Background and Objectives: Proteomics encompasses the exploration of protein composition, regulation, function, and pathways. Its influence spans diverse clinical fields and holds promise in addressing various women’s health conditions, including cancers, osteoporosis, and cardiovascular disorders. However, no comprehensive summary of proteomics and menopausal health exists. Our objective was to summarize proteomic profiles associated with diseases and disorders in peri- and postmenopausal women. Materials and Methods: We conducted a comprehensive search of databases including PubMed, Google Scholar, the Cochrane database, Elsevier, and ScienceDirect until 2022. A total of 253 studies were identified, and 41 studies met the inclusion criteria to identify data of interest. These included the study design, disease, and proteomics/proteins of significance, as described by the authors. Results: The 41 studies covered diverse areas, including bone disorders (10 studies), cardiovascular diseases (5 studies), oncological malignancies (10 studies), and various conditions, such as obesity, nonalcoholic liver disease, the effects of hormone replacement therapy, and neurological diseases (16 studies). The results of our study indicate that proteomic profiles correlate with heart disease in peri- and postmenopausal women, with distinct sex differences. Furthermore, proteomic profiles significantly differ between women with and without osteoporosis. Additionally, patients with breast, ovarian, and endometrial cancer exhibit notable variations in proteomic profiles compared to those without these conditions. Conclusions: Proteomics has the potential to enhance risk assessment and disease monitoring in peri- and postmenopausal women. By analyzing unique protein profiles, clinicians can identify individuals with heightened susceptibility to specific diseases or those already affected by established conditions. This review suggests that there is sufficient preliminary data related to proteomics in peri- and postmenopausal women for early identification of cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, and cancers, disease monitoring, and tailoring individualized therapies. Rigorous validation studies involving large populations are essential before drawing definitive conclusions regarding the clinical applicability of proteomic findings.

Malignant skin tumors in the setting of chronic leg ulcers (CLUs) are often underdiagnosed which may contribute to treatment delay and poor outcomes. The aims of our study were to determine the incidence and clinical characteristics of skin cancers in leg ulcers in the Olmsted County population from 1995 to 2020. We used the Rochester Epidemiology Project (a collaboration between health care providers) infrastructure to describe this epidemiology, allowing "population-based" research. Electronic medical records of adult patients with International Classification of Diseases diagnosis codes for leg ulcers and skin cancers on the legs were queried. Thirty-seven individuals with skin cancers in nonhealing ulcers were identified. The cumulative incidence of skin cancer over the 25-year period was 37:7864 (0.47%). The overall incidence rate was 470 per 100,000 patients. Eleven (29.7%) men and 26 (70.3%) women were identified with mean age of 77 years. History of venous insufficiency was present in 30 (81.1%) patients and diabetes in 13 (35.1%) patients. Clinical characteristics of CLU with skin cancer included abnormal granulation tissue in 36 (94.7%) and irregular borders in 35 (94.6%) cases. Skin cancers among CLUs included 17 (41.5%) basal cell carcinomas, 17 (41.5%) squamous cell carcinomas, 2 (4.9%) melanomas, 2 (4.9%) porocarcinomas, 1 (2.4%) basosquamous cell carcinoma, and 1 (2.4%) eccrine adenocarcinoma. The apparent association between chronic wounds and subsequent biopsy-proven skin cancer of the same site was primarily observed in elderly patients; malignant transformation of wounds favored basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. This retrospective cohort study further characterizes the association between skin cancers and chronic leg wounds.

BACKGROUND Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) is an immune-mediated reaction that occurs 5-10 days after heparin exposure. Antibodies against platelet factor 4 (PF4) activate platelets and lead to a hypercoagulable state, causing thrombotic complications, including deep venous thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, stroke, and myocardial infarction. Given the widespread use of prophylactic heparin in clinical practice, prompt recognition and management are crucial due to the associated high morbidity and mortality. CASE REPORT A 73-year-old woman with hypertension, hypothyroidism, depression, and anxiety presented with 6 days of nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, constipation, weakness, and postural dizziness. She recently underwent cervical spine surgery and received prophylactic heparin. Laboratory findings showed normocytic anemia, mild leukocytosis, new-onset thrombocytopenia, and hyponatremia. Further evaluation revealed low morning cortisol, positive PF4 antibodies, and serotonin release assay (SRA), consistent with HIT. CT demonstrated bilateral adrenal enlargement and peripheral fat stranding, confirming adrenal infarction. Discontinuation of heparin and treatment with rivaroxaban, intravenous steroids, and hemodynamic support led to significant improvement. CONCLUSIONS HIT-induced adrenal infarction is uncommon and often overlooked due to its nonspecific presentation. This case emphasizes the importance of suspecting adrenal involvement in patients with prior heparin exposure and hypotension or electrolyte imbalance. Prompt anticoagulant adjustment, steroid replacement, and follow-up with hemodynamic monitoring can improve clinical outcomes.

Background: As more patients transition from hospital to home for postacute care, a growing interest exists in leveraging technology to support recovery, yet a limited understanding exists on how to design these tools to align with patient and caregiver needs and preferences. Objective: This study aimed to explore the perceptions, attitudes, and beliefs of recently discharged patients to develop user-centered design principles for digital tools that support safe and effective transitions from hospital to home. Methods: A vignette-based, mixed methods survey was conducted, grounded in the technology acceptance model, to explore patient perceptions of digital tools supporting postdischarge care. A random sample of 1000 recently discharged adult patients received a survey featuring validated vignettes and technology acceptance model–informed questions, with both quantitative and qualitative items. Open-ended responses were analyzed using grounded theory to derive design principles that inform the development and implementation of patient-centered digital health tools. Quantitative items were descriptive and are summarized as counts (n) and frequencies (%). Results: Of the 967 eligible patients contacted, 116 completed the survey (response rate of 2%), with respondents having a median age of 71 (IQR 61-78) years, high rates of chronic illness, and access to smartphones (98/116, 84.5%) and in-home internet (111/116, 95.7%). Qualitative analysis revealed 6 key themes—connection to care, technical ease of use, solution usability, human connection, cost, and privacy—informing 3 patient-centered design principles focused on user experience, affordability, and transparent communication to guide future technology-supported hospital discharge interventions. Respondents reported the following factors as highly important: reassurance that a care team member would reach out if something seemed wrong (107/116, 92.2%), responsiveness to patient needs (95/116, 81.9%), ability to see their data (95/116, 81.9%), and out-of-pocket cost (94/116, 81.0%). Less important factors included duration of device use (22/116, 19.0%) and battery life (21/116, 18.0%). Conclusions: Grounded in patient perspectives, this study identified the 3 core design principles of user experience and accessibility, cost and privacy, and communication and transparency that should guide the development and implementation of digital tools to support safe, effective, and human-centered transitions from hospital to home.

Background: Nonpharmacologic interventions have known benefits for managing chronic pain, particularly for conditions such as fibromyalgia, and are included in clinical guidelines. However, eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) has not been established as a routine clinical practice for pain management. Objective: To systematically review the efficacy of EMDR for managing chronic pain. Methods: A search was conducted to identify randomized clinical trials (RCTs) and observational studies by using the keywords “EMDR” and “chronic pain.” Information was collected on the study population, EMDR protocol, methods for pain assessment, and outcomes. Risk of bias was evaluated, and intervention effect sizes were determined by calculating Hedges g values for long-term follow-up data in RCTs. Results: A total of nine studies, including seven RCTs, were reviewed. The studies used various diverse pain measurement tools and EMDR protocols. All reported significant improvements in pain symptoms with EMDR. Most of the studies reported statistically significant improvements in associated mental health issues, notably in psychological distress (four out of four studies), anxiety (three out of three studies), and depression (three out of four studies). Effect sizes varied among the studies, with three RCTs reporting large effects, two RCTs reporting moderate effects, and one RCT reporting small or nonsignificant effects. Conclusion: EMDR shows promise for managing chronic pain and addressing associated mental health symptoms. Despite study differences and limitations, the findings of this systematic review support the potential use of EMDR for chronic pain management.