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INTRODUCTION: Rising obesity rates and the increasing prevalence of stroke in the metabolically healthy obese and overweight (MHOO) necessitate examining its association in younger (18-44 year) populations and analyzing acute ischemic stroke (AIS) trends and outcomes in MHOO vs. metabolically healthy non-obese or overweight (MHnOO). METHODS: Data from the United States National Inpatient Sample (2016-2019) was analyzed to identify young MHOO and MHnOO AIS patients using ICD-10-CM codes. Metabolically healthy status was defined by excluding hospitalization records with diagnostic codes for hypertension, diabetes, and dyslipidemia. Demographics, trends, and outcomes were compared using appropriate statistical approaches. RESULTS: Of 26,949,310 young metabolically healthy hospitalizations between 2016 and 2019, 47,795 had AIS, of which 4,985 were MHOO and 42,810 were MHnOO. The median age of AIS hospitalization was 35 years, and primarily female and white. From 2016 to 2019, AIS incidence rose slightly, which was significant only for the MHnOO cohort. The in-hospital mortality rate was significantly lower in the MHOO cohort (6.0% vs. 8.6%, p < 0.001). Hospitalization length and cost did not differ substantially between groups. Adjusted multivariable analysis revealed no significant difference in AIS hospitalization risk between MHOO and MHnOO (aOR: 1.02, p=0.701), with subgroup analysis in males (aOR: 0.88, p=0.161) or females (aOR: 1.06, p=0.363). However, all-cause in-hospital mortality (ACIHM) in AIS had lower odds in the MHOO vs. MHnOO cohorts (aOR: 0.60, p=0.021). CONCLUSION: Our study finds a rising trend of AIS hospitalizations in young metabolically healthy adults, with obesity or overweight status not being associated with AIS hospitalization. We identify an "obesity paradox" of lower odds for ACIHM for AIS hospitalizations in the MHOO cohort.
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Background: Intractable hiccups, persisting beyond 48 h, pose a clinical challenge, particularly in demyelinating diseases like Neuromyelitis Optica (NMO) and Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Understanding the complex neural pathways of the hiccup reflex and the impact of high-dose steroid therapy is crucial for managing this rare but distressing symptom. The hiccup reflex involves afferents from the vagus, phrenic, and sympathetic nerves, with the reflex center in the anterior horns at the C3 to 5 level and the medulla oblongata. The potential interplay between demyelination and corticosteroid therapy in triggering persistent hiccups requires exploration. Case report: This case report details a 21-year-old male with undiagnosed demyelinating disorder, presenting persistent hiccups following high-dose steroid therapy for an acute disease flare. The patient's history included vertigo and progressive neurological symptoms, leading to an MS diagnosis with significant brain and spinal lesions. Persistent hiccups, initiated by steroid administration, were recurrent but responsive to metoclopramide after other measures failed. Discussion: The discussion centers on investigating the cause of hiccups in a patient with demyelination following steroid administration. Steroids' impact on neurological systems, including neurotransmitter function, and the potential disruption of neurological pathways due to demyelination may contribute to hiccups. Successful hiccup resolution with metoclopramide suggests a potential pharmacological approach for corticosteroid-induced hiccups in demyelinating diseases. This case emphasizes the need for further research into the intricate relationship between demyelination, steroid therapy, and hiccups to enhance management strategies for this uncommon yet impactful symptom.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) is underdiagnosed and requires comprehensive angiographic findings. Few SCAD occurrences have a comparable clinical appearance as takotsubo syndrome (TTS) or exist simultaneously, making it challenging for clinicians to treat and manage. Case reports lack consolidated data. We examined SCAD-TTS case reports. AIM: To conduct a systematic review of available case reports on SCAD in order to investigate its potential association with TTS. METHODS: SCAD-associated TTS case reports were reviewed after thoroughly screening PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, and Google Scholar databases till January 2023. Case reports described demographics, comorbidities, imaging, management, and results. RESULTS: Twelve articles about 20 female patients were analyzed. 30% of patients (n = 6, > 60 years) were elderly (mean age 56.2 ± 9.07 years, range 36-70 years). Canada has 9 cases, United States 3, Australia 3, Sweden 2, Japan, Denmark, and France 1. Only 5 reports identified emotional stressors in these cases while 4 reports showed physical triggers for TTS. Nine had hypertension, 2 had hyperlipidemia, and 1 had prediabetes. 5 patients (25%) smoked. 10 (50%) troponin-positive myocardial infarction patients reported chest discomfort. 11 (55%) of 20 instances had TTS/SCAD. 12 (60%) of 20 patients exhibited ST elevation and 3 (15%) had T wave inversion on electrocardiogram. 19/20 patients had elevated troponin. 9 (45%) of 20 people had apical akinesis with TTS ballooning on cardiac imaging. All 20 exhibited echocardiographic wall motion abnormalities. 19 (95%) of 20 coronary angiography cases had SCAD. 10 of 19 SCAD patients had left anterior descending, 2 diagonal, and 2 left circumflex coronary artery involvement. 7 of 20 patients had left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) data. LVEF averaged 38.78 ± 7.35%. 5 (25%) of the 20 cases underwent dual antiplatelet therapy. Three (15%) of 20 cases experienced occasional ectopic ventricular complexes, Mobitz ll AV block, and paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. All 20 cases recovered and survived. CONCLUSION: Given the clinical similarities and challenges in detecting TTS and SCAD, this subset needs more research to raise awareness and reduce morbidity.
