Irish journal of medical science
-
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) has been increasingly recognized as an important factor contributing to medical morbidity and mortality. It was reported that more than half of the population with hypertension had OSA. Limited studies have been done on assessing OSA in hypertensive patients. This study aimed to determine the prevalence, socio-demographic characteristics, and factors associated with probable OSA in hypertensive patients in primary care clinics in Sarawak. ⋯ Because of the high prevalence of probable OSA among patients with hypertension, primary care physicians should be more vigilant in identifying hypertensive patients with OSA risk. Early detection and intervention would reduce disease complications and healthcare costs.
-
High levels of insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) in patients with acromegaly cause structural and functional changes specific to the disease. These changes lead to mortality if the disease is not treated. Circadian blood pressure (BP) rhythm as measured by 24-h ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) can change with a decrease in BP during sleep and a sudden increase in wakefulness. ⋯ As a result, cardiovascular disease risks can be predicted in patients with high serum IGF-1 levels by planning ambulatory blood pressure in the early period.
-
Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is an emergency and severe disorder of the cardiovascular system. This paper assessed the expression of plasma HAND2-AS1 in patients with ACS, researched its diagnostic and prognostic significance, and studied its possible mechanism for participating in ACS. ⋯ HAND2-AS1 was an independent biomarker for the diagnosis and prognosis of ACS. HAND2-AS1 might be involved in ACS development by regulating endothelial damage.
-
Keratin 15 (KRT15) is identified as a useful biomarker in several solid tumors, while its clinical role in papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) remains unknown. Herein, this study is intended to explore the correlation of tumor KRT15 with clinical features and survival in PTC patients who received tumor resection. ⋯ Increased tumor KRT15 associates with a lower invasive degree, prolonged DFS, and OS, revealing its prognostic utility in PTC patients undergoing tumor resection.
-
Breast cancer is the leading cancer in women globally. Despite decreasing mortality rates, largely due to early detection and modern treatment, the effectiveness of screening on long-term survival outcomes remains unclear. ⋯ The study underscores the importance of extended follow-up periods in evaluating the outcomes of breast cancer screening programs. While the screening program may not significantly enhance overall survival rates, it has demonstrated a reduction in the mastectomy rate and could potentially extend periods of disease-free survival. These findings contribute to the ongoing discourse about the long-term benefits of breast cancer screening programs.