expected to increase. Age is also a major risk for cardiovascular disease and mortality, thus highlighting the importance of cardiovascular profiling of osteoporosis interventions. Although calcium and vitamin D are essential for a healthy bone metabolism, excessive supplementation may be associated with increased risk. Conversely, early pre-clinical data have suggested a possible cardiovascular benefit from bisphosphonate therapy. This review evaluates the evidence behind the cardiovascular benefits and risks that may be associated with osteoporosis therapy.

Awareness, perceptions, and characteristics of internal medicine residents as role models.

BACKGROUND: Role modelling is an essential component of medical education in which trainees incorporate observed characteristics into their personal behaviour and practice style. Data on residents as role models is limited. There are no previous quantitative studies addressing residents as role models from the resident's perspective. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to dissect the awareness, perception, and positive characteristics of internal medicine (IM) residents as role models. METHODS: This was a cross sectional study, in which 59 medical students (MS) and 64 IM residents from Medstar Georgetown University Hospital completed a questionnaire on role modelling. Descriptive and comparative analyses between both groups were conducted. FINDINGS: Most participants perceived IM residents as role models, but MS were more likely to report that IM residents lack awareness of their role model status. While MS perceived spending more hours with residents, the residents perceived dedicating more of the time spent together to teaching. Most participants denied previous training in role modelling but expressed interest in receiving formal role modelling training. Most participants reported MS behaviours were modified based on their observations of IM residents; however, while most of these behaviours were positive, there were also negative behaviours reported. CONCLUSION: There was a discrepancy between perception and awareness of residents as role models. This characterisation of IM residents as role models sets the ground for the design of interventions to increase awareness and create educational interventions aimed to support residents in their teaching role.

Immunotherapy-Associated Hypothyroidism: Comparison of the Pre-Existing With De-Novo Hypothyroidism.

Background: Immunotherapy has revolutionized the treatment of solid malignancies, but is associated with endocrine-related adverse events. This study aims to dissect the natural course of immunotherapy-induced hypothyroidism and provide guidance regarding diagnosis and management in patients with and without pre-existing hypothyroidism. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted using patients who received immunotherapy between 2010-2019 within a multicenter hospital system. Participants were separated in three groups-those with pre-existing hypothyroidism, those who developed primary hypothyroidism and those with hypophysitis within a year of their first immunotherapy. Serial effects of immunotherapy on thyroid function tests (TFTs) and levothyroxine dosing were evaluated. Results: 822 patients were screened, with 85 determined to have pre-existing hypothyroidism, 48 de-novo primary hypothyroidism and 12 de-novo hypophysitis. All groups displayed fluctuations in TFTs around weeks 6-8 of treatment. In the pre-existing hypothyroidism group, the levothyroxine dose was higher at 54 weeks than at baseline with the difference showing a trend towards statistical significance (p=0.06). The observed mean levothyroxine dose was significantly lower than the mean calculated weight-based dose for all groups. This finding was most clinically significant for the de-novo hypophysitis group (mean difference: -58.3 mcg, p<0.0001). The mean 0.9 mcg/kg levothyroxine dose at week 54 for the de-novo hypophysitis group was statistically lower than the other groups (p=0.009). Conclusion: It is reasonable to screen with TFTs every 4 weeks, and space out TFTs surveillance to every 12 weeks after week 20. Our findings suggest a more conservative approach for levothyroxine dosing in those developing de-novo hypothyroidism, especially hypophysitis, such as initiating at 0.9-1.2 mcg/kg.

Implications of remote monitoring Technology in Optimizing Traditional Self-Monitoring of blood glucose in adults with T2DM in primary care.

BACKGROUND: Self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) has been shown to reduce hemoglobin A1C (HbA1C). Accordingly, guidelines recommend SMBG up to 4-10 times daily for adults with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) on insulin. For persons not on insulin, recommendations are equivocal. Newer technology-enabled blood glucose monitoring (BGM) devices can facilitate remote monitoring of glycemic data. New evidence generated by remote BGM may help to guide best practices for frequency and timing of finger-stick blood glucose (FSBG) monitoring in uncontrolled T2DM patients managed in primary care settings. This study aims to evaluate the impact of SMBG utility and frequency on glycemic outcomes using a novel BGM system which auto-transfers near real-time FSBG data to a cloud-based dashboard using cellular networks. METHODS: Secondary analysis of the intervention arm of a comparative non-randomized trial with propensity-matched chart controls. Adults with T2DM and HbA1C > 9% receiving care in five primary care practices in a healthcare system participated in a 3-month diabetes boot camp (DBC) using telemedicine and a novel BGM to support comprehensive diabetes care management. The primary independent variable was frequency of FSBG. Secondary outcomes included frequency of FSBG by insulin status, distribution of FSBG checks by time of day, and hypoglycemia rates. RESULTS: 48,111 FSBGs were transmitted by 359 DBC completers. Participants performed 1.5 FSBG checks/day; with 1.6 checks/day for those on basal/bolus insulin. Higher FSBG frequency was associated with greater improvement in HbA1C independent of insulin treatment status (p = 0.0003). FSBG frequency was higher in patients treated with insulin (p = 0.003). FSBG checks were most common pre-breakfast and post-dinner. Hypoglycemia was rare (1.2% < 70 mg/dL). CONCLUSIONS: Adults with uncontrolled T2DM achieved significant HbA1C improvement performing just 1.5 FSBGs daily during a technology-enabled diabetes care intervention. Among the 40% taking insulin, this improvement was achieved with a lower FSBG frequency than guidelines recommend. For those not on insulin, despite a lower frequency of FSBG, they achieved a greater reduction in A1C compared to patients on insulin. Low frequency FSBG monitoring pre-breakfast and post-dinner can potentially support optimization of glycemic control regardless of insulin status in the primary care setting. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Trial registration number: NCT02925312 (10/19/2016).

Thyroid storm as an early presentation of hCG-producing metastatic choriocarcinoma: a case report and review of the literature.

Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)-induced hyperthyroidism has been previously reported as a rare paraneoplastic syndrome in non-seminomatous germ cell tumours and usually presents with mild symptoms or subclinical thyrotoxicosis. We present a case of a young adult man who consulted with abdominal pain, nausea and emesis. On admission, he was found to be tachycardic, febrile, anxious and with icteric sclera and tenderness to palpation in the right upper abdomen. A right scrotal mass was also noted. Initial studies revealed transaminitis, hyperbilirubinaemia, suppressed thyroid-stimulating hormone and elevated free T4. Scrotal biopsy confirmed diagnosis of testicular choriocarcinoma with an elevated hCG level of 6074 mIU/mL, which was corrected to 6 760 713 mIU/mL when reassessed with dilution. The clinical scenario reflected hCG-induced thyrotoxicosis concerning for thyroid storm. Euthyroid state was restored after initiation of chemotherapy and a short course of methimazole. Unfortunately, the patient passed away due to progression of his malignant disease. This case suggests that when choriocarcinoma is suspected, the use of iodinated contrast agents should be limited to avoid precipitation of thyroid storm or worsening of hCG-induced hyperthyroidism. Moreover, if the clinical picture does not support a primary aetiology of hyperthyroidism and hCG is not concordantly elevated, reassessment of hCG by dilution should be considered as hCG assays are subject to prozone effect.

Prevalence of HIV/Hepatitis C Virus Co-Infection and Injection Risk Correlations in People Who Inject Drugs in Colombia: A Cross-Sectional Study Using Respondent Driven Sampling.

Background: In Colombia, an exponential growth of people who inject drugs (PWID) has been reported over the past decades. The main burden of disease in PWID is attributed to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) and their co-infection is associated with poor prognosis, high morbidity and treatment related implications. Nevertheless, the prevalence of HIV/HCV co-infection in Colombian PWIDs is unknown. Objective: To determine the prevalence, demographic characteristics, and injecting behaviors of HIV/HCV co-infected PWID in Colombia. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study of 1,123 PWID recruited by respondent driven sampling in five Colombian cities between January and June of 2014. Each participant completed a quantitative survey, and blood samples for HIV and HCV antibody testing were obtained. A multinomial logistic regression was used for statistical analysis. Results: Average participant age was 26.3 ± 6.5 years, and the majority was male (86%). HIV or HCV mono-infection prevalence was 27.6%, while co-infection was 3.3%. Compared with PWID with mono-infection, co-infected PWID exhibited higher odds of: injecting ≥4 times daily (OR: 3.5; CI: 1.7-7.2; p < .001), cleaning needles and syringes with water (OR 3.2; CI: 1.6-6.3; p < .001), passing drug mix between syringes (OR: 2.7; CI: 1.3-5.3; p = .04), injecting on illegal indoor shooting galleries (OR: 2.4; CI: 1.0-5.3, p = .02), and getting injected by someone who charges for injecting (OR 2.3; CI: 1.0-5.2; p = .04). Conclusion: Prevalence of HIV/HCV co-infection among PWID in Colombia is lower than that reported in other countries. However, addressing the identified demographic characteristics and injection risk behaviors of co-infected PWID is essential for the implementation of broadly available harm reduction interventions as well as routine HIV/HCV testing and treatment strategies aiming to control the spread of both viruses and their associated morbidity and mortality.

Prevalence of hepatitis C virus in young people who inject drugs in four Colombian cities: A cross-sectional study using Respondent Driven Sampling.

BACKGROUND: Colombia has a growing population of young people who inject drugs (PWID). Despite the previously reported association of injection drug use with hepatitis c virus (HCV) in other countries, studies on HCV prevalence in PWID in Colombia are lacking. The objective of this study is to determine the prevalence, demographics, and correlations of risky injection behaviours in HCV seropositive PWID in four Colombian cities (Armenia, Bogotá, Cúcuta and Pereira). METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study carried out between January and June of 2014 that included 918 PWID from four Colombian cities, recruited by Respondent Driven Sampling. A survey was administered to each participant, and blood samples were collected. Binary logistic regression and multivariate analyses for each city were conducted. RESULTS: Average participant age was 26 years (SD 6.5). Of all participants, 27.3% of PWID were HCV seropositive, of which 52% were 25 years old or younger. In Pereira, increased risk of HCV infection was found for PWID that: had a history of injection drug use of 5 years or more (AOR: 3.0, CI: 1.7-7.8); were between 25 and 28 years of age (AOR: 5.2, CI: 1.0-26.3); had higher injection frequency (AOR: 2.5, CI: 1.4-4.2), and daily use of gifted, sold, or rented needles or syringes (AOR: 4.5, CI: 1.0-7.1). Additionally, in Cucuta, being HIV seropositive appeared to be greatly associated with risk of HCV seropositivity (AOR: 16.9, CI: 3.5-81.5). CONCLUSION: Although prevalence of HCV in PWID in Colombia is lower than that reported for other countries, the described demographic characteristics and diverse risky injection behaviors on each city, in the context of a young PWID population with a short injection drug use history, should be taken into account in order to guide efforts towards preventing and reducing risk of HCV infection in PWID in Colombia.

Chronic Myeloid Leukemia Associated Hypercalcemia: A Case Report and Literature Review.

BACKGROUND Hypercalcemia associated with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is an ominous sign. Although rare, several cases have been reported and multiple pathophysiologic mechanisms have been independently proposed. We present a patient case and a literature review of the clinical presentation and mechanisms of CML-associated hypercalcemia. CASE REPORT A 58-year-old male with a past medical history of CML diagnosed six years earlier, presented to the emergency department with one week of acute confusion, disorientation, polyuria, and polydipsia. On physical examination, we observed tachycardia, altered mental status, and dehydration. Blood analysis revealed leukocytosis, thrombocytosis, and marked hypercalcemia (18.6 mg/dL). His chest CT scan showed diffuse lytic lesions and bone destruction concerning for diffuse bone marrow involvement. The patient was diagnosed with hypercalcemia in the context of a CML blast phase. Treatment with hydration, calcitonin, and zoledronic acid lead to control of his symptoms and normalization of his serum calcium levels. After discharged, the patient was maintained on palliative treatment and zoledronic acid management without new episodes of hypercalcemia. However, eight months later, the patient died. CONCLUSIONS Evidence from the literature demonstrates a highly variable clinical presentation of CML-associated hypercalcemia, commonly occurring during an accelerated or a blast phase, and associated with poor survival. Multiple mechanisms could be involved and are not exclusive of each other. Better understanding of the pathophysiologic mechanisms involved in CML-associated hypercalcemia could lead to improvement in clinical and laboratory evaluation of these patients and be the foundation for the development of better management strategies and possibly target-directed therapy to positively improve prognosis.

Drug dealing and drug using behaviors among people who inject drugs in Colombia: A cross-sectional study.

INTRODUCTION: People who inject drugs (PWID) are highly exposed to drug-dealing networks. In Colombia, a recent dramatic increase in drug consumption has been reported. However, involvement of PWID in drug dealing, their demographics, and drug using behaviors has not been studied. METHODS: A cross-sectional study involving 1,099 PWID recruited by Respondent Driven-Sampling in five Colombian cities was conducted in 2014. Correlates of demographic characteristics, drug dealing, and injection behaviors were examined by multivariate analysis, and a binary logistic regression model. RESULTS: Drug-dealing PWID were predominantly male (86%) with a mean age of 26 years. 56% of participants-of whom 64% had low familial socioeconomic status-had been involved in drug dealing in the previous six months. Compared to non-drug-dealing PWID, drug-dealing PWID reported higher daily injection rate (AOR: 1.3), higher odds of injection equipment confiscation by the police (AOR: 1.4), and were less likely to pay for the drugs they injected (AOR: 0.6). CONCLUSIONS: Involvement of Colombian PWID in drug dealing was higher than previously reported, and drug-dealing PWID presented sociodemographic vulnerabilities and risky injection practices. Addressing these findings may lead to effective policy design and implementation, decreased drug-dealing involvement, harm reduction, and consumption prevention.