Risk Factors for Subacute Thyroiditis Recurrence: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Cohort Studies

BackgroundSubacute thyroiditis (SAT) is a self-limited inflammatory thyroid disease with recurring episodes. However, the results regarding the recurrence rate and risk factors for SAT are inconsistent. This meta-analysis aimed to summarize the evidence of the recurrence rate and the risk factors for SAT.MethodsThe present study involved the performance of a systematic literature search of all English studies published in PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and The Cochrane Library from inception to August 20, 2021. Cohort studies that reported the SAT recurrence rate and risk factors for recurrence were included. Two independent investigators extracted relevant information. Fixed- and random-effects models were used to pool effect sizes based on study heterogeneity.ResultsEighteen cohort studies were identified. The pooled findings showed that the recurrence rate was 12.0% (95% CI: 8.2%, 17.1%). The risk of recurrence in the glucocorticoids group was higher than that in the NSAIDs group (RR = 1.84, 95% CI: 1.04, 3.24). However, there was no significant difference in age or sex between the recurrence group and the non-recurrence group. Findings from one or two cohort studies also indicated that the copresence of HLA-B*18:01 and -B*35, the number of days required to taper prednisolone (PSL) to 5 mg/day, the duration of disease before treatment less than 30 days, the sialic acid level, or the TSH level at the termination of treatment and further extension of the hypoechoic area and increase in thyroid volume were related to the recurrence of SAT.ConclusionRecurrence was common in SAT patients. The present study indicated that glucocorticoid treatment was associated with a higher recurrence rate of SAT than NSAIDs treatment. The clinical implications of this association should be interpreted with caution, and further clinical trials on the long-term effects of different treatment strategies are needed.

Influence of characteristics of epicardial adipose tissue and myocardial sympathetic innervation on the development of late recurrence of atrial fibrillation after radiofrequency ablation

Aim. To investigate the relationship between radiological characteristics of epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) and myocardial sympathetic activity, as well as to study their association with late recurrence of atrial fibrillation (AF) after radiofrequency ablation (RFA).Material and methods. This prospective study included 26 people with persistent and long-standing persistent AF scheduled for interventional AF treatment. Before the RFA procedure, all patients underwent cardiac 123I-metaiodobenzylguanidine (123I-MIBG) scintigraphy to assess the myocardial sympathetic innervation and contrast-enhanced cardiac multislice computed tomography to assess pulmonary vein anatomy, left atrial volume, and EAT volume. Clinical follow-up, including 12-lead electrocardiography (ECG) and 24-hour ECG monitoring, was carried out 3, 6 and 12 months after RFA.Results. After the end of follow-up, the patients were divided into two groups: with AF recurrence (group 1, n=8) and without AF recurrence (group 2, n=18). Multivariate logistic analysis found that only the 123I-MIBG washout rate (odds ratio, 1,0943; 95% confidence interval, 1,0138-1,1812) proved to be an independent predictor of late AF recurrence after RFA. ROC analysis revealed that a 123I-MIBG washout rate >21% with a sensitivity of 75% and a specificity of 83,3% (AUC=0,844; p<0,001) predicts late AF recurrence after RFA.Conclusion. Parameters of myocardial sympathetic activity, assessed by 123I-MIBG myocardial scintigraphy, are associated with late AF recurrence after RFA in patients with persistent and long-standing persistent AF. There were no reliable data confirming associations between myocardial sympathetic innervation and radiological EAT indicators, as well as the effect of the latter on the risk of AF recurrence after RFA.

Risk Factors for Postoperative Recurrence of Ovarian Endometrioma in Young Women

Purpose Ovarian endometroma seriously affects women's health, and is susceptible to recurrence after surgery. However, only a few studies have been conducted to asses the risk factors for postoperative recurrence of ovarian endometrioma in young women, and no risk factors associated with recurrence have been found. The purpose of this study is to analyse the risk factors for postoperative recurrence of ovarian endometrioma in young women, and to provide data support for postoperative follow-up of high-risk groups. Materials and Methods We retrospectively analysed 196 young women who underwent ovarian endometrioma resection in Peking Union Medical College Hospital and Shengjing Hospital from January 2008 to January 2018 and were followed-up for at least 3 years postoperatively. The patients were divided into a recurrence group or a non-recurrence group. Their preoperative histories, laboratory indexes, intraoperative manifestations, and follow-up symptoms were analysed. Results The cumulative recurrence rate of ovarian endometrioma in young women 3 and 5 years after surgery was 8.0%, and 20.3%, respectively. Univariate analysis showed significant differences in cancer antigen-125 levels (hazard ratio [HR]: 3.207, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.126–9.135, P = 0.029), the revised American Fertility Society (rAFS) disease stage (HR: 4.588, 95%CI: 1.422–14.805, P = 0.011), postoperative pregnancy (HR: 0.28, 95%CI: 0.109–0.723, P = 0.008), and postoperative dysmenorrhoea (HR: 2.465, 95%CI :1.320–4.604, P = 0.005) between the two groups. Cox multivariate proportional risk analysis showed that rAFS disease stage (HR:3.783, 95%CI: 1.162–12.311, P = 0.027) and postoperative dysmenorrhoea (HR: 2.291, 95%CI :1.222–4.296, P = 0.01) were risk factors for postoperative recurrence of ovarian endometrioma, whereas postoperative pregnancy (HR: 0.361, 95%CI: 0.138–0.944, P = 0.038) was a protective factor for postoperative recurrence. There was no significant correlation between recurrence of ovarian endometrioma and age at surgery, age at the time of menarche, body mass index, duration of dysmenorrhoea, degree of dysmenorrhoea, genital malformation, surgical approach, maximum diameter of the cyst, and postoperative medication. Conclusion rAFS disease stage and postoperative dysmenorrhoea are risk factors for the recurrence of ovarian endometrioma during long-term follow-up, whereas postoperative pregnancy is a protective factor.

Systemic Immune-Inflammation Index as a Prognostic Marker of Late Recurrence in Operable Gastric Cancer: A Dual Center Study

Aim To evaluate the prognostic role of the systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) in patients with operable gastric cancer. Methods We assessed 354 patients with operable gastric cancer from tertiary centers in Turkey. SII was calculated by following formula: [neutrophil (cellsx109/L) x platelet (cellsx109/L)] / lymphocyte (cellsx109/L). The best cut-off value for SII was determined by using “receiver operating characteristics (ROC)” analysis. We used log-rank and Cox-regression analysis for survival analyses. Results One hundred twenty patients were in the late recurrence group (recurrences have developed 36 months after the surgery). SII was not a prognostic factor in the early recurrence group. However, relapse-free survival (RFS) was longer in SII-low patients than SII-high patients in the late recurrence group. In multivariable analysis, SII was the only independent prognostic factor for RFS in the late recurrence group (Hazard Ratio (HR): 5.42, 95% CI:1.18-24.82, p=0.03). Conclusion SII was an independent prognostic factor for RFS in GC patients with late recurrence. Late recurrence risk was higher in SII-high patients than SII-low patients. Inflammation contributes to tumor progression, invasion, and metastasis. Prolonged exposure to chronic inflammation could explain the results of this study.

Analysis of salivary proteomic biomarkers for the surveillance of changes in high-risk status of early childhood caries

Background Early childhood caries is an urgent public health concern. The aim of this study was to investigate salivary proteomic biomarkers for the surveillance of changes in the high-risk status of early childhood caries. The process involves the screening of specific salivary peptides that were differentially expressed only under dynamic changes in individual caries status. Methods Stimulated whole saliva samples were collected from 28 kindergarten children aged 3–4 years in Beijing at baseline and 3 months and 6 months after baseline. A total of 68 samples were collected. In terms of their caries status and progress during the observation period, participants were divided into 3 groups; 7 in the non-caries recurrence group, 6 in the caries recurrence group, and 15 in the healthy control group. Salivary peptides that exhibited no significant differences in cross-sectional comparisons between different groups of caries status but only expressed differentially along with dynamic changes of individual caries were screened using the technique of magnetic beads combined with matrix-assisted laser desorption-ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS). The technique of liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS/MS) was employed to identify the proteins from which these peptides were derived. Results We found two salivary peptides differentially expressed only under dynamic changes in individual caries status in the above comparisons; mass-to-charge ratio (m/z) values of the two peptides were 1045.9 and 2517.6, respectively (P < 0.05). Principal component analysis (PCA) and the decision tree model based on these two peptides showed an acceptable distinguishing ability for changes in the high-risk status of early childhood caries. The source proteins of the two peptides with m/z values of 1045.9 and 2517.6 were identified as submandibular gland androgen regulatory protein 3B (SMR-3B) and mucin-7, respectively. Conclusions Two proteins in children’s saliva, namely SMR-3B and mucin-7, have the potentiality to serve as candidate biomarkers for dynamic surveillance of changes in high-risk status of early childhood caries.

Reduced risk of recurrent pneumothorax for sirolimus therapy after surgical pleural covering of entire lung in lymphangioleiomyomatosis

Background Patients with lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM) frequently experience pneumothorax. Although sirolimus is the standard therapy for LAM, its effect on pneumothorax is controversial. Recently, total pleural covering (TPC) and modified TPC (mTPC) were introduced as surgical treatment options for pneumothorax for patients with LAM. However, the effect of sirolimus on the recurrence of pneumothorax in patients who underwent the treatments is still uncertain. We hypothesized that some clinical factors including sirolimus treatment could predict postoperative recurrence of pneumothorax. In order to clarify this hypothesis, we retrospectively analyzed the clinical data from 18 consecutive patients with LAM who underwent 24 surgical pleural covering of entire lung (SPC) as 17 TPC and 7 mTPC against pneumothoraces from surgical database between January 2005 and January 2019, and we determined the predictors of postoperative recurrence. Results Of the 24 surgeries of SPC, 14 surgeries (58.3%) had a history of two or more ipsilateral pneumothoraces, and 11 surgeries (45.8%) had a history of ipsilateral pleural procedures before SPC. Sixteen surgeries (66.6%) in 12 patients received treatment of sirolimus after SPC (sirolimus group). With a median follow-up time of 69.0 months after SPC, four surgeries (16.6%) in three patients had a postoperative recurrence, and the 5-year recurrence-free survival (RFS) after SPC was 82.9%. In patients with postoperative recurrence, serum level of vascular endothelial growth factors D was significantly higher than that in those with non-recurrence (3260.5 vs. 892.7 pg/mL, p = 0.02), and the rate of sirolimus treatment in the recurrence group was significantly lower than that in the no-recurrence group (0 vs. 80%, p = 0.006). The log-rank test showed that the RFS of the sirolimus group (sirolimus use after SPC) was significantly better than that of the non-sirolimus group (p = 0.001), and no significant difference was observed for other factors. Conclusion We first reported sirolimus might effectively suppress the recurrence of pneumothoraces in LAM patients who received SPC. Sirolimus induction after SPC (TPC or mTPC) might be a feasible option for frequent pneumothorax in LAM.

Recurrent Retinal Detachment After Pars Plana Vitrectomy For Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment

Background The recurrence of retinal detachment (RD) following rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) is a relatively common complication that threatens vision and requires further surgery. The purpose of this study was to investigate the risk factors and visual outcomes of recurrent RD following pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) for primary RRD. Methods This was a retrospective follow-up of 343 eyes that underwent initial PPV surgery for primary RRD. Patients were divided into a recurrence group and a reattachment group. The main outcome measures included causative factors, visual outcomes related to the recurrence of RD, and the perioperative factors most affecting the recurrence of RD. Results After retinal reattachment, we observed RD recurrence after PPV for primary RRD in 42 out of 343 eyes (12.2%) during the follow-up period. Most causes of recurrence (69%) occurred within 6 months of surgery. Univariate analysis showed that the presence of proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) ≥ Grade C was significantly associated with recurrent RD (P = 0.003). Logistic regression analysis further showed that a PVR ≥ Grade C (odds ratio [OR]: 9.421; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.432 - 56.39; P = 0.020) was a significant predictor for the development of recurrent RD. Compared with the reattachment group, the recurrence group exhibited a significant decline in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) at the last follow-up visit (P = 0.000). Eyes with PVR prior to primary surgery, or at the diagnosis of re-detachment, showed a worse final BCVA. Conclusions Our analysis shows that the predominant risk factor for the recurrence of RD is a PVR ≥ Grade C. PVR prior to primary surgery, or at the diagnosis of re-detachment, was also shown to limit the recovery of final visual acuity.

Decreased estimated glomerular filtration rate predicts long-term recurrence after catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation in mild to moderate renal insufficiency

Background Catheter ablation is an established therapy for atrial fibrillation (AF), but recurrence after ablation remains a great challenge. Additionally, little is known about the effect of renal function on the efficiency of AF ablation. This study aimed to evaluate the predictors of the prognosis of catheter ablation for AF, especially the effect of renal function. Methods A total of 306 drug-refractory symptomatic patients with AF who underwent first-time catheter ablation were enrolled in the present study. Individuals underwent circumferential pulmonary vein isolation for paroxysmal AF and stepwise ablation for persistent AF. Results The follow-up time was 27.2 ± 19.5 months, 202 patients (66.01%) were free of atrial tachyarrhythmia (non-recurrence group), and the other 104 patients experienced recurrence (recurrence group). The recurrence group had a larger left atrial diameter (LAD) and left atrial volume (LAV), a higher LAV index (LAVI) (both, p < 0.01), and a lower estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) (53.5 ± 14.4 vs. 65.5 ± 13.3 ml/min/1.732, p < 0.001) and creatinine clearance rate (CCr) (85.2 ± 26.1 vs. 101.5 ± 29.4 ml/min, p < 0.05). Multivariate logistic regression indicated both eGFR (p = 0.002) and LAVI (p < 0.001) as independent associated factors for long-term recurrence after single catheter ablation; multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression with backward feature selection identified both eGFR (HR: 0.93, 95% CI: 0.91–0.95, p < 0.001) and LAVI (HR: 1.32, 95% CI: 1.25–1.40, p < 0.001) as independent prognostic factors for recurrence when adjusting other clinical variables. Conclusions Decreased eGFR and elevated LAVI may facilitate the long-term recurrence of atrial tachyarrhythmia after catheter ablation for AF.

A weight regain of 1.5 kg or more and lack of exercise are associated with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease recurrence in men

The importance of maintaining the remission of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has been overlooked. Here we aimed to clarify factors causing NAFLD recurrence. In this retrospective cohort study over 10.8 ± 5.4 years, we investigated 1260 male health check-up participants diagnosed with NAFLD who achieved remission. The data were compared between the maintained remission and recurrence group. Among all participants, 618 (49.0%) showed NAFLD recurrence at the last visit. Participants in the maintained remission group continued to lose weight (72.7 ± 9.1, 68.7 ± 8.5 and 68.2 ± 8.9 kg), whereas those in the recurrence group lost and regained weight (72.9 ± 9.9, 69.7 ± 9.3 and 73.0 ± 10.4 kg). Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed a weight regain of + 1.5 kg as the cutoff value for recurrence. The proportion of regular exercisers at the last visit was 34.6% in the maintained remission group and 24.5% in the recurrence group (p < 0.0001). Multivariable analysis revealed the amount of weight regain (in 1 kg increments; adjusted odds ratio, 1.29; 95% confidence interval, 1.24–1.34) and regular exercise at the last visit (adjusted odds ratio, 0.67; 95% confidence interval, 0.55–0.89) were independently associated with recurrence. These findings demonstrate a weight regain of 1.5 kg or more and lack of exercise were associated with NAFLD recurrence.

Association between capillary congestion and macular edema recurrence in chronic branch retinal vein occlusion through quantitative analysis of OCT angiography

This study aims to quantitatively investigate the optical coherence tomographic angiography (OCTA) findings of capillary congestion and its association with macular edema (ME) recurrence in chronic branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO). We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 115 consecutive patients with major ischemic BRVO who reached stable macula (without ME for two consecutive visits) at baseline (the first visit within the stable period). All patients were classified into a recurrence or non-recurrence groups depending on ME recurrence. Capillary congestion of deep capillary plexuses (DCP-C) and other abnormal capillary lesions were segmented, and their areas, vascular densities, and mean retinal thicknesses (MRT) were calculated. The main outcomes were differences between the two groups and risk factors for recurrence among baseline and OCTA parameters. A total of 76 eyes were included, of which 22 (28.9%) recurred. DCP-C existed in all eyes at baseline. MRT of DCP-C (p = 0.006) was greater in the recurrence group. Greater MRT of DCP-C (OR: 1.044; p = 0.002) and more frequent intravitreal injections (OR: 1.803; p < 0.001) were associated with a higher risk of relapsing ME. DCP-C may contribute to the anatomical stability of chronic BRVO and simultaneously be the source of ME.