Background: In Texas, the five-year survival rate for lung cancer is significantly lower compared to the national average with noted disparities in early diagnosis and treatment. The aim of this study is to assess sex, ethnic and racial differences in end-of-life healthcare utilization, advance care planning (ACP) and associated outcomes such as hospice use among [...]

Background: Hypertension and diabetes are common comorbidities frequently managed by primary care physicians. Poorly controlled cases of these conditions can lead to increased healthcare resource utilization. We conducted a prospective pilot study involving high-risk patients with hypertension and diabetes to evaluate whether a multidisciplinary team approach could lead to improved clinical outcomes and reduced healthcare [...]

Background: In 2019, the US Food & Drug Administration issued a warning regarding safety of gabapentin use in patients with respiratory conditions, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Gabapentin is widely prescribed, often for off-label indications, however limited data exist regarding safety and outcomes among patients with COPD. Methods: We analyzed data from 29 US [...]

Background: Lumbar punctures (LPs) are common among hospitalized patients and many institutions have implemented a hospital medicine procedure services (HMPS) to perform these routine bedside procedures. Most clinicians learn to perform this procedure using the midline (ML), landmark-guided approach which involves palpation of the lumbar spine but this technique is associated with failure rates as [...]

Background: Renal complications of diabetes mellitus pose a significant public health challenge, contributing to substantial morbidity and mortality globally. Understanding temporal trends and regional disparities in mortality related to diabetic nephropathy is crucial for guiding targeted interventions and policy decisions. Our study aims to analyze the trends and regional differences in mortality related to renal [...]

Background: Patients with alcohol use disorder are at high risk of alcohol withdrawal syndrome (AWS) while hospitalized. AWS includes a wide spectrum of clinical features and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Pharmacologic treatment of AWS revolves around the use of benzodiazepines (BZDs) or phenobarbital (PHB). Current literature recommends symptom-triggered BZD dosing as first [...]

Background: Ischemic heart disease (IHD) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are significant causes of morbidity and mortality globally. Understanding temporal trends in mortality related to IHD among COPD patients in U.S. population is crucial for guiding clinical practice and public health interventions. Methods: Death certificates from the CDC WONDER (Centers for Disease Control and [...]

Background: In the management of transplant-ineligible multiple myeloma (MM), therapeutic strategies are crucial for improving patient outcomes. Recent clinical trials have explored the efficacy of triplet vs dual therapy in this context. This meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the comparative effectiveness (overall survival [OS], progression-free survival [PFS], minimal residual disease [MRD] negative, and response rate [RR]) [...]

Background: Timely post-discharge office visits reduce readmission risk, but the association between telemedicine follow-up visits and readmission in patients discharged from the medicine service remains unclear. The COVID-19 pandemic led to a significant increase in telemedicine utilization for post-discharge follow-up, prompting questions about its association with readmission. Thus, our primary objective was to assess the [...]

Background: Post-medical procedure complications are a critical area of healthcare, often resulting from infections, device failures, or unforeseen physiological responses. These events, while rare, can have significant impacts on patient safety and outcomes, even leading to mortality. Robust preventive measures and post-procedure monitoring are thus necessitated. This study analyzed trends and disparities in mortality rates [...]