ABSTRACT
Medicinal properties of turmeric (Curcuma longa L.), a plant used for centuries as an anti-inflammatory, are attributed to its polyphenolic curcuminoids, where curcumin predominates. Although "curcumin" supplements are a top-selling botanical with promising pre-clinical effects, questions remain regarding biological activity in humans. To address this, a scoping review was conducted to assess human clinical trials reporting oral curcumin effects on disease outcomes. Eight databases were searched using established guidelines, yielding 389 citations (from 9528 initial) that met inclusion criteria. Half focused on obesity-associated metabolic disorders (29%) or musculoskeletal disorders (17%), where inflammation is a key driver, and beneficial effects on clinical outcomes and/or biomarkers were reported for most citations (75%) in studies that were primarily double-blind, randomized, and placebo-controlled trials (77%, D-RCT). Citations for the next most studied disease categories (neurocognitive [11%] or gastrointestinal disorders [10%], or cancer [9%]), were far fewer in number and yielded mixed results depending on study quality and condition studied. Although additional research is needed, including systematic evaluation of diverse curcumin formulations and doses in larger D-RCT studies, the preponderance of current evidence for several highly studied diseases (e.g., metabolic syndrome, osteoarthritis), which are also clinically common, are suggestive of clinical benefits.
Subject(s)
Curcumin , Osteoarthritis , Humans , Anti-Inflammatory Agents/therapeutic use , Curcuma , Curcumin/therapeutic use , Dietary Supplements , Inflammation/drug therapy , Osteoarthritis/drug therapy , Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic , Clinical Trials as TopicABSTRACT
This case demonstrates a complex patient presenting with diagnosis of pulmonary embolism. He received heparin therapy, then subsequently found to have an intracranial hemorrhage, which rapidly progressed, leading to patient demise. Through this case, the reader should better understand the therapeutic conundrums in critical PE patients and complications of anticoagulation.
Subject(s)
Pulmonary Embolism , Subarachnoid Hemorrhage , Male , Humans , Subarachnoid Hemorrhage/complications , Subarachnoid Hemorrhage/diagnostic imaging , Pulmonary Embolism/complications , Pulmonary Embolism/diagnostic imaging , Anticoagulants/therapeutic use , Intracranial Hemorrhages/chemically inducedABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: This report presents an unusual case of severe post-coital abdominal pain and signs of hemorrhagic shock requiring admission to a surgical intensive care unit (SICU) and emergent laparoscopy. This case was unique given the timing and progression of the patient's symptoms, as well as her age, surgical history, and symptomatic progression. Here we document the notable characteristics and treatment of this patient. CASE PRESENTATION: The patient presented to a local emergency department with signs progressive peritonitis and shock after an episode of non-traumatic intercourse. Her initial computed tomography (CT) scan showed signs of free fluid in the abdomen around the bladder and liver with no definitive source of bleed. She developed worsening shock with severe pain. She was then emergently transferred to a tertiary care center for evaluation by gynecology service and for general trauma surgery evaluation. She was further stabilized in the emergency department, and then admitted to the surgical critical care service. Following additional imaging, she received exploratory surgery with gynecology to control a hemorrhagic ruptured cyst. She remained stable and was discharged the next day. CONCLUSION: This case demonstrated a complication of an often-benign diagnosis, revealing the potential danger of underestimating this chief complaint, as well as the importance of understanding how minimal trauma can lead to cyst rupture.