Evaluation of a day hospital program for eating disorders

The study describes the outcome results of the first 53 patients with an eating disorder referred to a day hospital program, an innovative group treatment for patients requiring hospital treatment. Among the program's completers, 19 fulfilled criteria for anorexia nervosa (AN), and 35 fulfilled criteria for bulimia nervosa (BN). There was a significant weight gain for the AN patients; 73.6% gained over 1 lb/week during the average 12 weeks of stay in the program. There was a significant decrease in the average number of binges per week in the BN group; a reduction of 75% in binges was present in 88% of patients within the study period, 9 AN and 12 BN patients completed a detailed assessment 1, 3, and 6 months postdischarge; for these patients clinical gains were maintained. Factors related to dropout and outcome, as well as clinical implications, are discussed.     

Arthritis and hypertension in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus

Objective. The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) who have, as part of their disease, persistent rheumatoid-like arthritis are less likely to be hypertensive than are other patients with SLE. Methods. A retrospective chart analysis of 662 patients with SLE seen in a university clinic was performed. Results. Data analysis revealed that hypertension and persistent arthritis were inversely correlated, particularly in those patients without nephritis and particularly in black patients. Conclusion. We conclude that rheumatoid-like arthritis in patients with SLE is protective against hypertension, and speculate that this protection is conferred by a higher frequency of the DR4 allele.     

Die „Wassermann-feste Tabes“

Ohne Zusammenfassung