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This PrimeView highlights the three main components of managing patients with sepsis: infection control, haemodynamic stabilization and modulation of the septic response.
Sepsis is the dysregulated systemic inflammatory and immune response to infection that produces organ injury. Septic shock is characterized by persistent hypotension that substantially increases the risk of death. In this Primer, the authors outline the controversies in sepsis and septic shock, including the complex mechanistic factors and management of critically ill patients.
Uterine fibroids are common neoplasms of the uterus and can cause heavy or prolonged menstrual bleeding, as well as pain and urinary and gastrointestinal problems. This PrimeView focuses on the mechanisms underlying the development of uterine fibroids.
Uterine fibroids are benign neoplasms of the uterus and are a major source of morbidity in women of reproductive age. In this Primer, Stewart et al. discuss the epidemiology, pathophysiology and management of uterine fibroids, including both surgical and non-surgical therapies.
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a potentially fatal, chronic autoimmune disorder. This PrimeView illustrates that SLE is heterogeneous with considerable variability in clinical manifestations and disease severity. Early diagnosis and prevention of flares is important to reduce long-term morbidity and mortality.
Systemic lupus erythematosus is an autoimmune disease that can affect many organs, including the skin, joints, the central nervous system and the kidneys. Here, Kaul et al. highlight the heterogeneity of the disease, the management approaches and provide an outlook on the future research directions.
This PrimeView highlights the pathophysiology of acute-on-chronic liver failure in cirrhosis. In patients with cirrhosis, triggers of inflammation, such as sepsis and alcoholic hepatitis, can cause acute liver decompensation and organ failure, resulting in high short-term mortality.
Patients with cirrhosis can develop acute-on-chronic liver failure, a syndrome characterized by acute decompensation, organ failure and high short-term mortality. Arroyo et al. discuss the mechanisms, diagnosis and management of this evolving concept in the field of liver disease.
Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) is a medical emergency that can be caused by infectious or non-infectious conditions. The mechanisms underlying DIC — highlighted in this PrimeView — are an imbalance in the factors that control haemostasis.
Disseminated intravascular coagulation can be caused by various infectious and non-infectious insults, such as sepsis and trauma, respectively. It is characterized by the widespread activation of coagulation and, depending on the underlying condition, can manifest as bleeding and/or thrombosis.
This PrimeView highlights the mechanisms underlying tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC), a lifelong chronic disease caused by mutations in either TSC1 or TSC2. These mutations lead to signalling changes that promote the growth of benign tumours in various organs.
Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) is a rare inherited disease caused by mutations in the tumour-suppressor genes TSC1 or TSC2. As a chronic disease that manifests as benign tumours in the brain, kidneys, lungs and skin, TSC requires lifelong treatment.
Primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) is a common disorder characterized by an excessive secretion of parathyroid hormone. This PrimeView accompanies the Primer by Bilezikian and colleagues and shows that PHPT can be caused by a single benign adenoma, multiglandular disease and parathyroid carcinoma.
Primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) is characterized by excessive secretion of parathyroid hormone due to a single benign adenoma or multiglandular disease. In this Primer, Bilezikian et al. describe the epidemiology, clinical presentations, genetics, evaluation and guidelines for the management of PHPT.
Meniere's disease is a multifactorial disorder of the inner ear. This PrimeView highlights its common symptoms including tinnitus (continuous ringing noise), aural fullness (feeling of pressure in the ear), vertigo (a spinning sensation) and fluctuating hearing loss.
Meniere's disease is a disorder of the inner ear that causes vertigo attacks, fluctuating hearing loss, tinnitus and aural fullness. In this Primer, Nakashima et al. give an overview of the complex aetiology, classification systems, diagnostic tools and management strategies.
Benign prostatic hyperplasia, in which the prostate gland becomes enlarged, is a major cause of lower urinary tract symptoms in ageing men. This PrimeView highlights the available treatment options for this condition.
Benign prostatic hyperplasia, which causes lower urinary tract symptoms, is a common diagnosis among ageing men that is associated with many risks factors, including metabolic syndrome. In this Primer, these risk factors are described, as well diagnostic work-up and treatment options.
10–20% of adults will develop gallstones in their lifetime, and >20% of those will develop symptoms or complications. This PrimeView focuses on the most common risk factors, which include genetics, ethnicity, sex, age, drugs, parasites, overnutrition and pregnancy.
Gallstones are masses in the gallbladder or biliary tract. This Primer by Lammert et al. focuses on the formation of gallstones, summarizes the current principles of treatment of the stones and their potential complications and envisions future approaches for this widespread disease.
