Hyponatremia is the most common electrolyte abnormality observed in clinical practice. Several studies have demonstrated that hyponatremia is associated with an increased length of hospital stay and of hospital resource use. To clarify the impact of hyponatremia on the length of hospitalization and costs, the authors performed a meta-analysis based on published studies that compared hospital length of stay and cost between patients with and without hyponatremia.

Urinary leukotriene E4 (LTE4) is a well-validated marker of the cysteinyl leukotriene pathway. This article reports on a retrospective review of patients who had 24-hour quantification of urinary LTE4 and their assigned diagnoses. LTE4 elevations were seen in asthma and chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) but were influenced by underlying aspirin sensitivity. Elevation of LTE4 was significant in CRSwNP after adjusting for aspirin sensitivity. Allergic rhinitis was not associated with elevated LTE4 excretion. Receiver operator characteristic analysis of 24-hour urinary LTE4 showed that a cut-off value of 241 pg/mg Cr discriminated "challenge-confirmed" aspirin-sensitive subjects with 92% specificity. Elevated 24-hr excretion of urinary LTE4 is a reliable and simple test to identify aspirin sensitivity in patients with respiratory diagnoses.

Correct diagnosis of dementia with Lewy Body is important because these patients can be hypersensitive to antipsychotics that non-Lewy Body dementia sufferers may be able to tolerate; because there are other medications that may better treat symptoms such as visual hallucinations and parkinsonism; and because there is risk of shorter survival. Swedish researchers found that 20% of nursing home residents had dementia of the Lewy Body type, once the diagnosis criteria included the parkinsonism variable.

Surgical approach influences the relationship between intraoperative trainee participation in hysterectomy and perioperative complication.

Adolescent attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is a challenging condition that requires a perspective unique from childhood and adult attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Ultimately, there is a need for new primary care psychiatric models that take into account the complexity of working with this population and the challenges working in a primary care setting.

This study examined the effects of extended freezer storage of both fresh and previously refrigerated human milk on its constituents and bacterial viability, simulating common patterns of use and storage in the NICU. Freezing human milk at −20°C for 9 months was associated with decreased pH and bacterial counts, but key macronutrients and immunoactive components were preserved, with or without prior refrigeration for 72 hours. These results support current guidelines for freezer storage of human milk.

Peyronie's disease is an abnormal curvature of the penis causing discomfort or pain during sex. The exact cause of Peyronie's disease remains unknown, however abnormal scar tissue due to inflammation in the corpus cavernosum (erectile tissue) appears to cause the curvature. Peyronie's disease can affect young men who typically have normal erectile function. A novel treatment for Peyronie's disease, Xiaflex (intralesional collagenase), was approved by the FDA in 2013. Collagenase injections into the plaque have demonstrated promising results to improve penile curvature without affecting penile length. It is important to remember that Xiaflex is indicated in men with normal erections, whereas penile implant is a good treatment option for men with erectile dysfunction and abnormal penile curvature.

A final recommendation from the US Preventive Services Task Force found insufficient evidence to recommend for or against pediatric high cholesterol screening among asymptomatic children or teenagers and noted the need for further research. The task force did recommend screening children ages 6 and older for obesity and making weight management counseling referrals as needed.

Patients recently hospitalized for acute coronary syndrome and with metabolic syndrome had a significantly increased odds of having new-onset diabetes, major cardiovascular events and recurrent myocardial infarction, according to a study presented at the American College of Cardiology meeting. Researchers evaluated almost 13,000 patients within 30 days of being hospitalized for ACS and found that diabetes alone may strongly predict major CV events, while the presence of both diabetes and metabolic syndrome may identify those at highest risk for adverse outcomes.

A study in the International Journal of Obesity showed that adolescents and young adults who snore had a 2.13 odds ratio of having metabolic syndrome compared with those who didn't snore. The findings, based on 2,147 Chilean adolescents and young adults ages 15 to 40, revealed those who snore also had higher total and LDL cholesterol levels.

The CMS is introducing a three-state, 10-hospital initiative called the Frontier Community Health Integration Project Demonstration to test innovative health care delivery models in sparsely populated areas. The participating critical access hospitals will be eligible for financial incentives for coordinating care, reducing preventable admissions and readmissions and testing skilled nursing methods, telehealth and ambulance services.

A new law requires hospitals to tell Medicare patients they could face significant out-of-pocket expenses if they stay in the hospital longer than 24 hours without formally being admitted. Patients, who will start getting the notices in January, could face charges because Medicare may not cover subsequent care, such as a nursing home stay, unless patients are first admitted to the hospital.

CDC data from 2014 showed more than 25% of women were overweight and almost 25% were obese before becoming pregnant. The study found black, American Indian or Alaska Native women, along with those over age 40, were more likely to be obese.