Category: Nevin Manimala

Cureus. 2025 Apr 27;17(4):e83076. doi: 10.7759/cureus.83076. eCollection 2025 Apr.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Angina pectoris remains a significant public health concern, highlighting disparities in cardiovascular health influenced by demographic, socioeconomic, and geographic factors. Analyzing the prevalence of trends is crucial to addressing health inequities and informing targeted interventions. The study of National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) data from 2019 to 2023 allowed us to observe how the pandemic affected cardiovascular care utilization when it decreased in 2020 and later rebounded into 2023 while investigating shifts in reported angina prevalence rates among main groups. Angina pectoris condition-related research requires assessment of current trends for effective health inequities intervention and targeted intervention planning.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to examine the prevalence of angina pectoris among United States (US) adults from 2019 to 2023 and across demographic, socioeconomic, and geographic factors.

METHOD: Data from the NHIS were analyzed to determine the prevalence of angina pectoris, which was identified through self-reported diagnosis or symptoms. The identification of angina pectoris in the NHIS dataset was based on self-reported physician diagnosis alongside responses to definite survey questions regarding chest pain and discomfort consistent with the symptoms of angina. Angina pectoris was identified in the NHIS dataset based on self-reported physician diagnoses and responses to specific survey questions on chest pain or discomfort consistent with angina. Stratified analyses assessed variations in prevalence across key demographic, socioeconomic, and geographic factors over a five-year period. The statistical analyses included both inferential analyses and descriptive statistics, including hypothesis testing and confidence interval estimation, to evaluate associations and divergences within the data. The prevalence of angina was evaluated across socioeconomic, demographic, and geographic groups using stratified analyses.

RESULTS: The overall prevalence of angina pectoris remained stable (1.5-1.7%) from 2019 to 2023. Higher rates were observed among males (1.8%), older adults (4.5% in those aged 75 years and older), and US-born individuals (1.6%). Disparities observed across race/ethnicity further revealed disparities, with American Indian/Alaska Native individuals (2.1%) and Black individuals (1.2%) showing distinct patterns. Geographic trends highlighted a higher prevalence in areas with high social vulnerability (1.7%). Socioeconomic disparities were notable, with lower-income individuals (<100% federal poverty level (FPL)) experiencing higher prevalence (2.8-3.1%) and elevated rates among those with lower educational attainment. Employment status influenced prevalence, with unemployed individuals showing higher rates (3.4%).

CONCLUSION: The prevalence of angina pectoris reflects persistent disparities across demographic, socioeconomic, and geographic factors. The findings highlight the need for policies that enhance access to preventive cardiovascular care, early screening, and intervention, as well as address the social determinants of health, to minimize disparities in underserved populations.

PMID:40438860 | PMC:PMC12116826 | DOI:10.7759/cureus.83076

Cureus. 2025 Apr 28;17(4):e83134. doi: 10.7759/cureus.83134. eCollection 2025 Apr.

ABSTRACT

Background Catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) are a significant concern in ICU patients, often leading to complications such as bloodstream infections, urosepsis, prolonged hospitalization, and increased mortality, particularly due to delayed diagnosis and rising antibiotic resistance. For therapy to be effective, the causing pathogens must be identified quickly and accurately. This study compares conventional microbiological methods with Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) for identifying urinary isolates in CAUTI cases and examines their antibiotic susceptibility patterns. Methods Over one year, we analyzed 780 catheterized urine samples from ICU patients at a tertiary care hospital. All samples were processed using standard culture techniques and MALDI-TOF MS for pathogen identification. Antibiotic susceptibility testing was performed according to Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) guidelines. Descriptive statistics were used for data summarization, and Chi-square test assessed associations between risk factors and CAUTI occurrence, with agreement between MALDI-TOF MS and conventional identification methods evaluated by Cohen’s Kappa analysis. The Chi-square test’s statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Results Out of 780 samples, 156 (20%) showed significant bacterial or fungal growth. The most common pathogens were Candida species (56.4%), Enterococcus (17.9%), and Escherichia coli (12.2%). MALDI-TOF MS demonstrated good accuracy, with misclassifications in 12 isolates (7.7%) mainly involving misidentification in Enterococcus and Candida. Despite these discrepancies, a strong agreement was observed between the two methods, with a Cohen’s Kappa value of 0.787. High resistance was observed against fluoroquinolones and cephalosporins, while fosfomycin and linezolid remained effective against Enterococcus spp. Conclusion MALDI-TOF MS enhances the speed and accuracy of pathogen identification, making it a valuable tool for managing CAUTI cases. The increasing antibiotic resistance observed in this study highlights the urgent need for targeted treatment strategies and stricter infection control measures in ICU settings.

PMID:40438855 | PMC:PMC12118601 | DOI:10.7759/cureus.83134

Cureus. 2025 Apr 28;17(4):e83124. doi: 10.7759/cureus.83124. eCollection 2025 Apr.

ABSTRACT

Introduction Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the U.S., with disparities in incidence, survival, and age at diagnosis across racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic groups. The rising incidence of early-onset CRC (<50 years) has amplified concerns regarding access to care, screening disparities, and outcomes, particularly among minorities. This study examines the impact of race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status (SES), and sex on CRC survival and age at diagnosis in Texas from 1995 to 2016. Methods This retrospective cohort study utilized Texas Cancer Registry (TCR) data, including 235,076 CRC cases diagnosed between 1995 and 2016. Kaplan-Meier analysis and log-rank tests assessed 10-year survival by race and ethnicity and time period (1995-2005 vs. 2006-2016). Kruskal-Wallis tests with Bonferroni correction were used to compare survival years between racial/ethnic groups within each period. Age at diagnosis was analyzed by race and ethnicity, and SES using Welch ANOVA and Games-Howell post hoc testing. Welch’s t-tests compared intra-race changes across decades. Sex-based differences in diagnosis age were assessed using Mann-Whitney U tests. Results Significant racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic disparities were observed in CRC outcomes. Black: Non-Hispanic and Black: Hispanic patients exhibited some of the lowest median survival times, with minimal overall improvement between the two time periods. Although Black: Hispanic patients exhibited the lowest median survival, the difference was not statistically significant in the 2006-2016 cohort (p = 0.12). Hispanic and Black patients were diagnosed at younger ages compared to White: Non-Hispanic patients. Lower SES was associated with younger age at diagnosis and worse survival. Male patients were consistently diagnosed earlier than female patients across both decades. Despite some improvement in survival for certain groups, disparities persisted, particularly for Black: Non-Hispanic and Black: Hispanic patients. Conclusion Disparities in CRC survival and diagnosis age persist across racial, ethnic, SES, and sex lines in Texas. These findings underscore the need for tailored screening efforts, improved healthcare access, and targeted interventions for high-risk populations. Persistent sex-based differences highlight a need for further research into biological and systemic factors. Addressing social determinants of health may help reduce these disparities.

PMID:40438851 | PMC:PMC12119150 | DOI:10.7759/cureus.83124

Cureus. 2025 Apr 26;17(4):e83042. doi: 10.7759/cureus.83042. eCollection 2025 Apr.

ABSTRACT

Objectives The prevalence of pediatric pain, either related to the child’s hospital visit or because of diagnostic and/or therapeutical interventions, is of primordial importance in pediatric emergency departments (PEDs). In this study, we evaluate the evolution of pain assessment and management in Portuguese PEDs over 11 years. Methods We prepared a questionnaire addressed to head physicians of 45 Portuguese PEDs in 2007 and statistically compared the responses to those provided in 2018, where we also posed these questions to nurse managers. Results Pain assessment in our cohort of Portuguese PEDs has significantly improved, namely, with the establishment of local protocols and widespread use of pain scales (from 52% to 93%, p = 0.03). However, effective adoption of pain management remains insufficient, as mild to moderate pain is still far from being universally treated (only 22% always use analgesia). Nonetheless, there seems to be adequate treatment of severe pain and respective common use of opioids, but correct practices were not generally adopted when specific types of pain were analyzed. Procedural sedation and analgesia have significantly increased but are not yet universally practiced. In the year 2018, about 88% of these inadequacies are reflected by the staff’s perception that pain management remains suboptimal, and more training is needed. Conclusion The development of collective awareness and the institution of national guidelines for pediatric pain have helped to improve the conjuncture in Portuguese PEDs. However, a coordinated nationwide plan to promote local training and optimize knowledge translation is still lacking.

PMID:40438844 | PMC:PMC12116828 | DOI:10.7759/cureus.83042

Cureus. 2025 Apr 27;17(4):e83093. doi: 10.7759/cureus.83093. eCollection 2025 Apr.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Concerning endovascular treatment for acute ischemic stroke with intracranial vessel occlusion, shortening the door-to-puncture time (DTP) improves the patient’s outcome. To determine endovascular treatment, magnetic resonance angiography or computed tomography angiography is performed for occluded vessel detection. Another detection method of internal carotid artery (ICA) occlusion or middle cerebral artery first segment (M1) occlusion is ultrasound (US). Bilateral flow pattern analysis of common carotid arteries by US leads to the diagnosis of ICA or M1 occlusion within a few minutes. Moreover, it can be conducted in the emergency department. The addition of the US for the initial evaluation of vessel occlusion can shorten the DTP. In this study, we evaluated the effectiveness of carotid artery US imaging in detecting large vessel occlusion (LVO) and shortening the DTP.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a retrospective case-control study. Our analysis was based on the data from 150 patients with LVO or medium vessel occlusion who underwent endovascular revascularization treatment at our hospital between January 2015 and December 2022. Among them, 104 patients who had an anterior circulation vessel occlusion were included. They were divided into the US evaluation group and the non-US evaluation group, and their characteristics, treatment time course, and outcomes were compared.

RESULTS: This study included 104 patients with a median age of 81 years (interquartile range: 73-89 years), 57.7% were females, and the pre-stroke modified Rankin Scale (mRS) median was 0.5 (interquartile range: 0-3). Our cohort included advanced aged patients; therefore, this study included 56.7% of patients over 80 years old and 35.6% of pre-stroke mRS over 3. The US (US group) and non-US (non-US group) evaluation groups included 54 and 50 patients, respectively. As magnetic resonance imaging evaluation in the non-US group was performed over the 4.5 hours delayed arrival of patients from the last known well (LKW) to consider the evaluation of tPA administration, selection bias occurred. The US group included high National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) patients (P = 0.0152) and more ICA occlusions (P = 0.0146). Onset (LKW) to door time was shorter in the US group (median, 75 min (35-146.5 minutes)) than the non-US group (median, 179 minutes (47.3-432.8 minutes); P = 0.0426), and the DTP was shorter for the US group (median, 75.5 minutes (63.8-87.3 minutes)) than for the non-US group (median, 85 minutes (67-129 minutes); P = 0.0102). Statistical difference was not seen in puncture to reperfusion time among the US group (median, 71.5 minutes (51-114 minutes)) and non-US group (median, 67 minutes (42.3-98.5 minutes); P = 0.5581). The onset (LKW) to reperfusion was shorter for the US group (median, 251 minutes (201-327.3 minutes)) than for the non-US group (median, 319 minutes (200-633.5 minutes); P = 0.0348). No statistical differences were seen for thrombolysis in cerebral infarction grade 2b-3 after treatment, improvement of NIHSS, and mRS at 90 days.

CONCLUSION: US is a useful imaging method to identify an anterior circulation LVO. It can distinguish patients with severe internal carotid or middle cerebral artery occlusion from medium vessel occlusion or other peripheral vessel occlusions. US helps to shorten the DTP time of LVO.

PMID:40438838 | PMC:PMC12116222 | DOI:10.7759/cureus.83093

Cureus. 2025 Apr 28;17(4):e83141. doi: 10.7759/cureus.83141. eCollection 2025 Apr.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Patients with heart failure (HF) and chronic kidney disease (CKD) often face therapeutic challenges, necessitating optimized treatment strategies to improve clinical outcomes. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of sacubitril/valsartan (Entresto) in improving clinical outcomes, reducing hospitalizations, and preserving renal function in HF patients with CKD, with a primary focus on changes in renal function (estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR)), and secondary outcomes, including heart performance (left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF)) and hospitalization rates.

METHODOLOGY: This prospective observational study was conducted from January 2023 to December 2023. A total of 196 consecutively enrolled HF patients with CKD stages 2-4 were included and administered sacubitril/valsartan at FDA-recommended doses. Assessments of eGFR, hospitalization rates, LVEF, and adverse events were performed at three, six, and 12 months. Statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS version 25 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY), and a p-value < 0.05 was considered significant.

RESULTS: The mean eGFR improved significantly from 45.8 ± 12.4 mL/min/1.73 m² to 48.5 ± 11.5 mL/min/1.73 m² after 12 months (p = 0.032), representing a 5.90% increase. Hospitalizations decreased markedly from 210 to 48 events, with hospitalization rates dropping from 65.31% to 17.35%. LVEF improved significantly from 32.5 ± 6.7% to 41.5 ± 6.1% (27.69% increase). The New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class also improved: class II patients increased from 43.88% to 63.27%, while class IV patients declined from 16.33% to 9.18%. Adverse events included hyperkalemia in 11.22%, symptomatic hypotension in 8.16%, and worsening renal function in 5.10% of patients; 7.14% of patients discontinued therapy due to side effects.

CONCLUSION: Sacubitril/valsartan demonstrated significant improvement in cardiac function, reduction in hospitalization rates, and preservation of renal function in HF patients with CKD, supporting its clinical utility in this population.

PMID:40438836 | PMC:PMC12119063 | DOI:10.7759/cureus.83141

Cureus. 2025 Apr 28;17(4):e83118. doi: 10.7759/cureus.83118. eCollection 2025 Apr.

ABSTRACT

Cancer care faces challenges with chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV). Olanzapine and aprepitant, alone or with traditional antiemetics, promise CINV prevention. Their mechanisms target neurotransmitters, providing better control with manageable side effects. This study aims to rigorously review the efficacy and safety of olanzapine versus aprepitant in preventing CINV. Randomized clinical trials comparing olanzapine versus aprepitant in preventing CINV were selected following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) 2020 guidelines. A comprehensive literature search was conducted in various databases and registries through March 21, 2024. Quality assessment utilized Cochrane’s ‘Risk of Bias tool (RoB2)’, and Review Manager 5.4.1 synthesized results using a random effect model. The main outcomes focused on odds ratios (ORs) for complete response (CR) in acute, delayed, and overall phases. Safety was assessed from trial descriptions. The certainty of evidence was assessed using GRADE Pro. Two hundred and eighty-two records were identified initially, yielding eight eligible RCTs with a total of 1056 participants after screening. All studies targeted CINV in adults undergoing highly emetogenic chemotherapy. In the acute phase, both drugs demonstrated similar efficacy in nausea and vomiting control (OR = 1.01, 95% CI = 0.63,1.62). During the delayed phase, no significant difference was observed (OR = 0.81, 95% CI = 0.62,1.04). In the overall phase, olanzapine exhibited slightly better nausea control than aprepitant, with statistical significance (OR = 0.76, 95% CI = 0.59,0.99). Emetic control was comparable across treatment arms (OR 0.93, 95 % CI 0.70-1.24). Olanzapine provided a clinically meaningful reduction in nausea. However, the sedation caused by olanzapine, which is significantly higher than that caused by aprepitant, can impair daily functioning, diminish treatment adherence, and increase fall risk.

PMID:40438835 | PMC:PMC12117596 | DOI:10.7759/cureus.83118

Cureus. 2025 Apr 28;17(4):e83111. doi: 10.7759/cureus.83111. eCollection 2025 Apr.

ABSTRACT

Background Smoking is a major global health concern, linked to numerous medical conditions, including hearing loss and psychological distress. Research suggests that smokers have a significantly higher risk of hearing impairment than non-smokers, possibly due to oxidative stress and vascular damage. Smoking is also associated with psychological effects such as depression, anxiety, and stress, though the relationship is complex. This study aims to compare the prevalence and degree of hearing loss between smokers and non-smokers using pure tone audiometry, and to evaluate the levels of psychological distress (depression, anxiety, and stress) in both groups using the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21) score. It also aims to assess the relationship between smoking frequency and duration with hearing loss and psychological distress. Materials and methods A prospective cross-sectional study was conducted at the ENT Outpatient Department of AIIMS Bhopal over three months. A total of 100 male participants aged 18-55 years were divided into two groups: 50 smokers (current or past) and 50 age- and gender-matched non-smokers. Hearing was evaluated through pure tone audiometry, tuning fork tests, and otoscopy. Psychological distress was assessed using the DASS-21, while nicotine dependence was measured using the Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 21 (Released 2012; IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA), applying the Chi-square test, with a significance level of p < 0.05. Results Hearing loss was significantly more prevalent in smokers (18, or 36%) than in non-smokers (7, or 14%) (p = 0.017). However, no statistically significant correlation was found between the severity of hearing loss and the frequency or duration of smoking. Psychological distress was observed in both groups, with depression (10 (20%) vs. 6 (12%)), anxiety (18 (36%) vs. 23 (46%)), and stress (2 (4%) vs. 0%) being more common in smokers, though these differences were not statistically significant. Nicotine dependence varied, with 22 (44%) of smokers having very low dependence, while two (4%) had very high dependence. Higher cigarette consumption was significantly associated with greater nicotine dependence (p < 0.001). Conclusion Smoking is associated with a significantly higher risk of hearing loss, reinforcing the need for awareness and early screening among smokers. However, no strong link was found between smoking and psychological distress in this study. Given the limitations of sample size and study duration, further research is needed to explore the long-term effects of smoking on both hearing and mental health. Smoking cessation programs should incorporate regular hearing assessments and psychological support for better overall well-being.

PMID:40438834 | PMC:PMC12117464 | DOI:10.7759/cureus.83111

Cureus. 2025 Apr 27;17(4):e83103. doi: 10.7759/cureus.83103. eCollection 2025 Apr.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: The rising prevalence of dementia has increased the demand for long-term care, with family members often assuming caregiving responsibilities. While this form of care reduces healthcare costs and improves patients’ quality of life, it also exposes caregivers to physical and mental health challenges, often rendering them “invisible patients.” Well-being remains a key focus in both medical and psychosocial research and can be assessed through Ryff’s eudaimonic framework. This study aims to identify distinct latent profiles of family caregivers based on well-being patterns, highlighting, through a person-centered approach, the vulnerabilities and resources associated with each profile.

METHODS: The study included 73 family caregivers from Romania, aged between 30 and 87 years (M = 57.12, SD = 10.36), the majority being women (75.3%). Latent profile analysis (LPA) was used to identify well-being patterns based on scores obtained on the six dimensions of Ryff’s scale (54 items, adapted for Romania). The selection of models and distinctiveness of profiles were statistically established through various criteria (Akaike Information Criterion (AIC), Bayesian Information Criterion (BIC), and entropy), together with a meaningful interpretation, emphasizing the role of meaning in life, autonomy, and self-acceptance in maintaining caregivers’ health, well-being, and resilience.

RESULTS: The LPA analysis identified a four-profile model of well-being, i.e., high (11%), moderate (38%), low (41.1%), and very low (10%), highlighting both the heterogeneity of perceptions and the caregivers’ vulnerabilities and strengths within each profile. Major differences between profiles are primarily driven by the purpose in life and autonomy dimensions, with values progressively decreasing from one profile to the next. The high profile exhibits the highest scores on these dimensions, while the very low profile records the lowest. The most pronounced deficits appear in the very low profile, particularly in self-acceptance and environmental mastery. The high entropy value of the model (0.93) indicates a well-defined solution with significant differences between profiles.

CONCLUSION: The study highlights variations in well-being among family caregivers of individuals with dementia, making a significant contribution to the identification of distinct latent profiles. A person-centered approach facilitates tailored interventions by clinicians, while the findings provide valuable support both for clinical practitioners and for the development of public health policies.

PMID:40438829 | PMC:PMC12117279 | DOI:10.7759/cureus.83103

Cureus. 2025 Apr 28;17(4):e83139. doi: 10.7759/cureus.83139. eCollection 2025 Apr.

ABSTRACT

Acute appendicitis is a common surgical emergency caused by inflammation and infection of the appendix, yet there is limited consensus on its management despite its widespread prevalence. While surgery remains the standard, the role of antibiotics, particularly in nonoperative management, is increasingly recognized. This study aims to identify the antibiotic regimens for appendicitis in three governmental and military hospitals in Taif City, assess their consistency with international guidelines, review effectiveness, and determine the length of hospital stay for patients following different treatment methods. Method: A retrospective chart review design was used to analyze the antibiotics regimen used for managing appendicitis and perforated appendicitis among patients of various age groups in Taif City. Data was collected from the medical records of patients admitted to pediatric and adult surgery units from January 2020 to December 2022. SPSS software, version 26.0, was used for descriptive analysis, while inferential statistical tests were used to compare hospital stays. Results: The study analyzed 646 hospital records for patients with appendicitis. Surgical interventions were common, with open appendectomy being the most common procedure, 522 (80.8%). Only 25 (3.9%) patients received preoperative antibiotics, while 481 (74.5%) patients received postoperative antibiotics, mostly Augmentin, with oral administration being preferred in 450 (69.7%) cases. Postoperative outcomes showed low complication rates, with only 54 (8.4%) experiencing surgical-site infections, hernia, and minimal abdominal pain. The mean hospital stay was 2.2 days. Conclusion: The study suggests that compliance with preoperative antibiotic guidelines should be improved, and nonoperative management options should be discussed in certain patient populations. The focus should be on rational antibiotic usage and patient-oriented treatment methods to maximize appendicitis treatment compared to existing literature.

PMID:40438815 | PMC:PMC12119032 | DOI:10.7759/cureus.83139