MRI versus CT for the detection of pulmonary nodules: A meta-analysis

Background:Computed tomography (CT) is the current gold standard for the detection of pulmonary nodules but has high radiation burden. In contrast, many radiologists tried to use magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to replace CT because MRI has no radiation burden associated. Due to the lack of high-level evidence of comparison of the diagnostic accuracy of MRI versus CT for detecting pulmonary nodules, it is unknown whether CT can be replaced successfully by MRI. Therefore, the aim of this study was to compare the diagnostic accuracy of MRI versus CT for detecting pulmonary nodules.Methods:Electronic databases PubMed, EmBase, and Cochrane Library were systematically searched from their inception to September 2017 to identify studies in which CT/MRI was used to diagnose pulmonary nodules. According to true positive, true negative, false negative, and false positive extracted from the included studies, we calculate the pooled sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio (PLR), negative likelihood ratio (NLR), and area under the curve (AUC) using Stata version 14.0 software (STATA Corp, TX).Results:A total of 8 studies involving a total of 653 individuals were included. The pooled sensitivity, specificity, PLR, NLR, and AUC were 0.91 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.80–0.96), 0.76 (95%CI: 0.58–0.87), 3.72 (95%CI: 2.05–6.76), 0.12 (95%CI: 0.06–0.27), and 0.91 (95%CI: 0.88–0.93) for MRI respectively, while the pooled sensitivity, specificity, PLR, NLR, and AUC for CT were 1.00 (95%CI: 0.95–1.00), 0.99 (95%CI: 0.78–1.00), 79.35 (95%CI: 3.68–1711.06), 0.00 (95%CI: 0.00–0.06), and 1.00 (95%CI: 0.99–1.00), respectively. Further, we compared the diagnostic accuracy of CT versus MRI and found that compared with MRI, CT shows statistically higher sensitivity (odds ratio [OR] for MRI vs CT: 0.91; 95%CI: 0.85–0.98; P value .010), specificity (OR: 0.82; 95%CI: 0.69–0.97; P value .019), PLR (OR: 0.29; 95%CI: 0.10–0.83; P value 0.02), AUC (OR: 0.91; 95%CI: 0.89–0.94; P value < .001), and lower NLR (OR: 8.72; 95%CI: 1.57–48.56; P value .013).Conclusion:Our study suggested both CT and MRI have a high diagnostic accuracy in diagnosing pulmonary nodules, while CT was superior to MRI in sensitivity, specificity, PLR, NLR, and AUC, indicating that in terms of the currently available evidence, MRI could not replace CT in diagnosing pulmonary nodules.     

Diagnostic accuracy of endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration for pancreatic cancer: A meta-analysis

Background and objectiveEUS-FNA of pancreatic lesion has been put into clinical use widely in many centers. The present meta-analysis was conducted to study the diagnostic role of EUS-FNA in pancreatic cancer.MethodsA comprehensive review of study on the precision of EUS-FNA in the diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. A random effects model was used to pool the sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio (PLR), negative likelihood ratio (NLR) and diagnostic odds ratio (DOR). A summary receiver-operating characteristic (SROC) was constructed to summarize the overall test performance.ResultsThirty-one articles were eligible for the meta-analysis. The pooled sensitivity, specificity, PLR, NLR and DOR of EUS-FNA in the diagnosis of pancreatic cancer were 0.89 (95% CI: 0.88–0.90), 0.96 (95% CI: 0.95–0.97), 16.88 (95% CI: 10.63–26.79), 0.13 (95%CI: 0.10–0.16) and 150.80 (95%CI: 95.94–237.03) respectively. In subgroup meta-analysis of the prospective studies, the pooled sensitivity, specificity, PLR, NLR and DOR were 0.91 (95% CI: 0.90–0.93), 0.94 (95% CI: 0.91–0.96), 11.19 (95% CI: 6.36–19.69), 0.10 (95% CI: 0.07–0.15) and 125.22 (62.37–251.41). The area under the curve (AUC) was 0.97, indicating a good performance of overall accuracy.ConclusionEUS-FNA has the high sensitivity and specificity in differentiating pancreatic cancer. Moreover, it is also a safe diagnostic modality with little complications.     

Diagnostic performance of des-γ-carboxy prothrombin (DCP) for hepatocellular carcinoma: a bivariate meta-analysis

Serum markers are needed to be developed to specifically diagnose Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Des-γ-carboxy prothrombin (DCP) is a promising tool with limited expense and widely accessibility, but the reported results have been controversial. In order to review the performance of DCP for the diagnosis of HCC, the meta-analysis was performed. After a systematic review of relevant studies, the sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative likelihood ratios (PLR and NLR, respectively) were pooled using a bivariate meta-analysis. Potential between-study heterogeneity was explored by meta-regression model. The post-test probability and the likelihood ratio scattergram to evaluate clinical usefulness were calculated. Based on literature review of 20 publications, the overall sensitivity, specificity, PLR and NLR of DCP for the detection of HCC were 67% (95%CI, 58%-74%), 92% (95%CI, 88%-94%), 7.9 (95%CI, 5.6-11.2) and 0.36 (95%CI, 0.29-0.46), respectively. The area under the bivariate summary receiving operating characteristics curve was 0.89 (95%CI, 0.85-0.92). Significant heterogeneity was present. In conclusion, the major role of DCP is the moderate confirmation of HCC. More prospective studies of DCP are needed in future.     

Diagnostic performance of magnetic resonance imaging and ultrasonography on the detection of cesarean scar pregnancy: A meta-analysis

Background: There is still a debate on which imaging method is the best to diagnose cesarean scar pregnancy (CSP). Accordingly, this study aimed to analyze the diagnostic performance of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and ultrasonography (US) on the detection of CSP based on current evidence in the literature.Methods:PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, Chinese Biomedical Documentation Service System, WanFang, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure databases were searched up to June 2020. The included studies were all comparisons of MRI and US in the diagnosis of CSP that adopted postoperative histological examination as the reference standard. The pooled sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio (PLR), negative likelihood ratio (NLR), and area under the summary receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) were calculated for MRI and US.Results:Thirteen studies were included, with a total sample size of 948 patients. The pooled sensitivity, specificity, PLR, NLR, and AUC of MRI in diagnosing CSP were 0.93 (95% CI, 0.91-0.95), 0.83 (95% CI, 0.75-0.89), 5.46 (95% CI, 3.70-8.05), 0.08 (95% CI, 0.06-0.11), and 0.96 (95% CI, 0.93-0.97), respectively; for US they were 0.84 (95% CI, 0.79-0.88), 0.73 (95% CI, 0.62-0.81), 3.06 (95% CI, 2.22-4.21), 0.23 (95% CI, 0.18-0.28), and 0.86 (95% CI, 0.83-0.89), respectively.Conclusion:We found that both MRI and US effectively diagnosed CSP; however, MRI had a higher diagnostic performance in detecting CSP than US.     

Association between Ras association domain family 1A promoter methylation and hepatocellular carcinoma: A meta-analysis

AIM:To assess diagnostic accuracy of Ras association domain family 1A(RASSF1A)promoter methylation in body fluids(serum,plasma and whole blood)for hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC).METHODS:Relative information about study characteristics and incidence of RASSF1A methylation was collected.Quality of all included studies was evaluated by Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies-2.Sensitivity and specificity were pooled using a randomeffect model,and a summary receiver operating characteristic curve was used to demonstrate the overall diagnostic performance.Positive likelihood ratio(PLR),negative likelihood ratio(NLR),and diagnostic odds ratio(DOR)with 95%CI were also calculated.Meta-regression was applied to analyze observed heterogeneity,and Deeks’test was performed to detect publication bias.RESULTS:After a systematic literature review,seven studies with a total of 302 cases of HCC and 250 cases of chronic liver diseases were included in the analysis.The pooled sensitivity and specificity were 0.70(95%CI:0.49-0.85)and 0.72(95%CI:0.54-0.85),respectively.The PLR was 2.51(95%CI:1.64-3.86),NLR was 0.41(95%CI:0.25-0.68),and DOR was 6.13(95%CI:3.17-11.84).Theχ2values of sensitivity,specificity,PLR,NLR and DOR were 59.41(P<0.001),50.50(P<0.001),17.40(P=0.010),31.24(P<0.001)and80.51(P<0.001),respectively.The area under the curve was 0.77(95%CI:0.73-0.81).Three factors were analyzed by univariate meta-regression and none was significant to interpret the observed heterogeneity(P>0.05).No significant publication bias was detected by Deeks’test(P=0.346).CONCLUSION:We showed the potential diagnostic value of RASSF1A methylation in body fluids in HCC patients and it may improve diagnostic accuracy combined with theα-fetoprotein test.     

急性冠状动脉综合征患者血清中性粒细胞/淋巴细胞比值、血小板/淋巴细胞比值水平对冠状动脉病变程度及院内主要不良心血管事件的评估价值

目的探讨急性冠状动脉综合征(ACS)患者中性粒细胞/淋巴细胞比值(NLR)、血小板/淋巴细胞比值(PLR)与冠状动脉狭窄程度及院内主要不良心血管事件(MACE)发生的关系。方法收集2018年4月至2020年4月于新疆医科大学第一附属医院初次行冠状动脉造影ACS患者(426例)的临床基本资料、实验室参数,根据住院MACE情况,将纳入的患者分为MACE组(104例)和无MACE组(322例)。根据Gensini评分的三分位数,将患者分为三组:低Gensini组(≤34分,143例),中Gensini组(34~58分,142例),高Gensini组(>58分,141例),使用t检验、方差分析、卡方检验、非参数Mann-Whitney U检验、Kruskal-Wallish H检验、logistic回归分析和受试者工作特性曲线等统计方法对数据进行分析。结果MACE组NLR[4.48(2.42,7.47)比2.82(1.79,4.70),P<0.001]和PLR[133.21(92.88,190.25)比101.03(75.33,134.01),P<0.001]显著高于无MACE组,差异有统计学意义。在基于Gensini评分分组的三组中,低Gensini组、中Gensini组、高Gensini组NLR[3.59(1.56,3.58)比3.47(1.94,5.73)比3.71(2.13,6.21),P<0.001]、PLR[93.98(66.03,127.94)比110.90(88.26,140.79)比120.37(84.58,174.54),P<0.001]比较,差异均有统计学意义。logistic回归分析显示,NLR(OR 1.189,95%CI 1.003~1.409,P=0.046;OR 1.102,95%CI 1.005~1.208,P=0.039)、PLR(OR 1.008,95%CI 1.002~1.014,P=0.021;OR 1.004,95%CI 1.002~1.009,P=0.042)是院内MACE和高Gensini评分的独立危险因素。NLR预测院内MACE发生的截断值为4.516,敏感度为50.00%,特异度为74.53%,曲线下面积(AUC)为0.633(95%CI 0.585~0.679,P<0.001);PLR预测院内MACE发生的截断值为153.103,敏感度为45.19%,特异度为84.78%,AUC为0.666(95%CI 0.619~0.711,P<0.001)。NLR预测高Gensini评分(>58分)的截断值为3.802,敏感度为49.62%,特异度为66.44%(AUC=0.600,95%CI 0.552~0.647,P<0.001);PLR预测高Gensini评分的截断值为153.543,敏感度为37.40%,特异度为84.75%(AUC=0.616,95%CI 0.567~0.662,P<0.001)。结论NLR、PLR作为一种新的炎症标志物,与ACS患者院内MACE的发生和冠状动脉狭窄的严重程度有显著的独立相关性。NLR、PLR作为一种容易获得且价格便宜的炎症指标,可作为有效的炎症标志物广泛应用于鉴别高危患者,从而有助于指导个体化治疗以改善ACS预后。     

SDC2基因甲基化对结直肠癌诊断价值的Meta分析

目的 通过Meta分析方法评价多配体蛋白聚糖2(Syndecan-2,SDC2)基因甲基化作为生物标志物诊断结直肠癌(colorectal cancer,CRC)的价值.方法 计算机检索PubMed、Cochrane Library、Embase、Web of Science、CBM、万方、知网、维普数据库,查找建库至...     

Riesgo de recurrencia tras retirada de la anticoagulación en pacientes con enfermedad tromboembólica venosa no provocada: validación externa del nomograma de Viena y del modelo predictivo DASH

IntroductionScales for predicting venous thromboembolism (VTE) recurrence are useful for deciding the duration of the anticoagulant treatment. Although there are several scales, the most appropriate for our setting has not been identified. For this reason, we aimed to validate the DASH prediction score and the Vienna nomogram at 12 months.MethodsThis was a retrospective study of unselected consecutive VTE patients seen between 2006 and 2014. We compared the ability of the DASH score and the Vienna nomogram to predict recurrences of VTE. The validation was performed by stratifying patients as low-risk or high-risk, according to each scale (discrimination) and comparing the observed recurrence with the expected rate (calibration).ResultsOf 353 patients evaluated, 195 were analyzed, with an average age of 53.5 ± 19 years. There were 21 recurrences in 1 year (10.8%, 95% CI: 6.8%-16%). According to the DASH score, 42% were classified as low risk, and the rate of VTE recurrence in this group was 4.9% (95% CI: 1.3%-12%) vs. the high-risk group that was 15% (95% CI: 9%-23%) (p <.05). According to the Vienna nomogram, 30% were classified as low risk, and the rate of VTE recurrence in the low risk group vs. the high risk group was 4.2% (95% CI:0.5%-14%) vs. 16.2% (95% CI: 9.9%-24.4%) (p <.05).ConclusionsOur study validates the DASH score and the Vienna nomogram in our population. The DASH prediction score may be the most advisable, both because of its simplicity and its ability to identify more low-risk patients than the Vienna nomogram (42% vs. 30%).     

超声内镜引导下细针穿刺活检对胰腺实性占位定性诊断价值的Meta分析

目的:系统评价超声内镜引导下细针穿刺活检(EUS-FNA)在胰腺实性占位定性诊断中的价值.方法:计算机检索MEDLINE、Cochrane Library、中国生物医学文献数据库、万方数据库、中国学术期刊全文等数据库,检索时间均为建库至2011-10.全面查找有关EUS-FNA诊断胰腺实性占位的文献,按照诊断试验的纳入标准筛选文献,提取纳入文献的特征信息(研究背景、设计信息和诊断参数信息),根据QUADAS质量评价标准纳入文献的质量.采用Meta-Disc1.4软件进行Meta分析,检验异质性,并根据异质性结果选择相应的效应模型.对纳入文献予以加权定量合并,计算汇总敏感度、特异度、阳性似然比、阴性似然比和诊断优势比及其95%CI,绘制汇总受试者工作特征(SROC)曲线,并计算曲线下面积(AUC).结果:共检索出相关文献280篇,按照文献纳入标准,最终纳入18篇文献(均为英文文献).EUS-FNA对胰腺实性占位定性诊断价值分别为:汇总敏感度为0.90[95%CI(0.89-0.92)],汇总特异度为0.95[95%CI(0.93-0.97)],汇总阳性似然比为13.56[95%CI(8.31-22.15)],汇总阴性似然比为0.12[95%CI(0.10-0.15)],汇总诊断优势比为143.62[95%CI(93.98-219.46)],SROC曲线下面积AUC为0.9711,Q*=0.9215.另外,本研究还对有无病理医生在场指导进行了亚组分析,发现有病理医生在场的AUC为0.9757,Q*=0.9295.且汇总诊断优势比173.37[95%CI(98.09-306.44)],明显较无病理医生在场的113.64[95%CI(60.22-214.46)]高.结论:经SROC曲线证实,EUS-FNA活检在胰腺实性占位定性诊断中具有较高的灵敏度和特异度,尤其是有病理医生在场指导的情况下,可作为临床上胰腺实性占位定性诊断的重要检查手段.     

The association between systemic inflammatory markers and sarcopenia: Results from the West China Health and Aging Trend Study (WCHAT)

BackgroundIncreased evidence suggests chronic inflammation is significant in the progression of sarcopenia in older adults. In this study, we aimed to compare the level of systemic inflammation markers (White blood cells, neutrophils, lymphocytes, platelets and their derived ratios) between sarcopenic and non-sarcopenic individuals and investigate the association of these inflammatory markers with sarcopenia.MethodsThis cross-sectional study included 4224 adults (1514 men and 2710 women) from the West China Health and Aging Trend (WCHAT) study. Sarcopenia was defined according to the recommended diagnostic algorithm of the Asia Working Group for Sarcopenia (AWGS). The value of systemic inflammatory markers was based on laboratory data. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to explore the association between inflammatory markers and sarcopenia after adjusting for covariates.ResultsAmong 4224 participants (mean age 62.3 ± 8.2 years, 64.2 % women), 814 (19.3 %) were diagnosed as sarcopenia. After adjusting for potential confounders, logistic regression analysis indicated that neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) and systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) were significantly associated with sarcopenia. Participants in the highest NLR, PLR and SII value group had higher odds for sarcopenia than those in the lowest value group (OR [95 %CI]: 1.233 [1.002,1.517], 1.455 [1.177,1.799] and 1.268 [1.029,1.561], respectively).ConclusionsHigher NLR, PLR, and SII level are associated with an increased prevalence of sarcopenia in middle-aged and older adults. Since these systemic inflammatory markers are inexpensive and can be obtained easily from routine blood tests, regular follow-up of NLR, PLR and SII may be an effective strategy in sarcopenia screening and management.     

High incidence of venous thromboembolism recurrence in patients with sickle cell disease

Previous reports show increased incidence of venous thromboembolism [VTE, deep-vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolus (PE)] in sickle cell disease (SCD) patients. The incidence, time course, and risk factors for VTE recurrence have been less well described. We determined the cumulative incidence of first VTE recurrence and bleeding in a cohort of SCD patients with incident VTE. Risk factors for recurrence and bleeding were also determined using multivariable Cox regression models, adjusting for gender, race/ethnicity, era of incident VTE, location and hospitalization-associated status of incident VTE, and SCD-related complications. Results are presented as adjusted hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). Among 877 SCD patients with an incident VTE, the 1-year and 5-year cumulative incidence of recurrence was 13.2% (95% CI 11.0%-15.5%) and 24.1% (95% CI 21.2%-27.1%). Risk factors for VTE recurrence included more severe SCD (HR = 2.41; CI: 1.67-3.47), lower extremity DVT as the incident event (HR = 1.64; CI: 1.17-2.30), and pneumonia/acute chest syndrome (HR = 1.68; CI: 1.15-2.45). The cumulative incidence of bleeding was 4.9% (CI 3.5%-6.4%) at 6 months and 7.9% (CI: 6.2%-9.8%) at 1 year. More severe SCD (HR = 1.61; CI: 1.11-2.35) was associated with bleeding. The high incidence of VTE recurrence in patients with SCD suggests that extended anticoagulation may be indicated; however, this must be weighed against a relatively high risk of bleeding. Prospective, randomized studies of anticoagulation in SCD patients with VTE are needed.     

炎性标志物与ST段抬高型心肌梗死患者经皮冠状动脉介入治疗后心肌梗死面积的相关性及预测模型的构建研究

背景经皮冠状动脉介入治疗(PCI)是目前ST段抬高型心肌梗死(STEMI)患者发病12 h内最有效的治疗手段,可有效缩小心肌梗死面积(IS),但炎性标志物与STEMI患者PCI后IS的关系尚不完全明确。目的探讨炎性标志物与STEMI患者PCI后IS的相关性并尝试构建预测模型。方法选取2016年1月-2019年4月武汉市普仁医院收治的STEMI患者104例,根据PCI后3 d IS分为IS>19%组(n=60)和IS≤19%组(n=44)。比较两组患者年龄、性别、体质指数(BMI)、心率、血压[包括收缩压(SBP)、舒张压(DBP)]、Killip分级、合并症(包括高血压、高脂血症、糖尿病)、ST段抬高幅度、心肌缺血时间、生化指标[包括高敏心肌肌钙蛋白T(Hs-cTnT),N末端B型利钠肽原(NT-proBNP)、肌酸激酶(CK)、纤维蛋白原(FIB)]及炎性标志物[包括中性粒细胞与淋巴细胞比值(NLR)、血小板与淋巴细胞比值(PLR)、淋巴细胞与单核细胞比值(LMR)];炎性标志物与STEMI患者PCI后IS的相关性分析采用Pearson相关分析;STEMI患者PCI后IS的影响因素分析采用多因素Logistic回归分析;构建预测模型并绘制ROC曲线以分析其对STEMI患者PCI后IS的预测价值。结果 (1) IS>19%组患者年龄、ST段抬高幅度大于IS≤19%组,心率、KillipⅡ级者所占比例,Hs-cTnT、NT-proBNP、CK水平及NLR、PLR、LMR高于IS≤19%组,心肌缺血时间长于IS≤19%组(P<0.05);两组患者男性比例、BMI、SBP、DBP、高血压发生率、高脂血症发生率、糖尿病发生率及FIB水平比较,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。(2) Pearson相关分析结果显示,NLR (r=0.292)、PLR (r=0.272)、LMR (r=0.212)均与STEMI患者PCI后IS呈正相关(P<0.05)。(3)多因素Logistic回归分析结果显示,ST段抬高幅度[OR=1.997,95%CI(1.144,3.484)]、Hs-cTnT[OR=1.914,95%CI(1.163,3.148)]、NT-proBNP[OR=1.820,95%CI(1.009,3.281)]、NLR[OR=2.500,95%CI(1.566,3.992)]、PLR[OR=2.362,95%CI(1.466,3.804)]是STEMI患者PCI后IS的独立影响因素(P<0.05)。(4)构建预测模型:(模型1:ST段抬高幅度+Hs-cTnT+NT-proBNP,模型2:ST段抬高幅度+Hs-cTnT+NT-proBNP+NLR,模型3:ST段抬高幅度+Hs-cTnT+NT-proBNP+PLR,模型4:ST段抬高幅度+Hs-cTnT+NT-proBNP+NLR+PLR),ROC曲线显示,模型1、模型2、模型3、模型4预测STEMI患者PCI后IS的曲线下面积(AUC)分别为0.707[95%CI(0.653,0.757)]、0.720 [95%CI(0.667,0.769)]、0.744 [95%CI(0.692,0.791)]、0.884 [95%CI(0.843,0.917)],Youden指数分别为0.441、0.358、0.421、0.678。结论 NLR、PLR、LMR均与STEMI患者PCI后IS呈正相关,ST段抬高幅度、Hs-cTnT、NT-proBNP、NLR、PLR是STEMI患者PCI后IS的独立影响因素,且NLR、PLR参与构建的预测模型对STEMI患者PCI后IS具有较高的预测价值。     

Elevated albuminuria associated with increased risk of recurrent venous thromboembolism: results of a population-based cohort study

This study examined the risk of recurrent venous thromboembolism (VTE) in patients with elevated albuminuria. In 1997-1998, inhabitants of Groningen, the Netherlands, aged 28-75 years (n=85,421), were invited to participate in the PREVEND (Prevention of REnal and Vascular ENd stage Disease) Study, an observational, population-based cohort study. Albuminuria was measured and VTE occurrence was monitored in responding subjects (n=40,856). Patients with first VTE between study entry and January 2009, identified through databases of the national registry of hospital discharge diagnoses, death certificates, regional anticoagulation clinic and medical records, were used for analysis. Of 351 subjects with first VTE, 37 subjects developed a recurrence during a median follow-up period of 3.3 (interquartile range, 1.1-6.4) years. The annual incidence of recurrence in subjects with elevated albuminuria (≥ 20 mg/l) was 5.00% [95% confidence interval (CI); 2.16-9.85], compared to 2.38% (95%CI; 1.59-3.41) in subjects with normal albuminuria (<20 mg/l). Hazard ratio for recurrence was 1.95 (95%CI; 0.89-4.30) after adjustment for age and sex. This hazard ratio was 3.35 (95%CI; 1.18-9.47) in patients with first unprovoked, and 1.12 (95%CI; 0.25-5.01) in those with a first provoked event. This study showed that subjects with elevated albuminuria who experience an unprovoked VTE are at an increased risk of recurrence, independent of age and sex.     

Role of family history in identifying women with thrombophilia and higher risk of venous thromboembolism during oral contraception

BACKGROUND: Unrecognized thrombophilic defects increase the risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in women during oral contraception (OC). We evaluated the sensitivity and specificity of a family history of VTE to identify thrombophilia in women before OC and after venous thrombotic complications during OC. METHODS: Thrombophilia screening was performed after obtaining a family history by means of a standardized questionnaire in (1) thrombosis-free women before OC and (2) women after an episode of VTE during OC. RESULTS: We evaluated 479 thrombosis-free women before OC (age range, 15-49 years); family history was positive in 49 (10.2%). Thrombophilic defects were identified in 36 participants (7.5%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 5%-10%), 3 of whom had a positive family history (8.3%). The sensitivity and positive predictive value of family history of thrombophilic defects were 8.3% (95% CI, 2%-22%) and 6.1% (95% CI, 1%-17%), respectively. We also evaluated 189 women after VTE complications during OC (age range, 15-49 years); family history was positive in 48 (25.4%; 95% CI, 19%-32%), 22 of whom had a thrombophilic defect (45.8%; 95% CI, 31%-61%). Thrombophilic defects were identified in 81 women (42.8%; 95% CI, 36%-50%). The sensitivity and positive predictive value of family history of thrombophilic defects were 27.2% (95% CI, 18%-38%) and 45.8% (95% CI, 31%-61%), respectively. CONCLUSION: Family history of VTE has low sensitivity and positive predictive value for identifying women with thrombophilia who are more susceptible to VTE complications during OC.     

Clotting activation after oral anticoagulant therapy discontinuation: a risk factor for recurrent venous thromboembolism.

A hypercoagulable state has been reported in some patients treated for venous thromboembolism (VTE) after oral anticoagulant treatment (OAT) discontinuation. It is unclear whether this is a risk factor for thrombosis recurrence. We investigated 139 patients with VTE and followed them up for a median of 20.5 months (6-90 months) to evaluate whether fragment 1 + 2 (F1 + 2) plasma levels are prognostic for VTE recurrence and to confirm clotting activation after OAT withdrawal. Fourteen patients had recurrences during the follow-up. F1 + 2 was measured the day before OAT withdrawal (T0) and 4 weeks later (T1) and its levels were similar in patients with spontaneous VTE versus those with transient risk factors for VTE. F1 + 2 levels increased from T0 to T1 (P < 0.0005). At T1, F1 + 2 values were significantly higher in patients with recurrence than in those without (P < 0.005). The negative predictive value of normal levels of F1 + 2 at T1 was 95%. In carriers of thrombophilic conditions no correlation was found between F1 + 2 levels and VTE recurrence. The results of this study confirm clotting activation after OAT discontinuation and suggest that higher F1 + 2 plasma levels are an independent risk factor for VTE recurrence.     

Gastric Juice-Based Genotypic Methods for Diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori Infection and Antibiotic Resistance Testing: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Objective: To evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of gastric juice–based genotypic methods for Helicobacter pylori detection and antibiotic resistance testing.Methods: We used electronic databases including MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trial for literature survey using keywords such as “gastric juice,” “Helicobacter pylori,” and their synonyms. The quality of the studies was assessed using QUADAS-2. Summary performance measures (sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive values, negative predictive values, diagnostic odds ratio, and area under the summary receiver-operating characteristic curve) and HSROC curves were produced. In addition, Fagan plots were applied to illustrate the relationship among the prior test probability, PLR/NLR, and posterior test probability.Results: Our study cohort comprised eight studies with 1235 participants (617 participants with H. pylori infection and 618 participants with non-H. pylori infection). Pooled sensitivity and specificity with a corresponding 95% CI of gastric juice–based genotypic methods reflected values of 94% (95% CI, 86%-98%) and 98% (95% CI, 85%-100%), respectively. The global sensitivity and specificity of clarithromycin resistance were 92% (95% CI, 85%-96%) and 90% (95% CI, 80%-95%), respectively.Conclusion: Gastric juice–based genotypic methods can be used for diagnostic prediction of H. pylori infection as well as clarithromycin resistance testing.     

The risk of recurrent venous thromboembolism in pregnancy and puerperium without antithrombotic prophylaxis

Whether or not pregnant women with a previous episode of venous thromboembolism (VTE) should receive antithrombotic prophylaxis is a matter of debate. In order to estimate the rate of recurrent deep venous thrombosis (DVT) or pulmonary embolism (PE) during pregnancy and puerperium we retrospectively investigated a cohort of 1104 women with previous VTE; after a single DVT or isolated PE, 88 of them became pregnant at least once without receiving antithrombotic prophylaxis. Overall, 155 pregnancies and 120 puerperium periods without prophylaxis were recorded. There were nine recurrences during pregnancy and 10 during puerperium, with a rate of 5.8% [95% confidence interval (CI) 3.0-10.6] and 8.3% (95%CI 4.5-14.6) respectively. In pregnancy, the rate of recurrence was 7.5% (95%CI 4.0-13.7) if the first VTE was unprovoked, related to pregnancy or to oral contraceptive use, whereas no recurrence occurred if the first VTE was related to other transient risk factors. In puerperium, the rate of recurrence was 15.5% (95%CI 7.7-28.7) in women with a pregnancy-related first VTE, with a risk 3.9-times higher than in the remaining women. Inherited thrombophilia was not associated with a statistically significant increase in risk of recurrence in pregnancy or in puerperium, yet the rate of recurrence in puerperium was 14.2% (95%CI 5.7-31.4) in overall carriers of factor V Leiden and 30% (95%CI 10.7-60.3) in carriers with a pregnancy-related first VTE, with a risk 6.8 times higher than in women without thrombophilia and with a non pregnancy-related first VTE.     

Preoperative platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio improves the performance of the international consensus guidelines in predicting malignant pancreatic cystic neoplasms

IntroductionTo determine if neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) were predictive of malignancy in pancreatic cystic neoplasms (PCN) and if these improved the performance of the international consensus guidelines (ICG) in the initial triage of these patients.Methods318 patients with surgically-treated suspected PCN were retrospectively reviewed. Malignant neoplasms were defined as neoplasms harbouring invasive carcinoma. The optimal cut-off for NLR and PLR were determined by plotting the receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curves of NLR/PLR in predicting malignant PCN and utilizing the Youden index.ResultsThe optimal NLR and PLR cut-offs were determined to be 3.33 and 205, respectively. Univariate analyses demonstrated that symptomatic PCNs, age, obstructive jaundice, presence of solid component, dilatation of main pancreatic duct ≥10 mm, high NLR and high PLR were predictive of a malignant PCN. Multivariate analyses demonstrated that obstructive jaundice, presence of solid component, MPD ≥10 mm and high PLR but not NLR were independent predictors of a malignant PCN. A high PLR significantly predicted invasive carcinoma in patients classified within the ICG^HR group. Comparison between the ROC curves of the ICG versus ICG plus high PLR in predicting malignant PCN demonstrated a significant improvement in the accuracy of the ICG when PLR was included [AUC 0.784 (95% CI: 0.740–0.829) vs AUC 0.822 (95% CI: 0.772–0.872) (p = 0.0032)].ConclusionsHigh PLR is an independent predictor of malignancy in PCN. The addition of PLR as a criterion to the ICG improved the accuracy of these guidelines in detecting invasive neoplasms.     

IFOBT与肿瘤标志物、炎症指标联合检测对结直肠进展期腺瘤发生的预测价值

背景目前临床缺乏对结直肠癌前病变有效的无创筛查手段,识别高危人群和多指标联合检测已成为癌及癌前病变筛查的趋势.多种炎症指标已广泛用于各种肿瘤的诊断及预后,而对癌前病变诊断价值的研究较少.目的探讨粪便免疫潜血实验(immunochemical fecal occult blood testing,IFOBT),肿瘤标志物(CEA、CA199),炎症指标包括中性粒细胞/淋巴细胞比值(neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio,NLR)、血小板/淋巴细胞比值(platelet/lymphocyte ratio,PLR)及一般临床特征对结直肠进展期腺瘤息肉发生的预测价值.方法回顾性分析我院2014-2018年行电子结肠镜检查并经病理学证实的295例结直肠进展期腺瘤病例作为观察组,选择同期448例非进展期腺瘤病例作为对照组,收集患者的一般临床资料包括基本特征(性别、年龄)、生活习惯(吸烟史、饮酒史)、既往史(高血压史、冠心病史、糖尿病史),手术史(胆囊或阑尾切除史);实验室检查(NLR、PLR、CEA、CA199、IFOBT);进行单因素差异分析,将有意义的结果纳入二元logistic回归分析,绘制ROC曲线,评估相关指标对结直肠进展期腺瘤发生的预测价值.结果Logistic回归分析显示:年龄(OR=1.047,95%CI:1.028-1.066,P=0.000)、吸烟(OR=1.880,95%CI:1.250-2.826,P=0.002)、糖尿病(OR=2.073,95CI%:1.216-3.535,P=0.007)、既往胆囊切除(OR=9.206,95CI%:2.904-29.181,P=0.000)、IFOBT(OR=7.681,95%CI:4.585-12.869,P=0.000)、CA199(OR=1.039,95%CI:1.018-1.059,P=0.000)、NLR(OR=1.706,95%CI:1.388-2.097,P=0.000)与进展期腺瘤的发生独立相关.对于预测进展期腺瘤的发生,IFOBT的灵敏度为34.6%,特异度为94.2%,AUC为0.644,95%CI:0.602-0.686,CA199的最佳截断点为7.87 U/mL,灵敏度为53.9%,特异度为66.1%,AUC为0.639,95%CI:0.598-0.679,NLR的最佳截断点为2.04,灵敏度为50.2%.特异度为71.8%,AUC为0.645,95%CI:0.605-0.685,当三者联合检测时其灵敏度为52.9%,特异度为82.8%,AUC 95%CI为0.752(0.716-0.788),进展期腺瘤亚组分析中,IFOBT(-)和IFOBT(+)亚组之间的腺瘤位置(P=0.048)、腺瘤直径(P=0.000)、分化级别(P=0.000)差异有统计学意义,低NLR(<2.04)和高NLR(≥2.04)亚组之间的性别(P=0.004)、腺瘤直径(P=0.028)、分化级别(P=0.000)差异有统计学意义.结论高龄、吸烟、糖尿病、既往胆囊切除人群更易发生结直肠进展期腺瘤,临床需对此类人群提高重视,IFOBT、NLR、CA199对进展期腺瘤的发生具有诊断意义,三者联合检测时其诊断效能最佳.