Reliability and validity of the ESRD Symptom Checklist – Transplantation Module in Norwegian kidney transplant recipients

Background

Previous studies have linked smaller kidney dimensions to increased blood pressure. However, patients with Balkan Endemic Nephropathy (BEN), whose kidneys shrink during the course of the disease, do not manifest increased blood pressure. The authors evaluated the relationship between kidney cortex width, kidney length, and blood pressure in the offspring of BEN patients and controls.

Methods

102 offspring of BEN patients and 99 control offspring of non-BEN hospital patients in the Vratza District, Bulgaria, were enrolled in a prospective study and examined twice (2003/04 and 2004/05). Kidney dimensions were determined using ultrasound, blood pressure was measured, and medical information was collected. The parental disease of BEN was categorized into three groups: mother, father, or both parents. Repeated measurements were analyzed with mixed regression models.

Results

In all participants, a decrease in minimal kidney cortex width of 1 mm was related to an increase in systolic blood pressure of 1.4 mm Hg (p = 0.005). There was no association between kidney length and blood pressure. A maternal history of BEN was associated with an increase in systolic blood pressure of 6.7 mm Hg (p = 0.03); paternal BEN, +3.2 mm Hg (p = 0.35); or both parents affected, +9.9 mm Hg (p = 0.002). There was a similar relation of kidney cortex width and parental history of BEN with pulse pressure; however, no association with diastolic blood pressure was found.

Conclusion

In BEN and control offspring, a smaller kidney cortex width predisposed to higher blood pressure. Unexpectedly, a maternal history of BEN was associated with average increased systolic blood pressure in offspring.     

Long-term renal outcome in patients with malignant hypertension: a retrospective cohort study

Background

In patients with chronic kidney disease studies focusing on platelet function and properties often are non-conclusive whereas only few studies use functional platelet tests. In this study we evaluated a recently developed functional flow cytometry based assay for the analysis of platelet function in chronic kidney disease.

Methods

Platelet reactivity was measured using flow cytometric analysis. Platelets in whole blood were triggered with different concentrations of agonists (TRAP, ADP, CRP). Platelet activation was quantified with staining for P-selectin, measuring the mean fluorescence intensity. Area under the curve and the concentration of half-maximal response were determined.

Results

We studied 23 patients with chronic kidney disease (9 patients with cardiorenal failure and 14 patients with end stage renal disease) and 19 healthy controls. Expression of P-selectin on the platelet surface measured as mean fluorescence intensity was significantly less in chronic kidney disease patients compared to controls after maximal stimulation with TRAP (9.7 (7.9-10.8) vs. 11.4 (9.2-12.2), P?=?0.032), ADP (1.6 (1.2-2.1) vs. 2.6 (1.9-3.5), P?=?0.002) and CRP (9.2 (8.5-10.8) vs. 11.5 (9.5-12.9), P?=?0.004). Also the area under the curve was significantly different. There was no significant difference in half-maximal response between both groups.

Conclusion

In this study we found that patients with chronic kidney disease show reduced platelet reactivity in response of ADP, TRAP and CRP compared to controls. These results contribute to our understanding of the aberrant platelet function observed in patients with chronic kidney disease and emphasize the significance of using functional whole blood platelet activation assays.     

Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Systemic AA Amyloidosis

Background

Systemic AA amyloidosis is a recognised complication of inflammatory bowel disease. AA amyloidosis is a potential cause of end-stage renal failure and mortality but little is known of the natural history of this condition in inflammatory bowel disease.

Methods

We evaluated the clinical phenotype, disease progression and outcome amongst 26 patients with inflammatory bowel disease and AA amyloidosis followed prospectively at a single center between 1989 and 2010.

Results

Twenty-two patients had Crohn’s disease and four had ulcerative colitis. Fistulae and abscesses occurred in ten cases, all of whom had Crohn’s disease. Amyloidotic proteinuric renal dysfunction occurred in all of the cases. It resolved in five patients with well-controlled inflammation, but was progressive in all of the other patients. Fifteen patients reached end-stage renal disease after a median time of 6.3 years from development of renal dysfunction (by Kaplan–Meier estimate), six of whom subsequently proceeded to renal transplantation. There were five functioning grafts at census 0.8, 3.2, 4.2, 20.1 and 24.6 years after transplantation. One graft failed 14.5 years after renal transplantation because of amyloid recurrence in a patient with sustained chronic inflammatory activity.

Conclusions

AA amyloidosis remains a serious complication of both Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, and is characterized by proteinuric renal dysfunction that may resolve following suppression of inflammatory activity. Patient and graft survival are excellent in patients who undergo renal transplantation.     

Associations between longevity of parents and glucose regulation in their offspring: the KORA S4/F4 Study

Aims

Type 2 diabetes was less prevalent in studies of the offspring of centenarians and a separate study of nonagenarian siblings. We examined whether this reduction would also be found when less extreme criteria of parental longevity (a lifespan of at least 80 years) were applied. Moreover, we looked for an association between parental longevity and incidence of dysglycaemia, which has not yet been reported for a population-based study group.

Methods

Baseline and 7-year follow-up data on 55–74-year-old participants in the population-based German Cooperative Health Research in the Region of Augsburg (KORA) S4/F4 cohort study were used for the analyses. Participants whose parents had died from traumatic causes were excluded. Diabetes was assessed by validated physician diagnosis or OGTTs. Using logistic regression models, adjusted OR and 95% CIs were calculated for the associations between parental longevity and the prevalence or incidence of dysglycaemia, which was defined as including either type 2 diabetes or prediabetes (defined in this study as comprising impaired glucose tolerance [IGT] and impaired fasting glucose [IFG]).

Results

In age- and sex-adjusted models, the prevalence of type 2 diabetes was lower in individuals with one (OR 0.63, 95% CI 0.43, 0.93) or two (OR 0.46, 95% CI 0.25, 0.85) long-lived parents. Among participants with normal glucose tolerance at baseline, the odds of incident dysglycaemia were lower in those with one (OR 0.65, 95% CI 0.40, 1.03) or two long-lived parents (OR 0.46, 95% CI 0.22, 0.96) after adjustment for age and sex.

Conclusions/interpretation

This study showed that longevity of the parents, defined by a lifespan of at least 80 years, was associated with a lower prevalence and incidence of dysglycaemia in their offspring in an older German population.     

Significance of Serum and Ascitic Fluid C-Reactive Protein in Differential Diagnosis of Benign and Malignant Ascites

Background

The values of C-reactive protein (CRP) can prove useful in determining disease progress. Because of synthesis by the liver, production of CRP in response to inflammation may be attenuated in patients with liver dysfunction. This may result in differences interpreting CRP levels in patient with portal and non-portal hypertension ascites.

Aim

The aim of the present study is to assess discriminant value of serum and ascitic fluid CRP, which is easily accessible and inexpensive laboratory marker of inflammation, concentrations for diagnosis of underlying cause of ascites.

Methods

This prospective study was conducted at D?skap? Y?ld?r?m Beyaz?t Educational and Research Hospital Department of Gastroenterology. Patients with ascites were further divided into two subgroups based on underlying cause of ascites: Group 1, patient with ascites due to portal hypertensive etiology (high-gradient ascites); Group 2, patient with ascites due to non-portal hypertensive etiology (low-gradient ascites).

Results

A total of 91 patients fulfilling the criteria for a diagnosis of ascites were enrolled in the study. Of these patients, 50 had proven (Group 1) ascites due to portal hypertensive etiology (high-gradient ascites) and 41 had clinical (Group 2) ascites due to non-portal hypertensive etiology (low-gradient ascites). Mean baseline serum and ascites levels of CRP were significantly higher in Group 2 compared to those in Group 1 (p = 0.021, p = <0.0001, respectively).

Conclusions

Increased levels of serum and ascitic fluid CRP were associated with malignant ascites.     

Correction: cyst formation in the PKD2 (1-703) transgenic rat precedes deregulation of proliferation-related pathways

Background

Haemodialysis is the most common form of renal replacement therapy in Nigeria. The high cost of haemodialysis has made optimal therapy of end-stage renal disease difficult in Nigeria. This paper is a review of data collected over two years of provision of dialysis services in a new tertiary hospital in Southern Nigeria.

Methods

This retrospective analysis is done on data obtained from the patient case files and dialysis records in the first two years of provision of dialysis services in our centre. A gender comparison of the patients' baseline sociodemographic, clinical and biochemical was performed and a logistic regression model used to assess the predictors of mortality.

Results

A total of 98 patients had 471 sessions in the two years under review. Males and females had similar characteristics at baseline except for a higher median serum urea in the males. The commonest causes of end-stage renal disease were chronic glomerulonephritis (34.5%), hypertension (32.1%) and diabetes mellitus (17.9%). The main predictor of mortality was under treatment with haemodialysis due to inability to pay for more than a few dialysis sessions.

Conclusions

This study has highlighted the unchanging demographics of our advanced kidney failure patients. Efforts should be aimed at subsidizing the cost of dialysis for our teeming population of dialysis dependent chronic kidney disease patients.     

Sleep-disordered breathing and C-reactive protein in obese children and adolescents

Purpose

Sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) is common among overweight and obese children. It is a risk factor for several health complications, including cardiovascular disease. Inflammatory processes leading to endothelial dysfunction are a possible mechanism linking SDB and cardiovascular disease. Elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease and is independently correlated with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) in adults. Our goal is to evaluate the relationship between CRP and OSAS in overweight and obese children and adolescents.

Methods

One hundred and twenty children were prospectively studied (85 without OSAS, 20 mild OSAS, 15 moderate-to-severe OSAS). All subjects underwent polysomnography, and a blood sample was taken to determine CRP levels.

Results

No significant differences were found in CRP between subjects with or without OSAS, and no correlations were found between CRP and OSAS severity, despite the relationship between CRP and BMI (r?=?0.21, p?=?0.015) and between CRP and fat mass (r?=?0.31, p?<?0.001).

Conclusion

These results suggest that CRP levels are correlated with the level of obesity but are not influenced by SDB in obese children and adolescents; hence, this in contrast to that in adult population.     

Diagnostic study and meta-analysis of C-reactive protein as a predictor of postoperative inflammatory complications after pancreatic surgery

Purpose

Although C-reactive protein (CRP) can be measured by a standard blood test, its diagnostic value for distinguishing patients with inflammatory complications after pancreatic surgery from patients with normal postoperative inflammatory responses has not been adequately investigated. This study aimed to assess the diagnostic accuracy of CRP levels for the occurrence of postoperative inflammatory complications after pancreatic surgery.

Methods

Clinical data and CRP levels measured in 280 patients after pancreatic surgeries (performed between 1998 and 2010) until postoperative day 10 (POD 10) were retrospectively analyzed. Using the receiver operating characteristic method, diagnostic accuracy was evaluated by an area under the curve (AUC) analysis. Furthermore, the results of the present study were compared to previously published reports by applying diagnostic meta-analysis techniques.

Results

The 30-day mortality rate was 3.9% (95% CI 2.1–7.0%). Inflammatory complications occurred in 153 of 280 patients (54.6%; 95% CI 48.8–60.4%). On POD 4, the AUC was 0.67 (95% CI 0.58–0.76). The highest diagnostic accuracy was observed on POD 7 (AUC 0.77; 95% CI 0.68–0.85). In a diagnostic meta-analysis that included two additional studies, the diagnostic sensitivity on POD 4 was 0.63 (95% CI 0.50–0.76), and the specificity was 0.79 (95% CI 0.71–0.88). The highest sensitivity occurred on POD 6 (0.75; 95% CI 0.68–0.82). Considerable statistical heterogeneity was observed in the analysis of PODs 3, 4 and 5.

Conclusion

According to this limited evidence, CRP levels had a low to moderate diagnostic accuracy. Large, blinded studies are warranted for a more precise estimation of CRP’s diagnostic value.     

In Recurrent C. difficile, the CRP Response to the Primary C. difficile Infection Predicts Whether the Same Strain or a Different Strain will Cause a Second Infection

Background

Clostridium difficile is the leading cause of antibiotic-associated diarrhoea and is associated with an increase in morbidity and mortality. There is a wide variance in disease severity with some patients suffering a single, self-limiting episode of diarrhoea while others suffer more intractable problems with recurrent attacks or toxic dilatation. Numerous different C. difficile ribotypes exist, some of which are considered hypervirulent. The magnitude of toxin production alone is not sufficient to explain the varying virulence of these ribotypes, suggesting the involvement of other mechanisms.

Methods

To test the same patient’s response to infection with different C. difficile ribotypes, we reviewed 45 patients who suffered two episodes of C. difficile infection and determined by ribotyping and MLVA whether the second episode was due to the same strain or a different strain.

Results

Patients harbouring a different strain had significantly higher C-reactive protein (CRP) responses on the first assessed infection (143 mg/L ± 20 vs. 55 ± 9.63, p = 0.0001) and a significantly lower CRP on reinfection (p = 0.048). Same strain patients had a non-significant increase in CRP response on second infection.

Conclusions

This suggests that the inflammatory response to C. difficile is determined by an interaction between host immunobiology, previous exposure and C. difficile strain.     

Monitoring C-reactive protein levels to predict favourable clinical outcomes from tocilizumab treatment in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

Objectives

The inflammatory cytokine interleukin-6 (IL-6) directly stimulates C-reactive protein (CRP) expression. The present study aimed to examine how clinical treatment outcomes of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) with tocilizumab (TCZ), a humanised monoclonal anti-IL-6 receptor antibody, are related to CRP levels monitored for 52 weeks.

Methods

One hundred and twenty-two RA patients who underwent TCZ treatment between May 2008 and September 2009 were registered in the Tsurumai Biologics Communication Registry. Data were collected at initiation of treatment (baseline) and over 52 weeks for Disease Activity Score 28-ESR (DAS28-ESR), Boolean core measurements, serum CRP levels and matrix metalloproteinase-3 levels. To compare clinical results, patients were divided into three groups based on treatment time required to achieve normal CRP levels.

Results

Multivariate analysis using the Cox proportional-hazards regression model found that higher CRP levels at baseline was a significant and independent factor in predicting normal CRP levels over 52 weeks (hazard ratio 0.86 per 1 mg/dL). In contrast, disease duration, concomitant methotrexate use and previous tumour necrosis factor inhibitor failure were not significant factors. Patients with normal CRP levels at 12 weeks of TCZ treatment achieved better clinical outcomes, including remission based on DAS28-ESR criteria, compared to patients with elevated CRP levels at 12 weeks.

Conclusions

Adequate suppression of pathological IL-6 signalling during TCZ treatment improves clinical outcomes and can be monitored with serum CRP levels, a readily available biomarker in clinical practice.     

Serum C-Reactive Protein (CRP) Levels in Young Adults Can Be Used to Discriminate Between Inflammatory and Non-inflammatory Diarrhea

Objective

To determine if the level of serum C-reactive protein (CRP) can be used to differentiate between inflammatory diarrhea and non-inflammatory diarrhea in patients with acute infectious diarrhea or acute gastrointestinal infection.

Methods

This was a retrospective study based on medical records from a single military hospital located in Daejeon, Republic of Korea. The records of 1,085 patients who presented with abdominal pain, fever (≥37.8 °C), and diarrhea between May 2008 and May 2011 were reviewed, and 538 patients were selected. The eligible patients had undergone abdominal contrast tomography (CT) or colonoscopy within 3 days and blood sampling on the day of admission. The selected patients were divided into two groups on the basis of their abdominal CT or colonoscopy findings: group A, the inflammatory diarrhea group (n = 234), and group B, the non-inflammatory diarrhea group (n = 304). We then compared the clinical and laboratory characteristics of these two groups.

Results

Erythrocyte sedimentation rate and CRP levels were significantly higher in group A (inflammatory diarrhea) patients than group B (non-inflammatory diarrhea) patients (16.47 ± 5.46 vs. 15.29 ± 5.72 (P < 0.05), respectively, and 4.92 ± 2.49 vs. 1.79 ± 0.95 (P < 0.05), respectively). Multivariate analysis revealed that CRP level on admission was the most important predictor of inflammatory diarrhea (OR 7.39, P < 0.05). Receiver operating characteristic analysis results also showed that CRP had the highest area-under-the-curve value (0.91; 95 % confidence interval 0.88–0.93; P < 0.05) for distinguishing inflammatory diarrhea from non-inflammatory diarrhea. At a cut-off level of 3.08 mg/dL, CRP had a sensitivity of 82 % and a specificity of 85 %.

Conclusions

CRP as a diagnostic marker of inflammatory diarrhea was superior to the other inflammatory markers and clinical characteristics we evaluated in this study. A patient’s CRP level on admission may aid clinical decision-making, for example initiating empiric antibiotics therapy and/or performing additional clinical tests.     

Clinical Course of Intestinal Behcet’s Disease During the First Five Years

Background

Little is known about the clinical course of patients with intestinal Behcet’s disease (BD). We aimed to evaluate the clinical course of intestinal BD during the first 5 years after diagnosis, and to identify factors that could predict the 5-year clinical course.

Methods

We reviewed the medical records of 130 intestinal BD patients who were regularly followed-up for at least 5 years at a single tertiary academic medical center between March 1986 and September 2011.

Results

Of the five different clinical course patterns that we observed, persistent remission or mild clinical activity was the most frequent course (56.2 %). The majority of patients (74.6 %) had remission or mild clinical activity at 5 years, and only the minority (16.2 %) had multiple relapses or chronic symptoms. The clinical course of the first year after diagnosis of intestinal BD influenced the clinical course of the following years. Patients in the severe clinical course group were younger, and had a higher ESR, CRP level, and disease activity index for intestinal Behcet’s disease (DAIBD), and lower albumin level at diagnosis than patients in the mild clinical course group. Initial presentation with a high DAIBD was independently associated with a severe clinical course.

Conclusions

The clinical course of intestinal BD during the first 5 years was variable. A substantial proportion of patients went into remission or had a mild clinical activity, while some patients had a severe, debilitating clinical course as time progressed. High disease activity at diagnosis was a negative prognostic predictor.     

Dyssynergic Defecation: A Treatable Cause of Persistent Symptoms When Inflammatory Bowel Disease Is in Remission

Background

Introduction of biologic agents in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) has increased the likelihood of disease remission. Despite resolution of active inflammation, a subset of IBD patients report persistent defecatory symptoms.

Aim

To evaluate a group of patients with inflammatory bowel disease with suspected functional defecatory disorders, by use of anorectal manometric testing and subsequent biofeedback therapy.

Methods

A group of IBD patients with persistent defecatory problems despite clinical improvement were included in this study. These patients had no evidence of left-sided disease. Endoscopic and radiographic study findings and timing in relation to the manometry study were recorded. Anorectal manometry was performed by the standard protocol and included rectal sensory assessment, ability to expel a balloon, and pressure dynamics with simulated defecation.

Results

Thirty IBD patients (Crohn’s 23 patients; ulcerative colitis six patients) presented with defecatory disorders including constipation (67 %) increased stooling (10 %), and rectal urgency and/or incontinence and rectal pain (6 %). All but one patient had anorectal manometric criteria of dyssynergia (presence of anismus motor pattern and inability to expel the balloon). Of the patients who completed biofeedback therapy, 30 % had a clinically significant (≥7-point) improvement in SIBDQ score, with a reduction in health-care utilization after a six-month period (p = 0.02).

Conclusions

Despite remission, some inflammatory bowel disease patients have persistent defecatory symptoms. Defecatory symptoms may not be predictive of an underlying inflammatory disorder. Lack of inflammatory activity and absence of left-sided disease should prompt investigation of functional disorders. Anorectal manometric testing and biofeedback therapy for patients with a diagnosis of dyssynergia may be a useful therapy.     

Analysis of perioperative clinical features and complications after orthopaedic surgery in rheumatoid arthritis patients treated with tocilizumab in a real-world setting: results from the multicentre TOcilizumab in Perioperative Period (TOPP) study

Objective

To evaluate perioperative changes in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients treated with tocilizumab.

Methods

We collected RA cases with tocilizumab and orthopaedic surgery from 1999 to 2010. Incidences of postoperative infections, delayed wound healing, and RA symptom flare-ups were extracted from the data for comparison with patients without these postoperative events. We also evaluated the changes in C-reactive protein (CRP) and body temperature in patients without postoperative complications with normal CRP before surgery, i.e., patients without postoperative events in whom the tocilizumab level was maintained, for each duration to discontinuation before surgery.

Results

A total of 161 cases (n = 122) were collected. The patients had mean age of 56.9 years, and mean disease duration of 12.8 years at operation. Joint replacement surgery was performed in 89 cases. Three patients had postoperative infections (two superficial and one organ/space surgical-site infection), 20 had delayed wound healing, and 36 had RA symptom flare-ups. Delayed wound healing occurred most commonly in patients who underwent spinal surgery (P = 0.0061, versus patients without delayed wound healing). CRP levels were high when tocilizumab was restarted in patients with RA symptom flare-ups (P = 0.0010, versus patients without RA symptom flare-ups). Increased postoperative CRP was observed in patients without postoperative events when the duration from final tocilizumab infusion to surgery was long. The changes in body temperature showed a similar trend to CRP.

Conclusions

Although it has been demonstrated that infection rates in patients treated with tocilizumab are by no means high, incidence of delayed wound healing was significantly higher in cases with surgical interventions such as foot and spinal surgeries. Many patients treated with tocilizumab remained in a normal range of CRP even during the perioperative period. For prevention of perioperative complications, observation of postoperative conditions and surgical wounds, and subjective symptoms of patients are considered important.     

Characteristics of aggressive variants in T1a renal cell carcinoma

Purpose

To explore factors associated with metastasis and prognosis in T1a renal cell carcinoma (RCC).

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed 451 cases of sporadic T1aRCC among 1,060 patients admitted to the Department of Urology at Hamamatsu University Hospital and affiliated hospitals between 1978 and 2007. Clinicopathological factors were analyzed for metastatic and prognostic risks.

Results

We identified 32 RCC patients with metastatic disease, 22 with synchronous and 10 with metachronous metastatic RCC. Patients with metastatic disease had a significantly higher incidence of symptomatic cancer, as well as greater tumor size, C-reactive protein (CRP) level, sarcomatoid component ratio, histological grade 3 and microvascular invasion than those without metastasis. Among the 32 patients with metastasis, there is no significant difference in clinicopathological factors. The most common site of metastasis was bone. Among patients with metastatic T1aRCC, findings at diagnosis of a symptomatic cancer, CRP level of 0.4?mg/dL or more, tumor size of 3.0?cm or greater, histological grade 3, a sarcomatoid component and microvascular invasion appeared to be significant and independent risk factors. Significant independent risk factors with metachronous metastatic RCC were a symptomatic cancer and a sarcomatoid component at diagnosis. A CRP level of 0.4?mg/dL or more was also an independent prognostic factor for overall survival.

Conclusion

RCC patients with findings at diagnosis of a symptomatic cancer, a sarcomatoid component and CRP level of 0.4?mg/dL or more require intensive follow-up.     

C-reactive protein as a marker of complicated diverticulitis in patients on anti-inflammatory medications

Background

Diverticulitis is a common indication for surgical emergency room admission, often leading to abdominal computed tomography (CT) scanning for both diagnosis and staging. C-reactive protein (CRP) has been identified as a useful biomarker of inflammation. Aspirin and corticosteroids are known to down-regulate CRP production. In this study, we evaluated the usefulness of CRP as a biomarker for complicated diverticulitis and specifically in patients on anti-inflammatory medications: aspirin and corticosteroids.

Methods

We analyzed the medical records of patients diagnosed at one medical center during a two-year period, with left-sided diverticulitis, according to clinical data and CT scan. Disease severity was assessed by the Hinchey score using the radiological findings detected by CT.

Results

A total of 295 patients were included in the study. Two hundred and forty-three (82 %) were classified with uncomplicated (Hinchey 1a) and 52 (18 %) with complicated disease (Hinchey > 1a). Mean CRP levels were 133.5 and 63.5 mg/ml for those with complicated and uncomplicated disease, respectively (p < 0.001), and 139 and 60 mg/ml, respectively (p < 0.001) in the subgroup of patients taking aspirin (n = 61). For 14 patients on corticosteroid treatment, the difference in mean CRP levels for complicated and uncomplicated disease was not statistically significant. CRP > 90 mg/ml had 88 % sensitivity and 75 % specificity for complicated disease.

Conclusions

The CRP level distinguished between complicated and uncomplicated disease among left-sided diverticulitis patients including those taking aspirin, but not among those on corticosteroid treatment.     

Fertility is reduced in women and in men with type 1 diabetes: results from the Type 1 Diabetes Genetics Consortium (T1DGC)

Aims/hypothesis

A recent Finnish study described reduced fertility in patients with childhood-onset type 1 diabetes. The Type 1 Diabetes Genetics Consortium (T1DGC) is an international programme studying the genetics and pathogenesis of type 1 diabetes that includes families with the disease. Our aim was to assess fertility, defined as number of offspring, in the affected and unaffected siblings included in the T1DGC.

Methods

Clinical information from participants aged ≥18 years at the time of examination was included in the present analysis. The number of offspring of affected and unaffected siblings was compared (in families including both) and the influence of birth year, disease duration and age of onset was assessed, the last in affected siblings only, using Poisson regression models.

Results

A total of 3010 affected and 801 unaffected adult siblings that belonged to 1761 families were assessed. The mean number of offspring was higher in the unaffected than in the affected individuals, and the difference between the two groups was more pronounced in women than men. Poisson regression analysis showed that both sex and birth cohort significantly affected the differences between groups. In the affected siblings, adult onset (≥18 years), female sex and older birth cohort were associated with higher fertility.

Conclusions/interpretation

Patients with type 1 diabetes have fewer children than their unaffected siblings. This effect is more evident in women and in older birth cohorts. Onset of type 1 diabetes as an adult rather than a child is associated with a higher number of offspring, even after accounting for birth cohort and disease duration.     

Management of colorectal cancer in patients with inflammatory bowel disease

Background

This study evaluated the clinicopathological features and survival rates of patients with inflammatory bowel disease who developed colorectal cancer (CRC).

Methods

A retrospective review was performed on a prospectively maintained institutional database (1981–2011) to identify patients with inflammatory bowel disease who developed CRC. Clinicopathological parameters, management and outcomes were analysed.

Results

A total of 2,843 patients with inflammatory bowel disease were identified. One thousand six hundred and forty-two had ulcerative colitis (UC) and 1,201 had Crohn’s disease (CD). Following exclusion criteria, there were 29 patients with biopsy-proven colorectal carcinoma, 22 of whom had UC and 7 had CD. Twenty-six patients had a preoperative diagnosis of malignancy/dysplasia; 16 of these were diagnosed at surveillance endoscopy. Nodal/distant metastasis was identified at presentation in 47 and 71 % of the UC and CD group, respectively. Operative morbidity for UC and CD was 33 and 17 %, respectively. Despite the less favourable operative outcomes following surgery management of UC-related CRC, overall 5-year survival was significantly better in the UC group compared to the CD group (41 vs. 29 %; p = 0.04) reflecting the difference in stage at presentation between the two groups.

Conclusions

Patients who undergo surgery for UC-related CRC have less favourable short-term outcomes but present at a less advanced stage and have a more favourable long-term prognosis than similar patients with CRC and CD.     

Nature of fatty acids in high fat diets differentially delineates obesity-linked metabolic syndrome components in male and female C57BL/6J mice

Background

C-reactive protein (CRP) is positively associated with risk for cardiovascular disease and all-cause mortality. Some but not all randomized and non-randomized clinical trials found significant associations between fenofibrate therapy and CRP but the direction and magnitude of the association varied across studies. The duration of treatment, patient populations and sample sizes varied greatly, and most short-term studies (i.e., ≤ 12 weeks) had fewer than 50 patients. In this study we meta-analyzed randomized clinical trials to determine the short-term effect of fenofibrate on CRP.

Methods

Two reviewers independently searched PubMed and other online databases for short-term randomized clinical trials that reported CRP concentrations before and after fenofibrate treatment. Of the 81 studies examined, 14 studies with 540 patients were found eligible. Data for the change in CRP and corresponding measures of dispersion were extracted for use in the meta-analysis.

Results

The weighted mean CRP concentrations before and after fenofibrate therapy were 2.15 mg/L and 1.53 mg/L (-28.8% change), respectively. Inverse-variance weighted random effects meta-analysis revealed that short-term fenofibrate treatment significantly lowers CRP by 0.58 mg/L (95% CI: 0.36-0.80). There was significant heterogeneity between studies (Q statistic = 64.5, P< 0.0001, I² = 79.8%). There was no evidence of publication bias and sensitivity analysis revealed that omitting any of the 14 studies did not lead to a different conclusion from the overall meta-analysis result.

Conclusion

Short-term treatment with fenofibrate significantly lowers CRP concentration. Randomized trials that will recruit patients based with high baseline CRP concentrations and with change in CRP as a primary outcome are needed.     

�� propos d��un cas de maladie de Verneuil compliqu��e d��un cancer ��tendu

Aim

Verneuil disease is a chronic suppurative hidradenitis, which presents the risk of degeneracy, although it is rare.

Patient

We report the case of a 57-year-old man who had chronic anal fistulas, developing for more than 20 years. We performed several excisions with lateral colostomy. He was lost to follow-up for 5 years, and then presented again with degeneracy, which was confirmed by anal biopsies.

Conclusion

Verneuil disease requires regular monitoring to diagnose degeneracy on time.