Non-insidious Large Joint Manifestation of Severe Cachectic Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disorder in which constitutional symptoms typically occur before joint swelling becomes a true clinical phenomenon. Weight loss, although common, is generally mild in nature and occurs after long standing inflammation. While large joints do become inflamed, RA has a much stronger predilection for the small joints. Our case is a rarity in the fact that there was initial large joint swelling without long standing inflammation. Additionally, the weight loss was cachectic in nature and extreme. Furthermore, while extra-articular manifestations do commonly occur, spontaneous pneumothorax is certainly atypical. The content of this manuscript serves to enlighten hospitalist physicians and residents, as to the odd way in which a case like this may present

Nephrocutaneous Fistula Due to Xanthogranulomatous Pyelonephritis

While the development of a fistulous tract from the kidney to the proximal adjacent organs is relatively common, a tract leading to the skin is a rare occurrence. The primary cause of a fistula is prior surgical intervention or malignancy leading to abscess formation. Our case involves Xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis (XGP) causing a longstanding lobulated abscess, ultimately leading to the formation of a fistulous tract

Impact of sex and comorbid diabetes on hospitalization outcomes in acute pancreatitis: A large United States population-based study

Backgrounds: Data on the association between comorbid diabetes mellitus (DM) and acute pancreatitis (AP) remains limited. Utilizing a large, nationwide database, we aimed to examine the impact of comorbid diabetes mellitus on patients admitted for acute pancreatitis. Methods: This was a retrospective case-control study of adult patients with AP utilizing the National Inpatient Sample from 2015–2018, using ICD–10 codes. Hospitalization outcomes of patients admitted for AP with comorbid DM were compared to those without comorbid DM at the time of admission. The primary outcome was a mortality difference between the cohorts. Multivariable-adjusted cox proportional hazards model analysis was performed. Data was analyzed as both sex aggregated, and sex segregated. Results: 940,789 adult patients with AP were included, of which 256,330 (27.3%) had comorbid DM. Comorbid DM was associated with a 31% increased risk of inpatient mortality (aOR: 1.31; p = 0.004), a 53% increased risk of developing sepsis (aOR: 1.53; p = 0.002), increased hospital length of stay (LOS) (4.5 days vs. 3.7 days; p < 0.001), and hospital costs (8486; p < 0.001). Whites admitted for AP with comorbid DM were at a 49% increased risk of mortality as compared to Hispanics ($9934 vs.$8486; p < 0.0001). Different comorbidities had sex-specific risks; men admitted for AP with comorbid DM were at a 28% increased risk of mortality (aOR: 1.28; p < 0.0001) as compared to women. Men with comorbid DM plus obesity or hypertension were also at increased risk of mortality as compared to women, whereas women with comorbid DM plus renal failure were at greater risk of mortality as compared to men. Conclusions: Comorbid DM appears to be a risk factor for adverse hospitalization outcomes in patients admitted for AP with male sex and race as additional risk factors. Future prospective studies are warranted to confirm these findings to better risk stratify this patient population