Saint Francis University

About: Saint Francis University is a education organization based out in Loretto, Pennsylvania, United States. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Osteoblast. The organization has 1694 authors who have published 2038 publications receiving 87149 citations.

Recurrent thyroid carcinoma presenting as an endotracheal nodule.

Abstract: Papillary carcinoma is a common primary malignancy of the thyroid gland, with extrathyroidal invasion occurring in 5% to 34% of cases. It is known to recur locally. Laryngotracheal invasion by recurrent papillary thyroid carcinoma is uncommon, occurring in 5.7% to 7% of cases. Invasion of the larynx by tumor can occur by direct extension while tracheal involvement may occur by direct invasion or a metastatic paratracheal lymph node eroding the trachea. Involvement of the trachea can result in hemoptysis. We report a case of recurrent papillary thyroid carcinoma presenting with hemoptysis due to tracheal involvement.

Clinical and economic burden of obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in the United States

Abstract: AIMS Obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (oHCM) is a disease of the cardiomyocyte in which dynamic left ventricular outflow track obstruction may lead to heart failure, valvular disease, and sudden death. Little is known about healthcare resource utilization (HRU) and costs associated with oHCM. This study investigated the clinical and economic burden of oHCM in patients with or without symptoms associated with oHCM. METHODS We used the US IBM MarketScan Commercial and Medicare Supplemental database to identify patients with oHCM (January 2009-March 2019). Control patients without cardiomyopathy were matched to each patient with oHCM based on age, sex, region, and index year (3:1 ratio). One-year HRU and cost data were compared between all oHCM, symptomatic oHCM, and asymptomatic oHCM subgroups, and their respective controls. RESULTS Among 11,401 eligible patients with oHCM (mean age 57 years, 42% female), 5,667 (50%) were symptomatic (23% chest pain, 57% dyspnea, 29% fatigue, 17% syncope). oHCM was associated with significant increases in all-cause hospitalizations, hospital days, outpatient visits, and total healthcare costs (mean ± standard deviation: $26,929 ± 77,720 vs. $6,808 ± 25,712, p<.001) compared with matched controls. These differences were driven mainly by the clinical and economic burden of symptomatic oHCM, which was associated with significant increases in 1-year hospitalization rates (38.0 vs. 6.9%), hospital days (3.7 ± 9.9 vs. 0.4 ± 3.0), and total healthcare costs ($43,586 ± 103,756 vs. $6,768 ± 27,618; all p<.001). Adjustment for comorbidities had minimal impact on these differences. LIMITATIONS The use of claims data relies on International Classification of Diseases (ICD-9 and ICD-10) diagnosis codes, which might be inaccurate. Only commercially insured patients were included. CONCLUSION In a real-world population, oHCM was associated with substantial increases in HRU and incremental costs of ∼$20,000/year when compared with matched controls-a difference that increased to ∼$35,000/year among symptomatic patients. Further studies are warranted to understand the potential impact of specific therapies on HRU and the economic burden of oHCM.

Fatal Agricultural Accidents in Kansas: A Thirty-One-Year Study.

Abstract: Agricultural work results in numerous injuries and deaths. Efficacy of farm equipment safety interventions remains unclear. This study evaluated agricultural mortality pre- and postimplementation of safety initiatives. A 31-year retrospective review of mortality data from agriculture-related injuries was conducted. Demographics and injury patterns were evaluated by mechanism of injury. There were 660 deaths (mean age 48.6 years). Female deaths increased from 5.2 to 11.7 per cent (P = 0.032). Mortality associated with tractors decreased (75.6% vs 53.9%; P < 0.001) and with all-terrain vehicles increased (3.5% vs 22.0%; P < 0.001) from Period I to III. However, tractors remain the primary cause of mortality. For mechanical equipment-associated mortality, there was a decrease (83.3% vs 50.0%) in "caught in equipment," and an increase (6.7% vs 38.9%) in those killed by "crush injury" from Period I to III. Application of safety devices to enclose and stabilize machinery has led to an overall decrease in mortality associated with tractors and "caught in equipment." Expanded rural education, as well as further development and use of safety devices, is warranted to curtail farm-related injuries and deaths.

Prevalence and outcome of paediatric and adolescent limb fractures in rural Zambia.

Abstract: Little is known about the prevalence and outcome of paediatric limb fractures in rural African children The objective of our study was to assess the prevalence and outcome of paediatric and adolescent limb fractures in this population We performed a retrospective population survey of 355 secondary school students with a mean age of 169 years in Katete, Zambia Fracture type and cause were assessed using anamnestic data and physical examination In the surveyed group 52 students (29 male, 23 female) sustained 56 fractures We found a fracture prevalence rate of 15-19% in male and 11% in female students The most common fracture was that of the wrist (39%) Forty-eight fractures (86%) were treated in a general hospital, and 4 (7%) in rural health centres Only 4 students with a fracture (7%) did not receive medical treatment at all Sport was the most common cause of fractures in the surveyed group (41%) Of all fractures, 25% led to significant impairment