心肌肌钙蛋白I在急性心肌梗死溶栓治疗中的临床意义

目的观察急性心肌梗死 (AMI)溶栓后血管再通和未通者与未溶栓者血清肌钙蛋白的动态变化。方法定量测定 93例 AMI患者的心肌肌钙蛋白 I(c Tn I) ,以 >10 0 ng/ L作为阳性判定值。结果溶栓再通者 c Tn I峰值较未通组与未溶栓组显著增高 (P<0 .0 5 ) ,且峰值增大 ,峰值时间提前 8小时 ,再通组 c Tn I恢复正常时间平均为 (13 0± 3 8)小时 ,较未通者提前 60小时。结论溶栓后动态测定血清c Tn I浓度、峰值时间 ,可作为判断溶栓成功的指标之一。     

急性心肌梗死患者血浆降钙素基因相关肽含量变化及尿激酶溶栓治疗对其影响的观察

目的 :观察降钙素基因相关肽 (CGRP)在急性心肌梗死 (AMI)中的临床意义以及尿激酶溶栓治疗对其的影响。方法 :采用放免法测定 2 0例 AMI、30例稳定型心绞痛 (SAP)患者和 2 0例正常对照组的血浆 CGRP浓度。结果 :AMI患者入院时的血浆 CGRP平均浓度为 (45 .8± 7.1 ) ng/L,SAP患者为 (42 .9± 9.9) ng/L,正常对照组为 (5 2 .1± 1 6 .0 ) ng/L ,SAP患者的血浆 CGRP浓度较正常对照组明显减低 (P<0 .0 1 )。AMI合并心力衰竭、心源性休克和严重心律失常及梗死面积较大者的血浆 CGRP浓度〔分别为 (6 1 .1± 1 7.4) ng/L、(6 7.7±2 4.1 ) ng/L和 (1 5 5 .7± 46 .5 ) ng/L〕较无并发症者 (1 99.4± 5 2 .1 ) ng/L显著减低 ;CGRP与 CK MB呈显著正相关 (r=0 .42 ,P<0 .0 0 1 ) ;AMI溶栓后梗死相关动脉 (IRA )再通者的血浆 CGRP和 CK MB浓度较溶栓前明显升高 ,分别是溶栓前的 6倍和 2～ 3倍。结论 :检测血浆 CGRP浓度对 AMI病情和预后的判断可提供有益的帮助。 AMI溶栓后早期出现 CGRP和 CK MB浓度明显升高提示 IRA再通。     

急性脑血管病患者血浆一氧化氮和内皮素含量测定

通过观测正常人和急性脑血管病患者的血浆一氧化氮 (NO)和内皮素 (ET)水平 ,探求NO和ET在急性脑血管病发作过程中的病理生理意义。方法　用Green’s法测定血浆NO ,用放射免疫法测定血浆ET。结果　正常对照组 (A组 ) 2 4例 ,平均血浆NO 2 6 5 2± 2 5 1μmol/L ,ET 45 81± 11 2 1ng/L ;脑出血组 (B组 ) 2 7例 ,平均血浆NO 18 12± 4 14μmol/L ,ET132 41± 2 1 0 5ng/L ;脑梗死组 (C组 ) 4 2例 ,平均血浆NO 18 0 0± 3 12 μmol/L ,ET 12 9± 9 37ng/L。与A组相比较 ,B组和C组均有NO显著降低 (P <0 0 5 ) ,ET显著升高 (P <0 0 1) ;B组与C组之间无显著差异 (P >0 0 5 )。结论　在急性脑血管病发作过程中 ,血浆NO和ET的含量变化 ,可能促进了疾病的发生和发展     

老年糖尿病患者血浆一氧化氮、内皮素水平变化及意义

目的 :探讨老年糖尿病患者血浆 ET- 1、NO水平变化及其临床意义。方法 :采用放免分析法、硝酸还原酶法分别测定 38例老年糖尿病患者和 30例正常老年人的血浆 ET- 1、NO水平。结果 :无血管并发症老年糖尿病患者的血浆ET- 1水平 (5 7.2 1± 2 9.5 4) ng/ L较正常老年人 (4 1.71± 11.33) ng/ L显著升高 ,有血管并发症 (137.70± 5 3.72 ) ng/ L 较无并发症者显著升高 (P均 <0 .0 0 1)。无血管并发症的老年糖尿病患者血浆 NO水平 (12 4.18± 5 1.15 ) μmol/ L较正常老年人 (6 9.36± 2 5 .44 ) μmol/ L 显著升高 ,有血管并发症的老年糖尿病患者血浆 NO水平 (4 7.19± 16 .93) μmol/ L较无并发症者和正常人显著降低 (P<0 .0 0 1)。结论 :ET与 NO在老年糖尿病血管并发症的发生、发展中起了重要作用     

静脉溶栓后冠状动脉再通与室壁瘤形成因素分析

目的分析室壁瘤形成的原因,探讨冠状动脉血管再通与溶拴距发病时间的关系,探讨静脉溶栓治疗的价值。方法接受尿激酶(UK)静脉溶栓治疗的40例首发急性心肌梗死为研究对象,分成冠状动脉再通组22例,未通组18例,通过心脏二维超声检查观察室壁瘤的形成、LVEF及各种严重并发症。溶栓距发病时间分为<6小时、6~12小时两组进行比较。结果室壁瘤再通组占4.5%(1/22),未通组占22%(4/16);溶拴距发病时间<6小时再通组占47.5%(19/40),6~12小时再通组占7.5%(3/40);LVEF再能组0.61±0.11,未通组0.45±0.11;各种严重并发症两组比较差异无显著性意义。结论室壁瘤的产生及LVEF与冠状动脉血管再通的成功与否有关,血管再通的效果与溶栓距发病时间有关。     

院前一氧化氮吸入加静脉溶栓对急性心肌梗死再通率的影响

目的　观察急性心肌梗死 (AMI)早期吸入一氧化氮 (NO)加静脉溶栓治疗的再通率。方法　采用随机方法将 6 0例 AMI患者分为 NO吸入加静脉溶栓组 30例 (治疗组 ,30例 )和单用静脉溶栓组 (对照组 ,30例 )。治疗组在院前现场立刻吸入浓度为 (2 0± 1) mg/ L 的 NO30 m in,并同时给予质量分数为 0 .9%的氯化钠10 0 m l加尿激酶 15 0× 10 4 U于 30 min内静脉滴入。对照组除不吸入 NO外 ,溶栓方法与治疗组相同。两组溶栓后的治疗方法一致。结果　治疗组中再通者 2 5例 ,再通率为 83.3% ;未通者 5例。对照组中再通者 19例 ,再通率为 6 3.3% ;未通者 11例。治疗组再通率明显优于对照组 (P<0 .0 5 )。治疗组乳酸脱氢酶 (L DH)、肌酸磷酸激酶 (CPK)没有出现明显的高峰期 ,与对照组相比有显著差异 (P<0 .0 5 )。结论　 NO吸入同时进行静脉溶栓疗效确切 ,可以提高静脉溶栓时闭塞血管的再通率 ,为后期的治疗奠定了基础 ,且方法简单易行 ,安全可靠 ,有利于院前急救。     

尿激酶对急性心肌梗死患者血浆内皮素—1的影响

对40例急性心肌梗死（AMI）患者血浆内皮素（endothelin－1，ET－1）水平检测结果显示，AMI患者就诊时血浆ET－1水平明显高于健康人水平，差异显著（P＜0．01）。就诊后1小时（h）即发病后5．07±3．08h，血浆ET-1水平达高峰（27．892±6．96gp／ml）。尿激酶静脉溶栓治疗20例病人的血浆ET-1峰值较20例非溶栓治疗的ET－1峰值低（26．145±3．90pg／ml对29．587±6．08pg／ml），且下降较快（P＜0．01）。溶栓治疗后，血流再通组与血流未再通组的ET－1时间活性差异有统计学意义（P＜0．05），说明缺血再灌流ET-1释放减少。有合并症（心力衰竭，心源性休克）AMI病人的血浆ET-1较无合并症者更呈现持续性增高，在就诊后72小时仍高；而无合并症者此时已接近正常值（19．3±6．29pg／ml）。两组比较，有显著性差异。     

醒脑静注射液对实验性脑缺血-再灌注损伤中一氧化氮和内皮素水平的影响

目的 :探讨醒脑静注射液 (XNJI)对脑缺血再灌注损伤 (CIRI)家兔一氧化氮 (NO)和内皮素 (ET)水平的影响。方法 :采用“四动脉闭塞法”制备家兔 CIRI模型 ,随机分为假手术对照组 (A组 )、脑缺血再灌注组(B组 )和脑缺血再灌注加 XNJI治疗组 (C组 )。分别在脑缺血前、缺血 30分钟及再灌注 30、6 0和 12 0分钟不同时间点 ,检测血浆及脑组织 NO浓度和 ET含量。结果 :脑缺血再灌注期间 ,血浆和脑组织 NO水平明显下降 ,血浆为 (43.80± 10 .4 0 )μmol/ L、(43.6 0± 8.96 )μm ol/ L、(37.5 0± 13.6 0 )μmol/ L、(39.80± 8.2 2 )μmol/ L、(40 .70± 7.86 )μmol/ L (P<0 .0 5和 P<0 .0 1) ,脑组织为 (319.0 0± 70 .70 )μmol/ g(P>0 .0 5 ) ;ET水平显著升高 ,血浆为 (73.80± 34.70 ) ng/ L、(81.30± 32 .5 0 ) ng/ L、(78.2 0± 36 .80 ) ng/ L、(10 4 .0 0± 4 2 .0 0 ) ng/ L、(111.0 0± 5 0 .70 ) ng/ L(P<0 .0 5和 P<0 .0 1) ,脑组织为 (93.10± 4 2 .30 ) ng/ g(P<0 .0 5 ) ;使用 XNJI后 ,上述各指标的异常变化明显减轻 ,与对照组相比有显著性差异 (P<0 .0 5和 P<0 .0 1)。结论 :XNJI可提高机体 NO水平、降低 ET水平而抗 CIRI     

益心颗粒治疗冠心病心绞痛机制研究

目的 :观察益心颗粒治疗冠心病心绞痛的临床疗效及对内皮功能的影响。方法 :选取冠心病心绞痛患者 5 5例 ,随机分为 2组 ,分别给予益心颗粒和消心痛治疗 2周。结果 :益心颗粒组和消心痛组均可明显改善冠心病心绞痛患者的临床症状 ,益心颗粒组总有效率为 85 .71% ,消心痛组总有效率为 88.89% ,2组间无显著性差异 (P>0 .0 5 )。血清一氧化氮 (NO)含量均明显增加 ,益心颗粒组治疗前 (2 1.76± 2 .6 4 )μmol/ L ,治疗后(31.2 3± 3.76 )μmol/ L ,P<0 .0 5 ;消心痛组治疗前 (2 2 .87± 2 .79)μmol/ L ,治疗后 (32 .96± 3.5 6 )μmol/ L ,P<0 .0 5。内皮素 (ET)水平均降低 ,益心颗粒组治疗前 (6 5 .87± 10 .32 ) ng/ L,治疗后 (49.98± 7.73) ng/ L,P<0 .0 5 ;消心痛组治疗前 (6 3.73± 9.34) ng/ L,治疗后 (46 .2 3± 7.93) ng/ L,P<0 .0 5。治疗后 2组 NO和 ET间比较均无显著性差异 (P均 >0 .0 5 )。结论 :益心颗粒能缓解冠心病心绞痛的临床症状 ,改善其内皮功能 ,其作用机制之一是通过增加 NO、抑制 ET而介导的。     

急性心肌梗死溶栓治疗对心脏舒张功能的影响

目的 :观察急性心肌梗死 (AMI)患者静脉溶栓治疗对心脏舒张功能的影响。方法 :选择接受静脉溶栓治疗的AMI患者 5 0例 ,用HP2 5 0 0彩色多普勒超声心动图测定二尖瓣血流A峰 /E峰面积 (VA/VE)、左室射血分数 (LVEF)、短轴缩短率 (FS) ,以及应用Killip分级判定心功能。 结果 :36例溶通组与 14例未通组相比 ,VA/VE比值明显低于未通组( 1 0 12 9± 0 342 7比 1 3335± 0 40 77,P <0 0 1) ;VA/VE >1出现率少 ( 4 7 2 %比 85 7% ,P <0 0 5 )。结论 :静脉溶栓治疗AMI使梗死相关血管再灌注后 ,对左室舒张功能作用更大     

Latest Advances in Chemotherapeutic,Targeted, and Immune Approaches in the Treatment of Metastatic Melanoma

Melanoma is the most dangerous form of skin cancer owing to its metastatic potential and is an important public health concern. The melanoma incidence has been increasing worldwide. Although potentially curable when diagnosed early, metastatic melanoma carries a poor prognosis. Until recently, systemic therapy for metastatic melanoma was ineffective, but the recent successes in the development of new therapies for metastatic melanoma, such as mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway inhibitors, anti–cytotoxic T-lymphocyte–associated antigen-4 (CTLA-4), and programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1)/programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) pathway blocking antibodies, as well as combination strategies of cytotoxic chemotherapy and inhibitors of angiogenesis, have all yielded promising results, changing the continually evolving landscape of therapeutic options for patients with this disease. The aim of this review was to summarize the evolution of and recent advances in the treatment of metastatic melanoma. Therefore, we conducted a comprehensive PubMed search between January 1, 1960, and February 1, 2014, using the search term melanoma or metastatic melanoma combined with terms such as chemotherapy, immunotherapy, CTLA-4, PD-1, PD-L1, adoptive T cell, targeted therapy, MAPK, molecular biology, and survival.     

Sedentary Behavior,Cardiorespiratory Fitness,Physical Activity,and Cardiometabolic Risk in Men: The Cooper Center Longitudinal Study

ObjectiveTo examine the association between sedentary behavior and cardiometabolic risk, while taking into account cardiorespiratory fitness (fitness) and physical activity.Participants and MethodsWe examined the association of sedentary behavior, physical activity, and fitness (exposure variables) to cardiometabolic biomarkers and metabolic syndrome (outcome measures) among a historic cohort (January 2, 1981, through October 16, 2012) of men. First, we estimated the association (cross-sectionally and longitudinally) of sedentary behavior along with physical activity and fitness to lipids and lipoproteins, glucose, blood pressure, and markers of adiposity, including body mass index, waist circumference, and body fat percentage. We then prospectively examined the effects of baseline sedentary time on the incidence of metabolic syndrome, while adjusting for physical activity, fitness, and other covariates in multivariate models.ResultsMultivariate analysis of baseline data revealed that in comparison with the reference group (≤9 h/wk of sedentary time), more sedentary behavior was significantly associated with a higher triglyceride level, a higher triglycerides–high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio, and a higher body mass index, waist circumference, and body fat percentage (P<.05 for trend), after adjusting for physical activity and covariates. When adjusting for fitness and covariates, prolonged sedentary time was only associated with a higher triglyceride–high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio (P=.02 for trend). Sedentary time was not associated with the incidence of metabolic syndrome in multivariate models. Longitudinal analyses revealed that a 1–metabolic equivalent increase in fitness was significantly (P<.05) associated with almost all biomarkers when adjusting for sedentary behavior, with little moderation observed.ConclusionThe association between prolonged sedentary time and cardiometabolic biomarkers is markedly less pronounced when taking fitness into account. Further exploration of the effects of sedentary behavior on cardiometabolic risk is warranted in cohorts with available fitness data. Furthermore, our findings underscore the need to encourage achieving higher fitness levels through meeting physical activity guidelines to decrease disease risk factors.     

Variability of blood gases,pulse oximeter saturation,and end-tidal carbon dioxide pressure in stable,mechanically ventilated trauma patients

We evaluated the short-term variability of Pao ₂, Paco ₂, pulse oximeter saturation (Spo ₂), and end-tidalPco ₂ (Petco ₂) in mechanically ventilated trauma patients. All patients were stable and undisturbed during the evaluation periods. Blood gases were obtained from an arterial catheter 4 times at 20-minute intervals.Spo ₂ andPetco ₂ were recorded when the blood gases were obtained. Fifty evaluations were made in 26 patients; 24 patients were evaluated twice, with 24 hours between evaluation periods. Variability was expressed as coefficient of variation (%CV) for each evaluation period. The median %CVs were 3.6% for Pao ₂ (95th percentile = 9.8%), 0.5% forSpo ₂ (95th percentile = 1.4%), 2.8% for Paco ₂ (95th percentile = 7.4%), and 2.4% forPetco ₂ (95th percentile = 7.1%). The overall correlation between Paco ₂ andPetco ₂ wasr=0.80, and the mean difference between Paco ₂ andPetco ₂ was 0.9±3.6 mm Hg. The variability ofPetco ₂ was similar to the variability of Paco ₂. However, the variability of Pao ₂ was considerably greater than that ofSpo ₂, which was probably related to the shape of the oxyhemoglobin dissociation curve and the relatively high saturations of the patients in this study. Variability of blood gases,Spo ₂, andPetco ₂ should be considered when these values are clinically interpreted.A version of this paper was presented at the 56th Annual Assembly of the American College of Chest Physicians, October 24, 1990.     

Variability of blood gases, pulse oximeter saturation, and end-tidal carbon dioxide pressure in stable, mechanically ventilated trauma patients

We evaluated the short-term variability of Pao ₂, Paco ₂, pulse oximeter saturation (Spo ₂), and end-tidalPco ₂ (Petco ₂) in mechanically ventilated trauma patients. All patients were stable and undisturbed during the evaluation periods. Blood gases were obtained from an arterial catheter 4 times at 20-minute intervals.Spo ₂ andPetco ₂ were recorded when the blood gases were obtained. Fifty evaluations were made in 26 patients; 24 patients were evaluated twice, with 24 hours between evaluation periods. Variability was expressed as coefficient of variation (%CV) for each evaluation period. The median %CVs were 3.6% for Pao ₂ (95th percentile = 9.8%), 0.5% forSpo ₂ (95th percentile = 1.4%), 2.8% for Paco ₂ (95th percentile = 7.4%), and 2.4% forPetco ₂ (95th percentile = 7.1%). The overall correlation between Paco ₂ andPetco ₂ wasr=0.80, and the mean difference between Paco ₂ andPetco ₂ was 0.9±3.6 mm Hg. The variability ofPetco ₂ was similar to the variability of Paco ₂. However, the variability of Pao ₂ was considerably greater than that ofSpo ₂, which was probably related to the shape of the oxyhemoglobin dissociation curve and the relatively high saturations of the patients in this study. Variability of blood gases,Spo ₂, andPetco ₂ should be considered when these values are clinically interpreted.A version of this paper was presented at the 56th Annual Assembly of the American College of Chest Physicians, October 24, 1990.     

Correlated, simultaneous, multiple-wavelength optical monitoring in vivo of localized cerebrocortical NADH and brain microvessel hemoglobin oxygen saturation

Current forms of brain monitoring, such as electroencephalography (EEG), have had limited clinical utility. The EEG records spontaneous cerebrocortical activity and thus is an indirect indicator of metabolic demand and, to a lesser extent, an indicator of mismatch of supply versus demand. Ischemia modulates EEG activity in ways that can usually be detected, but EEG patterns can be similarly modulated by many other factors, including temperature and pharmacologic manipulation. This in vivo study in physiologically monitored animals evaluated the use of correlated optical spectroscopy, performed with an instrument having a fiberoptic light-guide bundle in contact with the cerebral cortex, for the simultaneous monitoring of cerebrovascular oxygen availability and intracellular oxygen delivery. A highly specific monitor of cerebral intracellular oxygen supply, the cerebrocortical intramitochondrial NADH redox state, was monitored in vivo with a fluorescence technique. Absorption spectroscopy was used concurrently to monitor hemoglobin content (blood volume) and oxygen saturation in the microcirculation. Correlated changes in optical signals from cerebrocortical NADH and hemoglobin were studied in a swine model (n=7) of nitrogen hypoxia. Measurements were made at four wavelengths with a time-division, multiplexed fluorometer/reflectometer. Because the NADH fluorescence signal at 450 nm is affected by local changes in blood volume, a corrected fluorescence signal is usually calculated. In previous studies, where only two wave lengths have been measured, attempts at correction were based on reflectance at the excitation wavelength (366 nm). We compared estimators of changes in microcirculatory blood volume using reflection at two wavelengths: 366 nm and 585 nm, the wavelengths for maximum and isobestic absorption. The results of the studies were as follows: (1) during transient hypoxia, NADH and local hemoglobin saturation signals changed in concert with arterial pulse oximetry, with changes in NADH lagging behind changes in saturation by an average of 5.3 seconds; (2) after hypocapnic ventilation to a mean Paco ₂ of 20.2 ± 0.8 mm Hg, NADH increased by 11.5 ± 8.7% (as compared with maximal change during anoxia), local hemoglobin saturation decreased by 7.7 ± 6.4%, and local blood volume decreased by 12.5 ± 13%, while arterial SpO₂ was unchanged; (3) our two measures of local blood volume were closely correlated during carbon dioxide perturbations, but poorly correlated during hypoxic perturbation; and (4) NADH fluorescence provided a more rapid, sensitive indicator of oxygen deprivation than did the EEG. During transient hypoxia, EEG changes occurred 57.4 ± 10.4 seconds after the onset of decline in local hemoglobin saturation, after NADH had completed 50% of its maximal increase.This work was supported in part by research grants from the NIH (GM34767), the Academic Senate of the University of California, and the UCSF Anesthesia Research Foundation.     

Correlated,simultaneous, multiple-wavelength optical monitoring in vivo of localized cerebrocortical NADH and brain microvessel hemoglobin oxygen saturation

Current forms of brain monitoring, such as electroencephalography (EEG), have had limited clinical utility. The EEG records spontaneous cerebrocortical activity and thus is an indirect indicator of metabolic demand and, to a lesser extent, an indicator of mismatch of supply versus demand. Ischemia modulates EEG activity in ways that can usually be detected, but EEG patterns can be similarly modulated by many other factors, including temperature and pharmacologic manipulation. This in vivo study in physiologically monitored animals evaluated the use of correlated optical spectroscopy, performed with an instrument having a fiberoptic light-guide bundle in contact with the cerebral cortex, for the simultaneous monitoring of cerebrovascular oxygen availability and intracellular oxygen delivery. A highly specific monitor of cerebral intracellular oxygen supply, the cerebrocortical intramitochondrial NADH redox state, was monitored in vivo with a fluorescence technique. Absorption spectroscopy was used concurrently to monitor hemoglobin content (blood volume) and oxygen saturation in the microcirculation. Correlated changes in optical signals from cerebrocortical NADH and hemoglobin were studied in a swine model (n=7) of nitrogen hypoxia. Measurements were made at four wavelengths with a time-division, multiplexed fluorometer/reflectometer. Because the NADH fluorescence signal at 450 nm is affected by local changes in blood volume, a “corrected” fluorescence signal is usually calculated. In previous studies, where only two wave lengths have been measured, attempts at correction were based on reflectance at the excitation wavelength (366 nm). We compared estimators of changes in microcirculatory blood volume using reflection at two wavelengths: 366 nm and 585 nm, the wavelengths for maximum and isobestic absorption. The results of the studies were as follows: (1) during transient hypoxia, NADH and local hemoglobin saturation signals changed in concert with arterial pulse oximetry, with changes in NADH lagging behind changes in saturation by an average of 5.3 seconds; (2) after hypocapnic ventilation to a mean Paco ₂ of 20.2 ± 0.8 mm Hg, NADH increased by 11.5 ± 8.7% (as compared with maximal change during anoxia), local hemoglobin saturation decreased by 7.7 ± 6.4%, and local blood volume decreased by 12.5 ± 13%, while arterial SpO₂ was unchanged; (3) our two measures of local blood volume were closely correlated during carbon dioxide perturbations, but poorly correlated during hypoxic perturbation; and (4) NADH fluorescence provided a more rapid, sensitive indicator of oxygen deprivation than did the EEG. During transient hypoxia, EEG changes occurred 57.4 ± 10.4 seconds after the onset of decline in local hemoglobin saturation, after NADH had completed 50% of its maximal increase. This work was supported in part by research grants from the NIH (GM34767), the Academic Senate of the University of California, and the UCSF Anesthesia Research Foundation.     

Incidence of Leukocytoclastic Vasculitis, 1996 to 2010: A Population-Based Study in Olmsted County,Minnesota

ObjectiveTo determine the population-based incidence of leukocytoclastic vasculitis (LCV).Patients and MethodsThis is a retrospective population-based study of all Olmsted County, Minnesota, residents with a skin biopsy–proven diagnosis of LCV from January 1, 1996, through December 31, 2010.ResultsA total of 84 patients (mean age at diagnosis, 48.3 years) with newly diagnosed skin biopsy–proven LCV (43 women and 41 men) were identified. The incidence rate (age and sex adjusted to the 2000 US white population) was 4.5 per 100,000 person-years (95% CI, 3.5-5.4). The incidence of LCV increased significantly with age at diagnosis (P<.001) and did not differ between female and male patients. Subtypes of LCV were cutaneous small-vessel vasculitis (CSVV), 38 patients (45%); IgA vasculitis, 25 (30%); urticarial vasculitis, 10 (12%); cryoglobulinemic vasculitis, 3 (4%); and antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody–associated vasculitis, 8 (10%). LCV was idiopathic in 29 of 38 patients with CSVV (76%) and 24 of 25 patients with IgA vasculitis (96%). Thirty-nine of 84 patients (46%) had systemic involvement, with the renal system most commonly involved (17 of 39 [44%]). Twenty-four of 80 patients (30%) with follow-up data available had recurrent disease. Compared with the Minnesota white population, observed survival in the incident LCV cohort was significantly poorer than expected (P<.001), including the subset of patients with idiopathic CSVV (P=.03).ConclusionThe incidence of LCV was higher than that reported in previously published studies. Idiopathic LCV was more common in our population-based cohort than that described previously. Overall survival was significantly poorer (P<.001) and should be explored further in future studies.     

Ulcerative Colitis: Epidemiology,Diagnosis, and Management

Ulcerative colitis is a chronic idiopathic inflammatory bowel disease characterized by continuous mucosal inflammation that starts in the rectum and extends proximally. Typical presenting symptoms include bloody diarrhea, abdominal pain, urgency, and tenesmus. In some cases, extraintestinal manifestations may be present as well. In the right clinical setting, the diagnosis of ulcerative colitis is based primarily on endoscopy, which typically reveals evidence of continuous colonic inflammation, with confirmatory biopsy specimens having signs of chronic colitis. The goals of therapy are to induce and maintain remission, decrease the risk of complications, and improve quality of life. Treatment is determined on the basis of the severity of symptoms and is classically a step-up approach. 5-Aminosalycilates are the mainstay of treatment for mild to moderate disease. Patients with failed 5-aminosalycilate therapy or who present with more moderate to severe disease are typically treated with corticosteroids followed by transition to a steroid-sparing agent with a thiopurine, anti–tumor necrosis factor agent, or adhesion molecule inhibitor. Despite medical therapies, approximately 15% of patients still require proctocolectomy. In addition, given the potential risks of complications from the disease itself and the medications used to treat the disease, primary care physicians play a key role in optimizing the preventive care to reduce the risk of complications.     

Examining the Function In Sitting Test for Validity,Responsiveness, and Minimal Clinically Important Difference in Inpatient Rehabilitation

ObjectivesTo determine the responsiveness of the Function In Sitting Test (FIST), compare scores at admission and discharge from inpatient rehabilitation (IPR) with other balance and function measures, and determine the minimal clinically important difference (MCID).DesignProspective, nonblinded, reference-standard comparison study.SettingFour accredited inpatient rehabilitation units.ParticipantsPopulation-based sample of adults (N=125) with sitting balance dysfunction, excluding persons with spinal cord injury, significant bracing/orthotics, and inability to perform testing safely.InterventionsNot applicable.Main Outcome MeasuresFIST, FIM, and Berg Balance Scale (BBS) at admission and discharge, and Global Rating of Change for function and balance at discharge.ResultsThe FIST demonstrated good to excellent concurrent validity with the BBS and FIM at admission and discharge (Spearman ρ=.71–.85). Significant improvement (P<.000; 95% confidence interval [CI], 10.73–15.41) occurred in the FIST from admission (mean ± SD: 36.81±15.53) to discharge (mean ± SD: 49.88±6.90). The standard error of measurement for the FIST was 1.40, resulting in a minimal detectable change of 5.5 points. The receiver operator characteristic curve differentiated participants with meaningful balance changes (area under the curve, .78; P>.000; 95% CI, .66–.91), with a change in FIST score of ≥6.5 points designating the MCID. Findings support the strong responsiveness of the FIST during IPR as evidenced by the large effect size (.83), standardized response mean (1.04), and index of responsiveness (1.07).ConclusionsIn this study, the FIST correlated well with balance and function measures (concurrent validity) and was responsive to change during IPR. A clinically meaningful change was indicated by an increase in score of ≥6.5 points.