Citations

Low back pain is the most common musculoskeletal complaint accounting for over 30 million visits to primary care physicians annually. Serious pathology is found in less than 1% of these visits. Therefore it is often a challenge to distinguish worrisome findings requiring further workup and treatment from common complaints of pain. Gout is an inflammatory arthritis that most commonly affects the appendicular skeleton. It is characterized by the saturation of uric acid and deposition of monosodium urate crystals in joints and tissues. Spinal involvement is rare and is not typically considered on the differential diagnosis for a patient presenting with acute low back pain. We present such a case of a 35-year-old male who presented with intractable back pain, highlighting the need to recognize signs and symptoms that raise suspicion for spinal gout.

Abstract Background Levodopa‐induced dyskinesia (LID) is a common adverse effect of levodopa, one of the main therapeutics used to treat the motor symptoms of Parkinson's disease (PD). Previous evidence suggests a connection between LID and a disruption of the dopaminergic system as well as genes implicated in PD, including GBA1 and LRRK2 . Objectives Our goal was to investigate the effects of genetic variants on risk and time to LID. Methods We performed a genome‐wide association study (GWAS) and analyses focused on GBA1 and LRRK2 variants. We also calculated polygenic risk scores (PRS) including risk variants for PD and variants in genes involved in the dopaminergic transmission pathway. To test the influence of genetics on LID risk we used logistic regression, and to examine its impact on time to LID we performed Cox regression including 1612 PD patients with and 3175 without LID. Results We found that GBA1 variants were associated with LID risk (odds ratio [OR] = 1.65; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.21–2.26; P = 0.0017) and LRRK2 variants with reduced time to LID onset (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.42; 95% CI, 1.09–1.84; P = 0.0098). The fourth quartile of the PD PRS was associated with increased LID risk (OR fourth_quartile = 1.27; 95% CI, 1.03–1.56; P = 0.0210). The third and fourth dopamine pathway PRS quartiles were associated with a reduced time to development of LID (HR third_quartile = 1.38; 95% CI, 1.07–1.79; P = 0.0128; HR fourth_quartile = 1.38; 95% CI = 1.06–1.78; P = 0.0147). Conclusions This study suggests that variants implicated in PD and in the dopaminergic transmission pathway play a role in the risk/time to develop LID. Further studies will be necessary to examine how these findings can inform clinical care. © 2024 The Author(s). Movement Disorders published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.

AbstractObjectiveThe first international consensus criteria for optic neuritis (ICON) were published in 2022. We applied these criteria to a prospective, global observational study of acute optic neuritis (ON).MethodsWe included 160 patients with a first‐ever acute ON suggestive of a demyelinating CNS disease from the Acute Optic Neuritis Network (ACON). We applied the 2022 ICON to all participants and subsequently adjusted the ICON by replacing a missing relative afferent pupillary defect (RAPD) or dyschromatopsia if magnetic resonance imaging pathology of the optical nerve plus optical coherence tomography abnormalities or certain biomarkers are present.ResultsAccording to the 2022 ICON, 80 (50%) patients were classified as definite ON, 12 (7%) patients were classified as possible ON, and 68 (43%) as not ON (NON). The main reasons for classification as NON were absent RAPD (52 patients, 76%) or dyschromatopsia (49 patients, 72%). Distribution of underlying ON etiologies was as follows: 78 (49%) patients had a single isolated ON, 41 (26%) patients were diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, 25 (16%) patients with myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody‐associated disease, and 15 (9%) with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder. The application of the adjusted ON criteria yielded a higher proportion of patients classified as ON (126 patients, 79%).InterpretationAccording to the 2022 ICON, almost half of the included patients in ACON did not fulfill the requirements for classification of definite or possible ON, particularly due to missing RAPD and dyschromatopsia. Thorough RAPD examination and formal color vision testing are critical to the application of the 2022 ICON.

BACKGROUND: Ulcerative colitis, total colectomy, and tofacitinib have all been associated with an increased risk of venous thromboembolism. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether preoperative tofacitinib exposure increases venous thromboembolism or other postoperative complications among patients with ulcerative colitis undergoing subtotal colectomy, total colectomy, or total proctocolectomy. DESIGN: Retrospective, case-controlled study at a single institution. SETTINGS: A tertiary referral center. PATIENTS: Adult patients with ulcerative colitis undergoing subtotal colectomy, total colectomy, or total proctocolectomy after 2018 who were taking tofacitinib within 30 days of surgery (n = 56) were compared to age- and sex-matched patients with ulcerative colitis undergoing the same surgeries but who were not exposed to tofacitinib (n = 56). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: The primary outcome was differences in the incidence of venous thromboembolism within 90 days of surgery based on tofacitinib exposure. Secondary outcomes were 90-day postoperative complications. RESULTS: Groups were well matched for age (non-tofacitinib: mean 35.2 years [SD 12.0], tofacitinib: 35.9 [SD 12.1], p = 0.36) and sex (41% women in each group, p = 1.00). Medical characteristics were similar between groups except for biological medication exposure 30 days before surgery (non-tofacitinib: 66%, tofacitinib: 36%, p = 0.004). Surgical characteristics did not differ between groups. Most patients were discharged on extended venous thromboembolism prophylaxis (non-tofacitinib: 80% and tofacitinib: 77%). Adjusted for biological exposure, there were no statistically significant differences in venous thromboembolism (non-tofacitinib exposed: 14%, tofacitinib exposed: 4%, p = 0.09) or other postoperative outcomes. LIMITATION: Retrospective, single institutional study. CONCLUSIONS: Among patients with ulcerative colitis undergoing total colectomy or proctocolectomy, exposure to tofacitinib was not associated with an increased risk of venous thromboembolism or other postoperative complications. See Video Abstract . LA EXPOSICIÓN A TOFACITINIB NO AUMENTA LAS COMPLICACIONES POSOPERATORIAS ENTRE PACIENTES CON COLITIS ULCEROSA SOMETIDOS A COLECTOMÍA TOTAL: UN ESTUDIO RETROSPECTIVO DE CASOS Y CONTROLES ANTECEDENTES: La colitis ulcerosa, la colectomía total y el tofacitinib han sido asociados con un mayor riesgo de tromboembolismo venoso. OBJETIVO: Determinar si la exposición preoperatoria a tofacitinib aumenta la tromboembolia venosa u otras complicaciones posoperatorias entre pacientes con colitis ulcerosa sometidos a colectomía subtotal, colectomía total o proctocolectomía total. DISEÑO: Estudio retrospectivo de casos y controles en una sola institución. AJUSTES: Un centro de referencia terciario. PACIENTES: Los pacientes adultos con colitis ulcerosa sometidos a colectomía subtotal, colectomía total o proctocolectomía total después del año 2018 que se encontraron consumiendo tofacitinib dentro de los 30 días posteriores a la cirugía (n = 56) fueron comparados con pacientes con colitis ulcerosa de la misma edad y sexo sometidos a las mismas cirugías pero que no estuvieron expuestos a tofacitinib (n = 56). MEDIDA DE RESULTADO PRINCIPAL: El resultado primario fueron las diferencias en las incidencias de tromboembolismo venoso dentro de los 90 días posteriores a la cirugía según la exposición a tofacitinib. Los resultados secundarios fueron las complicaciones posoperatorias a los 90 días. RESULTADOS: Los grupos se encontraban bien emparejados por edad (sin tofacitinib: media 35,2 años [DE 12,0], tofacitinib: 35,9 [DE 12,1], p = 0,36) y sexo (41% mujeres en cada grupo, p = 1,00). Las características médicas fueron similares entre los grupos, excepto por la exposición a medicamentos biológicos 30 días antes de la cirugía (sin tofacitinib: 66 %, tofacitinib: 36 %, p = 0,004). Las características quirúrgicas no difirieron entre los grupos. La mayoría de los pacientes fueron dados de alta con profilaxis extendida para tromboembolismo venoso (sin tofacitinib: 80% y tofacitinib: 77%). Ajustado a la exposición biológica, no hubo diferencias estadísticamente significativas en el tromboembolismo venoso (no expuestos a tofacitinib: 14%, expuestos a tofacitinib: 4%, p = 0,09) u otros resultados posoperatorios. LIMITACIÓN: Estudio institucional único, retrospectivo. CONCLUSIÓN: Entre los pacientes con colitis ulcerosa sometidos a colectomía total o proctocolectomía, la exposición a tofacitinib no se asoció con un mayor riesgo de tromboembolismo venoso u otras complicaciones posoperatorias. (Traducción—Dr Osvaldo Gauto )

Background Myocardial bridging (MB) is accompanied by the dynamic extravascular compression of epicardial coronary arteries, leading to intracoronary hemodynamic disturbance with abnormal coronary flow profiles. We aimed to evaluate the prognostic implications of resistive reserve ratio (RRR), a composite measure of flow and pressure parameters that represents the vasodilatory capacity of the coronary arteries, in patients with angina with nonobstructive coronary artery disease (ANOCA) and MB, in comparison with coronary flow reserve (CFR). Methods and Results In this retrospective cohort study, we included patients with ANOCA who underwent coronary reactivity testing, where MB was identified by transient constriction in coronary artery segments between systole and diastole. Abnormal CFR and RRR were defined as <2.5 and <2.62, respectively. Major adverse cardiac events, including cardiovascular death, stroke, myocardial infarction, heart failure, and late revascularization, served as outcomes. Among 1251 patients with ANOCA, 191 (15.3%) had MB. The prevalence of abnormal CFR or RRR was not significantly different between patients with and without MB ( P =0.144 and P =0.398, respectively). Over a median follow‐up time of 6.9 years, abnormal RRR predicted major adverse cardiac events in patients with MB (hazard ratio [HR], 4.38 [95% CI, 1.71–11.21]; P =0.002) and without MB (HR, 1.91 [95% CI, 1.38–2.64]; P <0.001). Abnormal CFR predicted major adverse cardiac events in patients without MB (HR, 2.15 [95% CI, 1.54–3.00]; P <0.001), whereas it was not predictive of major adverse cardiac events in patients with MB (HR, 2.29 [95% CI, 0.93–5.65]; P =0.073). Conclusions In patients with ANOCA and MB, impaired RRR was superior to impaired CFR in distinguishing patients at a higher risk of future adverse events, suggesting that RRR may serve as a risk stratification tool in patients with MB and ANOCA.

Abstract Renal tubules have potential to regenerate and repair after mild-to-moderate injury. Proliferation of tubular epithelial cells represents the initial step of this reparative process. Although for many years, it was believed that proliferating cells originated from a pre-existing intra-tubular stem cell population, there is now consensus that surviving tubular epithelial cells acquire progenitor properties to regenerate the damaged kidney. Scattered tubular-like cells (STCs) are dedifferentiated adult renal tubular epithelial cells that arise upon injury and contribute to renal self-healing and recovery by replacing lost neighboring tubular epithelial cells. These cells are characterized by the co-expression of the stem cell surface markers CD133 and CD24, as well as mesenchymal and kidney injury markers. Previous studies have shown that exogenous delivery of STCs ameliorates renal injury and dysfunction in murine models of acute kidney injury, underscoring the regenerative potential of this endogenous repair system. Although STCs contain fewer mitochondria than their surrounding terminally differentiated tubular epithelial cells, these organelles modulate several important cellular functions, and their integrity and function are critical to preserve the reparative capacity of STCs. Recent data suggest that the microenviroment induced by cardiovascular risk factors, such as obesity, hypertension, and renal ischemia may compromise STC mitochondrial integrity and function, limiting the capacity of these cells to repair injured renal tubules. This review summarizes current knowledge of the contribution of STCs to kidney repair and discusses recent insight into the key role of mitochondria in modulating STC function and their vulnerability in the setting of cardiovascular disease.

Background: Large biobanks that link biological specimens with specimen donors’ health histories are a critical tool for precision medicine, and many health care institutions have invested significant resources in setting up and building up large collections for this purpose. As biobanks require consented participation from thousands of individual donors, much research has focused on the values and preferences of new and prospective donors who are actively contemplating an invitation to participate in the collection. Few studies, however, have focused on participants’ opinions about their biobank participation in the months and years following enrollment. Methods: We conducted a survey in a large, established biobank and evaluated participants’ levels of decisional regret regarding their decision to enroll in the biobank. Results: We found very low levels of decisional regret among established biobank participants. Multivariable regression analysis found that age, length of time in the biobank, lower educational attainment, inadequate health literacy, and previous invitations to research participation were all significant predictors of elevated regret. Discussion: Among those with elevated regret, several demographic factors may point to elevated likelihood of decisional regret. More research is needed to identify factors associated with long-term satisfaction with biobank participation and with elevated risk of regret and/or withdrawal from the collection.

Abstract Objectives Urine drug testing (UDT) is a critical tool used in medical, forensic, and occupational settings, but interpreting results can be challenging. We performed a study to assess the ability of health care professionals to interpret UDT results accurately. Methods In total, 911 clinical and laboratory professionals in the United States and Canada responded to a survey with questions gauging expertise in UDT interpretation. Responses were analyzed to identify knowledge gaps. Results Toxicologists and laboratory PhD scientists performed well, with means of 4.82 and 4.63 questions answered correctly (out of 6 possible), respectively. Physicians specializing in pathology, emergency medicine, primary care, and internal medicine, however, displayed concerning knowledge gaps, as did laboratorians with nondoctoral degrees. Experience and training correlated with interpretation accuracy. Identification of simulated compliance as well as understanding opioid exposure, metabolism, and immunoassay cross-reactivity were among the most clinically significant knowledge gaps. More than 30% of survey respondents indicated that they would seek UDT information from the internet or peers rather than clinical or laboratory experts. Conclusions The study highlighted the need for targeted education and better collaboration between clinical and laboratory experts and other health care professionals to ensure that when physicians order UDT, they can accurately interpret results and reduce harm.

With an annual cumulative occurrence of approximately 15,000 in North America, all childhood cancers are rare. Very rare cancers as defined by both the European Cooperative Study Group for Rare Pediatric Cancers (EXPeRT) and the Children’s Oncology Group (COG) fall into two principal categories: those so uncommon (fewer than 2 cases/million) that their study is challenging even through cooperative group efforts (e.g. pleuropulmonary blastoma, desmoplastic small round cell tumor) and those that are far more common in adults and therefore rarely studied in children (e.g. thyroid, melanoma, gastrointestinal stromal tumor). [1](#ref-0001) Treatment strategies for these latter tumors are typically based on adult guidelines, although the pediatric variants of these tumors may harbor different genetic signatures and demonstrate different behavior. If melanoma and differentiated thyroid cancer are excluded, other rare cancer types account for only 2% of the cancers in children aged 0 to 14.[1](#ref-0001) This article highlights several of the most common rare tumor types.