Granulomatosis with polyangiitis manifesting as fever of unknown origin.

Fever of unknown origin (FUO) has a broad differential diagnosis, including infectious, inflammatory and malignant aetiologies. Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) can present with non-specific symptoms, including fever, lethargy and flu-like illness. While systemic vasculitis causing FUO has been well-documented, GPA as an underlying cause for FUO poses a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge for clinicians. We present the case of a 65-year-old man who presented to the emergency department with a report of fever, myalgia and night sweats for greater than 3 weeks. After an extensive workup, the patient was diagnosed with GPA and he eventually responded to corticosteroids and immunosuppressive therapy. This case aims to raise awareness of FUO secondary to GPA and serves as a reminder to clinicians that early recognition and prompt treatment of this syndrome improves patient outcomes.

HbA1c and FIB-4 as serologic markers for the risk of progression of stage A heart failure.

The use of glycosylated hemoglobin as a diabetic glycemic control and cardiovascular risk marker is well documented. It has also been suggested as a marker for early diastolic hemodynamic changes leading to clinical heart failure, but is less well characterized. This study explored the association between elevated glycosylated hemoglobin and liver Fibrosis-4 values and worsening measures of diastolic cardiac function in order to assess their potential as early serologic markers in cardiovascular disease prevention. A retrospective cohort analysis was conducted in 102 patients presenting to the Parkview Medical Center health system who had received a full resting echo characterized by normal systolic ejection fraction and clinical risk factors associated with stage A heart failure in conjunction with glycosylated hemoglobin and Fibrosis-4 scores within a 3-month time window. Using regression analysis, measures of diastolic cardiac function were assessed in conjunction with rising glycosylated hemoglobin levels characterized as <6.5 and >6.5 and Fibrosis-4 scores after controlling for the presence of hypertension, coronary artery disease and valvular heart disease. Glycosylated hemoglobin levels >6.5 were significantly associated with a higher E/e' ratio and closely associated with an elevated left atrial volume index both indicative of elevated left atrial pressure as a sensitive marker for diastolic cardiac dysfunction. Fibrosis-4 scores did not appear to be clinically associated with progression of diastolic dysfunction. Thus, glycosylated hemoglobin may act as an early marker for identifying patients at increased risk for the progression of stage A heart failure. Fibrosis-4 scores do not appear to be related.