Associations of Cost Sharing With Rheumatoid Arthritis Disease Burden.

Objective: To evaluate the regional variation of cost sharing and associations with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) disease burden in the US.

Methods: Patients with RA from rheumatology practices in Northeast, South, and West US regions were evaluated. Sociodemographics, RA disease status, and comorbidities were collected, and Rheumatic Disease Comorbidity Index (RDCI) score was calculated.

Geographic Variation in Disease Burden and Mismatch in Care of Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis in the United States.

Objective: Our objective was to evaluate the factors associated with regional variation of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) disease burden in the US.

Methods: In a retrospective cohort analysis of Rheumatology Informatics System for Effectiveness (RISE) registry data, seropositivity, RA disease activity (Clinical Disease Activity Index [CDAI], Routine Assessment of Patient Index Data-version 3 [RAPID3]), socioeconomic status (SES), geographic region, health insurance type, and comorbidity burden were recorded. An Area Deprivation Index score of more than 80 defined low SES.

Outcomes of neonatal congenital diaphragmatic hernia in a non-ECMO center in a middle-income country: a retrospective cohort study.

Background: Most studies examining survival of neonates with congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) are in high-income countries. We aimed to describe the management, survival to hospital discharge rate, and factors associated with survival of neonates with unilateral CDH in a middle-income country.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical notes of neonates with unilateral CDH admitted to a pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) in a tertiary referral center over a 15-year period, from 2003-2017.

Transition of Care in Paediatric Surgery: Current practices and perspectives of paediatric surgeons in Malaysia.

Objectives: Transition of care (TOC) from paediatric to adult care is still at an early stage in Malaysia. This study aimed to explore current practices and perspectives regarding TOC among paediatric surgeons in Malaysia.

Methods: This study was carried out between June and December 2017.

Squamous epitheliotropism of Enterovirus A71 in human epidermis and oral mucosa.

Hand-foot-and-mouth disease is a self-limiting paediatric infectious disease commonly caused by Enterovirus A71 (Genus: Enterovirus, Family: Picornaviridae). Typical lesions in and around the hands, feet, oral cavity and other places may rarely be complicated by acute flaccid paralysis and acute encephalomyelitis. Although virus is readily cultured from skin vesicles and oral secretions, the cellular target/s of Enterovirus A71 in human skin and oral mucosa are unknown.

Compound heterozygous mutations in TTC7A cause familial multiple intestinal atresias and severe combined immunodeficiency.

Familial multiple intestinal atresias is an autosomal recessive disease with or without combined immunodeficiency. In the last year, several reports have described mutations in the gene TTC7A as causal to the disease in different populations. However, exact correlation between different genotypes and various phenotypes are not clear.

Hyperplastic gastric polyps in an infant, mimicking infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis - a case report and review of the literature.

No abstract available.

Outcome of biliary atresia in Malaysia: a single-centre study.

Aim: This study aimed to determine the outcome of the operation of children with biliary atresia (BA) at a tertiary paediatric referral centre in Malaysia.

Methods: A prospective study on all patients with BA referred to the University of Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC), Kuala Lumpur, from 1996 to 2005 was conducted. Survival with native liver, liver transplantation (LT) or death at 2 years of age was determined.

Malignant epignathus teratoma.

A baby boy who had a left facial mass detected on antenatal ultrasound was delivered by Caesarian section after foetal distress was detected. Imaging investigations by plain radiographs and MRI showed a large mass with calcifications, soft tissue, fat and fluid components. A total surgical excision was perfomed and histology examination showed teratoma with no malignant features.

Osteosarcoma of the rib.

This case describes the radiological-surgical correlation of a rare case of osteosarcoma of the rib in a 15-year-old boy. Successful repair of his chest wall defect using a wire mesh following extensive surgical resection of the tumour is highlighted, such a procedure being the first instituted at our centre.

Twisted fate of bladder catheters.

Catheter knotting is a rare complication of bladder catheterisation. Retention of catheter parts resulting in calculus formation is even rarer. We report a case of a vesical calculus formed over a broken and retained supra-pubic catheter which to the best of our knowledge has yet to be reported, along with three other cases of bladder catheter knotting.

A look at rheumatology in China (2002).

This report describes a visit by an international group interested in Rheumatology to the Rheumatology centers and traditional Chinese medicine units in the People's Republic of China. Differing disease patterns and treatment approaches offer opportunities for studies and collaborations. We can also learn from the traditional Chinese approach with individualization of therapy and attention to health maintenance.

Mesocolic hernia: a rare cause of intestinal obstruction in childhood.

Mesocolic hernia is a rare cause of intestinal obstruction in children. The diagnosis involves a high index of suspicion and prompt intervention to prevent strangulation and a high morbidity. The embryological basis of the condition is of paramount importance to assist the eventual surgical correction.

Open lung biopsy for diffuse parenchymal lung disease in children.

An open lung biopsy was performed in 12 children with diffuse parenchymal lung disease. A definitive histopathological diagnosis was obtained from all procedures but determined treatment options in only 10 children (83%). Three (25%) children were ventilated for respiratory failure prior to the procedure.

Congenital esophageal stenosis: report of three cases, literature review, and a proposed classification.

The aim of this paper is to report three cases of congenital esophageal stenosis (CES) of different anatomical varieties: (1) stenosis due to tracheobronchial remnants (TBR) involving the lower third of the esophagus; (2) fibromuscular stenosis (FMS) of the middle third; and (3) a membranous diaphragm (MD) involving the lower third. The first two patients were treated by segmental resection of the esophagus and end-to-end anastomosis with dramatic relief of symptoms. The third responded to dilatation.

Meconium peritonitis: prenatal diagnosis and postnatal management--a case report.

The management of a case of antenatally diagnosed meconium peritonitis (MP) due to intrauterine intestinal perforation secondary to bowel atresia is reported. The literature is reviewed with reference to the significance and outcome of antenatally diagnosed MP.

Management of Hirschsprung's disease with reference to one-stage pull-through without colostomy.

Background/purpose: The authors evaluated the safety and benefits of 1-stage pull-through in comparison with staged repair of Hirschsprung's disease under circumstances prevailing in a developing country.

Methods: Forty-nine patients were treated for Hirschsprung's disease during a 7-year period between January 1991 and March 1998 at our institution, which is a tertiary referral center. Nine patients were excluded from the study, and the medical records of the remaining 40 patients were reviewed.

Malignant transformation of mesenchymal hamartoma of the liver: case report and review of the literature.

Here the first case in the literature of both mesenchymal hamartoma and malignant mesenchymoma occurring in a 6-year-old male child, at different times and at different sites in the liver, and also the possible malignant transformation of a mesenchymal hamartoma is reported. The tumor developed from a lesion in the right lobe that was overlooked initially during a left lateral segmentectomy at 18 months of age for a mesenchymal hamartoma. Malignant mesenchymoma is a rare and aggressive tumor.

Incomplete hypospadiac urethral duplication with posterior urethral valves.

Urethral duplication (UD) is an uncommon malformation. Obstruction rarely occurs in hypospadiac UD. We describe two children with incomplete hypospadiac UD in association with posterior urethral valves, a combination not previously recognised.

Advantages and limitations of day surgery in children in a developing country.

Day surgery (DS) especially in children, has been widely accepted by surgeons, and the benefits to the patients, parents, and hospital have been well-established. It has become particularly popular among working parents and is accepted by hospital administrators. Proper case selection, preoperative assessment, and proper parent counselling, choice of anaesthesia, postoperative analgesia, and follow-up advice are essential for a successful outcome.

Duplication of the rectum: report of four cases and review of the literature.

Rectal duplications are rare anomalies. Recently, we observed four cases of rectal duplication, each presenting with different clinical features including chronic constipation, a prolapsing rectal "polyp, " a "growth" from the vulva, and acute retention of urine. The variety of clinical presentations may lead to delay in diagnosis and multiple operations.

Intraabdominal desmoplastic small round cell tumour in an 11-year-old boy.

A case of desmoplastic small round cell tumour (DSRCT) is presented. This aggressive and rare neoplasm predominantly affects males and is almost exclusively intraabdominal in location. It is unique in that neural, mesenchymal and epithelial markers are co-expressed.