Articles in 2020

Colonic diverticular disease, characterized by sac-like protrusions on the wall of the large intestine, is one of the most common conditions detected on colonoscopy in the adult population. This Primer by Tursi and colleagues reviews the epidemiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis and management of this disease.

This PrimeView highlights the epidemiology, mechanisms and management of Hidradenitis suppurativa, a debilitating chronic inflammatory skin disorder associated with systemic comorbidities.

Hidradenitis suppurativa is a debilitating chronic inflammatory disorder affecting the intertriginous skin characterized by localized skin lesions associated with numerous systemic comorbidities. The current health care of patients signals an enormous need for awareness and novel treatments. In this Primer, Sabat and colleagues review the epidemiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis and the various approaches for the management of this complex disease.

A cardiac dysfunction combined with one or more precipitating factors underlies most cases of acute heart failure; several mechanisms can interact and contribute to disease onset.

Acute heart failure (AHF) is a syndrome characterized by signs and symptoms of heart failure (typically systemic congestion) that occurs in the presence of an underlying cardiac dysfunction (previously diagnosed, undiagnosed or new-onset) and precipitating factors. AHF is associated with high mortality and hospital readmission rates.

Paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria (PNH) is a rare haematological disease characterized by complement-mediated haemolysis.

Ebola virus disease has a high case–fatality rate; there are no approved specific medical countermeasures, but adequate supportive and intensive care can improve outcomes.

Ebola virus disease (EVD) is caused by the filovirus Ebola virus (EBOV). Although the natural host of EBOV is undefined, a single zoonotic transmission is the probable start of most EVD outbreaks. EVD is characterized by gastrointestinal manifestations and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome and has a high case–fatality rate.

This PrimeView highlights the complex set of responses that are triggered in response to a severe burn injury.

Burn injuries, particularly severe burns, are accompanied by a metabolic, immune and inflammatory response that can be challenging to manage, often leading to multiple organ failure or even death. This Primer discusses aspects of burn injury, from prevention to care of patients from both an acute and a long-term perspective.

This PrimeView summarizes the epidemiology, mechanisms, diagnosis and management of Down syndrome.

Down syndrome (DS) is a genetic disorder caused by trisomy 21, the presence of a supernumerary chromosome 21, which results in physical and neurocognitive alterations. This Primer reviews the epidemiology of DS, the steadily increasing insights into its pathogenesis and how these are translating into improved treatments.

This PrimeView summarizes the epidemiology, mechanisms, diagnosis and management of lupus nephritis.

Lupus nephritis is an inflammation of the kidneys caused by the autoimmune disease systemic lupus erythematosus. This Primer reviews the epidemiology of lupus nephritis, its pathogenesis and advances in its treatment.

This PrimeView summarizes the management of autism spectrum disorder, a neurodevelopmental disorder that typically manifests in childhood.

Autism spectrum disorder — or autism — is a neurodevelopmental disorder that typically manifests in young children. This Primer by Lord and colleagues reviews the epidemiology, mechanisms, clinical detection and treatment of autism.

This PrimeView accompanies the Primer on Opioid use disorder by John Strang, Nora Volkow and colleagues, and summarizes the epidemiology, mechanisms, diagnosis and treatment of this disorder.

The ongoing epidemic of opioid use disorder includes, in addition to increasing global use of illicitly manufactured heroin and other opioids, a public health crisis aggravated by the over-prescribing of opioid pain medications, in North America particularly. This Primer by Strang, Volkow and colleagues discusses the risk factors of opioid use disorder, together with its epidemiology, mechanisms, diagnosis and treatment.

This PrimeView summarizes the mechanisms, diagnosis, treatment and epidemiology of gastrointestinal pain.

Gastrointestinal pain is common in some disorders, such as Crohn’s disease and pancreatitis. This Primer discusses the challenges in identifying the causes, particularly in patients in which multiple aetiologies coexist, as well as the treatment options.