Vital Status Of Patients Research Articles

All-cause mortality and risk factors in patients with type 1 diabetes in Castilla-La Mancha, Spain. DIACAM1 2010–2020 study

IntroductionDespite better treatments and care for patients with type 1 diabetes (T1DM), all-cause and cardiovascular mortality still remains higher compared to the general population. We evaluated mortality and risk factors for mortality in a representative cohort of patients with T1DM. MethodsDIACAM1 was a cross-sectional, multicenter study on adult patients (≥ 16 years old) and diabetes with at least 5 years since diabetes diagnosis conducted between 2009 and 2010. DIACAM1 2010–2020 study was a follow-up study, extension of DIACAM1, where vital status of patients was evaluated between June 2019 and June 2020. Results4.03% [CI95%, 2.53–5.62) of the 1465 patients with T1DM included in the cohort of the DIACAM1 in 2010 had died. Survival was lower than in the sex- and age-matched general population in the same region. 40.7% of deaths were due to cardiovascular disease. HbA1c levels < 7% and triglyceride levels < 150 mg/dL were associated with lower mortality, whereas retinopathy and plasma creatinine were associated with increased mortality. ConclusionsWe confirmed a lower survival in people with T1DM, with cardiovascular disease being the main cause of mortality. High HbA1c, high triglycerides, retinopathy, and high creatinine are factors associated with mortality.

Use of sugar in coffee and tea and long-term risk of mortality in older adult Danish men: 32 years of follow-up from a prospective cohort study.

Tea and coffee are the most consumed beverages worldwide and very often sweetened with sugar. However, the association between the use of sugar in tea or coffee and adverse events is currently unclear. To investigate the association between the addition of sugar to coffee or tea, and the risk of all-cause mortality, cardiovascular mortality, cancer mortality and incident diabetes mellitus. Participants from the prospective Copenhagen Male Study, included from 1985 to 1986, without cardiovascular disease, cancer or diabetes mellitus at inclusion, who reported regular coffee or tea consumption were included. Self-reported number of cups of coffee and tea and use of sugar were derived from the study questionnaires. Quantity of sugar use was not reported. Primary outcome was all-cause mortality and secondary endpoints were cardiovascular mortality, cancer mortality and incident diabetes mellitus, all assessed through the Danish national registries. The association between adding sugar and all-cause mortality was analyzed by Cox regression analysis. Age, smoking status, daily alcohol intake, systolic blood pressure, body mass index, number of cups of coffee and/or tea consumed per day and socioeconomic status were included as covariates. Vital status of patients up and until 22.03.2017 was assessed. Sugar could be added to either coffee, tea or both. In total, 2923 men (mean age at inclusion: 63±5 years) were included, of which 1007 (34.5%) added sugar. In 32 years of follow-up, 2581 participants (88.3%) died, 1677 in the non-sugar group (87.5%) versus 904 in the sugar group (89.9%). Hazard ratio of the sugar group compared to the non-sugar group was 1.06 (95% CI 0.98;1.16) for all-cause mortality. An interaction term between number of cups of coffee and/or tea per day and adding sugar was 0.99 (0.96;1.01). A subgroup analysis of coffee-only drinkers showed a hazard ratio of 1.11 (0.99;1.26). The interaction term was 0.98 (0.94;1.02). Hazard ratios for the sugar group compared to the non-sugar group were 1.11 (95% CI 0.97;1.26) for cardiovascular disease mortality, 1.01 (95% CI 0.87;1.17) for cancer mortality and 1.04 (95% CI 0.79;1.36) for incident diabetes mellitus. In the present population of Danish men, use of sugar in tea and/or coffee was not significantly associated with increased risk of mortality or incident diabetes.

Association of ABO blood groups with venous thrombosis recurrence in middle-aged patients: insights from a weighted Cox analysis dedicated to ambispective design

BackgroundIn studies of time-to-events, it is common to collect information about events that occurred before the inclusion in a prospective cohort. When the studied risk factors are independent of time, including both pre- and post-inclusion events in the analyses, generally referred to as relying on an ambispective design, increases the statistical power but may lead to a selection bias. In the field of venous thromboembolism (VT), ABO blood groups have been the subject of extensive research due to their substantial effect on VT risk. However, few studies have investigated their effect on the risk of VT recurrence. Motivated by the study of the association of genetically determined ABO blood groups with VT recurrence, we propose a methodology to include pre-inclusion events in the analysis of ambispective studies while avoiding the selection bias due to mortality.MethodsThis work relies on two independent cohorts of VT patients, the French MARTHA study built on an ambispective design and the Dutch MEGA study built on a standard prospective design. For the analysis of the MARTHA study, a weighted Cox model was developed where weights were defined by the inverse of the survival probability at the time of data collection about the events. Thanks to the collection of information on the vital status of patients, we could estimate the survival probabilities using a delayed-entry Cox model on the death risk. Finally, results obtained in both studies were then meta-analysed.ResultsIn the combined sample totalling 2,752 patients including 993 recurrences, the A1 blood group has an increased risk (Hazard Ratio (HR) of 1.18, p = 4.2 × 10–3) compared with the O1 group, homogeneously in MARTHA and in MEGA. The same trend (HR = 1.19, p = 0.06) was observed for the less frequent A2 group.ConclusionThe proposed methodology increases the power of studies relying on an ambispective design which is frequent in epidemiologic studies about recurrent events. This approach allowed to clarify the association of ABO blood groups with the risk of VT recurrence. Besides, this methodology has an immediate field of application in the context of genome wide association studies.

S-37-2: CIRCADIAN RHYTHM OF PERIPHERAL AND CENTRAL ARTERIAL BLOOD PRESSURES IN RELATION TO ALL-CAUSE MORTALITY

Objective: Brachial blood pressure (BP) presents a circadian rhythm. Abnormal rhythms are associated with adverse outcomes. However, it is not clear about the circadian rhythm of central BP and its predictive value. Methods: The study participants were patients referred to the outpatient clinic of Ruijin Hospital for 24-hour ambulatory BP monitoring from the year 2017 to 2020. The 24-hour brachial and central ambulatory BP monitoring were performed with the use of the Mobil-O-Graph (Germany) monitors. Dipping, non-dipping, reverse dipping and extreme dipping were defined as a night-to-day systolic BP ratio of 0.8–0.9, 0.9–1.0, &gt; 1.0, and &lt; 0.8, respectively. In cross-classification analysis of brachial and central dipping status, extreme dipping and reverse dipping were grouped with dipping and non-dipping, respectively. The vital status of patients until Dec 2020 was ascertained according to the vital statistics of the Shanghai Center for Disease Prevention and Control. Results: In 26,023 enrolled patients (men 47.4%, average age 53.0 years) followed up for a median of 1.8 years, 120 deaths occurred. The prevalence of non-dipping (46.7% vs. 43.7%, respectively) and reverse dipping (16.0% vs. 13.1%) was significantly (P &lt; 0.001) higher for central than for brachial BP. The hazard ratios (95% confidence intervals, [CI]) for all-cause mortality were statistically significant for reverse dipping (1.95 [1.18–3.23] and 2.37 [1.43–3.94], respectively), but not other dipping status, versus dipping in brachial and central BP, respectively. In the brachial and central cross-classification analysis, the prevalence of consistent dipping, consistent non-dipping, isolated central non-dipping, and isolated brachial non-dipping was 34.7%, 54.2%, 8.6%, and 2.5%, respectively. Taking the consistent dipping as reference, the hazard ratios (95% CI) for all-cause mortality were 1.83 (0.77–4.31), 1.34 (0.46–3.95), and 1.94 (1.20–3.15) for isolated central, isolated brachial and consistent non-dipping, respectively. Furthermore, cross-classification significantly improved the risk prediction of all-cause mortality with a net reclassification improvement index (95% CI) of 0.193 (0.069–0.304). Conclusions: Non-dipping and reverse dipping were more common for central than for brachial BP, and were associated with a higher mortality risk irrespective of brachial or central BP. Cross-classification of brachial and central dipping status further improved risk stratification.

Pre-Diagnosis Sleep Status and Survival after a Diagnosis of Ovarian Cancer: A Prospective Cohort Study.

Objective: To explore if pre-diagnosis sleep status is associated with overall survival (OS) of ovarian cancer (OC). Methods: This is a prospective cohort study of 853 OC patients newly diagnosed between 2015 and 2020. Sleep status was measured by the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Vital status of patients was obtained through active follow-up and linkage to medical records and cancer registry. The Cox proportional hazards regression model was utilized to calculate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for aforementioned associations. Results: During the follow-up period (median: 37.57 months, interquartile: 25.00 to 50.17 months), 123 (18.39%) OC patients died. The HR (95%CI) for OS of OC was 2.13 (1.42−3.18) for sleeping after 22:00, compared with sleeping before 22:00; 2.43 (1.64−3.62) for poor sleep quality, compared to good sleep quality; 2.26 (1.37−3.72) for late bed-early rise and 1.93 (1.09−3.42) for late bed-late rise, compared with early bed-early rise; 0.40 (0.24−0.67) for night sleep duration of ≥7.5 h/day, compared with 7−7.5 h/day; 0.53 (0.29−0.98) for total sleep duration of ≥8 h/day, compared with 7.5−8 h/day. Further, the interaction effects were significant between residual lesions and wake-up time, night bedtime, sleep pattern, and between total sleep duration and menopausal status, parity. Additionally, there was a significant curvilinear association between PSQI score and OS (p nonlinear <0.05). Conclusions: Pre-diagnosis longer total and night sleep duration were associated with better OS, whereas later sleeping time, poor sleep quality, and bad sleep patterns were associated with poor OS among OC survivors.

Mortality in Elderly Patients Taking Furosemide: Prospective Cohorts Study.

Low blood pressure (BP) has been proposed as a risk factor of death in elderly patients. However, this association could be partially accounted for by the deleterious effects of BP-lowering drugs. We analyzed whether these drugs are associated to an increased risk of death in elderly patients taking multiple potential confounders into account. This is a prospective cohort study. Setting and Participants. Probabilistic sample of 772 community-dwelling patients aged >65 years living in Spain, who were appointed for an initial clinical visit and followed up through telephone calls 4, 6, 9, 12, and 60 months afterwards. At baseline visit, BP was measured using standardized methods, and BP medications and risk factors of death in elderly patients (BMI, oxygen saturation, toxic habits, comorbidity, muscular strength, and functional and cognitive capacity) were collected. During the follow-up, the vital status of patients and the date of death were ascertained. During a median 5-year follow-up, 226 all-cause deaths occurred among the 686 participants included in the analysis. In a Cox regression model that included all the BP drug classes, diuretics and nitrites were significantly associated with mortality (p < 0.005). Within diuretics, furosemide was found to be responsible for the association of the group. In multivariable Cox regression models adjusted for BP and the rest of the mortality risk factors, furosemide remained as the only BP drug that was independently associated with mortality (hazard ratio 2.34; p < 0.01). Furosemide was prospectively associated with increased mortality in older people. If confirmed, this drug should be taken into account by prescribers and considered a confounder in BP studies.

A Lower CD4 Count Predicts Most Causes of Death except Cardiovascular Deaths. The Austrian HIV Cohort Study.

(1) Objective: To investigate changes in mortality rates and predictors of all-cause mortality as well as specific causes of death over time among HIV-positive individuals in the combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) era. (2) Methods: We analyzed all-cause as well as cause-specific mortality among the Austrian HIV Cohort Study between 1997 and 2014. Observation time was divided into five periods: Period 1: 1997–2000; period 2: 2001–2004; period 3: 2005–2008; period 4: 2009–2011; and period 5: 2012–2014. Mortality rates are presented as deaths per 100 person-years (d/100py). Potential risk factors associated with all-cause mortality and specific causes of death were identified by using multivariable Cox proportional hazard models. Models were adjusted for time-updated CD4, age and cART, HIV transmission category, population size of residence area and country of birth. To assess potential nonlinear associations, we fitted all CD4 counts per patient using restricted cubic splines with truncation at 1000 cells/mm3. Vital status of patients was cross-checked with death registry data. (3) Results: Of 6848 patients (59,704 person-years of observation), 1192 died: 380 (31.9%) from AIDS-related diseases. All-cause mortality rates decreased continuously from 3.49 d/100py in period 1 to 1.40 d/100py in period 5. Death due to AIDS-related diseases, liver-related diseases and non-AIDS infections declined, whereas cardiovascular diseases as cause of death remained stable (0.27 d/100py in period 1, 0.10 d/100py in period 2, 0.16 d/100py in period 3, 0.09 d/100py in period 4 and 0.14 d/100py in period 5) and deaths due to non-AIDS-defining malignancies increased. Compared to latest CD4 counts of 500 cells/mm3, lower CD4 counts conferred a higher risk of deaths due to AIDS-related diseases, liver-related diseases, non-AIDS infections and non-AIDS-defining malignancies, whereas no significant association was observed for cardiovascular mortality. Results were similar in sensitivity analyses where observation time was divided into two periods: 1997–2004 and 2005–2014. (4) Conclusions: Since the introduction of cART, risk of death decreased and causes of death changed. We do not find evidence that HIV-positive individuals with a low CD4 count are more likely to die from cardiovascular diseases.

Progression markers of coronary calcification

Abstract Aim To evaluate the relationship between clinical parameters, biomarkers of bone turnover and the progression of coronary artery calcification (CAC) in patients with stable coronary heart disease (CHD) based on long-term (5 years) follow-up. Material and methods The single-center, prospective, non-randomized observational study included 111 men with CHD, admitted for CABG. All patients in the preoperative period underwent the following procedures: color duplex scanning (CDS) of the brachiocephalic arteries (BCA), multi-slice computed tomography (MSCT) coronary angiography to assess the degree of CAC using the Agatson score (calculation of the coronary artery calcium score – CACS), estimation of femoral neck bone mineral density with the T-score calculation and clinical assessment of biomarkers of bone metabolism (calcium, phosphorus, calcitonin, osteopontin, osteocalcin, osteoprotegerin (OPG), alkaline phosphatase, parathyroid hormone). The vital status of patients was ascertained after 3–5 years of follow-up after CABG, CDS of the BCA and MSCT-coronary angiography were repeated. To identify the most significant clinical and anamnestic risk factors and form a model of predictors of CAC progression, patients were divided into two groups depending on the high increase in CACS (an increase in the score of more than 100 Agatston units (AU). Results 16 (14.4%) out of 111 patients failed to establish contact for the next stage of the study. In 4 (3.6%) cases death was registered (3 – fatal myocardial infarction, 1 – fatal stroke). The CAC progression was assessed in 91 patients (81.9%). Patients who showed signs of CAC progression comprised a group of 60 (65.9%) patients; without CAC progression – 31 (34.1%) patients. The “end points” in the groups were comparable and were detected in 18 cases (19.7%): recurrent angina in 16 patients (p=0.368), non-fatal myocardial infarction in 1 (p=0.162) and 1 emergency stenting (p=0,162) of the coronary artery that was not subjected to CABG. The risk model for CAC progression included an initial decrease in femoral neck bone mineral density and nonadherence to statins for 5 years after CABG (p=0.001). Conclusion 65.9% of men with stable CHD showed the signs of CAC progression for 5 years after CABG, according to MSCT. The main predictors of CAC were: low cathepsin K levels and low bone mineral density in the preoperative period, low OPG 5 years post-CABG. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: Public Institution(s). Main funding source(s): Federal State Budgetary Institution “Research Institute for Complex Issues of Cardiovascular Diseases”; 6, Sosnovy Blvd, Kemerovo, 650002, Russia

Impact of Optimal Medical Therapy on 10-Year Mortality After Coronary Revascularization

BackgroundThe benefit of optimal medical therapy (OMT) on 5-year outcomes in patients with 3-vessel disease and/or left main disease after percutaneous coronary intervention or coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) was demonstrated in the randomized SYNTAX (Synergy Between PCI With Taxus and Cardiac Surgery) trial. ObjectivesThe objective of this analysis is to assess the impact of the status of OMT at 5 years on 10-year mortality after percutaneous coronary intervention or CABG. MethodsThis is a subanalysis of the SYNTAXES (Synergy Between PCI With Taxus and Cardiac Surgery Extended Survival) study, which evaluated for up to 10 years the vital status of patients who were originally enrolled in the SYNTAX trial. OMT was defined as the combination of 4 types of medications: at least 1 antiplatelet drug, statin, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor/angiotensin receptor blocker, and beta-blocker. After stratifying participants by the number of individual OMT agents at 5 years and randomized treatment, a landmark analysis was conducted to assess the association between treatment response and 10-year mortality. ResultsIn 1,472 patients, patients on OMT at 5 years had a significantly lower mortality at 10 years compared with those on ≤2 types of medications (13.1% vs 19.9%; adjusted HR: 0.470; 95% CI: 0.292-0.757; P = 0.002) but had a mortality similar to those on 3 types of medications. Furthermore, patients undergoing CABG with the individual OMT agents, antiplatelet drug and statin, at 5 years had lower 10-year mortality than those without. ConclusionsIn patients with 3-vessel and/or left main disease undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention or CABG, medication status at 5 years had a significant impact on 10-year mortality. Patients on OMT with guideline-recommended pharmacologic therapy at 5 years had a survival benefit. (Synergy Between PCI With Taxus and Cardiac Surgery: SYNTAX Extended Survival [SYNTAXES]; NCT03417050; Taxus Drug-Eluting Stent Versus Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery for the Treatment of Narrowed Arteries [SYNTAX]; NCT00114972)

Molecular signatures for inflammation vary across cancer types and correlate significantly with tumor stage, sex and vital status of patients.

Cancer affects millions of individuals worldwide. One shortcoming of traditional cancer classification systems is that, even for tumors affecting a single organ, there is significant molecular heterogeneity. Precise molecular classification of tumors could be beneficial in personalizing patients’ therapy and predicting prognosis. To this end, here we propose to use molecular signatures to further refine cancer classification. Molecular signatures are collections of genes characterizing particular cell types, tissues or disease. Signatures can be used to interpret expression profiles from heterogeneous samples. Large collections of gene signatures have previously been cataloged in the MSigDB database. We have developed a web-based Signature Visualization Tool (SaVanT) to display signature scores in user-generated expression data. Here we have undertaken a systematic analysis of correlations between inflammatory signatures and cancer samples, to test whether inflammation can differentiate cancer types. Inflammatory response signatures were obtained from MsigDB and SaVanT and a signature score was computed for samples associated with 7 different cancer types. We first identified types of cancers that had high inflammation levels as measured by these signatures. The correlation between signature scores and metadata of these patients (sex, age at initial cancer diagnosis, cancer stage, and vital status) was then computed. We sought to evaluate correlations between inflammation with other clinical parameters and identified four cancer types that had statistically significant association (p-value < 0.05) with at least one clinical characteristic: pancreas adenocarcinoma (PAAD), cholangiocarcinoma (CHOL), kidney chromophobe (KICH), and uveal melanoma (UVM). These results may allow future studies to use these approaches to further refine cancer subtyping and ultimately treatment.

Causes of death in patients with status epilepticus

BackgroundStatus epilepticus (SE) is a neurological disorder that affects to the high mortality risk. Several studies reported predictors of mortality in SE; actual causes of death in hospital and out of hospital are limited. This study aimed to describe the case fatality and the causes of death in patients with SE. MethodsThis was a descriptive study using the data collected in the national data of the Universal Coverage Scheme in Thailand during the fiscal year 2005 to 2015. Patients who admitted to hospitals and diagnosed as SE were included. The vital status of patients with SE was linked with the Ministry of the Interior and was classified into three phases: in-hospital, short-term, and long-term. ResultsAmong 24,802 patients with SE, 1861 (7.5%) died in hospital, 1910 (7.7%) died within 30 days after hospital discharge, and 4906 (19.8%) died after 30 days. In-hospital death, SE complications (45.9%), seizure (19.6%), and comorbidities (15.4%) were the three common causes of death. While the common causes in short-term and long-term mortality were SE complications (27.7% and 31.0%), comorbidities (28.1% and 26.7%), and other causes (22.4% and 21.9%). ConclusionStatus epilepticus complications and comorbidities were the common cause of death in patients with SE for all of three periods.This article is part of the Special Issue “Proceedings of the 7th London-Innsbruck Colloquium on Status Epilepticus and Acute Seizures"

Abstract C41: No difference in mortality between racial groups after prostate cancer diagnosis given equal access to health care

Abstract Introduction: Prostate cancer (PCa) is the leading incident cancer and the second leading cause of cancer death among American men. African Americans (AAs) suffer a disproportionate burden of disease with 1.5 times higher incidence and more than double the mortality rates of European American (EA) men. AAs tend to be diagnosed with more virulent forms of the disease and at earlier ages than other racial/ethnic groups, which cannot be explained completely by differences in socioeconomic status or access to care. However, it is unclear whether there is significant difference in mortality between racial groups after PCa diagnosis (Dx) given equal access to health care. This study will evaluate if the mortality of AA is higher than other racial groups after PCa Dx using data from five Veterans Affairs (VA) medical facilities in the mid-south region. Methods: A retrospective review of medical records from five VA hospitals in the mid-south was conducted. All prostate cancer patients diagnosed between January 2009 and December 2014 at these hospitals were included. Primary endpoint was overall survival. Vital status of patients was updated through December 2015. PCa patients were categorized into 3 categories of aggressiveness, i.e., high, intermediate, and low, based on clinical presentation at Dx, including Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels, Gleason Sum, and cancer stage. Multivariate Cox proportional hazard models were used to examine the risk of mortality after PCa Dx adjusting for age, marital status, tobacco history, alcohol history, PCa aggressiveness, and first course of treatment option with race as the primary predictive factor. Results: After excluding 23 patients who did not report race, 11 pacific islanders, and 27 American Indian, Aleutian, Eskimo/Asian Indian, the dataset included 4,740 PCa patients of which, 2,327 patients were EAs and 2,413 were AAs. During this five year period, 545 deaths were reported, where 50.5% were EAs and 49.5% were AAs. As expected, high PCa aggressiveness vs. low/intermediate aggressiveness (Hazard Ratio (HR) = 1.33, 95% Confidence Interval (CI) = 1.08-1.63), distant metastasis at Dx (HR = 5.05, 95%CI = 3.81-6.71), and age (HR = 1.07, 95%CI = 1.06-1.07) were statistically significantly associated with mortality after PCa Dx. Using radiation therapy as reference, surgery as the first course of treatment (HR = 0.61, 95%CI = 0.45-0.82) was inversely associated with mortality after PCa Dx, while hormonal therapy and active surveillance were not significantly associated with mortality after PCa Dx. However, a non-statistically significant association was observed between AAs and mortality (HR=1.14, 95% CI=0.96-1.35, p = 0.14) when compared to EAs. Conclusion: There was no significant difference between AAs and EAs in mortality after PCa Dx in this medical review of PCa patients in five VA hospitals in the mid-south. Although genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors may contribute to the difference in PCa mortality observed between racial groups, AA race is not a significant contributor to death when given equal access to health care, such as in the VA hospital setting. Citation Format: Afsheen Hasan, Mohamed Kamel, Rodney Davis, Joseph Su. No difference in mortality between racial groups after prostate cancer diagnosis given equal access to health care. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Ninth AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2016 Sep 25-28; Fort Lauderdale, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2017;26(2 Suppl):Abstract nr C41.

Heavy/Light Chain Quantification Identifies Clonal Plasma Cell Disease in Patients with AL Amyloidosis and Normal Serum Free Light Chain Ratio

Background: Serum and urine immunofixation electrophoreses (SIFE/UIFE) are routinely used for detection of clonal immunoglobulins (Ig) in AL amyloidosis. Serum free light chain (FLC) assays (Freelite®, The Binding Site Ltd., Birmingham, UK) have significantly improved the management of patients with AL amyloidosis by providing quantitative measure for the detection and monitoring of clonal plasma cell disease. However, up to 20% of patients with AL amyloidosis may have uninformative serum free light chain values.Objective: To assess the quantitative potential of serum Heavy/Light Chain (HLC) pairs (Hevylite®, The Binding Site Ltd., Birmingham, UK) assay in identification of clonal plasma cell disease in AL amyloidosis.Methods: One hundred and ninety-nine untreated patients with AL amyloidosis were included in this study. Patients with multiple myeloma or B cell lymphoproliferative diseases associated AL amyloidosis were excluded. Serum sampleswere obtained at initial evaluation and stored at -20°C. SIFE/UIFE were performed at the time of sample collection. HLC pairs were assessed by the Hevylite® assay. HLC κ/λ normal ratios (HLCR) were: 1.12-3.21 for IgG κ/λ; 0.78-1.94 for IgA κ/λ; and 1.18-2.74 for IgM κ/λ. FLCs were assessed by the Freelite® assay; FLC κ/λ normal ratio (FLCR) was 0.26-1.65. In 103 cases, FLC testing was performed at the time of sample collection; 96 cases were tested at The Binding Site. Vital status of patients was obtained from either medical records or Social Security Death Index. Follow-up ended in June 2014.Results: An abnormal HLCR was found in 74 (37.2%), an abnormal FLCR in 163 (81.9%), and SIFE/UIFE positivity in 187 (94%) of 199 patients with AL amyloidosis. Of 36 patients with a normal FLCR, 23 (63.9%) were noted with an abnormal HLCR compared to 51 (31.3%) patients in an abnormal FLCR group (P = 0.001). In total 186/199 (93.5%) patients with AL amyloidosis had abnormalities in either HLCR or FLCR, compared to 187/199 (94%) of patients who were SIFE/UIFE+ (Table 1). The combined use of both FLCR and HLCR yielded quantifiable information in 93.5% of cases; the use of both tests in combination with SIFE/UIFE identified plasma cell clonality in 100% of patients. Seventy-two cases presented with an abnormal HLCR for a single isotype and 2 in multiple Ig isotypes. In all cases, involved LC type of abnormal HLCR matched LC type identified by SIFE/UIFE. None of 12 cases that were negative on the SIFE/UIFE presented with an abnormal HLCR, however, all showed abnormalities in FLCR.Table 1Comparative efficiency of FLCR, HLCR and Serum/Urine Immunofixation in AL Amyloidosis patients.SIFE/UIFE+ (n=187)SIFE/UIFE- (n=12)HLCR+/FLCR+51 (27.2%)-HLCR+/FLCR-23 (12.3%)-HLCR-/FLCR+100 (53.5%)12 (100%)HLCR-/FLCR-13 (7%)-Overall survival was similar in patients with and without abnormal HLCR (Log rank p=0.092; Figure 1), whereas patients with an abnormal FLCR had a significantly inferior overall survival compared to those with a normal FLCR (Log rank p=0.027; Figure 2). Combined use of both HLCR and FLCR demonstrated a trend toward superior overall survival in a group of patients with an abnormal HLCR / normal FLCR (Wilcoxon p=0.037; Log rank p=0.107; Figure 3).Conclusions: The Hevylite® assay provided information in addition to other laboratory tests for clonal plasma cell disease in AL amyloidosis. The combined use of the HLCR and FLCR provided quantifiable information in 93.5% of patients. The use of both assays in combination with SIFE/UIFE detected clonal disease in all patients. HLCR has potential to quantify clonal disease in patients with uninformative FLCR results. An abnormal HLCR was not predictive of overall survival, while an abnormal FLCR was, in this series of patients. Combined use of HLCR and FLCR could be beneficial in prognostication of outcome in AL amyloidosis. [Display omitted] [Display omitted] [Display omitted] DisclosuresMcConnell:The Binding SIte: Employment. O'hara:The Binding Site: Employment.

The immune protein MD-2 is a novel independent predictor for long term mortality in dilated cardiomyopathy and non-inferior to nt-pro BNP

Background: Myeloid Differentiation protein 2 (MD-2) is strongly involved in activation of the innate immune receptor Toll-Like Receptor 4 (TLR4). Its role in cardiac diseases is unknown. Since cardiac inflammation is often associated with heart failure, we investigated in the present study the impact of MD-2 level at first hospital admission in patients with Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM) on long term mortality. Methods and results: We included 174 patients between 2005 and 2011 with biopsy-proven DCM in our study. MD-2 protein expression in serum from patients was quantified by ELISA (USCN Life Science, USA) and nt-pro brain natriuretic peptide (nt-pro BNP) level were quantified during routine diagnostics at first hospital admission. The primary end point of this study was all-cause mortality. Information on vital status of patients was obtained from official resident data files. For descriptive statistics the study population was divided into two groups according to the patients' MD-2 measurement (≥ and < median of all patients). Survival analysis was done calculating Kaplan–Meier curves and log-rank test was used for curve comparison. Multivariable Cox regression models were applied to assess the association between MD-2 level and all-cause mortality, with adjustment for age and cardiovascular risk factors. A value of p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. All-cause mortality in DCM patients with MD-2 level ≥ overall median (302.44 ng/ml) was strongly associated with increased mortality when compared to patients with MD-2 level < overall median (31.0% versus 8.1%, p<0.001). Multivariable Cox regression analyses demonstrate, that this effect was independent from age, LV ejection fraction and other cardiovascular risk factors including diabetes, BMI, arterial systolic and diastolic blood pressure and smoking with a hazard ratio of 1.004 (p<0.001) for MD-2 as continuous variable. ROC analyses showed no statistically difference between prediction of mortality regarding MD-2 vs. nt-pro BNP (AUC: 0.79 versus 0.74, p=0.40). Conclusion: MD-2, quantified at first hospital admission, is an independent predictor for mortality in DCM and is non-inferior to nt-pro BNP suggesting a relevant role of this protein in the pathophysiology of DCM.

Initial white blood cell count is an independent risk factor for survival in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy

The impact of white blood cell count (WBCc) on the outcome of patients with non-ischemic left ventricular (LV) dysfunction is unknown. In the present study we investigated the influence of WBCc on mortality and cardiac inflammation in patients with reduced LV systolic function in the absence of ischemic or valvular etiology. We included 381 patients with reduced left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction (LVEF ≤ 45%) quantified by two-dimensional echocardiography. Coronary artery disease and valvular diseases were excluded by angiography and echo, respectively, in all patients. WBCc was quantified routinely upon first hospital admission. In 291 patients, endomyocardial biopsies from the right ventricle were performed upon first hospital admission for assessment of cardiac inflammation. Follow-up was up to 5.5 years (median 2.93 [1.7;4.0]). Information on vital status of patients was obtained from official resident data files. WBCc >11 Gpt/l was associated with significantly increased mortality in patients with severe LV dilation (end-diastolic diameter (LVEDD) >70 mm quantified by echocardiography) in comparison to patients showing WBCc ≤ 11 Gpt/l (41.7% vs 13.6%, p=0.02). Multivariable Cox regression analysis showed that WBCc predicts mortality independently of other cardiovascular risk factors and LVEF (hazard ratio 1.14; p=0.04). Doses of heart failure medication did not differ significantly in patients with LVEDD >70 mm and WBCc >11 Gpt/l when compared to LVEDD >70 mm and WBCc ≤ 11 Gpt/l (percent of maximum doses: ß-blockers p=0.51, ACE inhibitors p=0.56, AT1 antagonists p=0.77, aldosterone antagonists p=0.35). WBCc including its subpopulations (monocytes, lymphocytes and granulocytes) did not show a significant correlation with cardiac amounts of CD3(+)-lymphocytes (r=0.02, p=0.78) or CD68(+)-macrophages (r=1.0, p=0.09) (n=291). WBCc at first hospital admission predicts long term-mortality in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy independently of cardiovascular risk factors.

Silicosis in Denim Sandblasters

During the past 2 decades, silica sand has been used widely in sandblasting denim in Turkey, which has resulted in an epidemic of silicosis. This study was conducted to summarize the clinical outcomes of formerly healthy young people who became disabled or died because of working in the textile industry. The medical records of patients with silicosis due to denim sandblasting who were seen at our institution between 2001 and 2009 were reviewed. Follow-up data were assessed. Compensation and vital status of patients were determined, and survival analysis was performed. Thirty-two male patients diagnosed with silicosis due to denim sandblasting over an 8-year period were identified. Mean age was 31.5 years. They worked as denim sandblasters for a mean 66.4 h/wk for a median 28.5 months. Their mean cumulative exposure time to silica sand was 12,957 h. The median follow-up period was 29 months (range 3-101 months). The median latency period (time elapsed between initial exposure and diagnosis) was 5.5 years (range 2-14 years). Six of the followed patients (19%) died of progressive massive fibrosis. Nine of the patients (28%) were compensated because of silicosis. Just two patients with silicosis received compensation before they died. The mean survival rate was 78 months. The estimated 5-year survival rate was 69% for denim sandblasters with silicosis. Silicosis in young individuals after exposure in the textile sector suggests a lack of awareness of the hazards of silica outside of the traditional occupations associated with silicosis. Death from silicosis in young people suggests overexposure and unsafe working conditions as a result of a lack of control.

Impact of vital status investigation procedures on estimates of survival in cohorts of HIV-infected patients from Sub-Saharan Africa.

In HIV cohorts in sub-Saharan Africa, documenting vital status of patients lost to follow-up is a major challenge. The effect of specific vital status investigation procedures (VSIPs) on the number of known deaths has never been shown. We assessed the effects of VSIP on survival estimates in a 4-year prospective cohort study in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire. As of June 2000, 545 HIV-infected adults had been followed for 1186 person-years, of whom 233 were documented as deceased. Forty-eight percent of deaths were known through scheduled VSIPs, including reading of the newspaper obituaries (2%), telephone calls to relatives (10%), and home visits (36%). Survival probability at 1, 2, and 3 years was estimated to be 0.79, 0.65, and 0.56, respectively. Without VSIP, survival at 1, 2, and 3 years would have been estimated to be 11, 23, and 30% higher, respectively. In this large African capital city, survival estimates closely depended on VSIPs, mainly home visits. We suggest that the percentage of deaths known through VSIPs would be a useful indicator to be added when reporting survival data from urban HIV cohort studies in sub-Saharan Africa.

Survival in cancer of the cervix: treatment in a population-based cancer registry in a developing country (Bangalore, India).

A survival analysis of treated cases of cervix cancer that were registered in the Bangalore (India) Population Based Cancer Registry between 1 January 1987 and 31 December 1989 was performed. Information on vital status of patients was obtained principally through follow-up visits to homes of patients. Follow-up information was available for 860 (92.7 percent) of 928 registered cases. Of the 860 cases, information on treatment was available for 559 patients, on whom the analysis of treatment outcome was performed. The overall five-year observed survival (5YS) was 41.1 percent with a relative survival of 46.3 percent. The 5YS was significantly (P = 0.01) influenced by clinical stage and by addition of brachytherapy (BT) to external radiotherapy (EXT) (5YS = 60.1 percent cf 27.4 percent, P < or = 0.001). In 343 patients who received EXT only, comparatively better survival was seen in the group who had received between 4,800 to 5,999 centigray (cGy) (5YS = 36.1 percent) when compared with those who received less than 3,000 and 3,000 to 4,799 cGy (5YS = 16.7 percent and 24.9 percent, respectively). Doses of EXT higher than 5,999 cGy (in patients who were not suitable for BT) did not have any benefit in the 5YS (27.4 percent). The study has generated a specific hypothesis about possible needless excess dose of external radiotherapy.