Hb Levels Research Articles

Anemia in patients ten years after bariatric surgery

Abstract Background More than 10% of the global population has a BMI above 35. Bariatric surgery is an efficient way to treat this condition. Unfortunately, there is a risk of nutritional deficiencies. The number of studies after a longer time span is scarce. The aim of this study was to determine the occurrence of anaemia five and ten years after bariatric surgery and how it was related to substitution therapy. Patients and methods Registry data from individuals having primary bariatric surgery in the Scandinavian Obesity Surgery Registry (SOReg) from 2007 to 2022 and with a follow-up at five or ten years was retrieved. Demographic data including weight, as well as method of surgery, Hb levels, supplementation, PPI use and stomal ulcerations were recorded. Results In total, 39,992 individuals (mean age 41 years, range 18–74, 77% women) could be included. The majority, 78%, had undergone laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. After five years, 2838/13,944 women (20.3%) and 456/4049 men (11.2%) had anaemia. After ten years, 644/3400 women (18.9%) and 178/947 men (18.8%) had anaemia. The use of oral iron increased from 40 to 45%, and the need for parenteral iron intake increased from 5 to 11%. Conclusions Anaemia is a significant but manageable condition five and ten years after bariatric surgery. Despite the prescription of oral iron supplements to 45% ten years after surgery, the Hb levels could still not be fully restored. Consequently, the importance of follow-up visits and continuous supplementation is emphasised.

Clinical audit on postpartum hemoglobin levels: A study on postpartum anemia

Objectives: The present study was carried out to assess the prevalence of anemia with reference to the Hb levels during postpartum period. The study also investigates the influence of age and mode of delivery on postpartum Hb levels. Material and Methods: It is a hospital-based retrospective descriptive study. The postpartum patients’ data were obtained from the medical records department of a tertiary care hospital. Data of the patients registered for routine blood investigation in the period of December 2023 to January 2024 were collected from the records. Based on patient’s hospital ID, other details including age, Hb level, and mode of delivery data were obtained. Statistical analysis was performed to check the effect of age and mode of delivery on postpartum Hb level by Pearson correlation using IBM Statistical Package for the Social Sciences Statistics version 24.0. Results: About 64.3% of the patients belonged to the age group of 20–30 years and remaining 35.7% within 30–40 years. The percentage of postpartum patients who underwent lower segment cesarean section (LSCS) and normal vaginal delivery (NVD) were 85.7% and 14.3%, respectively. However, cumulative percentage of NVD was higher (100%) than LSCS (85.7%). The postpartum Hb level ranged from 7.9 to 15.2 g/dL. About 54% of patients showed moderate anemia (8–10.9 g/dL), followed by 24% mild (11.9–11 g/dL) and 2% with severe anemic (<8 g/dL) condition. Conclusion: The study highlights the prevalence of PPA associated with both LSCS and NVD modes of delivery. Although the number of anemic patients was higher in LSCS (48) compared to NVD (8), the percentage remains the same at 80% each considering the total number of patients in each category. These observations point out the risk of high-volume blood loss associated with both modes of delivery and emphasize the need for adopting precautionary measures.

Pathogenesis of Pyometra: Treatment and Diagnosis

Pyometra refers to an acute or persistent suppurative inflammation of the uterine wall. A six-year-old Persian cat was admitted to Pet Hospital, with history of anorexia and chronic emaciation. During abdominal examination, the uterus felt larger and firmer than usual. Then ultrasonography examination was done and it revealed anechoic multiple pus pockets. Blood analysis showed that the level of AST, ALT, urea, creatinine increased, and PCV and Hb% decreased. All the findings confirmed that cat had suffering from pyometra. After confirmation, it was decided to do ovariohysterectomy under general anaesthesia. The suture was removed after fourteen days. The cat had a complete recovery without any complication.

Optimizing anemia management using artificial intelligence for patients undergoing hemodialysis

Patients with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) frequently experience anemia, and maintaining hemoglobin (Hb) levels within a targeted range using erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs) is challenging. This study introduces a gated recurrent unit-attention-based module (GAM) for efficient anemia management among patients undergoing chronic dialysis and proposes a novel alert system for anticipating the need for red blood cell transfusions. Data on demographic characteristics, dialysis metrics, drug administration, laboratory tests, and transfusion history were retrospectively collected from patients undergoing hemodialysis at Kangwon National University Hospital between 2017 and 2022. After preprocessing, a final dataset of 252 patients was used for model training. Our model functions in two major phases: (1) Hb level prediction and ESA dose recommendation and (2) transfusion alert framework. The GAM model outperformed traditional machine learning algorithms, including linear regression, XGBoost, and multilayer perceptron, in predicting Hb levels (R-squared value = 0.60). The model also demonstrated a recommendation accuracy of 0.78 compared to that of clinical experts, indicating a high degree of concordance with the ESA dosing recommendations. Additionally, the model exhibited considerably high accuracy (0.99) for transfusion alarms. Thus, the GAM model holds promise for improving anemia management in patients with ESKD by optimizing ESA dosages and providing timely transfusion alerts.

Laboratory analysis of 124 chronic lymphocytic leukemia cases: Single center study

Abstract BACKGROUND: Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is a disease characterized by an uncontrolled proliferation of malfunctioning mature B-lymphocytes. It represents a variable range of clinical presentation and prognoses. Understanding the demographic and cellular characteristics of CLL patients can aid in better disease management and treatment outcomes. OBJECTIVES: To identifying hematological parameters and patterns and potential markers that could assist in better diagnosis and of CLL in the local population. PATIENTS, MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 124 cases of newly diagnosed CLL was conducted. Data were collected from reports over 2 years (April 2022-April2024), including demographics, Hb levels, WBC counts, platelet counts and expression of CD markers (5, 19, 20, 23, 200, FMC7, LAIR1 and others) using flow cytometry on peripheral blood specimens. Based on FC findings, patients were categorized into two groups for better assessment; definite diagnosis CLL and possible diagnosis CLL; then further subdivided into poor prognosis CLL and good prognosis CLL. RESULTS: Male patients represented 59.5% of cases and females were 40.5% with a median age of 61 years at diagnosis. The mean Hb level was 109 ± 2 g/L, the mean WBC count was 58.0 ± 25.0 × 109/L, and the mean platelet count was 190 ± 40 × 109/L. CD5 was positive in 97.6% of cases, with CD23 in 96%. CONCLUSION: This study provides an overview of the demographic and cellular marker characteristics of CLL patients in FC unit. The findings underscore the heterogeneity of CLL immunophenotype and the importance of detailed characterization in improving patient management protocols; however, further research is warranted to correlate these findings with other parameters of disease burden and prognosis to optimize the therapeutic approaches for CLL patients.

High Protein Milk Affected the Increase of the Hb Levels of Third-trimester of Pregnancy with Anemia

Anemia is a risk factor that contributes to 50% of all maternal deaths. The main factors causing anemia are low iron intake and infection. Protein intake, especially animal protein intake, helps increase iron absorption. This study aims to determine the effect of providing high protein milk intake on increasing hemoglobin levels in pregnant women in the third trimester with iron deficiency. This type of research is Pre-Experimental with One Group Pretest-Posttest Design. The population in this study was all third-trimester of pregnant women with pale faces in the of the Gondanglegi Public Health Center Kabupaten Malang. The sample was 33 people taken by using the total sampling technique. The measuring test was the Wilcoxon Marked Rank Test. The examination results showed that the average hemoglobin level before treatment was 10.1 gr/dl, and after treatment was 11.1 gr/dl. The results showed that there was an effect of giving high-protein milk on increasing hemoglobin levels in third-trimester pregnant women with pale skin in Gondanglegi Health Center (p-value = 0.000). This study concludes that milk protein consumption basically affects the increase in hemoglobin levels in pregnant women. It is recommended for pregnant women who get anemia to focus on their food intake, especially protein consumption.

Anemia Acuity Effect on Transfusion Strategies in Acute Myocardial Infarction

In patients with acute myocardial infarction (MI), limited physiologic adaptation to acute anemia might lead to greater benefit from a liberal red blood cell (RBC) transfusion strategy. Data on such a possible benefit are lacking. To compare acute anemia with chronic anemia and post-MI outcomes and estimate the differential effect of a restrictive RBC transfusion strategy compared with a liberal strategy on post-MI outcomes according to anemia acuity. A prespecified subgroup analysis of the Myocardial Ischemia and Transfusion (MINT) multicenter randomized clinical trial was conducted in 126 hospitals in 6 countries between April 26, 2017, and April 14, 2023, with 30-day follow-up and blinded adjudication of the primary outcome. The analysis included 3144 of 3504 MINT participants (89.7%) with acute MI, a hemoglobin (Hb) level less than 10 g/dL at randomization, and a first Hb measurement available on the day of or the day following hospital admission. The MINT trial randomized participants to a restrictive (Hb <7-8 g/dL) or liberal (Hb <10 g/dL) RBC transfusion strategy. Acute anemia was defined as having a first Hb value greater than 13 g/dL (men) or 12 g/dL (women), or as having a decrease greater than or equal to 2 g/dL between the first Hb measurement and measurement at randomization. Other Hb levels were categorized as chronic anemia. The primary outcome was a composite of death or recurrent MI up to 30 days after randomization. Secondary outcomes were death, recurrent MI, cardiac death, heart failure, pulmonary complications, and major bleeding events. Intention-to-treat analysis was performed. Among 3144 included participants (mean [SD] age, 72.3 [11.6] years; 1715 [54.5%] male; 1307 [41.6%] with type 1 MI), 1078 [34.3%]) had acute anemia. Acute anemia was associated with an increased risk of death or recurrent MI (adjusted risk ratio, 1.25; 95% CI, 1.05-1.48). The effect of a restrictive RBC transfusion strategy compared with a liberal strategy was similar for participants with either acute or chronic anemia for all outcomes. In this secondary analysis of the MINT trial, acute anemia was associated with less favorable post-MI outcomes than chronic anemia but did not modify the effects of the randomized transfusion strategy. In patients with anemia and MI, the acuity of anemia should not influence the choice of transfusion trigger. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02981407.

Genotype-phenotype correlation analysis of patients with thalassemia in Quanzhou city, Southeast of China

BackgroundThe carrying rate of thalassemia is high in Quanzhou city. However, there are few large-scale studies on the correlation analysis between genotype and phenotype of thalassemia in Quanzhou. In this study, the genotype and phenotype data of 1076 individuals with thalassemia in Quanzhou city were analyzed to provide reference data for screening and diagnosis of thalassemia in this region. Material and MethodsReverse dot blot hybridization (RDB-PCR), Gap-PCR and nested PCR were used to detect the thalassemia genotype. Clinical and hematological parameters of 1076 individuals of thalassemia were collected to analyze the correlation between genotype and phenotype. ResultsAmong 2997 subjects, 1076 cases diagnosed as thalassemia gene carrier or patients, with detection rate 35.9%, among which Southeast Asian deletion (--SEA) / αα was the most common α-thalassemia genotype (48.4%) and one rare genotype was detected: HKαα/--SEA (0.1%). Subjects with thalassemia alone showed the least severe symptoms of anemia with higher red blood cell count (RBC) and hemoglobin (Hb), lower red blood cell distribution width (RDW) than those with iron deficiency (ID) or iron overload (IO) (p<0.05). The Hb, mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) levels in gene carriers of α-thalassemia were higher than those of β-thalassemia, while RBC, RDW and serum ferritin (SF) levels were lower than the later(p<0.05). Among individuals with --SEA/αα, the Hb, MCV, MCH, mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) and SF levels of subjects≥19 years old were higher than those of ≤18 years old. For cases ≥19 years old, the RBC, Hb and SF levels in male were higher than that in female, while MCHC level was lower than female(p<0.05). ConclusionThe difference of hematological phenotypes in patients with thalassemia is not only affected by their genotype, but also the influence of gender and age.

Activation of γ-globin expression by a common variant disrupting IKAROS-binding motif in β-thalassemia

Programmed silencing of γ-globin genes in adult erythropoiesis is mediated by several chromatin remodeling complexes, which determine the stage-specific genome architecture in this region. Identification of cis- or trans-acting mutations contributing to the diverse extent of Hb F might illustrate the underlying mechanism of γ-β globin switching. Here, we recruit a cohort of 1142 β-thalassemia patients and dissect the natural variants in the whole β-globin gene cluster through a targeted next-generation sequencing panel. A previously unreported SNP rs7948668, predicted to disrupt the binding motif of IKAROS as a key component of chromatin remodeling complexes, is identified to be significantly associated with higher levels of Hb F and age at onset. Gene-editing on this SNP leads to elevation of Hb F in both HUDEP-2 and primary CD34+ cells while the extent of elevation is amplified in the context of β-thalassemia mutations, indicating epistasis effects of the SNP in the regulation of Hb F. Finally, we perform ChIP-qPCR and 4C assays to prove that this variant disrupts the binding motif of IKAROS, leading to enhanced competitiveness of HBG promoters to locus control regions. This study highlights the significance of common regulatory SNPs and provides potential targets for treating of β-hemoglobinopathy.

Safety and efficacy of pegcetacoplan treatment for cold agglutinin disease and warm antibody autoimmune hemolytic anemia

Cold agglutinin disease (CAD) and warm antibody autoimmune hemolytic anemia (wAIHA) are rare autoimmune hemolytic anemias characterized by red blood cell destruction, largely attributable to complement activation resulting in intravascular and extravascular hemolysis. Pegcetacoplan is a subcutaneously administered C3-targeted therapy, which may be suitable for treating CAD and wAIHA. In this open-label phase 2 study, analyses were conducted in two cohorts, one for patients with CAD and the other wAIHA. In each cohort, patients were randomly assigned to receive 270 or 360 mg/day pegcetacoplan for up to 48 weeks. Safety endpoints included the incidence and severity of treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) and adverse events of special interest (AESI). Efficacy endpoints included change from baseline in hemoglobin (Hb), lactate dehydrogenase, absolute reticulocyte count, haptoglobin, indirect bilirubin, and Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy (FACIT)-fatigue scale. Thirteen (100%) and 10 out of 11 (91%) patients with CAD and wAIHA respectively experienced at least 1 TEAE. Ten patients had at least 1 serious adverse event; none were considered related to pegcetacoplan. The only treatment-related AESIs were injection site reactions. Pegcetacoplan increased Hb levels, reduced hemolysis, and increased FACIT-fatigue scale scores in the first weeks; at week 48 the median (interquartile range) change from baseline Hb for the CAD and wAIHA total groups was 2.4 (0.90 to 3.00) and 1.7 g/dL (-1.40 to 2.90), respectively, and improvements in hemolysis and FACIT-fatigue scale scores were maintained. This study demonstrated that pegcetacoplan is generally well tolerated and suggests it can be effective in patients with CAD and wAIHA. Registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov (NCT03226678).

Morbidité et mortalité en anesthésie pour arthroplastie totale de la hanche sur terrain de drépanocytose dans un pays à faible revenu : cas du centre hospitalier Monkole

Background: Anaesthesia for hip arthroplasty in patients with sickle cell disease is considered a high-risk procedure. This study investigated morbidity and mortality in a low-income country using Monkole Hospital as an example.Methods. A cross-sectional study of electrophoretically confirmed sickle cell patients anaesthetised at Monkole for hip arthroplasty during the period October 2018 to April 2024. Peri-anaesthetic data up to hospital discharge were collected prospectively and analysed with SPSS 26.0 for p<0.05. Anaesthetic management at Monkole is multidisciplinary. Transfusion exchange, Hb S assay, and systematic cardiorespiratory investigations are not performed. Simple transfusion was carried out with the aim of achieving a haemoglobin level of 7 and 9 g/dl.Results. Eighty-six patients were enrolled. The mean age was 26.02 years, 88.54% were aged 18 and over, and 66.3% were women. BMI was <18.5 kg/mm2 in 48.8%; 84.9% were polytransfused; only 9.3% were on hydroxyurea and only one had received exchange transfusion; 2.3% were icteric and 97.7% were classified ASA III. The mean Hb level was 8.3g/dl, and less than 7g/dL in 15.1% of cases. Antibiotic prophylaxis was administered in all patients with cefazolin ± gentamycin. Spinal anaesthesia (bupivacaine + morphine) was used alone (95.3%), combined with general anaesthesia (3.48%), and the prosthesis was cemented in 95.35% of cases. Intraoperative complications were: arterial hypotension (18.6%), discomfort (4.6%), the effect of cementing (4.6%), poor quality of spinal block (1.6%), haemorrhage (2.3%). Transfusion was required for 79.1% of patients intraoperatively and 3.2% postoperatively. Postoperative complications accounted for 11.6%: anaemia (5.8%), vaso-occlusive crisis (2.3%), urinary retention (2.3%), and vomiting (1.6%). No deaths or acute chest syndrome were recorded. All patients spent one day in intensive care and the average hospital stay was 5 days. Alcohol consumption and procedures lasting longer than two hours were associated with intraoperative complications. Leanness, previous anaesthesia, platelet count below 1500000/mm3, prolonged activated partial thromboplastin time, and the presence of intraoperative complications were associated with postoperative complications.Conclusion. There was no and morbidity was represented by minor complications. It seems possible to anaesthetise patients with sickle cell disease for hip arthroplasty without measuring haemoglobin S or exchanging transfusions, with a lower risk of morbidity and mortality.

Rapid reagent-free anaemia screening using plant-derived “HemoQR” paper-strips and smartphone: A study on 200 human subjects

Detecting anaemia in resource-limited settings is challenging due to limited access to diagnostic tools, healthcare infrastructure, and trained personnel, often resulting in underdiagnosis and delayed treatment. This study aims to evaluate HemoQR, a novel point-of-care (POC) diagnostic method for haemoglobin (Hb) level detection using a smartphone-based system integrated with a paper strip without needing any reagent or additional auxiliary device. The goal is to assess the efficacy of this portable, user-friendly, rapid and accurate alternative for Hb measurement in large-scale intervention programmes such as Anaemia-mukt Bharat (AMB), which is crucial for diagnosing anaemia and monitoring various health conditions. The method involves the transfer of one drop of the blood sample to a paper strip that is made indigenously using plant based cellulosic sources for optimal functionality. The colour signal around the test spot is quantitatively analysed using a smartphone camera equipped with a custom application. The application processes the images through a machine learning algorithm to determine the Hb concentration. The system was evaluated in a clinical trial involving 200 participants, comparing its performance with the gold-standard laboratory Hb assay using automated haematology analyser. The smartphone-based method demonstrated high sensitivity (87.09 %) and specificity (96.11 %) for anaemia screening, as compared with laboratory results. The average detection time was significantly reduced to under q minute, and the system showed excellent user-friendliness and portability with no auxiliary device needed beyond the smartphone. Clinical trial results indicated that the device was accurate and reliable across different Hb levels. Summarily, HemoQR evidenced to be a promising tool for POC diagnostics. Its high accuracy, rapid results, and ease of use make it suitable for both clinical settings and remote areas with limited access to laboratory facilities. Future research will prioritize further validation and integration of the anaemia screening outcome with electronic health records from a large population cohort. This will help identify early indicators and signals of numerous emerging disease burdens that could escalate into secondary and tertiary health crises if not addressed in time.

Impact of HbE mutation on the clinical severity of HbH disease: Amulticentre study from Thailand.

Haemoglobin (Hb) H disease and HbH disease with co-inherited HbE mutation are the most prevalent forms of α-thalassaemia in Southeast Asia. Data were limited when comparing clinical phenotypes between these two patient groups. We conducted a Thai multicentre study and enrolled 588 patients [median (IQR) age 13.0 (6.7-20.3) years], including those with deletional HbH disease with (n = 47) and without (n = 187) co-inherited HbE mutation and non-deletional HbH disease with (n = 101) and without (n = 253) co-inherited HbE mutation. Patients with HbH disease with co-inherited HbE mutation suffered more severe manifestations than those without. This observation was more pronounced in patients with non-deletional HbH disease. A greater proportion of patients with non-deletional HbH disease with co-inherited HbE mutation (43.6%) eventually required regular transfusions compared to those without (30.4%, p = 0.019). Among those with non-deletional HbH disease who did not require regular transfusions, Hb levels were lower in patients with co-inherited HbE mutation [8.1 (7.2-8.6) vs. 8.8 (8.2-9.5) g/dL, p < 0.001]. Among patients requiring regular transfusions who underwent splenectomy, 11/12 patients with non-deletional HbH disease stopped transfusion compared with 1/3 in non-deletional HbH disease with co-inherited HbE mutation group (p = 0.024). These findings provide insights for the clinical monitoring and management of HbH disease in the region.

Hemoglobin and hematocrit levels are positively correlated with phase angle in mixed cancer patients: an exploratory cross-sectional study.

The aim of this study is to verify the correlationbetween hemoglobin (Hb) and hematocrit (Ht) levels with phase angle (PhA) values in patients with cancer of the gastrointestinal tract and accessory digestive organs. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 82 patients (38 females/44 males) diagnosed with cancer of gastrointestinal tract and accessory organs of digestion. Hb (g/dL) and Ht (%) levels were assessed by the cyanomethemoglobin and microhematocrit methods, respectively. Body composition and PhA were evaluated by the bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA). The cut-off point used to classify patients with low PhA was set < 4°. Fifty-five (67%) of patients had PhA ≥ 4° values. We observed that body weight, BMI, fat mass, % weight loss, Ht, and Hb were higher in the PhA ≥ 4° group than in the PhA < 4° group. In the regression analysis, we found a positive association between PhA, Ht, and Hb without and after adjustment for sex, age, BMI, and type of treatment. In mixed cancer patients, there was a positive correlation between blood-red cell markers and PhA. This may be evidence that we can use of hematological parameters to suggest changes in PhA values during oncological treatment.

Retrospective Analysis of Factors Influencing the Hemoglobin Level-increasing Effect of Sodium-glucose Co-transporter-2 Inhibitors.

In several studies, Sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) have been reported to increase hemoglobin (Hb) levels. In a study in which Hb levels were compared between patients who received SGLT2i and dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors, some patients exhibited increased Hb levels (>1.0 g/dl), whereas some exhibited unchanged Hb levels. Notably, several factors may influence the Hb-increasing effect of SGLT2i. This study aimed to analyze the factors influencing the Hb-increasing effect of SGLT2i. Type 2 diabetes patients were divided into three groups: SGLT2i (SGLT2i only group, n=36), those receiving a combination of SGLT2i and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEi) or angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) (SGLT2i+ACEi/ARBs group, n=32), and those not receiving these drugs (control group, n=49). We retrospectively analyzed Hb changes in these groups. Kaplan-Meier curves compared Hb changes from SGLT2i initiation to day 63, with an Hb increase defined as ≥0.5 g/dl. In addition, sex, age, ACEi/ARBs, estimated glomerular filtration rate, and hematocrit levels were analyzed using Cox proportional hazards as factors influencing Hb-increasing events. Hb-increasing event rates were 61%, 41%, and 20% in the SGLT2i only, SGLT2i+ACEi/ARBs, and control groups, respectively. The Kaplan-Meier curves showed significantly higher Hb-increasing event rates in the SGLT2i only group than in the control and SGLT2i+ACEi/ARBs groups. In the Cox proportional hazards model, ACEi/ARBs use was associated with a 39% reduction in the incidence of Hb-increasing events. SGLT2i exhibit a Hb-increasing effect, which may be reduced by ACEi/ARBs.

Anemia in patients with chronic kidney disease and its association with cardiac abnormalities

Abstract Introduction Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a pathology characterized by multisystemic comorbidities, predominantly associated with cardiovascular disease and anemia. However, the precise association between the degree of anemia and the development of cardiac abnormalities in patients with CKD undergoing hemodialysis remains unclear. Purpose To determine the association between the degree of anemia and cardiac abnormalities in patients with CKD receiving hemodialysis treatment. Methods A cross-sectional multicenter study that included individuals with CKD undergoing hemodialysis was conducted. Electronic medical records containing information regarding medical conditions and pertinent laboratory parameters was collected, and cardiac function was determined using echocardiography. A Spearman rank correlation analysis was conducted to evaluate the associated between the degree of anemia and echocardiographic parameters, with significant set at p &amp;lt;0.05. Results Ninety-nine individuals were included, with a median age of 48 years. The population was categorized based on hemoglobin (Hb) levels into non/mild anemia (Hb &amp;gt;10 mg/dL) and moderate/severe anemia (Hb &amp;lt;9.9 mg/dL) groups (table). Significant differences were observed in left ventricle (LV) posterior wall thickness (10mm in non/mild vs. 11mm in moderate/severe, p&amp;lt;0.015), left atrial (LA) volume (34 mL/m2 in non/mild vs. 39 mL/m2 in moderate/severe, p&amp;lt;0.007) and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) (59% in non/mild vs. 55% in moderate/severe, p&amp;lt;0.025). Negative correlations (figure) were observed between Hb levels and LV mass index (r= -0.21, p= 0.03) and pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASP)(r= -0.27, p= 0.006). Conclusion The degree of anemia demonstrated an association with cardiac abnormalities, as evidenced by alterations in echocardiographic parameters such as LVEF, LA volume and PSAP. This study underscores the importance of further prospective investigations to enhance early identification and stratification of anemia in patients with CKD aiming to mitigate further cardiac complications.Clinical demographics tableScatter plots with correlation graphs

THE EFFECT OF SPINACH CONSUMPTION ON INCREASING HAEMOGLOBIN IN PREGNANT WOMEN

Background: Anemia is a symptom of a lack of red blood cells due to low hemoglobin levels. Based on the performance assessment report of the Tuban Regency Senori Community Health Center East Java Indonesia in 2022, it was found that 36.65% of pregnant women experienced anemia. This shows that there are still many pregnant women who experience anemia and need treatment. The aim of this research is to determine the effect of spinach consumption on increasing hemoglobin levels in pregnant women. Method: quasi experiment with One Group Pretest-Posttest design. The sample in this study was 16 pregnant women with anemia in the Senori Community Health Center Tuban Regency East Java Indonesia, who met the inclusion criteria. The research instrument used an observation sheet to determine hemoglobin levels in the blood before and after consuming green spinach, an easy touch Hb level check tool. Data were analyzed using paired T-test. Result : The average Hb level of pregnant women before the intervention was 10.20 gr% and after the intervention was 11.18 gr%, the results of the paired t-test showed a significance value = 0.000, so the significance value (2-tailed) &lt; α (0 .05) which shows that there is an effect of spinach consumption on increasing hemoglobin levels in pregnant women. Conclusion : There is an effect of spinach consumption on increasing Hb levels in pregnant women. Integrated ANC activities are expected to be carried out routinely so that pregnant women who experience anemia can be detected early and health workers can provide explanations to pregnant women about the dangers of anemia during pregnancy and the consumption of spinach and its benefits.

Thiamine-Responsive Megaloblastic Anemia (TRMA) Syndrome mimicking myelodysplastic neoplasm (MDS)

Thiamine-responsive megaloblastic anemia syndrome (TRMA) is a rare autosomal recessive disease with a homozygous or compound-heterozygous mutation in the SLC19A2 gene characterized by megaloblastic anemia, diabetes mellitus (DM), and sensorineural hearing-loss with onset in childhood. Folic acid and vitamin B12 in serum are normal with dysplastic erythropoiesis in the bone marrow often mimicking myelodysplastic neoplasms (MDN) as a potential differential diagnosis. Thiamine substitution leads to normalization of anemia, without effects on hearing-loss or DM. We report about a 38-year-old male patient, presented with a 12-year history of anemia, insulin dependent DM, optic neuropathy and a cataract since early childhood. The laboratory showed megaloblastic anemia. Other values were normal. The bone marrow smear showed dysplastic erythropoiesis with megaloblastic changes, and normal findings in cytogenetic and molecular genetic examinations. Next-generation sequencing based diagnostics revealed a heterozygous missense variant in the SLC19A2 gene on the maternal allele and a 3.4 Mb inversion in the chromosomal region 1q24.2 with breaking points in FAM78B and SLC19A2 on the paternal allele. Treatment with oral thiamine 100 mg daily was initiated, and 12 weeks later Hb levels and bone marrow morphology had normalized. Late-onset TRMA should be considered in adult patients with indicative comorbidities and a typical phenotype, which may mimic features of MDS.

The comparison of echocardiographic and serum parameters between Sapien 3 Ultra Resilia and Sapien 3 at one month

Abstract Background Sapien 3 Ultra Resilia (S3UR) is the latest balloon-expandable valve for transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). Compared to Sapien 3 (S3), previous model of balloon-expandable valve, the leaflets are modified to anti-calcification tissue and the outer skirt becomes 40% higher with textured polyethylene terephthalate. However, it is unknown how these structural changes affect echocardiographic and serum parameters after TAVR. Purpose To compare impacts of these design changes on relevant echocardiographic and serum parameters between S3UR and S3 in the short term. Methods Patients with severe aortic valve stenosis who underwent TAVR with S3 or S3UR were included in this study. Echocardiographic parameters and blood samples were retrospectively collected at discharge and at 1 month post-procedure. Echocardiographic outcomes included mean pressure gradient (PG), effective orifice area index (EOAi), and paravalvular leak (PVL) grade. Hemolytic anemia indicators, specifically lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and hemoglobin (Hb), were also assessed. Findings suggestive of hemolytic anemia at 1 month were defined as "an increase in LDH level of ≧200 IU/L as well as a decrease in Hb level of ≧1.0 g/dL from pre-procedure." Results Among 443 patients (S3: April 2020-March 2023, S3UR: April 2023-December 2023), 339 patients (S3: n=270, S3UR: n=69) were available for this study. The mean PG was significantly lower in the S3UR group compared to the S3 group at discharge and at 1 month (Figure 1A). On the other hand, the EOAi was similar between the two groups at discharge and at 1 month (Figure 1B). Although the prevalence of none/trace PVL was significantly higher in the S3UR group at discharge, this difference disappeared at 1 month (Figure 1C). LDH levels were significantly increased from pre-procedure to 1 month in both groups (Figure 2A). The median of ΔLDH (1 month – pre-procedure) and %change of LDH (ΔLDH/ pre-procedure) were significantly higher in the S3UR group. The prevalence of hemolytic anemia at 1 month was also significantly higher in this group (Figure 2B). Conclusion At 1 month, S3UR demonstrated superiority in mean PG but equivalence in EOAi and PVL grade compared with S3. Although both S3UR and S3 showed significant increase in LDH from pre-procedure to 1 month, hemolytic anemia was experienced more frequently in S3UR cases. Further evaluation will be needed to assess the potential clinical impacts of these differences.

Efficacy of Epoetin Alfa in Managing Symptomatic Anaemia in Low-Risk Myelodysplastic Syndromes: A Retrospective Analysis.

Background Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are clonal myeloid disorders characterised by ineffective haematopoiesis, leading to anaemia that often requires dependence on red blood cell (RBC) transfusions. Epoetin alfa (Eprex®) is now a mainstay in the management of symptomatic anaemia in low-risk MDS patients, reducing transfusion dependence and improving the quality of life in this patient group. Objective This retrospective study aimed to assess the efficacy of epoetin alfa in treating symptomatic anaemia in low-risk MDS patients, focusing on transfusion independence and its relationship with baseline erythropoietin (EPO) levels and haemoglobin (Hb) response. Methods Data from 56 patients with low-risk MDS treated with epoetin alfa at Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital,Norwich, United Kingdom, between 2018 and 2023 were retrospectively analysed. Baseline EPO levels, transfusion history, Hb response, and the duration of transfusion independence were assessed. Statistical analyses were performed to evaluate the correlation between baseline characteristics and treatment outcomes. Results Among the patients, 98.2% had baseline EPO levels below the 500 IU/L threshold, with a median EPO level of 74.3 IU/L. Following an eight-week trial of 30,000 units of epoetin-alfa, 41.1% of patients showed improved Hb levels, 41.1% maintained stable Hb levels, and 17.9% experienced a decline. A significant correlation was found between lower baseline EPO levels (<250 IU/L) and a positive treatment response (p = 0.0065). Additionally, patients who required fewer transfusions before treatment had longer durations of transfusion independence (correlation coefficient = -0.40, p = 0.015). Dose escalation to 60,000 units provided a benefit to 53.3% of patients with initially stable Hb levels. The average duration of transfusion independence was 8.1 months, and patients with improved Hb levels had the longest periods of transfusion independence (p = 0.005). Conclusion Epoetin alfa is an effective therapy for managing symptomatic anaemia in low-risk MDS patients. This study highlights its efficacy and provides valuable predictive information, particularly showing that patients with lower baseline EPO levels are more likely to respond to treatment. While prior transfusion dependence did not significantly predict response to therapy in this cohort, it was associated with the duration of transfusion independence.