No abstract

suMMARY The frequency of shoulder disturbances, particularly frozen shoulder, has not been assessed previously in Parkinson's disease. In a survey of 150 patients compared with 60 matched control subjects a significantly higher incidence of both a history of shoulder complaints (43% vs. 23%) and frozen shoulder (12.7% vs. 17%) was found in the Parkinson's disease population. Those developing a frozen shoulder had initial disease symptoms indicative ofakinesia twice as frequently as tremor while the ratio was reversed in those without frozen shoulder. In at least 8% of the patients frozen shoulder was the first symptom of disease, occurring 0-2 years prior to the onset of more commonly recognised features. Parkinson's disease should be added to the list of causes of frozen shoulder, and clinicians must be aware that the latter is often the presenting symptom of Parkinson's disease.The occurrence of shoulder joint abnormalities has not, to our knowledge, been studied in the setting of Parkinson's disease. Although it seems intuitive that immobilised patients in the later stages of their illness might have a high incidence of shoulder disturbances, we have been impressed that a number of our patients have experienced difficulties before other features of Parkinson's disease were recognised. A systematic survey was undertaken to determine how important a problem this was in the Parkinson's disease population. The incidence of complaints related to the shoulder joints in a consecutive series of patients was examined, with specific interest in determining the frequency of frozen shoulder and the relation between its development and the timing and nature ofthe onset of Parkinson's disease.

No abstract

We describe a distinct phenotype of early childhood onset IBD, with a strikingly high familial aggregation in UC and greater tendency to present with colonic disease. As more genetic heterogeneity is identified in IBD, careful definition of phenotype is required to identify further susceptibility genes. The early-onset form of UC presents an ideal group for further genetic analysis. These phenotype differences also suggest that treatment and outcome may vary in early-onset childhood IBD; prospective studies are required to confirm this.

We conclude that liver transplant for autoimmune hepatitis is likely to be palliative for most pediatric patients. Potent immunosuppressives such as tacrolimus do not protect against the development of recurrent autoimmune hepatitis.

No abstract

BackgroundProgression from nonsevere sepsis—i.e., sepsis without organ failure or shock—to severe sepsis or shock among emergency department (ED) patients has been associated with significant mortality. Early recognition in the ED of those who progress to severe sepsis or shock during their hospital course may improve patient outcomes. We sought to identify clinical, demographic, and laboratory parameters that predict progression to severe sepsis, septic shock, or death within 96 h of ED triage among patients with initial presentation of nonsevere sepsis.MethodsThis is a retrospective cohort of patients presenting to a single urban academic ED from November 2008 to October 2010. Patients aged 18 years or older who met criteria for sepsis and had a lactate level measured in the ED were included. Patients were excluded if they had any combination of the following: a systolic blood pressure <90 mmHg upon triage, an initial whole blood lactate level ≥4 mmol/L, or one or more of a set of predefined signs of organ dysfunction upon initial assessment. Disease progression was defined as the development of any combination of the aforementioned conditions, initiation of vasopressors, or death within 96 h of ED presentation. Data on predefined potential predictors of disease progression and outcome measures of disease progression were collected by a query of the electronic medical record and via chart review. Logistic regression was used to assess associations of potential predictor variables with a composite outcome measure of sepsis progression to organ failure, hypotension, or death.ResultsIn this cohort of 582 ED patients with nonsevere sepsis, 108 (18.6 %) experienced disease progression. Initial serum albumin <3.5 mg/dL (OR 4.82; 95 % CI 2.40–9.69; p < 0.01) and a diastolic blood pressure <52 mmHg at ED triage (OR 4.59; 95 % CI 1.57–13.39; p < 0.01) were independently associated with disease progression to severe sepsis or shock within 96 h of ED presentation. There were no deaths within 96 h of ED presentation.ConclusionsIn our patient cohort, serum albumin <3.5 g/dL and an ED triage diastolic blood pressure <52 mmHg independently predict early progression to severe sepsis or shock among ED patients with presumed sepsis.

No abstract