¿Debemos manejar la hiperuricemia asintomática para proteger al riñón?

Contexto: el ácido úrico es el producto final de la degradación de las purinas en los primates, en condiciones normales es un agente antioxidante endógeno y participa en varias vías fisiológicas, sin embargo, cuando los niveles séricos de urato se incrementan, estos participan en el desarrollo de diversas enfermedades. Desde el siglo XIX se conoce de la asociación entre hiperuricemia y daño renal, aunque ninguna guía de manejo recomienda el uso de fármacos hipouricemiantes en pacientes asintomáticos, en algunos casos especiales, el manejo farmacológico beneficiará a pacientes con hiperuricemia, brindando protección al riñón y disminuyendo el riesgo de desarrollar enfermedad renal terminal. Objetivo: describir la relación entre hiperuricemia y daño renal, y analizar los casos en los que el manejo de esta condición con medicamentos resultará en un beneficio para el riñón de los pacientes. Metodología: revisión de la literatura sobre la participación de la hiperuricemia en el daño renal y análisis de los artículos revisados. Resultados: el manejo de la hiperuricemia asintomática puede proteger el riñón en algunas situaciones específicas. Conclusiones: hay situaciones específicas para la disminución de los niveles séricos de ácido úrico.

Background: Uric acid is the end product of purine degradation in primates, under normal conditions it is an endogenous antioxidant agent and participates in several physiological pathways. However, when serum urate levels are increased, they participate in the development of various diseases. Since the nineteenth century, the association between hyperuricemia and kidney damage has been known. Although no management guideline recommends the use of hypouricemic drugs in asymptomatic patients, in some special cases pharmacological management will benefit patients with hyperuricemia, providing protection to the kidney and decreasing the risk of developing end-stage renal disease. Purpose: To describe the relationship between hyperuricemia and kidney damage, and to analyze the cases in which the management of this condition with medications will result in a benefit for the kidney of patients. Methodology: Review of the literature on the involvement of hyperuricemia in kidney damage, analysis of the reviewed articles. Results: Management of asymptomatic hyperuricemia may protect the kidney in some specific situations. Conclusions: There are specific situations for the decrease of serum uric acid levels.

Correlation between epicardial fat thickness with intima-media thickness and ankle-brachial index in patients with metabolic syndrome.

Background An increase in epicardial fat thickness (EFT) has been associated with increased cardiovascular risk and the development of atherosclerosis. Transthoracic echo-cardiography provides a reliable measurement of EFT. We evaluated the relationship of EFT with carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) and ankle-brachial index (ABI), in patients with metabolic syndrome. Methods We assessed 80 patients with metabolic syndrome who underwent echocardiography; EFT was measured by two cardiologists. The CIMT (B-mode colour imaging of extracranial carotid arteries using high-resolution ultrasound) was also measured by a certified ultrasonographer, and ABI was measured by the main researcher. Results We did not find any correlation between ABI with EFT (r=0.0103, p=0.93) or with CIMT (r=-0.1625, p=0.15). However, we found a significant correlation between EFT and CIMT (r=0.2718, r2=0.074, p=0.015). When we evaluated the risk for a CIMT >0.9 mm in patients with an EFT >3 mm, we found a statistically significant association (p=0.039). Interestingly, only 1 patient with an EFT <3 mm had a CIMT >0.9 mm. Conclusion We found that the EFT correlates with CIMT in patients with metabolic syndrome, which explains, at least in part, the higher risk of atherosclerosis in them. Measurement of EFT should be part of the cardiovascular risk evaluation in patients with metabolic syndrome.

El índice neutrófilo/linfocito como predictor de morbilidad y mortalidad en neumonía por influenza / The neutrophil/lymphocyte index as a predictor of morbidity and mortality in pneumonia due to influenza

Resumen: OBJETIVO: Demostrar si el índice neutrófilo/linfocito predice la mortalidad en pacientes con neumonía tipo influenza. MATERIAL Y MÉTODO: Estudio de casos y controles, observacional, analítico, transversal, retrospectivo y retrolectivo que incluyó pacientes con neumonía por influenza que padecieron neumonía aguda grave de 2009 a 2017. Se calculó APACHE II, SMART COP y el índice neutrófilo/linfocito (INL). Se determinó supervivencia mediante Kaplan y Meier, para la asociación entre INL y mortalidad, APACHE II, SMART COP y comorbilidades se usó χ2 y razón de momios (RM), así como correlación entre APACHE II, SMART COP e INL. RESULTADOS: Se incluyeron 69 pacientes. La RM entre el INL y la mortalidad fue de 0.174 (p = 0.533; IC95% 0.274 a 2.08). Hubo asociación significativa entre el INL y componentes del síndrome metabólico en pacientes vivos. No hubo diferencia en la supervivencia entre INL mayor o menor de 7. Correlación positiva entre APACHE II e INL de 0.4295 (p = 0.0002; IC95% 0.00 a 0.063). CONCLUSIONES: Existe asociación entre el INL y el síndrome metabólico en pacientes vivos, así como correlación positiva con APACHE II. No hay asociación entre el INL y mortalidad. El punto de corte del INL se desplazó cuatro puntos comparado con otras poblaciones.

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: To demonstrate if neutrophil/lymphocyte index predicts mortality in patients with influenza-like pneumonia. MATERIAL AND METHOD: A case-control, observational, analytical, cross-sectional, retrospective and retrolective study with patients with influenza like pneumonia who developed severe acute pneumonia from 2009 to 2017. APACHE II, SMART COP and neutrophil lymphocyte index (INL) were calculated. Survival was determined by Kaplan and Meier, for the association between INL and mortality, APACHE II, SMART COP and comorbidities was used χ2 and odds ratio (OR), as well as correlation between APACHE II, SMART COP and INL. RESULTS: There were included 69 patients. OR between the INL and mortality was of 0.174 (p = 0.533, IC95% 0.274-2.08). There was significant association between INL and components of the metabolic syndrome in living patients. There was no difference in survival between INL greater or less than 7. Positive correlation between APACHE II and INL of 0.4295 (p = 0.0002, IC95% 0.00 to 0.063). CONCLUSIONS: There is an association between INL and metabolic syndrome in liv- ing patients, as well as a positive correlation with APACHE II. There is no association between INL and mortality. The cutoff point of the INL shifted 4 points compared to other populations.

Triglycerides and waist to height ratio are more accurate than visceral adiposity and body adiposity index to predict impaired fasting glucose.

AIMS: To evaluate the clinical accuracy of novel indices visceral adiposity index (VAI) and body adiposity index (BAI) to identify patients with impaired fasting glucose (IFG) and compare with its individual components and other obesity indicators. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Mexican population. Body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, hip circumference, triglycerides (TG), High density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), VAI, BAI, waist to hip ratio (WHR) and waist to height ratio (WHtR) were determined. We plotted a receiver operating characteristic curves to assess the abilities to discriminate subjects with IFG from those with normal glucose tolerance (NGT) of the measurements. A binary logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the strength of association with IFG. RESULTS: A total of 280 individuals were included, from which 144 (51.3%) have IFG; the mean age was 47.14 years and 164 (55.5%) were females. Compared with NGT subjects, the participants with IFG had significantly higher levels of BMI, WHtR, VAI, BAI and TG. The measurements with highest area under the curve were TG, (0.631, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.566-0.697) VAI (0.628, 95% CI 0.563-0.693) and WHtR (0.622, 95% CI 0.557-0.688) and in the adjusted binary logistic regression model, were found to be independently associated with IFG, Odds Ratio of 2.665, (95% CI 1.567-4.533) 2.567 (95% CI 1.527-4.317) and 2.171 (95% CI 1.102-4.276) respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Our data provide evidence that TG, VAI and WHtR could be considered potential tools for the risk assessment of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in this population.

Correlación entre el grosor de la grasa epicárdica y los marcadores bioquímicos de riesgo metabólico / Correlation between epicardial fat thickness and biochemical markers of metabolic risk

Introducción y objetivo: La grasa epicárdica se asocia a riesgo cardiovascular y aterosclerosis, y puede ser medida en forma fiable por ecocardiografía. Nuestro objetivo es evaluar si existe asociación entre el grosor de la grasa epicárdica (GGE) con marcadores bioquímicos de riesgo metabólico. Material y método: Evaluamos 211 pacientes en quienes se realizó la medición del GGE por ecocardiografía. También se les se realizó glucemia, perfil de lípidos y niveles séricos de ácido úrico. Los métodos estadísticos usados fueros odds ratio y coeficiente de correlación y determinación de Pearson. Resultados: No encontramos correlación entre GGE con glucemia (r=0,064), colesterol total (r=0,005), colesterol ligado a lipoproteínas de alta densidad (r=-0,038), ni triglicéridos (r=0,118). Sin embargo, encontramos una correlación significativa entre el GGE con la uricemia (r=0,415, p<0,00001). La odds ratio para presentar GGE>3mm en pacientes con hiperuricemia fue de 6,26 (IC 95%: 2,79-14, p<0,0001). Conclusión: La hiperuricemia se correlaciona significativamente con el GGE en nuestra población. La medición del GGE por ecocardiografía puede ser un método de utilidad para evaluar el riesgo cardiovascular

Introduction and objective: Epicardial fat has been associated with increased cardiovascular risk and the development of atherosclerosis. Transthoracic echocardiography provides a reliable measurement of epicardial fat thickness (EFT). The aim of this study is to evaluate the relationship between EFT and biochemical parameters of metabolic risk. Material and method: We assessed 211 patients who underwent echocardiography; EFT was measured by two cardiologists. In addition, patients’ glycaemia, lipid profile and serum uric acid were measured. Statistical analysis was performed with the Pearson coefficient test and Odds ratio. Results: A positive correlation between EFT with glycaemia (r=.064), total serum cholesterol (r=.0056), high density lipoproteins (r=-0.038), or with triglycerides (r=.118) was not observed. However, we did find a significant positive correlation between EFT and serum uric acid (r=.415, P<.00001). The odds ratio for EFT>3mm in patients with hyperuricemia was 6.26 (IC 95 2.79-14, P<.0001). Conclusion: Hyperuricemia is strongly associated with EFT in Mexican patients; EFT is a useful tool for global cardiovascular risk calculation

Combination therapy in the treatment of hypertension.

Hypertension is a major preventable risk factor for atherosclerosis and ischemic heart disease. Although modern and effective antihypertensive drugs are available, most patients remain with a suboptimal blood pressure control. Most hypertensive patients will need a combination of antihypertensive agents to achieve the therapeutic goals - recent guidelines recommend initiating treatment with two drugs in those patients with a systolic blood pressure >20 mmHg and/or a diastolic blood pressure >10 mmHg above the goals, and in those patients with high cardiovascular risk. In addition, approximately 25% of patients will require three antihypertensive agents to achieve the therapeutic targets. In this review, we analyse the latest information available regarding the treatment of hypertension with combination therapy.

Echocardiographic measurements of epicardial adipose tissue and comparative ability to predict adverse cardiovascular outcomes in patients with coronary artery disease.

The present study aimed to compare echocardiography measurements of epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) thickness and other risk factors regarding their ability to predict adverse cardiovascular outcomes in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). Outcomes of 107 patients (86 males, 21 females, mean age 63.6 years old) submitted to diagnostic echocardiography and coronary angiography were prospectively analyzed. EAT (measures over the right ventricle, interventricular groove and complete bulk of EAT) and left ventricle ejection fraction (LVEF) were performed by echocardiography. Coronary complexity was evaluated by Syntax score. Primary endpoints were major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE's), composite of cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, unstable angina, intra-stent re-stenosis and episodes of decompensate heart failure requiring hospital attention during a mean follow up of 15.94 ± 3.6 months. Mean EAT thickness was 4.6 ± 1.9 mm; and correlated with Syntax score and body mass index; negatively correlated with LVEF. Twenty-three cases of MACE's were recorded during follow up, who showed higher EAT. Diagnostic ability of EAT to discriminate MACE's was comparable to LVEF (AUROC > 0.5); but higher than Syntax score. Quartile comparison of EAT revealed that measurement of the complete bulk of EAT provided a better discrimination range for MACE's, and higher, more significant adjusted risk (cutoff 4.6 mm, RR = 3.91; 95% CI 1.01-15.08; p = 0.04) than the other risk factors. We concluded that echocardiographic measurement of EAT showed higher predicting ability for MACE's than the other markers tested, in patients with CAD. Whether location for echocardiographic measurement of EAT impacts the diagnostic performance of this method deserves further study.

Valor del índice proteína C reactiva/albúmina en el diagnóstico de sepsis / Value of C-reactive protein (CRP)/albumin index in the diagnosis of sepsis

Resumen ANTECEDENTES La sepsis es una de las principales causas de morbilidad y mortalidad en todo el mundo, en esta enfermedad el efecto de la respuesta inflamatoria puede empeorar el pronóstico del paciente. OBJETIVO Averiguar si existe correlación entre el índice proteína C reactiva (PCR)/albúmina y las escalas SOFA y qSOFA a fin de establecer su utilidad como herramienta diagnóstica. MATERIAL Y MÉTODO Estudio transversal analítico, realizado de julio de 2016 a junio de 2017 en el Servicio de Urgencias del Hospital General Xoco, SEDESA. Se incluyeron pacientes en quienes se estableció diagnóstico de sepsis mediante las escalas SOFA y qSOFA en quienes se determinó el índice PCR/albúmina, posteriormente se procedió a buscar correlación entre estas mediciones. RESULTADOS Se incluyeron 30 pacientes. No se observó correlación entre los puntajes qSOFA (p = 0.79) y SOFA (p = 0.40) con el índice PCR/albúmina. El índice PCR/albúmina fue menor en el sexo femenino (p = 0.03). Se encontró una relación estadísticamente significativa de la muerte hospitalaria con un índice PCR/albúmina menor (p = 0.05). Otras variables que se correlacionaron con la muerte fueron la edad (p = 0.01) y la escala SOFA (p = 0.02). CONCLUSIONES No existe correlación significativa entre el índice PCR/albúmina y los puntajes qSOFA y SOFA en el diagnóstico de sepsis. Se encontró un índice PCR/albúmina menor en los pacientes del sexo femenino y que tuvieron muerte hospitalaria. Otras variables que se correlacionaron con la muerte fueron la edad y el puntaje SOFA.

Abstract BACKGROUND Sepsis is one of the main causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide, in this entity the impact of the inflammatory response can worsen the patient's prognosis. OBJECTIVE To find out if there is a correlation between the C-reactive protein (CRP)/albumin index and SOFA and qSOFA scores that allow us to establish its utility as a diagnostic tool. MATERIAL AND METHOD A cross-sectional analytical study carried out from July 2016 to June 2017 at the Emergency Department of the General Hospital Xoco, SEDESA. We included patients who were diagnosed with sepsis using SOFA and qSOFA scales in whom the CRP/albumin index was determined. We then proceeded to search for correlation between these measurements. RESULTS There were included 30 patients. There was no correlation between qSOFA (p = 0.79) and SOFA (p = 0.40) scores with the CRP/albumin index. This index was lower in females (p = 0.03). We found a statistically significant relationship of hospital death with a lower CRP/albumin index (p = 0.05). Other variables that correlated with death were age (p = 0.01) and SOFA (p = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS There is no significant correlation between CRP/albumin index and qSOFA and SOFA score in the diagnosis of sepsis. A lower CRP/albumin index was found in female patients and who died in hospital. Other variables that correlated with death were age and SOFA score.

Hidratación: importancia en algunas condiciones patológicas en adultos / Hydration: Importance in some pathological conditions in adults

Resumen Estar bien hidratado se relaciona con un estado adecuado de salud y bienestar; sin embargo ¿qué pasa en los pacientes adultos que tienen algún padecimiento como obesidad, diabetes mellitus tipo 2, hipertensión arterial, cardiopatía isquémica e insuficiencia cardiaca, alteraciones nefrológicas (insuficiencia, poliquistosis y litiasis renal), enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica, dislipidemia, hiperuricemia o, bien, en adultos mayores y en el periodo perioperatorio, en donde hay pérdida del estado de salud o una necesidad diferente de hidratación y que requieren consumir bebidas no alcohólicas para tener un buen estado de hidratación sin alterar la evolución natural de estas condiciones? Algunos puntos y recomendaciones son: la carbonatación de las bebidas ofrece el beneficio de aumentar la saciedad y disminuir la ingesta energética, lo que puede contribuir a la pérdida de peso; el agua simple es la mejor fuente de hidratación en los pacientes diabéticos, sin embargo, otras fuentes de hidratación pueden ser el agua mineralizada, el agua mineral, la leche (de preferencia descremada), café y té sin azúcar o con edulcorantes no calóricos o bajos en calorías, así como cualquier bebida que los contenga; en pacientes con litiasis renal se recomienda ingerir 2.5 a 4 L de agua al día; las bebidas para deportistas pueden ser consumidas por pacientes hipertensos, siempre y cuando no excedan la cantidad de sodio recomendada por la Organización Mundial de la Salud. En conclusión, la hidratación juega un papel importante en la evolución de las enfermedades mencionadas.

Abstract Being well hydrated is related to an adequate state of health and well-being; however, what happens in those adult patients having some pathological conditions such as obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus, high blood pressure, ischemic heart disease and heart failure, kidney diseases (renal failure, polycystic renal disease and renal lithiasis), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, dyslipidemia, hyperuricemia, or in the elderly and in the perioperative period, where there is loss of health or a different need for hydration and require the use of non-alcoholic beverages in order to have a good state of hydration without altering the natural evolution of these conditions? Some key points and recommendations are: carbonation of beverages offers the benefit of increasing satiety and decreasing energy intake, which can contribute to weight loss; simple water is the best source of hydration in diabetic patients; however, other sources of hydration may be mineralized water, mineral water, milk (preferably non-fat), coffee and tea without sugar or non-caloric sweeteners or low-calorie, as well as any beverage containing them; in patients with renal lithiasis it is recommended to take 2.5 to 4 L of water per day; sports drinks can be consumed by hypertensive patients as long as they do not exceed the amount of sodium recommended by the World Health Organization. In conclusion, hydration plays an important role in the evolution of the pathologic conditions mentioned above.

Nuevas guías del American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Hypertension para el tratamiento de la hipertensión. ¿Un salto en la dirección correcta? / New guides of American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Hypertension for the treatment of high blood pressure. A jump in the right direction?

Resumen En noviembre de 2017, la American Heart Association y el American College of Cardiology emitieron nuevas guías de práctica clínica para la prevención, detección, evaluación y tratamiento de la hipertensión en adultos, con cambios relevantes en la clasificación y el abordaje terapéutico. Este documento analiza las aportaciones de la guía y da los puntos de vista del autor respecto a ellas.

Abstract In November 2017, the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Hypertension published new guidelines for the prevention, detection, evaluation, and management of high blood pressure in adults, with changes in the recommendations of the classification and therapeutic approach. This manuscript analyzes their key recommendations and some author's comments about the new guidelines.

Correlation between epicardial fat thickness and biochemical markers of metabolic risk. / Correlación entre el grosor de la grasa epicárdica y los marcadores bioquímicos de riesgo metabólico.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Epicardial fat has been associated with increased cardiovascular risk and the development of atherosclerosis. Transthoracic echocardiography provides a reliable measurement of epicardial fat thickness (EFT). The aim of this study is to evaluate the relationship between EFT and biochemical parameters of metabolic risk. MATERIAL AND METHOD: We assessed 211 patients who underwent echocardiography; EFT was measured by two cardiologists. In addition, patients' glycaemia, lipid profile and serum uric acid were measured. Statistical analysis was performed with the Pearson coefficient test and Odds ratio. RESULTS: A positive correlation between EFT with glycaemia (r=.064), total serum cholesterol (r=.0056), high density lipoproteins (r=-.038), or with triglycerides (r=.118) was not observed. However, we did find a significant positive correlation between EFT and serum uric acid (r=.415, P<.00001). The odds ratio for EFT>3mm in patients with hyperuricemia was 6.26 (IC 95 2.79-14, P<.0001). CONCLUSION: Hyperuricemia is strongly associated with EFT in Mexican patients; EFT is a useful tool for global cardiovascular risk calculation.

Efecto de atorvastatina sobre los niveles de biopterinas y la relación bh4/bh2 en pacientes diabéticos / Evaluate the effect of atorvastatin on biopterin levels and the BH4/BH2 ratio in hypertensive type-2 diabetic patients

Evaluar el efecto de atorvastatina sobre los niveles de biopterinas y el índice BH4/BH2 en pacientes con diabetes tipo 2. Materiales y Métodos: 20 pacientes con diabetes tipo 2, sin tratamiento previo con estatinas ni inhibidores del eje reninaangiotensina,recibieron atorvastatina 10 mg una vez al día por 3 meses. En todos ellos BH4 y BH2 se midieron por cromatografía líquida de fase reversa con fluorescencia al inicio y el final del estudio. Los pacientes fueron evaluados mensualmente y se registró presión arterial, glucemia de ayuno, perfil de lípidos y efectos adversos. El análisis estadístico se realizó con las pruebas de Shapiro-Wilk y Wilcoxon. Resultados: El manejo con atorvastatina aumentó los niveles de BH4 (5,4 a 9,1, p=0,047) y redujo losde BH2 (7,4 a 6,99, p= 0,60), además de mejorar el índice BH4/BH2 (0,83 a 1,85 p=0,016). Ningún paciente presentó efectos adversos. Conclusión: Nuestros resultados muestran que atorvastatina brinda un beneficio sobre los niveles de las biopterinas.Esto explica, al menos en parte, los efectos favorables de las estatinas en pacientes diabéticos cardiovascular...

[Prevalence of abnormal glucose tolerance in hypertensive patients]. / Prevalencia de tolerancia a la glucosa anormal en pacientes hipertensos.

BACKGROUND: Type 2 diabetes mellitus is commonly associated with hypertension; the standard oral glucose load is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease. The aim of this research is to show the prevalence of abnormal glucose tolerance in hypertensive patients with normal fasting glucose. METHODS: We enrolled 65 hypertensive non diabetic patients with fasting glucose < 100 mg/dL. In all of them a standard glucose load was performed. RESULTS: We found abnormal glucose tolerance in 32 patients (49.2 %), 29 individuals with impaired glucose tolerance, and three of them with a diabetic curve. We did not find any relation between abnormal glucose tolerance with blood pressure; however, we found a significant positive correlation between abnormal glucose tolerance and body mass index > 32.6 (R = 0.59, p < 0.005, OR 4.2). CONCLUSION: Our results shown that abnormal glucose tolerance is common in hypertensive non-diabetic patients, especially in those with increased body mass index, and that fasting glucose is not an accurate screening test for diabetes in those patients.

Introducción: la hipertensión arterial y la diabetes mellitus tipo 2 tienden a coexistir en el mismo paciente. La hiperglucemia postprandial de dos horas es un predictor de enfermedad cardiovascular. Nuestro objetivo fue investigar la prevalencia de tolerancia a la glucosa alterada en sujetos hipertensos con glucosa de ayuno normal. Métodos: se incluyeron 65 pacientes hipertensos no diabéticos y con glucosa plasmática de ayuno < 100 mg/dL, en quienes se realizó una prueba de tolerancia a la glucosa. Resultados: encontramos tolerancia a la glucosa alterada en 32 pacientes (49.2 %), 29 en rango de intolerancia a la glucosa y tres casos en rango de diabetes mellitus. No hallamos relación entre glucosa postprandial con cifras de presión arterial ni con la edad, pero sí una correlación significativa entre intolerancia a la glucosa e índice de masa corporal > 32.6 (R = 0.59, p < 0.005, RR 4.2). Conclusión: nuestros resultados muestran que los pacientes hipertensos no diabéticos suelen cursar con tolerancia a la glucosa alterada, particularmente aquellos con índice de masa corporal aumentado, y que la glucosa de ayuno no es suficiente como prueba de monitoreo para diabetes mellitus tipo 2 en ese tipo de pacientes.

Correlation between biopterin levels and intimal-media thickness in type-2 diabetic hypertensive patients.

BACKGROUND: Biopterins have a crucial role in the function of nitric oxide synthase, uncoupling of the enzyme leads to endothelial dysfunction and vascular damage, The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between the levels of biopterins with carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) in hypertensive type-2 diabetic patients. METHODS: We studied 30 hypertensive type-2 diabetic patients and 30 normotensive non-diabetic age-matched subjects, in whom biopterins levels were measured by reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection. Additionally, the CIMT of both the common and internal carotid arteries was measured. The levels of biopterins and CIMT were correlated using the Pearson correlation coefficient test. RESULTS: We did not find a significantly correlation between biopterins levels and CIMT. However, we found a significantly inverse correlation between the BH4/BH2 ratio and the CIMT in patients (r = -0.54, p < 0.01). A multiple regression analysis revealed that the CIMT correlated significantly and independently with the BH4/BH2 ratio. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that the BH4/BH2 ratio seems to be a better marker of vascular disease than biopterin levels.

Depression increases the risk for uncontrolled hypertension.

BACKGROUND: Because hypertension and depression share common pathways, it is possible that each disease has an impact on the natural history of the other. OBJECTIVE: To determinate whether depression influences blood pressure control in hypertensive patients. METHODS: Forty hypertensive patients undergoing antihypertensive treatment, excluding beta-blockers and central-acting agents, self-measured their blood pressure several times a day for three days using a validated, commercially available device. All patients also completed the Zung Self-rating Depression Scale survey for depression. Associations between the results of the blood pressure and depression tests were determined using the Spearman correlation coefficient; RR was also measured. RESULTS: Of the 40 patients, 23 were depressed, and 21 of these 23 had poor control of their blood pressure. The RR for uncontrolled hypertension in depressed patients was 15.5. A significant correlation between systolic (r=0.713) and diastolic (r=0.52) blood pressure values and depression was found. CONCLUSION: Depression is common in patients with uncontrolled hypertension and may interfere with blood pressure control. Screening for depression in hypertensive patients is a simple and cost-effective tool that may improve outcomes.

[Validation of diagnosis scales for differencing hemorrhagic from ischemic cerebral vascular disease]. / Escalas clínicas para diferenciar enfermedad vascular cerebral hemorrágica de isquémica.

BACKGROUND: differentiating hemorrhagic from ischemic cerebral vascular disease (CVD) is the starting point for the treatment. The aim was to compare the diagnostic accuracy of the scales that differentiate hemorrhagic from ischemic stroke. METHODS: we applied the scale of Siriraj Stroke Score (SSS) and Greek Stroke Score (GSS) to patients with stroke. The results were described as means and frequencies. For significant variables odds ratio was calculated. We calculated the validity of both scales compared to the head computed tomography. RESULTS: ninety one patients had ischemic stroke and 28 were hemorrhagic. The mean systolic blood pressure in ischemic stroke was 138.94 mmHg (SD ± 26.90) and hemorrhagic was 165.55 mmHg (SD ± 36.40) p = 0.0007. The atherogenic index (AT) in ischemic stroke was 4.52 (SD ± 1.52) and in hemorrhagic was 4.84 (SD ± 2.01) p = 0.87. The specificity of the SSS for hemorrhagic stroke is 85.5 % and 96.7 % for the GSS. CONCLUSIONS: the GSS has a high specificity for hemorrhagic stroke.

Association between the levels of circulating adhesion molecules and biopterins in type-2 diabetic normotensive patients adhesion molecules and biopterins.

UNLABELLED: Endothelial dysfunction is a common feature in type-2 diabetic patients and is associated with inflammation, increased levels of circulating soluble adhesion molecules and atherosclerosis. Insufficiency of tetrahydrobiopterin leads to uncoupling of the nitric oxide synthase enzyme an endothelial dysfunction. THE AIM OF THIS STUDY: was to evaluate if there is a relationship between the levels of circulating soluble adhesion molecules and the levels of biopterins in normotensive type-2 diabetic patients. METHODS: We studied 30 normotensive type-2 diabetic patients in whom VCAM-1, ICAM-1 and E-selectin were measured by ELISA. Additionally, Biopterins were measured by reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection. The levels of circulating adhesion molecules and biopterins were correlated using the Spearman correlation coefficient test. Statistical analysis was performed with ANOVA. RESULTS: We did not find any relationship between absolute values of biopterins and soluble adhesion molecules. However, we observed significant inverse correlations between the BH4/BH2 ratio and VCAM-1 (r= -0.65, p<0.001) with ICAM-1 (r= -0.69, p<0.001) and with E-selectin (r=-0.64 p<0.001), CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that systemic levels of adhesion molecules have an inverse association with the BH4/BH2 ratio in type 2 diabetic normotensive patients.