Chronic kidney disease after orthotopic liver transplantation: impact of hepatitis C infection.

Background: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection has been shown to be a potential risk factor for the development of chronic kidney disease in liver transplant recipients.

Methods: We performed a retrospective cohort study of 307 patients with and without HCV cirrhosis and preserved pretransplant renal function (serum creatinine<1.5 mg/dL pretransplantation) to assess the impact of HCV on the incidence of posttransplant chronic kidney disease.

A case-control study of home foreclosure, health conditions, and health care utilization.

Though rates of foreclosure are at a historic high, relatively little is known about the link between foreclosure and health. We performed a case-control study to examine health conditions and health care utilization in the time period prior to foreclosure. Homeowners who received a home foreclosure notice from 2005 to 2008 were matched (by name and address) to a university hospital system in Philadelphia and compared with controls who received care from the hospital system and who lived in the same zip code as cases.

A comparison of the results of anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction using bioabsorbable versus metal interference screws: a meta-analysis.

Background: Graft fixation during anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction can be achieved with use of either bioabsorbable screws or metal screws. Although bioabsorbable screws and metal screws have similar fixation strengths, bioabsorbable screws eliminate the need for removal. In addition, postoperative imaging is easier to interpret when bioabsorbable screws are used.

Evaluation of the use of prognostic information for the care of individuals with venous leg ulcers or diabetic neuropathic foot ulcers.

This is a randomized factorial design clinical trial that investigates the efficacy and feasibility of providing prognostic information on wound healing. Prognostic information was provided based on baseline or 4-week wound characteristics. Healing rates were then determined at 24 weeks for venous leg ulcers and 20 weeks for diabetic neuropathic foot ulcers.

The risk of stroke in patients with psoriasis.

Psoriasis is a chronic Th-1 and Th-17 inflammatory disease. Chronic inflammation has also been associated with atherosclerosis and thrombosis. The purpose of this study was to determine the risk of stroke in patients with psoriasis.

The prevalence of previously diagnosed and undiagnosed psoriasis in US adults: results from NHANES 2003-2004.

Background: Psoriasis is a predictor of morbidity. It is important to determine the extent to which psoriasis remains undiagnosed.

Objective: To determine the prevalence of psoriasis.

Test characteristics of high-resolution ultrasound in the preoperative assessment of margins of basal cell and squamous cell carcinoma in patients undergoing Mohs micrographic surgery.

Background: Noninvasive techniques to assess subclinical spread of nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC) may improve surgical precision. High-resolution ultrasound has shown promise in evaluating the extent of NMSC.

Objectives: To determine the accuracy of high-resolution ultrasound to assess the margins of basal cell (BCC) and squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) before Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS).

Oral curcumin in the treatment of moderate to severe psoriasis vulgaris: A prospective clinical trial.

Background: There is a need for safe, inexpensive, and effective psoriasis therapies. Many anecdotal accounts of patients' successful treatment with the alternative medicine curcumin exist.

Objective: We sought to determine the safety and efficacy of oral curcumin in patients with psoriasis.

The risk of mortality in patients with psoriasis: results from a population-based study.

Objective: To determine the risk of mortality in patients with psoriasis.

Design: Cohort study.

Setting: General practitioners participating in the General Practice Research Database in the United Kingdom, 1987-2002.

Update on the epidemiology and systemic treatment of psoriasis.

Recent epidemiological observations reveal that the prevalence of psoriasis increases more rapidly in young women compared with young men, and that the prevalence of psoriasis may decrease in the elderly. Emerging evidence suggests that some potentially modifiable exposures, such as smoking, stress and obesity, may increase a patient's risk of developing psoriasis. The evolving literature suggests that psoriasis is associated with multiple other diseases, including cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes and psychiatric disease, and that psoriasis itself may be an independent risk factor for developing atherosclerosis and myocardial infarction.