Elevated beta-thromboglobulin and mean platelet volume levels may show persistent platelet activation in systemic lupus erythematosus patients.

BACKGROUND: Patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) have an increased risk of thrombotic events. Platelets become more active and they enlarge to release proteins from alpha granules for aggregation during the plaque formation period. Beta-thromboglobulin is one of the proteins released from alpha-granules when platelets are activated and used as a marker of platelet activation in vivo. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the plasma levels of beta-thromoglobulin and mean platelet volume as markers of the presence of platelet activation in systemic lupus erythematosus patients compared with healthy controls. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Thirty-seven SLE patients with a mean disease duration of 4.96 years and without any organ involvement as well as 30 healthy volunteers were included in the study. All patients were in remission of SLE. RESULTS: The mean beta-thromboglobulin level was 97.36 ±55.8 ng/mL in the SLE group and 72.67 ±33.5 ng/mL in the control group (p = 0.029). The mean platelet volume level was 8.27 ±1.68 fL in the SLE group and 9.16 ±1.52 fL (p = 0.031) in the controls. CONCLUSIONS: Elevated beta-thromboglobulin levels in systemic lupus erythematosus patients may be associated with platelet activation in the early stages of disease, whereas lower mean platelet volume levels in the same population may be due to the effects of hydroxychloroquine and the inactivity of SLE.

Comparison of thyroid function tests and blood count in pregnant women with versus without gestational diabetes mellitus.

AIM: The aim of this study was to compare thyroid function and complete blood count parameters in pregnant women with versus without gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). METHODS: A total of 269 pregnant women patients with (n = 110, GDM group) or without (n = 159, non-GDM group) GDM were included in this study. Data on age, rate of cesarean section, birthweight of neonate, hemogram, and thyroid function tests were collected. Multivariate analysis was performed to determine factors predicting increased risk of GDM. RESULTS: Rate of cesarean section (70.9 vs 57.2%, P = 0.022), median (max-min) age (33.0 [26.0] vs 26.0 [20.0] years, P < 0.001), platelet count (246.7 ± 68.3 vs 227.8 ± 64.2 ×103 /µL, P = 0.021) and thyroid-stimulating hormone (1.3 [97.6] vs 1.0 [4.1] µIU/mL, P = 0.028) were significantly higher in the GDM than in the non-GDM group; whereas mean platelet volume (10.4 [5.3] vs 10.6 [5.6] fL, P = 0.031) and free triiodothyronine (FT3) (2.9 [3.6] vs 3.1 [3.0] pg/mL, P < 0.001) levels were significantly lower in the GDM than in the non-GDM group. Older age (odds ratio, 1.281; 95% confidence interval, 1.182-1.389, P < 0.001) and lower FT3 levels (odds ratio, 0.295; 95% confidence interval, 0.149-0.586, P < 0.001) were independently associated with increased risk of GDM. CONCLUSION: Our findings revealed that lower FT3 levels and older age predict the likelihood of developing GDM in euthyroid pregnant women, with no influence of other thyroid hormones or blood counts on the risk of GDM.

Rate and Risk Factors of the Advanced Adenomas Among Diminutive Colorectal Polyps.

Only 49 % of diminutive colorectal polyps are neoplastic, but a tiny percentage contains advanced histology. We aimed to determine the rate of advanced diminutive polyps and to evaluate the influence of age, gender, number, and localization. Patients undergoing a videocolonoscopy in October 2010 and April 2012 were collected prospectively. Subjects with polyps ≤5 mm in diameter were recruited into the study. The presence of a villous component of >25 % and a high degree of dysplasia were categorized as polyps with advanced histology. Two hundred eight diminutive polyps were identified in 102 patients. Twenty (9.6 %) diminutive polyps in 13 (12.74 %) patients showed advanced histology. The probability of having an advanced diminutive polyp was higher in patients who have more than one polyp or have polyps localized all along the colon or only to the distal part (p < 0.001 and p = 0.002). Having more than one polyp increases the likelihood of having advanced diminutive polyp according to a multivariate analysis (p = 0.003). Polyps accompanying any dysplastic diminutive polyp, being one of multiple polyps, and distributed all along the colon or localized to only the distal part have an increased probability of being an advanced diminutive polyp (p < 0.001, p = 0.047, p < 0.001, and p = 0.008). Multivariate logistic regression demonstrated that only any accompanying dysplastic diminutive polyp increases the probability of a polyp being advanced diminutive (p = 0.034). Diminutive polyps could have advanced histology. Multiple polyps located in the whole colorectum or to the distal part or accompanying any advanced polyps may harbor an advanced histology and should be removed.

The levels of ß-thromboglobulin in female rheumatoid arthritis patients as activation criteria.

The activation of the platelets plays a key role in the formation of thrombosis. The variables such as mean platelet volume, platelet factor 4 and ß-thromboglobulin have been used in the demonstration of the platelet activation. However, when the literature was reviewed, there was not found any study investigating the level of ß-thromboglobulin in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Our goal is to evaluate the ß-thromboglobulin levels together with mean platelet volume in patients with arthritis. This study is a clinical study which has a control group that has been designed prospectively, and in this study, Rheumatology Outpatient Clinic follow-up patients with rheumatoid arthritis and healthy control group were studied. All patients and healthy volunteers were examined ß-thromboglobulin and mean platelet volume. Twenty-two patients with rheumatoid arthritis and 21 healthy volunteers participated in the study. ß-Thromboglobulin mean was found as 98.00 ± 60.49 ng/mL in rheumatoid arthritis group and it was 62.38 ± 30.41 ng/mL in healthy control group. The differences between these groups were significant in terms of the levels of ß-thromboglobulin (p = 0.02). We found significant differences between the groups in terms of mean platelet volume (p = 0.049). In this study, the level of ß-thromboglobulin was found significantly higher in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, which is a chronic inflammatory disease. This result could be an indicator, such as platelet activation in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, or it may be a helper marker in the follow-up and treatment of developing cardiovascular risk.

Mean platelet volume and ß-thromboglobulin levels in familial Mediterranean fever: effect of colchicine use?

BACKGROUND: Many studies have shown that subclinical inflammation persisted during remission period of Familial Mediterranean Fever (FMF) patients but long term effects of subclinical inflammation in these patients aren't clearly known. Besides, a few of the recent studies revealed that risk of atherosclerosis had increased in FMF patients. ß-Thromboglobulin (ß-TG) is considered as a sensitive marker of platelet activation. In this study Mean Platelet Volume (MPV) and ß-TG levels were evaluated in FMF patients. METHODS: Following the Local Ethics Committee's consent, 25 FMF patients were included in the study. Twenty eight age and sex matched healthy volunteers were recruited as a control group. Lipid profile, inflammatory parameters, hemogram, ß-TG, MPV were assessed. Statistical analysis was performed with SPSS for Windows 16.00. RESULTS: Group I consisted of 25 FMF cases (16 females, 9 males; mean age: 35.72 ± 12.34 years), Group II consisted of 28 cases (22 females, 6 males; mean age 31.78 ± 10.31 years). There was no statistically significant difference between the groups in terms of age and gender distribution, smoking status, total cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL and MPV (p>0.05). HDL levels were found to be statistically lower in Group I (p:0.04). Median ß-TG levels was significantly higher in Group II than Group I (129.50 (range:372.00) ng/mL versus 104.00 (range:212.80) ng/mL respectively; p:0.03). CONCLUSION: In this study MPV and ß-TG were evaluated for FMF cases and healthy controls, ß-TG levels were found significantly lower among patients; we hypothesized that this difference may have resulted from the effect of colchicine use on platelet functions.

Association of metabolic syndrome parameters with TT3 and FT3/FT4 ratio in obese Turkish population.

BACKGROUND: Obesity and metabolic syndrome are major health problems worldwide, including Turkey. Recent studies have shown an association between thyroid function tests and metabolic syndrome parameters. In this study, we aimed to determine the frequency of metabolic syndrome in an obese Turkish population and the relationship between metabolic syndrome and thyroid functions. MATERIALS AND METHOD: We recruited 211 patients (187 females/24 males; mean age, 39.7±11.7 years) with body mass index (BMI) >30 kg/m(2) and no other hormonal pathology that could cause obesity. Anthropometric evaluation was followed by measurement of fasting blood glucose (FBG), insulin, total cholesterol, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), total triiodothyronine (TT3), total thyroxine (TT4), free T3 (FT3), and free T4 (FT4). Metabolic syndrome was defined according to the 2005 revision of the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Panel III (NCEP ATP III) criteria. Insulin resistance was calculated from homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) formula. The TSH cutoff value was set at 2.5 mU/L. RESULTS: Metabolic syndrome was diagnosed in 122 patients (58%). Metabolic syndrome positive patients had significantly higher FBG, triglycerides, FT4, systolic (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and statistically lower HDL-C and FT3/FT4 ratio than metabolic syndrome negative patients. TSH decreased with age and was not related with any metabolic syndrome parameters. The FT3/FT4 ratio negatively correlated with FBG, triglycerides, SBP, and DBP (P=0.003, r=-38; P=0.02, r=-0.28; P=0.005, r=-0.35; and P=0.007, r=-0.34, respectively); TT3 positively correlated with HOMA-IR (P=0.006, r=0.40), FBG (P=0.009, r=0.38), and waist circumference (P=0.02, r=0.34). CONCLUSION: Metabolic syndrome frequency was increased in our study population compared to the general population. Metabolic syndrome parameters (except HDL) correlated with TT3, FT4, and the FT3/FT4 ratio. FT4 levels were associated with obesity and metabolic syndrome independently of insulin resistance, whereas TT3 levels were associated with both insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome. This relationship can be explained by compensatory effects of TT3, and probably FT4, on energy expenditure and thermogenesis in obese people.

Hemoglobin A1c as a prognostic marker in patients undergoing primary angioplasty for acute myocardial infarction.

OBJECTIVES: We sought to determine the effect of hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) on the outcomes of primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). BACKGROUND: Diabetes mellitus (DM) can be diagnosed from a level of at least 6.5% on two separate occasions according to the American Diabetes Association (ADA) definition, which was updated in 2010. No data are available for the value of HbA1c in patients with STEMI treated with primary PCI. METHODS: A total of 374 consecutive patients with STEMI (mean age: 55.9±12.6 years, 318 men), undergoing primary PCI between December 2009 and June 2010, were prospectively enrolled in this study. Blood samples for HbA1c were obtained on the first 24 h after admission. In-hospital follow-up was performed. By using new ADA criteria, patients were classified into three groups: group I (HbA1c ≤5.6%, n=112); group II (HbA1c: 5.7-6.4%, n=180); and group III (HbA1c ≥6.5%, n=82). RESULTS: In-hospital mortality was higher in group III (11%) compared with group II (2.8%) and group I (0.9%; P=0.001). Major adverse cardiac events in the hospital were also higher in group III (12.2%) compared with other groups (group II, 5.6% vs. group I, 0.9%, P=0.003). After adjusting the baseline characteristics, HbA1c remained a strong independent predictor of the in-hospital mortality (odds ratio: 1.412; 95% confidence interval: 1.031-1.935, P=0.03). Hospital stay was also longer in group III than others (P=0.007). A total of 196 (63.6%) patients without a history of diabetes mellitus had elevated HbA1c of more than or equal to 5.7%, with 31 (10.1%) of them having HbA1c of more than or equal to 6.5%. CONCLUSION: HbA1c is an independent predictor of the in-hospital mortality in STEMI treated with primary PCI. Apart from prognostic value, high HbA1c could be used for diabetes mellitus diagnosis, which is supported by ADA definitions.

Which is worst in patients undergoing primary angioplasty for acute myocardial infarction? Hyperglycaemia? Diabetes mellitus? Or both?

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of admission hyperglycaemia and/or diabetes mellitus (DM) on the outcomes of primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). METHODS: 2482 consecutive patients with STEMI (mean age 56.5 +/- 11.9, years, 2064 men) undergoing primary PCI between October 2003 and March 2008 were retrospectively enrolled into the present study. Hyperglycaemia was defined as a venous plasma glucose level > or =200 mg/dl on admission. Patients were classified into four groups: non-diabetic/non-hyperglycaemic (NDNH, n=1806) patients; diabetic/non-hyperglycaemic (DNH, n=271) patients; non-diabetic/hyperglycaemic (NDH, n=64); and diabetic/hyperglycaemic (DH, n=341). RESULTS: In-hospital mortality was higher in NDH (12.5%) compared to DH (8.5%), DNH (6.3%), and NDNH (0.9%) patients (P < 0.001). The composite end points including death, reinfarction, and target-vessel revascularization (major adverse cardiac events [MACE]) in the hospital were also higher in NDH (18.8%) compared with other patients (DH, 13.8% vs. DNH, 10.3% vs. NDNH, 3.7%, P < 0.001). The median follow-up time was 21 months.The Kaplan-Meier survival plot for long-term cardiovascular death was worst for DH patients (log rank P < 0.001). After adjustment for potentially confounding factors, NDH (OR 3.04, 95% CI 1.06-8.73; P = 0.03), and DH (OR 2.3,95% CI 1.29-4.09; P = 0.005), but not DNH (OR 1.22,95% CI 0.57-2.6; P = 0.6) status, remained independent predictors of long-term cardiovascular mortality. CONCLUSIONS: STEMI patients with NDH represent the highest risk population for in-hospital mortality, and MACE. The worst outcomes for long-term cardiovascular mortality occur in DH patients.