SMJ // November 2018, Volume 111 - Issue 11

Original Article

Integration of Personalized Health Planning and Shared Medical Appointments for Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Objectives: This study describes the feasibility of implementing personalized health planning (PHP) within shared medical appointments (SMAs) for patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. The PHP-SMA approach was designed to synergize the benefits of SMAs with those of PHP, enabling greater patient engagement focused on meeting individualized therapeutic goals in…

Original Article

Outcomes and Predictors of Readmissions with GI Bleeding in Patients with Left Ventricular Assist Devices

Objectives: Gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding is a major comorbidity in patients with left ventricular assist devices (LVADs). The study aim was to estimate the rate of hospital readmissions for GI bleeding in patients with LVADs using a nationally representative database. Additionally, we evaluated the etiologies, costs, endoscopy utilization, mortality, and predictors…

Original Article

Blood Pressure, HIV, and Cocaine Use Among Ethnically and Racially Diverse Individuals

Objectives: Racial minorities are at greater risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD), and CVD is the primary cause of mortality among human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)–infected individuals. Cocaine use also has been associated with hypertension. This study examined the contribution of lifestyle factors to systolic, diastolic, and mean arterial pressure (MAP) among…

Original Article

OPEN: Vaginal Anatomy on MRI: New Information Obtained Using Distention

Objectives: To demonstrate and confirm the presence of three anatomic zones of the vagina (a superficial sphincteric zone; a central wedge shaped transition zone; and a deep, expanded forniceal zone) using pelvic magnetic resonance imaging with contrast distention of the vagina. Methods: A total of 107 consecutive female pelvic magnetic…

Author Response

Author’s Response

To the Editor: Kumar and Mathur eloquently highlight the importance of addressing not only the reproductive health of female patients but also preservation of their wellness and prevention of illness.1 Women’s health encompasses screening, diagnosis, and management of disease or conditions that are unique to or more common or serious…

Original Article

Late-Stage Melanoma: Be Sure to Screen Uninsured, Unmarried Men

Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess for any associations between individual and social factors and late-stage melanoma in Kentucky from 1995 to 2013. Methods: The study combines three datasets: individual-level data from the Kentucky Cancer Registry, census tract–level data from the US Census, and county-level physician licensure…

Review Article

Role of Rifaximin in Spontaneous Bacterial Peritonitis Prevention

Cirrhosis affects millions of people around the world and is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) is a common complication of liver disease with cirrhosis and accounts for up to 30% of infections in patients with cirrhosis. Patients with a history of SBP and those deemed…

Perspectives

Potential Provider Oversupply and Underserved Areas: The Future of Alabama Medicine

Alabama must turn around its primary care provider deficit in its rural areas or risk its population’s health, finances, and well-being. Recent data show that a large portion of Alabama’s population is moving from rural areas to urban areas of the state, seeking jobs, whereas others are leaving Alabama for…

Original Article

Resource Utilization with the Use of Seclusion and Restraint in a Dedicated Emergency Psychiatric Service

Objectives: There is a dearth of data regarding the use of emergency interventions in dedicated emergency psychiatric service settings, and reliable data are needed. This article describes the frequency and duration of the use of seclusion and restraint for imminent or existing agitation, aggression, or violence in a dedicated emergency…

Letter to the Editor

Obesity and Weight-Biased Shaming in South Carolina: A Medical Student’s Perspective

To the Editor: The economic cost of obesity in South Carolina alone has been estimated by the Department of Health and Environmental Control to be >$8.5 billion/year and growing. As of August 2017, South Carolina was ranked 12th in the nation for adult obesity — 32.3% of the state’s population…

Original Article

Effects of Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection in Infancy on Asthma and Respiratory Allergy in 6-Year-Old Children

Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine the association between respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection in early infancy and health conditions such as asthma and respiratory allergies at 6 years of age in a cohort of US children born at term with no medical issues at birth. Methods:…

Original Article

Prevalence and Impact of Diabetes Mellitus on the Frozen Shoulder

Objectives: The objective of this study was to estimate the prevalence of undiagnosed diabetes mellitus in patients with newly diagnosed frozen shoulder (FS) and study whether diabetes mellitus increases the severity of FS disease. Methods: Patients with newly diagnosed FS were consecutively included in this case-control study. Patients who were…

Original Article

Differences in Medical Students’ Academic Performance between a Pass/Fail and Tiered Grading System

Objectives: Medical school implementation of a pass/fail grading system offers the opportunity for a reduction in student stress and anxiety and the creation of a less competitive environment, leading to an improvement in overall well-being. Some critics of a pass/fail system have raised concerns of a decrement in academic performance….

Letter to the Editor

On “Women’s Health Curriculum for Medical Students”

To the Editor: We would like to sincerely thank Sattari et al for their insightful piece on developing a diverse women’s health elective for medical students.1 As future doctors studying in a time of change from paternalistic to patient-centered medicine, we believe it is important that we empower female patients…

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