BackgroundCarpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is the most common compression neuropathy in the upper limb. While various risk factors have been linked to CTS, the role of diabetes mellitus (DM) in the development of CTS remains unclear. Previous studies have failed to consistently demonstrate a clear association between DM and CTS due to variations based on the geographic setting and differences in the study design. The objective of this study was to assess if there is an association between DM and CTS using population-based data from the United States.
MethodologyWe used data from patients ≥18 years old who contributed to the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey between 2006 and 2015. The outcome was CTS identified by the International Classification of Diseases-9-Clinical Modification codes (354.0 and 354.1), and the main independent variable was physician-reported diabetes status. Multivariable logistic regression was used to adjust for confounding variables. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were reported. Stata v15 was used for all analyses.
ResultsAmong the patients included in this study (n = 322,092), 13.5% were reported to have diabetes while 0.55% reported CTS. The unadjusted odds of having CTS among patients with diabetes was 0.92 (95% CI: 0.74-1.14; p = 0.447). After adjusting for confounding variables, the association remained not statistically significant
Contraceptive implant devices are relatively safe devices, but complications arise when implants become nonpalpable, and cannot be safely removed. In this case report, we describe the location of an implant in the subfascial plane of the upper arm, the diagnostic imaging findings we encountered during the workup, and the procedure necessary to remove it. We demonstrated that if the device is in close proximity to the fascia, it may be difficult to distinguish from the fascia on magnetic resonance imaging. Nonetheless, fluoroscopy and ultrasound easily distinguished the device from the surrounding tissue and allowed localization intraoperatively.
Despite advances in clinical management, ischemic stroke remains one of the most significant causes of morbidity and mortality in the United States. Stem cell transplantation therapy is emerging as a promising solution to this problem. Ischemic stroke leads to the death of neurons and the surrounding glial cells, leaving patients with significant disabilities. Stem cell therapy has been proven effective in several preclinical studies of induced ischemic stroke, demonstrating neurogenesis, angiogenesis, and improved neural plasticity in animal models. Bone marrow–derived stem cells have shown particular promise in this regard, leading to their application in clinical trials that demonstrated safety and feasibility with limited efficacy. Here, we highlight the potential benefits of cell transplantation therapy for ischemic stroke and review potential mechanisms of action and delivery. We also examine the results of completed clinical trials and the scientific roadblocks that have prevented them from demonstrating greater efficacy. While progress in the clinic has been limited, the future of stem cell therapy is promising. There is still debate as to the methods and applications that would most improve the efficacy of stem cell therapy for ischemic stroke and we review proposed solutions that would address these issues and improve therapeutic designs for future studies.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.