Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Active Toxoplasmosis Infection: Efficacy And Safety Of Treatment Options, Daniele Krouse

Physician Assistant Scholarly Project Posters

This literature review intends to investigate the safety and efficacy of two different drug treatment regimens, pyrimethamine versus trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, for active toxoplasmosis infections. Affecting nearly 11% of the United States population and up to 80% of the populations of tropical countries, Toxoplasmosis infection is the second leading cause of death from food borne illness. Current classic management of active infection with pyrimethamine is correlated with numerous undesirable side effects, high cost and need for complex use of adjunctive medications. It is necessary to identify alternative treatment options with fewer side effects, less complex regimens, lower cost, and easier access for …

Chronic Exertional Compartment Syndrome: Surgical Treatment Vs Conservative Care, Molly Ruebke

Physician Assistant Scholarly Project Posters

• Summary of Problem: Chronic exertional compartment syndrome (CECS) is a relatively rare pathology characterized by pain, tightness, and/or numbness in the affected calf upon performance of repetitive physical activity, most commonly with running or serving in the military. CECS usually has a delay in diagnosis due to low levels of awareness among clinicians and a wide range of differential diagnoses for chronic exertional leg pain. The natural course of CECS is often not self-limiting and therefore requires intervention, as symptoms can be severely debilitating and eventually force patients to avoid any provoking activity. The purpose of this literature review …

Corticosteroid Injection Vs Therapy Vs Combination For Rotator Cuff Injuries, Rodney Guy Palmer Jr.

Physician Assistant Scholarly Project Posters

Rotator cuff pathologies seen in a primary care setting ranks third for musculoskeletal complaints seen by primary care providers. Rotator cuff pathologies can cause significant dysfunction in activities of daily living (ADLs), work tasks, and daily life. Some current treatment recommendations are intra-articular steroid injections, therapy only rehabilitation, or the combination of the two. This literature review researched articles comparing the effectiveness of steroid only treatments, therapy only and the combination of the two. There was conflicting evidence regarding which treatment was the most effective. Significant side effects for steroid injections were discovered which included rotator cuff rupture. Therapy demonstrated …

Blood-Based Versus Stool-Based Biomarker Accuracy In Detection Of Colorectal Cancer And Impact Of Non-Invasive Tests On Patient Participation, Allison Obritsch

Physician Assistant Scholarly Project Posters

Colorectal cancer is a very treatable cancer when detected early, therefore patient adherence and colorectal cancer screening is key to decrease mortality. The purpose of this research and systematic literature review was to determine how the accuracy of blood-based and stool-based biomarkers compared in the detection of colorectal cancer and how noninvasive testing modalities influence patient participation in colorectal cancer screening. PubMed and Clinical Key were used as search engines. In terms of patient compliance and adherence, the studies comprehensively agree that non-invasive testing modality availability can increase patient participation in screening for colorectal cancer. While there was not significant …

Weight Loss For Bariatric Patients: Arterial Embolization Versus Gastric Bypass, Morgan Bernhardt

Physician Assistant Scholarly Project Posters

 The primary aim of this review is to determine the safety and efficacy of left gastric artery embolization (LGAE) in comparison to Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) in bariatric patients for the treatment of obesity.  RYGB, an invasive surgical operation, has been proven to result in long-term efficacy of weight loss but can be associated with a higher risk of early and long-term complications to include a gastrojejunal anastomosis leak, surgical site infection, iron deficiency anemia, bowel obstructions, and hernias. RYGB may require reoperation and does have a risk of mortality. Bariatric surgery is now focusing on the appetite-stimulating …

Gabapentin For Alcohol Use Disorder, Monica Hurst

Physician Assistant Scholarly Project Posters

The purpose of this literature review is to determine whether gabapentin is an effective treatment option for alcohol use disorder (AUD). Utilizing data sourced primarily from published clinical trials, gabapentin’s effect on heavy drinking, abstinence, withdrawal symptoms and alcohol cravings will be explored. This review will also compare gabapentin’s efficacy against currently approved AUD treatment options, along with what dosages are most efficacious while contributing the fewest adverse effects. The data presented in this literature review undeniably demonstrates a positive effect of gabapentin on alcohol use disorder; specifically the data shows that gabapentin at multiple dosages helps to decrease heavy …

Food Intolerance In Patients With Depression, Victoria Gingrey

Physician Assistant Scholarly Project Posters

Medication is commonly prescribed for the treatment of depression, but some patients have difficulty finding a medication that is both effective and tolerable while others prefer to avoid medications all together. It has been suggested that dietary modification may reduce the depressive symptoms. As lifestyle changes may be difficult to maintain long term, determining specific foods to avoid for individual patients may improve adherence. A meta-analysis of 10 articles was performed. Articles were found using the electronic search databases PubMed and PsychInfo. Many studies found correlations between biomarkers and the prediction, diagnosis, or treatment of depression, though no study suggested …

Effectiveness Of Knee Joint Injury Treatments In The Prevention Of Post-Traumatic Osteoarthritis, Jenna Zaeske

Physician Assistant Scholarly Project Posters

The purpose of this research and systematic literature review is to determine the effectiveness of conservative versus surgical intervention following anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) or meniscus injuries. Short and long term studies were evaluated to compare the prevalence and progression of osteoarthritis after joint injury. Sources included for review had research on ACL or meniscus injuries specifically. Other knee injuries, non-knee injuries and non-human subjects were excluded. After inclusion and exclusion criteria were implemented, 11 articles remained. Patients with ACL and meniscus injuries have a high prevalence of post-traumatic osteoarthritis (PTOA). Studies have shown that trialing physical therapy, specifically neuromuscular …

Long Term Control Of T2dm And Weight Through Roux-En-Y Gastric Bypass Surgery Versus Weight Loss Medication, Alexandra Laber

Physician Assistant Scholarly Project Posters

• Type II diabetes mellitus (T2DM) affects hundreds of millions of individuals in the United States and prevalence is increasing. • As a lifelong disease, interventions must be studied long-term. • This project aims to compare long term efficacity of Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery and several antidiabetic medications that result in weight loss in type II diabetics who have failed to achieve goals through first line treatment of diet, exercise, and metformin. • A literature review was completed using the electronic search database PubMed with a variety of MeSH terms and keywords. • Research showed strong evidence that surgery was …

Associations Between Screen Use And Depression In Youth, David Franta

Physician Assistant Scholarly Project Posters

the youth population have remained largely unclear  Depression is common in children and adolescents  Screen use is readily available and frequently used by children and adolescents  This literature review was conducted to evaluate current literature regarding depression in the youth population, to include differences between sexes, across ages, and amongst different types of screen use  Results demonstrate that an association between screen use and depression in the youth population does exist, particularly cross sectionally  A causative or reciprocal relationship may be present, however, if it is present, it is quite minor  Girls tend to …

Is Natural Family Planning An Effective Alternative To Hormonal Contraception, Melanie Loehrer

Physician Assistant Scholarly Project Posters

Natural family planning methods provide women with an opportunity to use natural methods to plan pregnancy. This is done through daily monitoring of symptoms and biomarker fluctuation in accordance with hormonal changes throughout the menstrual cycle to identify the fertile window. Through the identification of the fertile window and ovulation, one can determine appropriate days for sexual intercourse. This format allows participants to develop a greater understanding and in-depth knowledge of reproductive health to avoid or achieve pregnancy. The use of natural family planning has greatly increased over the last two decades, growing the demand for clinical practice in applicability …

Home-Based Cardiac Rehab Vs. Center-Based Cardiac Rehab In Rural Areas, Timothy Fresonke

Physician Assistant Scholarly Project Posters

Cardiac rehabilitation in rural areas can present unique challenges. The main challenge is the locations patients must travel to receive such care. Some patients are expected to travel more then an hour away, on multiple occasions during the week, to undergo their therapy. A literature review was done to see if there was a safe and effective alternative to the traditional center-based cardiac rehabilitation. The electronic search databases PubMed, Embase and CINAHL Complete were utilized to search for articles that addressed the four main topics of the paper. Dalal et al. (2019) found that home-based cardiac rehabilitation was as safe …

Aspirin Vs. Pravastatin For Prevention Of Preterm Delivery In Patients At Risk For Pre-Eclampsia, Mary Weisberg

Physician Assistant Scholarly Project Posters

This literature review is an examination of the use of low-dose aspirin therapy versus the use of pravastatin therapy to prevent preterm delivery in women at risk of developing preeclampsia. Preeclampsia is defined as new onset hypertension after 20 weeks of gestation with evidence of maternal organ or uteroplacental dysfunction or proteinuria. Preeclampsia is a serious condition that affects pregnant women and their growing fetuses which may lead to maternal or fetal demise. The Prevention of preeclampsia with the use of low-dose aspirin in the first 12-16 weeks is currently the mainstay of treatment for women with moderate to severe …

Perimenopausal Depression Screening And Treatment Efficacy Between Antidepressants And/Or Hormone Replacement Therapy, Mandy Stenehjem

Physician Assistant Scholarly Project Posters

During perimenopause, women are at increased risk of depression due to complex and multifactorial factors, such as HPA axis dysregulation and fluctuations in hormones, like estradiol. Antidepressants are currently used to treat depression, but hormone replacement therapy may also have comparable antidepressant effects based on hormonal mechanisms. Perimenopausal depression is a unique subtype of depression and needs to be routinely screened by OBGYNs and primary care providers. The literature review found mixed results on the efficacy of HRT, antidepressants, and a combination of both; all treatments have shown promising benefits and specific screening may be needed to tailor treatment.

Efficacy Of Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation Vs. Calcitonin Gene Related Peptide Antagonists In The Application Of Migraine Prophylaxis, Matt Davis

Physician Assistant Scholarly Project Posters

Worldwide migraines affect millions of people everyday causing significant impact on their lives. • Often times, patients have failed several first-line therapies for migraine prophylaxis. • The purpose of this systematic literature review is to evaluate the effectiveness and tolerability of TENS devices vs. CGRP antagonists in the application of migraine prophylaxis. • PubMed and ClinicalKey were searched with key terms, 17 sources were selected that were published after 2016. • Sources included meta-analysis, literature review, and randomized control trials. • Data shows that TENS devices as well as CGRP antagonists were effective and safe therapy options for migraine prophylaxis. …

A Comparison Of Anti-Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide Monoclonal Antibodies And Standard Migraine Prophylaxis In Those With Episodic Migraines, Alexie Harms

Physician Assistant Scholarly Project Posters

Migraines are debilitating and a frequent reason for primary care visits. Migraines interfere with an individual’s work, school, and daily life. Standard of care treatment options for migraine prophylaxis include Propranolol, Amitriptyline, and Topiramate which were all developed for other medical conditions. These conventional medications can lead to unwanted side effects decreasing treatment adherence. Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide monoclonal antibodies (CGRP mAbs) have been under study for the treatment and prevention of migraines. The purpose of this research project is to explore the effectiveness and tolerability of CGRP mAbs in reducing the number of migraine days in comparison to conventional migraine …

Alternative Treatment Modalities For Plantar Fasciitis, Chelsey Clark

Physician Assistant Scholarly Project Posters

Introduction: Plantar Fasciitis is a common condition in adult patients. The purpose of this literature review is to determine if there is any evidence for alternative treatments in the regimen of plantar fasciitis that has not been resolved with the standard treatment. Methods: The review was done using Pubmed, CINAHL and SportDiscus. Research was included on the following alternative treatments of PF: corticosteroid(CS) injections, extracorporeal shockwave(ESWT), dry needling, platelet-rich plasma (PRP), autologous blood injection (ABI), cupping, custom insoles, and ultrasound therapy (US). Twelve research articles are included. Results: The alternative treatments within this literature review had some promising statistically significant …

Platelet-Rich Plasma Vs Corticosteroids In Oa, Joshua Zetocha

Physician Assistant Scholarly Project Posters

- Millions of people around the world suffer from degenerative joint changes due to osteoarthritis (OA). - Traditional treatment includes corticosteroid intra-articular injections. - Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is an alternative option for OA. - In all studies evaluated, PRP had no major side effects. - Patients saw a reduction in pain and improvement of functionality with both PRP and Corticosteroids. - PRP patients reported improvement that lasted longer than corticosteroid therapy. - More studies are needed on specific concentrations of PRP. - Results may vary depending on the joint being treated. - Price is a barrier for many as insurance …

The Effect Of Metformin Vs Lifestyle Modifications On The Prevention Of Prediabetes To Type Ii Diabetes, Brittany Mcpherson

Physician Assistant Scholarly Project Posters

• Literature was performed using an electronic search database to identify literature related to preventing the conversion of prediabetes to type 2 diabetes.

• Literature review looks at the effectiveness of metformin, diet alone, exercise alone, and a combination of diet and exercise.

• Research shows that both metformin and lifestyle modification have been effective in reducing the progression of prediabetes to type 2 diabetes.

• While lifestyle modifications appear to show greater benefit in the short term, their impact has shown to be less effective when studied in the long term.

• Primary care treatment of prediabetes requires a …

Fertility Treatment In Pcos: Metformin Vs. Myoinositol, Kaylina Kelley

Physician Assistant Scholarly Project Posters

Metformin is commonly used to decrease insulin resistance and increase fertility in women with PCOS. However, it is known to cause many side effects. Myoinositol is a B-vitamin that is thought to also decrease insulin resistance and increase fertility with few side effects. The purpose of this literature review is to determine whether myoinositol is a comparable substitute for metformin in patients with PCOS suffering with infertility. This was done by evaluating pregnancy rates, insulin resistance, and side effects of metformin and myoinositol. A literature review found that both medications had similar pregnancy rates. Neither medication affected insulin resistance. However, …

Ketamine For Active-Duty Military And Veterans With Ptsd, Kristopher Flynt

Physician Assistant Scholarly Project Posters

The purpose of this research and systematic literature review is to compare the drug ketamine’s efficacy at treating post-traumatic stress disorder for veterans and active-duty military compared to approved Food and Drug Administration (FDA) options and combination medication/psychotherapy. In this review, three databases were searched including Pubmed, ClinicalKey, and PsycInfo from October 3 to January 9, 2023. Additionally, the Veterans Affairs (VA)/Department of Defense (DOD) Clinical Practice Guidelines was utilized. A variety of key and mesh terms were utilized when database searching. Chosen works for review included randomized control trials, systematic reviews, meta-analysis, and retro-perspective studies. Sources that were excluded …

Benzimidazole Adjuvant Therapy: A Review Of Efficacy And Safety In Patients With Cancer, Jared Mouw

Physician Assistant Scholarly Project Posters

• The safety and toxicity profile of benzimidazoles will be assessed within a population of patients currently diagnosed with various types of cancer to determine if this class of medications could be implemented along with current cancer treatment regimens to increase efficacy and tolerance. • Databases of CINAHL, ClinicalKey, and PubMed were searched with the keywords mentioned below. Studies include those after the year 2000, and those focusing on the use of benzimidazoles on human cancer cells and tissue, case studies, or all phases of clinical trials. Excluded were those using non-human study subjects, those before the year 2000, and …

Comparative Research Of Effective Treatment Measures For Postpartum Depression, Aunica Novacek

Physician Assistant Scholarly Project Posters

Postpartum depression is a mood disorder that includes depressive symptoms during the time period following childbirth. There are various possibilities for what may cause this disorder, but the drastic change in hormones after delivery can play a role. With the chance this disorder may be fatal to both the mother and child, an appropriate, effective, and safe treatment is necessary to control depressive symptoms. The standard, first line pharmacotherapeutic option is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressant. SSRI antidepressants are well understood, but these medications may take time to become effective. Knowing this, medical professionals can find a more …

Comparison Of Oral Glucose Tolerance And Hemoglobin A1c As An Initial Indicator Of Type 2 Diabetes, Shelby Knox

Physician Assistant Scholarly Project Posters

The purpose of this review was to evaluate the diagnostic utility of hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) compared to oral glucose tolerance testing (OGTT) for diagnosis of type 2 diabetes. Databases ClinicalKey, PubMed, Dynamed, and CINAHL withdrew a total of 17 peer-reviewed cross-sectional and retrospective studies, secondary and pooled data analyses, and meta-analyses. Inclusion criteria included human studies, studies < 10 years old, individuals > 15 years of age, fasting plasma glucose in conjunction with OGTT, and subjects without known diabetes. Exclusion criteria included alternative forms of diabetes, screening and diagnosis of prediabetes, comparisons in relation to specific medical conditions such as heart disease, pregnancy, and gestational diabetes, …

P.M. Dosing Outcomes Of Ace Inhibitors Or Angiotensin Ii Receptor Blockers In Hypertension Versus P.M. Dosing In Hypertension With Comorbidities, Savana Kramer

Physician Assistant Scholarly Project Posters

• Introduction: The purpose of this research is to compare P.M. dosing outcomes of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) in those with hypertension and hypertension plus chronic kidney disease or diabetes.

• Research Methods: Three databases were searched including PubMed, ClinicalKey, and DynaMed with a time frame of 15 years. Studies chosen for review were peer reviewed, and included randomized control trials, systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and a preclinical animal trial.

• Discussion: The research shows evidence of reduced blood pressures throughout the night and into the next day, decreased proteinuria, and decreased cardiovascular events when …

Comparison Of Conjunctive Probiotic Use Versus No Probiotic Use In Outcomes Of Antibiotic-Associated Diarrhea, Samantha Simley

Physician Assistant Scholarly Project Posters

Antibiotics are utilized in the medical community for the treatment of bacterial infections. Consequently, the use of antibiotics may result in certain gastrointestinal side effects. Antibiotic-associated diarrhea is one side effect that can be seen in patient populations that are on an antibiotic regimen. Due to this side effect profile, patient compliance on an antibiotic regimen may be compromised. This lack in patient compliance led to increased interest to determine if there are treatment options available to prevent or reduce instances of antibiotic-associated diarrhea. One treatment option of interest includes the use of probiotics. The purpose of this literature review …

The Impact Of Hormone Therapy On Cardiovascular And Bone Health In Women With Premature Or Early Menopause, Traci L. Leitheiser

Physician Assistant Scholarly Project Posters

Objective: • The Women's Health Initiative (WHI) studies were a catalyst for the dramatic decline in the number of postmenopausal women being prescribed hormone therapy (HT). • The WHI published the largest randomized, double-blind, placebocontrolled trial regarding the use of HT in postmenopausal women with a mean age of 63 years. • One group of women thought to benefit from HT but have often been denied HT based on the WHI studies’ results is premature and early menopausal women. • The purpose of this literature review was to compare the WHI studies’ results to studies that reviewed coronary heart disease …

Efficacy Of Pharmacologic Treatment For Orthostatic Hypotension In The Elderly Population, Abigail Moeller

Physician Assistant Scholarly Project Posters

The purpose of this literature review is to determine the efficacy and safety of pharmacologic treatments for orthostatic hypotension (OH), with an emphasis on researching the elderly population. In this review, three electronic search databases were utilized including PubMed, Google Scholar, and Dynamed from the years 1997 to 2019. Several keywords were used during the search. The specific pharmacologic agents researched for the treatment of OH included midodrine, droxidopa, pyridostigmine, and fludrocortisone. Although midodrine is the most researched and utilized pharmacologic treatment of OH, this drug may not be the best option when it comes to treatment in the elderly …

Ketamine In Refractory Asthma Exacerbations, Stephanie Frentzel

Physician Assistant Scholarly Project Posters

Asthma is a chronic, non-curable respiratory disease that has multi-factorial effects on the bronchial mucosa. Despite optimal prevention and standardized first line asthma care the symptoms can deteriorate leading into an asthma exacerbation which is a medical emergency. Purpose:

• To determine the efficacy of ketamine use as an adjunctive medication for acutes severe asthma exacerbations that had failed standard guideline directed treatments. Methods: • Relevant databases were searched looking for ketamine use in asthma exacerbations.

• The inclusion material consists of pediatric and adult populations in available systematic reviews, randomized control trials, meta-analysis, pilot studies, case reports, and peer-reviewed …

Active Therapies In The Management Of Concussion And Post-Concussion Syndrome, Breanna R. Krueger

Physician Assistant Scholarly Project Posters

The purpose of this research and literature review is to evaluate the recently completed literature to provide guidance to medical providers in the safest and most efficacious treatment options for adolescent patients with concussion and post-concussion syndrome. The literature was searched for studies directly related to adolescents and active therapies such as physical therapy, vestibular rehabilitation, exertional therapy, and cognitive behavioral therapy. The search time frame implemented was studies completed within the last ten years. Ten studies met the final criteria. The research shows a substantial benefit for immediate cognitive and physical rest following a mTBI. The research suggests that …