Medical science, drawn into focus.

Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR)

Overview Polymyalgia rheumatica is a common inflammatory condition affecting older adults, typically over 50 years of age, characterised by pain and stiffness in the shoulder and pelvic girdles. It is strongly associated with elevated inflammatory markers and responds dramatically to low-dose corticosteroids. PMR is a clinical diagnosis and can mimic other rheumatic or non-rheumatic disorders.…

Gallstone Disease

This section looks at gallstone disease in general. For info on cholecystitis specifically click here . Overview Gallstones, also called cholelithiasis, are solid deposits formed from components of bile, most commonly cholesterol or bilirubin. They usually develop within the gallbladder but may migrate into the biliary ducts. Gallstones range from very small particles to large stones…

Dementia

Overview Dementia is a disorder that is characterized by impairment of cognition, typically involving memory and at least one other cognitive deficit, such as aphasia, apraxia, agnosia, or disturbance in executive functioning. These must represent a decline from previous level of function and be severe enough to interfere with daily function and independence. Decrease in intellectual…

Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome

Overview ARDS is an acute, diffuse, inflammatory lung injury that leads to increased pulmonary vascular permeability, increased lung weight, and a loss of aerated tissue. Clinical hallmarks of ARDS are hypoxemia and bilateral radiographic opacities, while the pathological hallmark is diffuse alveolar damage. Pathophysiology Aetiology Indirect lung injury: sepsis, shock, trauma, pancreatitis, drug OD, intracranial haemorrhage,…

Mixed Connective Tissue Disease (MCTD) 

Overview MCTD is a systemic autoimmune rheumatic disease characterized by overlapping clinical features of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), systemic sclerosis (SSc), polymyositis, with rheumatoid arthritis with high titres of anti-U1 RNP antibodies. It typically affects women aged 20–40 years. Prevalence is estimated at 3.8 per 100,000; more common in females (F:M ~9:1). The disease course…

Bladder Carcinoma

Mainly focusing on Transitional cell tumours Overview Three main types of bladder carcinoma Transitional cell carcinoma (Most common) Squamous cell carcinoma Adenocarcinoma (Rare) Transitional cell tumours can affect any part of the urinary epithelium. It is the second most common urological malignancy (Renal Adenocarcinoma is the most common, bladder adenocarcinoma is rare ) and is one…

Peripheral Arterial Disease (Chronic Lower Limb Ischaemia)

 Overview Ankle-Brachial Index (ABI): Ratio of ankle to brachial systolic blood pressure, determined using Doppler ultrasound flow. Claudication: Pain, ache, or cramp in muscles that increases with walking or leg exertion in a predictable manner and resolves with rest. Peripheral arterial disease: Atherosclerosis leading to narrowing of the major arteries distal to the aortic arch.…

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