BACKGROUND The effect of the sympathetic nervous system on peripheral arteries causes vasoconstriction when smooth muscle cells in the walls of blood vessels contract,which leads to narrowing of arteries and reduction...BACKGROUND The effect of the sympathetic nervous system on peripheral arteries causes vasoconstriction when smooth muscle cells in the walls of blood vessels contract,which leads to narrowing of arteries and reduction of the blood flow.AIM To compare sympathetic vasomotor activation of the brachial arteries in healthy subjects and patients with painful diabetic neuropathy;and therefore,to assess whether there is significant vasomotor dysfunction of medium sized arteries in diabetic neuropathy.METHODS The study included 41 diabetic neuropathy patients and 41 healthy controls.Baseline diameter and flow rate of the brachial arteries were measured.Then,using a bipolar stimulus electrode,a 10 mA,1 Hz electrical stimulus was administered to the median nerve at the wrist level for 5 s.The brachial artery diameter and blood flow rate were re-measured after stimulation.RESULTS In the control group,the median flow rate was 70.0 mL/min prior to stimulation and 35.0 mL/min after stimulation,with a statistically significant decrease(P<0.001),which is consistent with sympathetic nervous system functioning(vasoconstriction).In the diabetic neuropathy group,median flow rate before the stimulation was 35.0 mL/min.After stimulation,the median flow rate was 77.0 mL/min;thus,no significant decrease in the flow rate was detected.In the control group,the median brachial artery diameter,which was 3.6 mm prior to stimulation,decreased to 3.4 mm after stimulation,and this decrease was also statistically significant(P=0.046).In the diabetic neuropathy group,the median brachial artery diameter increased from 3.4 mm to 3.6 mm following nerve stimulation.Once again,no narrowing was observed.CONCLUSION Our research suggests that diabetic neuropathy results in significant vasomotor dysfunction of medium sized peripheral arteries.Physiological vasoconstriction in response to sympathetic activation is impaired in diabetic neuropathy.展开更多
Background: Menopause is a period where natural cessation of menses occurs, some quality of life characteristics changes with some symptoms associated with this time such as hot flushes and anxiety. Objective: To eval...Background: Menopause is a period where natural cessation of menses occurs, some quality of life characteristics changes with some symptoms associated with this time such as hot flushes and anxiety. Objective: To evaluate and specify the level of impact of these symptoms on the quality of life among women in the Qatif area, Saudi Arabia and to study the factors that may involve in their perception. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted of 151 women aged 40 - 60 years old interviewed at either hospital or PHCs, a translated and revised questionnaire of other studies with some adoption. Results: 151 women out of 200 participated in questionnaires, majority of them were highly educated having at least a bachelor’s degree around 80%, and around 75% of participants were either working or retired, with a moderate level of income and enjoying a good lifestyle 93% in around and 97% in the after menopause. With the majority, were not used hormones 95% or conceptive pills 91%, personal perception of health were high around 93% for around and 97.2% for after menopause with no significant statistical difference between the two groups. Conclusion: Perception and knowledge of menopause were very high, with no differences in the severity of symptoms of the four QOL domains for the around or after menopause among the participants. High level of education and increased level of income and knowledge of the participants may play an important role in the result, so further investigation is advised.展开更多
文摘BACKGROUND The effect of the sympathetic nervous system on peripheral arteries causes vasoconstriction when smooth muscle cells in the walls of blood vessels contract,which leads to narrowing of arteries and reduction of the blood flow.AIM To compare sympathetic vasomotor activation of the brachial arteries in healthy subjects and patients with painful diabetic neuropathy;and therefore,to assess whether there is significant vasomotor dysfunction of medium sized arteries in diabetic neuropathy.METHODS The study included 41 diabetic neuropathy patients and 41 healthy controls.Baseline diameter and flow rate of the brachial arteries were measured.Then,using a bipolar stimulus electrode,a 10 mA,1 Hz electrical stimulus was administered to the median nerve at the wrist level for 5 s.The brachial artery diameter and blood flow rate were re-measured after stimulation.RESULTS In the control group,the median flow rate was 70.0 mL/min prior to stimulation and 35.0 mL/min after stimulation,with a statistically significant decrease(P<0.001),which is consistent with sympathetic nervous system functioning(vasoconstriction).In the diabetic neuropathy group,median flow rate before the stimulation was 35.0 mL/min.After stimulation,the median flow rate was 77.0 mL/min;thus,no significant decrease in the flow rate was detected.In the control group,the median brachial artery diameter,which was 3.6 mm prior to stimulation,decreased to 3.4 mm after stimulation,and this decrease was also statistically significant(P=0.046).In the diabetic neuropathy group,the median brachial artery diameter increased from 3.4 mm to 3.6 mm following nerve stimulation.Once again,no narrowing was observed.CONCLUSION Our research suggests that diabetic neuropathy results in significant vasomotor dysfunction of medium sized peripheral arteries.Physiological vasoconstriction in response to sympathetic activation is impaired in diabetic neuropathy.
文摘Background: Menopause is a period where natural cessation of menses occurs, some quality of life characteristics changes with some symptoms associated with this time such as hot flushes and anxiety. Objective: To evaluate and specify the level of impact of these symptoms on the quality of life among women in the Qatif area, Saudi Arabia and to study the factors that may involve in their perception. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted of 151 women aged 40 - 60 years old interviewed at either hospital or PHCs, a translated and revised questionnaire of other studies with some adoption. Results: 151 women out of 200 participated in questionnaires, majority of them were highly educated having at least a bachelor’s degree around 80%, and around 75% of participants were either working or retired, with a moderate level of income and enjoying a good lifestyle 93% in around and 97% in the after menopause. With the majority, were not used hormones 95% or conceptive pills 91%, personal perception of health were high around 93% for around and 97.2% for after menopause with no significant statistical difference between the two groups. Conclusion: Perception and knowledge of menopause were very high, with no differences in the severity of symptoms of the four QOL domains for the around or after menopause among the participants. High level of education and increased level of income and knowledge of the participants may play an important role in the result, so further investigation is advised.
