Vitamin D deficiency is associated with higher risks for SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 severity: a retrospective case-control study.

Robust evidence of whether vitamin D deficiency is associated with COVID-19 infection and its severity is still lacking. The aim of the study was to evaluate the association between vitamin D levels and the risks of SARS-CoV-2 infection and severe disease in those infected. A retrospective study was carried out among members of Clalit Health Services (CHS), the largest healthcare organization in Israel, between March 1 and October 31, 2020.

Incident gout and chronic Kidney Disease: healthcare utilization and survival.

Background: Uncontrolled gout can cause significant joint and organ damage and has been associated with impairments in quality of life and high economic cost. Gout has also been associated with other comorbid diseases, such as chronic kidney disease. The current study explored if healthcare resource utilization (HRU) and survival differs between patients with incident gout in the presence or absence of chronic kidney disease (CKD).

Vitamin D levels for preventing acute coronary syndrome and mortality: evidence of a nonlinear association.

Context: Low serum calcidiol has been associated with multiple comorbidities and mortality but no "safe" range has been found for the upper concentration.

Objective: We aim to establish the upper threshold of serum calcidiol, beyond which there is an increased risk for acute coronary syndrome and/or mortality.

Design, Setting, And Participants: We extracted data for 1,282,822 Clalit Health Services members aged >45 between July 2007 and December 2011.

Streptococcal pharyngitis: a prospective study of compliance and complications.

Background. Uncertainty exists concerning the necessity of 10-day antibiotic treatment of group A beta hemolytic streptococcus (GABHS) pharyngitis. Objective.

The effect of the Internet on the patient-doctor relationship from the patient's perspective: a survey from primary care.

Background: Internet use by patients as a source of information on health and disease is expanding rapidly with obvious effects on the doctor-patient relationship. Many of these effects remain undocumented or are poorly understood.

Objectives: To assess the use of the internet for health information by patients in primary care in Israel and their perception of the effects of internet use on their relationship with their doctor.

Discriminatory behavior of family physicians toward a person with Alzheimer's disease.

Background: It has been anecdotally suggested that health care professionals have stigmatic beliefs about persons with Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, the nature and prevalence of those beliefs have yet to be elucidated. The aim of the present study is to examine stigma towards a person with AD among primary care physicians.

Are people who use "natural drugs" aware of their potentially harmful side effects and reporting to family physician?

We studied the extent of patients' utilization of complementary medicine (CM), and their knowledge and attitude regarding it in 740 patients visiting 25 randomly family medicine practices. One-third reported using some kind of CM, usually a natural drug (67.6%), often together with conventional drugs.