Medical Specialties Commons^™

Protecting Sanitation Workers In Low-Middle Income Countries Amid Covid-19, Muhammad Mainuddin Patwary, Md Riad Hossain, Faysal Kabir Shuvo, Sadia Ashraf, Rabeya Sultana, Md Ashraful Alam

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

No abstract provided.

A Randomized Open-Label Study Of Two Methods Of Proton Pump Inhibitors Discontinuation, Emily Hendricks, Aman Ajmeri, Monider M. Singh, Milliejoan Mongalo, Lynne J. Goebel

Internal Medicine

Background: Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are effective in treating gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Unfortunately, they are often inappropriately prescribed and long-term use has potential adverse effects. A single best method for discontinuation of PPIs does not currently exist. The objective of this study was to determine if there is a significant difference in successfully discontinuing PPI use at 12 months between patients discontinuing abruptly or tapering first.

Methodology: We conducted a randomized trial with 38 patients diagnosed with GERD. We collected six weekly and then monthly surveys of symptoms based on the Dyspepsia Symptom Severity Index. Chart review at 12 …

The Requirements Of Immunosuppressive Therapy And Clinical Features In Patients With Myasthenia Gravis Who Undergo Thymectomy Versus Non Thymectomy Management In East Africa, Nyawara Anthony Ochola

Master of Medicine in Internal Medicine

Background: Myasthenia gravis is an acquired autoimmune neuromuscular disease leading to fatigability of skeletal muscles. The thymus produces autoantibodies that target receptors to Acetylcholine or Muscle Specific Kinase. The resultant fatigability is generalized or limited to the ocular or bulbar muscles. Therapy has been targeted to reduce the autoimmune process by use of immunosuppressive agents or by thymectomy. In the African population, MG involves younger patients, more ocular involvement, is more aggressive and more resistance to immunosuppressive therapy. Methods: We conducted a retrospective study between January 2009 and December 2019 at Aga Khan University Hospital, Nairobi. Medical records of patients …

Characterization Of Young Hypertensive Patients Aged Between 18 – 40 Years, Kelvin Orare Nyanchoka

Master of Medicine in Internal Medicine

Background: Hypertension is the world’s most significant risk factor for morbidity and mortality. Sub-Saharan Africa has the highest prevalence of hypertension worldwide. In Kenya, the estimated overall prevalence of hypertension is at 24.5%. Young adult hypertensive patients have a lower proportion of controlled blood pressure compared to older adults. Uncontrolled hypertension, irrespective of age, increases cardiovascular risk. Methods: A total of 401 patients aged between 18 and 40 years were identified from the records department based on the ICD-10 codes for hypertension. Using their hospital identification numbers, files were sorted and analyzed including laboratory data on the hospital information management …

Bleeding Complications In Patients On New Oral Anticoagulants For Venous Thromboembolism In Kenya, Antonina Zebby Obayo

Master of Medicine in Internal Medicine

Background: The past five years have seen an increase in the use of new oral anticoagulants (NOACS) for treatment and prophylaxis against venous thromboembolism. These agents are as effective as warfarin, with much fewer bleeding complications. The incidence of bleeding complications in patients with venous thromboembolism on NOACS (New oral anticoagulants) has not been widely studied in Africa's contemporary practice. The purpose of this study is to determine the rates of major bleeding and clinically relevant non-major bleeding (CRNM) associated with new oral anticoagulant use in daily contemporary clinical practice. Methods: A retrospective review of adult patients diagnosed with venous …

Fentanyl-Induced Wooden Chest Syndrome Masquerading As Severe Respiratory Distress Syndrome In Covid-19, Grace Judd, Rachael Starcher, David Hotchkin

Providence Portland Medical Center Internal Medicine 2021

Case Presentation

History •47 yo M with no PMH presented with fever and respiratory distress •Admitted for COVID-19 pneumonia Hospital Course •Intubated for moderate acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) on hospital day 11 •Fentanyl infusion started •Hypoxia improved within 36 hrsbut plateau pressures consistently >30 cm H2O despite minimizing dead space •Trial of airway pressure release ventilation worsened hypercarbia •Bronchoscopy w/o mucous plugging, airway collapse, or purulent secretions •Lung compliance worsened (Pplat=50 on 4 cc/kg) w/o change in oxygenation •Developed suspicion for wooden chest syndrome (WCS) and discontinued fentanyl Outcome •Pplatnadired at 16 within one hour after stopping fentanyl •Pt …

When Your Patient Does Know Best: A Lesson In Geriatrics, Daphne Sy, Jeff Youker

Providence St. Vincent Internal Medicine 2021

Introduction

An athletic elderly woman presented to the emergency department (ED) with subjective leg weakness, most notably while climbing stairs. The patient’s insistence that we acknowledge her change in functional status prompted a workup that exposed an active pauci-immune crescentic glomerulonephritis. She was diagnosed with an unusual presentation of granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) which was discovered in time to initiate treatment and prevent renal failure.

Case Report

A 77 year-old woman with a past medical history of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and biopsy-negative pulmonary nodules presented to the ED with a unique complaint: she could no longer climb multiple stairs …

Avoiding Rash Decisions: A Guide To Adverse Cutaneous Drug Reactions, Caleb Freeman, Tom Chau

Providence St. Vincent Internal Medicine 2021

No abstract provided.

A Dramatic Presentation Of Plasmablasticlymphoma In Untreated Hiv, Joshua Genstler, Alex Schafir

Providence St. Vincent Internal Medicine 2021

No abstract provided.

Are Elevated Inflammatory Markers And Acute Phase Reactants Associated With More Severe Disease In Covid 19 Patients?, Joanna Bove, Robert Kim, Shelley Sanders

Providence St. Vincent Internal Medicine 2021

Introduction Inflammatory markers and acute phase reactants (from here referred to as “markers”) are associated with COVID-19 infection and may be able to predict disease severity.1,2We collected markers including d-dimer (ug/mL), ferritin (ng/mL), CRP (mg/dL), and creatinine kinase (CK) (IU/L) on admission and periodically throughout the hospital stay for 50 patients admitted with COVID-19 infection. We hypothesized that higher levels of markers at admission and during hospitalization are associated increased severity of disease, such as ICU admission and placement on mechanical ventilation.

Methods From March to May 2020, we identified 50 patients admitted to Providence St. Vincent Medical Center with …

A Case Of Succinylcholine-Induced Postoperative Myalgia, Nancy Ha, Stephanie Griffith

Providence St. Vincent Internal Medicine 2021

Introduction

Succinylcholine is a commonly used depolarizing neuromuscular blocking agent in anesthesia for relaxation of the skeletal muscles during endotracheal intubation. It is ideal for use in shorter surgical cases and situations where a rapid sequence intubation is warranted due to its quick onset and short duration of action. One documented side effects of succinylcholine is postoperative myalgia, which was first described in the literature in 1952.

Case Report

An 88 y.o. male presented two days following transurethral resection of a bladder mass with complaints of diffuse myalgias that were severely limiting activity. The pain was greatly exacerbated by any …

When Two Isn’T Better Than One: A Case Of Severe Hyponatremia From Combination Thiazide Diuretic And Arb Therapy, Jillian Catral, Emily Hitchcock

Providence St. Vincent Internal Medicine 2021

Introduction

Thiazide diuretics and angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARB) are common medications for hypertension and are widely used together to counteract thiazide-induced hypokalemia •Thiazide-associated hyponatremia (TAH) is fairly common. There are also multiple case series in the literature of severe hyponatremia in elderly pts attributed to initiation of a thiazide-ARB combination, even when the thiazide dose was low. This is a unique case of hyponatremia in which ARB on thiazide therapy seems to have precipitated severe hyponatremia.

Case Report This is a 74-year-old female with a history of essential hypertension with intolerance to several antihypertensive medications, post-operative hyponatremia after laminectomy …

Aplastic Anemia Secondary To Sars-Co-V-2, Maya Wernick, Stacy Lewis, Christie Moore

Providence St. Vincent Internal Medicine 2021

No abstract provided.

Overloadipine–Emerging Therapies To Treat Refractory Shock, Stephanie Barayuga, Irene Hendrickson

Providence St. Vincent Internal Medicine 2021

Introduction

Refractory vasodilatory shock develops from uncontrolled vasodilation and hyporesponsivenessto vasopressors. •Management of calcium channel blockers (CCB) toxicity can be difficult because it can result in refractory vasodilatory

Case Presentation

•21-year-old male with history of depression and prior suicide attempts presented after intentional ingestion of amlodipine (300 mg) and metformin (150 tablets of 1000 mg). •Presented with slightly altered mentation and hypotension, then quickly deteriorated and required intubation and high vasopressor requirements. •Transferred to PSVMC for consideration of venoarterialextracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO). Since he was hyperdynamic on echocardiogram, our team did not feel he would benefit from VA-ECMO. •His vasopressor …

A Case Of Vaccine-Preventable Back Pain, Gerald Hutfles, Tricia James

Providence Portland Medical Center Internal Medicine 2021

The Case 55-year-old male with minimal medical history who presented multiple times over 9 months with progressive and severe gluteal & back pain, ultimately found to be from anal cancer.

HPV - The Bad, Insidious Bug

What is it? •Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is a double-stranded DNA virus of the Papillomaviridaefamily. Its lifecycle is tied to epithelial tissue. Why do we care? •HPV is associated with warts (including condyloma acuminatum) and cancer •Approximately 45,000 HPV-associated cancers occur in the US each year •7,083 -anal cancer •12,143 -cervical cancer •19,975 -oropharyngeal cancer What About Anal Cancer? •Affects ~1.6/100,000 women, and 1.0/100,000 men …

Navigating Uncertainty In A Critically Ill Patient, Brandon Tempte, Amy Dechet

Providence Portland Medical Center Internal Medicine 2021

Introduction Aspergillus spores are routinely inhaled.Innate immune defenses prevent fungal growth and disease in immunocompetent individuals.However, immunocompromised patients are at risk of developing invasive aspergillosis. Diagnosis of invasive aspergillus is often difficult as biopsy is not always feasible and relies on the interpretation of non-invasive testing. Early recognition and initiation of therapy is paramount as the mortality rate is high.

Case Presentation Patient is a 59 year oldfemale with a history of alcohol abuse admitted with acute encephalopathy and new onset seizure. History: -Initially presented 3 weeks earlier for jaundice, found to have acute alcoholic hepatitis, started and discharged on …

The Peculiar Case Of Purulent Pericarditis, Laura Bennetts, Meera Jain

Providence Portland Medical Center Internal Medicine 2021

Introduction

Purulent pericarditis is a localized purulent infection in the pericardial space •Before the era of antibiotics, purulent pericarditis was related to complications of pneumococcal pneumonia. Now more frequently associated with thoracic surgeries, immunocompromised hosts and nosocomial blood infections.1 •This case is an unusual presentation of acute methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) purulent pericarditis with a course complicated by cardiac tamponade, opiate withdrawal, and a right ventricle (RV) laceration.

Case Presentation

History of Present Illness •Patient is a 30-year-old M active intravenous drug use (IDU) with a recent history of MRSA bacteremia, endocarditis, parasternal abscess s/p I&D, and sternal osteomyelitis with …

The Deadly Hoover: A Curiouser And Curiouser Case Of Disappearing Platelets, Rachael Starcher

Providence Portland Medical Center Internal Medicine 2021

No abstract provided.

Double The Battle: Two Cases Of Irreversible Endocrinopathies In Patients Already Fighting Metastatic Cancer., Olesya Petrenko, Nicholas L Stucky

Providence Portland Medical Center Internal Medicine 2021

INTRODUCTION: Emergence of cancer immunotherapy has instigated a new era in field of oncology and revolutionized treatment of cancer. In 2011, Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors (ICI) gained approval for treatment of advanced solid and hematological malignancies and have had remarkable results. Since being released, new cases of irreversible endocrine adverse events are increasingly becoming reported and leave patients with a new life-long diagnosis after battling metastatic cancer.

Discussion • 6 Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors (ICIs) approved: •CTLA-4 (cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein 4) inhibitor Ipilimumab •PD-1 (programmed cell death protein 1) inhibitors nivolumab, pembrolizumab •PD-L1 (programmed cell death ligand 1) inhibitors atezolizumab, avelumab, durvalumab …

Hormone Wars: The Thyroid Strikes Back! A Case Of Hashimoto Encephalopathy Manifesting As Diffuse Extremity Weakness And Confusion, Cody Paiva, Brinton Clark

Providence Portland Medical Center Internal Medicine 2021

Case Presentation

A 42-year-old female with a past medical history of schizoaffective disorder recently discontinued on multiple psychiatric medications, stable HIV, and hypothyroidism presented with a chief complaint of diffuse extremity weakness and Parkinsonism-like symptoms. History of Present Illness •4-month history of jerking leg movements bilaterally •2-week history of ”feeling paralyzed” with difficulty ambulating •Recent long-term hospitalization at a psychiatric facility as a ward of the state •Multiple changes to psychiatric medication regimen, including abrupt discontinuation of clozapine and risperidone •Abrupt onset confusion at facility and decreased level of interaction at facility prior to admission Exam •T 98.8F, BP 114/66, …

Esophageal Necrosis As An Unexpected Complication Of Diabetic Ketoacidosis, Hayden Smith, Tricia James

Providence Portland Medical Center Internal Medicine 2021

No abstract provided.

Cryptococcoma From Disseminated Cryptococcus Neoformans Infection In An Immunocompetent Patient, Megan Block, David Hotchkin, Amy Dechet

Providence Portland Medical Center Internal Medicine 2021

Background Cryptococcal infection is an infection caused by encapsulated yeasts of the Cryptococcusfungi that primarily manifests in the CNS or lungs in immunocompromised hosts. Our case describes disseminated Cryptococcus neoformansinfection and cerebral cryptococcomain an immunocompetent individual.

Case History •A 64 year-oldmale with no pertinent medical history presented to his PCP for worsening headaches for the past 2 months. •MRI: new ring enhancing lesion of the left thalamus •CT chest: bilateral upper lobe tree-in-bud nodules and a right upper lobe nodule with stippled calcification. •Lung biopsy, complicated by pneumothorax, was unremarkable. •2 days later developed headaches and nausea, became non-verbal, and …

Performance In Mortality Prediction Of Saps 3 And Mpm0-Iii Scores Among Adult Patients Admitted To The Icu Of A Private Tertiary Referral Hospital In Tanzania, Nadeem Kassam

Master of Medicine in Internal Medicine

Background Illness predictive scoring systems are significant and meaningful adjuncts of patient management in the intensive care unit. They assist in predicting patient outcomes, improve clinical decision making and provide insight into the effectiveness of care and management while optimizing the use of hospital resources. We evaluated mortality predictive performance of Simplified acute physiology score (SAPS 3) and Mortality probability models (MPM0-III) in predicting ICU outcome as well as identified disease pattern and clinical factors associated with increased mortality. Methods This was a retrospective cohort study of adult patients admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the Aga Khan …

Correlation Between Disease Severity And Health-Related Quality Of Life Among Patients With Fibromyalgia Syndrome, Janet Chebet Koros

Master of Medicine in Internal Medicine

Background: Fibromyalgia Syndrome is a rheumatic disorder characterized by chronic widespread musculoskeletal pain accompanied by fatigue, sleep, memory problems, and mood disturbances. Little is known about the characteristics of fibromyalgia patients in Kenya. Studies done elsewhere have shown that patients with fibromyalgia syndrome incur more healthcare costs, have a higher prevalence of comorbidities, have more workdays missed, have poor productivity, retire early, have impaired function, and lead a poorer quality of life. Methods: This study was a prospective cross-sectional study that enrolled patients diagnosed with fibromyalgia syndrome attending the rheumatology clinic at the Aga Khan University Hospital Nairobi, Kenya. Those …

Triggers And Outcomes Of Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy In Cancer Patients, Antoine Addoumieh, Dinu Balanescu, Teodora Donisan, Juan Lopez-Mattei, Peter Kim

Conference Presentation Abstracts

Background: Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TC) is a well described entity characterized by transient and reversible left ventricular (LV) systolic dysfunction. Primary TC is triggered by psychological or emotional stress, whereas secondary TC could be due to trauma, surgery or medications. We aimed to compare outcomes in primary TC and secondary TC in cancer patients. Methods: We retrospectively identified 80 patients who presented with TC to MD Anderson between December 2008 and January 2019. Baseline characteristics were obtained. We identified the triggers leading to TC. Univariate analysis was done using Cox regression. Kaplan Meier method (KM) was used to compare survival based …

Covid-19 Vaccine Hesitancy Among Medical And Dental Students, Arati Kelekar, Neila Afonso, Victoria Lucia, Ana Karina Mascarenhas

Conference Presentation Abstracts

No abstract provided.

Pharmacist Pilot Project To Reduce Hypoglycemic Events On Internal Medicine Unit, Carly Barnes, Pamela Levine

Providence Pharmacy PGY1 Program at Providence Portland and Providence St. Vincent Medical Centers 2021

No abstract provided.

Hyperlipasemia Does Not Confer Worse Clinical Outcomes In A Retrospective Cohort Of Novel Coronavirus (Covid-19) Patients, Zaid Imam, Inayat Gill, Bana Antonios, Andrew Aneese, Gaurav Kakked, Faisal Kamal, Bara Al Kurdi, Alexandra Halalau

Conference Presentation Abstracts

Abstract Background Gastrointestinal manifestations and hyperlipasemia commonly occur as part of novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), while data on acute pancreatitis is limited to case reports. We aimed to study the prevalence of hyperlipasemia and acute pancreatitis in a large inpatient cohort of COVID-19 patients and their impact on clinical outcomes. Methods Retrospective chart review of all hospitalized patients with confirmed COVID-19 at an 8-hospital health system in Michigan, USA was performed between February 1,2020 through April 1,2020 with inclusion of patients with obtained lipase levels. Univariate analyses were performed to evaluate associations between hyperlipasemia and degree of hyperlipasemia and clinical …

A Look Into Medical Students' Knowledge On Adverse Childhood Experiences, Lara Fawaz, Neila Afonso

Conference Presentation Abstracts

No abstract provided.

Optimizing Critical Illness Recovery: Perspectives And Solutions From The Caregivers Of Icu Survivors, Carla M. Sevin, Leanne M. Boehm, Elizabeth Hibbert, Anthony J. Bastin, James C. Jackson, Joel Meyer, Tara Quasim, Rita N. Bakhru, Ashley A. Montgomery-Yates, Andrew Slack, Mary Still, Giora Netzer, Mark E. Mikkelsen, Theodore J. Iwashyna, Kimberly J. Haines, Joanne Mcpeake

Internal Medicine Faculty Publications

Objectives:
To understand the unmet needs of caregivers of ICU survivors, how they accessed support post ICU, and the key components of beneficial ICU recovery support systems as identified from a caregiver perspective.

Design:
International, qualitative study.

Subjects:
We conducted 20 semistructured interviews with a diverse group of caregivers in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia, 11 of whom had interacted with an ICU recovery program.

Setting:
Seven hospitals in the United States, United Kingdom, and Australia.

Interventions:
None.

Measurements and Main Results:
Content analysis was used to explore prevalent themes related to unmet needs, as well as …