ABSTRACT
Introduction The relationship between the severity of coronary artery disease (CAD) with hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels in diabetic patients is well-understood. However, the association between HbA1c and the severity of CAD in non-diabetics is still controversial. We wanted to find out if HbA1c of the non-diabetic adult population, presenting with an acute coronary syndrome (ACS), had any correlation with the severity of CAD. Methods We selected 119 non-diabetic adults who underwent coronary intervention for clinical reasons during the period of July 2015 to February 2017. The mean age of the patients was 54 ± 10.2 years. All patients were labeled as 'acute coronary syndrome', which included unstable angina, non-ST elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI), and ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). We obtained blood samples of patients for laboratory investigations, including HbA1c. We used the SYNTAX score as a tool to classify the severity of CAD, and patients having a SYNTAX score of >22 were considered to be having severe CAD. Results In order to find out the association between HbA1c and CAD, a linear regression analysis of HbA1c with the SYNTAX score was performed, which showed no statistically significant correlation between the SYNTAX score and HbA1c (correlation co-efficient = 0.142; p-value = 0.124). To compare the median value of HbA1c in groups with SYNTAX scores of ≤22 and those with SYNTAX scores of >22, we analyzed the data with the Mann-Whitney U test, which showed no significant difference in HbA1c between the two groups (p-value = 0.771). We determined the independent predictors of the severity of CAD by analyzing all variables with logistic regression, considering a SYNTAX score of >22 as a dependent variable. None of the variables, including HbA1c, proved to be statistically significant in multivariate logistic regression analysis. The unadjusted and adjusted odds ratio (OR) of HbA1c with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were 1.71 (0.47-2.92), p-value = 0.735 and 0.87 (0.33-2.29), and 0.78, respectively. Conclusion In conclusion, we find that HbA1c is not an independent predictor of the severity of CAD in non-diabetic adult patients.
ABSTRACT
Introduction Coronary artery disease is the leading cause of death worldwide by incidence. Over the years, many studies have been conducted to find predictors of coronary artery disease; however, in the last few decades, the level of HbA1c in diabetics has been investigated as a potential predictor. Our study offers additional insight by investigating similar relationships in non-diabetic patients and by investigating potential predictors more comprehensively, making it the first of its kind study. The aim of our study is to indicate that rising HbA1c levels suggest that there's a greater risk of coronary artery disease, which can further be confirmed by the SYNTAX score, degree of stenosis, and numbers of vessels involved. Methods Data from 177 diabetic and 378 non-diabetic patients, all of whom were above 18 years of age, were included in the research. HbA1c levels (>5.6%), SYNTAX score, hypertension, number of vessels involved, and other demographic elements, such as age, smoking, and body measurements, were calculated and compared for diabetics and non-diabetics. Results HbA1c was higher in comparison to non-diabetic subjects (p <0.001). Age >53 was found to be a predictor for SYNTAX score ≥23 in diabetic patients (p <0.05). Male gender and smoking were found to be independent predictors for three-vessel disease in the non-diabetic population (p-value<0.05). There was no significant relationship between the SYNTAX score and HbA1c levels in non-diabetics (p=0.885) and diabetics. In conclusion, there is no correlation between elevated HbA1c levels and SYNTAX score ≥23.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The levels of adenosine deaminase (ADA) are increased in tubercular pleural effusion and its determination has acquired popularity as a diagnostic test which is inexpensive and is readily accessible. Pleural fluid ADA showed sensitivity (86.36%), specificity (61.54%), diagnostic accuracy (80.70%), positive predictive value (88.37%), and negative predictive value (82.42%) confirmed by pleural biopsy as a gold standard. METHODOLOGY: Our study was a prospective cross-sectional study which was conducted for three years at a tertiary care center in Karachi, Pakistan. The data were collected and analyzed using IBM statistics SPSS vs21. RESULTS: There were 52 patients included in our study. Twenty one were males and thirty one were females. Most patients presented with shortness of breath. There was a significant association found between raised ADA levels and pulmonary tuberculosis (p < 0.05). The ADA levels are 12 times more likely to be raised in tubercular pleural effusion. CONCLUSION: The ADA level is an important marker for diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis in lymphocytic pleural effusion. It is a convenient and an inexpensive method. The ADA levels assessment is economical when compared to other diagnostic methods.
ABSTRACT
We report a case of partial mole and co-existing live fetus. This condition, uncommonly termed "sad fetus syndrome," is a rare subclass of gestational trophoblastic disease. Our case involves a 25-year-old primigravid woman who presented to the outpatient department at 18 weeks of gestation with lower abdominal pain, vaginal spotting, and severe nausea. Ultrasound revealed a "grape bunch" appearance and a live, coexisting fetus. The patient underwent spontaneous abortion around the twentieth week of gestation. A postoperative ultrasound revealed an empty uterine cavity. She was discharged a few days afterward but was advised to follow up with serial repeat measurements of her beta-human chorionic gonadotropin levels.
