Archive

HbA1C Variability as an Independent Predictor of Diabetic Retinopathy: A 10-Year Retrospective Nested Case-Control Study in a Middle Eastern Population

DR cases had higher HbA1c variability (median SD 1.00% vs 0.55%; CV 12.34% vs 7.93%, both p<0.001). Adjusted OR up to 13.85 per 1% SD increase; AUC 0.746.

Ophthalmology · Cureus · 20 Sept

Ocrelizumab Discontinuation After Recurrent Serious Infections in Clinically Stable Primary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis: A Case Report

In stable PPMS patients on long-term ocrelizumab, recurrent serious infections may justify stopping therapy even without disease activity — weigh infection risk against relapse risk as patients age.

Neurology · Cureus · 20 Sept

Beacon lights path to FDA approval with pivotal trial win for rare vision loss gene therapy

A one-time gene therapy improved visual acuity in X-linked retinitis pigmentosa, offering patients with this progressive, untreatable blindness a first potential disease-modifying option.

Ophthalmology · Fierce Biotech · 20 Sept

WHO flags growing health workforce gap as workers and patients age

A quarter of doctors retire within a decade while demand rises, so expect longer waits, heavier rosters and pressure to task-shift to nurses and community health workers.

General Medicine · ETHealthworld · 20 Sept

Lower Motor Neuron Disease Misclassified As Inflammatory Myopathy in a Young Woman With Myositis-Specific Antibodies

Despite creatine kinase normalisation on immunosuppression, weakness and wasting progressed; re-evaluation showed widespread fasciculations, neurogenic atrophy, and a lower-motor-neuron-predominant ALS phenotype.

Neurology · Cureus · 20 Sept

The Dangers of Chest Compression: A Case Report

Post-CPR sternal and rib fractures can seed infected parasternal collections; consider this in resuscitated patients with persistent chest pain or fever.

Cardiology · Cureus · 20 Sept

When Weakness Persists Beyond Its Apparent Cause: A Case Report of Myasthenia Gravis

In a patient with diarrhea and hypokalemia, weakness that persists after potassium correction should prompt consideration of myasthenia gravis rather than being attributed to the electrolyte deficit alone.

Neurology · Cureus · 20 Sept

Clinical Outcomes and Inflammatory Biomarker Changes After Intravenous Ketamine-Lidocaine Infusion in Refractory Neuropathic Pain: A Prospective Observational Pilot Study

Mean NRS fell from 7.93 ± 1.64 to 4.93 ± 2.23 immediately and 5.63 ± 2.58 at four weeks (p <0.001). At least 30% relief in 76.7% immediately and 53.3% at four weeks. IL-6 and CRP changes were not significant.

Anaesthesiology · Cureus · 20 Sept

Association Between Electronic Health Record Health Maintenance Topic and Lung Cancer Screening Completion in a Resident-Run Clinic

130 of 305 (43%) completed LDCT. The LCS topic was added in 96 of 130 (74%) screened versus 86 of 175 (49%) unscreened patients; association significant at p<0.001.

Oncology · Cureus · 20 Sept

Correlation Between Serum Ferritin and Electrocardiographic and Echocardiographic Markers of Cardiac Dysfunction in Children With Transfusion-Dependent β-Thalassemia Major

Ferritin negatively correlated with LVEF (r = -0.684), E/A ratio (r = -0.582), lateral e' (r = -0.658), TAPSE (r = -0.512); positively with E/Ea (r = 0.726), QTc (r = 0.648), MPI (r = 0.672), all p < 0.001.

Paediatrics · Cureus · 20 Sept

Growth Profile and Endocrine Dysfunction in Children Aged 2-10 Years With Transfusion-Dependent β-Thalassemia Major

78.7% had at least one endocrine abnormality; thyroid dysfunction 63.3%, vitamin D deficiency 62.0%, gonadal dysfunction 46.7%, cortisol abnormalities 41.3%, low growth hormone 38.7%.

Paediatrics · Cureus · 20 Sept

Phototherapy-Associated Changes in Ionized Calcium Among Neonates Born at ≥35 Weeks of Gestation

Neonates with iCa ≥1.40 mmol/L fell from 109/145 (75.2%) to 30/145 (20.7%) after 24 hours; among those without low baseline iCa, 33.1% developed <1.20 mmol/L.

Paediatrics · Cureus · 20 Sept

Myocarditis Revealing a Pathogenic Desmoplakin (DSP) Variant: Implications for Genetic Testing Pathways

In young myocarditis patients, especially with a family history, consider desmoplakin testing — a positive result reframes this as arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy needing lifelong surveillance.

Cardiology · Cureus · 20 Sept

Impact of Obesity on Chemotherapy Pharmacokinetics, Toxicity, and Survival Outcomes in Pediatric Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

Obesity was linked to delayed high-dose methotrexate elimination, modestly reduced pegaspargase clearance, lower thioguanine nucleotide concentrations, more hepatotoxicity, pancreatitis, hyperbilirubinemia and vincristine neuropathy, and inferior survival in some cohorts.

Oncology · Cureus · 20 Sept

Structured Analgesia Pathways, Including Nurse-Initiated Approaches, for Acute Pain in Emergency Departments: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Meta-analysis supported a reduction in time to analgesia with structured pathways, but results varied considerably across studies; sensitivity analysis supported the same overall direction of effect.

Anaesthesiology · Cureus · 20 Sept

Not Everything Has a Single Diagnosis: A Case of Hematemesis, Pneumothorax, and Acute Pancreatitis Mimicking Boerhaave Syndrome

When hematemesis, pneumothorax and pancreatitis coexist, anchoring on one unifying diagnosis like Boerhaave can delay treating each separate, life-threatening problem.

Gastroenterology · Cureus · 20 Sept

Occult Incarcerated Osteochondral Fracture of the Medial Patellar Facet Following Acute Lateral Patellar Dislocation in an Adolescent: A Case Report

Surgical exploration found an incarcerated osteochondral fracture of the medial patellar facet, not an isolated MPFL injury; fixed with three headless compression screws plus suture anchor, with healing and return to activity.

Orthopaedics · Cureus · 20 Sept

Neurological and Functional Outcomes After Decompression With or Without Fusion for Thoracic Ossification of the Ligamentum Flavum: A Systematic Review and Evidence Synthesis

Ultrasonic osteotome reduced operative time, blood loss and dural tears versus high-speed burr, with no difference in long-term neurological outcomes. Dural ossification was the strongest predictor of CSF leakage.

Orthopaedics · Cureus · 20 Sept

Thyroid Eye Disease in the Teprotumumab Era: A Narrative Review of Expanding the Therapeutic Window Beyond Disease Activity

No primary numerical result reported. Review states emerging evidence supports clinically meaningful teprotumumab responses in longstanding and less-active disease, including delayed responses and retreatment, with variable durability and possible reactivation.

Ophthalmology · Cureus · 20 Sept

Evaluation of an AI-Assisted Virtual Fracture Clinic System: Common Referral Deficiencies and Outcomes Following Automated Feedback in a Major Trauma Centre

Automated checks on fracture-clinic referrals catch pathway and documentation errors before review, potentially cutting the extra clinical work deficient referrals create.

Orthopaedics · Cureus · 20 Sept

Frequency and Clinical Correlates of Sarcopenia in Patients With Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease

Sarcopenia prevalence 23.2% (64/276; 95% CI 18.6-28.5%). Significant fibrosis in 51.6% with sarcopenia versus 26.4% without; adjusted OR 2.03 (95% CI 1.10-3.77) after adjustment for age, sex, BMI, diabetes

Gastroenterology · Cureus · 19 Sept

Microbiological Profile of Pathogens Among Patients at a Tertiary Care Hospital in Mumbai, India

Gram-negatives were 1,627 (78.4%); E. coli 543 (26.2%), Klebsiella 519 (25.0%), Pseudomonas 328 (15.8%). MDROs 597 (28.8%), ESBL 369 (17.8%), MRSA 102 (4.9% of isolates; 77.3% of S. aureus).

General Medicine · Cureus · 19 Sept

Etanercept-Induced Cutaneous Necrotizing Vasculitis in a Patient With Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Case Report and Literature Review

After approximately 33 months of etanercept, bilateral petechial and purpuric lower-limb lesions appeared; biopsy showed fibrinoid necrosis of dermal vessels. Etanercept was stopped and lesions resolved completely within approximately 20 days.

General Medicine · Cureus · 19 Sept

Povidone-Iodine Versus Homemade Salt/Soda Mouthwash for the Prophylaxis of Radiation-Induced Oral Mucositis in Head and Neck Cancer: A Quasi-experimental Study

If a cheap salt-and-soda rinse matches povidone-iodine, you can spare head-and-neck radiotherapy patients the cost and iodine exposure during treatment.

Oncology · Cureus · 19 Sept

Beyond Iron Supplementation: A Narrative Review of the Structural Determinants of Anaemia in Pregnancy in India

Iron deficiency accounts for only about half of anaemia cases; capillary and venous haemoglobin estimates differ substantially; haemoglobin testing was removed from NFHS-6

Obstetrics & Gynaecology · Cureus · 19 Sept

New Statin-Safety Reassurance: How Far Can It Extend to South Asian Patients?

Statin safety data from Western cohorts may not transfer to South Asian patients, whose differing pharmacokinetics could alter myopathy and intolerance risk at standard doses.

Cardiology · Cureus · 19 Sept

Beyond Antibiotics: Bacteriophage Therapy Against Multidrug-Resistant Pathogens in the Era of Antimicrobial Resistance

Up to 80% of chronic infections involve biofilms that shield bacteria from antibiotics; phages can penetrate and disperse these structures and can resensitise resistant bacteria to previously ineffective drugs

General Medicine · Cureus · 19 Sept

A Hidden Catastrophe: Ruptured Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Presenting as Acute Ischemic Stroke

In stroke-code patients, check for abdominal pain and leg mottling before thrombolysis; a ruptured AAA can masquerade as stroke and anticoagulation would be fatal.

General Surgery · Cureus · 19 Sept

Minimally Invasive Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting for Predominantly Multivessel Coronary Artery Disease: Early Perioperative Outcomes of 149 Patients

Adds single-centre evidence that multivessel MICS-CABG avoids sternotomy with acceptable early outcomes, though results remain confined to high-volume specialised centres.

Cardiology · Cureus · 19 Sept

Regenerative Medicine in the Management of Musculoskeletal Pain: Mechanisms, Clinical Applications, and Future Directions

No pooled effect estimate reported. Review concludes effectiveness, safety and feasibility vary substantially by modality, indication, product standardisation and study quality, with knowledge gaps remaining

Orthopaedics · Cureus · 19 Sept

Thirty-Day Outcomes in Ultrasound Versus CT-Only Imaging in Obese Adults With Acute Appendicitis

No significant difference in emergency room revisits: 11.98% with ultrasound versus 13.64% with CT only (RR = 0.879, p = 0.44). Abscess, perforation and peritonitis also showed no difference.

Radiology · Cureus · 19 Sept

Efficacy, Tolerability, and Safety of Fluoxetine for Panic Disorder in Adults: A Review

Fluoxetine remains a first-line SSRI for panic disorder; this review consolidates its response rates and side-effect profile to guide dosing and patient counselling.

Psychiatry · Cureus · 19 Sept

A Review of Guidelines for the Use of Tranexamic Acid in the Management of Postpartum Hemorrhage and Assessment of Associated Maternal Outcomes

No new patient data. The review reports that guidelines differ on timing and placement of tranexamic acid within postpartum haemorrhage treatment algorithms.

Obstetrics & Gynaecology · Cureus · 19 Sept

Researchers find genetic answer to lung cancer in those who never smoked

A rare inherited EGFR variant raised lung cancer risk 25-fold in never-smokers, so consider germline testing in non-smoking patients with lung cancer and their families.

Oncology · ETHealthworld · 19 Sept

Patient-Reported Outcomes Following Two-Tined Three-Site Conventional Radiofrequency Ablation of Genicular Nerves for Chronic Knee Pain

Average NRS reduction was -3.17 at 0-3 months (p<0.0001), -1.31 at 3-6 months (p<0.05), and -1.92 at 6-12 months (p<0.05). Half maintained relief for 11.17 months (95% CI: 7.29, 13.40).

Anaesthesiology · Cureus · 19 Sept

Extraocularly Manipulated Flangeless Intrascleral Haptic Fixation of Intraocular Lens Using Zigzag Needles

Mean BCVA improved from 0.56 ± 0.66 to 0.15 ± 0.40 logMAR. ECD fell from 2243 ± 319 to 1999 ± 502 cells/mm². Mean IOL tilt 5.74 ± 2.95 degrees; complications 5.6% per event.

Ophthalmology · Cureus · 19 Sept

Efficacy and Safety of Vitex Extract on Menopausal Symptoms and Quality of Life in Postmenopausal Women: A Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial

Adds randomized evidence that a well-tolerated botanical may reduce vasomotor symptoms, giving an option for women who decline or cannot take hormone therapy.

Obstetrics & Gynaecology · Cureus · 19 Sept

Potential Use of AI Chatbots by Patients With Bowel Tumors: Opportunities and Implications for Low- and Middle-Income Countries

Patient-facing tools supported feasibility, acceptability, symptom reporting and communication; accuracy for screening, diagnosis and treatment advice varied by task and was less reliable in complex cases.

Oncology · Cureus · 19 Sept

Iatrogenic Pseudoaneurysm After Arthroscopic Knee Procedures: A Systematic Review of Presenting Features, Injured Vessels, Management, and Outcomes

Post-arthroscopy swelling that persists or pulses may be a pseudoaneurysm, not a hematoma; suspect it before attributing symptoms to DVT or infection.

Orthopaedics · Cureus · 19 Sept

Multimodal Opioid-Sparing Analgesia for Lumbar Decompression in a Patient With Opioid-Associated Sphincter of Oddi Symptoms: A Case Report

In patients with prior opioid-induced sphincter of Oddi pain, a multimodal opioid-sparing regimen can cover lumbar decompression without triggering recurrent biliary-type symptoms.

Anaesthesiology · Cureus · 19 Sept