Wiener klinische Wochenschrift
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Wien. Klin. Wochenschr. · Feb 2021
Retinal pigment epithelial characteristics in eyes with neovascular age-related macular degeneration : Long-term retinal changes under anti-vascular endothelial growth factor treatment.
The aim of this study was to assess retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) and retinal structural changes in eyes with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD) treated with anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) during long-term follow-up and to evaluate morphological markers potentially influencing prognosis. ⋯ Atrophic alterations of the retina and RPE are progressive and may partly be induced by anti-VEGF. Morphological findings may aid in the identification of prognostic markers in the progression of neovascular AMD. This could lead to a more targeted education of affected patients.
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Wien. Klin. Wochenschr. · Feb 2021
Plasma MMP-9 and TIMP-1 levels on ICU admission are associated with 30-day survival.
Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are involved in systemic inflammatory responses and organ failure. The aim of this study was to evaluate early circulating plasma levels of MMP‑2, MMP‑9 and their inhibitors TIMP‑1 and TIMP‑2 and their prognostic significance in critically ill patients on admission to the intensive care unit (ICU). ⋯ The MMP‑9 and TIMP‑1 levels are significantly elevated in acute critical care settings with increased short-term mortality risk, especially in patients with underlying heart disease. These findings support the value of MMPs and TIMPs as prognostic markers and potential therapeutic targets in conditions leading to systemic inflammation and acute organ failure.
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Wien. Klin. Wochenschr. · Feb 2021
Observational StudyVitamin D assessment in perioperative medicine and critical care : A prospective observational pilot study.
There is controversy about the impact of acute illness on vitamin D levels. This study was carried out to assess the influence of perioperative fluid loading on 25-hydroxy-vitamin D [25(OH)D] levels. The study evaluated the clinical utility of a commonly available chemiluminescence assay (ECLIA, IDS-iSYS) and liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) in the diagnosis of vitamin D deficiency in this setting. ⋯ The 25(OH)D measurements by chemiluminescence assays can noticeably deviate from those measured by LC-MS/MS, which can be considered the unequivocal gold standard. These assays may still be acceptably reliable in the screening for vitamin D deficiency, especially in the setting of low vitamin D levels. Stricter definitions, e.g. serum 25(OH)D levels lower than 12 ng/ml, may be used to diagnose deficiency with low false positive rate.
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Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) is the major form of glycosylated hemoglobin. There are conflicting data on changes in HbA1c levels in patients with iron deficiency anemia (IDA). The present study aimed to investigate the effects of HbA1c levels in the presence of IDA, the effects of iron treatment on HbA1c levels, as well as the relationship between the severity of anemia and HbA1c levels in patients without diabetes. ⋯ The study results showed that IDA was associated with low HbA1c levels, and increased after iron therapy. Based on the study findings, it is necessary to consider the possible effects of IDA on HbA1c levels.
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Wien. Klin. Wochenschr. · Feb 2021
Combination value of biomarkers in discriminating adult onset still's disease and sepsis.
Lymphocyte and plateletcrit (PCT) as proportions of routine complete blood count tests, have been studied as simple biomarkers for inflammatory diseases. The aim of our study was to investigate whether blood routine parameters, especially platelet parameters could be a useful tool to distinguish Adult onset Still's disease (AOSD) from sepsis. ⋯ Thus we suggest that lymphocyte, PCT may be a useful tool to make a distinction between AOSD and sepsis, as supplementary biomarkers to ferritin.