Gender-specific association of the interleukin 18 gene with symptomatic gallstone disease

(1) Background: Despite having consistently lower rates of obesity than other ethnic groups, Asian Americans (AAs) are more likely to be identified as metabolically obese, suggesting an ethnic-specific association between BMI and cardiometabolic outcomes. The goal of this study was to provide an estimate of metabolic syndrome (MetS) prevalence among AAs using national survey data and to compare this rate to that of non-Hispanic Whites (NHWs) over the BMI continuum. (2) Methods: Using the NHANES 2011–2016 data, we computed age-adjusted, gender-specific prevalence of MetS and its individual components for three BMI categories. Furthermore, we conducted multivariate binary logistic regression to examine the risk of MetS in AAs compared to NHWs, controlling for sociodemographic and lifestyle factors. The analysis sample consisted of 2121 AAs and 6318 NHWs. (3) Results: Among AAs, the prevalence of MetS and its components increased with higher BMI levels, with overall prevalence being 5.23% for BMI < 23, 38.23% for BMI of 23–27.4, and 77.68% for BMI ≥ 27.5 in men; and 18.61% for BMI < 23, 47.82% for BMI of 23–27.4, and 67.73% for BMI ≥ 27.5 in women. We also found that for those with a BMI > 23, AAs had a higher predicted risk of MetS than their NHW counterparts of the same BMI level, in both men and women. (4) Conclusions: Our findings support the use of lower BMI ranges for defining overweight and obesity in Asian populations, which would allow for earlier and more appropriate screening for MetS and may better facilitate prevention efforts.

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A prospective observational study to study and correlate the clinical and microbiological profile of bile cultures in patients with symptomatic cholelithiasis

International Surgery Journal ◽

10.18203/2349-2902.isj20201870 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 7 (5) ◽

pp. 1566

Author(s):

Ramakrishnan Shankaran ◽

Chaminda Amarasekara

Keyword(s):

Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy ◽

Gall Bladder ◽

Gallstone Disease ◽

Significant Proportion ◽

Antibiotic Sensitivity ◽

Klebsiella Species ◽

Duration Of Symptoms ◽

Symptomatic Cholelithiasis ◽

Bile Culture ◽

Symptomatic Gallstone Disease

Background: Biliary infection has been reported in a significant proportion of patients developing gallstones. Many studies have found biliary microflora in 20% to 46% patients with a post-operative infection rate of 7% to 20% in those who undergo cholecystectomy for symptomatic gallstone disease. Various antibiotics are also used empirically as prophylaxis against post-operative infection. The study was conducted in order to determine the bacteriology and to test its sensitivity to commonly used antibiotics of aspirated bile samples taken during laparoscopic cholecystectomy, and to correlate it with the clinical profile recorded in patients with symptomatic cholelithiasis.Methods: A total of 266 patients who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy were included in the study over a two year period. Intra operatively, bile was aspirated from gall bladder and sent for culture and antibiotic sensitivity testing.Results: 14.66% (39 out of 266) patients had positive growth with Escherichia coli most commonly isolated in 9.77% (26/266) patients, followed by the Klebsiella species in 4.89% (13 out of 266) patients. All the cultures were sensitive to amikacin and meropenem, 97.44% to imipenem, and only 43.39% were sensitive to ampicillin. A statistically significant correlation was observed between a positive bile culture with the duration of symptoms (p=0.01874) and gall bladder thickness (p<0.0001). No correlation was seen between bile culture and history of acute cholecystitis, number or size of calculi.Conclusions: The results of this study can help develop local guidelines and recommendations based on Indian data to ensure the rational use of prophylactic antibiotics in patients with symptomatic cholelithiasis.

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