June 2016
34 ArticlesNo Section
The increasing incidence of infective endocarditis in Denmark, 1994–2011
Little updated population-based evidence exists of temporal trends in infective endocarditis (IE).
Ensuring the highest eradication rates in H. pylori: the case of non-bismuth quadruple concomitant therapy
Management of Helicobacter pylori infection is still a problem in daily routine for many gastroenterologists, internists, and general practitioners [1,2]. These problems range from which patients... more
Unique medical issues in adult patients with mucopolysaccharidoses
The mucopolysaccharidoses are a group of inherited metabolic diseases caused by deficiencies in enzymes involved in the sequential degradation of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) leading to substrate... more
Letter to the Editor
The death of Alaric I (c. 370–410AD), the vanquisher of Rome: Additional arguments strengthening the possible involvement of malaria
I read with great interest the recent publication written by Galassi et al. [1] concerning the possible cause of Alaric I's sudden death. Using a dual philological–medical approach, the authors... more
Data sharing: When better may be the enemy of good
The prospect of international “data sharing” on randomized clinical trials, recently relaunched by the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors [1], is fascinating, but it is felt that some... more
High levels of serum homocysteine in non-alcoholic steatohepatitis
Considering the original paper and the Letter to the editor by Polyzos et al. [1] regarding our original paper, on the same topic, published in your journal, we decided to bring forth our point of... more
‘There will be blood’. Differences in the pictorial representation of the arterial spurt of blood in Caravaggio and followers
The theme of the beheading of Holofernes by Judith is one of the most frequently painted biblical scenes [1]. Famous painters such as Mantegna (1431–1506), Michelangelo (1475–1564), Botticelli (1445–... more
Integrated care in the management of chronic diseases: an Italian perspective
This letter provides a view on the issue of the organizational model of Primary Care Groups (PCGs), which represent a best practice in continuity and appropriateness of care for chronic patients. Our... more
Methods to develop a scoring system for disease severity classification: More than clinical experience and expertise
We read with great interest the article titled ‘Development of a new disease severity scoring system for patients with non-transfusion-dependent thalassemia’ by Cappellini et al. [1]. In their... more
Frequency of abnormal T-cells in hypereosinophilic syndrome and hypereosinophilia of undetermined significance— Extended follow-up
Hypereosinophilic syndrome (HES) is defined by 1) blood hypereosinophilia (HE), 2) HE-attributable organ damage/dysfunction and 3) the absence of other conditions or disorders which may be... more
Reporting of secondary data analysis using routinely collected health data
Secondary analysis of existing data sets can be a cost-effective approach to conduct health research. In Taiwan, the availability of the claimed data from the single-payer, mandatory national health... more
Neuropsychological performance of young familial hypercholesterolemia patients
Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is the most common disorder of lipid metabolism and can be caused by defects in different genes that code for proteins involved in hepatic clearance of low-density... more
Letters to the Editor
Major gaps between recommended perioperative diabetes care and current practice
Surgery for patients with diabetes is associated with longer hospital stay, more use of healthcare resources and increased perioperative morbidity and mortality compared to patients without diabetes... more
Original Article
Biomarkers of kidney function and prediction of death from cardiovascular and other causes in the elderly: A 9-year follow-up study
Cystatin C is claimed to be superior to creatinine-based estimates of glomerular filtration rate (eGFRcr). The purpose of the study is to analyze whether cystatin C, creatinine, and/or estimated... more
Declining trends in the incidence of hip fractures in people aged 65years or over in years 2000–2011
The aim of this study was to explore hip fracture (HFx) incidence in the Veneto Region of Italy, looking at potential differences with the national data.
Fifteen-year mortality of patients with asthma–COPD overlap syndrome
The coexistence of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (asthma–COPD overlap syndrome: ACOS) is increasingly recognized but data about its prevalence and long-term mortality are needed.
Obesity and hypomagnesemia
Whether low serum magnesium is an epiphenomenon related with obesity or, whether obesity per se is cause of hypomagnesemia, remains to be clarified.
Prognostic role of survivin in renal cell carcinoma: A system review and meta-analysis
Survivin plays an important role in cancer pathogenesis, which has been suggested to be related to poor prognosis in renal cell carcinoma (RCC). We performed a meta-analysis to quantify the... more
A single-centre cohort study of National Early Warning Score (NEWS) and near patient testing in acute medical admissions
The utility of an early warning score may be improved when used with near patient testing. However, this has not yet been investigated for National Early Warning Score (NEWS). We hypothesised that... more
Double balloon enteroscopy: A 7Year experience at a tertiary care Centre
Double Balloon Enteroscopy (DBE) provides the opportunity not only to investigate but also apply endoscopic therapeutic interventions for small intestinal disturbances. The aim of this study is to... more
Choose your outcomes: From the mean to the personalized assessment of outcomes in COPD. An exploratory pragmatic survey
Patient's expectations and needs may influence adherence in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The objectives of this survey were to assess the specific outcomes that patients expected... more
Daytime sleepiness is associated with hyperhomocysteinemia in rural area of China: A cross-sectional study
To ascertain whether sleep abnormalities including daytime sleepiness, snoring, apnea, sleep disruption and sleep duration abnormity are significantly associated with hyperhomocysteinemia (Hhcy).
Colon neoplasia in patients with type 2 diabetes on metformin: A meta-analysis
A growing body of evidence has suggested that metformin potentially reduces the risk of cancer.
Influence of age on perioperative major adverse cardiovascular events and mortality risks in elective non-cardiac surgery
Advanced age increases the risk of perioperative cardiovascular complications and may pose reluctance to subject elderly patients to surgery. We examined the impact of high age on perioperative major... more
Diabetic striatopathy—Does it exist in non-Asian subjects?
Diabetic striatopathy (DS) is a rare complication of diabetes mellitus (DM). The syndrome appears in patients with uncontrolled DM and is characterized by abrupt onset of movement disorder, mainly... more
Electrocardiographic abnormalities and relative bradycardia in patients with hantavirus-induced nephropathia epidemica
Nephropathia epidemica (NE), caused by Puumala virus (PUUV), is characterized by acute kidney injury (AKI) and thrombocytopenia. Cardiac involvement with electrocardiographic (ECG) abnormalities has... more
Bleeding in patients with atrial fibrillation treated with dabigatran, rivaroxaban or warfarin: A retrospective population-based cohort study
Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have shown that dabigatran, rivaroxaban and warfarin cause similar bleeding rates.
Clinical management and outcome of major bleeding in patients on treatment with vitamin K antagonists
The optimal management of major bleeding associated with vitamin K antagonists remains unclear.
Polypharmacy and specific comorbidities in university primary care settings
Polypharmacy is associated with adverse events and multimorbidity, but data are limited on its association with specific comorbidities in primary care settings. We measured the prevalence of... more
Prognostic impact of comorbidities in hospitalized patients with acute exacerbation of chronic heart failure
To assess the impact of comorbidities on long-term all-cause mortality in patients hospitalized with exacerbated signs/symptoms of previously chronic stable HF (AE-CHF).
Reflections in Internal Medicine
Biological agents and biosimilars: Essential information for the internist
Biologics embrace a wide range of substances synthesized by cells or living organisms by means of different biological processes, including recombinant DNA technology, controlled gene expression, or... more
Review Article
Proprotein convertase subtilisin kexin 9 (PCSK9) inhibitors to treat hypercholesterolemia: Effect on stroke risk
A reduction of cardiovascular events has been reported in phase 2 and 3 trials of the proprotein convertase subtilisin kexin 9 (PCSK9) inhibitors alirocumab and evolocumab. We aimed to investigate... more
How should hyperferritinaemia be investigated and managed?
Hyperferritinaemia is commonly found in clinical practice. In assessing the cause of hyperferritinaemia, it is important to identify if there is true iron overload or not as hyperferritinaemia may be... more
Aspirin, platelets, and cancer: The point of view of the internist
Growing evidence suggests the beneficial effect of aspirin against some types of cancer, particularly of the gastrointestinal tract, and it has been provided for an effect both in cancer prevention... more