Dengue infection is the most prevalent mosquito-borne viral infection globally. Concurrently, there has also been an upsurge of non-communicable comorbidities. We aimed to investigate the association ...between these comorbidities and the development of severe dengue. We performed a retrospective, case-control study involving 117 cases with severe dengue and 351 controls with non-severe dengue; matched according to gender, age (+/- 5 years old), and admission date (+/- 2 weeks). We analyzed the data using conditional odds ratio (cOR) and adjusted conditional odds ratio (AcOR) using univariate and multivariable conditional logistic regression respectively. Six main comorbidities namely obesity, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, chronic pulmonary disease, and ischemic heart disease were observed among cases and controls. Multivariable conditional logistic regression model found only hypertension to be independently associated with the development of severe dengue (ACOR 2.46; 95% CI:1.09-5.53). Among symptoms at presentation, lethargy, vomiting, bleeding manifestations, and abdominal pain were associated with increased odds of severe dengue, although the associations were not statistically significant. Headache (ACOR: 0:32; 95% CI: 0.21-0.51) and skin rash (ACOR: 0.42; 95% CI: 0.22-0.81) were associated with significantly lower odds of severe dengue. Severe dengue patients were also found to have significantly higher white cell count, urea, creatinine, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, creatine kinase, and lactate dehydrogenase on admission, while platelet and albumin were significantly lower compared to non-severe dengue patients. Our study found a significant association between hypertension and the development of severe dengue in adult patients. For clinical practice, this finding suggests that dengue patients with underlying hypertension warrant closer clinical monitoring for deterioration. The association between significant derangement in various laboratory parameters and severe dengue as shown in this study is in keeping with previous reports. While further substantiation by larger prospective studies will be desirable, this association may serve to inform the dengue triaging process.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Purpose To measure the density of the superficial retinal small vessel network (SRSVN), superficial retinal capillary network (SRCN), deep retinal capillary network (DRCN) and choriocapillaris, and ...the size of the foveal avascular zone (FAZ) in the superficial retinal layer in normal eyes. Design Prospective observational cross-sectional study. Methods In healthy Chinese volunteers, the retinal and choroidal vasculature was visualized by split-spectrum amplitude decorrelation angiography associated optical coherence tomography (RTVueXR Avanti device; Optovue Inc., Fremont, CA, USA). Results Among 105 healthy participants (age:35.9±13.8 years) mean FAZ measured 0.35±0.12mm2 , and mean density of SRSVN, SRCN, DRCN and choriocapillaris was 8.54±0.92%, 31.8±2.6%, 45.8±3.3%, 44.4±3.3% and 44.5±2.7%, respectively. In multivariate analysis, higher SRSVN density was associated with younger age ( P =0.001;standardized regression coefficient β:-0.28;), male gender ( P =0.008; β:-0.23), lower SRCN density ( P <0.001; β:-0.40), and larger mean choriocapillaris vessel diameter ( P =0.001;β:0.30). Higher SRCN density was correlated with male gender ( P =0.007; β:-0.19), lower SRSVN density ( P <0.001; β:-0.44), and higher density of the radial peripapillary capillary density ( P =0.004; β:0.20). Higher DRCN density was correlated with younger age ( P <0.001; β:-0.31), female gender ( P =0.002; β:0.22), higher SRCN density ( P <0.001; β:0.38), and higher choriocapillaris density ( P <0.001; β:0.39). Higher choriocapillaris network density in the central region was associated with higher DRCN density ( P <0.001; β:0.43) and lower radial peripapillary capillary density ( P =0.005; β:-0.26). All retinal vascular parameters were not significantly correlated with axial length or subfoveal choroidal thickness. Conclusions The density of the macular vascular networks decreases with older age and is independent of axial length and subfoveal choroidal thickness in healthy individuals.
Background Transesophageal echocardiogram-guided minimally invasive periventricular device closure of perimembranous ventricular septal defects (pmVSDs) without cardiopulmonary bypass is a treatment ...option for pmVSDs. We introduce our improvements to this technique and mid-term follow-up results. Methods From May 2011 to May 2014, 187 patients with pmVSDs aged 6 months to 31 years (8.2 ± 10.2 years) were enrolled in this study. The procedure was performed through a new transthoracic approach of 1 to 2 cm without sternotomy. Device selection and the operative procedure were monitored by transesophageal echocardiogram. The patients underwent follow-up examinations of echocardiography and electrocardiogram at 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year after the operation and annually thereafter. Results The defects were closed successfully in 179 patients (95.7%), and in 8 patients the operation was converted to conventional surgical repair. Six patients (3.4%) had an incomplete right bundle branch block. One patient experienced an intermittent complete atrioventricular block on the fourth day after the operation, and sinus rhythm was restored by corticosteroid therapy after 5 days. A trivial residual shunt was observed in 8 patients (4.5%) during the procedure. The average hospital stay was 3.1 ± 0.9 days. Follow-up in all patients ranged from 1 month to 36 months (median, 12.6 months), and aortic regurgitation, malignant arrhythmia, and device dislocation were not observed in any patients. However, 3 patients (1.7%) still had a trivial residual shunt at their last follow-up. Conclusions Periventricular device closure through a modified transthoracic approach without sternotomy is a potentially safe and effective treatment option for pmVSDs. Controlled studies with long-term follow-up are necessary.
To examine subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT) in patients with diabetes mellitus and patients with diabetic retinopathy.
Population-based, cross-sectional study.
The population-based Beijing Eye ...Study 2011 included 3468 individuals with a mean age of 64.6 ± 9.8 years (range, 50-93 years).
A detailed ophthalmic examination was performed including spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (OCT) with enhanced depth imaging for measurement of SFCT and fundus photography for the assessment of diabetic retinopathy.
Subfoveal choroidal thickness.
Fasting blood samples, fundus photographs, and choroidal OCT images were available for 2041 subjects (58.8%), with 246 subjects (12.1 ± 0.7%) fulfilling the diagnosis of diabetes mellitus and 23 subjects having diabetic retinopathy. Mean SFCT did not differ significantly between patients with diabetes mellitus and nondiabetic subjects (266 ± 108 vs. 261 ± 103 μm; P=0.43) nor between patients with diabetic retinopathy and subjects without retinopathy (249 ± 86 vs. 262 ± 104 μm; P = 0.56). After adjustment for age, sex, axial length, lens thickness, anterior chamber depth, corneal curvature radius, and best-corrected visual acuity, SFCT was associated with a higher glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) value (P<0.001; regression coefficient B, 8.18; 95% confidence interval CI, 4.02-12.3); standardized coefficient β, 0.08) or with the presence of diabetes mellitus (P = 0.001; B, 21.3; 95% CI, 9.12-33.5) but not with presence of diabetic retinopathy (P = 0.61) or stage of diabetic retinopathy (P = 0.14). As a corollary, after adjusting for age, region of habitation, body mass index, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and level of education, diabetes mellitus was associated with a thicker SFCT (P<0.001). In contrast, neither presence of diabetic retinopathy (P = 0.61) nor stage of diabetic retinopathy (P = 0.09) were associated significantly with SFCT after adjusting for body mass index, diastolic and systolic blood pressure, and level of education and after adjusting for blood glucose concentrations, HbA1c value, diagnosis of diabetes mellitus, and systolic and diastolic blood pressure, respectively.
Patients with diabetes mellitus had a slightly, but statistically significantly, thicker subfoveal choroid, whereas presence and stage of diabetic retinopathy were not associated additionally with an abnormal SFCT. Whereas diabetes mellitus as a systemic disease leads to a slight thickening of the choroid, diabetic retinopathy as an ocular disorder was not associated with choroidal thickness abnormalities after adjusting for the presence of diabetes mellitus.
The author(s) have no proprietary or commercial interest in any materials discussed in this article.
To study subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT) in adult Chinese subjects and its correlation with ocular biometric parameters, refractive error, and age.
Population-based longitudinal study.
The ...population-based Beijing Eye Study 2011 included 3468 individuals with a mean age of 64.6±9.8 years (range, 50-93 years).
A detailed ophthalmic examination was performed, including spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) with enhanced depth imaging for measurement of SFCT.
Subfoveal choroidal thickness.
The SFCT measurements were available for 3233 subjects (93.2%). Mean SFCT was 253.8±107.4 μm (range, 8-854 μm). In multivariate analysis, SFCT increased with younger age (P<0.001; correlation coefficient r=4.12; beta coefficient=0.37), shorter axial length (P<0.001; r=44.7; beta coefficient=0.46), male gender (P<0.001; r=28.5; beta coefficient=-0.13), deeper anterior chamber depth (P<0.001; r=39.3; beta coefficient=0.13), thicker lens (P<0.001; r=26.8; beta coefficient=0.08), flatter cornea (P<0.001; r=46.0; beta coefficient=0.11), and better best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) (logarithm of minimal angle of resolution; P=0.001; r=48.4; beta coefficient=0.06). In multivariate analysis, SFCT was not significantly associated with blood pressure, ocular perfusion pressure, intraocular pressure, cigarette smoking, alcohol consumption, serum concentrations of lipids and glucose, diabetes mellitus, and arterial hypertension. In the myopic refractive error range of more than -1 diopter (D), SFCT decreased by 15 μm (95% confidence interval CI, 11.9-18.5) for every increase in myopic refractive error of 1 D, or by 32 μm (95% CI, 37.1-26.0) for every increase in axial length of 1 mm. For each year increase in age, the SFCT decreased by 4.1 μm (95% CI, 4.6-3.7) (multivariate analysis).
Subfoveal choroidal thickness with a mean of 254±107 μm in elderly subjects with a mean age of 65 years decreased with age (4 μm per year of age) and myopia (15 μm per diopter D of myopia). It was also associated with male gender and the ocular biometric parameters of a deeper anterior chamber and thicker lens. The association between SFCT and BCVA indicates a functional aspect of SFCT.
The author(s) have no proprietary or commercial interest in any materials discussed in this article.
To describe the age- and gender-specific prevalence, characteristics, and severity of diabetic retinopathy (DR) in a rural population in northern China.
A population-based cross-sectional study.
A ...total of 6830 Han Chinese aged 30 years and older from 13 villages of Yongnian County, Handan City, Hebei Province, China.
All participants underwent a standardized interview, a comprehensive eye examination, and fasting blood glucose testing according to the American Diabetes Association diagnostic criteria (fasting plasma glucose >or=7.0 mmol/l). Retinal photographs obtained after pupil dilation were graded for the presence and severity of DR according to the modified Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study classification system.
Any DR, retinopathy grades, macular edema, or vision-threatening retinopathy.
Of the 6830 eligible individuals participating in the study, 5597 (81.9%) had fasting blood glucose results available. Of these, 387 participants (6.9%) were diagnosed with diabetes mellitus, including 247 subjects with new diabetes mellitus (NDM) and 140 subjects with known diabetes mellitus (KDM). For these, gradable photographs were available for 368 subjects (95.1%). The overall prevalence of DR was 43.1% (95% confidence interval, 38.1-48.4) and was higher in persons with KDM (65.2%) than NDM (33.5%). The prevalence of proliferative DR, macular edema, and vision-threatening retinopathy was 1.6%, 5.2%, and 6.3%, respectively, with 12.1% with KDM having untreated vision-threatening DR. No age- or gender-related differences were present. The prevalence of DR was strongly related to duration of disease.
Our study reports a high prevalence of DR among adults 30 years and older with diabetes in rural China. On the basis of estimates obtained from our study, we projected that in rural China, 21.1 million persons aged 30+ years have diabetes and 9.2 million have DR, including 1.3 million with vision-threatening DR. There is a pressing need for appropriate screening and management of diabetes and its complications in rural China.
Objective The study goal was to determine the diagnostic accuracy of a specific cytokine pattern including interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), interleukin (IL)-10, and IL-6 for hemophagocytic ...lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) in febrile children. Study design In this prospective study, 756 patients with fever admitted to a hematology-oncology unit were enrolled. The causes of fever were documented and the serum cytokines, including IFN-γ, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), IL-10, IL-6, IL-4, and IL-2, were determined using cytometric bead array techniques. Results Of 1474 episodes of fever that were analyzed, 71 episodes of HLH manifested a specific cytokine pattern of highly increased levels of IFN-γ (median level: 1088.5 pg/mL) and IL-10 (623.5 pg/mL) but a moderately increased level of IL-6 (51.1 pg/mL). IL-6 was predominantly increased to varied extents in patients in the sepsis group (244.6 pg/mL) and the nonsepsis infection group (34.7 pg/mL). The diagnostic accuracy of IFN-γ and IL-10 for HLH was 99.5% and 92.8%, respectively. By applying the cutoff point of 100 pg/mL, IFN-γ had a sensitivity of 94.4% and a specificity of 97.2% for HLH. When using the criteria of IFN-γ >75 pg/mL and IL-10 >60 pg/mL, the specificity reached 98.9% and the sensitivity was 93.0%. Conclusions The specific cytokine pattern of markedly elevated levels of IFN-γ and IL-10 with only modestly elevated IL-6 levels has high diagnostic accuracy for HLH and may be a useful approach to differentiate HLH from infection.
Abstract Background Both low tube voltage and sinogram-affirmed iterative reconstruction (IR) techniques hold promise to decrease radiation dose at coronary CT angiography (CCTA). The increased ...iodine contrast at low tube voltage allows for minimizing iodine load. Objective To assess the effect of reduced x-ray tube voltage, low iodine concentration contrast medium and IR on image quality and radiation dose at CCTA. Methods Two hundred thirty-one consecutive patients with suspected coronary artery disease were enrolled in this prospective, multicenter trial and randomized to 1 of 2 dual-source CCTA protocols: 120-kVp with 370 mgI/mL iopromide or iopamidol (n = 116; 44 women; 55.3 ± 9.8 years) or 100 kVp with 270 mgI/mL iodixanol (n = 115; 48 women; 54.2 ± 10.4 years). Reconstruction was performed with filtered back projection and IR. Attenuation, image noise, signal-to-noise ratio, and contrast-to-noise ratio were measured and image quality scored. Size-specific dose estimates and effective doses were calculated. Results There were no significant differences in mean arterial attenuation (406.6 ± 76.7 vs 409.7 ± 65.2 Hounsfield units; P = .739), image noise (18.7 ± 3.8 vs 17.9 ± 3.4 Hounsfield units; P = .138), signal-to-noise ratio (22.5 ± 5.4 vs 23.7 ± 6.1; P = .126), contrast-to-noise ratio (17.5 ± 5.5 vs 18.3 ± 6.1; P = .286), or image quality scores (4.1 ± 0.9 vs 4.0 ± 0.9; P > .05) between 120-kVp filtered back projection–reconstructed and 100-kVp IR-reconstructed series. Mean iodine dose was 26.5% lower (18.3 ± 0.5 vs 24.9 ± 0.9 g; P < .0001), mean size-specific dose estimate was 35.1% lower (17.9 ± 6.6 vs 27.5 ± 8.2 mGy; P < .0001), and effective dose was 34.9% lower (2.3 ± 1.0 vs 3.5 ± 1.1 mSv; P < .0001) with the 100 kVp compared with the 120-kVp protocol, respectively. Conclusion Using low x-ray tube voltage and IR allows for decreasing the iodine load and effective radiation dose at CCTA while maintaining image quality.
