Systemic thrombolysis with newer thrombolytics vs anticoagulation in acute intermediate risk pulmonary embolism: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing systemic thrombolysis to anticoagulation in intermediate risk pulmonary embolism (PE) have yielded mixed results. A prior meta-analysis on this topic had included studies that used lower than standard dose of thrombolytics and included thrombolytic agents that are no longer available. Hence, interpreting the findings of that paper is not valid in contemporary practice.

Updates in Treatment of Recurrent Infection.

Recurrent infection (CDI) is a perpetual problem that leads to increased economic burden, higher healthcare cost, and significant morbidity and mortality. Its treatment remains a challenge. While various treatment approaches have been attempted with different levels of success, robust data establishing the superiority of one approach over the others is lacking.

Health-related quality of life in kidney transplant patients with diabetes.

Objective: We sought to assess the disutility associated with diabetes in the kidney transplant population.

Methods: We enrolled 233 kidney transplant recipients age 18-74 from a Midwestern hospital outpatient department. Recipients with multiple or multi-organ transplants, those with laboratory evidence that suggests acute cellular damage (creatinine-kinase > 200 U/L), or a diagnosis of acute renal failure or acute rejection were excluded from the analysis (n = 33).

Poorer survival outcomes for male breast cancer compared with female breast cancer may be attributable to in-stage migration.

Background: Male breast cancer accounts for less than 1% of all breast cancers, yet males have a worse prognosis than females with breast cancer.

Methods: Using the 1988-2003 Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program data, we conducted a retrospective, population-based cohort study to investigate stage-specific differences in breast cancer-specific and all-cause mortality between males and females. We calculated adjusted hazard ratios (aHR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) using Cox regression models to compare breast cancer-specific and all-cause mortality by stage between males and females, controlling for potential confounding variables.

Impaired renal function is associated with worse self-reported outcomes after kidney transplantation.

Purpose: We sought to determine the association between health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and graft function in renal transplant recipients.

Design And Methods: We enrolled 577 kidney transplant recipients aged 18-74 years (response rate 87%). Recipients with multiple or multi-organ transplantation, creatine kinase >200 U/L, acute renal failure or cellular rejection (n = 64), and without creatinine assessments in 3 months pre-enrollment (n = 127) were excluded.