Fasting Blood Glucose Values Research Articles

Relationship between thyroid-stimulating hormone and blood lipids in patients with first-episode depression

BackgroundPrevious studies demonstrated thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) plays an important role in regulating lipid metabolism, but the relationship between the two is controversial. Meanwhile, it has not been reported in a population with major depressive disorder (MDD).MethodsWe divided 1718 first-episode and drug naïve patients with MDD into a TSH abnormal group (TSH-AB) and a TSH normal group (TSH-NOR). The participants in the two groups were assessed by the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD), Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAMA) and the positive subscale of Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale. The patients’ blood was tested for TSH, free T3, free T4, fasting blood glucose, lipid indexes and body mass index was recorded.ResultsThe participants in the TSH-AB group had significantly higher HAMD scores, HAMA scores and total scores of positive symptoms, as well as higher incidence of suicide attempts than those in the TSH-NOR group, accompanied by significantly higher thyroglobulin antibodies, thyroid peroxidase antibodies, fasting blood glucose values, total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels compared with those of TSH-NOR patients. However, the high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) of TSH-AB patients was lower than those of TSH-NOR patients. TSH values were positively correlated with TC, TG, and LDL-C values, and negatively correlated with HDL-C value.ConclusionTSH was highly correlated with abnormal lipid metabolism in patients with MDD. The specific molecular mechanism of the relationship between TSH, lipid metabolism and the development of depression needs to be further in-depth investigation.

Effects of D3K2 With Periodontal Therapy in Diabetes Mellitus and Stage I-II Periodontitis Patients.

The aim of this study is to look into the clinical and biochemical outcomes of D3K2 supplementation in addition to nonsurgical periodontal treatment (NSPT) for patients suffering from diabetes mellitus (DM) and periodontitis. Thirty-eight participants with DM and periodontitis were randomized into two different groups. The test group provided NSPT with D3K2 whereas the control group received NSPT with placebo. Clinical periodontal parameters were recorded and serum and gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) were sampled at baseline and at the third and the sixth months after treatment. Glycated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), fasting blood glucose (FBG), 25(OH)D3, parathyroid hormone (PTH), calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) values were determined in blood samples. GCF and serum interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-10 levels were analyzed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. All clinical periodontal parameters were importantly decreased at the third and sixth months after treatment compared to baseline in both groups. At the sixth month, 25(OH)D3 levels in the test group were observed to be statistically significantly higher than in the control group (p = 0.02). Serum IL-1β showed a statistically significant decrease at the sixth month compared to baseline and the third month in control group. According to this study, there is limited additional benefit of D3K2 given with NSPT in individuals with DM and periodontitis.

Analysis of the Clinical Efficacy of Glimepiride Combined with Insulin in the Treatment of Elderly Diabetes

Objective: To explore the clinical efficacy and incidence of hypoglycemia in the treatment of elderly diabetes with glimepiride combined with insulin. Methods: A total of 100 patients diagnosed with diabetes in Qinghai Red Cross Hospital from January 2018 to January 2019 were selected and divided into an observation group and a control group according to the order of their visits, with 50 patients in each group. The observation group was treated with glimepiride combined with insulin, while the control group was treated with insulin alone. The blood sugar indicators, including glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), fasting blood glucose (FBG), and 2-hour postprandial blood glucose (2h PBG), were compared between the two groups. Additionally, the incidence of hypoglycemia was compared, and the causes of hypoglycemia were analyzed and summarized, proposing corresponding countermeasures. Results: The glycated hemoglobin value of the observation group was lower than that of the control group, and the statistical analysis showed a significant difference (t = 3.54, P < 0.05). The fasting blood glucose value in the observation group was lower than that in the control group, with statistically significant differences (t = 4.08, P < 0.05). The 2-hour postprandial blood glucose value in the observation group was also lower than that in the control group, with a significant difference (t = 3.82, P < 0.05). The incidence of hypoglycemia in the observation group was 10%, while it was 56% in the control group, with a statistically significant difference between the two groups (χ2 = 5.813, P < 0.05). Conclusion: The efficacy of glimepiride combined with insulin in the treatment of elderly diabetes is significantly higher than that of insulin alone, with a lower incidence of hypoglycemia.

The Effect of Nursing Counseling on Treatment Compliance: Acute Coronary Syndrome and Diabetes Mellitus.

The comorbidity of acute coronary syndrome and diabetes affects patient prognoses. Therefore, it is important to manage these diseases simultaneously. In this study, the effect of nursing counseling on treatment compliance was investigated in patients who had received surgical treatment for acute coronary syndrome and had been recently diagnosed with diabetes. A quasi-experimental design with pretest-posttest control group was used. The study sample consisted of 60 patients (intervention group = 30, control group = 30). The data were collected using a patient information form, the Patient Learning Needs Scale, and the Scale for Patient Compliance with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Treatment. This study was conducted in compliance with the Transparent Reporting of Evaluations with Nonrandomized Designs checklist. The intervention group earned significantly higher posttest scores on the Patient Learning Needs total scale and subscales than the control group. Moreover, intervention group compliance with treatment was higher than that of the control group. Furthermore, although significant improvements were found in the average posttest body mass index, fasting blood glucose, HbA1c, total cholesterol, triglyceride, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol values of the control group, the between-group differences in these values were not significant. It is important for nurses to provide counseling services that align with the learning needs of their patients. Also, nursing counseling units should be created and staffed by both specialist nurses and nurse trainers working in healthcare institutions.

Cut-off value of glycated hemoglobin A1c for detecting diabetic retinopathy in the Chinese population.

Glycated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) is considered the most suitable for diabetes mellitus diagnosis due to its accuracy and convenience. However, the effect of HbA1c on diabetic retinopathy (DR) in the Han and Korean populations in Jilin, China, remains inconclusive. To determine the best cut-off of HbA1c for diagnosing DR among the Chinese. This cross-sectional study included 1933 participants from the Yanbian area of Jilin Province, China. Trained investigators employed a questionnaire-based survey, physical examination, laboratory tests, and fundus photography for the investigation. The best cut-off value for HbA1c was established via the receiver operating characteristic curve. The factors associated with HbA1c-associated risk factors were determined via linear regression. The analysis included 887 eligible Chinese Han and Korean participants, 591 of whom were assigned randomly to the training set and 296 to the validation set. The prevalence of DR was 3.27% in the total population. HbA1c of 6.2% was the best cut-off value in the training set, while it was 5.9% in the validation set. In both Chinese Han and Korean populations, an HbA1c level of 6.2% was the best cut-off value. The optimal cut-off values of fasting blood glucose (FBG) ≥ 7 mmol/L and < 7 mmol/L were 8.1% and 6.2% respectively in Han populations, while those in Korean populations were 6.9% and 5.3%, respectively. Age, body mass index, and FBG were determined as the risk factors impacting HbA1c levels. HbA1c may serve as a useful diagnostic indicator for DR. An HbA1c level of 6.2% may be an appropriate cut-off value for DR detection in the Chinese population.

Effects of high-normal fasting blood glucose on ART outcomes of frozen-thawed single blastocyst transfer in women with normal BMI.

This retrospective cohort study aims to investigate whether high-normal fasting blood glucose (FBG) affects assisted reproductive technology (ART) outcomes undergoing single blastocyst frozen-thawed embryo transfer (FET) cycles in women with normal body mass index (BMI). 944 women with normal BMI and FBG levels undergoing single blastocyst FET cycles were enrolled. Based on the median of FBG (4.97mmol/L, 1mmol/L = 18mg/dL), the subjects were categorized into the low-normal group (3.90 ≤ FBG ≤ 4.97 mmol/L, n = 472) and the high-normal group (4.97 < FBG < 6.10mmol/L, n = 472). Multivariable logistic regression and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) were used to analyze the relationship between high-normal FBG and ART outcomes. live birth rate (LBR). LBR was significantly lower in the high-normal group than in the low-normal group (36.8% vs. 45.1%, p = 0.010), and the miscarriage rate was considerably higher than that in the low-normal group (23.9% vs. 16.5%, p = 0.041). High-normal FBG of female was an independent predictor of live birth (adjusted OR:0.747, 95% CI: 0.541-0.963, p = 0.027) and miscarriage (adjusted OR:1.610, 95% CI: 1.018-2.547, p = 0.042). ROC analyses showed that the cut-off values of FBG (endpoints: live birth and miscarriage) were 5.07mmol/L, and 5.01mmol/L, respectively. In women with normal BMI, high-normal FBG is an independent risk factor for lower LBR and higher miscarriage rate in single blastocyst FET cycles. Attention to preconception FBG monitoring in this particular population may allow early intervention to improve ART outcomes.

Fasting blood glucose as a screening measure for late-onset gestational diabetes in the third trimester.

To investigate the positive rate of late-onset gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) by additional fasting blood glucose (FBG) screening at 32-34 gestational weeks (GW) and analyse the perinatal outcomes of late-onset GDM after standard treatment. An Prospective cohort study. Single centre in China. 1130 singleton pregnancies with negative GDM screening in their first and second trimester. Additional FBG testing was performed at 32-34 GW. Pregnancies with FBG ≥5.1 mmol/L were diagnosed as GDM and received standardized treatment. Perinatal outcomes were collected and compared. Diagnosis of late-onset GDM, obstetric and neonatal outcomes. 6.3% (71/1130) of participants had FBG values ≥5.1 mmol/L and were diagnosed with late-onset GDM. Sixty-five (91.5%) were treated by dietary therapy and 6 (8.5%) by insulin therapy. The perinatal outcomes of full-term delivery were compared. The incidence of macrosomia (22.7% vs. 5.1%, adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 5.51, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.83-16.61, p = 0.002) and NICU transferring (18.3% vs. 10.1%, aOR 1.94, 95% CI 1.01-3.74, p = 0.046) was significantly higher in late-onset GDM group than that in FBG <5.1 mmol/L group. Elevated FBG was associated with overweight or obesity during pregnancy (54.9% vs. 34.9%, OR 2.27, 95% CI 1.40-3.68, p = 0.001). 6.3% of singleton pregnancies with normal GDM screening results in the first and second trimester were found to have late-onset GDM by additional FBG screening at 32-34 GW, and their risk of macrosomia during a full-term pregnancy remains significantly higher after standard treatment.

Insulin Blood Levels in Gestational Diabetes Mellitus in Relation to Ethnicity and Age in the Kingdom of Bahrain: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is one of the most common complications of pregnancy. It may be attributed to certain placental hormones during pregnancy which render insulin less effective. Our study aimed to focus on the levels of insulin in gestational diabetic women in the Kingdom of Bahrain as compared with non-diabetic pregnant women. Furthermore, we studied the correlation between insulin levels by ethnicity and age of the pregnant women. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 75 pregnant participants: 41 with GDM (test group) and 34 without GDM (control group). Insulin levels were determined in patients with GDM and compared to non-diabetic pregnant women. A comparison between Bahraini and non-Bahraini women was carried out in two different age groups: below and above 30 years of age. P values < 0.05 were considered significant. The results showed higher mean values of fasting blood glucose (FBG), random blood glucose (RBG), and insulin levels in the test group when compared to the control group. There was no significant difference in FBG, RBG, and insulin levels among Bahraini women with GDM and non-Bahraini women (Indian, Pakistani. Bengali, and Filipino) with GDM. Age, less than 30 vs more than 30 years, had no significant effect on women with GDM. Insulin levels were higher in pregnant women with GDM irrespective of their ethnicity or age. The lack of blood glucose control in GDM even in the presence of high insulin secretion may suggest loss of insulin effectiveness due to other factors such as stress and lactogenic placental hormones.

Accuracy of Fasting Blood Glucose and Body Mass Index in Predicting Gestational Diabetes Mellitus in China.

Research suggests that lowering maternal morbidities associated with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) can be achieved with earlier risk group identification. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine potential markers for identifying first-trimester pregnant women who are at high risk for developing GDM. This was a retrospective cohort study. The pertinent maternal clinical data were retrieved prior to 13+6 weeks of gestation, and a binary logistic regression analysis was used to identify potential GDM predictors. The predictive accuracy was evaluated using the area below the receiver operating characteristics curves. In comparison to the control group, the GDM group had significantly higher mean values for age, body mass index (BMI), mean fasting blood glucose (FBG), and hemoglobin (p < 0.05). The Pearson's correlation coefficients indicated that the first-trimester FBG was significantly positively correlated with the second-trimester FBG. Higher FBG and BMI values were associated with an increased risk of developing GDM (odds ratio [OR] = 3.04, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 2.03-4.55 and OR = 1.18, 95% CI = 1.12-1.25). In terms of predicting GDM, the FBG parameter demonstrated the greatest area under the curve values (0.66), followed by the BMI parameter (0.69). For GDM prediction, the cut-off value for FBG was 4.32 mM, whereas that for BMI was 23.7 kg/m2. The first-trimester FBG and BMI could be utilized to predict gestational diabetes.

Role of nutritional therapy on dietary habits and glycemic control in insulin-treated kidney transplant patients with diabetes

AimsTo evaluate the effect of nutritional therapy on glycemic compensation and key cardio-renal risk markers in patients with diabetes and kidney transplant, on insulin treatment by Multiple Daily Injection (MDI) or Continuous Subcutaneous Insulin Infusion (CSII). Methods34 patients with diabetes on insulin treatment and kidney transplant recipients were enrolled;12 participated in the structured nutritional program (intervention group), 22 patients (control group) did not receive nutritional protocol. Both groups were then divided into subgroups according to the method of insulin administration (MDI and CSII). ResultsStatistically significant reduction in fasting blood glucose values, glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and glycosuria were observed in both groups at the end of the study. The intervention group, significantly reduced total cholesterolemia and the glycemic index, together with reduced dietary intake of lipids, cholesterol, soluble carbohydrates and increased consumption of carbohydrates and fiber. These improvements were even more pronounced in patients treated with CSII. ConclusionsA proper nutritional approach optimize glycometabolic outcomes and contribute significantly to the reduction of the major cardiovascular risk factors in renal transplant patients.

Clinical, radiological, and surgical outcomes of 431 patients with adrenal incidentalomas: retrospective study of a 10-year single-center experience.

The incidence of adrenal tumors is increasing due to the widespread utilization of radiographic imaging techniques. Factors such as tumor size, radiological characteristics, and functionality of adrenal adenomas play crucial roles in diagnosis and subsequent management. In this retrospective study, we investigated the clinical, radiological, and surgical features of patients with adrenal incidentalomas (AIs) and evaluated their follow-up results. We analyzed data from 431 patients diagnosed with AIs (130 males, 301 females) who underwent adrenal hormone evaluation at our center. We compared nonfunctioning and functioning AIs in terms of radiological features. We also compared baseline and follow-up characteristics in nonfunctioning AIs. The mean age of the patients was 55.4 ± 11.5 years, with a mean tumor size of 25.9 ± 14.3 mm. Mean follow-up duration was 3.17 ± 2.07 years. Adenoma localization revealed 165 (38.3%) right-sided, 185 (42.9%) left-sided, and 81 (18.8%) bilateral cases. Most patients (76.6%) had nonfunctioning AIs. During follow-up, nonfunctioning AIs exhibited increased fasting blood glucose, fasting insulin and HOMA-IR values (p = 0.002, <0.001 and 0.004, respectively). Among the functioning AIs cases (23.4%), autonomous cortisol secretion, Cushing's syndrome, pheochromocytoma, and primary aldosteronism were observed in 10.4%, 5.1%, 3.9%, and 3.9% of cases, respectively. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis determined an adrenal adenoma size of 26.5 mm as the optimal cut-off for distinguishing between functioning and nonfunctioning AIs, with a sensitivity and specificity of 61.4% and 70.0%, respectively. Although the majority of AIs are nonfunctioning, the prevalence of functioning adrenal adenomas is not rare. Our findings suggest that adenoma size emerges as a valuable predictor for early detection of functioning adenomas. In addition, smaller masses appear to carry a lower risk of malignancy.

Effects of occupational exposure on the hematologic parameters among welders

Introduction: The effect of prolonged exposure to welding fumes on blood levels remains an unresolved question. In our study, we aimed to determine the effects of metal fume exposure on various blood parameters in welders. Materials and Methods: The study was cross-sectional. It included all male welding workers admitted to a health institution, a reference hospital for occupational diseases, for 2021. It was conducted with 254 individuals. The variables examined included age, duration of employment, smoking habit, body mass index, hemoglobin levels, erythrocyte, leukocyte and platelet counts, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, free prostate-specific antigen, creatinine and manganese levels, and erythrocyte sedimentation rates. Results: In our study, 40.6% of the welders were between 21-30 years old. 65.7% of the participants have been welding for more than five years. According to body-mass index values, 44.1% of the participants were pre-obese, and 16.9% were obese. 63.8% of the participants were smokers. In 35.8% of participants, hyperglycemia was present, and polycythemia was present in 27.2%. When blood parameters were analyzed, fasting blood glucose, aspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase, and sedimentation rate were lower in those who worked less than five years than those who worked five years or more. The difference was statistically significant. In blood test results, leukocyte, glucose, aspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase, and sedimentation rate values in welders were correlated with total working time. Conclusion: Welders in our study had a high prevalence of smoking, overweight, and obesity. Working time is correlated with liver enzyme levels and fasting blood glucose values. For healthier workers, employers should fulfill their responsibilities for occupational health and safety.

Effect of fasting glucose levels on carotid intima-media thickness in premenopausal versus postmenopausal women.

To investigate the relationship between fasting blood glucose (FBG) and carotid intimamedia thickness (IMT) in premenopausal and postmenopausal women. The study enrolled 2,959 women seen at the Maanshan People's Hospital of Anhui Province from December 2013 to December 2018. Carotid IMT was measured using Doppler ultrasound. Linear regression and R smoothing curves were used to analyze the relationship between blood glucose level and carotid IMT in the premenopausal and postmenopausal groups. Postmenopausal compared with premenopausal women had higher mean IMT (mIMT; 0.81 ± 0.23 mm versus 0.70 ± 0.14 mm, respectively, p < 0.001) and maximum IMT (maxIMT; 0.86 ± 0.35 mm versus 0.74 ± 0.16 mm, respectively, p < 0.001) values. On linear regression analysis, mIMT values increased with increasing FBG values when FBG level was ≤ 7 mmol/L, but no significance was found between FBG and maxIMT. After stratification by menopausal status, mIMT and maxIMT increased with increasing FBG when FBG was ≤ 7 mmol/L in the premenopausal group. In the postmenopausal group, mIMT and maxIMT increased with increasing FBG. After adjustment for covariate factors, the relationship between FBG and mIMT remained the same as before the adjustment, but when FBG was ≤ 11 mmol/L, the maxIMT increased with increasing FBG. In the stratification analysis, maxIMT increased with increasing FBG when FBG was ≤ 7 mmol/L in the premenopausal group, while both mIMT and maxIMT increased with increasing FBG when FBG was > 10 mmol/L in the postmenopausal group. Levels of FBG contributed more to increased IMT in postmenopausal than premenopausal women. The influence of FBG was greater on maxIMT than mIMT. Additionally, FBG was helpful in assessing focal thickening of the carotid intima.

Effect of cinnamaldehyde on nesfatin-1 levels in diabetic rats

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of cinnamaldehyde (CA) on fasting blood glucose (FBG), body weight, lipid profile, and nesfatin-1 levels in healthy and diabetic (DM) rats. &#x0D; Methods: Ten groups with eight rats per group were used. Healthy and diabetic sham groups were administered 1 mL of saline for 28 days by intragastric gavage. Healthy and diabetic control groups were administered 1 mL 0.5 % dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) for 28 days by intragastric gavage. Other diabetic and healthy groups (HG) received 10, 20, and 40 mg/kg CA for 28 days by intragastric gavage, once daily. Diabetes was induced with streptozotocin (50 mg/kg intraperitoneally). Rats were defined as diabetic when FBG was &gt; 250 mg/dL. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to assess serum nesfatin-1 concentrations. Fasting blood glucose (FBG) values were evaluated with a glucometer. &#x0D; Results: Day 28 weights of all DM and HG + 40 mg/kg CA groups were lower than day 1 weights (p &lt; 0.05). Triglyceride values of DM + 40 mg/kg CA group were lower than DM sham and control group (p ≤ 0.001). Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and cholesterol levels of the CA-administered healthy groups were higher than healthy control groups (p ≤ 0.001). Nesfatin-1 levels of all DM groups were lower than all healthy groups, and nesfatin-1 levels of all CA-administered healthy and DM groups were lower than healthy and DM sham and control groups, but these were not significant (p &gt; 0.001). &#x0D; Conclusion: Although not significant, the decrease in nesfatin-1 level is evidence that CA has an anti-obesity effect in both healthy and diabetic rats. In contrast to its antihyperlipidemic effect in diabetic conditions, CA has hyperlipidemic effect in healthy conditions.

Impact of coexisting type 2 diabetes mellitus on the urinary microbiota of kidney stone patients.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) commonly complicates kidney stone disease (KSD). Our objective is to investigate the variations in the urinary microbiota between individuals with KSD alone and those with KSD plus T2DM. This exploration could have implications for disease diagnosis and treatment strategies. During lithotripsy, a ureterscope was employed, and 1 mL of urine was collected from the renal pelvis after bladder disinfection. Sequencing targeting the V3-V4 hypervariable region was performed using the 16S rRNA and Illumina Novaseq platform. The Shannon index showed a significant decrease in the KSD plus T2DM group compared to the KSD-only group (false discovery rate = 0.041). Principal Coordinate Analysis (PCoA) demonstrated a distinct bacterial community in the KSD plus T2DM group compared to the KSD-only group (false discovery rate = 0.027). The abundance of Sphingomonas, Corynebacterium, and Lactobacillus was significantly higher in the KSD plus T2DM group than in the KSD-only group (false discovery rate < 0.05). Furthermore, Enhydrobacter, Chryseobacterium, and Allobaculum were positively correlated with fasting blood glucose and HbA1c values (P < 0.05). The urinary microbiota in the renal pelvis exhibits differences between patients with KSD plus T2DM and those with KSD alone. Further studies employing animal models are necessary to validate these distinctions, potentially paving the way for therapeutic developments based on the urinary microbiota.

Universal Fasting Glucose Screening Before Gastric Emptying Scintigraphy and the High Prevalence of Undiagnosed Diabetes and Prediabetes.

The aim of this study was to assess the rates of undiagnosed diabetes mellitus (DM) and pre-DM in patients undergoing gastric emptying scintigraphy (GES). Diabetes is an epidemic in the United States, and the disease is associated with altered gut motility. As a result, we suspected that a significant number of patients referred for GES may have undiagnosed DM or pre-DM. Given that established procedure standards for GES require all patients to prepare with an 8-h fast, an opportunity is provided to measure the fasting blood glucose (FBG) in all individuals before they undergo the examination. Methods: The charts of patients undergoing GES were reviewed for a history of DM and correlated with FBG and GES results. FBG values, obtained by point-of-care testing, were categorized as normal, pre-DM, or DM. Results: Patients with known DM made up 23% of those referred for GES, and most (55%) had a normal FBG. In those without a history of DM, there were a significant number with undiagnosed pre-DM (12%) and DM (33%). Conclusion: Our study provides the first measure of the likely prevalence of undiagnosed DM and pre-DM and characterizes the different gastric emptying patterns among patients with normal FBG, likely undiagnosed pre-DM, likely undiagnosed DM, and known DM.

Prevalence of metabolic syndrome and its association with rapid weight loss among former elite combat sports athletes in Serbia.

In terms of the potential influence of rapid weight loss (RWL) on the metabolic health of former combat sports athletes (CSA), the scientific literature is quite scarce. Therefore, the objective of the presented research was to determine the differences in metabolic syndrome (MetS) parameters and the prevalence of MetS between former athletes who performed RWL and athletes who did not. The sample of the presented study comprised 150 participants from Serbia, equally divided into two groups: 75 former athletes who had practiced combat sports and 75 ex-athletes of various other sports who did not practice RWL during their careers. The following parameters related to the MetS were evaluated: waist circumference, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, fasting glucose, and triglycerides. The oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was used to assess the participant's body response to sugar. The RWL group had significantly higher both systolic (p < 0.001) and diastolic blood pressure (p < 0.001) compared to the group of athletes who did not practice weight reduction during their careers. Additionally, a tendency toward statistically significant differences between groups was recorded in the variable triglycerides (p = 0.069). Regarding OGTT, increased values of fasting blood glucose at the final measurement were revealed only in the RWL group (p = 0.003). The prevalence of MetS was substantially higher in CSA than in the control group (39.5% vs. 16.2%, respectively p = 0.002). This study suggests that former elite CSA who used RWL during their sports career are susceptible to negative metabolic alterations at the end of their competitive period.

Make your choice: Angiography or periodical health examination?

Periodical health examination is one of the important factors influencing a healthy lifestyle. Patients undergoing routine physical examination in primary care are included in the scope of preventive medical services, which is the most basic principle of primary care. Identifying the risk factors enables individuals to adopt healthier lifestyle practices. In our study, we examined the correlation between patients undergoing coronary angiography for suspected coronary stenosis and the extent of primary care services they had received in their medical history, along with the severity of stenosis observed during the angiography. Patients were interviewed using a pre-structured questionnaire to gather information about their past utilization of primary healthcare services related to coronary matters and their cardiovascular (CV) risk profile as documented in their medical history. The necessary standard tests for angiography procedures were retrieved from patient records. The SYNTAX score, a tool that aids in the objective assessment of the severity of coronary artery disease (CAD), was computed and documented. This score was then compared with the history of primary care utilization. The patients' utilization of services from the Primary Healthcare Center (PHC) was evaluated using a scoring system, with an average score of 29.27 ± 11.27 out of 100 points (minimum: 20; maximum: 60). The average SCORE Türkiye indicating the 10-year risk of CV events for all patients was calculated as 14.31% ± 8.65% (high-very high risk), while the average SYNTAX score was 15.20 ± 9.97. There was a positive and significant correlation found between fasting blood glucose and creatinine values with both SYNTAX score and SCORE Türkiye (respectively; R = 0.238, P = .013; R = 0.289, P = .002). Factors such as smoking and metabolic syndrome were associated with CAD severity. It important to highlight that individual recommended for angiography had a notably lower utilization of healthcare services from the PHC based on their medical histories. This circumstance has resulted in individuals who do not undergo CV event screenings at PHCs having higher SYNTAX scores, indicating more severe CAD that necessitates angiography. Conducting regular periodical health examinations at PHCs can help mitigate these statistics.

Association of High Sensitivity C-reactive Protein with Type II Diabetic Retinopathy

Objective: The objective of this study is to find out the association of diabetic retinopathy with serum homocysteine and high sensitivity (hs) CRP levels.&#x0D; Methods: The research was conducted out at the Army Medical College's Department of Physiology and Centre for Research in Experimental and Applied Medicine (CREAM), Rawalpindi, in partnership with the Armed Forces Institute of Ophthalmology, Rawalpindi for a tenure of 12 months. Ninety subjects, were included in the study, thirty in each group: controls, diabetic subjects, and the patients suffering from diabetic retinopathy (DR).&#x0D; Results: Healthy controls, diabetic subjects, and patients with DR were found to have mean Fasting Blood Glucose (FBG) values of 5.51 0.34 (mmol/l), 8.11 0.67 (mmol/l), and 8.73 0.90 (mmol/l), respectively (p=0.001). The mean HbA1c level in normal subjects was noted as 5.08 ± 0.27 in healthy controls as compared to 7.70 + 0.89 (mmol/l)) in diabetic subjects and 9.02 + 1.76 (mmol/l) in patients with DR (p=0.001 by ANOVA). &#x0D; In normal subjects, the mean hs CRP levels were noted to be 3.74 + 1.97 (mg/l) in healthy controls as compared to 15.32 + 2.93 (mg/l) in diabetic subjects and 26.71 + 4.88 (mg/l) in patients with diabetic retinopathy (p=0.001 by ANOVA).&#x0D; Conclusion: During the study, it was found that elevated levels of these inflammatory biomarkers can accurately predict the onset of diabetic retinopathy and that hs CRP levels are strongly related with the development of diabetic retinopathy. Monitoring these inflammatory signs in the serum can therefore help prevent diabetic microangiopathic consequences, including DR.

Association between uterine leiomyoma and fragmented QRS waves: a prospective case-control study.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between uterine leiomyoma and fragmented QRS, a non-invasive indicator of cardiovascular risk and myocardial ischemia, in women with uterine leiomyoma. In this prospective case-control study, a total of 47 patients diagnosed with uterine leiomyoma (case group) and 47 healthy individuals without uterine leiomyoma (control group) who had undergone bilateral tubal ligation surgery were included. Various demographic, clinical, and laboratory parameters and the presence of fragmented QRS were recorded. The leiomyoma group showed significantly higher body mass index (27.46±2.18 vs. 25.9±2.87 kg/m2, p=0.005) and waist circumference (91.34±9.30 vs. 84.97±9.3 cm, p=0.001) compared with the control group. Uterine volumes were also significantly higher in the leiomyoma group (235.75±323.48 vs. 53.24±12.81 mm3, p<0.001). The presence of fragmented QRS was detected in 18.1% of the patients. Multiple regression analysis identified age, fasting blood glucose value, and the presence of fragmented QRS as independent risk factors for the presence of leiomyoma. This study provides valuable insights into the relationship between uterine leiomyoma and fragmented QRS. The presence of fragmented QRS was identified as an independent risk factor for the presence of leiomyoma. Further research is needed to better understand the underlying mechanisms connecting uterine leiomyoma and cardiovascular health.