Higher CRP Values Research Articles

Clinical characteristics and outcomes of 952 hospitalized COVID-19 patients in The Netherlands: A retrospective cohort study.

To describe clinical characteristics, disease course and outcomes in a large and well-documented cohort of hospitalized COVID-19 patients in the Netherlands. We conducted a multicentre retrospective cohort study in The Netherlands including 952 of 1183 consecutively hospitalized patients that were admitted to participating hospitals between March 2nd, 2020, and May 22nd, 2020. Clinical characteristics and laboratory parameters upon admission and during hospitalization were collected until July 1st. The median age was 69 years (IQR 58-77 years) and 605 (63.6%) were male. Cardiovascular disease was present in 558 (58.6%) patients. The median time of onset of symptoms prior to hospitalization was 7 days (IQR 5-10). A non ICU admission policy was applicable in 312 (32.8%) patients and in 165 (56.3%) of the severely ill patients admitted to the ward. At admission and during hospitalization, severely ill patients had higher values of CRP, LDH, ferritin and D-dimer with higher neutrophil counts and lower lymphocyte counts. Overall in-hospital mortality was 25.1% and 183 (19.1%) patients were admitted to ICU, of whom 56 (30.6%) died. Patients aged ≥70 years had high mortality, both at the ward (52.4%) and ICU (47.4%). The median length of ICU stay was 8 days longer in patients aged ≥70 years compared to patients aged ≤60 years. Hospitalized COVID-19 patients aged ≥70 years had high mortality and longer ICU stay compared to patients aged ≤60 years. These findings in combination with the patient burden of an ICU admission and possible long term complications after discharge should encourage us to further investigate the benefit of ICU admission in elderly and fragile COVID-19-patients.

Hypoalbuminemia and Elevated CRP are Risk Factors for Deep Infections and Urinary Tract Infections After Lumbar Spine Surgery in a Large Retrospective Patient Population.

Retrospective cross-sectional study. To determine if pre-operative albumin and CRP can predict post-operative infections after lumbar surgery. Patients who underwent an anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF), posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF), or lumbar discectomy were identified using a patient record database (PearlDiver) and were included in this retrospective study. Patients were stratified by Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) scores and pre-operative albumin and CRP status. Post-operative complications included deep infections and urinary tract infections within 3 months of the surgery and revisions within 1 year of the surgery. 74,280 patients were included in this study. 21,903 had pre-operative albumin or CRP lab values. 7,191 (33%), 12,183 (56%), and 2,529 (12%) patients underwent an ALIF, PLIF, and a lumbar discectomy, respectively. 16,191 did not have any complication (74%). The most common complication was UTI (16%). Among all patients, hypoalbuminemia was a significant risk factor for deep infection and UTI after ALIF, deep infection, UTI, and surgical revision after PLIF, and deep infection after lumbar discectomy. Elevated CRP was a significant risk factor for deep infection after ALIF, UTI after PLIF, and deep infection after lumbar discectomy in patients with a CCI ≤ 3. Pre-operative hypoalbuminemia and elevated CRP were significant risk factors for deep infection, UTI, and/or revision, after ALIF, PLIT, and/or lumbar discectomy. Future studies with a larger population of patients with low albumin and high CRP values are needed to further elaborate on the current findings.

Indicators that determine disease course in COVID-19 patients.

In this study, it was tried to determine the factors affecting the clinical process in patients who were followed up in hospital for coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19). The study, which was designed as a single-center and retrospective cohort, included 658 patients admitted to the service due to COVID-19. The patients were grouped and compared as the patients followed up in the wards (Group 1) and those admitted to ICU (Group 2), between those who were intubated (Group I) in the ICU and those who were not (Group NI), and between patient groups who died (Group M) and survived (Group NM) among those who were intubated. Of the 658 patients hospitalized in the wards, 566 (86%) were discharged and 99 (14%) were later admitted to the ICU. The mortality rate for the 658 patients that were followed up was found to be 7.75%. When Groups 1 and 2 were compared, it was observed that the patients in Group 2 had more comorbidity and higher KDIGO stages (p<0.001). In addition, patients in Group 2 had older age, higher APACHE II and SOFA scores, high WBC counts, neutrophil counts, lymphocyte counts, N/L ratio, CRP, LDH, CK, PTZ, D-dimer, procalcitonin, and ferritin values (all values p<0.001, for CK p=0.034). When the patients in Group I and Group NI were compared, it was observed that the patients in Group I had more comorbidities and higher mortality rate (p<0.001). In addition, patients in Group I had older age, high D-dimer, and ferritin levels (p=0.008; 0.011, and 0.043, respectively). When the patients in Group M and Group NM were compared, it was observed that the patients in Group M were mostly males (p=0.017) and were mostly in KDIGO Stages 1 and 2 (p=0.005). In addition, it was found that the CRP and LDH levels of patients in Group M were significantly higher than those in Group NM (p=0.018 and 0.023, respectively). Comorbidity, clinical features, and laboratory findings are parameters that can help in predicting the clinical course of hospitalized patients due to COVID-19.

Metal on Metal Bearing in Total Hip Arthroplasty and Its Impact on Synovial Cell Count.

Introduction: The effect of different bearings on synovial white blood cell (WBC) count and polymorphonuclear percentage (PMN%) in aspirations remains unclear. Therefore, this study investigates the impact of aseptic Metal-on-Metal (MoM) bearing on synovial fluid. Methods: We searched our arthroplasty registry for aseptic painful THAs with MoM bearings between 2011 and 2018. Then, a case-matched control group was selected with septic and aseptic Total Hip Arthroplasty (THA) with ceramic on a polyethylene (PE) bearing. The matching criteria consisted of gender, age +/−10 years, and time of aspiration (+/−2years). Periprosthetic Joint Infection (PJI) was defined according to the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA), and Musculoskeletal Infection Society (MSIS) using bacterial cultures, sonication and histology. Results: In total, 19 patients who underwent hip aspiration with MoM bearing were identified. Five patients had to be excluded due to insufficient synovial fluid obtained (n = 2) or bacterial growth after sonication that was initially negative with the standard microbiological cultures (n = 3). As such, 14 were included. These patients were matched with 14 aseptic and 14 septic THAs with ceramic on a PE bearing, which constituted the control group. The mean serum chrome level was 20.0 ± 15.5 nmol/L and cobalt level 18.4 ± 22.1 nmol/L. The synovial WBC and PMN% varied significantly between MoM bearing group and the aseptic THA ceramic PE group (both p < 0.001), as well as the septic THA group (WBC p = 0.016, PMN% p < 0.001). Furthermore, the septic THA group had significantly higher CRP values than the aseptic MoM group (p = 0.016). Conclusion: MoM bearing shows significantly higher synovial WBC and PMN% when compared to aseptic THA with ceramic on PE bearing above the MSIS cut-off. This is an important consideration when diagnosing periprosthetic joint infection using the MSIS guidelines.

A prospective study of lung disease in a cohort of early rheumatoid arthritis patients

Lung disease is common in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The onset of lung involvement in RA is not well known. The objective is to describe the features and evolution of lung involvement in early RA, its relationship with disease activity parameters, smoking and treatments. Consecutive patients with early RA without respiratory symptoms were included and tracked for 5 years. Lung assessment included clinical, radiological and pulmonary function tests at diagnosis and during follow-up. Peripheral blood parameters (erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C reactive protein, rheumatoid factor and anti-citrullinated peptide autoantibodies) and scales of articular involvement, such as DAS28-CRP, were evaluated. 40 patients were included and 32 completed the 5-year follow up. 13 patients presented lung involvement in the initial 5 years after RA diagnosis, 3 of them interstitial lung disease. Significant decrease of diffusion lung transfer capacity of carbon monoxide over time was observed in six patients, 2 of them developed interstitial lung disease. DLCO decrease was correlated with higher values of CRP and ESR at diagnosis. Methotrexate was not associated with DLCO deterioration or lung disease development. Subclinical progressive lung disease correlates with RA activity parameters. Smoking status and methotrexate were not associated with development or progression of lung disease.

Current, effectiveness of therapy and outcomes of new coronavirus infection: preliminary analysis

Relevance. Verification of a new coronavirus infection (COVID-19) requires clear algorithms for the diagnosis and treatment of patients, depending on clinical, laboratory and instrumental dates. Timely and informed decisions on optimizing management tactics and prescribing proactive anti-inflammatory therapy before development of a complete symptom complex life threatening conditions are needed in some cases.&#x0D; Aim of the study. To analyze the course and outcomes of a new coronavirus infection, depending on the initial characteristics of the patients and treatment options.&#x0D; Materials and methods. A preliminary analysis of the case histories of 129 people hospitalized in the center for treating patients with a new coronavirus infection at North-Western State Medical University n.a. I.I. Mechnikov was made by random sampling. Among the hospitalized patients there were 67 men (51.9%), the average age was 57.9 16.4 years, 62 women (48.1%), and the average age was 60.2 13.6 years. During hospitalization, all patients underwent standard clinical laboratory and instrumental examination, as well as determination of saturation (SpO2), markers of the cytokine storm (CRP, ferritin, AST, D-dimer, fibrinogen, lymphocytes), compute tomography (CT) of the lungs. The effectiveness and safety of therapy was evaluated by the outcome (recovery, death), as well as by the presence of adverse events in the background of the therapy. Statistical processing of the research results was carried out using the Statistica 12 for Windows application software package, the significance of differences between the two relative values was evaluated using the Student t-test (t 2, p 0.05).&#x0D; Results. Fatal outcomes were significantly more frequently recorded among patients of older age groups and males. The presence of concomitant diseases such as obesity, diabetes mellitus, pathology of the cardiovascular system was accompanied by more frequent fatal outcomes. That allows considering comorbidity as a risk factor for severe course and poor prognosis of COVID-19. However, in general, in the presence of the indicated forms of concomitant diseases, it was not possible to establish significant differences with the outcomes of COVID-19, which may be due to an insufficient amount of patients. Predictors of fatal outcome was low values of saturation, the presence of respiratory failure, a significant amount of lung tissue damage (CT-3-4), as well as high values of CRP, ferritin, AST, D-dimer, neutrophilia, lymphopenia, thrombocytopenia. The use of anticytokine drugs (ACD) in complex therapy can be considered a favorable predictor of outcome, which indicates the advisability of wider use. The materials of the study allow not only a preliminary assessment of the course and effectiveness of complex therapy using anticytokine drugs with COVID-19 in patients with comorbid diseases, but also to develop therapeutic and diagnostic algorithms in patients of this category.

P1503A MULTICENTER STUDY OF THE CLINICAL, LABORATORY CHARACTERISTICS AND POTENTIAL PROGNOSTIC FACTORS IN PATIENTS WITH AA AMYLOIDOSIS ON HEMODIALYSIS

Abstract Background and Aims While, AL amyloidosis is more common in western countries, the most common type of amyloidosis is AA amyloidosis in eastern Mediterranean region including Turkey. Although worse prognosis has been attributed to the AL amyloidosis, AA amyloidosis can also be related to higher mortality under renal replacement therapies. However, there are no sufficient data regarding etiology, clinical presentation and prognostic factors of AA amyloidosis. The objective of our study is to evaluate the clinical, laboratory characteristics and possible predictive factors related to mortality in patients with AA amyloidosis undergoing hemodialysis (HD). Method This multicenter, cross-sectional study was a retrospective analysis of 2100 patients on HD and carried out in 14 selected hemodialysis centers throughout Turkey. Thirty-two patients with biopsy proven AA amyloidosis and thirty-two control patients without AA amyloidosis undergoing HD were included between October 2018 and October 2019. There was no significant difference between the groups in terms of the age and dialysis vintage. Causes of AA amyloidosis, treatment (colchicine and/or anti-interleukin 1 (IL) treatment; canakinumab or anakinra) and number of Familial Mediterranean Fever (FMF) attacks in the last year in case of FMF, systolic and diastolic blood pressures, biochemical values such as mean CRP, hemoglobin, serum albumin, phosphorus, calcium, PTH, ferritin, transferrin saturation, total cholesterol levels and EPO dose, erythropoietin resistance index (ERI), interdialytic fluid intake, body mass indexes, heparin dosage, UF volume and Kt/V data in the last year were collected by retrospective review of medical records. Results Prevalence of AA amyloidosis was found 1.87% in HD centers. In amyloidosis and control groups, 56% and 53% were male, mean age was 54±11 and 53±11 years, mean dialysis vintage was 104±94 and 107±95 months, respectively. FMF was the most common cause of AA amyloidosis (59.5%). All FMF patients received colchicine and the mean colchicine dose was 0,70 ±0,30 mg/day. 26,3 % of FMF patients were unresponsive to colchicine and anti-IL-1 treatment was used in these patients. In AA amyloid and control groups, ERI were 7,88±3,78 and 5,41±3,06 IU/kg/week/g/dl, respectively, (p=0.008). Additionally, higher CRP values (18,78±18,74 and 10,61±10,47 mg/L, p=0.037), lower phosphorus (4,68±0,73 mg/dL vs 5,25±1,04, p=0.014), total cholesterol (135±42 vs 174±39 mg/dL, p&amp;lt;0.01) and serum albumin (3,67±0,49 mg/dL, 4,03±0,22, p&amp;lt;0.01) were observed in patients with AA amyloidosis compared to the control group. Conclusion In this study, we found that long term prognostic factors including higher inflammation, malnutritional parameters and higher ERI were more frequent in AA amyloidosis patients under hemodialysis treatment. Figure Demographic, clinical and laboratory characteristics of patients

Risk Factors for Necrotizing Enterocolitis in Infants With Patent Arterial Duct. A Retrospective Matched Paired Analysis.

Background: The development of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) in neonates with patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) is not well-understood. Our aim was to find risk factors for NEC in children with a significant PDA and to assess differences in mortality and duration of hospital stay between patients with PDA and those with PDA and NEC.Methods: We performed a retrospective single center case control study including infants with PDA scheduled for treatment. We compared multiple patient data between patients with PDA and those with PDA and NEC from 2004 to 2018 using 1:2 and 1:1 matching.Results: We used 1:2 matching with 26 NEC patients (cases) and 52 PDA patients without NEC (controls) and 1:1 matching with 5 NEC patients and 5 PDA patients without NEC. NEC patients had lower Apgar score (1′), more congenital malformations, more suspected sepsis, less hypotension, higher minimum platelet count and higher CRP-values during the week before NEC (P < 0.05, respectively). The mortality was higher in NEC cases [29% (9/31)] compared to the control patients [2% (1/57), P < 0.001]. Lower Apgar score (1′) was correlated with an increased risk of NEC stage III. Hypotension was inversely correlated with the odds of NEC (OR 0.3).Conclusions: NEC increased mortality in infants with PDA. Hypotension did not increase the risk of NEC in infants with PDA. Routine clinical parameters were not able to predict NEC in infants who suffer from PDA.

Subtotal Esophagectomy-Akiyama Procedure： In a Case with Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Adenocarcinoma, typically in the distal third of the esophagus, and squamous cell carcinoma, typically in the proximal two thirds of the esophagus, each make up 49% of cases of esophageal cancer. The remaining cancers in this area include sarcoma (1%), lymphoma (0.5%), cylindroma (0.25%), and primary melanoma (0.25%). Case report We present patient S.G. 62 years old, male, with the following symptoms started 3 months from hospital admission: difficult swalloing mostly for the hard foods and eventually for the liquids too, chest burning, cough and vomiting, throat pain, weight loss. In the laboratory findings only a mild anemia was found, Hemoglobine 10.8 g/dl, and slightly high values of CRP. Patient was hospitalized in the First Clinic of General Surgery, University Hospital Center “Mother Teresa” Tirana, Albania and underwent an upper gastrointestinal tract endoscopy and 28 cm form the incisive teeth and esophageal narrowing was detected which could not allow the scope to go lower for further examination. Biopsy was taken through endoscopy. Patient was planned for a CT scan and tumor markers, CEA and CA 19-9, both later ones came in normal values. CT scan showed an irregular, asymmetric narrowing of the thoracic esophagus, thickening of the esophagus walls with 4 cm of extension without invasion of local periesophageal fat and regional lymphadenopathy. The biopsy resulted; esophageal squamous cell carcinoma G2. In these circumstances patient underwent a feeding jejunostomy and was sent to follow the protocol of neoadjuvant chemo and radiotherapy. Three months later the patient is returned in our clinic, where he underwent the surgical intervention. Postoperatively the patient was treated in the Intensive Care Unit. The next day after the operation, cervical drains were removed and in the fourth postoperative day the thoracic and abdominal drains were also removed. Patient comes in the surgery ward in the fifth postoperative day where is treated afterwards with an excellent postoperative course. In the tenth postoperative day the anastomosis integrity is verified by x-ray swallowing contrast gastrografin, and the next day he was discharged from the hospital. Keywords: Esophageal, squamous cell carcinoma, subtotal esophagectomy DOI: 10.7176/ALST/79-05 Publication date: March 31 st 2020

Relative efficacy and safety of iguratimod monotherapy for the treatment of patients with rheumatoid arthritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

This study aims to compare the efficacy and the safety of the iguratimod with placebo and other disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) in adults with rheumatoid arthritis. Two authors independently searched and selected randomized controlled trials from Cochrane library, Medline (through Pubmed), and Chinese databases, and then assessed the risk of bias (using ROB 2 tool), and graded the certainty of evidence (using the GRADEpro GDT software). We applied the RevMan 5 software for performing meta-analyses of the final consensus data. We identified 12 trials involving 1938 participants. Ten trials had an overall high risk of bias. Although iguratimod had superior efficacy than placebo, the incidence of adverse events was also higher. Inferring to non-inferiority analysis with other DMARD therapy (primarily comprising methotrexate), iguratimod is likely to result in similar treatment response (20% (OR 1.04, 95% CI 0.79 to 1.36), 50% and 70% improvement in American College of Rheumatology criteria) and functional ability at 24weeks. Although the disease state was slightly better with iguratimod (MD - 0.55, 95% CI - 0.85 to - 0.25), a clinically important improvement was not achieved. Iguratimod may have lower C-reactive protein and erythrocyte sedimentation rate values. Swollen joint count, tender joint count, pain intensity, and patient's and physician's global assessment of disease state may be comparable between the therapies. Both the therapies are likely to have similar odds (OR 0.91, 95% CI 0.67 to 1.26) of adverse events. Our evidence suggests that iguratimod may be considered a potential alternative to methotrexate to treat rheumatoid arthritis.Key Points• The Asia Pacific League of Association for Rheumatology (APLAR) has recommended that iguratimod may be used a first-line drug for rheumatoid arthritis in specific cases.• Patients on iguratimod may have similar treatment response, functional ability, disease state, and adverse event profile at 24weeks compared with those on methotrexate.• Iguratimod may be considered a better alternative to methotrexate in RA patients having high CRP and ESR values.• Future clinical trials in diverse population comparing the efficacy and safety of iguratimod in monotherapy or combination therapy with DMARDs (other than methotrexate) are warranted.

Restrictive antibiotic use in children hospitalized for pneumonia: A retrospective inpatient study

IntroductionReducing antibiotic use is a global priority, but the extent to which antibiotic prescriptions can be reduced in children hospitalized for community-acquired pneumonia is unknown. This study aimed to analyse the prescribing experience from a facility with a long-standing practice of restrictive antibiotic use. MethodsWe conducted a retrospective analysis of children from birth to 18 years, hospitalized for pneumonia at an integrative medicine hospital in Germany. Antibiotic prescription rate and clinical outcomes were analyzed. The Moreno Bacterial Pneumonia Score, a composite laboratory, clinical and radiologic score, was applied to estimate the proportion of viral and bacterial pneumonia. Results252 pneumonia episodes were included, with 172 categorized as probably viral and 80 as bacterial pneumonia. Antibiotic prescription rate was 32 % overall, 26 % for presumed viral and 51 % for presumed bacterial pneumonia. Children with probable bacterial pneumonia who were managed with antibiotics had higher CRP values than those managed without antibiotics (p < 0.001). 13 % of bacterial pneumonia episodes initially managed without antibiotics received antibiotics after hospital day 2. Hospitalization duration was longer for bacterial pneumonia episodes managed with antibiotics than those managed without (7.0 versus 4.9 days, p = 0.003). ConclusionsThe observed antibiotic prescription rate of 32 % was much lower than rates reported in the literature - 88–98 %. Children were safely managed with a restrictive antibiotic prescription strategy when physicians judged this to be appropriate. Our findings suggest that a delayed prescription strategy for childhood pneumonia deserves further study. Trial registrationthe study was registered at clinicaltrials.org, NCT03256474.

Impact of Bridging Chemotherapy on Clinical Outcomes of CD19 CAR T Therapy in Relapse/Refractory Diffuse Large B- Cell Lymphoma in Real World Experience

Background: Autologous chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy has shown to be effective in relapsed or refractory (R/R) diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) but requires in real world and in Europe at least a 4 weeks period of cell processing. During this "bridging period", patients are vulnerable to disease progression and complications. We sought to characterize bridging therapy strategies. Methods: We performed a retrospective review of patients (pts) with R/R DLBCL treated with commercialized CD19 CAR T cells, either Axicabtagene Ciloleucel (Yescarta) or tisagenlecleucel (Kymriah). Bridging therapy (BT) was defined by any therapy given from enrolment to cell infusion. We divided bridging therapy in 2 groups: high intensity BT (HI, including chemotherapy+/-immunotherapy) and low intensity BT (LI, including monoclonal antibodies rituximab, brentuximab, dexamethasone, lenalidomide). We evaluated toxicity (cytokine releasing syndrome (CRS), CAR-related encephalopathy syndrome (CRES), infections) and efficacy (OS, PFS) after infusion according to the intensity of the BT. Results: 46 pts were enrolled for commercialized CAR T cells (Kymriah n=25, Yescarta n=21) including R/R DLBCL (n=35), TFL (n=5) or PMBL (n=6) between June 2018 and April 2019. The median age was 57 (IQR, 42 to 64). Number of pts with aaIPI &gt; 2 was 20. The median number of previous lines was 3 (range 3-5), including 15 autologous stem cell transplants and 2 allotransplants. Median time between enrollment and infusion, and between collection and infusion were 59 (35 to 118) and 40 (32 to 90) days, respectively. Overall, 30 (65%) pts received a HI and 16 (35%) a LI or no bridging therapy. Median number of BT cycles was 2 (range, 1-4). 13 patients had various regimen because of uncontrolled disease. Pts receiving HI presented at enrollment with more elevated LDH (60% vs 31%), more involved extranodal sites (n&gt; 2, 32% vs 0%), higher IPI (&gt;2, 77% vs 43%, p=.049), and higher total metabolic tumor volume (TMTV) measured on FDG PET/CT (median, 90 vs 10, p=.002). After BT, 44 pts were infused. 2 pts died before infusion because of a pulmonary infection (n=1) and a lymphoma progression (n=1), both in the HI group. At infusion response evaluation showed that 25 (57%) pts progressed during BT, without difference in the HI or the LI groups (61 % vs 50%). Median TMTV in HI and LI was 95 (10 -256) vs 18 (8 - 44), respectively. After CAR T infusion, 14 pts (32%) developed an infectious disease (7 in the LI group, 7 in the HI group, p=0.31). Median duration of neutropenia (PNN &lt; 1000) was 8 days, 7 in the LI and 9 in the HI (p= 0.21). In the LI and HI groups, 11 and 19 pts developed a CRS (0 grade 3-4), 1 and 11 pts developed a CRES (1 and 3 grade 3-4), respectively. The HI/LI did not impact the occurrence of CRS (p=1.00) but that of CRES (p=0.03). Pts with abnormal LDH (p=0.02), high number of courses (p=0.03) or PS&gt;0 (p=0.049) had a higher risk of CRS, whereas patients with high IPI (p=0.03), and high values of CRP (P=0.02) or decreased albumin levels (p=0.008) had a higher risk of CRES. After CAR T cells infusion, with a median follow up of 5.7 months, the median PFS was not reached in the LI group, and was of 3 months in the HI group (p=0.06). The median OS was not reached in the LI group, and was of 12.5 months in the HI group (p=0.09). In multivariate analyses, IPI was predictor of better PFS, whereas low IPI and TMTV were predictors of better OS. No evidence of any effect of intensity of the BT on OS or PFS was observed in these multivariate analyses. Conclusion: The type of bridging therapies was very heterogeneous. Its intensity was closely related to tumor burden at enrolment. There was no significant difference in terms of efficacy between the HI and LI groups, but a higher frequency of CRES in the HI group. Disclosures Paillassa: Janssen: Other: Bibliography board with young hematologists. Di Blasi:Novartis: Honoraria. Thieblemont:Roche: Honoraria, Research Funding; Gilead: Honoraria; Novartis: Honoraria; Kyte: Honoraria; Janssen: Honoraria; Celgene: Honoraria; Cellectis: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees.

Subclinical and clinical atherosclerosis in rheumatoid arthritis: results from the 3-year, multicentre, prospective, observational GIRRCS (Gruppo Italiano di Ricerca in Reumatologia Clinica e Sperimentale) study

BackgroundRheumatoid arthritis (RA) is associated with an increased risk of morbidity and mortality, when compared with general population, largely due to enhanced atherosclerotic disease. In this work, we aimed at assessing both occurrence and predictive factors of subclinical and clinical atherosclerosis in RA.MethodsFrom January 1, 2015, to December 31, 2015, consecutive participants with RA, admitted to Italian Rheumatology Units, were assessed in the GIRRCS (Gruppo Italiano di Ricerca in Reumatologia Clinica e Sperimentale) cohort. After that, those participants were followed up in a 3-year, prospective, observational study, assessing the occurrence of subclinical and clinical atherosclerosis and possible predictive factors. McNemar test was employed to assess the changes in subclinical and clinical atherosclerosis, and regression analyses exploited the ORs for the occurrence of those comorbidities.ResultsWe analysed 841 participants, mostly female (82.2%) and with median age of 60 years (range 21–90). The remission was achieved and maintained by 41.8% of participants during the follow-up. We observed an increased rate of subclinical atherosclerosis at the end of follow-up (139 vs 203 participants, p < 0.0001), particularly in participants with a disease duration less than 5 years at baseline (70 participants vs 133 participants, p < 0.0001). Type 2 diabetes (T2D) (OR 4.50, 95%CI 1.74–11.62, p = 0.002), high blood pressure (OR 2.03, 95%CI 1.04–4.14, p = 0.042), ACPA (OR 2.36, 95%CI 1.19–4.69, p = 0.014) and mean values of CRP during the follow-up (OR 1.07, 95%CI 1.03–1.14, p = 0.040) were significantly associated with higher risk of subclinical atherosclerosis. We observed an increased rate of clinical atherosclerosis at the end of follow-up (48 vs 76 participants, p < 0.0001). T2D (OR 6.21, 95%CI 2.19–17.71, p = 0.001) was associated with a significant risk of clinical atherosclerosis. The achievement and the maintenance of remission reduced the risk of subclinical (OR 0.25, 95%CI 0.11–0.56, p = 0.001) and clinical atherosclerosis (OR 0.20, 95%CI 0.09–0.95, p = 0.041).ConclusionsWe reported an increased prevalence and incidence of both subclinical and clinical atherosclerosis in 3-year prospectively followed participants, mainly in the subset with a duration of disease less than 5 years. The achievement and the maintenance of remission are associated with a reduction of the risk of subclinical and clinical atherosclerosis. Among “traditional” cardiovascular risk factors, participants with T2D showed a higher risk of clinical and subclinical atherosclerosis.

Neutrophil to Lymphocyte Ratio (NLR) and Platelet to Lymphocyte Ratio (PLR) Versus Laboratory Risk Indicator for Necrotizing Fasciitis (LRINEC) as Predictors of Outcome in Necrotising Fasciitis

Necrotizing fasciitis (NF) is an aggressive infection with substantial morbidity and mortality despite advanced medical care, possibly due to non-specific clinical features in the initial stages. Prognostic indicators help in early diagnosis, risk stratification and decision-making. We analysed a historical cohort of 122 patients with biopsy-proven NF. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was performed to find the cutoff levels for neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet to lymphocyte ratio (PLR) as predictors of mortality, need for re-debridement and intensive care unit (ICU) stay. Patients were grouped according to cutoff levels of NLR, PLR and Laboratory Risk Indicator for NECrotizing fasciitis score (LRINEC) and their outcomes were compared. A multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to assess the association between significant independent predictors of outcome in NF. Of the 122 patients who were studied, the mean age was 59.9 ± 14.1 years, with 81 (66.3%) patients being male. Among them, 112 (91.8%) were survivors and 9(8.2%) were non-survivors. Non-survivors were diabetics (100%), hypertensive (100%), had ischemic heart disease (77%) and had higher values of CRP (p < 0.001), creatinine (p = 0.003), LRINEC (p < 0.001), and NLR (p = 0.005). Patients who required repeat surgeries were older (p = 0.032), had higher white cell counts (p = 0.002), CRP (p = 0.01), LRINEC (p < 0.001), NLR (p < 0.001) and lower haemoglobin (p = 0.02). A multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that NLR (p = 0.001), LRINEC (p = 0.002), creatinine (p = 0.002) and the presence of IHD (p = 0.002) were reliable predictors of poor outcome. LRINEC is a reliable predictor of outcome according to our study. The preoperative NLR (but not PLR) may be used as a potential and easy biomarker for prognostication in patients with necrotising fasciitis.

Prognostic study of cardiac events in Japanese patients with chronic kidney disease using ECG-gated myocardial Perfusion imaging: Final 3-year report of the J-ACCESS 3 study

BackgroundMyocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) is considered useful for risk stratification among patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), without renal deterioration by contrast media. Methods and ResultsThe Japanese Assessment of Cardiac Events and Survival Study by Quantitative Gated SPECT (J-ACCESS 3) is a multicenter, prospective cohort study investigating the ability of MPI to predict cardiac events in 529 CKD patients without a definitive coronary artery disease. All patients were assessed by stress and rest MPI with 99mTc-tetrofosmin and data were analyzed using a defect scoring method and QGS software. Major cardiac events were analyzed for 3 years after registration. The mean eGFR was 29.0 ± 12.8 (mL/minute/1.73 m2). The mean summed stress/rest/difference (SSS, SRS, SDS) scores were 1.9 ± 3.8, 1.1 ± 3.0, and 0.8 ± 1.8, respectively. A total of 60 cardiac events (three cardiac deaths, six sudden deaths, five nonfatal myocardial infarctions, 46 hospitalization cases for heart failure) occurred. The event-free survival rate was lower among patients with kidney dysfunction, higher SSS, and higher CRP values. Multivariate Cox regression analysis independently associated SSS ≥8, eGFR <15 (mL/minute/1.73 m2), and CRP ≥0.3 (mg/dL) with cardiac events. ConclusionsTogether with eGFR and CRP, MPI can predict cardiac events in patients with CKD.

Pneumopathies et exposition aux oiseaux : ornithose ou pneumopathie d’hypersensibilité aiguë aviaire ?

The aim of our study was to compare the features at diagnosis in patients with ornithosis to patients with avian acute hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP). Clinical, biological and radiological differences could potentially help clinicians to distinguish these diseases. We conducted a retrospective study on patients admitted from 2000to 2016in three hospitals. Ornithosis was diagnosed based on a positive polymerase chain reaction for Chlamydophila psittaci on respiratory samples and/or a seroconversion while HP was diagnosed on the basis of at least one positive serum precipitin. Twelve patients with HP and 13patients with ornithosis were identified. Compared to HP, ornithosis occurred more frequently in males (P=0.047), with less previous respiratory diseases (P=0.01), shorter symptom duration (P=0.03), less frequently bilateral crackles (P=0.004), more severe disease requiring more frequently intensive care admission (P=0.005), higher CRP values (P=0.005) and more profound lymphopenia (P=0.02). Ground glass shadowing on CT scan (P=0.001) or bronchiectasis (P=0.03) were more frequently noted in patients with HP. Our results suggest that patients with ornithosis and HP have important differences in their clinical, biological, and radiological presentation.

Valor pronóstico a corto plazo de la proteína C reactiva en ancianos con insuficiencia cardíaca aguda

Introduction and objectivesPlasma c-reactive protein (crp) has been tested as a prognostic marker in acute heart failure (ahf). Whether its measurement really provides significant prognostic information when applied to elderly patients with ahf episodes remains unclear. MethodsWe measured the plasma crp values of patients admitted because of any type of ahf to internal medicine services. We evaluated the association of these values with the patients’ baseline clinical characteristics and their 3-month posdischarge all-cause mortality or readmission rates. For comparison purposes, we divided the sample in tertiles of low, medium and high crp values (<2,24mg/l, 2,25-11,8mg/l and>11,8mg/l). ResultsWe included 1443 patients with a median age of 80 years (interquartile range 73-85); 680 (47%) were men, with a moderate comorbid burden. 60.1% had preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (> 50%). Multivariate analysis confirmed an independent association between higher crp values and the presence of respiratory infection, lower systolic blood pressure and deteriorated renal function upon admission. Three months after the index admission, a total of 142 patients (9.8%) had died, and 268 (18.6%) had either been readmitted or died. admission crp values did not correlate with 3-month all-cause mortality (P=0.79), 3-month all-cause readmission (P=0.96) or the combination of both events (P=0.96). However, higher crp values were associated with a longer length of stay (P<0.001). ConclusionOur study does not confirm an association between admission plasma crp values in elderly ahf patients and subsequent higher 3-month mortality or readmission risks.

Dental and periodontal disease in hemodialysis patients is associated with inflammation; a study from North India

Introduction: Poor oral health and periodontitis is an important problem in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients on hemodialysis (HD) awaiting kidney transplantation. This could contribute to increased morbidity and mortality as a result of infections and consequences of inflammation. Objectives: To study the oral health status and assess its impact in inducing inflammation in CKD patients on HD. Patients and Methods: Fifty CKD patients on HD (group I) were compared with 50 healthy controls (group-II) in a prospective cohort study. Oral health assessment was done with the WHO oral health assessment form with a mouth mirror and a community periodontal index (CPI) probe by a trained dentist. The demographic clinical data of oral health and periodontitis was collected in dialysis patients and healthy controls. CRP levels were assayed as markers of inflammation. Results: Data shows that patients on dialysis have evidence of increased inflammation as indicated by raised CRP values. Our study shows the poor oral and mouth hygiene and periodontitis and inflammation was much more in dialysis patients as compared to control group (P<0.05). Amongst dialysis patients with higher inflammation (CRP values), there was poorer oral health and more periodontitis (P<0.05). This indicates that higher inflammation could result from poor dental hygiene and periodontitis. Conclusion: Poor oral and mouth hygiene was associated with inflammation as indicated by high CRP values in CKD patients on dialysis with poor dental hygiene. Periodontitis was significantly associated with development of inflammation.

The Effect of Morinda citrifolia L. Fruit Juice on the Blood Sugar Level and Other Serum Parameters in Patients with Diabetes Type 2.

Background The effect of the daily consumption of Morinda citrifolia (Noni) fruit juice on the physiological status of patients with diabetes type 2 (DT2) was tested over a period of two months. Methods Morinda citrifolia (Noni) fruit juice (NFJ), 2 ml per kg bw per day, was consumed by twenty patients with DT2 after they underwent a standard treatment regimen including carbohydrate reduced diet and treatment with an antidiabetic drug and/or insulin. NFJ consumption started only after no further improvement was achieved. The intake of NFJ was terminated after eight weeks. The fasting blood sugar level was monitored every morning during the entire treatment period. Blood samples were taken before, at, and four and eight weeks after the start of NFJ intake. The analysis of the blood samples included the concentration of blood glucose, HbA1c, C-peptide, hs-CRP, triglycerides, total cholesterol, LDL, and HDL. Results The consumption of NFJ by 20 patients with DT2 resulted in a significant mean decrease of the morning blood sugar level monitored over a period of eight weeks. While NFJ reduced the blood glucose level in several but not all hyperglycemic patients, it did not cause hypoglycemia in normoglycemic patients. NFJ consumption also reduced the mean HbA1c value significantly (p= 0.033). Significant decreases (p= 0.01) were also achieved for high sensitive CRP values in patients starting with high levels (>2 mg/L), whereas no change was observed in patients with normal values (< 2 mg/L). The level of C-peptide showed a significant mean increase after four weeks of NFJ consumption in those patients who started with low levels (<3 μg/l, p=0.004, N=11) but not in patients with higher levels (> 3 μg/L). Conclusion The daily consumption of NFJ has the potential to regulate elevated blood sugar levels and some other pathological parameters in patients with DT2. NFJ therefore serves as a suitable additive to the diet of diabetic patients.

Head and neck giant cell arteritis: an autoimmune disease with many faces

Conclusion: A high rate of infrequent presentations of giant cell arteritis were seen in the ENT department and should be anticipated as a differential diagnosis in every older patient with odynophagia with high CRP values without cause in thorough ENT examination.Objective: To describe the clinical manifestation of head and neck giant cell arteritis and to derive a diagnostic pathway covering atypical cases.Method: Single-center, retrospective analysis of cases with GCA in the head and neck region (HN-GCA) (2002–2012) to describe the clinical presentation and to derive a diagnostic pathway covering manifestations presenting to an ENT department.Results: Sixty-five patients were newly diagnosed with HN-GCA in the department of otolaryngology, ophthalmology and neurology. The most frequent symptoms were loss of vision (83%) and new onset headache (63%). Eight patients (12%) presented with infrequent manifestations, predominantly in the department of otorhinolaryngology. The most common atypical presentation (50%) was odynophagia in conjunction with high CRP values misleading to an infectious cause and delaying diagnosis. A diagnostic pathway for GCA was derived based on the ACR classification criteria and the clinical findings.