Publications by authors named "Michael C Kwa"

Pemetrexed, an anti-folate, antineoplastic agent, effectively treats various malignancies such as non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and mesothelioma. Here, we report two cases of recurrent pemetrexed-induced lower extremity erythema and edema, one in a 60-year-old male and the other in a 47-year-old male, who were both treated for recurrent cellulitis on multiple occasions before finally being diagnosed with pemetrexed-induced pseudocellulitis (PIP), a rarely reported adverse effect. This is an important diagnostic pitfall for clinicians to be aware of, as early recognition may minimize patient morbidity and prevent unnecessary hospitalization and antibiotic use for presumed cellulitis.

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The cost of prescription drugs has increased at rates far exceeding general inflation in recent history, with topical drugs increasing at a disproportionate rate compared to other routes of administration. We assessed the relationship between net changes in the number of therapeutic options, defined as any approved drug or therapeutic equivalent on the market, and prescription topical drug spending. Drugs were divided based on the category of use through pairing of Medicare Part D Prescriber Public Use and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved drug products databases.

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Background: Juvenile dermatomyositis (JDM) is a rare autoimmune disease that causes significant morbidity and quality of life impairment. Little is known about the inpatient burden of JDM in the US. Our goal was to determine the prevalence and risk factors for hospitalization with juvenile dermatomyositis and assess inpatient burden of JDM.

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Objective: JDM is associated with multiple potential risk factors for cardiovascular disease, including reduced heart rate variability, systolic/diastolic cardiac dysfunction, abnormal brachial artery reactivity and metabolic syndrome. However, little is known about cardiovascular risk in JDM. We sought to examine the association between JDM and cardiovascular risk factors and disease in US children.

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Background: Psoriasis has been shown to be associated with cardiovascular disease in adults. Little is known about cardiovascular risk in pediatric psoriasis.

Objective: To determine if there is an association between pediatric psoriasis and cardiovascular comorbidities.

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Objective: To determine the prevalence and risk factors for hospitalization with dermatomyositis and assess inpatient burden of dermatomyositis.

Methods: Data on 72,651,487 hospitalizations from the 2002-2012 Nationwide Inpatient Sample, a 20% stratified sample of all acute-care hospitalizations in the US, were analyzed. International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification coding was used to identify hospitalizations with a diagnosis of dermatomyositis.

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Background: Psoriasis, atopic dermatitis or eczema (AD-E), pemphigus, bullous pemphigoid (BP), and hidradenitis are chronic inflammatory skin disorders associated with systemic immune activation, considerable symptom burden, stigma, functional disturbances, and mental health symptoms. All of these might increase cardiovascular risk.

Objective: The objective of this study was to determine whether these inflammatory skin diseases are associated with increased cardiovascular/cerebrovascular risk and/or disease.

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Objective: To assess the validity of using International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM) code 710.3 to identify adult patients with dermatomyositis in outpatient and inpatient settings.

Methods: Electronic medical records of adult patients with ICD-9 code 710.

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