Category Archives: Internal Medicine

Internal Medicine

Local doctor to share new lifestyle health techniques with Longboaters – Your Observer

Dr. Coeurlida Ashby loved working as a doctor at her internal medicine practice until she realized how little time it gives for patients to heal.

There were a lot of patients that needed time and the system isn't really set up for giving them that kind of time, said Ashby. I realized very early on in my career that I was practicing medicine in a way that I knew wasn't sustainable for me as a healer.

Dr. Coeurlida Ashby

This led to an existential crisis. Ashby didnt know if traditional medicine was the best outlet for her healing art. So, she went to the only thing that made her feel better: health and fitness.

Ashby poured most of her free time into bodybuilding and learning about nutrition. She started teaching her health techniques to clients after hours and saw a significant difference in her mood. She also noticed that implementing a healthy lifestyle reversed chronic diseases for most of her clients.

In 2017, Ashby discovered the lifestyle medicine concept and immediately knew it was her calling.

The Paradise Center will host Ashby for an exclusive presentation on lifestyle medicine from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. on June 3.

Lifestyle medicine focuses on implementing lifestyle changes that promote healthy fitness and nutrition to prevent chronic diseases. Ashby said that lifestyle medicine is based on six pillars from ancient Chinese tradition. The pillars include sleep, nutrition, fitness, social connections, mental health and toxins you put in your body.

Ashbys presentation will serve as an introduction to lifestyle medicine for Longboaters. It will provide an interactive discussion for participants to understand and see the benefits of incorporating these lifestyle changes.

She will cover how it improves overall health, boosts energy and vitality, manages stress and prevents and reverses chronic diseases. She will mainly focus on heart disease and metabolic health.

Ashby earned her medical degree in internal medicine from Yale University School of Medicine. She completed her residency training at Yale New Haven Hospital where she served as chief resident of the Yale Internal Medicine Primary Care Program.

Ashby got a lifestyle medicine certificate in 2020 and has become a leader in the field through her recognition in the American Board of Lifestyle Medicine. She now runs her own practice, Conscious Health, in Sarasota.

Ashby hopes the presentation will interest Longboaters to start thinking about their everyday habits and how their lifestyle affects their health. She is open to giving consultations at The Paradise Centers Medical Suite if people are interested.

I think lifestyle medicine is a missing resource right now on Longboat, said Ashby. It is incredible the potential impact it could have on reducing suffering and disease burden. I love the atmosphere of having a space for movement at The Paradise Center, having a physical therapist in the same building and having potential other providers. It is just the type of setting that lifestyle lends itself to. They're definitely on the right track and this would be adding right in the mix.

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Local doctor to share new lifestyle health techniques with Longboaters - Your Observer

Internal Medicine

Marquis Who’s Who Honors H. Kenneth Fisher, MD, for Expertise in Medicine – 24-7 Press Release

He became a Diplomate of the American Boards of Sleep Medicine, Pulmonary Medicine, and Internal Medicine, all after the age of 65.

LOS ANGELES, CA, May 31, 2024 /24-7PressRelease/ -- H. Kenneth Fisher, MD, has been recognized for inclusion in Marquis Who's Who. As in all Marquis Who's Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.

Dr. Fisher's distinguished medical career, particularly in pulmonary and sleep medicine, illustrates his dedication and expertise in the field. After completing his formal training to become a specialist in internal medicine and pulmonary disorders, he was a medical school professor for a decade. In this role he guided the education of doctors-in-training, conducted original research, and supervised care of patients with severe lung disorders.

For 30 years after that, he served the communities of West Los Angeles and Beverly Hills in private practice, applying his extensive knowledge and experience directly to patient care. His role was as a specialist in Internal Medicine and as a consultant to other physicians for patients with pulmonary disorders and sleep problems. He became a Diplomate of the American Boards of Sleep Medicine, Pulmonary Medicine, and Internal Medicine, all after the age of 65. He was named by The Consumers Research Council of America as one of America's Top Physicians and named as a Southern California Super-Doctor by Los Angeles Magazine. In addition to his Los Angeles practice, he helped identify and treat sleep disorders with Cardiopulmonary Services of Casper, WY, and with Sleep Medicine Consultants of Central Texas, Austin.

Before entering private practice, Dr. Fisher's academic career included faculty posts at the University of Washington, the University of Arizona, and the University of California, Los Angeles. Throughout his career, Dr. Fisher has been recognized as an expert in his field. His voluntary work included serving as Chairman of the Research Review for the American Thoracic Society and as a member of the Scientific Advisory Board of the Sjogrens Syndrome Foundation. His formal teaching earned the highest rankings from medical students at the University of California. In early 2024 he completed a book titled: Sleep: A Users Guide, which will be published in the second half of this year. The book highlights Dr. Fisher's expertise and his ability to communicate complex medical concepts understandably.

Dr. Fisher's previous academic background is equally impressive. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Chemistry from Carleton College in 1955 and a second degree in Chemistry from the University of Oxford in 1957 as a Rhodes Scholar. Dr. Fisher pursued coursework in industrial management at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He then completed his medical training with an MD from Washington University School of Medicine in 1962, followed by two years' residency at Barnes Hospital, and another two years of specialty training at Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York. His research training was at the Cardio Vascular Research Institute, University of California, San Francisco.

Beyond his professional endeavors, Dr. Fisher has engaged with various civic organizations and contributed to academia through gifts and volunteer work for Carleton College, Washington University, Oxford University, and MIT. His scholarly achievements have been recognized with such awards as the Baker Scholarship, the Rhodes Scholarship, and the John Hay Whitney Fellowship of the Institute at MIT.

In his personal life, Dr. Fisher is a father to three sons. He enjoys tennis, photography, overseas travel, and reading. During the Covid Pandemic, he practiced internal medicine and sleep medicine remotely, demonstrating his ongoing commitment to advancing health care to the very edge of retirement.

About Marquis Who's Who: Since 1899, when A. N. Marquis printed the First Edition of Who's Who in America, Marquis Who's Who has chronicled the lives of the most accomplished individuals and innovators from every significant field of endeavor, including politics, business, medicine, law, education, art, religion and entertainment. Marquis celebrates its 125th anniversary in 2023, and Who's Who in America remains an essential biographical source for thousands of researchers, journalists, librarians and executive search firms around the world. Marquis publications may be visited at the official Marquis Who's Who website at http://www.marquiswhoswho.com.

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Marquis Who's Who Honors H. Kenneth Fisher, MD, for Expertise in Medicine - 24-7 Press Release

Internal Medicine

Interdisciplinary Curriculum Boosts Women’s Health and Gender-Affirming Care in Internal Medicine Residency – Yale School of Medicine

A novel interdisciplinary curriculum has been successfully implemented in Internal Medicine residency programs to enhance education in women's health, gender-affirming care, and health disparities. Led by Janet Henrich, MD, and created by a collaborative team of faculty from various disciplines, including Internal Medicine; Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences; Surgery; and community experts, this curriculum comprises half-day modules on interrelated topics, emphasizing health equity and interactive learning.

Implemented since 2015 for about 175 residents annually, the curriculum's impact was evaluated through anonymous surveys. The 2022-2023 data showed that 90% of the 131 resident respondents felt adequately prepared to apply the skills learned. A consistent trend of increased comfort with the material was observed across previous years. The curriculum was particularly commended for its interactive teaching methods and direct learning experiences from community members and peers.

This innovative educational approach has proven effective in increasing resident learning and readiness. The team hopes this success can be replicated for other medical training programs, addressing vital issues in women's and gender-affirming care education, and fostering an equitable healthcare environment.

To learn more, read It Takes a Village: An Interdisciplinary Approach to Preparing Internal Medicine Residents to Care for Patients at the Intersection of Women's Health, Gender-Affirming Care, and Health Disparities in the Journal of Womens Health.

Henrich JB, Richman I, Rabin TL, Gielissen KA, Dhond M, Canarie JX, Hirschman AF, Windham MR, Maya S, McNamara C, Pathy S, Bernstein P, Smith R, Vasquez L. It Takes a Village: An Interdisciplinary Approach to Preparing Internal Medicine Residents to Care for Patients at the Intersection of Women's Health, Gender-Affirming Care, and Health Disparities. J Womens Health (Larchmt). 2024 Feb;33(2):152-162. doi: 10.1089/jwh.2023.0217. Epub 2024 Jan 8. PMID: 38190490.

Excerpt from:

Interdisciplinary Curriculum Boosts Women's Health and Gender-Affirming Care in Internal Medicine Residency - Yale School of Medicine

Internal Medicine

David Jerome Becker Obituary – – Hartford Courant

David Jerome Becker died peacefully on May 1st at VNA Hospice House in Vero Beach, surrounded by his loving family.

Born August 17th 1929 to Mildred Fischer and Harry L. Becker in Hartford Connecticut, David had a secure childhood, focused on education, hard work, Yankees ballgames, and Jewish family traditions. His scholarship was recognized early, first at Weaver High School graduation in 1947 and then at Cornell University with the highest oratory honor for his speech titled Discrimination Against the Negro and Our World Position Today.

In 1955, while at Harvard Medical School, David met and married nursing student, Jane Codington and they began their adventurous life heading to Duke University for Davids residency in internal medicine, and for further training in internal medicine and cardiology at the University of Miami.

David was a veteran, having served in the Air Force in Irumagawa Honshu, Japan -6022nd US Air Force Hospital Johnson Air Base, David and Jane had four children while he practiced medicine in Coral Gables, Florida. He later practiced medicine at the Cooper Clinic in Dallas, Texas and at the Mass General Hospital in Boston MA, raising his family in Weston, MA.

Divorced, David moved to Vero Beach in 1978. Vero Beach provided

a perfect climate, a perfect community, and a perfect companion in Marylou Ashcroft with whom he spent the rest of his life, marrying in 1999.

In Vero Beach, he practiced medicine, sharing a medical office with Gary Kantzler, MD, and began to contribute to the community he came to love for his remaining years. He served on many hospital committees, on the hospital district board, as President of the United Way of Indian River County, the board of the VNA, Bermuda Bay Board and was elected to the Indian River Town Council. Giving back to his community was as important to him as having compassion and understanding for his patients and coworkers.

Walking through the hospital, David stopped to talk to everyone asking about their childrens education or recent sporting event or their parents health. He knew every staff member by name and was interested in the details of their lives. His bedside manner included careful listening and humor and time to explain medical diagnoses in plain language. Long before visit summaries were in vogue, David dictated a letter to each patient following every visit explaining his findings, plan and instructions. He partnered with his patients and cared deeply about their values and life experience.

Introduced to running as a sport in the 1960s, David ran daily, was an early marathoner and a founding member of the Vero Beach SunRunners. Running and his running community were integral to his well-being.

David was a colorful character and a very social being. He nurtured and was buoyed by his friendships. He valued his long phone calls with his nephew, John Kupper and cousin, Alan Fischer. He loved his weekly sharing with his Lefties group of revered buddies. He liked to share a good story or joke and had intense pride in all of his children and grandchildren.

We all remember David as the great interviewer, the stranger you sat next to on a plane to whom you shared the whys of your life, the guy you met on the beach who remembered treating your father in the hospital, and the person at the party who worked the room. He leaves us checking any pretense and materialism at the door and settling into an armchair of curiosity and genuine interest and compassion for others.

David was predeceased by his parents, Mildred and Harry Becker, his sister Enid Kupper, and his first wife Jane. David will be missed by his wife, Marylou Becker and his children Marcie Becker, (Brattleboro VT,) Jan Becker, (Santa Fe, NM,) Meredith and Peter Moses (Cha rlotte, VT,) and Steven and Carrie Becker (Dallas, TX.) By his grandchildren John and wife Alison Moses (New York) Ivy, Roome, and Gwendolyn Becker of Dallas as well as by his extended family and many, many friends.

In lieu of flowers, kindly contribute to the VNA Hospice Foundation, 920 37th Place, Suite, 101, Vero Beach, FL 32960.

Arrangements by Strunk Funeral Homes & Crematory, Vero Beach, FL. A guestbook is available at http://www.strunkfuneralhome.com

Excerpt from:

David Jerome Becker Obituary - - Hartford Courant

Internal Medicine

Med students earn awards as part of Cape Fear Research Symposium – News | Campbell University – Campbell University News

Students from the Campbell University Jerry M. Wallace School of Osteopathic Medicine won awards recently for their work as part of the VIII Annual Cape Fear Research Symposium.

Alexandra Sobisch, a second-year med student, and her team won first place for Quality Improvement Poster. The title of the poster is A Combined Approach for Curricular Improvement: Using SIM for Interprofessional Collaboration on Diverse Patient Populations.

Phillip Long, also a second-year med student, took second place for Patient Case Report Poster. Long titled the poster, Esophagogastroduodenoscopy Risks and Optimization for Caustic Acidic Ingestion in Elderly Patients: A Case Report.

The event happened May 2 at Fort Liberty and provided a platform to showcase medical research from Cape Fears regional educational institutions, medical centers and military organizations, the Greater Fayetteville Business Journal reported.

Im very proud of our fantastic CUSOM students and their great work, said Dr. James Coppola, chair and associate professor of Internal Medicine at the med school.

This years event featured 14 podium presentations from area researchers, who talked about a number of physical, mental and cultural topics from a military focused-medical perspective, the Journal wrote.

Sobisch, the first-place winner, is part of a medical school academic enrichment pilot program, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion through Community Engagement (DEICE), led by Dr. Brianne Holmes. Holmes is director, and assistant professor, for Professional Development at the Jerry M. Wallace School of Osteopathic Medicine.

Part of this program is to create a project of our choosing that integrates diversity and medical education or community engagement, Sobisch said.

For our project, we chose to create an interdisciplinary simulation medicine event, where Campbell University students from different health professions came together to conduct an eight-minute simulation medicine case in CUSOMs Simulation Center, Sobisch said. It was great to witness interdisciplinary collaboration among students.

Ten students are part of the pilot program, she said, and they worked together on the project. Sobisch led the project, collaborating on the idea with Jennifer Vasquez.

The other students were Nidhi Kumar, Ashlyn Chauhan, Arti Bhalani, Iris Salswach, Maya Parvathaneni, Sreenidhi Nair, Manisha Mishra and Indy Aronson.

I am so proud of all the DEICE students that committed themselves to learning more about all matters related to diversity, equity, inclusion, and how it affects their communities, clinical education, and future practices, Holmes says.

They researched and worked together to effectively create a curricular improvement project that can now be used as a framework for future simulated interprofessional educational activities that are inclusive of socially and medically diverse and complex patients.

We often speak of DEI in an abstract, statistical, or theoretical sense, but these students have created an experience that will help future clinical students bridge the gap between theory and application, and be just a little more prepared to care for the populations they might serve. It was an absolute joy working with them all.

Long, the second-place student doctor winner, said, It was really interesting to see how we can optimize and improve the care of elderly patients with gastric mucosal injury. Our poster raised issues, which larger, more formal studies, can address. The symposium was also a great place to see our fourth-year students and to hear about the future of medical practice in the military.

The Fort Liberty event featured 20 poster presentations, with researchers presenting and explaining their original research and long-term case reports, the Journal wrote.

Keynote speakers included Dr. Hershey S. Bell, founding dean for the upcoming Methodist University Cape Fear Valley Health School of Medicine and Col. Tyler E. Harris, chief of the Department of Clinical Investigation at Womack Army Medical Center in Fayetteville.

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Med students earn awards as part of Cape Fear Research Symposium - News | Campbell University - Campbell University News

Internal Medicine

UChicago Medicine residents unionize in landslide election | Evening Digest | hpherald.com – Hyde Park Herald

More than 1,000 resident physicians and fellows at the University of Chicago Medical Center voted overwhelmingly to unionize this week, joining a wave of young doctors unionizing across the city and country.

In a landslide election, about 98% of physicians, fellows and interns voted to join the Committee of Interns and Residents (CIR), a part of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), the union announced Monday. The victory comes a little more than a month after residents and fellows filed their petition to hold an election with the National Labor Relations Board.

Residents typically work at hospitals or in other health care settings for several years after finishing medical school as part of their training, while fellows are doctors getting more training after completing residencies. Also referred to as house staff, both roles provide extensive patient care daily in a hospital and clinics workers described as understaffed and often struggle to make ends meet.

While we love our jobs and caring for our patients, we do not have an endless supply of stamina and capacity. We are human beings who must have our basic needs met, said Dr.Aisha Amuda, a fourth-year resident in internal medicine and pediatrics, in a statement. We are now in a position to advocate for necessary improvements to our working conditions that directly impact the quality of care our patients receive."

According to the CIR, resident physicians at the U. of C. Medical Center regularly work more than 80 hours a week in the hospital and its Level 1 Trauma Center the only trauma center on the South Side while carrying more than $200,000 in student debt.

Though these young doctors often serve as the primary health care providers for many patients, organizers said they have little say in decisions that impact patient care, arguing that a seat at the bargaining table could change this.

My colleagues and I chose UChicago because we wanted to care for this community, said Dr. Kalkidan Aseged, a first-year resident in emergency medicine, in a statement. As physicians, our first commitment is to our patients. Having a strong voice helps us advocate more effectively for their needs, as well as for our own well-being.

In a statement, a spokesperson for the medical center said administrators soon will begin collective bargaining "in order to craft a fair and equitable contract that supports the needs of our trainees, our patients and our institution."

"This group of 1,040 residents and fellows are integral members of our clinical teams, and they provide exceptional care to our patients and community," the sppkesperson continued. "Just as we did before the vote, UCMC is committed to continuing to foster an exceptional learning and care environment for our residents and fellows."

The election comes just three months after 1,300 resident physicians and fellows at Northwestern Medicine voted overwhelmingly to unionize with CIR. And last January, about 800 newly-unionized residents and fellows at the University of Illinois Chicago reached their first collective bargaining agreement with the hospital.

Since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, which exacerbated chronic problems of understaffing and burnout in health care across the country, tens of thousands of residents and fellows have moved to unionize with CIR. Today, the union represents about 32,000 physicians, fellows and interns, making it the largest house staff union in the nation.

In Chicago alone, according to the union, more than 15,000 house staff have joined CIR/SEIU since 2020.

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UChicago Medicine residents unionize in landslide election | Evening Digest | hpherald.com - Hyde Park Herald

Internal Medicine

McKee Names New Head of Health, 5th Director in Three Years – GoLocalProv

Friday, May 10, 2024

GoLocalProv News Team

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Governor Dan McKee PHOTO: GoLocal

In March, McKees office announced an acting director Dr. Staci Fischer. She was the fourth person to serve as director since McKee became governor.

McKees office said in March, Dr. [Utpala] Bandy will be retiring on March 29th. We thank her for leadership and service to the people of Rhode Island. While we move through the final stages of the hiring process for a permanent RIDOH director, Governor McKee is appointing Dr. Staci Fischer as acting director.

Since McKee ascended to the governorship in 2021, Dr. Nicole Alexander-Scott resigned, and then Dr. James McDonald served as acting director, followed by Bandy.

Newest Director

Dr. Larkin is a proven leader in the medical field and his experience will be a vital asset to our team and to the people of Rhode Island, saidMcKee.Improving health outcomes for all Rhode Islanders is a top priority for our administration and Im confident that Dr. Larkin will help us reach that goal.

With more than thirty years of experience in the healthcare field, Larkin is a licensed medical doctor in Rhode Island and Massachusetts and currently serves as the Medical Director of Inpatient Infectious Diseases Consultation Services at Rhode Island Hospital.

He works as an associate professor of clinical medicine at the Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University and has received numerous teaching awards during his time there.He received his medical degree from the Robert Wood Johnson Medical School at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey and completed his undergraduate degree at Boston College.

"I look forward to working with Secretary Charest and Governor McKee, as well as the many dedicated and talented staff of the Department of Health in moving health care in Rhode Island forward, saidLarkin.

Larkin is board-certified in Internal Medicine and Infectious Diseases by the American Board of Internal Medicine and in General Pediatrics by the American Board of Pediatrics.

McKee will submit Larkins name to the Rhode Island Senate for advice and consent.

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McKee Names New Head of Health, 5th Director in Three Years - GoLocalProv

Internal Medicine

An Internal Medicine Physician & Aesthetic Specialist’s Best Tips | mindbodygreen – mindbodygreen

mbg Beauty Director

mbg Beauty Director

Alexandra Engler is the beauty director at mindbodygreen and host of the beauty podcast Clean Beauty School. Previously, she's held beauty roles at Harper's Bazaar, Marie Claire, SELF, and Cosmopolitan; her byline has appeared in Esquire, Sports Illustrated, and Allure.com.

May 07, 2024

Today's guest on the Clean Beauty School podcast specializes not only in integrative medicine but also in the high-tech world of aesthetics.

This combination makes internal medicine physician Glenicia Nosworthy, M.D., a fascinating person to talk to because her recommendations aren't just about what new treatment to trybut how to optimize your results through diet and lifestyle.

"I think the two [health and beauty] go hand in hand. From aesthetics, internal medicine, dermatology, plastic surgery, if you're not healthy, it will reflect in your skin and affect your quality of life," she says.

Here, three takeaways from the episode. But be sure to tune in to the episode to hear the entire conversation.

Sure, you can get the latest facial and slather on the most expensive face cream, but those things won't be as effective if you're not taking care of your body at the same time.

The same goes for aesthetic treatments: "When we are doing aesthetic treatments that are increasing collagen and elastin production, you have to consider, what do cells need to make collagen and elastin?" asks Nosworthy. "They need great forms of nutrients and proteins. These are the building blocks of DNA, cells, and molecules."

For example, collagen-boosting treatments and injectables are popular tools to help rejuvenate the skin and smooth wrinkles. But to produce collagen, the body must have an adequate supply of amino acids and other building materials.

"To make collagen and elastin, I can inject you with anything that's going to stimulate the cell. But if the cell is not getting the nourishment or the nutrients that it needs to function properly, then your response is going to be very minimal," she says. "And you're going to be paying for multiple treatments and you're not going to get maximum results."

So, if you're considering getting any sort of aesthetic treatment, think about how your lifestyle and diet play a role in those outcomes.

When we think about all the vitamins and nutrients that play a role in our skin health, vitamin D likely doesn't come to mind first. The "sunshine vitamin"as it's often calledis better known for its role in bone health, for example.

However, it can play a role in skin health. In fact, one randomized controlled trial in the journal Nutrients found a relationship between vitamin D insufficiency and dry skin1 : Researchers discovered that participants with lower vitamin D levels also had lower average skin moisture.

While more research is needed on the intersection of vitamin D and skin health, it's a promising area. And anecdotally, Nosworthy has seen a big difference in the health of her patients.

"That marriage of internal and external medicine is really important. For example, I had a patient who came in with a complaint of dark under-eye circles. We were in the process of doing an under-eye PRF treatment but hadn't started it yet. First, I recommended she take a vitamin D supplement. Within two weeks after taking the vitamin D supplement, when she came in to get the PRF, I noticed the darkness under her eyes had gotten better. In fact she noticed it first. She said, 'Look at my under-eyes. My skin and under my eyes are so much brighter and more even.'"

Eventually, they went on to do the aesthetic treatment alongside the supplementationand in the end, the results were greater than the sum of their parts.

"She was thrilled from the vitamin D alone, but we went ahead and did the PRF treatment in addition to it," she said. "But just from dealing with that vitamin deficiency, it was a game changer for her. I think getting blood work done is really important when there could potentially be other things that are leading to an aesthetic result that you're not happy with."

As Nosworthy explains, what she does daily is minimal. "I think the minute you start to add too many things and make it too complicated is when you end up with skin irritation," she says.

But she does have some key ingredients and products she loves using, which you'll see are some of the classics: a gentle cleanser, vitamins C and E, hyaluronic acid, and a lipid-rich moisturizer.

"I always use a gentle cleanser. I don't use anything too stripping or [that] has an acid in it. I keep it very, very mild," she says. This is important because it keeps the skin barrier integrity strong, without which the body can't deal with environmental stressors and inflammation.

"For serums, I use hyaluronic acid or an antioxidant serum with ferulic, vitamins C and E in it as well," she says. "It just helps deal with the free radicals and damage from UV rays."

Then she tops it off with a rich moisturizer. "This is important because about two or three times a week, I'll use a retinol at night," she says. "This helps my skin tolerate the ingredient. I don't have any dryness or irritation."

And as for how she decides what products she's using on a given day: "And there's no strict routine. It's kind of just what my skin's doing and what I feel it needs at that time," she says. "You just kind of like to listen to it and make decisions accordingly."

For more insights, listen to our entire conversation here:

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An Internal Medicine Physician & Aesthetic Specialist's Best Tips | mindbodygreen - mindbodygreen

Internal Medicine

Health-related quality of life assessment tool for cats with hyperthyroidism – DVM 360

Azaliya (Elya Vatel) / stock.adobe.com

Hyperthyroidism is the most common endocrine disease in middle-aged to older cats1 and occurs when the thyroid gland produces too many hormones. This leads to symptoms like weight loss despite eating more, vomiting, hyperactivity, increased urination and drinking, diarrhea, breathing problems, and changes in their coat.2 These symptoms can greatly affect a cat's quality of life (QoL) in addition to creating more stress for the cat and the owner. Researchers on a new study published in the Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine,3 have seen a lack of tools to evaluate health-related quality-of-life (HRQoL) in cats suffering from hyperthyroidism. The study was aimed at measuring the HRQoL and the impact for owners.

The assessment being studied included 28 questions relating to the HRQoL of hyperthyroid cats and the influence their cat's disease might have on owners was created. Researchers initially showed their first set of questions to a group of 11 veterinarians who work with hyperthyroidism, some in general practice and others in specialty referral hospitals (3 diplomates of an EBVS accredited college, 2 primary care veterinarians, 6 internal medicine clinicians working at referral practices).3 This was structured to gain feedback from these veterinarians about the questions being included in the questionnaire. Each question consisted of 2 subquestions: (1) how often does the item apply; (2) how strongly does the item affect HRQoL.

The assessment was then made available online for owners of cats suffering from hyperthyroidism or other diseases as well as cats without any known diseases (there were no exclusion criteria regarding the eligible cats). Researchers later divided responses into 2 groups being the HT-group (cats with hyperthyroidism) and the NHT-group (cats without hyperthyroidism).

Owner-related questions ranged from how their cats health or diseases impact their daily life with emotional, physical, and financial burdens they take on as a result. Cat-related questions focused more on the potential symptoms the animals were experiencing and also the cats mood and behavior.

There were 551 valid questionnaire responses, of which 229 (41.6%) were by owners of cats in the HT-group and 322 (58.4%) by owners of cats in the NHT-group. Responses from the HT-group had a median cat age of 14years. The final HRQoL tool produced a score between 0 and 382, zero being the best possible HRQoL and 382 the worst. The median HRQoL score for HT-group was 87.5 points and was significantly higher than in the NHT-group at 27 points. Researchers also concluded that owners of cats in the NHT-group generally rated their cat's QoL better than owners of cats in the HT-group.3

After reviewing responses, the researchers decided to remove 3 questions that posed repetitive results as they were worded very similarly. This brought the final HRQoL assessment down to a 25-question tool.3 Researchers also concluded that hypothyroidism negatively affects a cats QoL and owners lives are impacted through vicarious distress.

Researchers are hoping this hyperthyroidismQoL-cat tool can be easily used by practitioners as an owner take home survey. It can be completed online as it was done in this study or printed on paper for an owner to fill out.

References

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Health-related quality of life assessment tool for cats with hyperthyroidism - DVM 360