SMJ // July 2011, Volume 104 - Issue 7

Original Article

Association of Helicobacter pylori Infection with the Development of Colorectal Polyps and Colorectal Carcinoma

Background and Aims: Recent studies have suggested a possible association between Helicobacter pylori (HP) infection and colon neoplasia. HP infection causes hypergastrinemia, and gastrin increases colorectal mucosal proliferation, potentially leading to colorectal cancer. We investigated whether HP infection is associated with colon neoplasia. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional, single-center study…

Original Article

Trends in Hip Fracture-Related Mortality in Texas, 1990-2007

Background: There are limited data about trends in hip fracture-related mortality. In this study, we examined temporal trends in hip fracture mortality rates among persons aged 50 years or older in Texas between 1990 and 2007. Materials and Methods: Hip fracture-related mortality was defined as a death on the multiple…

Original Article

Update on Trends for Inpatient Surgical Management of Tubal Ectopic Pregnancy in Maryland

Objectives: In Maryland, an analysis from 1994-1999 found that most hospitalized patients with tubal pregnancy underwent extirpative operations. The objective of this study was to determine whether practice patterns had changed over time. Methods: Using the Maryland Health Service Cost Review Commission (HSCRC) database from January 1, 2000-December 31, 2004,…

Original Article

Gender Differences With Respect to Psychiatric Comorbidity in Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome

Objectives: Psychiatric disorders are common in obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS); however, interrelating factors influencing psychiatric comorbidity (PC) in OSAS are unclear. The aim of this study is to investigate gender related differences with PC in OSAS. Methods: Data of patients diagnosed as OSAS in University of Gaziantep from January…

Original Article

Chronic Idiopathic Neutrophilia: Experience and Recommendations

Objectives: To distinguish chronic idiopathic neutrophilia (CIN) in a cost-effective manner from neutrophilia caused by important underlying illnesses. Methods: This was a retrospective review of patients visiting a Veterans Affairs Medical Center over the last 10 years with a diagnosis of leukocytosis or myeloproliferative disorder. Of this group, fifty-seven patients…

Review

Staphylococcus lugdunensis: An Emerging Pathogen

Objective: To evaluate the clinical relevance and impact of an emerging bacterial pathogen, Staphylococcus lugdunensis, in a large teaching hospital. Methods: Three-year retrospective microbiological and clinical review of all S. lugdunensis isolates from a single medical center. Results: Seventy-seven isolates were identified; 70 had complete data. Soft tissue, bone, joint,…

Review

Splenic Injury from Colonoscopy: A Review and Management Guidelines

Splenic injury is an uncommon complication of colonoscopy. Less than 100 cases are reported in the English language literature. The exact mechanism of injury to the spleen during colonoscopy is unknown; various authors propose several risk factors and possible mechanisms. Splenic injury can be graded or classified according to the…

Review

A Paradigm Shift in the Outpatient Approach to Liver Function Tests

The American Gastroenterological Association (2002), Canadian Medical Association (2005), and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2006) released guidelines to screen patients with mild elevations of liver enzymes for hepatitis B and hepatitis C. Mildly elevated liver enzymes were defined as less than five times the upper limit of…

Review

Carotid Artery Examination, An Important Tool in Patient Evaluation

Examination of the arteries is an age old medical tradition. Examination of the carotid artery is of unique importance because it is an easily accessible large artery. Through the methods of inspection, palpation, and auscultation, carotid artery examination gives clinicians important diagnostic clues about the health and disease of the…

Review

Physician Perspective on Propoxyphene as a Potentially Inappropriate Medication in Tennessee

Medicare Part D data from the Quality Improvement Organization’s 9th Statement of Work drug safety indicator project under the direction of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services define the potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs) list for Tennessee. These data reveal propoxyphene as the main contributor to the state’s PIM rate….

Letter to the Editor

Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome: Need for Prevention and Early Diagnosis

To the Editor: An excellent article by Rivers et al, which appeared in the Southern Medical Journal in 2009, provided a comprehensive analysis of all hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) cases reported in Texas from 1993 to 2006, and a thorough overview of HPS.1 Human hantavirus infections are emerging infections that…

Letter to the Editor

Response to "Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome: The Need for Prevention and Early Diagnosis"

To the Editor: We appreciate Markogiannakis’ letter regarding hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) and his kind comments about our summary of Texas HPS cases.1 Since our paper was published six additional cases have been reported in Texas involving three different viral variants: Sin Nombre (three cases); Bayou (two cases); Seoul (one…

Letter to the Editor

More Adverse Neurological Consequences of Metformin-Induced Vitamin B12 Deficiency

To the Editor: We read with interest the landmark first case report of metformin-induced vitamin B12 deficiency causing neuropathy in a 69-year-old man having used metformin for three years by Dr. David Bell.1 The link between metformin and neuropathy is further supported by a prospective case-control study conducted in 122…

Editorial

Broadening the Scope of Our Medical Journalism

The reader will note in this issue a new format for the classification of manuscripts. We wish to broaden the topic emphasis in the Southern Medical Journal to include a wider range of content material that will be of interest to the diverse specialty needs of our readers. Since its…

Original Article

Role of Sociocultural Factors in Hepatitis B Screening Among Asian Americans

Objective: To apply the proposed Sociocultural Health Behavior Model to determine association of factors related to hepatitis B virus (HBV) screening among Asian Americans. Methods: A cross-sectional design of 1312 Asian men and women 18 years and older. The frequency distribution analysis and chi square analysis were used for the…

Original Article

Nondermatologists' Use of Predictive Terms for a Potentially Malignant Lesion

Background: Skin cancer is frequently suspected by nondermatologists. Many dermatology practices currently do not triage referrals from nondermatologists. Little is known how nondermatologists describe lesions of concern when making referrals. Objective: We sought to assess the descriptive terminology used by nondermatologists when referring patients with potential cutaneous malignancies. Methods: We…

Original Article

Prevalence and Self-Reported Medical History of Overweight in a Cardiac Stress Testing Population

Objectives: To determine the prevalence of overweight in a cardiac stress testing population, and the percentage of subjects who indicate a history of overweight. Methods: A total of 251 consecutive subjects presenting for cardiac stress testing in a 450-bed community hospital from June to September 2010 were asked to complete…

Letter to the Editor

Response to "More Adverse Neurological Consequences of Metformin-Induced Vitamin B12 Deficiency"

To the Editor:In my case report, my intention was to warn physicians that vitamin B12 deficiency could be induced with long-term metformin therapy.1 The clinical findings in this case indicated that the neuropathy was entirely due to vitamin B12 deficiency and not to diabetes. Subsequently, Wile and Toth reported that…

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