When I arrive to conduct my weekly clinical trial visit, I am greeted with a tired smile. For some of my home-based participants, I am the only face they have seen all week. These patients are elderly, managing multiple health conditions, and enrolled in a clinical trial for transthyretin-mediated amyloidosis. Although they may not directly
Health
In recent years, there has been growing interest in the use of misoprostol as a safe and effective method for self-managed abortions. A prospective observational cohort study conducted in Nigeria, Argentina, and Southeast Asia explored the use of misoprostol-alone regimens and their effectiveness in inducing abortion. The findings of this study shed light on the
In a recent retrospective study conducted at an Arkansas hospital, alarming racial disparities in sepsis outcomes among children have been uncovered. The study found that Black children had more than twice the risk of dying from sepsis compared to their white counterparts, even when clinical responses were similar. These findings shed light on the stark
Intravenous vitamin C, a potential treatment for COVID-19, was found to have limited efficacy in increasing days free of organ support in adult patients, according to two harmonized clinical trials known as LOVIT-COVID and REMAP-CAP. Contrary to earlier expectations and smaller studies, the results of these trials suggest that vitamin C may not significantly improve
Huntington’s disease, a devastating neurodegenerative disorder, has long eluded effective treatment options. However, new research suggests that changes in metal levels may play a significant role in the development and progression of the disease. A recent post-mortem study conducted by Melissa Scholefield, PhD, and her colleagues at the University of Manchester, England, explored the metal
The American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) recently made a significant decision to discontinue the use of the term “excited delirium” when describing patients with hyperactive delirium. This move aligns ACEP with numerous other medical societies that have already abandoned the term. The decision marks a reversal from ACEP’s previous stance on the matter, as
The opioid epidemic in the United States has been highly influenced by the prevalence of fentanyl, a potent synthetic opioid. However, the dosing guidelines for buprenorphine and methadone, two commonly used medications for opioid use disorder (OUD), have not been adequately adjusted to account for the fentanyl era. Patients with a history of chronic fentanyl
Metastatic uveal melanoma is a rare but devastating form of cancer. However, a bispecific T-cell receptor therapy called tebentafusp (Kimmtrak) has shown significant promise in improving overall survival for selected patients. In a phase III trial, tebentafusp demonstrated a clear survival benefit at 3 years, particularly among HLA-A*02:01-positive patients. These updated results, presented at the
Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is a common health condition that affects millions of individuals worldwide. Not only does hypertension pose a risk for various cardiovascular diseases, but recent research suggests that it may also impact the development of fibroids in midlife women. Fibroids, or uterine leiomyomas, are noncancerous growths that occur in the uterus
The management of acute kidney injury (AKI) in outpatient hemodialysis units presents unique challenges and opportunities. With the Advancing American Kidney Health Initiative making decreasing end-stage renal disease (ESRD) a national priority, increased attention to dialysis-requiring AKI (AKI-D) is critical. This article analyzes the current state of AKI-D management, identifies areas for improvement, and explores