Positive Response to Tolvaptan Treatment Would Be a Good Prognostic Factor for Cirrhotic Patients with Ascites

2019 ◽  
Vol 37 (3) ◽  
pp. 239-246 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yohei Kida

Aims: Ascites is one of the major complications in advanced cirrhotic patients. Tolvaptan is a non-peptide orally available arginine vasopressin V2 receptor antagonist. We investigated and found that tolvaptan therapy improved the prognosis and predictive factor of cirrhotic patients with ascites. Methods: Overall, 99 patients with newly diagnosed ascites with cirrhosis were enrolled. No patients had intrahepatic malignancy. The patients were divided into 2 groups based on tolvaptan therapy: 86 patients treated with tolvaptan (tolvaptan-group) and 13 patients treated without tolvaptan (non-tolvaptan-group). Tolvaptan-responder was defined as body weight loss of ≥1.5 kg/week after administering tolvaptan. Results: Tolvaptan therapy was effective in 61.6% of cirrhotic patients. There was a significant difference in the overall survival (OS) between the tolvaptan-responder-group and the other groups (p < 0.001). Male (HR 5.05; p = 0.01), tolvaptan responder (HR 0.21; p = 0.02), and dosage of furosemide < 40 mg/day (HR 0.17; p = 0.01) were factors that were independently associated with the OS. The multivariate analysis revealed that C-reactive protein < 0.9 mg/dL (HR 0.07; p = 0.001), and furosemide dosage < 40 mg/day (HR 0.09; p = 0.003) were independently associated with the tolvaptan response. Conclusion: Therapeutic response to tolvaptan was associated with longer survival in cirrhosis patients complicated with ascites. These preliminary findings warrant validation and further exploration.

2012 ◽  
Vol 46 (3) ◽  
pp. 242-245
Author(s):  
Yousef Shahin ◽  
Josie Hatfield ◽  
Ian Chetter

Objective: To investigate the relationship between serum C-reactive protein (CRP) levels and the calculated 10-year Framingham risk score (FRS) in patients newly diagnosed with intermittent claudication. Methods: Serum CRP levels were measured in 90 patients newly diagnosed with intermittent claudication over a 12-month period. In all, 76 patients (53 males [70%], mean age 63.3 ± 9.3) were included in the analysis. Results: Log-transformed CRP levels significantly correlated with total FRS ( r = .34, P = .002). Participants were divided into 4 groups according to log-CRP levels. Analysis of variance showed a statistically significant difference between the 4 groups in terms of mean FRS, P = .003. Post hoc comparisons indicated that group 1 was significantly different from group 4, P = .002. Analysis of covariance showed a significant difference between the 4 groups of log-CRP levels in terms of mean FRS, P = .008. Conclusion: There is an increased 10-year risk of coronary heart disease associated with increased plasma concentration of CRP in patients newly diagnosed with intermittent claudication.


Author(s):  
Hasan Hüseyin Özdemir ◽  
Ahmet Dönder

Abstract Objectives A tension headache is the most common type of headache, and its causes are multifactorial. A relationship has been shown between migraine headaches and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and C-reactive protein (CRP). In this study, we investigated the NLR, PLR, and serum CRP levels in frequent episodic tension-type headache (FETTH) and chronic tension-type headache (CTTH) patients. Materials and Methods This retrospective study included 64 patients with FETTH, 80 patients with CTTH, and 60 healthy controls who were followed up in the neurology clinic. Hematological parameters were compared between the patient and control groups. Results In CTTH patients, platelets, NLR, PLR, and CRP values were statistically higher than in FETTH patients and patients in the control group. In FETTH patients, the PLR value was higher than in patients in the control group, but there was no statistically significant difference in NLR and CRP values between FETTH patients and patients in the control group. Also, there was no correlation between these values and age and gender. Conclusion Increase platelet count might have an effect on tension-type headache pathophysiology. Systemic inflammation parameters were shown to be significantly higher in CTTH patients. More comprehensive studies are needed to evaluate the effect of systemic inflammation on the chronicity of tension headaches.


Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 487
Author(s):  
Margarita S. Dodevska ◽  
Sladjana S. Sobajic ◽  
Vesna D. Dragicevic ◽  
Ivan Stankovic ◽  
Nevena Dj. Ivanovic ◽  
...  

The impact of diet and fibre fractions on adipocytokines in obese subjects with a risk of diabetes has not been investigated in detail yet. The purpose of the study is to evaluate the effects of a 12-month lifestyle intervention with different fibre profiles (resistant starch (RS)—rich fibre, or ordinary food fibre profiles) on adipocytokine levels. Fifty participants are divided into two groups (RS group and Fibre group). The groups differ only in the percentage of the recommended level of the RS consumed as a fraction of the same total fibre amount. The applied dietary intervention includes intake of 7531 KJ/daywith a total fibre portion of 25–35 g/dayfor both groups that includes 15 g/day of RS for the RS group only. The levels of leptin, adiponectin, apelin, resistin, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha and C-reactive protein (CRP) are measured, and their relationship to anthropometric and biochemical parameters is estimated. Along with significant body weight loss, only leptin is significantly reduced by 13% in the RS group while in the Fibre group, apelin levels are significant (−21%). Polynomial regression shows a negative correlation between RS intake and adiponectin (R2 = 0.145) and resistin level (R2 = 0.461) in the RS group. This study indicates the possibility that fibre fractions differently influence the outcome of lifestyle interventions, as well as their adipocytokine levels, in obese prediabetic adults.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kenji Yamagata ◽  
Satoshi Fukuzawa ◽  
Naomi Ishibashi-Kanno ◽  
Fumihiko Uchida ◽  
Hiroki Bukawa

AbstractThe systemic inflammatory response is known to be associated with poor outcomes in patients with various types of cancer. The C-reactive protein (CRP)/albumin (Alb) ratio (CAR) has been reported as a novel inflammation-based prognostic marker. We have evaluated the prognostic value of inflammatory markers for patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). The study population included 205 patients treated with OSCC between 2013 and 2018. The primary predictor variable was the inflammatory markers. The primary outcome variable was overall survival (OS). Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed using a Cox proportional hazards model to identify independent prognostic factors. The CAR had the highest area under the curve (AUC) values compared with other markers in the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. The cutoff value for CAR was 0.032 (AUC 0.693, P < 0.001). There was a significant difference in OS when patients were stratified according to CAR, with 79.1% for CAR < 0.032 and 35% for CAR ≥ 0.032 (P < 0.001). Cox multivariate analysis identified independent predictive factors for OS: age (hazard ratio [HR] 2.155, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.262–3.682; P = 0.005), stage (HR 3.031, 95% CI 1.576–5.827; P = 0.001), and CAR (HR 2.859, 95% CI 1.667–4.904; P < 0.001). CAR (≥ 0.032 vs. < 0.032) is a good prognostic marker in patients with OSCC in terms of age and stage.


Diagnostics ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (10) ◽  
pp. 829
Author(s):  
Yana Kogan ◽  
Edmond Sabo ◽  
Majed Odeh

Objectives: The role of serum C-reactive protein (CRPs) and pleural fluid CRP (CRPpf) in discriminating uncomplicated parapneumonic effusion (UCPPE) from complicated parapneumonic effusion (CPPE) is yet to be validated since most of the previous studies were on small cohorts and with variable results. The role of CRPs and CRPpf gradient (CRPg) and of their ratio (CRPr) in this discrimination has not been previously reported. The study aims to assess the diagnostic efficacy of CRPs, CRPpf, CRPr, and CRPg in discriminating UCPPE from CPPE in a relatively large cohort. Methods: The study population included 146 patients with PPE, 86 with UCPPE and 60 with CPPE. Levels of CRPs and CRPpf were measured, and the CRPg and CRPr were calculated. The values are presented as mean ± SD. Results: Mean levels of CRPs, CRPpf, CRPg, and CRPr of the UCPPE group were 145.3 ± 67.6 mg/L, 58.5 ± 38.5 mg/L, 86.8 ± 37.3 mg/L, and 0.39 ± 0.11, respectively, and for the CPPE group were 302.2 ± 75.6 mg/L, 112 ± 65 mg/L, 188.3 ± 62.3 mg/L, and 0.36 ± 0.19, respectively. Levels of CRPs, CRPpf, and CRPg were significantly higher in the CPPE than in the UCPPE group (p < 0.0001). No significant difference was found between the two groups for levels of CRPr (p = 0.26). The best cut-off value calculated by the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis for discriminating UCPPE from CPPE was for CRPs, 211.5 mg/L with area under the curve (AUC) = 94% and p < 0.0001, for CRPpf, 90.5 mg/L with AUC = 76.3% and p < 0.0001, and for CRPg, 142 mg/L with AUC = 91% and p < 0.0001. Conclusions: CRPs, CRPpf, and CRPg are strong markers for discrimination between UCPPE and CPPE, while CRPr has no role in this discrimination.


2015 ◽  
Vol 55 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 109-118 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kosei Maemura ◽  
Yuko Mataki ◽  
Hiroshi Kurahara ◽  
Shinichiro Mori ◽  
Naotomo Higo ◽  
...  

Background/Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility and safety of a novel pancreaticogastrostomy technique for diminishing pancreatic fistulas after pancreaticoduodenectomy using gastric wrapping of the pancreatic stump with a twin square-shaped horizontal mattress and a suture fixing the main pancreatic duct to the gastric mucosa anastomosis [twin square wrapping (TSW) method]. Methods: Fifty-three patients undergoing pancreaticogastrostomy after pancreaticoduodenectomy were included in the study and chronologically divided into a conventional group (n = 32) and a TSW group (n = 21). The perioperative factors and the postoperative outcomes were retrospectively analyzed. Results: The operating time for the pancreatic anastomosis, the total operating time, and the blood loss volume in the TSW group were lower than in the conventional group, but without a statistically significant difference. The TSW group had a significantly lower postoperative white blood cell count and C-reactive protein level, with a reduced intra-abdominal fluid accumulation as assessed by computed tomography on postoperative day 7, had a lower incidence of postoperative complications and pancreatic fistulas, and achieved a shorter duration of drain placement and shorter postoperative hospital stays as compared to the conventional group. Conclusions: The TSW technique should be considered for reducing pancreatic fistulas by diminishing the postoperative inflammatory response and improving patient outcomes without increasing the operating time.


2017 ◽  
Vol 66 (1) ◽  
pp. S126-S127
Author(s):  
A. Clemente ◽  
M. Romero ◽  
C. Martínez ◽  
A. Bueno ◽  
M. Antona ◽  
...  

2021 ◽  
Vol 36 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Makrouhi Sonikian ◽  
Aggeliki Barbatsi ◽  
Eugenia Karakou ◽  
Theodoros Chiras ◽  
Jacob Skarakis ◽  
...  

Abstract Introduction C-reactive protein (CRP) and procalcitonin (PCT) are widely used as markers of inflammation and infection in general population and in chronic hemodialysis (HD) as well. However, in dialysis (D) patients, serum CRP and PCT levels may be elevated even in the absence of inflammatory or infectious disease and diagnostic process is a challenge in such cases. We studied HD patients' laboratory profile concerning CRP and PCT. Subjects and Methods We studied 25 stable HD patients, M/F=22/3, aged 68(44-89) years, dialyzed thrice weekly for 55(6-274) months with a dialysate flow rate of 700 ml/min, with a residual daily diuresis less than 200 ml, Kt/V values of 1,44±0,3 and no signs of infection. Patients were classified in two groups. Group A included 10 patients on pre-dilution online hemodiafiltration (HDF). Group B consisted of 15 patients on conventional HD with low-flux polysulfone membrane. Twenty healthy subjects formed a control group C. Serum CRP and PCT levels were measured in duplicate in A and B groups before and at the end of mid-week dialysis sessions and also in C group. Results Pre-D serum CRP values in the total of patients were higher than those in healthy controls (10,89±19,29 vs 2,54±1,28 mg/L-p=0,004). Compared with group C, pre-D CRP values were higher only in B group (15,98±24,54 mg/L-p=0,001) but not in A group (4,09±3,33 mg/L-p=NS). There was a significant difference in pre-D serum CRP values between A and B groups (p=0,028). At the end of D session serum CRP values showed a tendency to increase in both groups A (5,16±4,81 mg/L) and B (17,00±27,00 mg/L) but differences were not significant. Pre-D serum PCT values in the total of patients were higher than those in healthy controls (0,82±0,9 vs 0,29±0,55 ng/ml-p&lt;0,001). Compared with group C, pre-D PCT values were higher in both A group (0,52±0,15 ng/ml-p&lt;0,001) and B group (1,01±1,13 ng/ml-p=0,006). There was no significant difference in pre-D serum PCT values between A and B groups (p=0,261). At the end of D session serum PCT values decreased in A group (0,32±0,11 ng/ml-p&lt;0,001) and increased in B group (1,12±1,21 ng/ml-p=0,014). Conclusions In patients on both conventional low-flux HD and online HDF pre-D serum CRP and PCT levels were higher than those in healthy subjects. Dialysis modality and membrane flux did not affect post-D serum CRP values, but post-PCT values decreased in online HDF. PCT usefulness might be limited in dialysis with high-flux membranes. Cut-off values have to be established for both markers to eliminate confusion in diagnosis of inflammatory and infectious diseases in hemodialyzed patients.


2010 ◽  
Vol 30 (3) ◽  
pp. 487-488
Author(s):  
Aristotelis Tsiakalos ◽  
Aggelos Karatzaferis ◽  
Panayiotis Ziakas ◽  
Gregorios Hatzis

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