Analysis of arterial hypertension pharmacotherapy in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome

IntroductionObstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is often connected with arterial hypertension and it could also be a cause of secondary hypertension. Treatment of arterial hypertension and optimal blood pressure level are important for prevention of cardiovascular complications. It is not well known how to treat patients with OSA and arterial hypertension. Also many patients with OSA suffer from metabolic syndrome which worsen their prognosis.AimThe aim of our study was to assess arterial hypertension compensation in patients with metabolic syndrome and moderate to severe OSA and to analyze used pharmacotherapy.Materials and methods85 hypertensive patients (75 men) with metabolic syndrome, average age 53.6 ± 9.3 years, were evaluated using overnight sleep study with diagnosis of OSA, average apnea–hypopnea index (AHI) 56.3 ± 23. Patients underwent 24 h ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) and their current pharmacotherapy data were obtained. Appropriate combinations of antihypertensive drugs (patients with metabolic syndrome) were derived from ESH/ESC 2013 guidelines.ResultsArterial hypertension was well compensated in only 11.8% of the patients. 24.7% patients were treated according to current guidelines. Fisher's exact test with analysis of adjusted residues has found higher rate of blood pressure subcompensation in patients treated with triple+ combination of drugs (p = 0.035, 51.4% vs 10%).ConclusionOnly a small number of patients had optimal blood pressure level and were treated according to current ESH/ESC guidelines. We have to constantly appeal to all physicians to perform ABPM in patients with OSA.     

Utility of the pictorial Epworth sleepiness scale in the adult down syndrome population

Objective/BackgroundThe utility of the pictorial Epworth sleepiness scale (pESS) has been assessed by only a few studies in a clinical population. Some of its questions may be inappropriate in certain patient groups. The aim of this study was to assess the utility of the pESS in the adult Down syndrome (DS) population in the United Kingdom (UK).Patients/MethodsA modified sleep questionnaire including the pESS was administered to 5430 adults with DS living in the UK. Standard statistical analysis was undertaken.ResultsOf 1105 valid responses (20.35%), the pESS was incomplete in 129 (11.67%) cases. Of the incomplete responses, “Q1. Likelihood of dozing/falling sleep while sitting and reading?” was most frequently missed (63.6% of 129 responses).ConclusionsThe pESS may not be entirely appropriate in certain populations such as those with intellectual disability where literacy levels may be low. Question modification may be necessary.Clinical trial registration numberISRCTN55685305.     

代谢组学在肾脏疾病中的研究进展

目前肾脏疾病的准确诊断最终仍需要肾穿刺活检技术。代谢组学可以定性和定量分析生物机体包括系统、器官或细胞在受到外界因素影响下引起的内源性代谢产物的变化；肾脏疾病的发生发展会受到生物体内外多种因素的影响，与机体代谢异常密切相关，表现为各类代谢产物的变化。近年来，代谢组学为肾脏疾病的研究做出了很多贡献，本文就代谢组学在肾脏疾病中的研究进展作以综述，希望为肾脏病发生发展及诊断提供新的研究思路和方向。     

Effects of Jian Pi Qu Shi Formula on intestinal bacterial flora in patients with idiopathic membranous nephropathy: A prospective randomized controlled trial

BackgroundThe incidence of idiopathic membranous nephropathy (IMN) has recently increased remarkably. Immune dysfunction caused by disordered intestinal flora might be an important factor affecting IMN. The Jian Pi Qu Shi Formula (JPQSF) shows promise in treating IMN. Here, we sequenced 16S rRNA genes to compare intestinal flora between patients with IMN and healthy persons. We also conducted a randomized controlled clinical trial to further compare the intestinal flora of patients with IMN treated with traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and western medicine (WM).MethodsAmong 40 patients with IMN treated at Department of Nephrology in Xiyuan Hospital, Chinese Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine between July 2016 and December 2018, we compared 30 of them with 10 healthy persons (controls). The IMN group was randomly assigned to receive JPQSF (TCM) or immunosuppressant WM therapy in (n = 15 per group) for 6 months. Intestinal microbiota diversity was analyzed using alpha diversity and beta diversity. Intestinal flora that significantly differed between the groups was analyzed using MetaStat. The effects and safety of the therapies were determined based on the values for plasma albumin, 24-h urine protein excretion, serum creatinine, urea nitrogen, estimate glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), complete blood count, and liver enzymes. All data were statistically analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) 20.0 statistical software.ResultsBaseline characteristics did not significantly differ between the IMN and healthy groups, or the TCM and WM groups. After six months of treatment, 24-h urinary protein significantly declined in the TCM and WM groups (before and after treatment: 3.24 ± 1.74 vs. 1.73 ± 1.85 g, P < 0.05 and 3.94 ± 1.05 vs. 1.91 ± 1.18 g, P < 0.05, respectively). Plasma albumin was significantly increased in the TCM group (before vs. after treatment: 32.44 ± 9.04 vs. 39.99 ± 7.03 g/L, P < 0.05), but did not significantly change in the WM group (31.55 ± 4.23 vs. 34.83 ± 9.14 g/L, P > 0.05). Values for urea nitrogen, serum creatinine, and eGFR did not significantly change in either group. The alpha diversity index for intestinal flora differed between the IMN and healthy groups, and the TCM and WM groups. Comparisons of multiple samples (beta diversity) revealed differences in intestinal flora between the IMN and healthy groups, and the TCM and WM groups. The Metastat analysis findings showed that the main genera that differed between the IMN group before treatment and the healthy group were Christensenellaceae_R-7_group, Bifidobacterium (77), Dorea, Escherichia-Shigella, Parabacteroides, Bifidobacterium, and Coprococcus_3. After TCM therapy, the main differential genera were Butyricimonas, Bacteroides, Alistipes, and Lachnospira, and after WM therapy, these were Ruminococcus_2, Lachnospiraceae_ND3007_group, Lachnospira, Bifidobacterium, Alistipes, and [Eubacterium]_ventriosum_group.ConclusionPatients with IMN might have disordered intestinal flora, and JPQSF can regulate intestinal flora in patients with IMN.     

IL-6和IL-19浓度预测糖尿病肾病患者动脉粥样硬化效果分析

【摘要】 目的 探讨血清白细胞介素6（IL 6）和血清白细胞介素19（IL 9）与糖尿病肾病患者动脉粥样硬化效果发生的相关性。 方法 收集我院治疗的糖尿病肾病患者94例，依据是否伴有动脉粥样硬化分为硬化组和非硬化组，并选取健康体检对照组30例。收集患者基本资料和生理指标，测试患者血清IL 6和IL 19水平，分析两者与各指标相关性，并利用ROC曲线预测动脉粥样硬化发生。 结果 并发有动脉硬化的糖尿病肾病患者中IL 6和IL 19的水平均显著高于无动脉硬化组患者（P＜005）。Pearson相关分析显示，IL 6水平与CRP、LDL、HbAlc及空腹血糖水平正相关（P＜005）。IL 19水平与CRP、空腹血糖、LDL、TC水平正相关（P＜005）。IL 6和IL 19对糖尿病肾病患者动脉粥样硬化预测最优ROC曲线下面积分别为077和085，两者联合预测其敏感性和特异性分别为073和092，预测效果最好。 结论 白细胞介素6（IL 6）和血清白细胞介素19（IL 9）可作为预测糖尿病肾病患者动脉粥样硬化发生的有效指标。     

Combined therapy of hypertensive nephropathy with ginkgo leaf extract and dipyridamole injection and antihypertensive drugs: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background:In recent years, the incidence rate of hypertensive nephropathy has been increasing quickly, which has been a major threat to people''s health. Renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system blockers have certain curative effects. However, there are some patients having serious adverse reactions, and the benefit population is limited, so the treatment of hypertensive renal damage is necessary to have beneficial supplement. More and more clinical studies have shown that ginkgo leaf extract and dipyridamole injection (GDI) combined with antihypertensive drugs has achieved good results in the treatment of hypertensive renal damage. It is supposed to be a supplementary treatment in hypertensive nephropathy.Objectives:To systematically assess the efficacy and safety of GDI combined with antihypertensive drugs on hypertensive renal injury.Methods:Seven databases including PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, Wanfang database, China biomedical literature service system (Sino Med), VIP Chinese Sci-tech journal database (VIP), and China national knowledge internet (CNKI) were retrieved to collect randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in the experimental group containing combined therapy of hypertensive nephropathy with GDI and antihypertensive drugs. The retrieval time was from the establishment of database to July 8, 2020. Two researchers independently selected literature, extracted data, and evaluated the risk of bias in the study. The methodological quality was evaluated with Cochrane handbook and meta-analysis was performed with Stata 14.0 software.Results:Eight studies were included in this study which involved 556 patients. The meta-analyses indicated that, compared with using antihypertensive drugs alone, combined treatment of GDI with antihypertensive drugs can decrease 24-hour urinary total protein (weighted mean difference [WMD] –0.61, 95% confidence interval [CI]: –0.82, –0.39; k = 6, P ≤ .001), blood urea nitrogen (WMD –1.27, 95% CI: –2.45, –0.10; k = 6, P = .033, serum creatinine (WMD –29.50, 95% CI: –56.44, –2.56; number of estimates [k] = 6, P = .032).Conclusions:Our meta-analyses showed that GDI combined with antihypertensive drugs can improve the renal function of hypertensive patients with renal injury.     

糖尿病肾病患者D-二聚体、纤维蛋白原、胱抑素C检测价值分析

目的分析糖尿病肾病患者D-二聚体、纤维蛋白原、胱抑素C检测价值分析。方法选择2019年7月—2020年7月该院收治糖尿病肾病患者50例作为研究组,选择同期接受健康体检者50名为对照组,两组均检测D-二聚体、纤维蛋白原、胱抑素C指标,对两组检测价值进行比较。结果研究组D-二聚体、纤维蛋白原、胱抑素C、肌酐、HbA1c指标分别为(2.31±1.02)μg/mL、(4.58±1.07)g/L、(3.77±1.14)mg/L、(383.09±133.55)mmol/L、(7.48±1.56)%,各指标均比对照组高,差异有统计学意义(t=8.061、10.608、20.048、16.643、15.989,P<0.05);对比两组甘油三酯指标,差异无统计学意义(t=1.352,P>0.05);将糖化血红蛋白指标7%作为临界点,对比Cys-C指标(3.47±1.76)mg/L,糖化血红蛋白指标<7%患者的Cys-C水平比糖化血红蛋白指标≥7%患者低,比较差异有统计学意义(t=2.259,P<0.05)。结论纤维蛋白原、胱抑素C、D-二聚体可作为糖尿病肾病患者发生及发展的重要参考指标,对于监测该疾病的发生和发展存在一定意义。     

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in patients with intestinal,pulmonary or skin diseases: Inflammatory cross-talk that needs a multidisciplinary approach

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is currently considered the most common cause of liver disease. Its prevalence is increasing in parallel with the obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2) epidemics in developed countries. Several recent studies have suggested that NAFLD may be the hepatic manifestation of a systemic inflammatory metabolic disease that also affects other organs, such as intestine, lungs, skin and vascular endothelium. It appears that local and systemic proinflammatory/anti-inflammatory cytokine imbalance, together with insulin resistance and changes in the intestinal microbiota, are pathogenic mechanisms shared by NAFLD and other comorbidities. NAFLD is more common in patients with extrahepatic diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), obstructive syndrome apnea (OSA) and psoriasis than in the general population. Furthermore, there is evidence that this association has a negative impact on the severity of liver lesions. Specific risk characteristics for NAFLD have been identified in populations with IBD (i.e. age, obesity, DM2, previous bowel surgery, IBD evolution time, methotrexate treatment), OSA (i.e. obesity, DM2, OSA severity, increased transaminases) and psoriasis (i.e. age, metabolic factors, severe psoriasis, arthropathy, elevated transaminases, methotrexate treatment). These specific phenotypes might be used by gastroenterologists, pneumologists and dermatologists to create screening algorithms for NAFLD. Such algorithms should include non-invasive markers of fibrosis used in NAFLD to select subjects for referral to the hepatologist. Prospective, controlled studies in NAFLD patients with extrahepatic comorbidities are required to demonstrate a causal relationship and also that appropriate multidisciplinary management improves these patients’ prognosis and survival.     

凉血散瘀方对肾虚血瘀型 IgA 肾病患者的疗效观察

〔摘 要〕 目的：分析凉血散瘀方加减辅助雷公藤多苷、醋酸泼尼松片治疗肾虚血瘀型 IgA 肾病患者的临床效果。 方法：选取三明市中西医结合医院 2019 年 6 月至 2020 年 6 月期间收治的 70 例肾虚血瘀型 IgA 肾病患者，依照治疗方案不同分为 观察组与对照组，各35例。对照组给予西药治疗；观察组在对照组基础上加用凉血散瘀方加减治疗。比较两组治疗效果。 结果：观察组患者治疗总有效率为 91.43 %，高于对照组的 71.43 %，差异具有统计学意义（P ＜ 0.05）。治疗前两组患者的尿红细 胞个数、血清肌酐（Scr）、血尿酸（SUA）、24 h 尿蛋白定量、Ⅳ 型胶原（C–Ⅳ）、基质金属蛋白酶组织抑制物 –1（TIMP–1） 及层粘连蛋白（LN）比较，差异无统计学意义（P ＞ 0.05）；治疗后两组患者的尿红细胞个数、Scr、SUA、24 h 尿蛋白 定量、C–Ⅳ、TIMP–1 及 LN 均低于治疗前，且观察组患者的尿红细胞个数、Scr、SUA、24 h 尿蛋白定量、C–Ⅳ、TIMP–1 及 LN 均低于对照组，差异具有统计学意义（P ＜ 0.05）。观察组患者不良反应发生率为 2.86 %，与对照组的 8.57 % 比较，差异无统计学意义（P ＞ 0.05）。 结论：凉血散瘀方联合雷公藤多苷、醋酸泼尼松片治疗肾虚血瘀型 IgA 肾病患者， 可进一步改善患者病情，调节血脂水平，改善肾脏纤维化，且安全性不受影响。