Browsing by Author "Kim, Kye Y."

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    Caring for Patients With Dementia at End of Life
    Whitehead, Phyllis B.; Gamaluddin, Shareen; DeWitt, Sarah; Stewart, Christi; Kim, Kye Y. (SAGE, 2021-09-14)
    Care of the dementia patient continues to be challenging. It is a terminal condition that many times goes undiagnosed leading to improper evidence-based interventions. Healthcare professionals (HCPs) should initiate goals of care conversations early with patients and their families in order to align treatment preferences. Early integration of palliative medicine is an important intervention that can lead to better manage symptoms and lessen the strain on loved ones. Additionally, early enrollment into hospice should be encouraged with loved ones to promote quality of life as defined by the patient.
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    End-of-Life Care of Persons with Alzheimer's Disease and Other Dementias
    Jan, Darlon; Kim, Kye Y. (Sage, 2024-05-07)
    End-of-life (EOL) care has been a common option for patients with terminal medical conditions such as cancers. However, the utilization of EOL care in Alzheimer disease and other dementing conditions have become available relatively recently. As the end-stage dementia approaches, the clinicians and caregivers become faced with numerous clinical challenges—delirium, neuropbehavioral symptoms, the patient’s inability to communicate pain and associated discomfort, food refusal, and so on. In addition to providing quality clinical care to the EOL patients, clinicians should pay special attention to their families, assuring that their loved ones will receive supportive measures to improve quality of life (QOL).
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    Management Challenges and Potential Malabsorption of Valproic Acid in a Patient with Bipolar Disorder and Gastrointestinal History
    Kwok, James; Wong, Janeline; Kim, Kye Y. (Wiley, 2024-07-25)
    Bipolar disorder is a chronic psychiatric condition typically managed using mood stabilizers such as valproic acid, lithium, and atypical antipsychotics, the former which is absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract. This case report presents the challenges encountered in managing bipolar disorder in a patient with a history of extensive gastrointestinal (GI) issues. The patient was initially treated with lithium but experienced adverse effects, prompting a switch to valproic acid (VPA) tablets. However, due to ongoing GI problems unrelated to her medication and to help improve tolerability, the patient underwent multiple medication formulation changes, including Depakote delayed release tablets, Depakene liquid, and Depakote sprinkle capsules. However, the patient’s VPA levels decreased below therapeutic levels after the formulation changes despite medication compliance. This case highlights the importance of considering GI issues in optimization of a treatment plan for patients with bipolar disorder.