Handgrip Strength Predicts Survival in Patients With Pancreatic Cancer.

Objectives: Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a common cancer with a poor prognosis and is associated with a high prevalence of cachexia, a metabolic syndrome of muscle wasting due to complex mechanisms. In addition to loss of muscle mass, cancer patients also experience functional deterioration. The aim of this study is to determine whether there is an association between muscle mass and function and clinical outcomes, particularly survival.

Hyponatraemia due to the syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion in adults with respiratory syncytial virus infection.

We present a case of severe hyponatraemia due to syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone (SIADH) in a patient with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection. A retrospective analysis of all patients admitted to our hospital with RSV in the preceding 3-year period revealed hyponatraemia in 41 (28%) cases, of which 13 (8.9%) were moderate or severe.

Body Composition Adjusted Dosing of Gemcitabine-Nab-Paclitaxel in Pancreatic Cancer Does Not Predict Toxicity Compared to Body Surface Area Dosing.

Combination gemcitabine and nab-paclitaxel (Gem-Nab-P) is a common regimen used to treat metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Toxicity from this regimen is associated with significant morbidity. Currently, Gem-Nab-P is dosed using estimated body surface area, derived from height and weight.

The role of body composition in diverticular disease.

Background: Diverticular disease is a common, chronic inflammatory disease of the bowel. This study investigates the differences in body composition between patients with diverticular disease and those without.

Methods: Appropriate patients were identified using a search of the radiology database.

Metformin use in diabetics with diverticular disease is associated with reduced incidence of diverticulitis.

Background And Aims: There is no current, evidence-based therapy to prevent acute diverticulitis in patients with diverticular disease. Metformin has been shown to have anti-inflammatory effects in a number of disease states, in both animal models and in human observational studies. The potential therapeutic efficacy of metformin in diverticular disease has not been investigated.