July 2023
30 ArticlesClinical Insights
MiRNA: what clinicians need to know
MiRNAs. MicroRNAs (miRNA) are small non-coding RNAs, approximately 18–24 nucleotides in length, that negatively regulate gene expression either by inhibiting messenger RNA (mRNA) translation or by... more
Is the competition between variants the end of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 pandemic? A journey from Wuhan to XBB.1.16
The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimated 780 million severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infections and approximately 6.9 million deaths related to coronavirus disease... more
Xanthine oxidase inhibition and cardiovascular protection: Don't shoot in the dark
Substantial evidence suggests that chronic hyperuricemia is an independent risk factor for hypertension, metabolic syndrome, chronic kidney disease and cardiovascular disease [1,2]. However, whether... more
Commentary
Using the 4S-AF scheme to characterize new-onset atrial fibrillation after myocardial infarction
There have been many recent advances in the management of atrial fibrillation (AF) and AF-related complications, and current guidelines advocate a structured management pathway that promotes a... more
Extended prophylaxis for venous thromboembolism: A step forward or a step back?
In this issue of European Journal of Internal Medicine, Wang et al. present their meta-analysis on extended thromboprophylaxis of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in medical patients [1]. To comment on... more
Routine measurement of DOAC concentrations for prognostication and clinical management in acute ischemic stroke: Is it ready for prime time?
When used in fixed doses for stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation (SPAF) and for the prevention and treatment of venous thromboembolism (VTE), direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs), including... more
Internal Medicine Flashcard
Yellow-Tinted Dialysis Drainage
A 69-year-old woman, with end-stage renal disease and in a hemodialysis program for 11 years, presented to a dialysis treatment center for maintenance hemodialysis without symptoms. We started... more
Peculiar genital lesions
A 25-year-old university student presented with a 3-day history of malaise, sore throat, and one-day history of skin lesions on the penis with isolated lesions on the arms and palms. He has a history... more
Internal Medicine Flashcards
Multiple pulmonary opacities. An alarming sign?
A 60-year-old man with a history of chronic transfusion-dependent β-thalassemia intermedia, splenectomy and secondary hemochromatosis was admitted due to one week of fever and non-respiratory... more
Letter to the Editor
Competition between variants and SARS-Co-V2 epidemic, from Wuhan to XBB.1.16.: Natural selection?
We would like to share some ideas on the article “Is the competition between variants the end of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 pandemic? A journey from Wuhan to XBB.1.16 [1].”... more
Hypertension and myocarditis following COVID-19 vaccination. Two sides of the coin?
The effectiveness of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program in mitigating COVID-19 outbreaks, even with limited protection against infection, is well established [1,2]. Available... more
Long-term outcome in pulmonary embolism: Is it healthy to be lean?
Body mass index
Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) use in dyspnea, nontraumatic hypotension and shock; how much training is needed for competency?
Dear Editor,
Recent cancer history and its impact on cardiovascular outcomes and mortality after an incident ischemic stroke
Dear Editor,
Influence of immunosuppressive therapy on longitudinal changes in anti-SARS-CoV-2 spike protein antibodies after two doses of mRNA vaccines in patients with rheumatic diseases
Dear Editor,
‘Pragmatic’ or ‘streamlined’: Which term best fits the REMAP-CAP trial
Dear Editor,
Risk factors for adverse events in first-line Helicobacter pylori eradication therapy with vonoprazan, amoxicillin, and clarithromycin
Vonoprazan is an oral potassium-competitive acid blocker that has a greater acid-inhibitory effect than proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). Many studies have shown that vonoprazan-based triple therapy had... more
Differences in reporting of adverse drug reactions due to COVID-19 vaccines depending on the reporter
The pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by SARS-CoV-2 provoked the rapid generation and mass production of vaccines against the virus. In this serious situation, the European... more
Characteristics and trends of publications in the European Journal of Internal Medicine
Scientific journals play a central role in informing the science and practice of Internal Medicine, in particular through the publication of clinical trials and systematic reviews [1]. The relevancy... more
Original Article
A systematic review and meta-analysis of all sham and placebo controlled trials for resistant hypertension
Patients who have uncontrolled blood pressure (BP) despite being on maximally tolerated doses of 3 antihypertensive medications of different classes (one of which must be a diuretic) or who are... more
The Influence of baseline glycemic status on the effects of intensive blood pressure lowering: Results from the STEP randomized trial
Hypertension is a major risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. However, low awareness, treatment, and control rates are increasing the global health burden of hypertension [1,2]. Comorbidities are... more
Comparison of benzbromarone and allopurinol on the risk of chronic kidney disease in people with asymptomatic hyperuricemia
The objective of the study was to compare the relative effects of benzbromarone and allopurinol on the risk of developing chronic kidney disease in persons with asymptomatic hyperuricemia.
Sources of primary bloodstream infections in internal medicine patients – a cohort study
Bloodstream infection (BSI) is a common diagnosis in hospitalized patients causing significant morbidity and mortality [1–2]. In a comprehensive review from a large tertiary center, its incidence... more
High miR-126-3p levels associated with cardiovascular events in a general population
Endothelial dysfunction is a forerunner in the development of atherosclerosis, cardiovascular (CV) and renal disease [1]. A marker of endothelial dysfunction is an increase in urinary albumin... more
Acute pericarditis with pleuropulmonary involvement, fever and elevated C-reactive protein: A systemic autoinflammatory disease? A cohort study
Pericardial diseases may be considered either as isolated (more often managed by cardiologists) or as part of a systemic disease, often managed by multidisciplinary teams also including internists,... more
SGLT2 breast expression could affect the cardiovascular performance in pre-menopausal women with fatty vs. non fatty breast via over-inflammation and sirtuins’ down regulation
The cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) in women could be caused by the expression of traditional cardiovascular risk factors [1–3], and specific female-dependent risk factors as menopause [4]. Hence,... more
Prognostic implications of the 4S-AF scheme to characterize new-onset atrial fibrillation after myocardial infarction
New-onset atrial fibrillation (NOAF) is a common finding during the acute phase of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) with an incidence rate ranging from 6% to 21% [1]. Although there are numerous... more
Effect of extended duration of thromboprophylaxis for medically ill patients
Patients hospitalized for acute medical illnesses such as stroke, infections, heart attack, and COVID-19 are at increased risk for venous thromboembolism [1–3]. The situation is even worse in... more
The association between direct oral anticoagulant concentration upon acute stroke and stroke outcome
Direct oral anticoagulants (DOAC), including dabigatran, rivaroxaban, apixaban, and edoxaban, are commonly used to prevent thromboembolism in various populations. Nevertheless, ischemic stroke (IS)... more
Review Article
Tirzepatide and potential use for metabolically healthy obesity
There has been a tripling in the number of individuals with obesity around the globe within the last 50 years [1,2]. As a result, more than 650 million adults are considered obese whereas at least 1.... more