Publications by authors named "L Haque"
Introduction: Accurate assessment of alcohol use informs prevention and management of liver disease. We examined whether phosphatidylethanol (PEth, an alcohol metabolite) blood concentrations are associated with liver fibrosis risk independently of self-reported alcohol use, among persons with and without HIV.
Methods: We pooled individual-level data from 12 studies from the United States, Russia, Uganda, and South Africa with PEth, Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test-Consumption (AUDIT-C), and fibrosis-4 (FIB-4) measurements.
Purpose: Accurate identification of hepatic decompensation is essential for pharmacoepidemiologic research among patients with chronic liver disease.
Methods: An algorithm using ≥ 1 inpatient or ≥ 2 outpatient International Classification of Diseases, 10th revision (ICD-10) codes for hepatic decompensation was developed in Veterans Health Administration data from October 2015 through July 2019. Medical records were reviewed by hepatologists to confirm cases.
Article Synopsis
- Herpes simplex virus (HSV) encephalitis is a serious neurological condition that can lead to temporal lobe damage and result in seizures and psychiatric symptoms, particularly affecting older adults.
- A case study involving an older male patient revealed that he had new visual hallucinations and seizures, which led to a diagnostic journey that included CT and EEG tests, ultimately suggesting HSV encephalitis despite negative PCR results for the virus.
- The patient improved significantly with antiviral and antiepileptic treatments, highlighting the importance of recognizing potential underlying causes of acute neuropsychiatric symptoms for timely and effective intervention.
Article Synopsis
- Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a chronic condition affecting over 29.5 million people, leading to $249 billion in annual social and health care costs.
- It is more prevalent in specific demographics, including young adults, males, sexual and gender minorities, and certain racial groups, often overlooked in healthcare settings.
- To improve screening and treatment for AUD, it's essential to understand its current prevalence and the impact of social determinants of health.