Acute Pancreatitis With Normal Amylase and Lipase: A Diagnostic Dilemma.

Acute pancreatitis is a common and potentially life-threatening condition. It is characterized by inflammation of the pancreas, most often leading to elevated levels of pancreatic enzymes in the blood. In a subset of patients, however, conventional biomarker levels may remain within the reference range. Such instances have the potential to create a diagnostic challenge for healthcare professionals and can lead to misdiagnosis or delayed treatment. This article presents the intriguing clinical scenario of acute pancreatitis with normal amylase and lipase, discusses factors that may lead to normoenzymatic presentation, and reminds clinicians of the diagnostic criteria for acute pancreatitis, which does not necessarily require elevated pancreatic enzymes.

Kleine-Levin syndrome. Clinical boarderlands based on a thorough analysis of 475 case reports.

OBJECTIVE/BACKGROUND: Kleine-Levin syndrome (KLS) is a rare sleep disorder characterized by recurrent episodes of severe hypersomnolence in association with various degrees of cognitive impairment, perceptive abnormalities, apathy, behavioral disturbances. Some of these symptoms, hypersomnolence, compulsive eating and increased sexual drive may be replaced by their opposites or alternate with them. Remarkably enough, these « atypical symptoms ¼ have never been enlighted nor compared in frequency with corresponding typical symptoms. Besides, KLS is more frequent in males than in females but no review has ever compared the frequency of precipitating factors and symptoms in males and females. PATIENTS/METHODS: To uncover these as yet uninvestigated aspects of KLS, a predesigned template was used to extract precipitating factors and symptoms, in 475 case reports of KLS, comprising 364 males and 111 females. RESULTS: Precipitating factors were more frequently recorded in males (67.31 %) than in females (49.55 %). Recurrent episodes of hypersomnolencee were present in 94.32 % of cases, recurrent insomnia in 1.05 % and alternation of hypersomnolence and insomnia in 4.63 %. Cognitive impairment was present in 67.37 % of cases and absent in 6.95 %. Derealization/altered perception was present in 38.32 % of cases and absent in 1.68 %. Severe apathy was present in 44.63 % of cases. Compulsive eating was present in 59.58 % of cases, absent in 13.26 %, replaced by anorexia in 9.05 %, alternation of compulsive eating and anorexia in 5.68 % and alternation of compulsive eating and no compulsive eating in 8.42 %. Increased sexual drive was present in 33.68 % of cases, absent in 22.74 %, replaced by decreased sexual drive in 1.47 %, alternation of increased sexual drive and no increased sexual drive in 2.95 %. Odd behaviors were present in 45.05 % of cases. Psychiatric features were present in 71.58 % of cases, absent in 2.95 %. Finally, the percentages of precipitating factors and of sleep disorder, apathy, sexual disorder, irritability/agressivity, were higher in males than in females. CONCLUSIONS: The frequency of the opposites of hypersomnolence, compulsive eating and increased sexual drive appears to be quite significant. In addition, a systematic comparison of precipitating factors and symptoms in males and females has shown limited differences between sexes.

De-novo immune-mediated thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura following surgical and non-surgical procedures: A systematic review.

When de-novo immune-mediated thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) is diagnosed following an invasive procedure, clinical presentation patterns and outcomes are poorly defined. Therefore, in a systematic literature review of patients diagnosed with TTP following an invasive surgical or non-surgical procedure, we identified 19 studies reporting data on 25 patients. These data suggest that 1) TTP pathogenesis likely begins prior to the invasive procedure, 2) patients experience significant diagnostic delays, and 3) there is a high incidence of renal replacement therapy. Although invasive procedures may trigger TTP, further studies are needed to clarify the mechanisms underlying this association.

Misleading Presentation: Chest Pain Masking Euglycemic Diabetic Ketoacidosis Possibly Induced by Empagliflozin.

Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is a life-threatening metabolic emergency traditionally associated with Type 1 diabetes but is increasingly recognized in Type 2 diabetes, particularly with the use of sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT-2) inhibitors. Euglycemic DKA, characterized by near-normal blood glucose levels, is a distinct variant that has gained attention. This case report highlights a unique presentation of euglycemic DKA in a 56-year-old female with a past medical history of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus who presented to the emergency department with a one-week history of chest pain.

The Frequency and Precipitating Factors for Breakthrough Seizures in Children with Epilepsy.

Background and Purpose: To determine the common precipitating factors for breakthrough seizures in children with epilepsy. Methods: This retrospective study reviewed the charts of children with epilepsy who were followed up in the pediatric neurology clinic of King Fahad Hospital in Al-Baha region, Saudi Arabia, between January 2015 and August 2022. Children between 1 to 14 years of age who had epilepsy, as per the International League Against Epilepsy definition and received anti-seizure medication with a seizure-free period of at least 2 months before breakthrough seizure episode, were included in the study. Results: Of the 108 children included in the study, the mean age was 6.8±1.6 years, and among them (55.5%) were male. Most parents (69.5%) were unaware of the triggering factors of seizure. The majority of patients (88%) reported at least one precipitating factor for breakthrough seizures and the most common one was systemic infection associated with fever (52.8%), and then non-compliance to medications in (34.3%) of the patients. In terms of the electroencephalogram, around 84 patients (77.8%) had abnormal electroencephalogram. Finally, monotherapy was maintained in 63.9% of patients. Conclusions: We conclude that the most common trigger for breakthrough seizure is a systemic infection associated with fever and non-compliance to anti-seizure medications. Increasing the level of awareness by different methods may help limit or even prevent seizures from occurring. Randomized controlled trials could shed light on the adjustment of anti-seizure medications temporarily by increasing the dosage or giving extra doses during the infection to avoid breakthrough seizures.

A Case of Colchicine Toxicity Presenting With Euglycemic Diabetic Ketoacidosis.

Colchicine has a narrow therapeutic window and a high risk of toxicity when co-administered with CYP3A4 inhibitors and P-glycoprotein inhibitors. Colchicine toxicity is associated with various metabolic disturbances and can cause multiorgan failure and death. However, to our knowledge, there are no documented reports of colchicine toxicity initially presenting as euglycemic diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). We present a case of colchicine toxicity with concomitant euglycemic DKA in a man with long-term colchicine use who was also prescribed clarithromycin and dapagliflozin.

Case Report: Localized bullous pemphigoid induced by local triggers: a case series and a proposal for diagnostic criteria based on a literature review.

Introduction: Localized bullous pemphigoid (LBP) is an infrequent bullous pemphigoid (BP) variant restricted to a body region. According to the most compelling evidence, LBP occurs in patients with pre-existent serum antibodies against the basement membrane zone, which occasionally acquire the capacity to induce disease after the influence of different local factors acting as triggers. Methods: We hereby present a multicenter cohort of 7 patients with LBP developed after local triggers: radiotherapy, thermal burns, surgery, rosacea, edema and a paretic leg. In addition, we conducted a review of the literature, and we propose a set of diagnostic criteria for LBP, also based on our case series and the 2022 BP guidelines from the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology. Results: During follow-up, three of the patients from our series evolved to a generalized BP, with only one requiring hospitalization. Our literature search retrieved 47 articles including a total of 108 patients with LBP, with a 63% with a potential local precipitating factor previous to their diagnosis. LBP mostly affected older females, and a subsequent generalized progression occurred in 16.7% of the cases. The most frequently involved areas were the lower limbs. Radiation therapy and surgery were responsible for the inducement of nearly 2 in 3 cases of LBP. We observed a significantly higher risk of generalization in cases where the trigger led to the developing of LBP earlier (p=0.016). Our statistical analysis did not detect any other prognosis factor for generalization when assessing direct immunofluorescence, histological and serological results, or other patient related factors. Conclusion: LBP should be suspected in patients with recurrent localized bullous eruptions. The presence of a trauma history in the same anatomic area is reported in most cases.

The predictive value of precipitating factors on clinical outcomes in hospitalized patients with decompensated heart failure: insights from the Egyptian cohort in the European Society of Cardiology Heart Failure long-term registry.

BACKGROUND: Knowledge of the frequency of precipitating factors for acute heart failure (AHF) is important (either new-onset heart failure [NOHF] or worsening heart failure [WHF]), as this can guide strategies for prevention and treatment. Most data come only from Western Europe and North America; nevertheless, geographic differences do exist. We set out to study the prevalence of precipitating factors of AHF and their connection to patient characteristics and in-hospital and long-term mortality in patients from Egypt hospitalized for decompensated HF. Using the ESC-HF-LT Registry which is a prospective, multicenter, observational study of patients confessed to cardiology centers in the nations of Europe and the Mediterranean, patients presenting with AHF were recruited from 20 centers all over Egypt. Enrolling physicians were requested to report possible precipitants from among several predefined reasons. RESULTS: We included 1515 patients (mean age 60 ± 12 years, 69% males). The mean LVEF was 38 ± 11%. Seventy-seven percent of the total population had HFrEF, 9.8% had HFmrEF, and 13.3% had HFpEF. The commonly reported precipitating factors for AHF hospitalization among study population were as follows (in decreasing order of frequency): infection in 30.3% of patients, acute coronary syndrome/myocardial ischemia (ACS/MI) in 26%, anemia in 24.3%, uncontrolled hypertension in 24.2%, atrial fibrillation (AF) in 18.3%, renal dysfunction in 14.6%, and non-compliance in 6.5% of patients. HFpEF patients had significantly higher rates of AF, uncontrolled hypertension, and anemia as precipitants for acute decompensation. ACS/MI were significantly more frequent in patients with HFmrEF. WHF patients had significantly higher rates of infection and non-compliance, whereas new-onset HF patients showed significantly higher rates of ACS/MI and uncontrolled hypertension. One-year follow-up revealed that patients with HFrEF had a significantly higher rate of mortality compared to patients with HFmrEF and HFpEF (28.3%, 19.5, and 19.4%, P = 0.004). Patients with WHF had a significantly higher rates of 1-year mortality when compared to those with NOHF (30.0% vs. 20.3%, P < 0.001). Renal dysfunction, anemia, and infection were independently connected to worse long-term survival. CONCLUSIONS: Precipitating factors of AHF are frequent and substantially influence outcomes after hospitalization. They should be considered goals for avoiding AHF hospitalization and depicting those at highest risk for short-term mortality.

Perceptions of adequacy of fruit and vegetable intake as a barrier to increasing consumption.

AIM: To investigate New South Wales adults' perceived adequacy of their fruit and vegetable consumption and to identify the barriers to consumption. METHOD: An online cross-sectional survey of a sample of adults in New South Wales (n = 1603) in February 2019 measured self-reported fruit and vegetable intakes, perception of consumption adequacy and barriers to consumption. Proportions of participants whose reported consumption met the daily recommended serves of fruit and vegetables per day were calculated. Chi-square and Fisher's exact tests were used to explore differences between demographic characteristics and meeting fruit and vegetable recommendations. For those not meeting recommendations, Chi-square and Fisher's exact tests were used to explore perceived adequacy of intake as a potential barrier to consumption. RESULTS: The sample included 52.7% women, 40.0% aged under 40 years and 28.6% over 59 years, 68.2% lived in a major city, and 32.6% were university educated. Overall, 64.8% of participants reported consuming adequate fruit and 12.4% reported consuming adequate vegetables. Of those consuming less than the guidelines, 21.3% perceived that they were eating enough fruit and 53.7% perceived they were eating enough vegetables. The most common barriers to eating more fruit were preference for other foods (29.6%), fruit spoiling too quickly (28.3%), and habit (27.0%). The most common barriers to eating more vegetables were the perception that they eat enough (26.8%), preference for other foods (21.9%), and habit (19.7%). CONCLUSIONS: Greater efforts are needed to support the public to eat adequate fruit and vegetables, consistent with dietary guidelines. Public education campaigns specifically targeting increasing vegetable consumption are required to address knowledge gaps, given a large proportion of our study population consumed inadequate levels of vegetables yet perceived their intake to be adequate.

Precipitating factors of school bullying in victims and bully-victims from eight-to-eleven-years of age / Fatores precipitantes do bullying escolar em vítimas e vítimas-intimidadoras de oito a onze anos de idade

Aim: The aim of the present study was to identify precipitating factors of bullying in schoolchildren.Methods: A total of 425 schoolchildren aged eight to eleven years, enrolled in public and private schools in Lavras, Brazil, participated in this cross-sectional study. The schoolchildren answered two questions addressing characteristics that could affect their relationships with peers and completed the Brazilian version of the Olweus Bully/Victim Questionnaire. The characteristics investigated included weight, height, facial features, dentofacial appearance, and other individual factors, such as halitosis and wearing glasses. Parents answered a questionnaire on demographic characteristics. Descriptive analysis and multinomial logistic regression were performed (p ≤ 0.05).Results: Bully-victims were more likely to be enrolled in public schools (OR = 5.43, 95% CI: 1.14-25.91, p = 0.03). Victims of bullying were more likely to report characteristics such as halitosis, wearing glasses, and other aspects (OR = 3.31, 95% CI: 1.14-9.57, p = 0.02), as well as dentofacial appearance (OR = 3.80, 95% CI: 1.38-10.41, p = 0.01), as factors that affected interactions with peers.Conclusions: The findings show that physical appearance, socioeconomic aspect, and individual characteristics are factors associated with victims and bully-victims. Pediatric dentists should discuss these issues with their patients and parents/caregivers when taking patient history.

Objetivo:O objetivo do presente estudo foi identificar os fatores precipitantes do bullying em escolares.Métodos: Um total de 425 escolares de oito a onze anos matriculados em escolas públicas e privadas de Lavras, Minas Gerais, Brasil, participaram deste estudo transversal. Os escolares responderam duas perguntas abordando características que poderiam afetar seu relacionamento com seus pares e preencheram a versão brasileira do Olweus Bully/Victim Questionnaire. As características investigadas foram peso, altura, características faciais, aparência dentofacial e outros fatores individuais, como halitose e uso de óculos. Os pais responderam um questionário sobre características sociodemográficas. Análise descritiva e regressão logística multinomial foram realizadas (p ≤ 0,05). Resultados: As vítimas-intimidadoras eram mais propensas a serem de escolas públicas (OR = 5,43, IC 95%:1,14-25,91, p = 0,03). As vítimas de bullying foram mais propensas a relatar características como halitose, uso de óculos e outros aspectos (OR = 3,31, IC 95%: 1,14-9,57, p = 0,02), bem como aparência dentofacial (OR = 3,80, IC 95%: 1,38-10,41, p = 0,01) como fatores que afetaram suas interações com seus pares. Conclusões:Os achados mostram que a aparência física, o aspecto socioeconômico e as características individuais são fatores associados às vítimas e às vítimas-intimidadoras. Odontopediatras devem discutir essas questões com as crianças/adolescentes e seus pais/responsáveis ao obter a história do paciente.

Bullying escolar: associação com possível bruxismo do sono e fatores desencadeantes / School bullying: association with possible sleep bruxism and triggering/precipitant factors

Bullying é um comportamento agressivo que gera consequências emocionais. Indivíduos vulneráveis estão sujeitos a sofrer esta agressão. Bruxismo do sono (BS) é uma atividade muscular mastigatória que está associado a fatores psicossociais. O objetivo do artigo 1 (n=431) foi analisar a associação de possível BS com bullying escolar. O objetivo do artigo 2 (n=425) foi identificar a associação entre fatores desencadeantes de bullying e indivíduos envolvidos em bullying como vítimas e vítimas-intimidadores. O objetivo do artigo 3 foi analisar a acurácia da resposta dada pelos responsáveis em um questionário acerca do BS comparado ao diário do sono. O estudo foi aprovado pelo Comitê de Ética e Pesquisa em Humanos da Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (protocolo 82839718.4.0000.5149). Participaram da pesquisa escolares com idade entre 8 a 11 anos, matriculados em escolas públicas e privadas de Lavras, e seus responsáveis. Os responsáveis responderam a um questionário, desenvolvido para a pesquisa, com duas perguntas sobre a ocorrência do BS (ranger de dentes [RD]) nos escolares, dados sociodemográficos e um diário do sono de sete dias. Os escolares responderam um questionário, desenvolvido para a pesquisa, sobre dentes, cabelo, cor da pele, altura, peso, boca, nariz e outras características que podem interferir no relacionamento com os pares na escola; e preencheram a versão brasileira do Olweus Bully/Victim Questionnaire. A análise estatística do artigo 1, 2 e 3 incluiu análises descritivas. A regressão de Poisson (RR:Razão das Taxas) foi utilizada no artigo 1 e a regressão Logística Multinomial (OR) no artigo 2 (p≤0,05). No artigo 3 os resultados foram fornecidos com curva ROC e medição de acurácia (área sob a curva ­ AUC). Como resultado para o artigo 1 verificou-se que a frequência de RD entre os escolares vítimas-intimidadores foi 1,57 maior (RR=1,57; IC95%=1,04­2,36; p= 0,030). A frequência de RD entre os escolares que relataram acordar cansados pela manhã pelo menos uma vez por semana foi 1,33 vezes maior (RR=1,33; IC95%=1,00­1,78; p=0,050) e a frequência de RD entre escolares cuja renda familiar mensal é igual ou inferior a um salário mínimo apresentou 1,49 vezes maior (RR=1,49, IC95%=1,04-2,13, p=0,027). No artigo 2 observou-se que escolares vítimas-intimidadores eram mais propensos a serem de escola pública (OR=5,43, IC95%=1,14-25,91; p=0,034) e os escolares vítimas de bullying eram mais propensos a relatarem outras características individuais, como uso de óculos (OR=3,31; IC95%=1,14-9,57; p=0,027) e características dos dentes (OR=3,80; IC95%=1,38-10,41; p=0,010) como fatores que atrapalham seu convívio com os colegas. No artigo 3 verificou-se que a comparação do questionário com o diário do sono, para diagnóstico de BS, demonstrou uma AUC de 87,6% (IC95%=83,2% - 92,1%). Conclui-se que estar envolvido em comportamentos de bullying na escola, cansaço do escolar ao acordar e baixa renda familiar estão associados ao possível BS entre escolares. Os achados mostraram, também, que dentes e outras características individuais estão associados à ser vítima de bullying e estar envolvido em bullying como vítima-intimidador está associado com o tipo de escola. O questionário de diagnóstico de BS mostrou uma acurácia relevante quando comparado ao diário do sono de 7 dias.

Bullying is an aggressive behavior that generates emotional consequences. Vulnerable individuals are more likely to suffer this aggression. Sleep bruxism is a masticatory muscle activity that is associated with psychosocial factors. The objective of article 1 (n=431) was to analyze the association of possible sleep bruxism (SB) with school bullying. The objective of article 2 (n=425) was to identify the association between triggering factors of bullying and individuals involved in bullying as victims and bully-victims. The objective of article 3 was to analyze the accuracy of the response given by guardians in a questionnaire about sleep bruxism (SB) compared to the sleep diary. The study was approved by the Human Research Ethics Committee of the Federal University of Minas Gerais under protocol number CAAE 82839718.4.0000.5149. Schoolchildren aged between 8 and 11 years old, enrolled in public and private schools in Lavras, and their guardians participated in the research. Guardians answered a questionnaire, developed for research, about the occurrence of SB (gnashing teeth [GT]) in schoolchildren, sociodemographic data, and a seven- day sleep diary. The schoolchildren answered a questionnaire, developed for research, about teeth, hair, skin color, height, weight, mouth, nose, and other factors that can interfere with peer relationships at school. They completed the Brazilian version of the Olweus Bully/Victim Questionnaire. Statistical analysis of articles 1, 2 and 3 included descriptive analyses. Poisson regression (RR-Rate Ratio) was used in article 1 and Multinomial Logistic (OR) regression in article 2 (p≤0.05). In article 3 the results were provided with a ROC curve and accuracy measurement (area under the curve ­ AUC). As a result of article 1, it was found that the frequence of GT among schoolchildren were victims-bullies had 1.57 times higher (RR = 1.57; 95%CI=1.04­ 2.36; p= 0.030). The frequence of GT among schoolchildren who reported waking up tired in the morning at least once a week was 1.33 times higher (RR=1.33; 95%CI=1.00­1.78; p=0.050), frequence of GT among schoolchildren whose family monthly income is equal to a minimum wage or less presented 1.49 times higher (RR=1.49, 95% CI=1.04­2.13, p=0.027). In article 2, it was observed that bully-victim schoolchildren were more likely to be from public schools (OR=5.43, 95%CI=1.14- 25.91; p=0.034) and bullied schoolchildren were more likely to report other individual characteristics (example: use of glasses) (OR=3.31; 95%CI=1.14-9.57; p=0.027) and teeth characteristics (PR=3.80; 95%CI=1.38 -10.41; p=0.010) as factors that interfere with his interaction with colleagues. In article 3, it was found that the comparison of the questionnaire with the sleep diary, for the diagnosis of SB, showed an AUC of 87.6% (CI95%=83.2% - 92.1%) It was concluded that being involved in bullying behaviors at school, schoolchildren tiredness upon waking up, and low family income are associated with possible SB among students. The findings also showed that teeth and other individual characteristics are associated with bullying victims and being involved in bullying as a bully-victim is associated with the type of school. The SB diagnostic questionnaire showed relevant accuracy when compared to the 7-day sleep diary.

Surgical Correction of Ascending Aortic Aneurysm Without Coronary Dilatation After Kawasaki Disease in a 3-Year-Old Child

Abstract Kawasaki disease (KD) is an inflammatory condition that may affect genetically predisposed individuals in pediatric ages after infectious/environmental triggering. An infrequent finding associated with KD is ascending aortic aneurysm during or after the acute phase of the disease. In this Multimedia presentation, we describe a three-year-old girl submitted to surgical treatment.

A Literature Review of the Therapeutic Perspectives of Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) Inhibitor-Induced Euglycemic Diabetic Ketoacidosis.

Euglycemic diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), a side effect of sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors, is a triad of high metabolic anion gap acidosis, raised serum and urine ketones, and serum glucose <250 mg/dl. SGLT2 inhibitors cause a carbohydrate deficit by glucosuria, which leads to an increased glucagon/insulin ratio, the metabolic shift from glucose to lipid utilization causing ketogenesis, and hence euglycemic DKA. Additional factors like the ketogenic diet, illness, surgery, and pregnancy contribute to precipitating these episodes. Keywords search included "Euglycemic DKA and SGLT2 inhibitors" in PubMed and Google Scholar, to compile data from existing articles that provide information on the withholding and restarting period of the drug after a euglycemic DKA episode. SGLT2 inhibitors, used in the treatment of type 2 DM, have an average half-life of 11-13 hours, so most articles suggested withholding the drug three days before any elective surgery but some articles suggested a longer withholding period based on other precipitating factors contributing to euglycemic DKA. Hence, we came up with patient inclusion criteria and concomitant therapies review that we need to consider in making this decision. In addition, a multidisciplinary approach is required when laying out guidelines for restarting the drug to have a unanimous approach. After reviewing the existing literature, it is clear that concrete guidelines are required to decide on drug withholding and restarting periods after a euglycemic DKA episode, as they vary among different institutions and different specialties. We believe it is crucial to consider patient inclusion criteria and concomitant therapies in forming those guidelines.

Emotional and Environmental Factors Aggravating Dream Enactment Behaviors in Patients with Isolated REM Sleep Behavior Disorder.

Objective: To identify emotional and environmental factors that aggravate dream enactment behaviors (DEBs) in isolated rapid eye movement (REM) sleep behavior disorder (iRBD). Methods: In this cross-sectional study, a total of 96 polysomnography-confirmed iRBD patients (mean age, 68.5 years; men, 68%) and their caregivers completed questionnaires regarding potential aggravating factors related to DEBs, including emotion/feelings (stress, anger, anxiety, depressive mood, fatigue, pain), food (alcohol, caffeine, overeating in the evening, fasting/hunger), activities and sleep patterns (strenuous exercise, sex before bed, conflict/fighting, sleep deprivation, oversleeping, sleeping away from home, watching TV before bed), weather/environmental factors (cloudy or rainy weather, heat, cold, noise) and medication (skipping medication, taking hypnotics). Results: The patients reported that stress (61%) was the most aggravating factor for DEBs, followed by anxiety (56%), anger (51%), fatigue (49%), and watching TV before bed (46%). Similarly, the caregivers reported that these factors were most relevant to the aggravation of DEBs in the patients, although some factors were ranked differently. In the subgroup analyses, aggravating factors for DEBs did not differ by RBD symptom severity. Interestingly, the proportion of patients experiencing DEB aggravation by stress, anxiety and depressive mood was significantly higher in women than in men. Furthermore, depressed patients reported that stress and cloudy or rainy weather made DEBs worse than nondepressed patients. Conclusion: Our results suggest that DEBs in iRBD patients may be mainly aggravated by emotional factors. These negative effects appeared to be more prominent in female and depressed patients.

Precipitating factors of diabetic ketoacidosis in type 1 diabetes patients at a tertiary hospital: a cross-sectional study with a two-time-period comparison.

Objective: To evaluate the precipitating factors of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) in patients with type 1 diabetes hospitalized through the emergency department of a tertiary hospital. Materials and methods: Individuals with type 1 diabetes hospitalized for DKA from January 2005 to March 2010 (first period [P1], n = 75) and from April 2010 to January 2017 (second period [P2], n = 97) were identified through a query of electronic medical records. Data were collected by reviewing medical records. Only the first hospitalization of each participant in each period was included. Results: In P2, 44 patients (45.4%) were women, mean age was 26.2 ± 14.5 years, and 74 patients (76.3%) had a previous diagnosis of type 1 diabetes. Only 1 patient had glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) below 64 mmol/mol (8.0%). Most patients (62.2%) had had a previous episode of DKA. In P1, non-adherence was the main cause of DKA (38.7%), followed by infection (24.0%). In P2, these rates were 34.0% and 24.7%, respectively; no statistical difference was observed between the two study periods (p = 0.790). Conclusion: Over time, non-adherence remained the main precipitating factor of DKA, followed by infection, and no significant difference was observed between the two study periods. Elevated HbA1c, outside the therapeutic range, indicates suboptimal diabetes care and may explain, at least in part, poor adherence as a precipitating factor of decompensation. Health strategies, such as improved self-management of type 1 diabetes, may contribute to a future reduction in DKA episodes.

Precipitating factors of diabetic ketoacidosis in type 1 diabetes patients at a tertiary hospital: a cross-sectional study with a two-time-period comparison

ABSTRACT Objective: To evaluate the precipitating factors of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) in patients with type 1 diabetes hospitalized through the emergency department of a tertiary hospital. Materials and methods: Individuals with type 1 diabetes hospitalized for DKA from January 2005 to March 2010 (first period [P1], n = 75) and from April 2010 to January 2017 (second period [P2], n = 97) were identified through a query of electronic medical records. Data were collected by reviewing medical records. Only the first hospitalization of each participant in each period was included. Results: In P2, 44 patients (45.4%) were women, mean age was 26.2 ± 14.5 years, and 74 patients (76.3%) had a previous diagnosis of type 1 diabetes. Only 1 patient had glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) below 64 mmol/mol (8.0%). Most patients (62.2%) had had a previous episode of DKA. In P1, non-adherence was the main cause of DKA (38.7%), followed by infection (24.0%). In P2, these rates were 34.0% and 24.7%, respectively; no statistical difference was observed between the two study periods (p = 0.790). Conclusion: Over time, non-adherence remained the main precipitating factor of DKA, followed by infection, and no significant difference was observed between the two study periods. Elevated HbA1c, outside the therapeutic range, indicates suboptimal diabetes care and may explain, at least in part, poor adherence as a precipitating factor of decompensation. Health strategies, such as improved self-management of type 1 diabetes, may contribute to a future reduction in DKA episodes.

Adrenal crises in adolescents and young adults.

PURPOSE: Review the literature concerning adrenal insufficiency (AI) and adrenal crisis (AC) in adolescents and young adults. METHODS: Searches of PubMed identifying relevant reports up to March 2022. RESULTS: AI is rare disorder that requires lifelong glucocorticoid replacement therapy and is associated with substantial morbidity and occasional mortality among adolescents and young adults. Aetiologies in this age group are more commonly congenital, with acquired causes, resulting from tumours in the hypothalamic-pituitary area and autoimmune adrenalitis among others, increasing with age. All patients with AI are at risk of AC, which have an estimated incidence of 6 to 8 ACs/100 patient years. Prevention of ACs includes use of educational interventions to achieve competency in dose escalation and parenteral glucocorticoid administration during times of physiological stress, such as an intercurrent infection. While the incidence of AI/AC in young children and adults has been documented, there are few studies focussed on the AC occurrence in adolescents and young adults with AI. This is despite the range of developmental, psychosocial, and structural changes that can interfere with chronic disease management during this important period of growth and development. CONCLUSION: In this review, we examine the current state of knowledge of AC epidemiology in emerging adults; examine the causes of ACs in this age group; and suggest areas for further investigation that are aimed at reducing the incidence and health impact of ACs in these patients.

Triggers in functional motor disorder: a clinical feature distinct from precipitating factors.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: People with functional motor disorder (FMD) report triggers-sensory or motor-induced stimuli that exacerbate or initiate paroxysmal occurrences of their movement disorder. These are a distinct phenomenon from precipitating factors occurring at the initial onset of the disorder. We aimed to assess triggers in FMD and understand their relevance to paroxysmal variability often seen in FMD. METHODS: We enrolled consecutive outpatients with a definite diagnosis of FMD. Each patient underwent a detailed clinical evaluation also including the presence of trigger factors and video-recordings both during neurological examination and physiotherapy treatment. Patients were classified as having "triggers" (T-FMD) or "not having triggers" (NoT-FMD) as well as "paroxysmal" compared to "persistent with paroxysmal variability". RESULTS: The study sample was 100 patients (82% female) with FMD; the mean age at onset was 41 years. Triggers were observed in 88% of patients and in 65 of these the FMD was pure paroxysmal. The most common triggers were movement or physical exercise, followed by emotional, visual, touch, and auditory stimuli; 39 (44%) were isolated and 49 (56%) were combined triggers. Among the T-FMD patients, FMD were paroxysmal in 74% (n = 65) and persistent with paroxysmal variability in 26% (n = 23). The T-FMD patients were younger (p = 0.016) and had a gait disorder (p = 0.035) more frequently than the NoT-FMD patients. DISCUSSION: Triggers are frequent in FMD and may have diverse overlapping clinical presentations. In this sample, FMD was most often paroxysmal, suggesting the value of noting triggers as clinical clues in the diagnosis and rehabilitation of FMD.

Consensus on potential biomarkers developed for use in clinical tests for schizophrenia.

Background: Schizophrenia is a serious mental illness affecting approximately 20 million individuals globally. Both genetic and environmental factors contribute to the illness. If left undiagnosed and untreated, schizophrenia results in impaired social function, repeated hospital admissions, reduced quality of life and decreased life expectancy. Clinical diagnosis largely relies on subjective evidence, including self-reported experiences, and reported behavioural abnormalities followed by psychiatric evaluation. In addition, psychoses may occur along with other conditions, and the symptoms are often episodic and transient, posing a significant challenge to the precision of diagnosis. Therefore, objective, specific tests using biomarkers are urgently needed for differential diagnosis of schizophrenia in clinical practice. Aims: We aimed to provide evidence-based and consensus-based recommendations, with a summary of laboratory measurements that could potentially be used as biomarkers for schizophrenia, and to discuss directions for future research. Methods: We searched publications within the last 10 years with the following keywords: 'schizophrenia', 'gene', 'inflammation', 'neurotransmitter', 'protein marker', 'gut microbiota', 'pharmacogenomics' and 'biomarker'. A draft of the consensus was discussed and agreed on by all authors at a round table session. Results: We summarised the characteristics of candidate diagnostic markers for schizophrenia, including genetic, inflammatory, neurotransmitter, peripheral protein, pharmacogenomic and gut microbiota markers. We also proposed a novel laboratory process for diagnosing schizophrenia in clinical practice based on the evidence summarised in this paper. Conclusions: Further efforts are needed to identify schizophrenia-specific genetic and epigenetic markers for precise diagnosis, differential diagnosis and ethnicity-specific markers for the Chinese population. The development of novel laboratory techniques is making it possible to use these biomarkers clinically to diagnose disease.

Surgical Correction of Ascending Aortic Aneurysm Without Coronary Dilatation After Kawasaki Disease in a 3-Year-Old Child.

Kawasaki disease (KD) is an inflammatory condition that may affect genetically predisposed individuals in pediatric ages after infectious/environmental triggering. An infrequent finding associated with KD is ascending aortic aneurysm during or after the acute phase of the disease. In this Multimedia presentation, we describe a three-year-old girl submitted to surgical treatment.