ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To systematically collect the thrombelastography (TEG)-or thromboelastometry (ROTEM)-related data, and predict to evaluate their values for the prediction of thromboembolic events.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Databases including PubMed, Central and Embase were searched for the related clinical trials, and the references were retrieved manually; these included references were assessed qualitatively by the QUADAS-2 tool; finally the enrolled researches were qualitatively analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>A total of 15 studies consisting of 293 VTE patients met the inclusion criteria. The overall quality and the accuracy of TEG or ROTEM in predicting VTE varied a lot. Two thirds of the studies displayed that the changes of TEG parameters or ROTEM were related to the occurrence of VTE.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The present studies showed that the TEG or ROTEM for predicting the VTE display higher difference in accuracy, therefore, the combination of TEG or ROTEM with other laboratory tests may improve the accuracy of VTE diagnosis.</p>
ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the serum leptin level and insulin resistance on sustained virological response (SVR) in patients with chronic hepatitis C and to evaluate whether serum leptin level and insulin resistance are independent risk factors.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Forty chronic hepatitis C patients were treated with interferon (alpha-2a) 5 MU and ribavirin 1.0 g for 24 weeks. The fasting serum leptin, insulin, glucose, HCV RNA load, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were measured and the insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR: homeostasis model of assessment) and body mass index (BMI) were calculated. Statistical methods used were univariate analyses and multivariable regression analyses.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Of the 40 patients, 23 patients (57.5%) had a sustained virological response and 17 patients (42.5%) had a non-sustained virological response. Patients with a sustained virological response had lower serum leptin, HOMA-IR and BMI. Their SVR was associated with age, HCV RNA loads, serum leptin level, and insulin resistance, when analyzed with univariate analyses. SVR was not associated with sex, ALT, or AST. With multivariable regression analyses, serum leptin level and insulin resistance were found to be independent prediction factors for SVR in chronic hepatitis C patients with antivirus treatment.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Serum leptin level and insulin resistance were associated with SVR in chronic hepatitis C patients; they were independent prediction factors for SVR.</p>