Evaluation of bone disease in patients with cystic fibrosis and end-stage lung disease / Avaliação de doença óssea em pacientes com fibrose cística e doença pulmonar terminal

ABSTRACT Objective: Bone disease is a common comorbidity in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). We sought to determine risk factors and identify potential biochemical markers for CF-related bone disease (CFBD) in a unique cohort of CF patients with end-stage lung disease undergoing lung transplantation (LTx) evaluation. Methods: All of the CF patients who were evaluated for LTx at our center between November of 1992 and December of 2010 were included in the study. Clinical data and biochemical markers of bone turnover, as well as bone mineral density (BMD) at the lumbar spine and femoral neck, were evaluated. Spearman's rho and multivariate logistic regression analysis were used. Results: A total of 102 adult CF patients were evaluated. The mean age was 28.1 years (95% CI: 26.7-29.5), and the mean body mass index was 17.5 kg/m2 (95% CI: 17.2-18.2). Mean T-scores were −2.3 and −1.9 at the lumbar spine and femoral neck, respectively, being lower in males than in females (−2.7 vs. −2.0 at the lumbar spine and −2.2 vs. −1.7 at the femoral neck). Overall, 52% had a T-score of < −2.5 at either skeletal site. The homozygous Phe508del genotype was found in 57% of patients without osteoporosis and in 60% of those with low BMD. Mean T-scores were not particularly low in patients with severe CFTR mutations. Although the BMI correlated with T-scores at the femoral neck and lumbar spine, serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D and parathyroid hormone levels did not. Conclusions: CFBD is common in CF patients with end-stage lung disease, particularly in males and patients with a low BMI. It appears that CF mutation status does not correlate with CFBD. In addition, it appears that low BMD does not correlate with other risk factors or biochemical parameters. The prevalence of CFBD appears to have recently decreased, most likely reflecting increased efforts at earlier diagnosis and treatment.

RESUMO Objetivo: A doença óssea é uma comorbidade comum em pacientes com fibrose cística (FC). Nosso objetivo foi determinar os fatores de risco e identificar possíveis marcadores bioquímicos de doença óssea relacionada à FC (DOFC) em uma coorte única de pacientes com FC e doença pulmonar terminal submetidos a avaliação para transplante de pulmão (TxP). Métodos: Todos os pacientes com FC avaliados para TxP em nosso centro entre novembro de 1992 e dezembro de 2010 foram incluídos no estudo. Foram avaliados dados clínicos e marcadores bioquímicos de remodelação óssea, bem como a densidade mineral óssea (DMO) na coluna lombar e colo do fêmur. Foram usados rô de Spearman e análise de regressão logística multivariada. Resultados: Foram avaliados 102 pacientes adultos com FC. A média de idade foi de 28,1 anos (IC95%: 26,7-29,5), e a média do índice de massa corporal foi de 17,5 kg/m2 (IC95%: 17,2-18,2). A média do escore T foi de −2,3 e −1,9 na coluna lombar e colo do fêmur, respectivamente, sendo menor nos homens que nas mulheres (−2,7 vs. −2,0 na coluna lombar e −2,2 vs. −1,7 no colo do fêmur). No geral, 52% apresentaram escore T < −2,5 em um dos dois sítios esqueléticos. O genótipo homozigoto para Phe508del foi encontrado em 57% dos pacientes sem osteoporose e em 60% daqueles com DMO baixa. A média do escore T não foi particularmente baixa em pacientes com mutações graves do gene CFTR. Embora o IMC tenha se correlacionado com o escore T no colo do fêmur e coluna lombar, os níveis séricos de 25-hidroxivitamina D e paratormônio não o fizeram. Conclusões: A DOFC é comum em pacientes com FC e doença pulmonar terminal, particularmente em homens e pacientes com IMC baixo. O estado de mutação da FC aparentemente não se correlaciona com a DOFC. Além disso, aparentemente não há correlação entre DMO baixa e outros fatores de risco ou parâmetros bioquímicos. A prevalência de DOFC parece ter diminuído recentemente, o que provavelmente é reflexo do aumento dos esforços para antecipar o diagnóstico e tratamento.

Chagas disease and systemic autoimmune diseases among Bolivian patients in Switzerland

BACKGROUND Chronic cardiomyopathy occurs in 20-40% of the patients with Chagas disease. Autoimmune mechanisms may contribute to its pathogenesis. We diagnosed several cases of systemic autoimmune diseases among Bolivian migrants in Geneva with a high prevalence of Chagas disease. OBJECTIVES We tested the hypothesis of a clinical association between systemic autoimmune diseases and Chagas disease, particularly with the development of cardiomyopathy. METHODS We retrospectively searched the medical records of all Bolivian patients visiting Geneva University Hospitals between 2012 and 2015 for diagnosis of Chagas disease or systemic autoimmune diseases. FINDINGS Of the 2,189 eligible patients, 28 [1.3%; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.9-1.9%] presented with systemic autoimmune disease. The Chagas status was known in 903 (41.3%) patient, of whom 244 (27.0%; 95% CI = 24.2-30.0%) were positive. Eight (28.6%; 95% CI = 15.3-47.1%) of the 28 cases of systemic autoimmune disease had Chagas disease. We found no association between both entities (p = 1.000) or with Chagasic cardiomyopathy (p = 0.729). Moreover, there was no evidence of a temporal relationship between antiparasitic chemotherapy and the development of systemic autoimmune diseases. CONCLUSIONS Our results do not support a clinical association between chronic Chagas disease and systemic autoimmune diseases. However, prospective studies in areas endemic for Chagas disease should better assess the prevalence of systemic autoimmune diseases and thus a possible relationship with this infection.

Prevalence and risk factors for carriage of multi-drug resistant Staphylococci in healthy cats and dogs

We investigated the distribution of commensal staphylococcal species and determined the prevalence of multi-drug resistance in healthy cats and dogs. Risk factors associated with the carriage of multi-drug resistant strains were explored. Isolates from 256 dogs and 277 cats were identified at the species level using matrix-assisted laser desorption ionisation-time of flight mass spectrometry. The diversity of coagulase-negative Staphylococci (CNS) was high, with 22 species in dogs and 24 in cats. Multi-drug resistance was frequent (17%) and not always associated with the presence of the mecA gene. A stay in a veterinary clinic in the last year was associated with an increased risk of colonisation by multi-drug resistant Staphylococci (OR = 2.4, 95% CI: 1.1~5.2, p value LRT = 0.04). When identifying efficient control strategies against antibiotic resistance, the presence of mechanisms other than methicillin resistance and the possible role of CNS in the spread of resistance determinants should be considered.

The sound exposure of the audience at a music festival.

During the Paleo Festival in Nyon, Switzerland, which took place from 24th to 29th July 2001, ten volunteers were equipped each evening with small sound level meters which continuously monitored their sound exposure as they circulated among the various festival events. Sound levels at the mixing console and at the place where people are most heavily exposed (in front of the speakers) were measured simultaneously. In addition, a sample of 601 people from the audience were interviewed over the six days of the festival and asked their opinion of sound level and quality, as well as provide details of where in the arena they preferred to listen to the concerts, whether they used ear plugs, if they had experienced any tinnitus, and if so how long it had persisted. The individual sound exposure during a typical evening was on average 95 dB(A) although 8% of the volunteers were exposed to sound levels higher then 100 dB(A). Only 5% of the audience wore ear plugs throughout the concert while 34% used them occasionally. While some 36% of the people interviewed reported that they had experienced tinnitus after listening to loud music, the majority found both the music quality and the sound level good. The sound level limit of 100 dB(A) at the place where the people are most heavily exposed seems to be a good compromise between the public heath issue, the demands of artists and organisers, and the expectations of the public. However, considering the average sound levels to which the public are exposed during a single evening, it is recommended that ear plugs be used by concert-goers who attend more than one day of the festival.

Familial occurrence of cancer in Basel city.

The Basel Familial Cancer Study was established in 1982. Data collection and statistical analysis suggest that genetic mechanisms play an important role in most cancer types. This is illustrated in breast and colorectal cancer patients whose first degree relatives were studied. The establishment of a familial cancer registry is most helpful for cancer risk determinations, surveillance and management programmes, identification of new cancer prone genotypes and etiological family studies. The family history should be included into future cancer control activities.