Evidence for the role of small ubiquitin-like modifier 4 as a general autoimmunity locus in the Japanese population

CONTEXT: Recently, an association of a single nucleotide polymorphism, 163A>G encoding M55V, in the gene SUMO4, which has been shown to be a negative feedback regulator for nuclear factor kappaB, has been reported in type 1 diabetes. OBJECTIVE: To establish whether SUMO4 locus contributes to the genetic susceptibility to other autoimmune disorders, a case-control analysis was carried out using genomic DNA from type 1 diabetes, autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and primary Sj?gren's syndrome. SUBJECTS: A total of 1480 samples, including 929 cases (411 patients with type 1 diabetes, 292 AITD, 172 RA, and 54 primary Sj?gren's syndrome) and 551 healthy control subjects of Japanese origin participated in the study. METHODS: The 163A>G (rs237025, M55V) polymorphism of SUMO4 was genotyped. RESULTS: SUMO4 M55V variant was associated not only with type 1 diabetes [odds ratio (OR), 1.42; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.09-1.84; P = 0.0072], but also with increased risk of other autoimmune diseases, AITD (OR, 1.52; 95% CI, 1.14-2.03; P = 0.0041) and RA without amyloidosis (OR, 1.53; 95% CI, 1.65-2.24; P = 0.027), but not primary Sj?gren's syndrome. Furthermore, the association of SUMO4 M55V variant was stronger in type 1 diabetic patients complicated with AITD (OR, 1.62; 95% CI, 1.06-2.47; P = 0.023) and in patients who have neither type 1 diabetes-susceptible class II HLA, DRB1*0405 nor DRB1*0901 (OR, 2.28; 95% CI, 1.34-3.87; P = 0.0018). CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that the SUMO4 is a more common autoimmune disease gene and a supplementary risk factor to type 1 diabetes in conjunction with class II HLA.     

肥胖、2型糖尿病与大肠腺瘤腺癌的相关性研究

目的 初步探讨体质量指数（BMI）、2型糖尿病与大肠腺瘤腺癌的相关性.方法 2008年7月至2009年7月间,选择年龄为20～86岁的大肠镜检查患者971例,测量身高、体重,并记录有无糖尿病及病程.根据肠镜检查及活检病理结果纳入研究组（即腺瘤腺癌组,总计471例）和正常对照组（500例）.利用多因素Logistic回归进行相关性分析.结果 调整了可能的混杂因素后,肥胖组患大肠腺瘤腺癌的危险度是正常组的2.55倍,其中肥胖组男性患大肠腺瘤腺癌的危险度是正常组的3.32倍,而女性中不同BMI指数大肠腺瘤腺癌的患病率差异无统计学意义.超重组差异无统计学意义.2型糖尿病的患者引起大肠腺瘤腺癌的危险度是无糖尿病患者的约2.10倍,其中,病程〈6年引起大肠腺瘤腺癌的危险度是病程≥6年的约3.00倍,且风险与性别无关.糖尿病合并肥胖患者患大肠腺瘤腺癌的危险度是糖尿病无合并肥胖患者的3.05倍.结论 肥胖与大肠腺瘤腺癌的发生显著相关,肥胖男性患病风险明显大于女性.2型糖尿病患者患大肠腺瘤腺癌的风险较高,且糖尿病合并肥胖的患者患大肠腺瘤腺癌的风险显著高于糖尿病无肥胖的患者.     

Patient-related variables predicting acute coronary syndrome following admission for chest pain of possible coronary origin

OBJECTIVE: Improving risk stratification of patients experiencing acute chest pain with non-revealing electrocardiogram and cardiac biomarkers could reduce missed acute coronary syndrome and avoid unnecessary hospitalization. METHODS: We assessed the ability of situational, circumstantial, and other patient-related variables in predicting acute coronary syndrome in 921 consecutive patients randomly admitted to this medical department with chest pain of possible coronary origin. A reference group comprised 107 patients referred promptly to the coronary care unit with acute myocardial infarction. RESULTS: Acute coronary syndrome eventually developed in 219 (23.7%) patients. Age and proportions of male patients and those with diabetes, which were significantly lower in the heterogeneous chest pain group than in the reference group, did not differ when re-evaluation was performed between the latter group and the subgroup of patients who eventually developed acute coronary syndrome. Overweight and a family history of premature coronary artery disease remained significantly higher in the reference group, while prevalence of pre-existing coronary artery disease, previous coronary angiography, and coronary intervention remained significantly lower. Variables most significantly predictive of acute coronary syndrome resulted: pre-existing coronary artery disease [odds ratio (OR) 3.2; 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.17-4.71; P<0.001), older age (OR 1.35; 95% CI 1.17-1.57; P<0.001), male sex (OR 1.77; 95% CI 1.19-2.61; P=0.004), diabetes (OR 1.6; 95% CI 1.11-2.32; P=0.01), self-initiation of pain relief treatment before seeking medical help (OR 1.54; 95% CI 1.07-2.23; P=0.02), and conviction that hospitalization for acute coronary disease was mandatory (OR 1.46; 95% CI 1.03-2.07; P=0.03). CONCLUSIONS: Easily obtainable patient-related variables might improve risk stratification and assist physicians to decide on policy in the emergency department and upon hospitalization.     

Ankle brachial pressure index usefulness as predictor factor for coronary heart disease in diabetic patients

Ankle brachial pressure index (ABPI) is a non-invasive marker of atherosclerosis, helpful to identify subjects at high-risk for coronary heart disease (CHD) among large populations with cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors. The diagnostic role of ABPI has been also recognized in patients with diabetes. In the present study, the role of an ABPI score < 0.90 in predicting CHD has been evaluated in a large series of patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus and compared to other known CVD risk factors. Nine hundred and sixty-nine (mean age was 66.1 yr) consecutive patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus were evaluated. The patients were followed-up for 18.3+/-5.2 months (range 12- 24) and all events of CHD, defined as myocardial infarction, unstable and resting angina or coronary atherosclerosis at the instrumental investigation (at the coronary angiography and/or perfusion stress testing) were recorded. A rate of 17.5% of CHD events were recorded in diabetic population during the follow-up period. The relative risk of CHD was significantly increased for male patients [odds ratio (OR): 1.6; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.1-2.2], patients with age > or = 66 yr (OR: 1.8; 95% CI: 1.3-2.5), body mass index (BMI) > 30 (OR: 1.5; 95% CI: 1.1-2.1), waist circumference > 88 cm for females and 102 cm for males (OR: 1.5; 95% CI: 1.0-2.1), proteinuria > or = 30 microg per min (OR: 1.6; 95% CI: 1.1-2.3), LDL-cholesterol > or = 100 mg/dl (OR: 2.1; 95% CI: 1.5-3.0), glycated hemoglobin > 7% (OR: 1.6; 95% CI: 1.1-2.3), insulin therapy (OR: 1.9; 95% CI: 1.3-2.9), and ABPI < 0.90 (OR: 3.7; 95% CI: 2.2- 6.2). BMI was higher in patients with ABPI < 0.90 than in those with ABPI > or = 0.90 (p<0.05). At the multivariate analysis, ABPI < 0.90 was the best factor independently associated with CHD (p<0.001). APBI < 0.90 is strongly associated to CHD in Type 2 diabetic patients. We recommend to use ABPI in diabetic patients and to carefully monitor diabetic subjects with an ABPI lower than 0.90.     

Correlation between symptomatology and site of acute myocardial infarction

OBJECTIVE: We determined the occurrence of presenting symptoms in patients with different sites of acute myocardial infarction after controlling for age and conventional risk factors. METHODS: Hospital-based study of patients hospitalized because of first anterior (n=731), inferior (n=719) and lateral (n=96) infarction in Clinical Hospital Split between 1990 and 1994. Data form about presenting symptoms and clinical profile was completed for each patient. RESULTS: Anterior infarctions were more often presented by headache (adjusted odds ratio (OR)=1.67, 95% CI=1.06-2.62), weakness (OR=1.60, 95% CI=1.31-1.96), dyspnea (OR=1.40, 95% CI=1.14-1.72), cough (OR=2.24, 95% CI=1.59-3.16), vertigo (OR=2.04, 95% CI=1.40-2.99) and tinnitus (OR=2.09, 95%CI=1.06-4.14). Inferior infarctions were more often associated with epigastric (OR=1.71, 95%CI=1.30-2.24), neck (OR=1.47, 95% CI=1.10-1.98) and jaw pain (OR=2.16, 95% CI=1.42-3.27), sweating (OR=1.56, 95% CI=1.27-1.92), nausea (OR=2.01, 95%CI=l.64-2.46), vomiting (OR=1.55, 95% CI=1.22-1.97), belching (OR=1.57, 95% CI=1.21-2.03) and hiccups (OR=2.88, 95%CI=1.53-5.42). Patients with lateral infarctions were more likely to complain of left arm (OR=1.80, 95% CI=1.07-3.05), left shoulder (OR=1.82, 95% CI=1.19-2.79) and back pain (OR=2.40, 95% CI=1.28-4.46). Pain was less frequently reported by hypercholesterolemic (P=l.4x10(-7)), patients over 70 years (P=0.002), women (P=0.0007) and those with non-triggered infarction (P=0.0009), whereas those over 70 (P=1.7x10(-6)) and men (P=0.0003) were less likely to report other relevant symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggests a linkage between different infarction sites and specific groups of symptoms. Furthermore, coronary patients should give their full attention to non-specific symptoms and any kind of discomfort.     

Type 2 diabetes is associated with left ventricular concentric remodeling in hypertensive patients

BACKGROUND: Left ventricular (LV) geometric remodeling is associated with cardiovascular prognosis in hypertensive patients. It is uncertain how LV remodeling is modulated by diabetes in hypertensive patients. In this study, we investigated the impact of diabetes and ambulatory blood pressure (BP) on LV geometric remodeling in hyptensives with/without diabetes. METHODS: Ambulatory BP monitoring and echocardiography were performed to compare 24-h BP levels and LV measurements in 400 uncomplicated hypertensives (mean age, 67 years, 152 men and 248 women) between diabetic (n = 161) and nondiabetic (n = 239) patients. RESULTS: The age (67 v 68 years), percentage of men (43% v 34%), body mass index (24.5 v 24.0 kg/m(2)), 24-h systolic BP (144/80 v 144/82 mm Hg), LV mass index (128 v 130 g/m(2)) were similar between the groups. Diabetic patients had higher relative wall thickness (0.50 v 0.44, P < .001) and higher prevalence of concentric LV hypertrophy (39.4% v 26.8%, P < .001) than nondiabetic patients. The presence of diabetes (odds ratio [OR] = 2.76; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.73-4.41, P < .001) and 24-h systolic BP (OR for 10 mm Hg increase = 1.17; 95% CI = 1.01-1.37, P < .05) were independently associated with the higher relative wall thickness (>/=0.45). On the other hand, 24-h systolic BP was independently associated with LV hypertrophy (OR for 10 mm Hg increase = 1.32; 95% CI = 1.14-1.52, P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: Among hypertensive patients, type 2 diabetes was associated with concentric LV geometry independent of ambulatory BP.     

2型糖尿病患者合并手部病变的相关因素分析

目的探讨T2DM患者合并手部病变(简称糖尿病手)的相关因素,为降低糖尿病手的风险提供理论依据。方法选取2019年2月至2020年2月于重庆医科大学附属第一医院内分泌内科住院部收治的530例T2DM患者,按是否有手部病变分为手部病变组(DH,n=136)和单纯T2DM组(T2DM,n=394),比较两组一般资料及生化指标,多因素Logistic回归分析手部病变的影响因素。结果 DH组年龄、DM病程、DR、糖尿病周围神经病变(DPN)、DKD、颈动脉斑块及下肢动脉斑块阳性率、白细胞计数、中性粒细胞-淋巴细胞比率(NLR)、血清尿素、UAlb水平均高于T2DM组(P<0.05),红细胞计数、血红蛋白、TG、eGFR低于T2DM组(P<0.05)。多因素Logistic回归分析发现,DM病程(OR 1.041,95%CI 1.004,1.066)、DPN(OR 1.899,95%CI 1.007,3.580)和NLR(OR 1.035,95%CI 1.008,1.063)是糖尿病手的独立危险因素。结论 T2DM患者DM病程越长,合并DPN及NLR越高,出现糖尿病手的风险越高。     

Plasma homocysteine and microvascular and macrovascular complications in type 1 diabetes: a cross-sectional nested case-control study

OBJECTIVES. To examine the independent relationship between plasma total homocysteine (tHcy) and microvascular and macrovascular complications. DESIGN. We performed a cross-sectional nested case-control study from the EURODIAB Prospective Complications Study. SETTING. A hospital-based multicentre study at 24 centres in 13 European countries. SUBJECTS. A total of 533 type 1 diabetic patients, diagnosed at <36 years of age. Cases (n=359) were defined as those with one or more complications of diabetes and control subjects (n=174) were all those with no evidence of any complication. Main outcome measures. Retinopathy, albumin excretion rate (AER), glomerular filtration rate (GFR) estimated by Cockcroft-Gault formula, hypertension and cardiovascular disease (CVD) were assessed. RESULTS. In unadjusted models, tHcy (per 5 micromol L(-1)) was significantly associated with nonproliferative retinopathy (OR=1.45, 95% CI: 1.10-1.91), proliferative retinopathy (OR=1.74, 95% CI: 1.34-2.27), macroalbuminuria (OR=1.90, 95% CI: 1.49-2.42), hypertension (OR=2.23, 95% CI: 1.69-2.93) and CVD (OR=1.59, 95% CI: 1.18-2.14). In multivariate models, tHcy was significantly related to macroalbuminuria (OR=1.66, 95% CI: 1.24-2.24) and hypertension (OR=1.57, 95% CI: 1.19-2.07), independent of age, sex, diabetes duration, GFR, microvascular and macrovascular complications and cardiovascular risk factors. There was a significant relationship between tHcy and decreased GFR, independent of established risk factors. The relationship between tHcy and retinopathy was not independent of albuminuria or GFR. The initial positive relationship with CVD was explained by cardiovascular risk factors. CONCLUSION. In this large study of European type 1 diabetic subjects, increased concentrations of tHcy were independently related to macroalbuminuria, renal function and hypertension, which suggests that tHcy might play an important role in the pathogenesis of vascular complications in type 1 diabetes.     

A meta-analysis of receptor for advanced glycation end products gene: four well-evaluated polymorphisms with diabetes mellitus

Genetic association studies on the gene encoding receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE) and diabetes mellitus have reported conflicting results. To evaluate the association of RAGE gene four widely-evaluated polymorphisms (T-429C, T-374A, Gly82Ser and G1704T) and diabetes mellitus, a meta-analysis was conducted. A random-effects model was applied irrespective of between-study heterogeneity. There were a total of 5808/3742 (n=14) case-patients/controls (studies) for T-429C, 8259/6935 (n=19) for T-374A, 7029/5266 (n=19) for Gly82Ser, and 2843/3302 (n=13) for G1704T. Overall results detected no significant association of polymorphisms T-429C, T-374A and Gly82Ser with diabetes risk. There was a trend toward an increased risk for alleles 1704T relative to 1704G (odds ratio [OR]=1.09; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.98-1.22; I(2)=0). Subgroup analysis by ethnicity indicated that allele 1704T conferred a significantly increased risk in East Asians (OR=1.21; 95% CI: 1.04-1.4; I(2)=0) but not in Caucasians (OR=0.8; 95% CI: 0.6-1.07; I(2)=0), and that by type of diabetes mellitus indicated that association was potentiated exclusively for G1704T with diabetic retinopathy (OR=1.24; 95% CI: 1.01-1.51; I(2)=0). No publication bias was observed. Our results provide convincing evidence regarding the association of RAGE gene 1704T allele with an increased risk of diabetes mellitus, especially diabetic retinopathy. Notably, this effect was more pronounced in East Asians.     

血浆纤维蛋白原在糖尿病视网膜病变患者中的水平及意义

目的 探讨血浆纤维蛋白原在糖尿病视网膜病变(DR)患者中的水平及意义.方法 886例2型糖尿病住院患者根据眼底照相结果,分为无视网膜病变组(NDR组,552例)和视网膜病变组(DR组,334例),比较两组间的一般资料和血浆纤维蛋白原水平的差异,Spearman法分析纤维蛋白原与DR相关性,二元Logistic回归法对其危险因素建立方程.结果 DR组血浆纤维蛋白原水平高于NDR组(t=-5.758,P＜0.001).并且,DR与纤维蛋白原呈正相关(r=0.177,P＜0.001).二元Logistic回归分析显示,糖尿病病程(OR=1.097,95％ CI:1.072～1.123)、血浆纤维蛋白原(OR=1.238,95％ CI:1.036～1.480)和糖尿病肾病(OR=3.534,95％ CI: 2.589～4.822)纳入回归方程(P均＜0.05),是DR的独立危险因素.进一步将DR组分为非增殖期视网膜病变组和增殖期视网膜病变组,结果显示随着DR病变程度的加重,血浆纤维蛋白原水平不断升高(F=19.963,P＜0.001).结论 DR患者体内血浆纤维蛋白原水平随着病变程度不断升高,是DR的独立危险因素.     

eNOS4 polymorphism of the endothelial nitric oxide synthase predicts risk for severe diabetic retinopathy.

BACKGROUND: Genetic factors may be involved in the development, and particularly in the severity, of diabetic retinopathy (DR), in addition to chronic hyperglycaemia. Increased nitric oxide generation has been suggested to play a significant role in the pathogenesis of DR. AIMS AND METHODS: To examine whether the eNOS4 is involved in the risk of severe DR, 200 unrelated Caucasian Type 1 diabetic patients of long duration were randomly selected (M/F 103/97, age 44.4 +/- 12.4 years, diabetes duration 27.7 +/- 10.0 years, body mass index 24.3 +/- 3.4 kg/m2, HbA1c 8.6 +/- 1.3%). The eNOS4 polymorphism was analysed by polymerase chain reaction, and DR by retinal angiography and classified as presence (n = 101) or absence (n = 99) of severe (proliferative or pre-proliferative) DR. RESULTS: The genotype distribution of eNOS4b/b (wild-type), eNOS4b/a (heterozygous) and eNOS4a/a (homozygous) was 72%, 24.5% and 3.5%, respectively. Frequency of eNOS4a/a was significantly lower in patients with severe DR (n = 0) when compared with controls (n = 7, odds ratio (OR) = 0 (95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.5-0.74), P = 0.02). eNOS4b/b was more frequent in patients with severe DR (n = 80) when compared with controls (n = 64, OR = 2.1 (95% CI = 1.1-4.12), P = 0.032). Frequency of eNOS4b/a was not different between the study (n = 21) and control groups (n = 28, ns). The allelic frequencies between the study and control groups were different (4b: n = 181 vs. n = 156, respectively, OR = 2.3 (95% CI = 1.27-4.25), P = 0.005; 4a: n = 21 vs. n = 42, respectively, OR = 0.4 (95% CI = 0.24-0.79), P = 0.005). CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrate in Caucasians with Type 1 diabetes that (i) eNOS4a/a is associated with absent or non-severe DR, and (ii) eNOS4b/b is associated with severe DR.     

Zygomycosis in a tertiary-care cancer center in the era of Aspergillus-active antifungal therapy: a case-control observational study of 27 recent cases

BACKGROUND: Anecdotal evidence suggests a rise in zygomycosis in association with voriconazole (VRC) use in immunosuppressed patients. METHODS: We performed prospective surveillance of patients with zygomycosis (group A; n = 27) and compared them with contemporaneous patients with invasive aspergillosis (group B; n = 54) and with matched contemporaneous high-risk patients without fungal infection (group C; n = 54). We also performed molecular typing and in vitro susceptibility testing of Zygomycetes isolates. RESULTS: Nearly all patients with zygomycosis either had leukemia (n = 14) or were allogeneic bone marrow transplant recipients (n = 13). The Zygomycetes isolates (74% of which were of the genus Rhizopus) had different molecular fingerprinting profiles, and all were VRC resistant. In multivariate analysis of groups A and C, VRC prophylaxis (odds ratio [OR], 10.37 [95% confidence interval [CI]], 2.76-38.97]; P = .001), diabetes (OR, 8.39 [95% CI, 2.04-34.35]; P = .003), and malnutrition (OR, 3.70 [95% CI, 1.03-13.27]; P = .045) were found to be independent risk factors for zygomycosis. Between patients with zygomycosis (after excluding 6 patients with mixed mold infections) and patients with aspergillosis, VRC prophylaxis (OR, 20.30 [95% CI, 3.85-108.15]; P = .0001) and sinusitis (OR, 76.72 [95% CI, 6.48-908.15]; P = .001) were the only factors that favored the diagnosis of zygomycosis. CONCLUSIONS: Zygomycosis should be considered in immunosuppressed patients who develop sinusitis while receiving VRC prophylaxis, especially those with diabetes and malnutrition.     

血清脂蛋白(a)与缺血性卒中及其病因学亚型的相关性

目的 探讨血清脂蛋白(a)[lipoprotein(a),Lp(a)]水平与急性缺血性卒中及其病因学亚型的相关性.方法 回顾性纳入连续的急性缺血性卒中住院患者(病例组)以及年龄和性别相匹配的同期健康体检者(对照组).收集病例组和对照组人口统计学和基线临床资料以及空腹血糖、纤维蛋白原、高半胱氨酸、总胆固醇、三酰甘油、高密度脂蛋白胆固醇、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇、Lp(a)浓度.病例组根据TOAST病因学分型标准分为大动脉粥样硬化(large artery atherosclerosis,LAA)、小动脉闭塞(small artery occlusion,SAO)、心源性栓塞(cardioembolism,CE),并排除其他明确病因和病因不明的患者.对病例组和对照组人口统计学和基线临床资料进行比较,并采用多变量logistic回归分析明确血清Lp(a)与急性缺血性卒中及其病因学分型的相关性.结果 共纳入214例缺血性卒中组患者,其中LAA 97例(45.33%),SAO 64例(29.91%),CE 53例(24.77%);对照组118例.病例组高血压、糖尿病、高脂血症、心房颤动和饮酒的比例以及收缩压、舒张压、空腹血糖、总胆固醇、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇、Lp(a)、纤维蛋白原、高半胱氨酸水平与对照组存在统计学差异(P均<0.001).多变量logistic回归分析显示,校正年龄和性别后,Lp(a)是缺血性卒中的独立危险因素[优势比(odds ratio,OR)2.014,95%可信区间(confidence interval,CI)1.273~3.092;P=0.036];LAA的独立危险因素包括高血压(OR 3.353,95%CI 1.714~6.558;P<0.001)、收缩压(OR 2.786,95%CI 1.136~5.538;P=0.016)、高半胱氨酸(OR 1.108,95%CI 1.031~2.191;P=0.005)、总胆固醇(OR 2.169,95%CI 1.599~4.943;P<0.001)、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇(OR 2.782,95%CI 1.093~5.238;P=0.024)和Lp(a)(OR 3.072,95%CI 1.907~8.064;P=0.001),SAO的独立危险因素包括高血压(OR 7.042,95%CI 3.189~25.55;P<0.001)、糖尿病(OR 5.162,95%CI 2.372~11.23;P<0.001)、纤维蛋白原(OR 1.667,95%CI 1.434~2.025;P=0.045)和高半胱氨酸(OR 1.967,95%CI 1.859~1.995;P=0.036),CE的独立危险因素包括心房颤动(OR 13.340,95%CI 4.637~39.20;P<0.001)、纤维蛋白原(OR 2.365,95%CI 1.147~4.904;P=0.029)和Lp(a)(OR 1.656,95%CI 1.996~3.001;P=0.035).结论 Lp(a)是缺血性卒中的独立危险因素,可作为预测缺血性卒中发病风险的血清生物学标记物.不同卒中病因学亚型之间的独立危险因素存在差异,Lp(a)与LAA和CE独立相关,但与SAO无独立性相关性.     

Risk factors of recurrent choledocholithiasis following therapeutic endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography

Background: The risk factors for the recurrent choledocholithiasis after endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography(ERCP) have not been well studied. The aim of this study was to explore the risk factors of recurrent choledocholithiasis. Methods: We carried out a retrospective analysis of data collected between January 1, 2010 and January 1, 2020. Univariate analysis and multivariate analysis were used to explore the independent risk factors of recurrent choledocholithiasis following therape...     

Prognostic value of hyperglycemia on-admission in diabetic versus non-diabetic patients presenting with ST-elevation myocardial infarction in Tunisia

BackgroundHyperglycemia on-admission is a powerful predictor of adverse events in patients presenting for ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).AimIn this study, we sought to determine the prognostic value of hyperglycemia on-admission in Tunisian patients presenting with STEMI according to their diabetic status.MethodsPatients presenting to our center between January 1998 and September 2014 were enrolled. Hyperglycemia was defined as a glucose level ≥11 mmol/L. In-hospital prognosis was studied in diabetic and non-diabetic patients. The predictive value for mortality of glycemia level on-admission was assessed by mean of the area under receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve calculation.ResultsA total of 1289 patients were included. Mean age was 60.39 ± 12.8 years and 977 (77.3%) patients were male. Prevalence of diabetes mellitus was 70.2% and 15.2% in patients presenting with and without hyperglycemia, respectively (p < 0.001). In univariate analysis, hyperglycemia was associated to in-hospital death in diabetic (OR: 8.85, 95% CI: 2.11–37.12, p < 0.001) and non-diabetic patients (OR: 2.57, 95% CI: 1.39–4.74, p = 0.002). In multivariate analysis, hyperglycemia was independently predictive of in-hospital death in diabetic patients (OR: 9.6, 95% CI: 2.18–42.22, p = 0.003) but not in non-diabetic patients (OR: 1.93, 95% CI: 0.97–3.86, p = 0.06). Area under ROC curve of glycemia as a predictor of in-hospital death was 0.792 in diabetic and 0.676 in non-diabetic patients.ConclusionIn patients presenting with STEMI, hyperglycemia was associated to hospital death in diabetic and non-diabetic patients in univariate analysis. In multivariate analysis, hyperglycemia was independently associated to in-hospital death in diabetic but not in non-diabetic patients.     

Hypertensive emergencies in diabetic patients from predominantly African American urban communities

Aim: The aim of this study was to identify risk factors for hypertensive emergencies in diabetic patients presenting with severely elevated blood pressure.

Methods: Using electronic medical records, this study identified diabetic patients with hypertensive crisis who presented to the emergency department of Newark Beth Israel Medical Center, Newark, NJ from June 2013 to May 2016. Diabetic patients with hypertensive emergencies were compared with non-diabetic patients based on important demographic and clinical characteristics.

Results: Patients with diabetes accounted for 52.27% of all hypertensive emergencies during the study period. There were 264 diabetic patients with hypertensive emergencies and 519 diabetic patients with hypertensive urgencies. The majority of patients were African Americans (88.6%). The odds of hypertensive emergencies were strikingly higher in diabetic patients with hyperlipidemia (OR 1.66, 95% CI 1.23–2.24), coronary artery disease (OR 2.95, 95% CI 2.15–4.05), congestive heart failure (OR 6.28, 95% CI 4.49–8.80), renal insufficiency (OR 2.84, 95% CI 2.10–3.86) and low hemoglobin (OR 0.9, 95% CI 0.84–0.97). Acute or worsening heart failure was the most frequent acute target organ injury (49.6%) followed by non-ST elevation myocardial infarction (41.7%). Diabetic and non-diabetic patients had similar rates of target organ injuries.

Conclusion: The development of hypertensive emergencies in patients with diabetes was not because of diabetes per se but because of coexisting highly elevated blood pressure. Tight blood pressure control may decrease the risk of hypertensive emergencies in this patient population.     

The pregnancies of women with Type 2 diabetes: poor outcomes but opportunities for improvement.

AIM: To compare the outcomes of Type 1 and Type 2 diabetic pregnancies and identify risk factors for poor outcome of Type 2 pregnancies METHODS: The data from all (389 Type 1 and 146 Type 2) pre-gestational diabetic pregnancies from 10 UK hospitals were collected prospectively. RESULTS: The Type 2 mothers were less likely to have documented pre-pregnancy counselling (28.7 vs. 40.5%; P<0.05) or be taking folic acid at conception (21.9 vs. 36.4%; P<0.001) than Type 1 mothers. The percentage of pregnancies having a serious adverse outcome was higher in Type 2 patients (16.4 vs. 6.4%; P=0.002). Congenital abnormalities (12.3% in Type 2 vs. 4.4% in Type 1; P=0.002) accounted for most of this difference. The HbA1c of the Type 2 patients was similar to that of the Type 1 with mean first trimester HbA1c of 7.22 and 7.35%, respectively (P=0.5). Treatment with oral hypoglycaemic agents [odds ratio (OR), 1.8; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.0-3.3; P=0.04], body mass index (OR, 1.09; 95% CI, 1.01-1.18; P=0.02) and folic acid supplementation (OR, 0.3; 95% CI, 0.09-1.0; P=0.04) were all independently associated with congenital malformation. CONCLUSION: Type 2 diabetic pregnancies are characterized by poor pre-pregnancy planning, inadequate folic acid supplementation and treatment with oral hypoglycaemic agents, all of which may contribute to the serious adverse outcomes affecting one in six Type 2 diabetic pregnancies. These remediable aspects of the pre-pregnancy care of women with Type 2 diabetes provide opportunities for improving the outcome towards that of women with Type 1 diabetes.     

Predictors of short-term outcome in acute chest pain without ST-segment elevation

BACKGROUND: Management of acute chest pain in the emergency room constitutes a challenge. METHODS: Seven hundred and one consecutive patients were evaluated by clinical history (chest pain score and risk factors), ECG, troponin I and early (<24 h) exercise testing in low risk patients (n=165). A composite end-point (recurrent unstable angina, acute myocardial infarction or cardiac death) was recorded during hospital stay or in ambulatory care settings for patients discharged after early exercise testing. RESULTS: The end-point occurred in 122 patients (17%). Multivariate analysis identified the following predictors: chest pain score > or =11 points (OR=1.8, 2-2.8, 95% CI, P=0.007), age > or =68 (OR 1.6, 1.1-2.4 CI 95%, P=0.03), insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (OR 1.9, 1.1-3.4 CI 95%, P=0.02), a history of coronary surgery (OR 3.3, 1.5-7.2 CI 95%, P=0.003), ST-segment depression (OR 1.9, 1.2-3.0 CI 95%, P=0.009) and troponin I elevation (OR 1.6, 1.1-2.5, CI 95%, P=0.05). ST-segment depression produced a high end-point increase (31 vs. 13%, P=0.0001). Troponin I elevation increased the risk in the subgroup without ST-segment depression (20 vs. 11%, P=0.006) but did not further modify the risk in the subgroup with ST depression (31 vs. 28%, ns). Nevertheless, the negative ECG and troponin I subgroup showed a non-negligible end-point rate (16% when pain score > or =11 or 7% when pain score <11, P=0.004). Finally, no patient with a negative exercise test presented events compared to 7% of those with a non-negative test (RR=2.5, 2.1-3.1 95% CI, P=0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Emergency room evaluation of chest pain should not focus on a single parameter; on the contrary, the clinical history, ECG, troponin and early exercise testing must be globally analysed.     

Incidence and risk factors for acute renal failure in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma undergoing transarterial chemoembolization: a prospective study.

BACKGROUND: Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) is effective for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Considerable amounts of radiocontrast agent are used for TACE and may induce renal dysfunction. METHOD: This study prospectively investigated the incidence and risk factors of acute renal failure (ARF), defined as an increase of serum creatinine level >1.5 mg/dl after TACE. RESULTS: ARF developed in 12 (8.6%) of 140 patients after TACE. Univariate analysis showed that number of treatment sessions (2.3 +/- 1.4 vs 1.3 +/- 1.6, P=0.013), Child-Pugh class B (50% vs 21%, P=0.035) and the occurrence of severe postembolization syndrome (75% vs 30%, P=0.020) were significantly associated with the development of ARF. Multivariate logistic regression analysis disclosed that the proportional increased risk of ARF was 65% for each additional TACE therapy (odds ratio [OR]: 1.65, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.13-2.41, P=0.010). Other independent risk factors were Child-Pugh class B (OR: 12.82, 95% CI: 2.44-67.29, P=0.003) and severe postembolization syndrome (OR: 6.64, 95% CI: 1.60-27.49, P=0.009). Four (33%) of the patients with ARF developed irreversible renal function impairment, and diabetes mellitus was the only associated factor (P=0.067) in this group. CONCLUSIONS: ARF after TACE is closely associated with number of treatment sessions, severity of cirrhosis and development of severe postembolization syndrome. Effective preventive measures should be undertaken especially in high-risk patients.     

The metabolic syndrome is associated with complicated gallstone disease

BACKGROUND:

Gallstone disease (GD) is a common condition worldwide. Several studies demonstrated that the presence of gallstones is strongly associated with cardiovascular disease. The metabolic syndrome is a highly prevalent cardiovascular condition.

OBJECTIVE:

To examine the relationship between complicated GD (CGD) and the metabolic syndrome or its components.

METHODS:

Two hundred seventeen patients with gallstones were examined. All patients underwent biliary ultrasonography after a complete medical history and laboratory examination. Data collection for the diagnosis of metabolic syndrome included measurements of waist circumference, blood pressure and lipids, and biochemical tests.

RESULTS:

Of the 217 patients examined, 115 patients (53%) had CGD and 102 patients (47%) had uncomplicated GD (UCGD). There was a significant difference between the number of patients with large gallstones in the CGD and UCGD groups (n=14 [12%] versus n=2 [2%], respectively; P=0.004). Metabolic syndrome, diabetes mellitus and large waist circumference were more prevalent in the CGD group than in the UCGD group. Homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance scores were higher in the CGD group than in UCGD group (2.51 [95% CI 0.57 to 23.90] versus 2.20 [95% CI 0.09 to 8.87], respectively; P=0.032). Logistic regression analysis revealed that the presence of metabolic syndrome (OR 1.434; 95% CI 1.222 to 1.846, P=0.014), diabetes mellitus (OR 1.493; 95% CI 1.255 to 1.953; P=0.035) and large gallstones (OR 1.153; 95% CI 1.033 to 1.714; P=0.017) were independent predictors of CGD.

CONCLUSION:

Results of the present study demonstrated that metabolic syndrome, diabetes and gallstone size were associated with CGD. Further prospective studies are needed to understand the clinical importance of this association.