Asthma vs. COPD in Primary Care Are We Missing Asthma-COPD Overlap Abstract Primary care physicians often encounter considerable difficulty when distinguishing between asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Both conditions share overlapping respiratory symptoms such as cough, wheeze, and breathlessness, which can obscure diagnostic clarity and lead to
Author: Nancy Ogbonna
High-Sensitivity Troponin Testing: The End of Unnecessary Chest Pain Admissions?
High-Sensitivity Troponin Testing: The End of Unnecessary Chest Pain Admissions? Introduction The introduction of high-sensitivity cardiac troponin (hs-cTn) assays has fundamentally transformed the evaluation and management of patients presenting with chest pain in the emergency department (ED). Troponin testing has long been a cornerstone of acute
Inpatient vs Outpatient Emergency Treatment for Pulmonary Embolism: A Doctor’s Guide
Inpatient vs Outpatient Emergency Treatment for Pulmonary Embolism A Doctor’s Guide Introduction Pulmonary embolism (PE) remains a major global health concern, affecting an estimated 200,000 to 500,000 individuals each year in the United States. The reported incidence ranges from 39 to 115 cases per 100,000 population,
Lung Cancer Screening in Primary Care: Why Uptake Remains Low
Lung Cancer Screening in Primary Care Why Uptake Remains Low Abstract Lung cancer screening has demonstrated substantial potential in reducing disease-specific mortality by enabling early detection of malignancies at a treatable stage. Low-dose computed tomography (LDCT), in particular, has been shown to markedly lower mortality among high-risk
Revisiting Cancer Screening Guidelines: Too Much, Too Little, or Just Right?
Revisiting Cancer Screening Guidelines Too Much, Too Little, or Just Right Abstract Cancer screening has long served as a cornerstone of preventive healthcare, enabling early detection and improving survival outcomes for several malignancies. However, despite decades of progress, ongoing debates persist regarding the optimal
Can MRI Detect Old Strokes? New Findings on Silent Brain Infarcts
Can MRI Detect Old Strokes? New Findings on Silent Brain Infarcts Introduction The question of whether an old stroke appears on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) holds remarkable clinical importance, particularly in the context of silent brain infarcts (SBIs). These lesions, often asymptomatic, are increasingly recognized as markers
Neuromodulation for Chronic Pain: Breaking Traditional Treatment Boundaries
Neuromodulation for Chronic Pain: Breaking Traditional Treatment Boundaries Introduction Epilepsy affects more than 70 million individuals worldwide, and approximately 30 percent of patients experience resistance to conventional medical therapy. This subset of patients with drug-resistant or intractable epilepsy often faces major challenges, including reduced quality of
Breaking Research: MRD Positive Status Predicts Leukemia Outcomes
Breaking Research MRD Positive Status Predicts Leukemia Outcomes Introduction Minimal residual disease (MRD) status has emerged as one of the most powerful prognostic markers in leukemia management, fundamentally transforming how clinicians assess treatment response and long-term outcomes. MRD-positive status profoundly influences survival outcomes, as demonstrated
CRISPR vs Gene Therapy for Sickle Cell: Which Treatment Works Better?
CRISPR vs Gene Therapy for Sickle Cell: Which Treatment Works Better? Introduction Sickle cell disease (SCD) remains one of the most prevalent inherited hematologic disorders globally, affecting millions of individuals across diverse populations. It is estimated that approximately 100,000 people in the United States live
The Truth About Statin Intolerance Symptoms: Myth or Reality?
The Truth About Statin Intolerance Symptoms Myth or Reality Introduction Statin intolerance represents a major clinical challenge in lipid management and cardiovascular disease prevention. Reported symptoms range from muscle pain and weakness to fatigue and gastrointestinal disturbances, affecting between 5 and 30 percent of patients prescribed
