Comparison of Two Symptom Checkers (Ada and Symptoma) in the Emergency Department: Randomized, Crossover, Head-to-Head, Double-Blinded Study.

Background: Emergency departments (EDs) are frequently overcrowded and increasingly used by nonurgent patients. Symptom checkers (SCs) offer on-demand access to disease suggestions and recommended actions, potentially improving overall patient flow. Contrary to the increasing use of SCs, there is a lack of supporting evidence based on direct patient use.

The Positive Rate of Pulmonary Embolism by CT Pulmonary Angiography Is High in an Emergency Department, Even in Low-Risk or Young Patients.

Objective: The clinical presentation of pulmonary embolism (PE) can be various and misleading. We analyzed patients with suspicion of PE and subsequently performed computed tomography pulmonary angiography (CTPA) in an emergency department of Internal Medicine, focusing on patient groups in which PE might be underestimated in the emergency setting, such as young patients and patients with low clinical probability.

Material And Methods: In 2016 and 2017, all patients receiving a CTPA for investigation of PE were retrospectively evaluated for clinical parameters (age, symptoms, and vital parameters) and D-dimers.

Identification of a Spinal Circuit for Mechanical and Persistent Spontaneous Itch.

Lightly stroking the lips or gently poking some skin regions can evoke mechanical itch in healthy human subjects. Sensitization of mechanical itch and persistent spontaneous itch are intractable symptoms in chronic itch patients. However, the underlying neural circuits are not well defined.