Optimal glycemic target level for colon cancer patients with diabetes.

AIMS: The aim of this study was to evaluate the differences in mortality among colon cancer patients with or without diabetes and to determine optimal glycemic target level for colon cancer patients with diabetes. METHODS: A total of 741 patients with colon cancer between April 1999 and December 2010 were reviewed. The non-diabetes group had a fasting plasma glucose <126mg/dL, and the diabetes group had a fasting plasma glucose ⩾126mg/dL. Patients with diabetes were further divided based on glycemic control into either the uncontrolled subgroup (HbA1c ⩾8%) or the well-controlled subgroup (HbA1c <8%). RESULTS: Patients with diabetes had significantly shorter overall survival and median survival than non-diabetes patients. Uncontrolled diabetes patients had significantly shorter overall survival and median survival than well-controlled diabetes patients. The relative risk of mortality for diabetes patients was higher than non-diabetes patients (relative risk 1.17). The relative risk of mortality in uncontrolled diabetes patients was significantly higher than in well-controlled diabetes patients (relative risk 4.58). The area under the curve for mortality and HbA1c level was 0.73. The cut off HbA1c level was 7.75%. CONCLUSIONS: A optimal glycemic control level for colon cancer patients with diabetes should be recommended as an HbA1c of 7.8% or below.

Serum 25-Hydroxyvitamin D Concentration Is Independently Inversely Associated with Insulin Resistance in the Healthy, Non-Obese Korean Population.

BACKGROUND: We evaluated the associations between 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) concentrations in serum and insulin resistance in the healthy Korean population. METHODS: We conducted this cross-sectional analysis in 1,807 healthy Korean people (628 men and 1,179 women) aged 30 to 64 years in the Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disease Etiologic Research Center study. All participants were assessed for 25(OH)D, fasting glucose, and insulin levels, and completed a health examination and lifestyle questionnaire according to standard procedures. Insulin resistance was defined as the homeostasis model assessment insulin resistance higher than the 75 percentile. RESULTS: Compared to those in the highest tertile (≥14.3 ng/mL), the odds ratio (OR) for insulin resistance was 1.37 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.01 to 1.86) for the 1st tertile (<9.7 ng/mL) and 1.19 (95% CI, 0.08 to 1.62) for the 2nd tertile (9.7 to 14.3 ng/mL) after adjusting for age, gender, waist circumference, alcohol consumption, smoking status, physical exercise, season, and cohort. After stratification of the subjects by adiposity, these associations remained only in non-obese subjects (lowest tertile vs. highest tertile, multivariable OR, 1.64; 95% CI, 1.05 to 2.56). CONCLUSION: Serum 25(OH)D has an independent inverse association with insulin resistance in the healthy, non-obese Korean population, even among people with vitamin D insufficiency.

Trabecular Bone Score (TBS) and TBS-Adjusted Fracture Risk Assessment Tool are Potential Supplementary Tools for the Discrimination of Morphometric Vertebral Fractures in Postmenopausal Women With Type 2 Diabetes.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is associated with fracture risk but, paradoxically, greater bone mineral density (BMD). The trabecular bone score (TBS) has been proposed as an index of bone microarchitecture associated with bone quality. This study compared the performance of TBS, BMD, and original and TBS-adjusted Fracture Risk Assessment Tool (FRAX®) scores in the discrimination of vertebral fractures (VFs) in T2DM patients. This retrospective study enrolled 169 Korean postmenopausal women with T2DM. Lateral plain radiographs of the thoracolumbar spine were taken. Lumbar spine and femur neck BMDs were obtained using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). TBS was obtained using the TBS iNsight software program (Med-Imaps, Pessac, France) with BMD DXA images (L1-L4). VFs were diagnosed when at least 1 of the 3 height measurements was decreased by >25% compared to the nearest uncompressed vertebral body. Among the subjects, 34 women (20.1%) had VFs. Significantly lower TBS (p = 0.008) and higher TBS-adjusted FRAX scores were shown (p = 0.019) in the group with VFs compared to the group without VFs. In contrast, there were no significant differences in BMD and original FRAX scores between the 2 groups. Odds ratios (ORs) per standard deviation decrease in BMD or TBS and per standard deviation increase in the FRAX score were estimated with adjustment for age. TBS (OR = 1.8, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.1-2.7, p = 0.011) and TBS-adjusted FRAX score (OR = 2.0, 95% confidence interval: 1.1-3.5, p = 0.020) showed statistically significant ORs but the others did not. TBS and TBS-adjusted FRAX could be supplementary tools to discriminate osteoporotic fractures in T2DM.

Changes in bone mineral density and trabecular bone score in Graves' disease patients after anti-thyroid therapy.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate changes in bone quantity based on bone mineral density (BMD) and bone quality based on trabecular bone score (TBS) in Graves' disease patients after anti-thyroid therapy. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHOD: This retrospective study included premenopausal female and male patients with Graves' disease who received BMD measurement more than two times during treatment. BMD and thyroid function tests with free thyroxine (FT4), total triiodothyronine (T3), thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), and TSH receptor antibody (TRAb) levels were collected two times during follow-up. TBS was calculated using TBS insight® software (version 2.1) from dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry images. RESULTS: Thirty Graves' disease patients (17 males, 56%; 13 premenopausal females, 44%) with a mean age of 35.3 ± 9.9 years were included. The mean follow-up period was 20.7 ± 8.5 months. The median levels of FT4, TSH and TRAb improved at follow-up [2.55 ng/dL (Interquartile range (IQR) 2.07-3.78) to 1.28 ng/dL (IQR 1.23-1.39), 0.015 mIU/L (IQR 0.01-0.04) to 0.89 mIU/L (IQR 0.35-1.55), 17.0 IU/L (IQR 5.0-40.3) to 5.0 IU/L (5.0-6.0), respectively; p < 0.001]. Median BMD (lumbar spine) values also improved from 1.118 g/cm2 (IQR 1.000-1.119) to 1.167 g/cm2 (IQR 1.050-1.219) (p = 0.001) at follow-up. TBS increased from 1.377 (IQR 1.299-1.422) to 1.390 (IQR 1.327-1.430) after treatment (p = 0.038). CONCLUSION: Both bone quality and density improved after anti-thyroid treatment in premenopausal female and male Graves' disease patients.

Newly Developed Sarcopenia as a Prognostic Factor for Survival in Patients who Underwent Liver Transplantation.

INTRODUCTION: The relationship between a perioperative change in sarcopenic status and clinical outcome of liver transplantation (LT) is unknown. We investigated whether post-LT sarcopenia and changes in sarcopenic status were associated with the survival of patients. METHOD: This retrospective study was based on a cohort of 145 patients from a single transplant center who during a mean of 1 year after LT underwent computed tomography imaging evaluation. The cross-sectional area of the psoas muscle of LT patients was compared with that of age- and sex-matched healthy individuals. The Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to determine whether post-LT sarcopenia and changes in sarcopenic status affect post-LT survival. RESULTS: The mean age at LT of the 116 male and 29 female patients was 50.2 ± 7.9 years; the mean follow-up duration was 51.6 ± 32.9 months. All pre-LT patients with sarcopenia still had sarcopenia 1 year after LT; 14 (15%) patients had newly developed sarcopenia. The mean survival duration was 91.8 ± 4.2 months for non-sarcopenic patients and 80.0 ± 5.2 months for sarcopenic patients (log-rank test, p = 0.069). In subgroup analysis, newly developed sarcopenia was an independent negative predictor for post-LT survival (hazard ratio: 10.53, 95% confidence interval: 1.37-80.93, p = 0.024). CONCLUSION: Sarcopenia in LT recipients did not improve in any of the previously sarcopenic patients and newly developed within 1 year in others. Newly developed sarcopenia was associated with increased mortality. Newly developed sarcopenia can be used to stratify patients with regard to the risk of post-LT mortality.

Thunderclap-like headache triggered by micturition and angina as an initial manifestation of bladder pheochromocytoma. A case report / Cefaleia trovoada-símile desencadeada pela micção e angina como manifestação inicial de feocromocitoma de bexiga. Um relato de caso

CONTEXT: Pheochromocytoma is a catecholamine-producing tumor characterized by hypertension, headache, tachycardia, excessive diaphoresis and angina. The thunderclap headache is so named because the pain strikes suddenly and severely. Although the symptoms of bladder pheochromocytoma are rather evident, the diagnosis of this rare neuroendocrine tumor can be missed. CASE REPORT: This study reports the case of a woman diagnosed with bladder pheochromocytoma who experienced thunderclap headache triggered by micturition and angina as an initial manifestation. CONCLUSION: This case study suggests that thunderclap headache and angina occurring concurrently with sudden blood pressure elevation during or immediately after micturition are important diagnostic clues for bladder pheochromocytoma. .

CONTEXTO: Feocromocitoma é um tumor produtor de catecolaminas, caracterizado por hipertensão, cefaleia, taquicardia, sudorese excessiva e angina. A dor de cabeça trovão é assim chamada porque a dor ataca de repente e intensamente. Embora os sintomas de feocromocitoma de bexiga sejam bastante evidentes, o diagnóstico deste tumor neuroendócrino raro pode ser perdido. RELATO DE CASO: Este estudo relata o caso de uma mulher diagnosticada com feocromocitoma na bexiga que sentiu a dor de cabeça trovão, desencadeada pela micção e angina como manifestação inicial. CONCLUSÃO: Este estudo de caso sugere que a dor de cabeça trovão e angina ocorrendo simultaneamente com a elevação da pressão de sangue repentina durante ou imediatamente após a micção são dicas importantes de diagnósticos de feocromocitoma na bexiga. .

Thunderclap-like headache triggered by micturition and angina as an initial manifestation of bladder pheochromocytoma. A case report.

CONTEXT: Pheochromocytoma is a catecholamine-producing tumor characterized by hypertension, headache, tachycardia, excessive diaphoresis and angina. The thunderclap headache is so named because the pain strikes suddenly and severely. Although the symptoms of bladder pheochromocytoma are rather evident, the diagnosis of this rare neuroendocrine tumor can be missed. CASE REPORT: This study reports the case of a woman diagnosed with bladder pheochromocytoma who experienced thunderclap headache triggered by micturition and angina as an initial manifestation. CONCLUSION: This case study suggests that thunderclap headache and angina occurring concurrently with sudden blood pressure elevation during or immediately after micturition are important diagnostic clues for bladder pheochromocytoma.

Solitary extramedullary plasmacytoma in the gastrointestinal tract: report of two cases and review of literature.

Solitary extramedullary plasmacytoma (EMP) is a plasma cell neoplasm without bone marrow involvement. EMPs are rare in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. We report two cases of primary EMP, one in the transverse colon and the other in the stomach. In the first case, a mass on the transverse colon was found on colonoscopy. The patient underwent left hemicolectomy and has been followed-up for 3 years without recurrence postoperatively. The latter case had several masses in the stomach. The patient underwent bypass surgery and has received supportive care for 1 month. Histopathologic specimens of both the cases showed a monoclonal lambda chain EMP. Subsequent investigations included a bone marrow biopsy, serum IgA, IgG, IgM and serum protein electrophoresis, and the results were negative for multiple myeloma in both the cases. Solitary EMP in the GI tract can be mistaken for colon cancer or stomach cancer on endoscopy; therefore, a sufficient number of biopsy specimens can help diagnose solitary EMPs. Surgical resection alone or with radiation therapy in cases with positive surgical margin is currently the only treatment for solitary EMP in the GI tract. Further study is necessary to determine disease prognosis and to investigate other treatment methods.

The impacts of C-reactive protein and atrial fibrillation on carotid atherosclerosis and ischemic stroke in patients with suspected ischemic cerebrovascular disease: a single-center retrospective observational cohort study.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) is associated with chronic inflammation, and C-reactive protein (CRP) level is elevated in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). We investigated the impacts of CRP and AF on carotid atherosclerosis and ischemic stroke in patients with suspected ischemic cerebrovascular disease. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: One-hundred forty patients (78 males) with suspected ischemic cerebrovascular disease underwent carotid ultrasonography. The mean common carotid artery IMT, mean internal carotid artery (ICA) IMT, and plaque score were measured. Patients were divided into four groups according to the presence of AF and elevated CRP level {n=46 for AF(-)CRP(-), n=38 for AF(-)CRP(+), n=43 for AF(+)CRP(-), and n=13 for AF(+)CRP(+)}. RESULTS: Common carotid artery IMT was significantly higher in the AF(-)CRP(+) (0.98±0.51 mm) and AF(+)CRP(+) (0.96±0.27 mm) groups compared to the AF(-)CRP(-) (0.80±0.32 mm) and AF(+)CRP(-) (0.77±0.19 mm) groups (p=0.027). Although there was no significant difference in mean ICA IMT among the groups, plaque score was the highest in the AF(+)CRP(+) (4.18±3.84 mm) group, followed by AF(-)CRP(+) (3.87±2.78 mm), AF(+)CRP(-) (1.34±2.61 mm), and AF(-)CRP(-) (1.17±2.02 mm) (p<0.001). The AF(+)CRP(+) group showed significantly higher incidence of ischemic stroke than the other groups (all p<0.05). Binary logistic regression analysis showed that age {odds ratio (OR)=1.033, p=0.001}, elevated CRP (OR=3.884, p=0.001), and the presence of AF (OR=1.375, p=0.018) were significantly correlated with incidence of ischemic stroke. CONCLUSION: Elevated plasma CRP concentration may be a reliable surrogate marker for predicting carotid atherosclerosis in patients with AF, which may be related to increased risk of ischemic stroke.