Articles Tagged With: diagnosis
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Is Diagnosis Uncertain in the ED? Clear Communication Is Needed
Patients likely expect to leave the emergency department with a definite understanding of what is wrong. Yet many patients are discharged or admitted with an uncertain diagnosis.
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Imported Gestational Malaria
Pregnant women can develop malaria in non-endemic areas, even when they are far removed from malaria exposure both geographically and temporally.
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Electrophysiology, Muscle Ultrasound, and MRI in the Diagnosis of Neuromuscular Disorders
To accomplish accurate diagnosis of nerve and muscle disorders, clinical collaboration with ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging experts is invaluable and can provide critically important information beyond electrophysiology.
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Diagnosing and Treating Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
The term pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) describes a compilation of infections that arise from an ascending infection of the vagina or cervix to the upper genital tract, which is comprised of the uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries. These infections include, either alone or in combination, tubo-ovarian abscess, salpingitis, endometritis, and peritonitis. Making the diagnosis of PID is important, since it is associated with uterine and fallopian tube scarring leading to tubal factor infertility and ectopic pregnancy, as well as chronic pelvic pain. This article provides an evidence-based review of diagnostic and treatment recommendations for PID.
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Identifying and Treating Skin and Soft Tissue Infections
Skin and soft tissue infections refer to infections that affect the skin and its underlying soft tissues. These infections are classified by the level of skin involvement. The costs associated with Staphylococcus aureus skin and soft tissue infections are estimated at an average of $8,865 for both inpatient and outpatient treatment, and a median charge of $19,984 for hospitalizations. These costs can place a significant burden on both patients and the healthcare system. Timely and accurate diagnosis and treatment can help to reduce this burden, both financially and by decreasing the risk of complications.
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Diagnosis of Myasthenia Gravis May Be Challenging
Mimics of myasthenia gravis, including functional neurologic disorder, progressive external ophthalmoplegia, chronic ptosis, oculopharyngeal muscular dystrophy, mitochondrial cytopathy, or low-grade myositis, can make the diagnosis of myasthenia gravis difficult.
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Approach and Treatment of Patients with Somatic Symptom and Related Disorders
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition, nomenclature and diagnostic criteria deemphasize “medically unexplained symptoms” and instead focuses on the presence of unexpected, magnified, or disproportionate physical symptoms, with or without an underlying known medical condition. Given that symptoms are physical in nature, patients with somatic disorders are more likely to present to a primary medical provider than to a mental health provider. Thus, developing a better understanding of this often-perplexing condition has clinical relevance for clinicians on the front lines of medical care.
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Cervical Cancer Screening in Women Older than 65 Years of Age
Women diagnosed with cervical cancer after age 65 years are more likely to have locally advanced or metastatic disease, and survival decreases with increasing age and stage of diagnosis.
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Are Urine Dipsticks Accurate for Preeclampsia Diagnosis?
This systematic review found that urine dipsticks of 1+ protein had a sensitivity of only 68% for the diagnosis of preeclampsia (95% confidence interval, 0.57-0.77), which was considered poor. Performance improved at thresholds of 2+ and 3+ protein.
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Undiagnosed Dementia a Risk for Older Patients
Patients with dementia may be at greater risk of hospitalization and ED visits, yet many are undiagnosed or unaware of their dementia diagnosis. When patients are undiagnosed, or are unaware of a dementia diagnosis, they might lack needed caregiver support or struggle to manage their diseases because no one recognizes their cognitive impairment.