LOS ANGELES — Saffron may help treat sexual dysfunction related to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), new research suggests. Results of a preliminary new review found saffron, a spice derived from the flower of Crocus sativus, commonly known as the “saffron crocus,” reduced erectile dysfunction in men and boosted arousal in women. Jeremy Wolfe, MD … Read more
TOPLINE: Among patients with acute cholecystitis who were managed non-operatively, 38.3% experienced new complications. Delayed cholecystectomy was recommended for younger patients with prior complications. METHODOLOGY: Researchers conducted a retrospective study to identify risk factors for gallstone disease relapse and establish the timeline for recurrence. They included 1634 patients treated for acute cholecystitis at three Swedish … Read more
TOPLINE: The albumin–bilirubin (ALBI) score predicted adverse outcomes such as preterm birth, intensive care unit (ICU) admission, and perinatal mortality in pregnant women with cirrhosis. METHODOLOGY: This prospective, national observational cohort study was conducted using the UK Obstetric Surveillance System (UKOSS) from June 1, 2017, to November 30, 2020. The study identified 52 pregnant women … Read more
As a transplant hepatologist in Los Angeles, Brian Lee, MD, MAS, has seen his share of alcoholics with advanced liver disease, people who have spent decades drinking their body toward an early death. In recent years, however, the demographic of these patients has shifted in a particularly worrisome direction. More than ever, young adults and … Read more
The most common pathology affecting the pancreas is excess intra-pancreatic fat deposition (IPFD), often called fatty pancreas disease (FPD) — a disorder experienced by roughly one fifth of the world’s population. Although it is more common than type 2 diabetes, pancreatitis, and pancreatic cancer combined, it has remained relatively obscure. By contrast, fatty liver — … Read more
Key Takeaways Herpes zoster (HZ) can initially present with pain before the appearance of a rash, leading to diagnostic confusion. Anterior cutaneous nerve entrapment syndrome (ACNES) may be mimicked by other conditions, including HZ. Positive pinch test and Carnett’s sign may indicate abdominal wall neuralgia but do not exclude the possibility of HZ. The Patient … Read more
Among patients with obesity and compensated cirrhosis, bariatric surgery may significantly lower the risk of developing serious liver disease complications, according to a recent study by Cleveland Clinic researchers. Compared with patients who received medical therapy alone, those who underwent bariatric surgery had a 72% lower risk of developing serious complications of liver disease and … Read more