Objectives: Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for teenagers. Alabama ranks fourth in the United States for teen crash fatalities. We sought to describe risky driving behaviors among teens in the rural areas of the state’s most populous county. Methods: A questionnaire was adapted from the Youth…
Objectives: Biliary dyskinesia and gastroparesis are associated with upper abdominal discomfort and dyspeptic symptoms in the absence of structural abnormalities. We hypothesized that the similarity in symptoms would trigger testing and surgical treatment for biliary abnormalities in a significant number of patients, with refractory symptoms ultimately demonstrating impairment of gastric…
Aging is progressively deteriorating physiological function that leads to increasing risks of illness and death. Increases in life expectancy and the aging of a large segment of the population have made age-related disability and morbidity increasingly important issues. Supplements such as α-lipoic acid may have antiaging effects by positively affecting…
To the Editor: The authors of the article, “Eosinophilia and Associated Factors in a Large Cohort of Patients Infected with Human Immunodeficiency Virus” noted that “eosinophilia is not an infrequent occurrence among ART (antiretroviral therapy)-naïve HIV (human immunodeficiency virus)-infected patients.”1 In fact, the prevalence and cause of eosinophilia in HIV-infected…
To the Editor: In our article we found that the prevalence of eosinophilia in our cohort of ART (antiretroviral therapy)-naïve patients infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) was 9.7%.1 This is slightly higher than similar rates reported in other studies performed in developed countries (Switzerland 6.3%,2 the Netherlands 6.3%,3…
Objectives: Sepsis is a significant problem. The differences between patients with sepsis who walk into the emergency department (ED) and those who are transported via emergency medical services (EMS) have not been clarified. The aim of the study was to determine whether there was a difference in outcome between patients…
The application of the Edmonton Symptom Assessment System (ESAS) to patients with sickle cell disease (SCD) reporting to a dedicated clinic1 reveals and explicates symptoms other than pain. The study responds to the need for a more organized approach to SCD and supports the value of the tool by its…
Objectives: Although the extension of palliative care methodology to sickle cell disease (SCD) care has been proposed, there is no current standard for symptom assessment. Our goal was to assess the feasibility of integrating the Edmonton Symptom Assessment System (ESAS) into the outpatient management of SCD. Methods: Seventy-five adult patients…
Objectives: The Orthopaedic In-Training Examination (OITE) is administered yearly to assess a resident’s progression, compare his or her performance with that of other residents, and evaluate the educational structure of a residency program. The American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery (ABOS) Part I examination is used to ensure competence in orthopedic…
Objectives: Low numbers of underrepresented minority faculty members in academic medicine (black, Hispanic, Asian/Pacific Islander, Native American/Alaskan) continue to be a concern for medical schools because there is higher attrition and talent loss among this group. Although much has been written on this topic, there has not been a systematic…
Functional syndromes of the gastrointestinal tract can be challenging in both diagnosis and management. This is yet another example of the crossroads of art and science in medicine. Gastroparesis is a syndrome that can be objectively defined by delayed gastric emptying in the absence of mechanic obstruction.1 Gastroparesis also can…
The article by Rodríguez and colleagues1 in this issue of the Southern Medical Journal reminds me of what Dr Martin Luther King Jr said, “Human progress is neither automatic nor inevitable.”2 Rodríguez et al show that despite seeing an increase in the number (25%) of underrepresented minorities attending medical school,…
Objectives: Diabetes mellitus is a significant risk factor for total cancer incidence and mortality. Metformin, a commonly used antidiabetic drug, has been shown to be protective against different types of cancers; however, its role in esophageal cancer is unknown. The goal of this study was to determine whether the use…
Objectives: In advance of endoscopic procedures, an evaluation to assess the risk of sedation is performed by the gastroenterologist. Based on regulations, gastroenterologists are required to perform an airway assessment. At this time, data supporting this regulation are limited; therefore, we evaluated airway assessment accuracy by gastroenterologists before endoscopic procedures….
To the Editor: Limb salvage has become an important modality in treating diabetic foot ulcers as a result of advancements in surgical techniques and wound healing. Why the renewed interest in salvage procedures? Elderly patients with multiple comorbidities who have diabetes mellitus have differing expectations than younger, more active patients….
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