Background: Certain infections, such as mucormycosis and Fournier gangrene, were initially linked to diabetes via case reports (1). Subsequent studies using electronic health record (EHR) data and frequentist methods have provided new insights, including increased mortality among patients with diabetes and infections (2). However, infection risk among patients with type 1 diabetes (T1D), type 2 [...]

Background: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is closely associated with obesity, and weight reduction is a critical component of its management. Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) agonists have shown promise in promoting weight loss, potentially improving outcomes in OSA patients. We aimed to calculate the mean reduction in BMI and waist circumference after [...]

Background: Murine typhus, a flea-borne rickettsial disease traditionally found in warm, humid climates, is increasingly reported in non-endemic regions due to factors such as climate change and urbanization. Characterized by nonspecific symptoms including fever, headache, rash, and elevated liver enzymes, murine typhus often mimics common febrile illnesses such as influenza, viral exanthems, or sepsis. Delays [...]

Background: Self-directed discharge, also known as Against Medical Advice (AMA) discharges, comprise 1–2% of hospital discharges (1). The AMA process poses safety risks to patients and emotional strain on providers, potentially leading to implicit biases in documentation (2). While stigmatizing language in medical records has gained attention (3), its prevalence in AMA documentation remains underexplored. [...]

Background: The decision to reinitiate anticoagulation after a trauma admission is complex. There have been limited studies on post-discharge outcomes of patients who are restarted on therapeutic anticoagulation after traumatic injury versus those who have had anticoagulation discontinued. Methods: All consecutive patients on anticoagulants who were admitted to Saint Marys Hospital in Rochester, Minnesota for [...]

Background: In 2022, healthcare spending in the US accounted for 17.3% of its GDP(1), yet the US ranked near the bottom among high-income nations for key health outcomes. It is unclear if a similar relationship exists between spending and health outcomes across US Hospitals. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) reports a standardized risk-adjusted [...]

Background: Stroke is a leading cause of long-term disability in the U.S., with many being attributable to lifestyle-related risk factors. Obesity and diabetes, in particular, have been shown to significantly increase the risk of having a stroke. However, the connection between these conditions and the severity of stroke is not as well understood. Some research [...]

Background: Before any gastrointestinal (GI) procedures, it is recommended that patients have no intake of clear liquids (2-4 hours) and solid food (6 hours) prior to induction of sedation to minimize preoperative risks such as regurgitation, pulmonary aspiration, and other risks associated with sedation. These time frames were determined by previous randomized control trials which [...]

Background: Acute Decompensated Heart Failure (ADHF) is responsible for over a million hospitalizations per year in the US and Europe. The American Heart Association Guidelines for treatment of patients hospitalized with ADHF recommend intravenous (IV) diuresis with loop diuretics to reduce fluid overload until vascular congestion is relieved. However, the optimal dosing strategy for IV [...]

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 [...]