Improving the ability to discriminate medical multiple-choice questions through the analysis of the competitive examination to assign residency positions in Spain.

Introduction: Psychometrics plays a vital role in evaluating educational research, including the analysis of multiple-choice exams. This study aims to improve the discriminatory ability of the "Médico Interno Residente" (MIR) medical exam in Spain, used to rank candidates for specialized healthcare training, through psychometric analysis.

Methods: We analyzed 2,890 MIR exam questions from 2009 to 2021 (totaling 147,214 exams), categorizing them based on methodology and response type.

Proportion of thyroid cancer and other cancers in the democratic republic of Congo.

Background: Cancer diagnosis is increasing around the world and in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The proportion of thyroid cancer has increased over the past three decades. There are very few studies on cancer epidemiology, and in particular on thyroid cancer in the DRC.

Outcomes after heart valve replacement surgery at the Cardiovascular Center of Puerto Rico and the Caribbean.

Background: Heart valve surgery is the second most common type of cardiac surgery. However, there is limited information about the outcomes associated to these types of surgeries.

Methods: A retrospective review was performed in 91 Puerto Rican patients who underwent elective heart valve replacement surgery at the Cardiovascular Center of Puerto Rico and the Caribbean (CCPRC) between January 2004 and January 2005.

Constrictive pericarditis.

Constrictive pericarditis is a rare but severely disabling consequence of the chronic inflammation of the pericardium, leading to an impaired filling of the ventricles and reduced ventricular function. Patients complain about fatigue, peripheral edema, breathlessness and abdominal swelling; signs and symptoms of right-sided heart failure. Besides history and physical examination, diagnostic studies aid in the diagnosis, including electrocardiogram, chest x-ray, echocardiogram, chest CT and/or MRI, and hemodynamic measurements.

Aortic valvular heart disease in adults.

Valvular Heart Disease (VHD) is an important cardiovascular problem in the adult population. The knowledge of the physiology involved, prompt recognition and diagnosis are of paramount importance for the primary care physician who is in the front line of patient care. This article is the second of a series of two that deals with valvular problems in the adults in concise and practical form (11).

Mitral valvular heart disease in the adults.

Valvular Heart Disease (VHD) is an important cardiovascular problem in the adult population. The knowledge of the physiology involved, prompt recognition and diagnosis are of paramount importance for the primary care physician who is in the front line of patient care. This article is the first of a series of two that will discuss valvular problems in the adults in concise and practical form.