Upsala journal of medical sciences
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Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) patients have a good prognosis after adequate treatment. Previous treatment with mantle field irradiation has been accompanied by an increased long-term risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). This study identified co-morbidity factors for the development of cardiovascular side effects and initiated an intervention study aimed to decrease morbidity and mortality of CVD in HL survivors. ⋯ Radiotherapy towards mediastinum was an independent risk factor for CVD as well as hypercholesterolemia and hypertension. A reasonable approach as intervention for this cohort of patients is regular monitoring of hypertension and hypercholesterolemia and referral to adequate investigation when cardiac symptoms appear. Broad knowledge about the side effects from radiotherapy in the medical community and well-structured information regarding late side effects to the patients are all reasonable approaches as late effects can occur even 40 years after cancer treatment.
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During more than five decades, the author has kept a critical eye on how statistical methods are (mis-)used in medical research. Some areas are presented where serious statistical mistakes are prevalent. ⋯ The authors own efforts to improve the use of statistical methods and the current situation with easily accessible statistical program packages are described. Finally, the importance of continued 'statistical cleansing' is stressed.
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This study investigates the predictive value of the systemic immune-inflammation index (SII), which was calculated as platelet × neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio, for all-cause mortality in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). ⋯ SII was a significant risk factor for all-cause mortality in HCM patients. However, the discriminative power was poor to moderate. It could be used in combination with other risk factors in mortality risk stratification in HCM.
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The impact of body mass index (BMI) on mortality varies with age and disease states. The aim of this research study was to analyse the associations between BMI categories and short- and long-term mortality in patients with or without diabetes seeking care at the emergency department (ED) with acute dyspnoea. ⋯ We found divergent long-term mortality risks in patients with and without diabetes, with lower risk in obese patients (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2) with diabetes, but no increased risk for patients without diabetes and overweight (BMI: 25-29.9 kg/m2) and obesity.
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Thymidine kinase 1 (TK1) is an intracellular protein associated with DNA synthesis, expressed during the G1 phase and remained elevated through the M phase, with a potential as a biomarker for cell proliferation. In this study, we explore the possible use of TK1 in Hodgkin lymphoma (HL). ⋯ The study results suggest that S-TK1, measured using a novel antibody-based assay, has the potential to be a biomarker in HL. However, while S-TK1 levels are elevated at baseline compared with healthy controls, a limited number of patients and comparatively short follow-up time render reliable conclusions difficult.