High haemoglobin levels and mortality in males with intracerebral haemorrhage: a retrospective cohort study

ObjectivesTo examine the association between high haemoglobin levels and outcomes in intracerebral haemorrhage (ICH) in a multicentre cohort study.DesignProspective multicentre cohort study.Settings21 tertiary hospitals across mainland China.ParticipantsA total of 5318 consecutive in-hospital spontaneous ICH patients were recruited between January 2012 and June 2016.Primary and secondary outcome measuresHaemoglobin levels were measured on admission. Binary or ordinary logistic regression was used to evaluate the independent relationship of haemoglobin level with clinical outcomes at 3 months, measured as death or disability. Restricted cubic spline regression was fitted to examine the potential non-linear shape of the dose–response curve between the whole haemoglobin levels and 3-month poor outcomes.ResultsA total of 5031 patients with ICH were analysed (64.3% male; mean age (SD), 57.8 (15.2) years). We found that the highest haemoglobin quintile was associated with poor outcomes 3 months in males (adjusted OR (aOR) 1.65, 95% CI 1.21 to 2.25) but not in females, which was also observed in the pooled analysis of three subcohorts in male patients (average aOR 1.70, 95% CI 1.23 to 2.33). The spline regression suggested a non-linear association between haemoglobin levels and outcomes and a linear relationship was observed between an elevated haemoglobin level and 3-month disability/death in males (haemoglobin level per 10 g/L: aOR 1.24, 95% CI 1.10 to 1.40, p<0.001), which was mediated by larger haematoma volume (effect size: 0.115, 95% CI 0.012 to 0.231).ConclusionsThis study found a sex-specific association between an elevated haemoglobin level and poor 3-month outcomes, which might be mediated by larger haematoma volume.

Relationship between the Preoperative Albumin Levels and Postoperative Complications in Carcinoma Stomach Patients

Background: Malnutrition in gastrointestinal cancer patients adversely affects the surgical outcomes. low serum albumin and postoperative complications were associated with one another. Objectives: To find out the relationship between preoperative albumin levels and postoperative complications among carcinoma stomach patients. Materials and Methods: The present study was a single institution retrospective study carried out in the department of general surgery, Saveetha medical college and hospital between February 2021 to July 2021. Fifty patients diagnosed with carcinoma stomach and electively posted for surgery during the study period were included into the study. The data was collected using structured proforma. Preoperative albumin and haemoglobin levels were estimated using blood samples. All the data collected were analysed using SPSS version 23. Results: The preoperative albumin levels among those who had reported complication was 3.04±0.19 g/dl while those who had no complication in the postoperative period had preoperative albumin level of 3.82±0.31g/dl. The preoperative mean haemoglobin level among those who developed complications in the post operative period was 9.68±0.95 mg/dl and the mean haemoglobin level among those with no complication was 11.46±1.89 mg/dl. Albumin and haemoglobin values were found to be negatively correlated with duration of stay in hospital. Conclusion: Malnutrition in the preoperative period would increase the probability of occurrence of postoperative complications and increased duration of stay in hospital. Attending to malnutrition of the admitted patients in the preoperative period would help in decreasing the postoperative complications and duration of stay.

Haemoglobin, Serum Iron Level and Cardiovascular Status in Advanced Stages of Chronic Kidney Disease Patients admitted in A Tertiary Care Centre

Background: Anaemia due to advanced stages of chronic kidney disease increases morbidity of patients. Early detection and correction of anaemia may be helpful in preventing the progress of the disease & its cardiovascular outcomes. The objective of this study was to evaluate hemoglobin, serum iron level and cardiovascular status in advanced of CKD patients. Methods: This was a cross sectional observational study on 150 cases of diagnosed advanced stages (3B,4 &5) of CKD patients in indoor of department of medicine of Mitford Hospital, Dhaka from July 2019 to January 2020. Convenience sampling was done. Data were analyzed with SPSS 26. Results: Total number of patients were 150. Male were 93 (62%) and female were 57 (38%). The mean (±SD) age was 55.22 (±10.30) years (range 33 - 75 years). Among the study subjects 38% had history of blood transfusion, 60% had history of iron supplementation and 12% subjects received erythropoietin. Mean (±SD) haemoglobin level was 7.61 (±2.54) g/dl. Seventy percent of the study subjects had haemoglobin level < 9 g/dl and rest had ³9 g/dl. Significant difference was found in between these two groups (p = 0.036). In the present study, mean (±SD) serum iron level was 15.59 (±07.39) μmol/l. In 46% of the study subjects, iron level was 7.3μ mol/l and 52% had iron level between 7.3 to 23.6 μmole/ lit. Mean (± SD) ferritin level of the study subjects was 155.22 (±92.32) ng/ ml. In 58% of the study subjects ferritin level was < 100ng/ ml and 42% had >100 ng/ml. Significant difference was found in between these two groups (p = 0.041) (Table-IV). Ferritin level had significant positive relationship with blood transfusion, iron and erythropoietin supplementation on logistic regression analysis. Haemoglobin and serum ferritin level was positively correlated with eGFR of the study subjects. Statistical analysis showed significant relationship between eGFR with haemoglobin and serum ferritin. Forty six percent of the study subjects had Transferrin saturation (TSAT) level below 20%. Fifty four percent subjects had a TSAT level above 20%. Significant difference was found in between these two groups (p = 0.001). In correlation analysis, haemoglobin, serum ferritin and TSAT level in the study subjects had negative relationship with duration of CKD in years. Relationship of haemoglobin and TSAT level with duration of CKD was statistically significant. In correlation analysis, serum TIBC level had negative relationship with haemoglobin level which was statistically significant. Serum iron, ferritin and TSAT level in the study subjects were positively correlated with haemoglobin level. Relationship of haemoglobin with serum iron level and TSAT level was statistically significant. Twenty percent of the study subjects had peripheral vascular disease, 111 (74%) of the study subjects had hypertension, 66 (44%) had ischaemic heart disease, 27 (18%) had a history of acute myocardial infarction, 24 (16%) had chronic heart failure, 93 (62%) had dyslipidemia and 27 (18%) patients had history of stroke. Conclusion: In this study it was observed that TSAT appears to be a more useful indicator for measuring the frequency of iron deficiency than serum iron, TIBC and serum ferritin. The cardiovascular comorbidities plagued significant number of patients with advanced CKD. Bangladesh J Medicine July 2022; 33(1) : 34-39

Goat’s Milk (GM), a Booster to Human Immune System against Diseases

Milk is clean lacteal secretion from mammalians shortly after parturition. GM is taken as a complete meal in human diet. GM is the only milk from milching species that possess possibility of substituting human milk. Availability of A2 casein in GM make it comparable to human milk in terms of protein. The most vulnerable ones are infants, aged people and pregnant women as their immune system could answer at any time if extra supplement is not administered. In this case, GM is only option that is highly compatible and nutritious nourishing food naturally. It has been used in curing respiratory problems, diarrhoea, colic, gastrointestinal disturbances etc. Feeding GM enhances production of immunoglobulin, beneficial gut microbiota, phagocytosis activities. Presence of inherent antibodies suits GM for using it in curing Tuberculosis. It contains every needed nutrient in higher amount as compared to milk from other animals. Per servings it has 13% more Calcium, 47% more vitamin A than Cow’s milk. It is filled with most of the trace minerals. Selenium, an immune system enhancer provides anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory protection via inhibition of bacterial growth. Chlorine and Fluorine acts as natural germicides. GM contain good source of Potassium which is crucial for maintainance of blood pressure and functioning of heart, it protects against arteriosclerosis. GM not only reduces the level of total cholesterol due to presence of Medium Chain Triglycerides but also improve mineralisation of skeleton and haemoglobin level. GM consists huge source of biorganic sodium, the absence of which results in arthritis. People who are lactose intolerant even can consume GM as it has low lactose content and for those who finds its smell and taste unusual, there is option of fortification. Because of easily digestible and readily bioavailable nature its consumption has been increased.

The role of haematological parameters in predicting the response to radical chemoradiotherapy in patients with anal squamous cell cancer

Background Historically, the treatment of choice for anal cancer had been abdominoperineal resection (APR). Radical radiotherapy with concurrent 5-fluorouracil plus mitomycin C chemotherapy was later established as standard therapy, although with a failure rate of 20–30%. The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcomes after radical chemoradiotherapy (CRT), prognostic and predictive factors and patterns of failure. Patients and methods This study included 47 patients treated with radical CRT for patohistologicaly confirmed anal squamous cell carcinoma. Analysed haematological parameters included: neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and haemoglobin level. The final logistic regression model included treatment break period. Tumour response was assessed at 24 weeks from CRT completion. Follow-up was performed every 3 months during the first two years, and every 6 months thereafter. Results A complete clinical response (CR) was detected in 30 patients (63.8%). Patients who did not achieve a 6-months CR and those who had a CR after 6 months but then relapsed were referred to surgical treatment. With combined CRT and surgical salvage treatment the CR rate was 80.9%. Patients with CR after 6 months had significantly longer disease-free survival (DFS), progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS). A significant effect on the 6-month response was confirmed for PLR (p = 0.03). Conclusions Important prognostic factors associated with CR were baseline haemoglobin level and period of treatment interruptions. Potential haematological prognostic factors could be PLR and NLR, which can be routinely determined by low-cost and minimally invasive methods.

CHANGING PATTERN OF HAEMOGLOBIN LEVEL FOLLOWING ANTI-MALARIAL TREATMENT AMONG MALARIA CASES ATTENDING A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL IN KOLKATA

Anaemia is one of the major causes of severe and complicated malaria. Malaria associated anaemia are due to decreased production of RBCs and lysis of infected and uninfected erythrocytes. The role of anti-malarial treatment in correcting anaemia are not studied extensively. The present work was undertaken to study the changing pattern of haemoglobin level following anti-malarial therapy. A total of 201 microscopically positive mono-infected with P. vivax (103) and P falciparum (98) patients were recruited and treated with antimalarial drugs and followed up on day 3, 14, and 28 to study the changing pattern of haemoglobin level. Among the P. falciparum positive patients mean haemoglobin level on Day 0 and day 28 was 13.17 g/dl and 13.31 g/dl whereas among P. vivax cases mean haemoglobin level was 13.28 g/dl and 13.29g/dl, respectively. Among the P. falciparum cases (n = 98), 4.08%, 16.33% and 79.59% was classied as moderate anaemia, mild anaemia and normal, respectively. Similarly, among the P. vivax cases (n = 103), 1.94%, 17.47% and 80.58% had moderate anaemia, mild anaemia and normal, respectively. Mean haemoglobin level was declined on day 3 which gradually increased to its initial level by day 28 among both P. falciparum and P. vivax cases. Similar study in other malaria endemic areas will be helpful for better understanding the changing pattern of haemoglobin level among malaria patients.

Pharmacotherapy in Anaemia of Pregnancy: Comparison of Oral Ferrous Sulphate, Intravenous Iron Sucrose

Aim: To analyse the outcome of oral and intravenous therapy of iron preparations in treating anaemia in pregnant women. Study Design: Prospective Study. Place and duration of study: Department of Pharmacology and department of Gynaecology and obstetrics, Khawaja Muhammad Safdar Medical College, Sialkot from May 2020 to July 2021. Methods: Between May 2020 and July 2021; A total of 1200 patients presenting to obstetric department with anaemia were included in the study after fulfilling inclusion criteria. Pregnant patients with haemoglobin level 7-8gm/dl at 24th week of gestation were included in the study. The therapy was started on 24th week of gestation. The haemoglobin levels were determined at 24th week and then at 37th week of gestation. The increase in the haemoglobin level was then determined. Serum ferritin levels were done at 37th week of gestation. Results: It was observed that there was an increase in the haemoglobin level after all the treatment regimes. The increase in haemoglobin in the group B and C was statistically significant with P value of < 0.001 when compared with the group A. However, no statistical significant difference was observed between group B and group C. Conclusion: The haemoglobin and serum ferritin level were significantly increased in the subjects after oral ferrous sulphate, however parenteral formulation are more effective in noncompliant patient where quick improvement in haemoglobin levels are to be achieved. Keywords: Anaemia, pregnancy, iron deficiency, pharmacotherapy

605 Group and Save Sampling in Total Knee and Hip Arthroplasty: Is It Necessary?

Aim To induce a change in practice with regard to pre-op G&S sampling. This is common practice in elective orthopaedics. Transfusion rates are negligible. Therefore, omitting this practice can reduce the financial burden on the Trust. Method Patient's undergoing elective primary total knee or hip arthroplasty over a 1-year period were retrieved from a database. Data regarding pre/post-op haemoglobin levels and transfusion status was obtained from patient case notes and Trust ICE pathology reporting system. Results There were a total of 454 patient's (251 undergoing TKR, 203 undergoing THR). Four patient's (1.6%) in the TKR group and 11 patient's (5.4%) in the THR group required transfusion. Of these patient's, 5 had cardiac problems and 6 had pre-operative anaemia. Conclusions Routine G&S sampling is unnecessary in the majority of cases and should only be reserved for certain cases (patient's with significant cardiac problems and those with a transfusion history). Patient's with pre-operative anaemia should have optimisation of haemoglobin level prior to the procedure.

Genotype - Phenotype Correlation Among Haemoglobin E β-thalassaemia Patients

Background and objectives: Haemoglobin E β-thalassaemia has a variable clinical presentation. This study describes the clinical spectrum of these patients in two thalassaemia centers in Malaysia in addition to determining the prevalence of selected primary and secondary genetic modifiers which may influence its phenotype. Methods: A total of 99 patients were recruited in this cross-sectional study. Clinical parameters and severity scoring were determined. Molecular analysis was performed: Sanger sequencing and MLPA for β globin mutations; multiplex PCR for α-globin gene deletions and RFLP-PCR for XmnI polymorphism.Results: Patients with mild HbE β-thalassaemia were diagnosed at a later age as compared to the severe group (mean 3.14 and 1.6 years, p = 0.03). Haemoglobin level at diagnosis was higher for the mild group as compared to severe group (7.9 g/dL ± 1.97 and 6.0 g/dL ± 1.00, p = 0.02). The commonest β mutation in Malays were IVS1-5 (51.69%) and CD41/42 (20.2%) whereas in the Chinese, IVS2-654(44.4%) and CD41/42(33.4%). Single α-gene deletion (-α3.7/αα) was found in 4% of patients and none were homozygous for XmnI (+/+) polymorphism. Conclusion: Age at presentation and haemoglobin level at initial diagnosis is useful as clinical predictors of disease severity. The majority of our patients had β° gene mutation i.e. IVS1-5 and CD41/42, which accounted for the moderate to severe phenotype based on clinical severity scoring.