Saudi Med J
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To investigate the serum levels of nesfatin-1 and galanin in patients with metabolic syndrome (MetS), and also to show their association with the parameters of the disease. Methods: We performed a case-control study with 84 participants (44 patients with MetS diagnosed according to the American Heart Association/National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute and International Diabetes Federation criteria and 40 control group) were recruited from King Abdulaziz University Hospital, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, between October 2014 and June 2015. Anthropometric parameters, biochemical markers as well as nesfatin-1 and galanin were measured. Results: Nesfatin-1 levels were found to be significantly lower and galanin levels significantly higher in MetS group compared to the control group. A significant negative correlation between serum nesfatin-1 and weight, waist circumference, and body mass index were observed. A significant positive correlation between serum galanin and with fasting blood glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin, homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance, and triglycerides. Conclusion: Our findings indicated a lower level of nesfatin-1 and a higher level of galanin in patients with MetS, suggesting a role of these neuropeptides in the pathogenesis of this disease.
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[No Abstract Available].
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[No Abstract Available].
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To determine the level of the psychological problems such as depression and anxiety in sickle cell disease (SCD) patients in Tabuk region, northwestern Saudi Arabia. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 89 patients with SCD was assessed in the outpatient clinics of King Salman Armed Forces Hospital, Tabuk, Saudi Arabia between March 2017 and August 2017. Two validated Arabic translated questionnaires, the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7), were used to assess the type and degree of psychopathology (anxiety or depression) each patient suffered. Chi-square test was used to assess the differences between anxiety and depression levels according to the different sociodemographic characteristics of the participants. Results: The values were computed by analyzing the Cronbach's alphas for the GAD-7 (0.83) and PHQ-9 (0.81) questionnaires. The rate of depression was 36% and anxiety was 29%. Female patients with SCD reported a higher incidence of depression and anxiety than males (p greater than 0.05). Patients with a higher level of education were significantly more anxious about their illness than those with a lower level education (p=0.02). ⋯ A statistically insignificant association was reported between depression and anxiety with regard to gender; however, female patients reported a higher incidence of depression and anxiety than male patients. A significant association with anxiety was reported among patients with higher levels of education.
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To evaluate the relationship between the expression level and biologic role of YKL-40 in bipolar disorder (BD). ⋯ This case-control study was conducted in the Faculty of Medicine, Canakkale Onsekiz Mart University, Canakkale, Turkey in 2015. One hundred and four patients diagnosed as having bipolar disorder (DSM5 criteria), and 96 participants were included as healthy controls in this study. A human YKL-40 enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit was used to measure the serum YKL-40 levels. As independent variables, we collected data on C-reactive protein (CRP), demographic variables, and medications. Results: The mean YLK-40 levels for the BD was 2723.5±543.8 pg/ml and control groups was 2132.5±576.3 pg/ml (t=7.42, p less than 0.001). The mean CRP levels for the BD was 0.4±0.6 mg/dl and control groups was 0.4±0.7 mg/dl (t=0.02, p=0.985). The receiver operating characteristics (ROC) analysis revealed an area under the curve (AUC) of YKL-40 in the diagnosis of BD as 0.79 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.72-0.85) with a sensitivity of 82.7% and specificity of 68.1% at a cutoff level of 2307.1 pg/ml. The use of antidepressants, antipsychotics, mood modifiers, and the presence of any comorbidity was not related to the YKL-40 levels (p greater than 0.05). Conclusion: With acceptable sensitivity and specificity levels, the YKL-40 can be utilized as a marker in the diagnosis and follow-up of BD.