CVID-Associated Intestinal Disorders in the USIDNET Registry: An Analysis of Disease Manifestations, Functional Status, Comorbidities, and Treatment.

Common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) has been subdivided into five phenotypes, including one marked by non-infectious enteropathies that lead to significant morbidity and mortality. We examined a large national registry of patients with CVID to better characterize this population and understand how the presence of enteropathy influences nutritional status, patient function, and the risk of additional non-infectious disorders in CVID patients. We also sought to illustrate the range of treatment strategies for CVID-associated enteropathies.

CVID-associated intestinal disorders in the USIDNET registry: An analysis of disease manifestations, functional status, comorbidities, and treatment.

Common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) has been subdivided into five phenotypes, including one marked by non-infectious enteropathies that lead to significant morbidity and mortality. We examined a large national registry of patients with CVID to better characterize this population and understand how the presence of enteropathy influences nutritional status, patient function, and the risk of additional non-infectious disorders in CVID patients. We also sought to illustrate the range of treatment strategies for CVID-associated enteropathies.

Adverse Reactions to Biologic Medications Used in Allergy and Immunology Diseases.

Purpose Of Review: The use of biologic therapies has risen exponentially over recent years, allowing for unprecedented disease control within numerous areas of Allergy/Immunology. With this expanded use, awareness and understanding of adverse reactions to biologic agents have also increased.

Recent Findings: Multiple biologic adverse reaction phenotypes have been described, but significant overlap in clinical features across phenotypes exists.

Identifying barriers to the care of the rheumatoid hand in China: comparing attitudes of rheumatologists and hand surgeons.

Aim: In China, hand surgeons treat fewer rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients compared to other countries. We investigated whether physician and surgeon knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding RA hand deformities reflect current evidence and may contribute to the low utilization of surgery.

Method: We surveyed hand surgeons and rheumatologists at three tertiary hospitals in Beijing, China.

Barriers to Reconstructive Hand Surgery for Rheumatoid Arthritis in China: A Multicenter Survey of Patients and Physicians.

Background: China has a similar rheumatoid arthritis (RA) disease burden compared with other countries, yet RA patients rarely receive surgical treatment for hand deformities that limit function and impact appearance. We investigated potential barriers to rheumatoid hand surgery in China.

Methods: Patients with RA, rheumatologists, and hand surgeons at 3 large tertiary hospitals in Beijing completed questionnaires that assess knowledge and attitudes surrounding RA hand surgery.

Hand Function and Appearance following Reconstruction for Congenital Hand Differences: A Qualitative Analysis of Children and Parents.

Background: Congenital hand differences induce social, psychological, and functional challenges for children. However, little is known about how children perceive their outcomes after reconstructive or what concerns children have.

Methods: A total of 33 children (aged 6 to 17 years) who were treated for congenital hand differences, and their parents, participated in qualitative, semistructured interviews regarding the child's hand function and appearance.

Potential Safety Loophole of Fat Grafting in Breast Cancer Patients.

Unlabelled: Autologous fat grafting (AFG) accounts for 9.1 % of all cosmetic surgical procedures in the world. Its use has been increasing tremendously in breast reconstruction and produces satisfying outcomes.

Applying the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System to Assess Upper Extremity Function among Children with Congenital Hand Differences.

Background: Few studies have evaluated self-assessment tools among children with congenital hand differences. The authors compared three upper extremity disability instruments with the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Pediatric Upper Extremity Item Bank.

Methods: Thirty-three children (aged 6 to 17 years) with congenital hand differences completed the Pediatric Outcomes Data Collection Instrument; the Michigan Hand Outcomes Questionnaire; the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand questionnaire; and the PROMIS Upper Extremity short form and computerized adaptive test.

Medical treatment decision making after total avulsion brachial plexus injury: a qualitative study.

Object: Complete avulsion traumatic brachial plexus injuries (BPIs) can be treated using nerve and musculoskeletal reconstruction procedures. However, these interventions are most viable within certain timeframes, and even then they cannot restore all lost function. Little is known about how patients make decisions regarding surgical treatment or what impediments they face during the decision-making process.

Coping with congenital hand differences.

Background: Although functional outcomes following reconstruction for congenital hand differences are frequently described, much less is known regarding children's ability to cope with the psychosocial effects of these conditions. The authors qualitatively explored stress and coping mechanisms among children following reconstructive surgery for congenital hand differences.

Methods: Forty patients and their parents participated in semistructured interviews examining children's stress related to hand functioning and appearance, emotional responses to stress, and coping strategies.

Impact of medical tourism on cosmetic surgery in the United States.

Developing countries have been attracting more international patients by building state-of-the-art facilities and offering sought-after healthcare services at a fraction of the cost of the US healthcare system. These price differentials matter most for elective procedures, including cosmetic surgeries, which are paid for out of pocket. It is unclear how this rise in medical tourism will affect the practice of plastic surgery, which encompasses a uniquely large number of elective procedures.

Psychosocial outcomes and coping after complete avulsion traumatic brachial plexus injury.

Purpose: To understand psychosocial outcomes, coping and adjustment after complete avulsion traumatic brachial plexus injury (BPI).

Method: We conducted a grounded theory analysis of 12 semi-structured patient interviews exploring psychosocial outcomes, augmented by quantitative evaluation of self-reported mental health and social functioning, body image and coping strategies obtained via three questionnaires (SF-36, Brief COPE and modified SWAP).

Results: Subjects' main sources of psychological stress were chronic pain, unemployment, decreased self-efficacy and social-emotional consequences of poor body image.

Patient satisfaction and self-reported outcomes after complete brachial plexus avulsion injury.

Purpose: Reconstructive surgery for complete brachial plexus avulsion injuries only partially restores function, and many patients are dissatisfied with results that surgeons consider good. Preoperative expectations have been shown to influence postoperative satisfaction but are poorly understood in patients with complete brachial plexus avulsion injuries. Qualitative methodology can elucidate patient beliefs and attitudes, which are difficult to quantify.

Mentorship: concepts and application to plastic surgery training programs.

Background: Countless articles have demonstrated and emphasized the importance of mentoring in academic medicine. However, the upcoming role of mentors in the evolving medical field is poorly defined. As translational medicine, collaboration, and health care priorities change, so too must the goals and use of mentoring.

Mentorship in surgical training: a systematic review.

Objective: This review systematically examines the literature regarding mentor-mentee relationships in surgery.

Background: The usefulness of mentorship in surgical training has been expressed in many articles. However, to date, there has been no systematic review on mentoring surgical trainees.

Graphs, tables, and figures in scientific publications: the good, the bad, and how not to be the latter.

Graphs, figures, and tables can save readers time and energy, aid their understanding of an article, and reduce the word count of the main text. However, many graphics submitted to and published in scientific journals fail to meet their potential and include mistakes that jeopardize their clarity. Many formats are available for presenting data, as well as a variety of techniques for enhancing interpretability.