The red blood cell distribution width(RDW) is a routinely measured and automatically reported blood parameter,which reflects the degree of anisocytosis. Recently,the baseline RDW was found to have clinical significanc...The red blood cell distribution width(RDW) is a routinely measured and automatically reported blood parameter,which reflects the degree of anisocytosis. Recently,the baseline RDW was found to have clinical significance for assessing clinical outcome and severity of various pathological conditions including cardiovascular diseases,sepsis,cancers,leukemia,renal dysfunction and respiratory diseases. A myriad of factors,most of which ill-defined,have an impact on the red cell population dynamics(i.e.,production,maturation and turnover). A delay in the red blood cell clearance in pathological conditions represents one of the leading determinants of increased anisocytosis. Further study of RDW may reveal new insight into inflammation mechanisms. In this review,we specifically discuss the current literature about the association of RDW in various disease conditions involving the gastrointestinal and hepatobiliary systems. We also present some of the related measurements for their value in predicting clinical outcomes in such conditions. According to our data,RDW was found to be a valuable prognostic index in gastrointestinal disorders along with additional inflammatory biomarkers(i.e.,C reactive protein,erythrocyte sedimentation rate,and platelet count) and current disease severity indices used in clinical practice.展开更多
Collagenous sprue(CS) is a pattern of small-bowel injury characterized histologically by marked villous blunting,intraepithelial lymphocytes,and thickened sub-epithelial collagen table. Clinically,patients present wit...Collagenous sprue(CS) is a pattern of small-bowel injury characterized histologically by marked villous blunting,intraepithelial lymphocytes,and thickened sub-epithelial collagen table. Clinically,patients present with diarrhea,abdominal pain,malabsorption,and weight loss. Gluten intolerance is the most common cause of villous blunting in the duodenum; however,in a recent case series by the Mayo Clinic,it has been reported that olmesartan can have a similar effect. In this case report,a 62-year-old female with a history of hypothyroidism and hypertension managed for several years with olmesartan presented with abdominal pain,weight loss,and nausea. Despite compliance to a gluten-free diet,the patient's symptoms worsened,losing 20 pounds in 3 wk. Endoscopy showed thickening,scalloping,and mosaiform changes of the duodenal mucosa. The biopsy showed CS characterized by complete villous atrophy,lymphocytosis,and thickened sub-epithelial collagen table. After 2 mo cessation of olmesartan,the patient's symptoms improved,and follow-up endoscopy was normal with complete villous regeneration. These findings suggest that olmesartan was a contributing factor in the etiology of this patient's CS.Clinicians should be aware of the possibility of druginduced CS and potential reversibility after discontinuation of medication.展开更多
文摘The red blood cell distribution width(RDW) is a routinely measured and automatically reported blood parameter,which reflects the degree of anisocytosis. Recently,the baseline RDW was found to have clinical significance for assessing clinical outcome and severity of various pathological conditions including cardiovascular diseases,sepsis,cancers,leukemia,renal dysfunction and respiratory diseases. A myriad of factors,most of which ill-defined,have an impact on the red cell population dynamics(i.e.,production,maturation and turnover). A delay in the red blood cell clearance in pathological conditions represents one of the leading determinants of increased anisocytosis. Further study of RDW may reveal new insight into inflammation mechanisms. In this review,we specifically discuss the current literature about the association of RDW in various disease conditions involving the gastrointestinal and hepatobiliary systems. We also present some of the related measurements for their value in predicting clinical outcomes in such conditions. According to our data,RDW was found to be a valuable prognostic index in gastrointestinal disorders along with additional inflammatory biomarkers(i.e.,C reactive protein,erythrocyte sedimentation rate,and platelet count) and current disease severity indices used in clinical practice.
文摘Collagenous sprue(CS) is a pattern of small-bowel injury characterized histologically by marked villous blunting,intraepithelial lymphocytes,and thickened sub-epithelial collagen table. Clinically,patients present with diarrhea,abdominal pain,malabsorption,and weight loss. Gluten intolerance is the most common cause of villous blunting in the duodenum; however,in a recent case series by the Mayo Clinic,it has been reported that olmesartan can have a similar effect. In this case report,a 62-year-old female with a history of hypothyroidism and hypertension managed for several years with olmesartan presented with abdominal pain,weight loss,and nausea. Despite compliance to a gluten-free diet,the patient's symptoms worsened,losing 20 pounds in 3 wk. Endoscopy showed thickening,scalloping,and mosaiform changes of the duodenal mucosa. The biopsy showed CS characterized by complete villous atrophy,lymphocytosis,and thickened sub-epithelial collagen table. After 2 mo cessation of olmesartan,the patient's symptoms improved,and follow-up endoscopy was normal with complete villous regeneration. These findings suggest that olmesartan was a contributing factor in the etiology of this patient's CS.Clinicians should be aware of the possibility of druginduced CS and potential reversibility after discontinuation of medication.