Introduction: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common sustained arrhythmia with an increasing incidence and prevalence in older age groups compared to younger individuals and the general population. Younger patients with AF often have different clinical characteristics, risk factors, and outcomes. Because AF among the young has not been studied in Middle Eastern populations, we conducted this study to provide valuable insights into the differences in the baseline clinical characteristics and the one-year adverse events between young and older AF patients, and thus contribute to formulate future treatment strategies and improve health outcomes. Methods: Consecutive adult patients previously or newly diagnosed with AF in 30 hospitals and out-patient cardiology clinics were enrolled in the Jordan AF study from May 2019 to October 2020. All patients were followed-up for one year. Baseline clinical characteristics and the one-year adverse events were assessed in young (<50 years) and older (≥ 50 years) adult patients with AF. Results: Of the 2020 AF patients enrolled in the study, 201 (10%) were young. Young patients were more likely to be men (75.6% vs. 43.8%, p<0.001), and had a lower prevalence of hypertension (31.3% vs. 79.3%, p<0.001), diabetes mellitus (10.4% vs. 47.2%, p<0.001), and previous stroke (9.0% vs. 16.1%, p=0.027) compared to older patients. Furthermore, young patients had a lower mean CHA DS -VASc score (1.1±1.4 vs. 3.9±1.7, p<0.001) and mean HAS-BLED score (0.6±0.7 vs. 1.8±1.1, p<0.001). The use of oral anticoagulant agents was significantly lower in young patients (39.3% vs. 75.0%, p<0.001). Young patients also had lower one-year all-cause mortality (1.1% vs. 13.7%, p=0.001), cardiovascular mortality (1.1% vs. 7.7%, p=0.04) and major bleeding (0% vs. 2.7%, p=0.021) compared to older patients. The rate of stroke and systemic embolization was similar in both groups (3.4% vs. 4.4%) Conclusion: The findings of the Jordan AF study suggest that young patients (<50 years of age) comprise a small proportion (10%) of the overall AF patient population. They had more favorable baseline clinical characteristics and risk scores compared to older patients. The one-year mortality and major bleeding rates in young patients were also lower than that in older patients.
BackgroundIdiopathic Granulomatous mastitis (IGM) is a rare inflammatory disease of the breast with poorly understood aetiology or risk factors. IGM has a predilection towards women of child-bearing age with a history of breastfeeding, particularly among Hispanic and Asian ethnicities. However, the true prevalence is unknown with IGM being poorly studied in Middle Eastern Arab and Levantine women who have different genetic, epidemiological, and environmental characteristics.ObjectivesTo study the clinical features of Middle Eastern women diagnosed with biopsy-confirmed IGM.MethodsA retrospective observational study of patients with a biopsy-confirmed diagnosis of IGM, referred to two different private outpatient rheumatology clinics in Amman- Jordan between 2016-2021. The Patients’ characteristics, clinical presentation, treatment, and outcomes were recordedResultsA total of 25 patients were identified in this study. The mean age was 34.9 ± 5.2 years. All females presented with a breast nodule and tenderness, while only 16% reported associated skin changes in the breast and 12% reported galactorrhoea. Bilateral breast involvement occurred in only 4 patients (16%) while 21 patients had unilateral breast involvement. Systematic manifestations including myalgia/arthralgia, skin changes, fever, and axillary lymphadenopathy were reported by 44%, 16%, 20%, and 16% of patients, respectively.Notably, all enrolled females were married at the time of presentation and 3 of them were pregnant or postpartum during the onset of symptoms. The majority of patients (n= 21, 84%) had a prolonged period of breastfeeding (> 6 months). Moreover, 80% of patients had ≥3 pregnancies with 60% having their youngest child aged 3-5 years.20 patients (80%) had a complete resolution of symptoms, and 20% (n=6) were lost to follow-up. Among patients who completed follow-up, treatment duration lasted for ≥ 1 year in 36% (n=9) of patients, whereas 11 patients had a complete resolution in less than a year. Azathioprine, methotrexate, antibiotics, and steroids were used in the treatment of 20%,36%, 60%, and 68%, respectively. Of note, only 1 patient underwent surgical intervention during treatment.ConclusionMany theories had suggested different aetiology for IGM but, in our cohort, it appears that being multiparous and prolonged breastfeeding carry higher risks of developing granulomatous mastitis. Although the aetiology is unclear, early diagnosis and the introduction of treatment using steroid therapy and immunosuppression can improve prognosis and prevent unnecessary surgery. Most of our patients that were treated with corticosteroid, Azathioprine, and Methotrexate had a complete resolution of symptoms after one year of therapy.Disclosure of InterestsNone declared
A stroke, which is a type of brain injury, often has negative effects on moving, talking, or thinking. Therefore, stroke victims should get in a physical rehabilitation process. The rehabilitation process is performed in a rehabilitation center. However, doing exercises at home is more convenient for patients and the cost is low. In this work, a mobile robot is used to develop a physical rehabilitation system based on a Kinect sensor. Moreover, the proposed system combined with a proposed person following system, so the robot is able to track and follow patients.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.