scholarly journals What Every Internist Should Know About Rare Genetic Syndromes in Order to Prevent Needless Diagnostics, Missed Diagnoses and Medical Complications: Five-Year Experience of Internal Medicine for Complex Rare Genetic Syndromes

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. A513-A514
Author(s):  
Anna G W Rosenberg ◽  
Minke R A Pater ◽  
Kirsten Davidse ◽  
Anja A Kattentidt-Mouravieva ◽  
Rogier Kersseboom ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Internal Medicine ◽  
Intellectual Disability ◽  
Financial Burden ◽  
Multiple Organ ◽  
Pediatric Care ◽  
Clinical Approach ◽  
Genetic Syndromes ◽  
Adult Age ◽  
Organ Systems ◽  
Missed Diagnoses

Abstract Introduction: Patients with complex rare genetic syndromes (CRGS) have, by definition, combined medical problems affecting multiple organ systems. Intellectual disability (ID) is often part of the syndrome. During childhood, most patients with CRGS receive multidisciplinary (MD) and specialized pediatric care in tertiary centers. As improvement of medical care has improved life expectancy, more and more patients are now reaching adult age. While the complexity of the syndromes persist into adulthood, adequate multidisciplinary syndrome-specific care is rarely available for adults with CRGS. Although multiple organ systems are usually affected, internists are rarely involved. Pediatricians have expressed the urgent need for adequate, syndrome-specific, MD tertiary healthcare for adults with CRGS. Methods: In 2015 we have launched the Center for Adults with CRGS, a specialized MD outpatient clinic (MOPC) within the Endocrinology unit of the department of Internal Medicine. As adult manifestations are unknown for most CRGS, all CRGS patients who visit our MOPC undergo a systematic health screening (followed by treatment, if indicated). Before visiting the MOPC, caregivers fill out a medical questionnaire. We gathered the physical complaints, medication use and missed diagnoses of 726 adults with CRGS. Results: Between 2015 and 2020, 256 males and 470 females with over 60 syndromes visited the Center for Adults with CRGS. The main features of this population, as compared with general internal medicine patients, were intellectual disability, polypharmacy and use of psychotropic drugs. Missed diagnoses were common and many patients had undergone extensive diagnostic tests for symptoms that could actually be explained by their syndrome. Fatigue (52%), abdominal discomfort (23%) and hypertension (10%) were among the most frequent reasons for referral to Internal Medicine. Based on the literature and our clinical findings, 73% of the syndromes was associated with endocrine problems. We provide an algorithm for the clinical approach to CRGS adults, in order to prevent unnecessary diagnostics as well as missed diagnoses. Conclusion: Our overview of 726 adults with CRGS shows that missed diagnosed and needless invasive tests are common in this patient population. As more and more CRGS patients are now reaching adult age and transfer to Internal Medicine, internists and endocrinologists should be aware of the special needs of adults with CRGS and of the medical pitfalls. Knowledge about syndrome-specific health problems and multidisciplinary expert care is crucial to prevent the personal and financial burden of unnecessary diagnostics and under- and overtreatment.

scholarly journals What Every Internist-Endocrinologist Should Know about Rare Genetic Syndromes in Order to Prevent Needless Diagnostics, Missed Diagnoses and Medical Complications: Five Years of ‘Internal Medicine for Rare Genetic Syndromes’

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (22) ◽  
pp. 5457
Author(s):  
Anna G. W. Rosenberg ◽  
Minke R. A. Pater ◽  
Karlijn Pellikaan ◽  
Kirsten Davidse ◽  
Anja A. Kattentidt-Mouravieva ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Internal Medicine ◽  
Life Expectancy ◽  
Diagnostic Testing ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Multiple Organ ◽  
Clinical Approach ◽  
Genetic Syndromes ◽  
Organ Systems ◽  
Number Of Patients ◽  
Missed Diagnoses

Patients with complex rare genetic syndromes (CRGS) have combined medical problems affecting multiple organ systems. Pediatric multidisciplinary (MD) care has improved life expectancy, however, transfer to internal medicine is hindered by the lack of adequate MD care for adults. We have launched an MD outpatient clinic providing syndrome-specific care for adults with CRGS, which, to our knowledge, is the first one worldwide in the field of internal medicine. Between 2015 and 2020, we have treated 720 adults with over 60 syndromes. Eighty-nine percent of the syndromes were associated with endocrine problems. We describe case series of missed diagnoses and patients who had undergone extensive diagnostic testing for symptoms that could actually be explained by their syndrome. Based on our experiences and review of the literature, we provide an algorithm for the clinical approach of health problems in CRGS adults. We conclude that missed diagnoses and needless invasive tests seem common in CRGS adults. Due to the increased life expectancy, an increasing number of patients with CRGS will transfer to adult endocrinology. Internist-endocrinologists (in training) should be aware of their special needs and medical pitfalls of CRGS will help prevent the burden of unnecessary diagnostics and under- and overtreatment.

Microprobe analysis of inclusion bodies related to two benzofuran derivatives

1987 ◽  
Vol 45 ◽  
pp. 672-673
Author(s):  
T. L. Benning ◽  
P. Ingram ◽  
J. D. Shelburne
Keyword(s):  
Inclusion Bodies ◽  
Uranyl Acetate ◽  
Multiple Organ ◽  
High Dose ◽  
En Bloc ◽  
Tissue Samples ◽  
Transmission Electron ◽  
Organ Systems ◽  
Dense Inclusion ◽  
Melanin Complex

Two benzofuran derivatives, chlorpromazine and amiodarone, are known to produce inclusion bodies in human tissues. Prolonged high dose chlorpromazine therapy causes hyperpigmentation of the skin with electron-dense inclusion bodies present in dermal histiocytes and endothelial cells ultrastructurally. The nature of the deposits is not known although a drug-melanin complex has been hypothesized. Amiodarone may also cause cutaneous hyperpigmentation and lamellar lysosomal inclusion bodies have been demonstrated within the cells of multiple organ systems. These lamellar bodies are believed to be the product of an amiodarone-induced phospholipid storage disorder. We performed transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and energy dispersive x-ray microanalysis (EDXA) on tissue samples from patients treated with these drugs, attempting to detect the sulfur atom of chlorpromazine and the iodine atom of amiodarone within their respective inclusion bodies.A skin biopsy from a patient with hyperpigmentation due to prolonged chlorpromazine therapy was fixed in 4% glutaraldehyde and processed without osmium tetroxide or en bloc uranyl acetate for Epon embedding.

Impairment Rating and Spinal Cord Injuries: Revisiting the Guides

2010 ◽  
Vol 15 (3) ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Richard T. Katz
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Spinal Cord Injuries ◽  
Functional Independence ◽  
Outcome Data ◽  
Multiple Organ ◽  
Loss Of Function ◽  
Sixth Edition ◽  
Organ Systems ◽  
Cord Injury ◽  
Impairment Ratings

Abstract This article addresses some criticisms of the AMA Guides to the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment (AMA Guides) by comparing previously published outcome data from a group of complete spinal cord injury (SCI) persons with impairment ratings for a corresponding level of injury calculated using the AMA Guides, Sixth Edition. Results of the comparison show that impairment ratings using the sixth edition scale poorly with the level of impairments of activities of daily living (ADL) in SCI patients as assessed by the Functional Independence Measure (FIM) motor scale and the extended FIM motor scale. Because of the combinations of multiple impairments, the AMA Guides potentially overrates the impairment of paraplegics compared with that of quadriplegics. The use and applicability of the Combined Values formula should be further investigated, and complete loss of function of two upper extremities seems consistent with levels of quadriplegia using the SCI model. Some aspects of the AMA Guides contain inconsistencies. The concept of diminishing impairment values is not easily translated between specific losses of function per organ system and “overall” loss of ADLs involving multiple organ systems, and the notion of “catastrophic thresholds” involving multiple organ systems may support the understanding that variations in rating may exist in higher rating cases such as those that involve an SCI.

Renal Manifestations of Tuberous Sclerosis Complex

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 5-19
Author(s):  
Nikhil Nair ◽  
Ronith Chakraborty ◽  
Zubin Mahajan ◽  
Aditya Sharma ◽  
Sidarth Sethi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Tuberous Sclerosis ◽  
Tuberous Sclerosis Complex ◽  
Gene Disruption ◽  
Treatment Guidelines ◽  
Renal Cysts ◽  
Skin Lesions ◽  
Multiple Organ ◽  
Tsc2 Gene ◽  
Genetic Condition ◽  
Organ Systems

Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) is a genetic condition caused by a mutation in either the TSC1 or TSC2 gene. Disruption of either of these genes leads to impaired production of hamartin or tuberin proteins, leading to the manifestation of skin lesions, tumors and seizures. TSC can manifests in multiple organ systems with the cutaneous and renal systems being the most commonly affected. These manifestations can secondarily lead to the development of hypertension, chronic kidney disease, and neurocognitive declines. The renal pathologies most commonly seen in TSC are angiomyolipoma, renal cysts and less commonly, oncocytomas. In this review, we highlight the current understanding on the renal manifestations of TSC along with current diagnosis and treatment guidelines.

scholarly journals Attenuation of COVID-19-induced cytokine storm in a young male patient with severe respiratory and neurological symptoms

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christian Muschitz ◽  
Anita Trummert ◽  
Theresa Berent ◽  
Norbert Laimer ◽  
Lukas Knoblich ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Male Patient ◽  
Young Male ◽  
Standard Of Care ◽  
Multiple Organ ◽  
Cytokine Storm ◽  
Invasive Ventilation ◽  
Organ Systems ◽  
The Central Nervous System

SummarySevere acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the etiological agent of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), produces protean manifestations and causes indiscriminate havoc in multiple organ systems. This rapid and vast production of proinflammatory cytokines contributes to a condition termed cytokine storm. A 35-year-old, otherwise healthy, employed, male patient was tested positive for COVID-19. He was admitted to the hospital on disease day 10 due to retarded verbal reactions and progressive delirium. On account of these conditions and the need for noninvasive/invasive ventilation, a combination treatment with baricitinib and remdesivir in conjunction with standard of care was initiated. The cytokine storm was rapidly blocked, leading to a vast pulmonary recovery with retarded recovery of the central nervous system. We conclude that the rapid blockade of the COVID-19-induced cytokine storm should be considered of avail as a principle of careful decision-making for effective recovery.

scholarly journals A Case of IgG4-Related Kidney Disease Developing While on Steroid Treatment for Autoimmune IgG4 Pancreatitis

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
pp. 232470962110265
Author(s):  
Jonathan Vincent M. Reyes ◽  
Dawn Maldonado ◽  
Aaron S. Stern ◽  
Maritza Brown
Keyword(s):  
Kidney Disease ◽  
Inflammatory Process ◽  
Systemic Disease ◽  
Multiple Organ ◽  
Steroid Treatment ◽  
Autoimmune Process ◽  
Immunoglobulin G4 ◽  
Organ Systems ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Steroid Sparing

IgG4 (immunoglobulin G4)-related systemic disease is an autoimmune process affecting multiple organ systems. This inflammatory process can present as but not limited to pancreatitis, cholangitis, or unspecified kidney disease. In this case, our patient developed IgG4-related kidney disease while already on a prolonged steroid course for IgG4-related pancreatitis. The patient ultimately had renal recovery after starting a higher dose of prednisone, but also developed steroid-related complications. This case further highlights the relationship between IgG4 diseases now termed IgG4-related systemic disease. This case brings to light the need for further investigative research into ideal steroid dosing, as well as steroid-sparing agents for IgG4-related systemic disease.

Thoracic trauma in small animals: road traffic accidents

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 15-19
Author(s):  
Kate Sheard
Keyword(s):  
Traffic Accidents ◽  
Thoracic Trauma ◽  
Road Traffic ◽  
Positive Outcome ◽  
Multiple Organ ◽  
Trauma Patients ◽  
Small Animals ◽  
Road Traffic Accidents ◽  
Blunt Force Trauma ◽  
Organ Systems

Thoracic trauma is common in small animals and can be caused by a variety of insults from penetrating wounds to blunt force trauma. Patients that have sustained any form of thoracic trauma require immediate attention and intensive nursing care in order to have a positive outcome for the patient. These cases can prove challenging as multiple organ systems can be affected and surgery is often required. However, combined with the appropriate medical care, the outcome can be successful.

scholarly journals Complement-Mediated Thrombotic Microangiopathy Associated with Lupus Nephritis Treated with Eculizumab: A Case Report

2021 ◽  
pp. 95-102
Author(s):  
Everardo Arias Torres ◽  
Yongen Chang ◽  
Sheetal Desai ◽  
Ian Chang ◽  
Jonathan E. Zuckerman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Lupus Erythematosus ◽  
Alternative Pathway ◽  
Atypical Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome ◽  
Homozygous Deletion ◽  
Multiple Organ ◽  
Thrombotic Microangiopathies ◽  
Clinical Criteria ◽  
Organ Systems ◽  
Oral Steroids ◽  
Uremic Syndrome

Thrombotic microangiopathies (TMAs) involve multiple organ systems due to the presence of microangiopathic hemolysis. One such condition, atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS), is a complement-mediated process that is part of a spectrum of disorders that have underlying complement dysfunction of the alternative pathway due to overactivity or decreased self-nonself discrimination by innate immunity. Complement-amplifying conditions such as pregnancy may unmask a diagnosis of aHUS. We present an important case of a pregnant 23-year-old Hispanic female who presented in mid-gestation (21 weeks) with an initial diagnosis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) complicated by aHUS. She met clinical criteria for aHUS on presentation and was found to have a pathogenic CFHR1–3 homozygous deletion. She has been treated with intravenous and oral steroids, cyclophosphamide, subsequently also with plasma exchange, and finally with eculizumab with partial improvement in renal function. This case adds to the emerging literature showing that SLE and aHUS (or complement-mediated TMA) can be successfully treated with C5 blockade.

Developing an adolescent and adult Fontan Management Programme

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Adam M. Lubert ◽  
Tarek Alsaied ◽  
Andrew T. Trout ◽  
Jonathan R. Dillman ◽  
Joseph J. Palermo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Single Ventricle ◽  
Fontan Procedure ◽  
Multiple Organ ◽  
Fontan Circulation ◽  
Management Programme ◽  
Adverse Outcomes ◽  
Cardiac Complications ◽  
Organ Systems ◽  
Adolescents And Adults ◽  
Care Models

Abstract Patients with single-ventricle CHD undergo a series of palliative surgeries that culminate in the Fontan procedure. While the Fontan procedure allows most patients to survive to adulthood, the Fontan circulation can eventually lead to multiple cardiac complications and multi-organ dysfunction. Care for adolescents and adults with a Fontan circulation has begun to transition from a primarily cardiac-focused model to care models, which are designed to monitor multiple organ systems, and using clues from this screening, identify patients who are at risk for adverse outcomes. The complexity of care required for these patients led our centre to develop a multidisciplinary Fontan Management Programme with the primary goals of earlier detection and treatment of complications through the development of a cohesive network of diverse medical subspecialists with Fontan expertise.

Glucocorticoids produce whole body insulin resistance with changes in cardiac metabolism

2007 ◽  
Vol 292 (3) ◽  
pp. E654-E667 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dake Qi ◽  
Brian Rodrigues
Keyword(s):  
Insulin Resistance ◽  
Fatty Acid ◽  
Glucose Utilization ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Cardiac Metabolism ◽  
Multiple Organ ◽  
Whole Body ◽  
Metabolic Abnormalities ◽  
Organ Systems ◽  
Per Se

Insulin resistance is viewed as an insufficiency in insulin action, with glucocorticoids being recognized to play a key role in its pathogenesis. With insulin resistance, metabolism in multiple organ systems such as skeletal muscle, liver, and adipose tissue is altered. These metabolic alterations are widely believed to be important factors in the morbidity and mortality of cardiovascular disease. More importantly, clinical and experimental studies have established that metabolic abnormalities in the heart per se also play a crucial role in the development of heart failure. Following glucocorticoids, glucose utilization is compromised in the heart. This attenuated glucose metabolism is associated with altered fatty acid supply, composition, and utilization. In the heart, elevated fatty acid use has been implicated in a number of metabolic, morphological, and mechanical changes and, more recently, in “lipotoxicity”. In the present article, we review the action of glucocorticoids, their role in insulin resistance, and their influence in modulating peripheral and cardiac metabolism and heart disease.

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