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Objective: The aim of the present study is to determine similarities between patients with type 2 diabetes not on metformin therapy compared to patients on metformin therapy at a resident-led primary care clinic. Methods: An exploratory, single-center retrospective chart review was performed on patients 18 years and older with a documented diagnosis of type 2 diabetes seen at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Family Medicine Clinic in Little Rock, Arkansas. Of the 2452 patients who met criteria for the study, 1085 patients did not have a documented metformin allergy. A subset of 216 patients who were not currently prescribed metformin and had no documented metformin allergy were further examined and compared to the 869 patients who were prescribed metformin. We sought to determine reasons for nonuse by evaluating their EPIC electronic health record. Information on these patients such as race, gender, hemoglobin A1c (A1c), kidney function, stated metformin intolerance, and comorbid disease states such as neuropathy, chronic kidney disease (CKD), ulcerative colitis, and irritable bowel syndrome were collected. Further examination was performed to determine why patients were not on metformin therapy and potential similarities between metformin intolerant patients. Results: The results of the study indicated a significant difference between metformin users and non-users in relation to body mass index (BMI) and diagnosis of CKD. Metformin non-users were found to have significantly lower mean BMI (30.87 vs. 35.43; p-value <0.0001), and significantly higher rates of CKD (25.93% vs 14.73%; p-value <0.0001) as compared to metformin users. BMI value of patients (coefficient: 0.2033, p value: <0.0001) was found to be significantly and positively correlated with metformin use, and CKD (coefficient: - 0.1191, p-value: <0.0001) was found to be significantly and negatively correlated with metformin use. A1c levels for patients not on metformin therapy were evaluated. Most non-metformin patients fell in prediabetic A1c levels ranging from 5-6.4% (84 patients; 38.89%), and 31 patients (14.35%) should be on insulin therapy according to guidelines. Conclusion: The results demonstrated that patients with lower BMI, CKD, or A1c in the prediabetic range were less likely to be prescribed metformin., (© Individual authors.)

Introduction: Budd Chiari Syndrome (BCS) is a very rare disease affecting approximately 1 in 100,000 people in the general population. It is caused by an obstruction of the hepatic veins leading to blood backing up in the liver. Treatment options to improve hepatic blood flow and relieve ascites are well documented. However, there are no established guidelines or treatment preferences for pain associated with BCS while patients are awaiting other treatment options., Case: A 22-year-old African American female was diagnosed with Budd Chiari Syndrome. The initial attempt at a transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) procedure failed. While awaiting a second attempt at the procedure, the patient presented to her primary care provider complaining of abdominal and right upper quadrant pain. Treatment guidelines were searched for acute pain management options; however, no BCS pain management guidelines exist., Discussion: Individuals with BCS often present with abdominal pain, however, no guidelines outlining analgesic options in BCS exists. Acetaminophen, NSAIDs, and opioids are commonly used prescription medications for moderate to severe pain. Acetaminophen use was not considered due to acute liver injury and portal venous thrombosis. Anticoagulation with apixaban prevented concurrent use with NSAIDs. Opioid medications combined with acetaminophen were excluded to minimize exacerbating the liver injury. Tramadol 25 mg was chosen due to its lower abuse profile than other opioid analgesics, and was initiated for pain management., Conclusion: The patient reported adequate pain control with tramadol, tolerated the medication with no complications, and underwent a successful TIPS procedure one month later.  Abdominal pain is a common symptom of BCS and needs to be effectively managed. Guidelines on treating pain associated with BCS in the outpatient setting would improve quality of life for patients and provide guidance to primary care providers requiring direction on how to address pain associated with Budd Chiari Syndrome safely and adequately., Competing Interests: We declare no conflicts of interest or financial interests that the authors or members or their immediate families have in any product or service discussed in the manuscript, including grants (pending or received), employment, gifts, stock holdings, or options, honoraria, consultancies, expert testimony, patents, andxroyalties. Acknowledgment:  The authors would like to thank Letevia Herlong, FNP-C for consulting us for treatment options for this patient and providing pertinent information related to the case. Conflicts of Interest: NoneConflicts of Interest: None, (© Individual authors.)