January 2019
20 ArticlesNo Section
Persistent FDG/PET CT uptake in idiopathic retroperitoneal fibrosis helps identifying patients at a higher risk for relapse
The aim of this study was to evaluate the prognostic value of persistent retroperitoneal fibrosis FDG uptake using FDG/PET CT in patients with idiopathic retroperitoneal fibrosis (IRF).
Performance of the CHA2DS2-VASc score in predicting new onset atrial fibrillation during hospitalization for community-acquired pneumonia
Cardiovascular events are common during hospitalization for community-acquired pneumonia (CAP), with new onset atrial fibrillation (NOAF) being the second most relevant complication. In this study,... more
Differences in left ventricular geometry in hypertensive African-Europeans and Caucasian patients
There are data showing race-related differences regarding left ventricular (LV) geometry in hypertensive patients. Several authors reported that concentric remodeling is the most common remodeling... more
Insomnia symptoms in primary care: A prospective study focusing on prevalence of undiagnosed co-morbid sleep disordered breathing
To determine prevalence of comorbid undiagnosed sleep disordered breathing (SDB) in chronic insomnia patients, using two complementary methods, one standard and one novel.
Risk of bleeding in hospitalized patients on anticoagulant therapy: Prevalence and potential risk factors
Bleeding is the most important complication of treatment with anticoagulant therapy. Although several studies have identified risk factors of bleeding in outpatients, no studies have been performed... more
Tick-borne encephalitis in Europe: a brief update on epidemiology, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment
Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) is an emerging health threat that is spreading in many parts of Europe. The mix of socio-economical, ecological and climatic factors as well as the presence of more... more
Big trouble with temporary tattoos
A 25 year old hairdresser was referred acutely following the development of pruritic pink papules and subsequently bullae, 24 h after the application of a temporary black henna tattoo to the dorsum... more
Direct oral anticoagulants vs non-vitamin K antagonist in atrial fibrillation: A prospective, propensity score adjusted cohort study
Oral anticoagulants directly inhibiting Factor IIa o Factor Xa (DOAC) have been marketed in Italy for the prevention of cardiac embolism in patients affected by non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF... more
A painful rash after chemotherapy
A 76-year-old man presented with a painful rash one week after receiving chemotherapy consisting of cetuximab, oxaliplatin and fluorouracil for metastatic colon cancer. Physical exam was notable for... more
Hepatic-pulmonary disease
A 42-year-old Colombian woman, who has lived her entire life on a farm, has a 12 years history of intermittent episodes of sharp left thoracic pain, associated with cough and hemoptysis, for which... more
Internal Medicine Flashcard
The hand of respiratory failure
73-year-old man presented to our institution with shortness of breath, diffuses myalgia and noticed the significant change of his hands. Physical examination was remarkable for bilateral crackle at... more
A suspicious fracture
A 67 year-old woman referred to our Metabolic Bone Diseases Outpatient Clinic for non-traumatic left thigh pain occurring in the last few weeks. She had been diagnosed with osteoporosis in 2004 and... more
Letter to the Editor
Recommending marijuana use: Violation of the Hippocratic aphorism of “do good or do no harm”
Legalization of medical or recreational use of marijuana presupposes that all drug-formulations have been tested and proven safe. However, this has not been the case with this substance, and to be... more
Cardiovascular events and de novo AF following Legionnaires disease
Cardiovascular (CV) diseases are a worldwide major cause of death. This fact relates to a number of risk factors [1], but infection might be pointed as one of utmost importance as it triggers... more
In reply to “Small, however significant differences in the definition of physical frailty and sarcopenia”
We thank Dr. Yilmaz and colleagues [1] for their comment that allows us to further clarify a major strength of the BIOSPHERE study [2]. Many operational definitions of frailty exist, each of them... more
Horizontal vs. vertical dose reduction of direct oral anticoagulants in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation: definition and implications for practice
Post-marketing surveillance is being showing a widespread use of the lower doses of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs), namely dabigatran 110 mg, rivaroxaban 15 mg, apixaban 2.5 mg, and edoxaban 30 ... more
Cancer and atrial fibrillation. Author's reply
We appreciate the interest of Sorigue in our paper [1,2]. In his comments [2], he underlines several interesting points relevant to the management of atrial fibrillation (AF) in cancer patients.
Original Article
Comorbidity assessment for mortality risk stratification in elderly patients with acute coronary syndrome
The Charlson's is the most used comorbidity index. It comprises 19 comorbidities, some of which are infrequent in elderly patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS), while some others are... more
Antidepressant prescription in acute myocardial infarction is associated with increased mortality 1 year after discharge
To assess the impact of antidepressant (AD) prescription at discharge on 1-year outcome of patients presenting with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in Switzerland.
Review
Impact of Daylight Saving Time on circadian timing system: An expert statement
Even though that in the very beginning of Daylight Saving Time (DST) policy, standards were decided individually by each country, and were not regulated, most European member States have... more