Medicine
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Observational Study
Elevated Preoperative Serum Hs-CRP Level as a Prognostic Factor in Patients Who Underwent Resection for Hepatocellular Carcinoma.
To evaluate the effects of preoperative highly sensitive C-reactive protein (Hs-CRP) in serum on the prognostic outcomes of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) following hepatic resection in Chinese samples. From January 2004 to December 2008, a total of 624 consecutive HCC patients who underwent hepatic resection were incorporated. Serum levels of Hs-CRP were tested at preoperation via a collection of venous blood samples. ⋯ When compared to the Hs-CRP-normal group, the overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival rates were evidently decreased in the Hs-CRP-elevated group. Further, preoperative serum Hs-CRP level might be having possible prediction effect regarding survival and recurrence of HCC patients after hepatic section in the multivariate analysis. Preoperative increased serum Hs-CRP level was an independent prognostic indicator in patients with HCC following hepatic resection in Chinese samples.
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Observational Study
Obese Patients With a Binge Eating Disorder Have an Unfavorable Metabolic and Inflammatory Profile.
To evaluate whether obese patients with a binge eating disorder (BED) have an altered metabolic and inflammatory profile related to their eating behaviors compared with non-BED obese. A total of 115 White obese patients consecutively recruited underwent biochemical, anthropometrical evaluation, and a 75-g oral glucose tolerance test. Patients answered the Binge Eating Scale and were interviewed by a psychiatrist. ⋯ No significant differences in fasting plasma glucose or 2-hour postchallenge plasma glucose were found. Structural equation modeling analysis confirmed the relation between the altered eating behaviors of BED and the metabolic and inflammatory profile. Binge eating disorder obese exhibited an unfavorable metabolic and inflammatory profile, which is related to their characteristic eating habits.
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Observational Study
Increased Risk of Dementia Among Sleep-Related Movement Disorders: A Population-Based Longitudinal Study in Taiwan.
Sleep-related movement disorders (SRMD) are sleep disorders. As poor sleep quality is associated with cognitive impairment, we hypothesized that SRMD patients were exposed to a great risk for developing dementia. The present study was aimed to retrospectively examine the association of SRMD and dementia risk. ⋯ Females with SRMD were at greater risk to develop all-cause dementia (HR: 4.372, 95% CI = 1.175-5.624). The impact of SRMD on dementia risk was progressively increased by various follow-up time intervals (<1 year, 1-2 years, and ≥2 years). The results suggest that SRMD is linked to an increased risk for dementia with gender-dependent and time-dependent characteristics.
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Several nomograms for survival prediction after curative gastric cancer surgery have been published over the recent years. Previous validation studies failed to prove applicability of Eastern Asian nomograms in Western patients. Here we present data on a validation analysis of a newly developed Korean nomogram in a German patient cohort. ⋯ The C-index was 0.76, representing an adequate value for predictability of the Korea nomogram in German patients. The Hosmer-Lemeshow statistic implied applicability of the nomogram in the TUM-cohort. A newly developed multicenter Korean nomogram for survival prediction after curative gastric cancer surgery may be applicable for estimating survival prognosis in Western (European) patients.
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The use of metformin in chronic kidney disease (CKD) population has been intensely debated with conflicting evidence. Large population studies are needed to inform risk assessment and therapeutic decision-making. We evaluated the associations among metformin, metabolic acidosis, and CKD in a 10-year nationally representative noninstitutionalized civilian population in the United States. ⋯ Metformin is associated with subclinical metabolic acidosis but not with severe metabolic acidosis. The propensity of serum bicarbonate-lowering effect was intensified in advanced CKD; however, such tendency was not associated with the risk of clinically defined acidosis. Our findings highlight a potential of cautious expansion of metformin use among CKD-3b patients with diabetes meriting further investigations.