Internal Medicine Commons^™

Clinical Outcomes After Hospitalization For Acute Coronary Syndrome In Patients Treated With Semaglutide Versus Bariatric Surgery: A Retrospective Multicenter Analysis, Nameer Ascandar, Charles Boadu, Gauthier Stepman, George Skaf, Olugbenga Oyesanmi, Sabry Omar, Rias Ali, Michael Schandorf-Lartey

HCA Healthcare Journal of Medicine

Background

Obesity is a chronic medical condition with a rising prevalence in the United States. A wide range of morbidity and mortality is associated with obesity, with coronary artery disease being among the most common. Ischemic heart disease continues to be the primary cause of death in the United States. Taken together, interventions to minimize the detrimental effects of obesity on patients at risk of heart disease will not only benefit the patient, but the health care system as well.

Methods

In this retrospective study, we used the HCA Healthcare enterprise data warehouse to identify all adult patients who were …

Efficacy And Safety Of Lotilaner Ophthalmic Solution 0.25% In Demodex Blepharitis: A Systematic Review, Stephanie P. Fabara, Thalia Fabara, Akankcha Alok, Nausheen Khuddus

HCA Healthcare Journal of Medicine

Demodex blepharitis is a chronic eyelid inflammation caused by Demodex mites, which are ubiquitous skin parasites. Lotilaner, a newly United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved drug, is an antiparasitic agent that selectively inhibits parasite-specific γ-aminobutyric acid chloride channels, inducing spastic paralysis and death of Demodex mites. It is applied as an ophthalmic solution, 0.25%, twice a day for 6 weeks, and it has a long half-life and high lipophilicity, facilitating the penetration of the drug into the eyelash follicles and meibomian glands where the mites reside. This study systematically reviewed 6 clinical trials that compared lotilaner with placebo for …

Mortalitas Pada Pasien Hemodialisis: Masih Menjadi Tantangan Globa, Anandhara Indriani Indriani Khumaedi, Dina Elita

Jurnal Penyakit Dalam Indonesia

No abstract provided.

Faktor-Faktor Yang Berhubungan Dengan Massa Otot, Kekuatan Otot, Dan Performa Fisik Pada Lansia, Nur Riviati, Taufik Indrajaya, Rukiah Chodilawati, Ridzqie Dibyantari, Bima Indra

Jurnal Penyakit Dalam Indonesia

Introduction. Despite its high prevalence and significant impact on health, comprehensive studies are still needed to explore the factors affecting sarcopenia parameters, such as muscle mass, muscle strength, and physical performance. This study aimed to identify the factors influencing sarcopenia parameters in the elderly, including muscle mass, muscle strength, and physical performance.

Methods. A cross-sectional study was conducted from July to December 2022 on elderly individuals (>60 years old) at the Geriatric Polyclinic, Moh. Hoesin General Hospital, Palembang, selected through consecutive sampling. Muscle mass was measured using bioimpedance analysis, expressed in ASMI values; muscle strength was measured …

Faktor Risiko Yang Berhubungan Dengan Kematian Pasien Penyakit Ginjal Kronis Pada Usia Dewasa Yang Menjalani Hemodialisis Reguler Di Provinsi Lampung, Joue Abraham Trixie Latupeirissa, Mondastri Korib Sudaryo, Muhamad Zulfikar Hadiaturahman, Steven Sapta Putra Sinaga

Jurnal Penyakit Dalam Indonesia

Introduction. Although mortality among adult chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients on regular hemodialysis remains infrequent within the first three months, it is still a potential outcome. Given that hemodialysis is required for life, identifying risk factors for mortality is critical. This study aims to examine risk factors associated with mortality in adult CKD patients undergoing regular hemodialysis.

Methods. A case-control study, without matching, was conducted using medical record data from adult CKD patients (≥18 years) receiving regular hemodialysis between 2022 and 2024 at three hospitals (types A, B, and C) in Lampung Province. The case group consisted of …

Gejala Neuropsikiatri Pasien Hiv Setelah Menjalani Transisi Antiretrovirus Nevirapin Ke Dolutegravir Di Rumah Sakit Cipto Mangunkusumo, Jakarta, Metra Adi Pratama, Rudi Putranto, Herqutanto Herqutanto, Aisyah Syahrani, Aljira Fitya Hapsari, Veritea Natali, Meivina Ramadhani Pane, Evy Yunihastuti

Jurnal Penyakit Dalam Indonesia

Introduction. Dolutegravir (DTG) is one of the effective antiretroviral therapies (ART) for suppressing HIV replication and has a favorable safety profile. However, reports regarding neuropsychiatric side effects, especially in patients transitioning from a nevirapine (NVP) regimen to dolutegravir, have started to emerge. This study aimed to describe the changes in neuropsychiatric symptoms before and after the transition from a NVP-based ARV regimen to DTG in HIV patients at Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital (RSCM), Jakarta.

Methods. This study employed a prospective cohort design involving 292 HIV patients at Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital who were transitioning from NVP to DTG regimen. Participants …

Peran Prediktif Il-6, Il-10, Dan Tnf-Α Plasma Terhadap Gagal Ginjal Akut Pada Pasien Dengan Covid-19 Derajat Sedang Dan Berat, Dewi Gathmyr, Maruhum Bonar H Bonar, Adityo Susilo, Kuntjoro Harimurti, Ginova Nainggolan, Alvin Tagor, Hamzah Shatri, Cosmas Rinaldi Adithya Lesmana, Zulkifli Amin

Jurnal Penyakit Dalam Indonesia

Introduction. Acute kidney injury (AKI) is associated with higher mortality rate in COVID-19 patients due to inflammation and immune dysregulation. This study aimed to correlate serum levels of IL-6, IL-10, and TNF-α with serum creatinine changes and their roles to predict incidence of acute kidney injury (AKI) in patients with moderate and severe COVID-19.

Methods. This prospective cohort study was conducted among patients with moderate to severe COVID-19 in Pertamina Central Hospital Jakarta, Indonesia during November 2020 to January 2021. All serum levels of cytokines (IL-6, IL-10, and TNF-α) and creatinine were collected on the first day and …

Korelasi Stenosis Penyakit Arteri Perifer Di Bawah Lutut Dengan Kecepatan Hantar Saraf Pada Penyandang Neuropati Perifer Diabetes Melitus Tipe 2, Akbarbudhi Antono, Dono Antono, Birry Karim, Manfaluthy Hakim, Kuntjoro Harimurti, Dyah Purnamasari Sulistianingsih, Eka Ginanjar, Erni Juwita Nelwan, Pringgodigdo Nugroho

Jurnal Penyakit Dalam Indonesia

Introduction. One consequence of DM is the emergence of peripheral artery disease (PAD) and diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN). Diabetic peripheral neuropathy is a complication of diabetes that presents signs and symptoms of motor and sensory disturbances, while PAD is an atherosclerosis condition that gradually develops in the arterial vessels. This study aimed to determine correlation of arterial obstruction assessed using arteriography and the nerve impairment assessed using nerve conduction velocity (NCV) in DM patients with PAD and DPN.

Methods. This is a cross-sectional study that takes secondary data from previous research conducted from July 2018 to June 2021 …

Laporan Kasus Hipokalemi Periodik Paralisis Pada Pasien Dengan Graves’ Disease, Anggi Cahaya Millenia S Sirait, Borries Foresto Buharman, Adinda Zhafira Dyanti Putri, Derby Ayudhia Utami Iskandar Putri

Jurnal Penyakit Dalam Indonesia

Hypokalemia periodic paralysis (HPP) characterized by episodes of flaccid weakness or paralysis that may be associated with abnormalities of the serum potassium level. HPP often associated with hyperthyroidism and Graves’ disease. HPP prevalence is 1 in 100.000. Each individual has different clinical manifestations, so it’s necessary to adjust therapy based on the etiology. This case report was developed to provide more information regarding Graves’ disease, considering lack of information about management and description of HPP with Graves’ disease. A 27-year-old male with sudden weakness in both legs radiating to upper extremity, shortness of breath, palpitations, and sweating. Over the last …

Pemberian Asupan Kalori Terestriksi Vs. Asupan Kalori Standar Yang Berlanjut Pada Pasien Penyakit Kritis Dengan Refeeding Syndrome: Laporan Kasus Berbasis Bukti, Sukma Hapsari, Rabbinu Rangga Pribadi

Jurnal Penyakit Dalam Indonesia

Refeeding syndrome is a different clinical symptom and metabolic disorder that occur during the reintroduction of nutrition in chronically malnourished patients. Calorie restriction can increase survival and reduce mortality rates. This evidence-based case report was developed to examine the influence of caloric restriction on mortality, morbidity, and duration of critical illness. A literature search was performed using PubMed, EBSCOHost, ScienceDirect, and Cochrane with the keywords: “critically ill,” “restricted caloric intake,” “standard caloric intake,” “mortality,” “morbidity,” and “duration”. Articles were appraised using the University of Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine (CEBM) tools. Two studies met the inclusion criteria. The first was …

Tata Laksana Fraktur Panggul Pada Geriatri: Sudut Pandang Internis, Laila M. Jannah, Noto Dwimartutie

Jurnal Penyakit Dalam Indonesia

Hip fracture are a common issue in geriatric patients, associated with increased risk of morbidity and mortality. The complex and multimorbid characteristics of geriatric patients presents significant challenge in their management. Optimal outcomes require a comprehensive interdisciplinary approach to care, aiming to restore functional status and reduce postoperative complications. A holistic strategy, grounded in thorough Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment (CGA), is essential to guide individualized treatment and ensure effective, patient-centered management.

Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura Association With Epstein-Barr Virus, Amer Aldamouk, Bachr Masri, Ali Khan, Pulkita Uppal

Graduate Medical Education Research Journal

Immune thrombocytopenia (ITP), also referred to as idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, is an acquired form of thrombocytopenia caused by antibodies directed against platelet glycoproteins, particularly anti-GpIIb/IIIa antibodies. Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), a herpes virus infecting a large majority of the population before adulthood, has been implicated in various immune-mediated disorders, including ITP. In this report, we present a case of a young adult female with a history of thrombocytopenia who was found to have severe thrombocytopenia attributed to chronic EBV infection. Despite initial treatment with corticosteroids and intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG), the patient's condition necessitated second-line therapies, including rituximab and thrombopoietin receptor agonists. …

Intermittent Fasting For Metabolic Syndrome Management, Tony Laborde

Lynchburg Journal of Medical Science

This paper reviews the potential of intermittent fasting as a non-pharmacological therapeutic approach to the treatment of metabolic syndrome (MetS). MetS is a global health problem with risk factors that include obesity, hypertension, hyperglycemia, low high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, and high triglycerides that predispose to cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. Traditional treatment approaches, including pharmacological agents and lifestyle modification, are typically of short-term benefit. Intermittent fasting, with its scheduled cycles of eating and fasting, presents another strategy for improving weight control, insulin sensitivity, lipid profiles, and blood pressure. Various intermittent fasting regimens, including time-restricted feeding and alternate-day fasting, have …

The Acute Care Mobility Assessment Is A Promising Tool For Evaluating Day-To-Day Mobility In Clinical Settings: Linguistic And Convergent-Validity In Danish Geriatric Patients, Britt Stævnsbo Pedersen, Lea Kromann Johansen, Thomas Kallemose, Thomas Bandholm, Cynthia J. Brown, Mette Merete Pedersen

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

Objective: Low in-hospital mobility is highly prevalent and can cause hospital-associated-disability. In both research and clinical care, valid and reliable outcome measures of in-hospital mobility are necessary. The Acute Care Mobility Assessment (ACMA) provides a single measure of hospital out-of-bed mobility and may be a promising tool. The purpose of this study was to perform a cross-cultural validation to facilitate international uptake. Methods: We performed a linguistic validation (translation, cognitive interviewing, cultural adaptation) of the ACMA in Denmark and investigated the convergent-validity of the Danish version (ACMA-DK) in older hospitalized (+65) Danish adults by evaluating the correlation between the ACMA-DK …

Small Gifts, Big Questions: The Ethical Dilemma In Accepting Gifts In Medicine, Meiqi Luo, Md

The Medicine Forum

I remember discussing the topic of gift-giving by patients in a small group session in medical school. When asked whether it’s ethical for medical professionals to accept gifts from patients, I responded, “It depends on the value of the gifts.” If the gifts were of appropriate value and given purely out of appreciation, they serve to strengthen the physician-patient relationship. However, what I failed to realize was the difficulty in determining the value and intention of a gift. My personal experience of receiving gifts from a patient made me aware of such ethical ambiguities.

At the community clinic where I …

Navigating Care And Loss Through Aging, Disease, And Decision-Making In The Covid Era, Michael Predi, Do

The Medicine Forum

There is only one of the loved one you know.
Often it can be hard to let go.
Five years old the world became cold.
Lost my mother to breast cancer.
A cold wound that can’t be answered
Father raised you in a foreign land.
Drove you to school, combed your hair, gave you a life you could have never planned.
Taught me that I would catch a cold from the wind.
No arguing about modern medicine, my dad was thick skinned,
Here comes college, first generation, what an exciting time.
Get to medical school so exciting; here comes the …

Existential Pain, Kian Waddell

The Medicine Forum

A new type of pain
Never covered in a lecture
Not neuropathic, visceral, post-procedural, cancer, phantom pains,
But existential.

She didn’t want pain meds
And she had her reasons -
We didn’t push.

What she wanted was to talk
To be heard
For us to be silent and stop
Asking her every second
If she’d moved bowels, vomited, slept…

What she wanted was to talk.
What other medication is there for pain of the soul?

Eternal Light, Anurag Modak, Md

The Medicine Forum

The microscope is held aloft in a sea of darkness,
Illuminating the gyri and sulci of the exposed brain below.
Its harsh, sterile light creates a veritable barrier
So hot, so intense, it threatens to explode forth at any moment.

The screens scattered across the room provide companionship to this lonely machine
And I, residing amidst the sea of shadows,
Bear witness to its solitude
To the silence of the light.

I have seen vessels tied and aneurysms clipped,
And an eon has gone by…
There’s an air of anticipation,
An expectation of something more.

But, solace and quietude prevail …

Unmasking The Dvt Mimic: A Rare Case Of Diabetic Myonecrosis In A Young Patient, Avish Patel, Md, Paul Endres, Md, Alexander Marchese, Md, Dianna Cheney-Peters, Md

The Medicine Forum

Diabetic myonecrosis is an uncommon complication of diabetes mellitus, often falsely believed to be a deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Patients present with similar presentations of edema and focal tenderness that are most often unilateral in a proximal lower extremity.¹ When venous ultrasound is negative, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the preferred diagnostic modality over muscle biopsy, given the potential complications.^2,3 Treatment includes rest, analgesia, and improved glycemic control.⁴ Given the rise of metabolic disorders and insulin resistance, it is important to be aware of this diagnosis to prevent overutilization of healthcare resources.⁵

Recurrent Post-Viral Rhabdomyolysis In A 36-Year-Old Male: A Case Report, Warda Naqvi, Md, David Walz, Md, Lucy Checchio, Md

The Medicine Forum

Rhabdomyolysis is a syndrome of skeletal muscle breakdown, releasing intracellular contents such as creatine kinase (CK) and myoglobin into the bloodstream, which can precipitate acute kidney injury (AKI).¹ While trauma, extreme exertion, and toxins are frequent culprits, infections, particularly viral illnesses, represent a less common but significant trigger.² Influenza and other respiratory viruses have been implicated in sporadic cases of rhabdomyolysis, often presenting with acute myalgias and elevated CK levels following a viral prodrome.³ In contrast, recurrent rhabdomyolysis is typically associated with inherited metabolic myopathies (e.g., McArdle disease) or autoimmune myositis, conditions often marked by distinct genetic …

Mcconnell’S Sign In The Absence Of Pulmonary Embolism, Alicia Bao, Md, Tendai Marume, Md

The Medicine Forum

McConnell’s sign is an echocardiographic finding characterized by hyperdynamic motion of the right ventricular (RV) apex with akinesis of the RV free wall. It is widely known as an indicator of RV strain in acute pulmonary embolism (PE) but has been described in other conditions such as sepsis-induced RV dysfunction, acute cor pulmonale, and right-sided heart failure. In critically ill patients, RV dysfunction is a major contributor to hemodynamic instability, respiratory failure, and poor outcomes. Given the overlapping signs of various underlying conditions, McConnell’s sign serves as a useful marker for assessing RV involvement but can be challenging to interpret …

A Case Of Streptococcus Pneumoniae Necrotizing Pneumonia With Pneumothorax And Abscess Formation, Susanna Betti, Md

The Medicine Forum

A 63-year-old female with a past medical history of left breast ductal carcinoma in situ, now post-left-sided lumpectomy and radiation in 2005, presented to an outside hospital with chest pain and a cough productive of green sputum. Computed tomography (CT) chest demonstrated patchy ground-glass opacities and dense consolidations in the right middle and lower lobe. Blood cultures and bronchoalveolar lavage culture were positive for Streptococcus pneumoniae, and she was started on antibiotics for community-acquired pneumonia. Her respiratory status rapidly worsened and she required intubation. She developed a large right-sided pneumothorax and had a chest tube placed for a …

A Complex Case Of Multifactorial Hypoxemia From Metastatic Testicular Cancer, Susanna Betti, Md

The Medicine Forum

A 27-year-old male with no known past medical history presented for evaluation of a 14.1 cm testicular mass (Figure A). He was found to have severe anemia (Hgb 2.8 g/dL), and biopsy demonstrated a non-seminomatous mixed germ cell tumor of testicular origin with imaging demonstrating widespread metastases to the brain, lungs, and liver. The patient received multiple blood transfusions and one dose of bleomycin, etoposide, and cisplatin followed by the development of acute respiratory failure. Computed tomography angiography (CTA) chest was negative for pulmonary thromboembolism but demonstrated diffuse ground-glass opacities (Figure B, arrows) and metastatic pulmonary masses containing dilated vessels …

Heart Core: A Framework For Leading With Empathy In Medical Education, Akash Patel, Do, Mark Liotta, Md

The Medicine Forum

In medical training, much of what defines leadership happens outside of clinical decision-making. It happens at 2 a.m. when a resident breaks down from burnout. It happens when a team is navigating interpersonal conflict or when a trainee is overwhelmed by grief, imposter syndrome, or failure. While these moments are deeply impactful, many of us are never taught how to lead through them.

This gap inspired us to create HEART CORE, a framework designed to help residents, faculty, and administrators approach complex, emotional, or high-stakes situations with clarity and compassion. Although it was originally built for chief residents handling difficult …

The Factor Viii Debate: An Auto-Cancelled Lab Near Miss, Avish Patel, Md, Daniel Elchediak, Md, Zachary Pang, Md, Charlotte Shields, Md, Bethanne Venkatesan, Md, Ananya Venkatesh, Md, Michael Alessandro, Bsn, Jeffrey Riggio, Md, Ms, Alexis Wickersham, Md

The Medicine Forum

Near misses, medical errors with no appreciable resultant harm, often go undetected and underreported despite great emphasis on patient safety event reporting over the past two decades.¹ Additionally, near misses are often not triggers for proactive institutional corrective action due to the widespread retroactive safety culture following more harmful or catastrophic safety events.² At Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, all internal medicine first-year residents (PGY1s) participate in an immersive safety event review curriculum of near miss or low-harm safety events, previously described in the literature.³ The following details the event review findings and implemented health-system level changes following …

Enhancing Community Health Center Safety Through Participatory Co-Design, Arman Afifi, Bs, Kelsey Smith, Bs, Megan Reed, Phd, Mph, Lara Weinstein, Md

The Medicine Forum

Health and social service programs are often designed from the top down, with people in power making decisions that affect others. Integrating all staff and clients in the co-design process ensures that interventions are culturally competent and tailored to the unique challenges faced by the community. Participants bring firsthand knowledge, allowing for a more accurate assessment of needs and preferences. Additionally, involving marginalized individuals helps build trust between service providers and the community, creating a foundation for sustained collaboration and positive outcomes. Overall, participant inclusion is not only a practical necessity but an ethical imperative in delivering effective and equitable …

From Er To Mortality In 48 Hours: A Fatal Case Of Overwhelming Post-Splenectomy Infection, Miriam Stern, Ba, Blaise O’Malley, Bs, Amry Majeed, Md, Michael Grodsky, Md

The Medicine Forum

Overwhelming post-splenectomy infection (OPSI) is a known complication of asplenia.^1,2 While the precise rates of morbidity and mortality are unknown, estimates range from 38% to as high as 70%.² Because the spleen plays an important role in protecting against infections with encapsulated microorganisms, OPSI is most commonly caused by infection with encapsulated bacteria, specifically Streptococcus pneumoniae.^1–3 While pneumococcal vaccines have been shown to improve immunogenicity in asplenic people, OPSI remains a danger to both vaccinated and unvaccinated patients.^4,5 Additional measures to protect asplenic patients from overwhelming infection have been proposed, but the evidence remains mixed. …

String Theory - A Case Of Hypermucoviscous Klebsiella Pneumoniae Causing Distant Necrotizing Infections, Natasa Kostic, Md, Marina Gonzalez, Md

The Medicine Forum

Klebsiella pneumoniae is a Gram-negative, encapsulated bacterium belonging to the Enterobacteriaceae family. It is more frequently associated with nosocomial infections and is one of several bacteria developing high rates of antibiotic resistance.¹ Since the mid-1980s, there have been reported cases of Klebsiella pneumoniae causing life-threatening, invasive infections acquired in the community by otherwise healthy individuals. The propensity to form metastatic foci of infection in immunocompetent hosts is unusual for an enteric, Gram-negative pathogen.² This hypervirulent variant of K. pneumoniae was originally noted only in Asian-Pacific countries but is now being identified globally.³ The variant has unique mucoid …

Negative Urine Nucleic Acid Amplification Testing In A Case Of Disseminated Gonococcal Infection Presenting As Migratory Arthritis, Benjamin Richter, Md

The Medicine Forum

Disseminated gonococcal infection (DGI) is a well-documented complication of Neisseria gonorrhoeae infection, most characteristically presenting as migratory arthritis, tenosynovitis, and dermatitis. Although modern nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs) and cultures from mucosal sites have significantly improved diagnostic capabilities, discrepancies between clinical manifestations and laboratory findings still occur.¹ One such challenge arises when the urine gonorrhea test returns negative despite strong clinical evidence pointing toward gonococcal involvement.

Migratory arthritis—a transient, shifting pattern of joint inflammation—has long been recognized as a hallmark of DGI.² Typically, the pathogen is detected in blood, synovial fluid, or from mucosal specimens; however, negative urine …

From Cure To Crisis: A Case Of Severe Hypoxic Respiratory Failure Due To Daptomycin-Associated Eosinophilic Pneumonitis, Muneeba Ali, Md, Enad Haddad, Md, Warda Naqvi, Md, Conrad Reed, Md

The Medicine Forum

Daptomycin is a cyclic lipopeptide antibiotic that commonly treats Gram-positive infections. Most frequently prescribed for osteoarticular infections.¹ Daptomycin is associated with numerous side effects, including myopathy, rhabdomyolysis, eosinophilic pneumonia, and anaphylactic hypersensitivity reactions.1 Daptomycin-induced eosinophilic pneumonitis (DIEP) is a rare but potentially life-threatening adverse effect associated with prolonged use.² There are several established criteria for diagnosing this medical condition. However, the variation in its clinical presentation, coupled with the favorable outcomes of early diagnosis and the severe consequences of delayed diagnosis, emphasizes the need for further discussions. This case highlights the importance of monitoring patients on prolonged daptomycin …