{"title":"Diabetes and Prognosis of Acute Decompensated Heart Failure: Not a Straightforward Relationship.","authors":"Abed Qadan, Nir Levi, Tal Hasin","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":50268,"journal":{"name":"Israel Medical Association Journal","volume":"27 2","pages":"124-126"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143765610","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Batsheva Varda, Arielle D Zur, Yuval Kuntzman, Yonatan Shneor Patt, Howard Amital, Arnon D Cohen, Omer Gendelman
{"title":"Osteoporosis Among Glucocorticoid-treated Patients with Giant-cell Arteritis: A Population-based Cohort Analysis.","authors":"Batsheva Varda, Arielle D Zur, Yuval Kuntzman, Yonatan Shneor Patt, Howard Amital, Arnon D Cohen, Omer Gendelman","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is a large vessel vasculitis predominantly affecting patients over 50 years, typically managed with glucocorticoids, with treatment varying on individual patient needs. While effective for GCA, long-term glucocorticoids use poses significant risks, including the development of osteoporosis, a metabolic bone disease common in older individuals. This overlap poses a significant clinical challenge, as the treatment for GCA inadvertently raises the risk of osteoporosis and necessitates careful balance to manage both conditions effectively.</p><p><strong>Objectives: </strong>To investigate the occurrence of osteoporosis and other co-morbid conditions in patients with GCA treated with glucocorticoids.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A retrospective cross-sectional analysis of GCA patients examined the correlation between GCA and osteoporosis by searching the Clalit Health Service database for patients over 50 years of age from January 2002 to January 2018. In addition, we conducted a logistic regression analysis stratifying for other co-morbidities to evaluate the independent association between GCA and osteoporosis.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>In total, 6607 GCA patients were compared with 36,066 age- and sex-matched controls. The study revealed a higher prevalence of osteoporosis in the GCA group (43%) compared to controls (27%) (odds ratio [OR] 2.06, 95% confidence interval [95%CI] 1.95-2.17). In addition, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, diabetes mellitus, and ischemic heart disease were more prevalent among GCA patients. After stratifying for cardiovascular co-morbidities, GCA remained independently associated with osteoporosis (OR 2.1, 95%CI 1.96-2.26, P < 0.001).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Glucocorticoid-treated GCA is independently associated with osteoporosis. Healthcare providers must consider this added aspect of GCA for the treatment and management of patients.</p>","PeriodicalId":50268,"journal":{"name":"Israel Medical Association Journal","volume":"27 2","pages":"98-102"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143765647","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Milena Tocut, Ron Dabby, Arie Soroksky, Gisele Zandman-Goddard
{"title":"From Fat to Muscle.","authors":"Milena Tocut, Ron Dabby, Arie Soroksky, Gisele Zandman-Goddard","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":50268,"journal":{"name":"Israel Medical Association Journal","volume":"27 2","pages":"120-121"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143765611","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Complementary Medicine for Treating Emotional Exhaustion and Burnout of Frontline Healthcare Providers during the COVID-19 Pandemic.","authors":"Noa Bigman-Peer, Genady Drozdinsky, Irit Heruti, Eran Rotman, Irit Ayalon-Dangur, Anat Dagan, Noa Eliakim-Raz","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Burnout is prevalent among healthcare providers and characterized by emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and reduced personal accomplishment. The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic exacerbated burnout due to increased workloads, emotional strain, and heightened risk. Complementary medicine (CAM) interventions like shiatsu massage and reflexology have been explored as potential to mitigate burnout, particularly pandemic-related stress.</p><p><strong>Objectives: </strong>To assess the efficacy of CAM interventions for alleviating burnout in healthcare providers treating COVID-19 patients during 2022, when the Delta variant was prevalent.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This prospective observational study included 86 healthcare providers at Rabin Medical Center, Beilinson Campus. Workers were divided into two groups: an intervention group participating in CAM activities and a control group. Participant burnout and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms were evaluated using the Maslach Burnout Inventory and General Anxiety Disorder 7 at baseline and at one day and one week post-intervention.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The CAM group demonstrated significant reduction in burnout scores, primarily due to an enhanced sense of accomplishment (P = 0.023), with enduring effects observed after one week, although not reaching statistical significance (P = 0.078). There was no observed difference in PTSD scores between the groups (P = 0.28).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The study reveals potential benefits of CAM interventions in reducing burnout symptoms among healthcare providers during the COVID-19 pandemic. The findings underscore the importance of integrating such interventions to address the mental well-being of healthcare providers, especially in high-stress environments. Further randomized controlled trials with diverse samples and extended follow-up are recommended to validate and explore these initial findings.</p>","PeriodicalId":50268,"journal":{"name":"Israel Medical Association Journal","volume":"27 2","pages":"82-86"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143765593","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis Secondary to Murine Typhus: A Case Report.","authors":"Talia Mandell, Shimrit Hershcovitz, Muhammad Awwad, Yaara Leibovici-Weisman, Noa Eliakim-Raz, Nassem Ghantous","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":50268,"journal":{"name":"Israel Medical Association Journal","volume":"27 2","pages":"122-123"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143765639","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Alena Kirzhner, Hefziba Green, Ronit Koren, Haitham Abu Khadija, Danielle Sapojnik, Tal Schiller
{"title":"Diabetes and Acute Decompensated Heart Failure: A Comprehensive Analysis of In-Hospital Outcomes.","authors":"Alena Kirzhner, Hefziba Green, Ronit Koren, Haitham Abu Khadija, Danielle Sapojnik, Tal Schiller","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The prognostic significance of diabetes mellitus (DM) on hospitalization outcomes of patients with acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) remains inconclusive.</p><p><strong>Objectives: </strong>To comprehensively assess the clinical outcomes of patients with and without DM hospitalized for ADHF.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This single center retrospective cohort study included consecutive hospitalized patients with a principal diagnosis of ADHF between 1 January 2010 and 31 December 2019. Patients were categorized into diabetic and non-diabetic groups. The primary outcomes assessed were in-hospital mortality, 1-year overall mortality, and readmission rate within a year of follow-up.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The final analysis involved 787 ADHF patients, with 62% having a pre-existing diagnosis of DM. Despite a higher burden of co-morbidities in diabetic patients, there were no differences in clinical outcomes when compared to non-diabetic counterparts. Specifically, there were no differences in overall hospital mortality (10% vs. 10%, P = 0.675), 1-year mortality (22% vs. 25%, P = 0.389), and re-admissions (51% vs. 56%, P = 0.154). Notably, the 1-year mortality among diabetic patients was not influenced by HbA1c levels documented before or during admission.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The clinical outcomes of patients hospitalized with ADHF did not differ by the presence of diabetes. Instead, our findings emphasize the importance of early heart failure prevention and subsequent hospitalization. Considering the evolving landscape of disease-modifying therapies for heart failure, achieving this goal becomes increasingly feasible.</p>","PeriodicalId":50268,"journal":{"name":"Israel Medical Association Journal","volume":"27 2","pages":"103-109"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143765602","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Raymond Farah, Rola Khamisy-Farah, George Arshed, Rashed Khatib, Salman Zarka
{"title":"Role of Platelet-to-Lymphocyte Ratio and Other Markers in Predicting Severity and Prognosis in COVID-19 Patients.","authors":"Raymond Farah, Rola Khamisy-Farah, George Arshed, Rashed Khatib, Salman Zarka","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a respiratory illness with broad spectrum of clinical manifestations ranging from asymptomatic cases to severe complications such as acute respiratory failure, multi-organ dysfunction, and death.</p><p><strong>Objectives: </strong>To evaluate the platelet-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) as a marker of disease severity and mortality in COVID-19 patients. To explore the relationship between PLR and other inflammatory indicators, specifically C-reactive protein (CRP) and neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR).</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The cohort included 400 patients (206 males, 194 females; mean age: 64.5 ± 17.1 years [range 20-100 years]) who were hospitalized between April 2020 and December 2021. Data were collected on demographic and clinical characteristics, including ward and critical care details. CRP, NLR, and PLR values were recorded on the first and last days of hospitalization. Patients were categorized based on their hospitalization outcomes.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>PLR statistically increased during hospitalization, from 245 ± 160 at admission to 341 ± 747 at discharge (P < 0.001). A significant association was found between PLR and both the length of hospital stay and mortality. The mean PLR in the deceased group was 445 ± 590, compared to 304 ± 795 in the survivors, P = 0.007. This finding showed a correlation between higher PLR and increased severity and mortality.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>PLR has been identified as a relevant marker for assessing the severity of COVID-19. Elevated PLR levels are associated with cytokine storm, length of hospital stay, and mortality. The results highlight the relationship between elevated PLR and poor outcome in COVID-19 patients, suggesting its use in monitoring disease progression and prognosis.</p>","PeriodicalId":50268,"journal":{"name":"Israel Medical Association Journal","volume":"27 2","pages":"73-77"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143765649","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Cytomegalovirus-associated Portal Vein Thrombosis in an Immunocompetent Patient.","authors":"Menas Atarieh, Ayelet Raz-Pasteur","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":50268,"journal":{"name":"Israel Medical Association Journal","volume":"27 2","pages":"127-132"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143765599","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Dvir Shechter, Elad Schiff, Nizar Elias, Sharon Gino-Moor, Sagi Gavrieli, Samuel Attias, Ilana Levy Yurkovski
{"title":"Acupuncture for Treating Cellulitis: A Pilot Study.","authors":"Dvir Shechter, Elad Schiff, Nizar Elias, Sharon Gino-Moor, Sagi Gavrieli, Samuel Attias, Ilana Levy Yurkovski","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Acute skin infections, like cellulitis or erysipelas, are common and respond well to antibiotic treatment. However, complete resolution of the inflammatory process is often slow and associated with prolonged pain and reduced mobility. Several studies have indicated that acupuncture may effectively treat inflammatory skin diseases.</p><p><strong>Objectives: </strong>To evaluate the efficacy of acupuncture for treating cellulitis in patients hospitalized in internal medicine departments.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>In this pilot randomized sham-controlled trial, patients hospitalized with cellulitis in internal medicine departments were randomized to acupuncture or sham acupuncture, in addition to standard care. The primary outcome was the degree of improvement in the cellulitis score at day 4 of hospitalization. Secondary endpoints included patient pain self-assessment and local and systemic inflammatory signs.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The study comprised 29 patients; 15 treated with acupuncture, 14 by a sham procedure. At day 4, patients in the acupuncture arm had an improved cellulitis score (4.1 ± 2.8) compared with the sham-control group (7.9 ± 3.3, P = 0.003). Pain intensity based on the Visual Assessment Scale was lower in the acupuncture group 3.8 ± 2.7 vs. 6.3 ± 2.8; P = 0.023. There was no difference in the rate of leukocyte change. However, C-reactive protein significantly decreased to 27.0 ± 22.1 mg/L at day 4 following acupuncture compared to 63.9 ± 51.9 mg/L (P = 0.025).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>In our pilot study, we found acupuncture to be efficacious as an adjunctive therapy in the treatment of leg cellulitis. A large-scale trial on the effectiveness of acupuncture for skin infections is needed.</p>","PeriodicalId":50268,"journal":{"name":"Israel Medical Association Journal","volume":"27 2","pages":"114-119"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143765544","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Hagar Olshaker, Dana Brin, Larisa Gorenstein, Vera Sorin, Eyal Klang, Nisim Rahman, Michal Marianne Amitai
{"title":"Computed Tomography Findings of Combat Casualties During the 2023-2024 Israel-Gaza Armed Conflict.","authors":"Hagar Olshaker, Dana Brin, Larisa Gorenstein, Vera Sorin, Eyal Klang, Nisim Rahman, Michal Marianne Amitai","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>On 7 October 2023, an armed conflict erupted between Hamas and Israel, leading to numerous combat casualties.</p><p><strong>Objectives: </strong>To describe computed tomography (CT) findings of combat casualties at a tertiary medical center during the first 3 months of the conflict.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A retrospective observational study was conducted on patients admitted between 7 October 2023 and 7 January 2024. Adults with conflict-related trauma who underwent chest, abdomen, and pelvis (body) trauma protocol CT scans were included.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Of 272 patients who underwent body trauma protocol CT, 112 combat-related adults were included, mean age of 27 years and one female. In total, 82 patients (73%) underwent additional scans of the head and neck or extremities. Fractures were observed in 53 patients (47%). Vascular injuries were present in 40 patients (35%). Limb injuries were most common, affecting 37 patients (33%), which prompted a protocol update. Lung injuries were the most common in body CT: 30 patients (27%). Head and neck injuries were seen in 21 patients (18%). Multisystem trauma was present in 24 patients (21%). A total of 83 patients (74%) underwent surgery, mostly orthopedic/soft tissue surgeries (63%); 15 (13%) underwent abdominal surgery, with bowel injuries confirmed in eight cases.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>CT scans are an important tool in conflict trauma management. Limb injuries were the most frequent, necessitating protocol adjustments. Lung injuries were the most common body injury; 21% of patients had multisystem trauma. Most patients required surgery.</p>","PeriodicalId":50268,"journal":{"name":"Israel Medical Association Journal","volume":"27 1","pages":"17-22"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143392347","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}