High red blood cell folate is associated with an increased risk of death among adults with diabetes, a 15-year follow-up of a national cohort

Summary Background: Universally accepted and validated instruments for predicting the outcome of patients presenting to the emergency department (ED) with severe dyspnoea do not exist so far, nor are they regularly used by the emergency physicians. This study hence aimed to establish whether red blood cell distribution width (RDW) may be a predictive parameter of 1-year mortality in a population of patients admitted to the ED with severe dyspnoea attributable to different underlying disorders. Methods: We retrospectively evaluated all the patients undergoing arterial blood gas analysis for severe dyspnoea (irrespective of the cause) during admission to ED of University Hospital of Verona from September 1, 2014 to November 31, 2014. Results: The final study population consisted of 287 patients for whom complete clinical and laboratory information was available. Overall, 36 patients (12.5%) died after a 1-year follow-up. The RDW value was found to be considerably increased in patients who deceased during the follow-up compared to those who survived (17.2% versus 14.8%; p<0.001). In both univariate and multivariate analyses, the RDW value was found to be a significant predictor of 1-year mortality. In particular, patients with RDW ≥ 15.0% displayed a 72% increased risk of 1-year mortality after multiple adjustments. Conclusions: The measurement of RDW, a very simple and inexpensive laboratory parameter, may represent an important factor for predicting medium-term mortality in patients presenting to the ED with severe dyspnoea.

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Longitudinal multi-omics transition associated with fatality in critically ill COVID-19 patients

Intensive Care Medicine Experimental ◽

10.1186/s40635-021-00373-z ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Chaoyang Sun ◽

Yuzhe Sun ◽

Ping Wu ◽

Wencheng Ding ◽

Shiyou Wang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Blood Cell ◽

Critically Ill ◽

Clinical Data ◽

Red Blood Cell ◽

Serum Samples ◽

Risk Of Death ◽

Cell Counts ◽

Blood Cell Counts ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Independent Cohort

Abstract Purpose Critically ill COVID-19 patients have significantly increased risk of death. Although several circulating biomarkers are thought to be related to COVID-19 severity, few studies have focused on the characteristics of critically ill patients with different outcomes. The objective of this study was to perform a longitudinal investigation of the potential mechanisms affecting the prognosis of critically ill COVID-19 patients. Methods In addition to clinical data, 113 whole blood samples and 85 serum samples were collected from 33 severe and critical COVID-19 patients without selected comorbidities. Multi-omics analysis was then performed using longitudinal samples. Results Obvious transcriptional transitions were more frequent in critical survivors than in critical non-survivors, indicating that phase transition may be related to survival. Based on analysis of differentially expressed genes during transition, the erythrocyte differentiation pathway was significantly enriched. Furthermore, clinical data indicated that red blood cell counts showed greater fluctuation in survivors than in non-survivors. Moreover, declining red blood cell counts and hemoglobin levels were validated as prognostic markers of poor outcome in an independent cohort of 114 critical COVID-19 patients. Protein–metabolite–lipid network analysis indicated that tryptophan metabolism and melatonin may contribute to molecular transitions in critical COVID-19 patients with different outcomes. Conclusions This study systematically and comprehensively depicted the longitudinal hallmarks of critical COVID-19 patients and indicated that multi-omics transition may impact the prognosis. Take home message Frequent transcriptional phase transitions may contribute to outcome in critically ill COVID-19 patients. Furthermore, fluctuation in red blood cell and hemoglobin levels may relate to poor prognosis. The biological function of melatonin was suppressed in COVID-19 non-survivors, which may provide a potential theoretical basis for clinical administration.

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Prognostic role of neoplastic markers in Takotsubo syndrome

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-021-95990-9 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Francesco Santoro ◽

Tecla Zimotti ◽

Adriana Mallardi ◽

Alessandra Leopizzi ◽

Enrica Vitale ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Serum Levels ◽

Takotsubo Syndrome ◽

Ca 15.3 ◽

Risk Of Death ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Ca 19.9 ◽

Long Term Follow Up

AbstractTakotsubo syndrome (TTS) is an acute heart failure syndrome with significant rates of in and out-of-hospital mayor cardiac adverse events (MACE). To evaluate the possible role of neoplastic biomarkers [CA-15.3, CA-19.9 and Carcinoembryonic Antigen (CEA)] as prognostic marker at short- and long-term follow-up in subjects with TTS. Ninety consecutive subjects with TTS were enrolled and followed for a median of 3 years. Circulating levels of CA-15.3, CA-19.9 and CEA were evaluated at admission, after 72 h and at discharge. Incidence of MACE during hospitalization and follow-up were recorded. Forty-three (46%) patients experienced MACE during hospitalization. These patients had increased admission levels of CEA (4.3 ± 6.2 vs. 2.2 ± 1.5 ng/mL, p = 0.03). CEA levels were higher in subjects with in-hospital MACE. At long term follow-up, CEA and CA-19.9 levels were associated with increased risk of death (log rank p < 0.01, HR = 5.3, 95% CI 1.9–14.8, HR = 7.8 95% CI 2.4–25.1, respectively, p < 0.01). At multivariable analysis levels higher than median of CEA, CA-19.9 or both were independent predictors of death at long term (Log-Rank p < 0.01). Having both CEA and CA-19.9 levels above median (> 2 ng/mL, > 8 UI/mL respectively) was associated with an increased risk of mortality of 11.8 (95% CI 2.6–52.5, p = 0.001) at follow up. Increased CEA and CA-19.9 serum levels are associated with higher risk of death at long-term follow up in patients with TTS. CEA serum levels are correlated with in-hospital MACE.

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Venous Thromboembolism and the Risk of Death and Graft Loss in Kidney Transplant Recipients

American Journal of Nephrology ◽

10.1159/000480304 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 46 (4) ◽

pp. 343-354 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Ngan N. Lam ◽

Amit X. Garg ◽

Greg A. Knoll ◽

S. Joseph Kim ◽

Krista L. Lentine ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Retrospective Study ◽

Venous Thromboembolism ◽

General Population ◽

Kidney Transplant ◽

Graft Loss ◽

Transplant Recipients ◽

Kidney Transplant Recipients ◽

Risk Of Death ◽

Increased Risk

Background: The implications of venous thromboembolism (VTE) for morbidity and mortality in kidney transplant recipients are not well described. Methods: We conducted a retrospective study using linked healthcare databases in Ontario, Canada to determine the risk and complications of VTE in kidney transplant recipients from 2003 to 2013. We compared the incidence rate of VTE in recipients (n = 4,343) and a matched (1:4) sample of the general population (n = 17,372). For recipients with evidence of a VTE posttransplant, we compared adverse clinical outcomes (death, graft loss) to matched (1:2) recipients without evidence of a VTE posttransplant. Results: During a median follow-up of 5.2 years, 388 (8.9%) recipients developed a VTE compared to 254 (1.5%) in the matched general population (16.3 vs. 2.4 events per 1,000 person-years; hazard ratio [HR] 7.1, 95% CI 6.0-8.4; p < 0.0001). Recipients who experienced a posttransplant VTE had a higher risk of death (28.5 vs. 11.2%; HR 4.1, 95% CI 2.9-5.8; p < 0.0001) and death-censored graft loss (13.1 vs. 7.5%; HR 2.3, 95% CI 1.4-3.6; p = 0.0006) compared to matched recipients who did not experience a posttransplant VTE. Conclusions: Kidney transplant recipients have a sevenfold higher risk of VTE compared to the general population with VTE conferring an increased risk of death and graft loss.

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Impact of interdisciplinary sarcoma board evaluation on treatment outcome of primary soft-tissue sarcoma patients.

Journal of Clinical Oncology ◽

10.1200/jco.2021.39.15_suppl.e23540 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 39 (15_suppl) ◽

pp. e23540-e23540

Author(s):

Jana Kaethe Striefler ◽

Annika Strönisch ◽

Daniel Rau ◽

David Kaul ◽

Georgios Koulaxouzidis ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Soft Tissue ◽

Soft Tissue Sarcoma ◽

Tumor Stage ◽

Quality Parameters ◽

Low Grade ◽

Early Presentation ◽

Risk Of Death ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Interdisciplinary Approaches

e23540 Background: Early presentation of soft-tissue sarcoma (STS) patients to a specialized sarcoma center including discussion in the interdisciplinary sarcoma board (ISB) prior to surgery is essential to the treatment of sarcomas. This approach significantly improves patient survival and guideline coherence. However, there exists only limited information on the adherence to the recommendations of the ISB. Accordingly, we decided to analyze a STS cohort at a large German sarcoma center focusing on outcome parameters and adherence to quality parameters defined by the German Cancer Society (Deutsche Krebsgesellschaft). Methods: In a retrospective data analysis, we identified n = 230 adult patients presented at the ISB of the Charité–Universitätsmedizin Berlin in Germany from January 2015 until December 2019. Inclusion criteria were as follows: newly diagnosed STS, presentation during first-line therapy and recommendation of at least one treatment modality such as surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, regional hyperthermia or follow-up by the ISB. Clinical and follow up data was collected by using the hospital information system and the outpatient network. Results: Our patient cohort included 53% male and 47% female patients with a median age of 58 years (range 19-96). The majority (86%) showed a localized tumor stage, while 14% already had metastases. In 24% of the cases the sarcomas were classified as low-grade, in 76% as high-grade. Surgery was recommended for 66% of the cases, for 80% of them combined with chemotherapy, radiotherapy or hyperthermia. 14% of the patients received a recommendation for all 4 modalities. For 9% of the patients, chemotherapy alone was recommended. Both overall survival and progression-free survival was significantly higher in the group with complete adherence to the recommendations of the ISB (p < 0.001). The worst prognosis was found in patients unable to adhere to the recommendations due to rapid progression or complications of the therapy (HR for death 15.06, 95%CI 7.94-32.22). If one recommended modality was not carried out, there also was a higher risk of death (HR 4.38, 95%CI 1.75-10.96). Most common reasons were patient refusal or individual decision by the treating physician. A metastasized tumor stage was associated with an increased risk of death (HR 2.62, 95%CI 1.45-4.75). In contrast, neither the histological grading (low vs. high) nor age did influence the mortality significantly. Conclusions: In our cohort of STS patients, survival depends significantly on adherence to the recommendations of the ISB. Our analysis at a German sarcoma center is in line with previous international reports demonstrating the importance of interdisciplinary decisions and therapeutic adherence. We hereby underline the essential role of interdisciplinary approaches in care of STS patients and the effort to implement defined quality parameters.

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Relation between Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and Peripheral Arterial Disease among Construction Workers

10.53350/pjmhs2115103473 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 15 (10) ◽

pp. 3473-3475

Author(s):

U. Sivakumar ◽

Rinku Garg ◽

Sunita Nighute

Keyword(s):

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease ◽

Peripheral Arterial Disease ◽

Pulmonary Disease ◽

Arterial Disease ◽

Chronic Obstructive ◽

Obstructive Pulmonary Disease ◽

Risk Of Death ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Peripheral Arterial

Introduction: PAD was asymptomatic in a large proportion of COPD patients and was associated with more severe lung disease than in COPD subjects without PAD. Materials and Methods: This was a Cross-sectional study conducted at Department of Physiology, Santosh Medical College diagnosed with COPD using Spirometry was recruited for the study with a Sample size of 130 patients. Results: The characteristics of the population for follow-up (n=130) are presented in table 1. The mean Mean±SD was 51.73±6.1 years. The prevalence of never smokers was 21.5%, former smokers were 51.5% and current smokers were 26.9%. In total, 41 out of 130 individuals (31.5%) had PAD based on an ABI of less than 0.6. A statistically significant association was found between COPD and newly diagnosed PAD during follow-up. The association between COPD and incident PAD was stronger (adjusted OR 1.91, 95% CI 1.14–3.21). Stratified analysis by smoking status revealed that the overall association between COPD and newly developed PAD was driven by the ever smoker group. Conclusion: Subjects with COPD have a higher risk of developing PAD. People with both COPD and PAD have a substantially increased risk of death. Consequently, early detection of PAD and preventive actions in people with COPD should receive more attention in clinical respiratory care. Keywords: Peripheral Arterial Disease, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, Ankle-brachial index.

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Updates in Red Blood Cell and Platelet Transfusions in Preterm Neonates

American Journal of Perinatology ◽

10.1055/s-0039-1691775 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 36 (S 02) ◽

pp. S37-S40 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Enrico Lopriore

Keyword(s):

Blood Cell ◽

Red Blood Cell ◽

Neonatal Intensive Care ◽

Preterm Neonates ◽

Delayed Cord Clamping ◽

International Consensus ◽

Cord Clamping ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Transfusion Guidelines ◽

Platelet Transfusions

AbstractAnemia and thrombocytopenia occur frequently in preterm neonates and the majority of them require at least one blood transfusion during the first few weeks of life. However, there is no international consensus on optimal transfusion management neither for red blood cell nor for platelet transfusions, resulting in large worldwide variations in transfusion practices between neonatal intensive care units. In the past decade, several studies performed in adults, infants as well as neonates showed that restrictive transfusion guidelines are just as safe as liberal guidelines. In fact, some studies even showed that liberal guidelines could be associated with an increased risk of morbidity and mortality, suggesting that too many transfusions may have a deleterious effect. In a recent randomized trial in preterm neonates with thrombocytopenia, the liberal transfusion group (receiving more platelet transfusions) had a significantly higher rate of death or major bleeding than the restrictive group (receiving less transfusions). In preterm neonates with anemia, the available evidence is also limited and controversial. Two large randomized controlled trials (ETTNO and TOP) are currently assessing the safety and effectiveness of liberal versus restrictive red blood cell transfusions. Results of these large two studies, including the long-term neurodevelopment outcome, are eagerly awaited. Until then, reduction of anemia of prematurity by implementation of effective preventive measures, such as delayed cord clamping and minimization of iatrogenic blood loss, remain of paramount importance.

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Allogeneic Leukocyte-Reduced Red Blood Cell Transfusion Is Associated with Postoperative Infectious Complications and Cancer Recurrence after Colon Cancer Resection

Digestive Surgery ◽

10.1159/000498865 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 37 (2) ◽

pp. 163-170 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Andrew-Paul Deeb ◽

Christopher T. Aquina ◽

John R.T. Monson ◽

Neil Blumberg ◽

Adan Z. Becerra ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Colon Cancer ◽

Blood Cell ◽

Red Blood Cell ◽

Cancer Recurrence ◽

Infectious Complications ◽

Oncologic Outcomes ◽

Red Blood Cell Transfusion ◽

Elective Resection ◽

Increased Risk ◽

The Impact

Background/Aims: Transfusion rates in colon cancer surgery are traditionally very high. Allogeneic red blood cell (RBC) transfusions are reported to induce immunomodulation that contributes to infectious morbidity and adverse oncologic outcomes. In an effort to attenuate these effects, the study institution implemented a universal leukocyte reduction protocol. The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of leukocyte-reduced (LR) transfusions on postoperative infectious complications, recurrence-free survival, and overall survival (OS). Methods: In a retrospective study, patients with stage I–III adenocarcinoma of the colon from 2003 to 2010 who underwent elective resection were studied. The primary outcome measures were postoperative infectious complications and recurrence-free and OS in patients that received a transfusion. Bivariate and multivariable regression analyses were performed for each endpoint. Results: Of 294 patients, 66 (22%) received a LR RBC transfusion. After adjustment, transfusion of LR RBCs was found to be independently associated with increased infectious complications (OR 3.10, 95% CI 1.24–7.73), increased odds of cancer recurrence (hazard ratio [HR] 3.74, 95% CI 1.94–7.21), and reduced OS when ≥3 units were administered (HR 2.24, 95% CI 1.12–4.48). Conclusion: Transfusion of LR RBCs is associated with an increased risk of infectious complications and worsened survival after elective surgery for colon cancer, irrespective of leukocyte reduction.

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SURVIVAL ADVANTAGE OF APOE2

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igz038.2313 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. S621-S621

Author(s):

Sudha Seshadri

Keyword(s):

Lower Risk ◽

Large Population ◽

Population Based ◽

European Ancestry ◽

Aggregated Data ◽

Risk Of Death ◽

Apoe Ε4 ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Ε4 Allele

Abstract Apolipoprotein E is a glycoprotein mediator and regulator of lipid transport and uptake. The APOE-ε4 allele has been associated with higher risk of Alzheimer’s disease and of mortality, but the effect of the less prevalent APOE-ε2 on survival remains elusive. We aggregated data of 38,537 individuals of European ancestry (mean age 65.5 years; 55.6% women) from six large population-based cohorts to determine the association of APOE-ε2, with survival in the general population. During a mean follow-up of 11.7 years, 17,021 individuals died. Compared with homozygous APOE-ε3 carriers, APOE-ε2 carriers were at lower risk of death (hazard ratio,95% confidence interval: 0.94,0.90-0.99; P=1.1*10-2), whereas APOE-ε4 carriers were at increased risk (HR 1.17,1.12-1.21; P=2.8*10-16). Risk was lowest for homozygous APOE-ε2 (HR 0.89,0.74-1.08), and highest for homozygous APOE-ε4 (HR 1.52,1.37-1.70). Results did not differ by sex. The association was unaltered after adjustment for baseline LDL or cardiovascular disease. Larger, multiethnic collaborations are ongoing.

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