April 2017
22 ArticlesLetter to the Editor
Prevalence of hyperglycemia and incidence of stress hyperglycemia in hospitalized patients: A retrospective cohort
Hospital hyperglycemia (HH), defined as any glycemia value >140mg/dl according the last consensus [1], may occur in people who were previously diagnosed diabetes, as well as in those with... more
C-reactive protein, lipoprotein (a) and cystatin C levels increase with multimorbidity in older persons
Dear Editor
Is abdominal auscultation a still relevant part of the physical examination?
Abdominal auscultation represents a fundamental part of the clinical examination, especially in patients with gastroenterological complainants [1]. However, over the last years, many divergent views... more
The case of homeopathy, “how to search PubMed” may be a first step
We read with great interest your editorial [1]. We have appreciated the question you raised. In our opinion, one of the possible causes of this trouble is the lack of awareness and knowledge of... more
Serum cartilage oligomeric matrix protein levels as a novel non-invasive biomarker for liver fibrosis in patients with chronic viral hepatitis? It is too early
We read with great interest the recently published article by Zachou et al., in which they investigated the possible application of serum cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP) levels as a novel... more
Deprescription at hospital discharge: Outcomes of a deprescription promoting campaign
Deprescription is the reduction or suspension of drugs that are not necessary or which are potentially harmful — a situation found in up to 19% of all elderly European patients and in up to 46% of... more
An observational study of the quality of ECGs recorded by inexperienced staff in a resource-poor African hospital using a reusable ECG belt linked to an internet ECG device
Sir
X-ChEXIT in screening for occult cancer in patients with a deep vein thrombosis
Recently there has been a lot of debate about how extensive the screening for occult cancer in patients with a deep vein thrombosis (DVT) should be. Cornuz et al. was one of the first to suggest that... more
Risks of contrast media applied via the gastrointestinal route
Diagnostic imaging procedures of the gastrointestinal tract are most commonly performed following administration of contrast media (CM), either enteric, IV, or both. Barium or iodinated CM in concert... more
Prevalence of older in-patients at risk of clopidogrel resistance according to the STIB score. Results from REPOSI registry
Clopidogrel and acetylsalicylic acid are cornerstones of treatment of the acute coronary syndromes (ACS) and percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) [1]. The problem of clopidogrel resistance was... more
Predicting recurrence after a first unprovoked venous thromboembolism: Retrospective validation of the DAMOVES score
Unprovoked venous thromboembolism (VTE) is associated with a 5 to 27% annual risk of recurrence after discontinuation of anticoagulation (AC) [1–4], and indefinite AC is recommended if the bleeding... more
Is diuretic withdrawal safe in patients with heart failure and reduced ejection fraction? A retrospective analysis of our outpatients cohort
Although diuretics are essential to optimize volume status in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) [1], safety and benefits of prolonged diuretic treatment are uncertain... more
Narrative Review
A decade of progress on the genetic basis of coronary artery disease. Practical insights for the internist
Clinicians are well aware of the importance of a positive family history for coronary artery disease (CAD). Nonetheless, elucidation of the genetic basis of CAD has long proven difficult. The... more
Clinical disorders responsible for plasma hyperviscosity and skin complications
In this brief review, we have examined some clinical disorders which are associated to an altered hemorheological profile and at times accompanied by skin ulcers. This skin condition may be, in fact... more
Original Article
Fitness Fatness Index and Alzheimer-specific mortality
We evaluated the specific association between a Fitness Fat Index (FFI) and Alzheimer's-specific mortality among a national sample of the broader U.S. adult population.
Length of stay and risk of very early readmission in acute heart failure
In patients admitted for acute heart failure (AHF), optimal length of stay (LOS) remains controversial. Longer hospitalizations are associated with worse prognosis, but little is known about short... more
Comparison of coronary artery bypass grafting and drug-eluting stents in patients with chronic kidney disease and multivessel disease: A meta-analysis
The optimal revascularization strategy of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) versus percutaneous coronary intervention with drug-eluting stent (PCI-DES) in patients with chronic kidney disease (... more
Non-functioning pituitary adenoma underwent surgery: A multicenter retrospective study over the last four decades (1977–2015)
To assess clinical features, diagnostic procedures, therapies and outcomes in patients with clinically non-functioning pituitary adenomas (NFPAs) surgically treated over the last four decades.
The “Ulysses syndrome”: An eponym identifies a psychosomatic disorder in modern migrants
Due to civil wars, violence and persecutions, between 2015 and 2016, more than 1.4 million people, from the Middle East and Africa, fled their counties and migrated to Europe. The vast majority of... more
Reflections in Internal Medicine
Error, contradiction and reversal in science and medicine
Error and contradictions are not “per se” detrimental in science and medicine. Going back to the history of philosophy, Sir Francis Bacon stated that “truth emerges more readily from error than from... more
Review Article
Genetics of common complex diseases: a view from Iceland
In the past decade, large scale genotyping has led to discoveries of numerous sequence variants that confer increased risk of many common complex diseases. Interestingly, a substantial proportion of... more