Prevalence of lung structure abnormalities in patients with acromegaly and their relationship with gas exchange: cross-sectional analytical study with a control group

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE: Different functional respiratory alterations have been described in acromegaly, but their relationship with pulmonary tissue abnormalities is unknown. The objective of this study was to observe possible changes in lung structure and explain their relationship with gas exchange abnormalities. DESIGN AND SETTING: Cross-sectional analytical study with a control group, conducted at a university hospital. METHODS: The study included 36 patients with acromegaly and 24 controls who were all assessed through high-resolution computed tomography of the thorax (CT). Arterial blood gas, effort oximetry and serum growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-1) were also assessed in the patients with acromegaly. RESULTS: The abnormalities found in the CT scan were not statistically different between the acromegaly and control groups: mild cylindrical bronchiectasis (P = 0.59), linear opacity (P = 0.29), nodular opacity (P = 0.28), increased attenuation (frosted glass; P = 0.48) and decreased attenuation (emphysema; P = 0.32). Radiographic abnormalities were not associated with serum GH and IGF-1. Hypoxemia was present in seven patients; however, in six of them, the hypoxemia could be explained by underlying clinical conditions other than acromegaly: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in two, obesity in two, bronchial infection in one and asthma in one. CONCLUSION: No changes in lung structure were detected through thorax tomography in comparison with the control subjects. The functional respiratory alterations found were largely explained by alternative diagnoses or had subclinical manifestations, without any plausible relationship with lung structural factors.

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Comparison of lactate values obtained from different sites and their clinical significance in patients with severe sepsis

Sao Paulo Medical Journal ◽

10.1590/s1516-31802011000100003 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 129 (1) ◽

pp. 11-16 ◽

Cited By ~ 14

Author(s):

Ana Paula Metran Nascente ◽

Murillo Assunção ◽

Carla Janaina Guedes ◽

Flávio Geraldo Rezende Freitas ◽

Bruno Franco Mazza ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Severe Sepsis ◽

Pearson Correlation ◽

Venous Blood ◽

Venous Catheter ◽

University Hospital ◽

Therapeutic Interventions ◽

Control Group ◽

Central Venous ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Arterial Blood

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE: The ideal site for lactate collection has not been clearly established. This study aimed to evaluate associations between lactate levels in arterial blood (Lart), peripheral venous blood (Lper) and central venous blood (Lcen) in patients with severe sepsis or septic shock. DESIGN AND SETTING: Cross-sectional analytical study in an tertiary university hospital. METHOD: Samples from patients with a central venous catheter and from healthy volunteers (control group) were collected. Blood was drawn simultaneously for measurements of Lart, Lper and Lcen, and the first sample was collected less than 24 hours after the onset of organ dysfunction. The results were analyzed using Pearson correlation, Bland-Altman and McNemar tests. RESULTS: A total of 238 samples were collected from 32 patients. The correlation results were r = 0.79 (P < 0.0001) for Lart/Lper and r = 0.84 (P < 0.0001) for Lart/Lcen. Bland-Altman showed large limits of agreement: -3.2 ± 4.9 (-12.8 to 6.4) and -0.8 ± 5.9 (-12.5 to 10.8), for Lper and Lcen respectively. In the control group, there was greater correlation (r = 0.9009, P = 0.0004) and agreement: -0.7 ± 1.2 (-3.1 to 1.7). Regarding clinical intervention, there was good agreement between Lart/Lcen (96.3%; three disagreements), with worst results for Lart/Lper (87.0%) with 10 cases of disagreement (P = 0.04). In eight patients (80.0%) Lper was higher than Lart. CONCLUSION: Lcen, and not Lper, can replace Lart with good correlation and clinical agreement. Lper tends to overestimate Lart, thus leading to unnecessary therapeutic interventions

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Prevalence of Thyroid Diseases in an Occupationally Radiation Exposed Group: A Cross-Sectional Study in a University Hospital of Southern Italy

Endocrine Metabolic & Immune Disorders - Drug Targets ◽

10.2174/1871530318666181102114627 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 19 (6) ◽

pp. 803-808 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Luigi Vimercati ◽

Luigi De Maria ◽

Francesca Mansi ◽

Antonio Caputi ◽

Giovanni M. Ferri ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Ionizing Radiation ◽

Healthcare Workers ◽

Southern Italy ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Thyroid Diseases ◽

University Hospital ◽

Control Group ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Exposed Workers

Background: Thyroid diseases occur more frequently in people exposed to ionizing radiation, but the relationship between occupational exposure to ionizing radiation and thyroid pathologies still remains unclear. Objective: To evaluate the prevalence of thyroid diseases in healthcare workers exposed to low-level ionizing radiation compared with a control group working at the University Hospital of Bari, Southern Italy, and living in the same geographical area, characterized by mild iodine deficiency. Methods: We ran a cross-sectional study to investigate whether healthcare workers exposed to ionizing radiation had a higher prevalence of thyroid diseases. Four hundred and forty-four exposed healthcare workers (241 more exposed, or “A Category”, and 203 less exposed, or “B Category”) and 614 nonexposed healthcare workers were enrolled during a routine examination at the Occupational Health Unit. They were asked to fill in an anamnestic questionnaire and undergo a physical examination, serum determination of fT3, fT4 and TSH, anti-TPO ab and anti-TG ab and ultrasound neck scan. Thyroid nodules were submitted to fine needle aspiration biopsy when indicated. Results: The prevalence of thyroid diseases was statistically higher in the exposed workers compared to controls (40% vs 29%, adPR 1.65; IC95% 1.34-2.07). In particular, the thyroid nodularity prevalence in the exposed group was approximately twice as high as that in the controls (29% vs 13%; adPR 2.83; IC95% 2.12-3.8). No statistically significant association was found between exposure to ionizing radiation and other thyroid diseases. Conclusion: In our study, mild ionizing radiation-exposed healthcare workers had a statistically higher prevalence of thyroid diseases than the control group. The results are likely due to a closer and more meticulous health surveillance programme carried out in the ionising radiation-exposed workers, allowing them to identify thyroid alterations earlier than non-exposed health staff.

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Is suicidal ideation associated with allergic asthma and allergic rhinitis?

Jornal Brasileiro de Pneumologia ◽

10.1590/s1806-37562017000000129 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 44 (1) ◽

pp. 31-35 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Martín Bedolla-Barajas ◽

Norma Angélica Pulido-Guillén ◽

Bolívar Vivar-Aburto ◽

Jaime Morales-Romero ◽

José Raúl Ortiz-Peregrina ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Allergic Rhinitis ◽

Suicidal Ideation ◽

Allergic Asthma ◽

Allergic Diseases ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

University Hospital ◽

Control Group ◽

Healthy Controls ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

And Control

ABSTRACT Objective: To investigate whether there is an association between suicidal ideation (SI) and allergic diseases in adults. Methods: This was a comparative cross-sectional study involving individuals ranging from 20 to 50 years of age recruited from a university hospital in the city of Guadalajara, Mexico. We included patients with a confirmed diagnosis of allergic asthma, those with a confirmed diagnosis of allergic rhinitis, and healthy controls. All subjects completed the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II), which includes an item that evaluates the presence of suicidal thoughts or desires within the last two weeks, in order to identify SI. Results: The sample comprised 115 patients with allergic asthma, 111 patients with allergic rhinitis, and 96 healthy controls. The number of individuals identified with SI in the three groups were, respectively, 17 (14.8%), 13 (11.7%), and 8 (8.3%). Regarding the presence of SI, no statistically significant association was found in the allergic asthma group (OR = 1.98; 95% CI: 0.78-4.64; p = 0.154) or in the allergic rhinitis group (OR = 1.46; 95% CI: 0.58-3.68; p = 0.424) when they were compared with the control group. However, the presence of depression was associated with SI in the three groups: allergic asthma (OR = 12.36; 95% CI: 2.67-57.15; p = 0.001); allergic rhinitis (OR = 6.20; 95% CI: 1.66-23.14; p = 0.006); and control (OR = 21.0; 95% CI: 3.75-117.36; p < 0,001). Conclusions: In comparison with the control group, no association was found between SI and the groups with allergic diseases. In contrast, there was association between SI and depression in the three groups.

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Recurrent Miscarriage and Consanguinity among Omani Women– A Cross Sectional Study

Gynecology & Reproductive Health ◽

10.33425/2639-9342.1141 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 5 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Fatma Al Hoqani ◽

Wadha Al Ghafri ◽

Saneya El tayeb ◽

Yahya Al Farsi ◽

Vaidyanathan Gowri

Keyword(s):

Recurrent Miscarriage ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

University Hospital ◽

Control Group ◽

P Value ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Recurrent Miscarriages ◽

Sultan Qaboos University ◽

Chi Squared ◽

History Of

Objective: to determine the prevalence of explained and unexplained recurrent miscarriages (RM) and to find out if there is a significant relationship between recurrent miscarriages and consanguinity. Methods: A cross sectional in which the cases group included all women with RM attending the outpatient clinic at Sultan Qaboos University Hospital from July 2006 to April 2012 and the controls group included women with no history of RM after matching them with cases for age (case to control ratio was 1:1). The main outcome measures were the prevalence of consanguinity in women with or without recurrent miscarriages. Results: During study period a total of 290 women with RM were seen. Of which, 150 (51.7%) women had unexplained RM. Control group with no history of RM were 300 women. Consanguinity rate among cases (49.5%) %) was less than the controls (52.7 %%). Both first cousin and second cousin marriages were more common in the controls than the cases and it was not statistically significant (p value 0.476, chi squared test). Conclusion: In this study we found that more than half of RM cases were unexplained and there was no significant association between RM and consanguinity.

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Analysis of Endocan Levels in Hypertensive Patients as Risk Factors of Chronic Kidney Disease

INDONESIAN JOURNAL OF CLINICAL PATHOLOGY AND MEDICAL LABORATORY ◽

10.24293/ijcpml.v27i1.1571 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 27 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Suryani Jamal ◽

Uleng Bahrun ◽

Ibrahim Abdul Samad ◽

Fitriani Mangarengi ◽

Hasyim Kasim ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Renal Disease ◽

End Stage Renal Disease ◽

Stage Ii ◽

University Hospital ◽

Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽

Control Group ◽

Elisa Method ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Stage Renal Disease ◽

End Stage

This study aimed to analyze endocan levels as a marker of endothelial dysfunction in the control group, patients withstage I hypertension, stage II hypertension, and patients with end-stage renal disease. Endocan levels were measured withESM-1 (endocan) kit by Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) method. This study used a cross-sectional methodand was conducted in Dr. Wahidin Sudirohusodo Hospital, Makassar and Hasanuddin University Hospital from Septemberto October 2017. There were 83 samples in this study, consisting of 12 samples in the control group, 22 samples of stage Ihypertension, 28 samples of stage II hypertension, and 21 samples of end-stage renal disease aged 20-90 years old. Thisstudy showed significantly higher endocan levels in patients with stage II hypertension and end-stage renal disease(p< 0.05). Endocan levels were significantly higher (p<0.05) in patients with end-stage renal disease compared with thecontrol group and patients with stage I hypertension; but not significantly higher (p > 0.05) compared to patients with stageII hypertension. Also, the median of endocan levels in patients with the end-stage renal disease was higher (309,850 ng/L)compared to patients with stage II hypertension (273,050 ng/L).

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Anti-myelin Oligodendrocyte Glycoprotein in Aquaporin-4 Negative Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder

Caspian Journal of Neurological Sciences ◽

10.32598/cjns.7.24.7 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 7 (1) ◽

pp. 10-16

Author(s):

Vahid Shaygannejad ◽

◽

Mahdi Barzegar ◽

Navid Manouchehri ◽

Nafiseh Esmaeil ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Neuromyelitis Optica ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Myelin Oligodendrocyte Glycoprotein ◽

Spectrum Disorder ◽

Aquaporin 4 ◽

University Hospital ◽

Control Group ◽

Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Healthy Control

Background: The absence of Aquaporin-4 Antibody (AQP4-Ab) in a fraction of the Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder (NMOSD) patients has led to a search for other serologic markers. Myelin Oligodendrocyte Glycoprotein (MOG) is a protein component of the myelin sheets encapsulating the neural fibers. Objectives: We aimed to compare the presence and levels of anti-MOG (Ig-G) in a group of seronegative NMOSD patients with a healthy control group. Materials & Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 30 NMOSD patients with negative AQP-Ab status, who were referred to the Neurology Clinic of Kashani University Hospital in Isfahan City, Iran, from March 2015 to March 2016, and 26 healthy controls were consecutively recruited. Their baseline demographic and clinical data were recorded. Serum anti-MOG levels were measured in both groups. The obtained data were analyzed using the Student t-test, Mann-Whitney U, and Chisquare test in SPSS V. 18. Results: The anti-MOG test results were statistically higher in patients (n=12, 37.5%) compared to controls (n=0, 0%) (P<0.0001). The level of anti-MOG in Healthy Control (HC) was higher compared to patients with negative anti-MOG (P<0.0001) and was lower than patients with positive anti-MOG (P<0.0001). Conclusion: Our study showed that nearly one-third of seronegative NMOSD patients were positive for MOG-Ab. Further studies are needed to assess the characteristics and outcome of these patients.

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Natriuria and calciuria levels in preeclampsia: a cross-sectional study

Sao Paulo Medical Journal ◽

10.1590/s1516-31802013000100021 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 131 (2) ◽

pp. 106-111 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Rose Gasnier ◽

Edimárlei Gonsales Valério ◽

Janete Vettorazzi ◽

Sérgio Hoffmeister Martins-Costa ◽

Elvino Guardão Barros ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Clinical Chemistry ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Severe Preeclampsia ◽

University Hospital ◽

Group Method ◽

Control Group ◽

Chronic Hypertension ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Risk Pregnancy

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE Sodium excretion abnormalities in preeclampsia have been studied in relation to several factors. The objective of this study was to compare natriuria (mEq/24 h) and calciuria levels (mg/24 h) in preeclamptic patients. DESIGN AND SETTING An analytical cross-sectional study with a control group was conducted in the obstetric center and the high-risk pregnancy outpatient clinic at a university hospital in southern Brazil, and in a primary healthcare unit in the same city, including pregnant women with mild preeclampsia, severe preeclampsia or chronic hypertension, and women with normal pregnancies (14 patients in each group). METHOD Natriuria was measured using an ion-selective electrode in an automated clinical chemistry analyzer (Hitache 917, Roche). All the patients collected 24-hour urine, at home or at the hospital, for analysis of proteins, creatinine, calcium, sodium and uric acid. Quantitative variables with asymmetrical distribution were described using the median, minimum and maximum, and were compared using the Kruskal-Wallis test. The results were logarithmically transformed, with one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) by ranks and then the post-hoc Tukey test, and were analyzed by means of the Spearman correlation and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. The significance level used was 0.05. RESULTS There were significant differences between the groups in comparing severe preeclampsia with chronic hypertension and severe preeclampsia with controls (P < 0.0001 for both measurements). CONCLUSION Natriuria levels may be lower in preeclampsia when associated with calciuria. Natriuria assessment is an additional test for differential diagnosis of hypertensive diseases in pregnancy, but is a poor predictor when used alone.

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Good practices for preventing ventilator-associated pneumonia in the emergency department

Revista da Escola de Enfermagem da USP ◽

10.1590/s1980-220x2018010803460 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 53 ◽

Author(s):

Melissa Lopes Frota ◽

Cássia Regina Vancini Campanharo ◽

Maria Carolina Barbosa Teixeira Lopes ◽

Luiz Humberto Vieri Piacezzi ◽

Meiry Fernanda Pinto Okuno ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Emergency Department ◽

Analytical Study ◽

Hospitalized Patients ◽

Quantitative Approach ◽

University Hospital ◽

Care Process ◽

Ventilator Associated Pneumonia ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Good Practices ◽

The City

ABSTRACT Objective: To evaluate the conformity of the set of good practices for preventing ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) in the emergency department of a university hospital. Method: A cross-sectional analytical study with a quantitative approach, conducted in a university hospital in the city of São Paulo. The study sample consisted of opportunities for care observations that comprise the set of good practices for preventing ventilator-associated pneumonia provided to intubated patients hospitalized in the emergency department. Results: A total of 209 observations were performed in 42 patients. Of the hospitalized patients, 23.8% developed VAP, and 52.4% died. Of the five recommended measures for preventing VAP, only two presented compliance above 50%. Conclusion: The care provided to patients is not in line with what is recommended in the literature, which demonstrates the need for periodic renewal of the team’s educational practices and the development of auditing projects to ensure improvements in the care process.

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P0080INTERLEUKIN-17A GENE POLYMORPHISM (RS2275913G>A) IN SLE PATIENTS

Nephrology Dialysis Transplantation ◽

10.1093/ndt/gfaa142.p0080 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 35 (Supplement_3) ◽

Author(s):

Nehal Atef elshabrawy ◽

Hussein Sheashaa ◽

Adel L Abdelsalam ◽

Ahmed Mohammed Abd El Wahab

Keyword(s):

Lupus Nephritis ◽

Gene Polymorphism ◽

Inflammatory Diseases ◽

Statistical Significance ◽

Group Versus ◽

University Hospital ◽

Control Group ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Dsdna Antibody ◽

Significant Difference

Abstract Background and Aims There are six IL-17-family ligands [IL-17A, IL-17B, IL-17C, IL-17D, IL-17E (IL-25) and IL-17F]. Interleukin-17A (IL-17A) also commonly called IL-17, is produced by the T helper17 (Th17) subset of CD4+ T cells.Interleukin-17 and other Th17 cytokines are linked to the pathogenesis of diverse autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. IL-17A is detected in synovial fluids and synovium from RA patients and induces proinflammatory cytokine production from synoviocytes, also expression of IL-17A was higher in SLE patients and its level positively correlated with the severity of lupus nephritis, because of its contribution to increasing anti-double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) antibody production in SLE. The aim of the present study is to determine the IL-17A gene polymorphism (rs2275913 G>A) frequency in patients with SLE and lupus nephritis, and to determine the association of this polymorphism with the disease activity. Method This cross-sectional, observational, case control study was carried out on 50 females patients, with their age ranged from 15 to 50 years (mean 25.67±9.29 years) with SLE attending Mansoura University Hospital .A control group of 50 healthy females of matched age were also included. The patient group was subdivided into patients with and those without lupus Nephritis (35 and 15 patients, respectively). Lupus nephritis was confirmed by renal biopsy. All patients were subjected to a thorough clinical evaluation and routine laboratory tests. SLEDAI score was calculated for all patients to determine the degree of lupus activity. DNA extraction was performed for all patients as well as controls, One SNPs of IL-17A (rs2275913G>A) was genotyped utilizing PCR- RFLP technique. Results The frequency of rs2275913 A allele was significantly higher in SLE patients than the control group (34.0% vs. 21.0%, respectively; p=0.04, OR =1.9, 95%CI =1.03-3.65). While G allele was significantly higher in control group, (P=0.04)). Moreover, AA genotype was significantly higher in the SLE patients than in the control group (8.0% vs. 0.0%, respectively; p=0.036) and associated with higher SLEDAI, ANA, and anti-dsDNA antibodies titer, (P=0.03, P=.039, P=0.047 respectively).on the other hand there was no significant difference in GG and GA genotypes in the SLE patients versus the control group. The frequency of both genotype GA and AA was higher in the SLE patients than the controls (60% vs. 42%, respectivley; OR=2.07, CI-95%=0.9-5.59); although the difference was not statistically significant (P= 0.07).Although A allele was numerically higher in lupus nephritis group versus non nephritis group(37.0% vs 27.0%, respectively), the Analysis of the frequency of IL-17A rs2275913 alleles and genotypes showed no statistical differences between the two groups. Moreover there was no statistical significance between different genotypes in cases of nephritis regard lupus nephritis class (P=0.9) and no statistical significance between different genotypes (GG-GA-AA) regarding activity indices (AI) or chronicity indices (CI) in lupus nephritis group (P=0.18, P=0.56 respectively). Conclusion We suggest that there was a significant association between IL-17A rs2275913 G>A polymorphism and SLE, as A allele and AA genotype were increased in SLE patients, lupus nephritis especially those with high activity

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Serum Creatine Kinase Muscle-Brain Fraction (CK-MB) and Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH) as Markers of Perinatal Asphyxia in Term Neonates

Journal of Nepalgunj Medical College ◽

10.3126/jngmc.v17i2.28749 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 17 (2) ◽

pp. 2-6

Author(s):

Piush Kanodia ◽

Sudesh Shrestha ◽

Santosh Gautam ◽

Sachin Chawla

Keyword(s):

Analytical Study ◽

Operating Characteristic ◽

Perinatal Asphyxia ◽

Significant Rise ◽

Control Group ◽

P Value ◽

Case Group ◽

Roc Curve Analysis ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Term Neonates

Background: The enzymes CK-MB & LDH are used as potential predictors of timing and grade of HIE in newborns with perinatal asphyxia. Objectives: To differentiate HIE neonates from non-HIE ones on the basis of significant rise of LDH & CK-MB. Methodology: Prospective cross-sectional analytical study. Among 164 newborns, 82 comprising the cases and 82 neonates comprising the controls met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The umbilical cord blood samples for CK-MB and LDH was drawn and sent for analysis. A serum CK-MB value >92.6 U/L and LDH value >580 U/L was taken as the cut-off level. Descriptive statistical analyses were done to find the significance between two groups. ROC Curve analysis was performed to find the diagnostic performance of CK-MB and LDH. Results: Out of total 164 neonates studied, 18.3% had moderate HIE & 11%had severe HIE while 56.1%had No HIE. Seventy-two newborns were found to have LDH levels >580 U/L out of which 71 were in case group and 1 was in control group. Among the 164 neonates studied, 7.9% from case group were found to have CK-MB levels >92.6 U/L. Both the results of LDH & CK-MB levels were very significant with P value <0.001. Area under ROC (Receiving operating Characteristic) value of LDH when compared to CK-MB is (0.978 vs. 0.731). Conclusion: Estimation of CK-MB and LDH enzymes can help to distinguish asphyxiated from non-asphyxiated term neonates when correlating with their history and clinical features.

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