Family Medicine Commons^™

Giant Cell Arteritis After Mrna Covid Vaccines: Concerning Or A False Alarm?-A Retrospective Cohort Study, Syed M. F. Zabiullah, Rutwik Pradeep Sharma, Roshan Subedi, Viqarunnisa Faaiza Zahid, Yasir Loai, Sarathlal Mannumbethlal, Aatifa Aatifa

Advances in Clinical Medical Research and Healthcare Delivery

Background: The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic led to the first large-scale rapid deployment of novel messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines. Although the effectiveness and safety of these vaccines were rigorously studied, post-vaccination adverse events such as giant cell arteritis (GCA) continue to be reported. More than two hundred and sixty three cases of new-onset GCA occurring after mRNA vaccine administration are listed in the Vaccine Adverse Events Reporting System as of October 2024. We aimed to explore the incidence of GCA after mRNA vaccines among patients in our health system and study their characteristics and outcomes.

Methods: We conducted a …

Hepatocellular Carcinoma Surveillance In Patients With Cirrhosis, Identifying Gaps In Clinical Practice, Abdullah Orakzai, Muhammad Hammad Sharif, Basil George Verghese, Shiamak Cooper, Venkat Arutla, Purva Shah, Himal Kharel, Aditya Sanjeevi, Aniket-Vijay Rao

Advances in Clinical Medical Research and Healthcare Delivery

Background:Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the third leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide, with rising mortality rates in the United States. Early detection of HCC through routine screening significantly improves survival rates in patients with cirrhosis. Current guidelines recommend bi-annual screening using abdominal ultrasound with or without serum AFP levels; however, adherence to these guidelines is suboptimal in clinical practice.

Methods:We conducted a retrospective study of 320 adult patients diagnosed with HCC at our institution between January 1, 2023, and July 31, 2023. Patients aged >22 years were included, and their medical records were reviewed to evaluate routine surveillance …

Cystic Fibrosis - An Ever Evolving Challenge, Abdullah A. Orakzai, Osama Sherjeel Khan, Syeda Sarah Raza, Muhammad H. Sharif, Mehr A. Orakzai

Advances in Clinical Medical Research and Healthcare Delivery

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a genetic disease that results from mutations in a large single gene located on chromosome 7. More than 2000 different mutations in the gene have been identified to have caused the disease. Most of these mutations are exceedingly rare and therefore not a part of CF screening or all testing panels. This case discusses an adult female with a history of asthma, bronchiectasis, pseudomonas colonization, and respiratory failure on chronic oxygen who presented to the ED with sudden onset shortness of breath, fever, chills, body aches, nonproductive cough, and headache. The patient's condition clinically improved with …

Extrinsic Allergic Alveolitis: A Systematic Review Of Hla-Dr In Pigeon Breeder’S Disease, Dylan Thibaut, Ryan A. Witcher, Anitha Kunnath, James Toldi

Advances in Clinical Medical Research and Healthcare Delivery

Abstract

Introduction: Pigeon Breeder’s Pneumonitis (PBP) results due to a complex pathophysiology that includes exposure to avian antigens. Susceptibility has been linked to human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class II, though consensus has not been reached. The goal of this systematic review is to further elucidate the association between PBP and HLA-DR subtypes.

Methods: Databases utilized included PubMed, Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, and Cochrane Library. Inclusion required a minimum of three studies in English presenting HLA-DR alleles of PBP and control subgroups. Exclusion was due to insufficient data or non-feasible control groups. Forest plots were created for HLA-DR subtypes’ association …

A New Wave Of The Overdose Epidemic Arises During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Tolga Suvar Md, Asokumar Buvanendran Md, Stephen Music Do, Wilson M. Compton Md, Mpe

Advances in Clinical Medical Research and Healthcare Delivery

Abstract

Objective:

The goal of this manuscript is to highlight the notoriety of the overdose epidemic which has been masked by the Coronavirus pandemic.

Methods:

A thorough literature review of PubMed and the latest statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) was performed for the most relevant and updated data regarding overdose deaths.

Conclusion:

The global health crisis known as the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic collided with the opioid epidemic in March of 2020, with devastating consequences for the United States. By overwhelming the healthcare system, the pandemic impacted patients who require continued mental health services, …

Case Study: Abnormal Presentation Of Infective Endocarditis With Streptococcus Canis And Chiari Network, Shahbaz Afzal, Ryan Russell, Alexander Chekhov

Advances in Clinical Medical Research and Healthcare Delivery

Here we present a rare case of infective endocarditis (IE) with Streptococcus canis and Chiari network in an 85 year old female living with multiple dogs and open skin of lower extremity predisposing her to bacteremia. Underlying abnormalities of the cardiac chambers such as Chiari network predisposes to a higher incidence of bacterial seeding and causing IE. A Chiari network is usually asymptomatic and of no clinical significance but can worsen prognosis in IE. IE carries a significant morbidity and mortality burden and when diagnosed early can be a lifesaving diagnosis. Due to the wide range of complications, early diagnosis …

An Integrated Multispecialty Curriculum For Point-Of-Care Ultrasound, Carina M. Brown, Karl Fields, Duncan Vincent, Alison Rumball, Joshua Zavitz, Shane Hudnall, Caroline Iskander, Alexander Raines

Advances in Clinical Medical Research and Healthcare Delivery

Point-of-care ultrasound is increasingly recognized as a valuable tool for physicians practicing in a variety of specialties. Currently there is no standard curricula or assessment model for training primary care specialty residents in the use of ultrasound. This article presents a multispecialty experience in developing a list of 11 core Pediatric, 13 core Family Medicine and 22 core Internal Medicine ultrasound scans based on best available evidence for their clinical use.