Ankle-brachial index and brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity are risk factors for ischemic stroke in patients with type 2 diabetes

The incidence of ischemic stroke in patients with diabetes is increasing. While brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity （BaPWV） and ankle-bra- chial index （ABI） are known to be associated with ischemic cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, whether these measures predict the risk of ischemic cerebrovascular disease in diabetic patients remains unclear. 117 patients with type 2 diabetes were enrolled in this study. According to the results of head magnetic resonance imaging, the patients were divided into a diabetes-only group （n = 55） and a diabetes and ischemic stroke group （n = 62）. We then performed ABI and BaPWV examinations for all patients. Compared with the diabe- tes-only group, we found decreased ABI and increased BaPWV in the diabetes and ischemic stroke group. Multivariate logistic regression analyses revealed that BaPWV and ABI were risk factors for ischemic stroke in patients with type 2 diabetes. Our findings indicate that decreased ABI and increased BaPWV are objective indicators of increased risk of ischemic stroke in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Screening of Peripheral Artery Disease by Systematic Measurement of Ankle-Brachial Index among Diabetic Patients in Dakar

Introduction: The peripheral artery disease (PAD) is one of the chronic and frightening vascular complications of the diabetes whose tracking can be done by the Ankle-Brachial Index (ABI) measurement. We conducted in this context a study which consisted in measuring the ABI among hospitalized diabetic patients at Teaching Hospital of Pikine in Dakar, over 18 months’ duration. The aim was to determine the prevalence and evaluate factors correlated to the presence of the PAD. Patients and Method: This cross-sectional descriptive study interested the whole of diabetic patients hospitalized in Internal Medicine/Endocrinology Department, from January 2013 to June 2014. We carried out a complete clinical examination associated with ABI measurement by a Doppler probe for each included patient after having collected the clinical and paraclinical data. Results: Our population of study comprised 209 diabetic patients with a female predominance (126, 60.3%). The sex-ratio man/woman was 0.6. The median age of the population of study was 54 ± 2 years. In our series, 157 (75.1%) patients discovered their diabetes with the waning of an affection while the 52 (24.9%) other patients discovered their diabetes at the time of a systematic assessment. The PAD appeared by an intermittent claudication among 38 patients (18.2%). The ABI was normal for 126 patients (60.3%). The ABI was low for 51 patients (24.4%), unilateral in 3.8% of cases and bilateral in 20.6% of cases. The ABI was high among 32 patients (15.3%), unilateral in 7.2% of cases and bilateral in 8.1% of cases. The ABI extremes values were 0.11 and 2. In the population of study, 46 patients (22%) had a well-compensated PAD. The PAD was low compensated for 3 patients (1.4%) and severe for 2 patients (1%). The ABI was more frequent and significantly among women than men, with 32 cases (25.4%) against 19 (22.9%) cases (p = 0.021). The proportion of low ABI was more important among patients whose diabetes had evolved for more than 5 years (42.3% of cases) with a peak of frequency in the duration of 6 - 10 years (47.7% of cases). Conclusion: The PAD global prevalence among hospitalized diabetic patients appeared high with 24.4% patients presenting low ABI. Its early diagnosis among subjects at risk as for our study population allowed identifying asymptomatic subjects having another cardiovascular damage. Thus, the screening of obstructive arteriopathy of lower limb PAD by the measurement of ABI should be applied to all diabetic patients for a better assessment of atherosclerotic complication.

Association of Race and Change in Ankle-Brachial Index: The Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Cohort

Objective: This study evaluates the association of self-reported race with change in ankle-brachial index (ABI) over time and modification of this association by paraoxonase gene (PON1, PON2 and PON3) single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Methods: This longitudinal study included 11,992 (N = 2952 Black, N = 9040 White) participants from the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) cohort with PON genotyping. Mixed-effects models examined whether race was associated with change in ABI over time after adjustment for known peripheral artery disease (PAD) risk factors. Results: Change in ABI over time differed between Whites and Blacks (race-time interaction, p < 0.0001). Stratified analyses showed that ABI values were better in both Blacks and Whites who completed high school or more education compared to those who completed less education. None of the PON SNPs met the significance level (p < 0.001) after Bonferroni correction for multiple comparisons. Conclusions: ABI differences by race were small and although statistically significant, may not be clinically significant. Change in ABI over time varies by race and may be modified by education. Results suggest that higher education may influence the lifestyle and behavioral choices contributing to better ABI in both Blacks and Whites. Further studies are needed to confirm this observation.

Pulse palpation and limited joint mobility examination are better indicators than oscillometric measurement for diagnosing abnormal ankle-brachial index

Background: Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is the least recognized form of atherosclerosis and may even result in amputation if the diagnosis is delayed. Manual pulse palpation is the traditional way to diagnose PAD. Doppler ultrasonographic measurement of ankle-brachial index (ABI) is the gold standard diagnosing method but requires training and is not necessarily available as an outpatient procedure. Using automated oscillometric blood pressure devices has been suggested as an easier method for measuring the ABI. Methods: A single observer palpated the arterial dorsalis pedis, examined hand joints and measured the ABI of one hundred diabetic patients using both Doppler and oscillometric methods. The purpose of this study was to compare the oscillometric method and the manual diagnosing methods to the gold standard method of using a hand held Doppler device for measuring the ABI and detecting PAD. Results: ABI was abnormal in 24 patients (24%) (22 males, 2 females) when measured with the Doppler method. Of these 24 patients, the oscillometric method would have missed 12 giving 12 false negatives. We found that the sensitivity of the oscillometric method was 50.0% and specificity 90.8%. Clinical examination with palpation of ADP combined with limited joint mobility (LJM) scoring would have missed only four cases. Conclusions: Although the oscillometric method is easy and accessible, it is not sensitive enough to be used as the only method in measuring ABI. The simple and inexpensive ADP pulse palpation combined with testing for LMJ was able to find 20 of the 24 (83%) patients with an abnormal ABI measured by Doppler stethoscope.

Analysis of Ankle-Brachial Index, Waist-Hip Ratio, Ejection-Fraction, Obesity, Smoking, Alcohol Habits, Diabetes and Hypertension as Independent Predictors of Complexity and Severity of Coronary Artery Disease

Background: The present study was conducted to examine the association between various coronary risk factors and clinical parameters, with special emphasis on ankle-brachial index, in predicting the severity and complexity of coronary artery disease. Methods: Patients diagnosed with coronary artery disease at our hospital between September-2012 and December-2014 were examined in this study. Selected patients were screened for cardiovascular risk factors including diabetes, hypertension, smoking, and alcohol habits as well as for clinical parameters including body-mass index, waist-hip ratio, ankle-brachial index, and ejection fraction. All patients underwent coronary angiography and were evaluated for severity of coronary artery disease (based on number of vessels involved) and complexity of coronary angiographic lesions (measured by computer-assisted Syntax score calculator). The collected data were analyzed to determine the role of cardiovascular risk factors and clinical parameters as predictors of complexity and severity of coronary artery disease. Results: A total of 211 patients (mean age: 54.64 ± 9.9 years;81% males) with coronary artery disease were analyzed. Findings revealed that diabetes mellitus (p < 0.001), hypertension (p < 0.001), smoking habits (p = 0.036), and low ankle-brachial index (p < 0.001) were independent predictors of complex coronary artery disease as measured by Syntax score. Significant associations were also evident between severity of coronary artery disease and diabetes mellitus (p < 0.001), hypertension (p < 0.001), and ankle-brachial index (p < 0.001). Conversely, other cardiovascular risk factors including body-mass index, alcohol habits, wait-hip ratio, and ejection fraction did not exhibit significant associations with severity and complexity of coronary artery. Conclusions: The early diagnosis of coronary artery can be predicated by evaluating diabetes, hypertension, and smoking habits in patients presenting with acute coronary syndrome. In addition, ankle-brachial index can be used as an effective non-invasive bed-side tool, as an alternative to Syntax score, in predicting the severity and complexity of coronary artery disease.

Association between Systolic Blood Pressure Difference ≥10 mm Hg and Ankle-Brachial Index

Background: In new outpatients, blood pressure should be measured in both arms. A previous study reported that an inter-arm systolic blood pressure difference (ΔSBP) of ≥10 mm Hg is associated with an increased risk of mortality. Aim: The aim was to identify the associations with absolute values of ΔSBP (|ΔSBP|) ≥10 mm Hg. Subjects and Methods: This study included 2481 patients. Patients with a body mass index ≥25 kg/m2 were defined as obese. The group of A was defined as following: ankle-brachial index (ABI) was <0.9 or ≥1.3. ΔSBP was expressed as right arm BP minus left arm BP. |ΔSBP| ≥10 mm Hg were analyzed using multivariate logistic analysis. Results: |ΔSBP| ≥10 mm Hg was found in 6.0% of patients and |ΔSBP| < 5 mm Hg in 80.4%. In multivariate analysis, the odds ratios (ORs) of the associations with |ΔSBP| ≥10 mm Hg were significantly associated with abnormal ABI and obesity regardless of sex and age. Moreover, the OR of the combined effects of abnormal ABI and obesity was higher than that of abnormal ABI and obesity alone. Conclusion: |ΔSBP| ≥10 mm Hg was associated with abnormal ABI and obesity. In a primary care setting, blood pressure should be actively measured in both arms. This study suggests that the associations with |ΔSBP| ≥10 mm Hg may be a useful part of screening for abnormal ABI.

Ankle-Brachial Index in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus:A Senegalese Case-Control Study

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is associated with accelerated atherosclerosis and increasing cardiovascular risk which is recognized as a major cause of morbidity and death. Whether subclinical atherosclerosis has been evaluated by several methods, there are very limited data about Ankle-Brachial Index (ABI) in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. The aim of the present study was to compare this index, between SLE patients and controls. We conducted a case-control study in the Department of Internal Medicine of our institution during the period from August 1, 2017 to December 31, 2018. We included 100 subjects, including 50 SLE patients and 50 control cases. This included 44 women and 6 men in patients with an identical distribution in controls. The mean age was 33.5 ± 11.3 years for cases and 33.3 ± 11.3 years (p-value: 0.93) for controls subjects. There was higher frequency of cardiovascular risk factors such as dyslipidemia (p-value at 0.009), low level of serum HDL-cholesterol (p-value??0.001), hypertriglyceridemia (p-value at 0.000) and hyperuricemia (p-value at 0.000) in patients with SLE. Overweight/obesity was higher in controls subjects (p-value at 0.028). There was no statistically significant difference in the frequency of diabetes-mellitus, smoking and high blood pressure. The abnormally ABI was recorded in 19 patients with SLE (38%) and 8 controls (16%) with a p-value: 0.01 and odds ratio: 3.22. Eight patients (16%) and four controls (8%) had low ABI without significant difference (p-value: 0.11 but odds-ratio at 2.98). Eleven patients with SLE (22%) and five controls (10%) had high ABI (p-value: 0.05 and odds-ratio: 3.24). In patients with SLE only disease activity (cSLEDAI) at the inclusion of the study was correlated?to abnormal ABI.?Conclusion:?This study showed an increasing prevalence of abnormal ABI in black African patients with SLE compared to controls with a correlation between disease activity and abnormal ABI.

Relationships of coronary artery atherosclerosis severity with blood pressure variability and ankle-brachial index in hypertensive patients

Background Numerous trials showed that blood pressure variability （BPV） plays an important role in triggering acute cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events. However, few studies have clarified the relationship between the coronary artery atherosclerosis severity with BVP and ankle-brachial index （ABI）. There are few studies in which have investigated BPV, ankle-brachial index （ABI）, brachial ankle pulse wave velelocity （baPWV） and severity of coronary angiography（ CAG ） at the same time. Methods Totally 188 hypertensive patients from January 2012 to March 2015 were enrolled in this study. All the cases underwent 24h ambulatory blood pressure monitoring （ABPM）, CAG and ABI. The extent of coronary artery disease was assessed by the Gensini score system. The subjects were divided into four groups： A（ Gensini score=0）, B（Gensini score≤20）, C（ 20〈Gensini score 〈50）, D（Gensini score≥50）. Pearson correlation and stepwise multiple regression were used for analyses. Results Compared with the A and B group, most of blood pressure standard deviation and average ABI of D group were higher （P 〈 0.05）. Correlation analysis indicated that Gensini score was positively correlated with 24h systolic blood pressure standard deviation （24hsbpsd）, day systolic blood pressure standard deviation （dsbpsd） and night systolic blood pressure standard deviation（nsbpsd）; But it was reversely correlated with ABI. ABI was reversely correlated with 24hsbpsd and nsbpsd. Gensini score was positively correlated with 24hsbpsd（P=0.02） and dsbpsd（P〈0.05）, while reversely correlated with ABI（P〈0.05） by multiple linear stepwise regression analysis. Conclusion BPV and ABI are closely related to severity of coronary artery atherosclerosis. They are predictors in patients with coronary artery disease with hypertension.

Efficacy of Huangma Ding or autologous platelet-rich gel for the diabetic lower extremity arterial disease patients with foot ulcers

BACKGROUND Diabetes foot is one of the most serious complications of diabetes and an important cause of death and disability,traditional treatment has poor efficacy and there is an urgent need to develop a practical treatment method.AIM To investigate whether Huangma Ding or autologous platelet-rich gel(APG)treatment would benefit diabetic lower extremity arterial disease(LEAD)patients with foot ulcers.METHODS A total of 155 diabetic LEAD patients with foot ulcers were enrolled and divided into three groups:Group A(62 patients;basal treatment),Group B(38 patients;basal treatment and APG),and Group C(55 patients;basal treatment and Huangma Ding).All patients underwent routine follow-up visits for six months.After follow-up,we calculated the changes in all variables from baseline and determined the differences between groups and the relationships between parameters.RESULTS The infection status of the three groups before treatment was the same.Procalcitonin(PCT)improved after APG and Huangma Ding treatment more than after traditional treatment and was significantly greater in Group C than in Group B.Logistic regression analysis revealed that PCT was positively correlated with total amputation,primary amputation,and minor amputation rates.The ankle-brachial pressure and the transcutaneous oxygen pressure in Groups B and C were greater than those in Group A.The major amputation rate,minor amputation rate,and total amputation times in Groups B and C were lower than those in Group A.CONCLUSION Our research indicated that diabetic foot ulcers(DFUs)lead to major amputation,minor amputation,and total amputation through local infection and poor microcirculation and macrocirculation.Huangma Ding and APG were effective attreating DFUs.The clinical efficacy of Huangma Ding was better than that of autologous platelet gel,which may be related to the better control of local infection by Huangma Ding.This finding suggested that in patients with DFUs combined with coinfection,controlling infection is as important as improving circulation.

Lower Extremity Arterial Disease in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes: Prevalence and Associated Factors at the Libreville University Hospital Center

Introduction: Lower extremity arterial disease in diabetic patients has distinct characteristics. Objectives: To study the hospital frequency of lower extremity arterial disease and identify associated factors in diabetic patients at the Libreville University Hospital Center (CHUL). Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted from July 1, 2023, to January 31, 2024, in the endocrinology department of the CHUL. All patients with type 2 diabetes over the age of 18 admitted to this department, regardless of the reason for hospitalization, who provided informed consent, were included. Socio-demographic data and cardiovascular risk factors were recorded. Personal and family cardiovascular history and functional symptoms were investigated. The physical examination included measuring blood pressure, heart rate, and the ankle-brachial index in all patients. Results: A total of 219 patients were included, of whom 75 had lower extremity arterial disease, representing a prevalence of 34.24%. It was compensated in 28 cases (37.33%) and decompensated in 39 patients (52%). In eight cases (10.67%), there was critical chronic ischemia. Cardiovascular risk factors associated with diabetes were physical inactivity (89.5%), hypertension (55.25%), overweight (49.77%), obesity (22.84%), and smoking (10.04%). In multivariate analysis, only hypertension (OR = 2.09;95% CI: 1.05 - 4.17;p = 0.035) and LDL cholesterol (OR = 2.75;95% CI: 1.10 - 6.85;p = 0.03) were significantly associated with lower extremity arterial disease in diabetics at the University Hospital of Libreville. Conclusion: Lower extremity arterial disease is common in diabetic patients at the University Hospital of Libreville. It is often asymptomatic, thus requiring systematic screening.[-rId11-]

Brain structural changes and their correlation with vascular disease in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients: a voxel-based morphometric study

Voxel-based morphometry has been used in the study of alterations in brain structure in type 1 diabetes mellitus patients. These changes are associated with clinical indices. The age at onset, pathogenesis, and treatment of type 1 diabetes mellitus are different from those for type 2 diabetes mellitus. Thus, type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus may have different impacts on brain structure. Only a few studies of the alterations in brain structure in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients using voxel-based morphometry have been conducted, with inconsistent results. We detected subtle changes in the brain structure of 23 cases of type 2 diabetes mellitus, and demonstrated that there was no significant difference between the total volume of gray and white matter of the brain of type 2 diabetes mellitus patients and that in controls. Regional atrophy of gray matter mainly occurred in the right temporal and left occipital cortex, while regional atrophy of white matter involved the right temporal lobe and the right cerebellar hemisphere. The ankle-brachial index in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus strongly correlated with the volume of brain regions in the default mode network. The ankle-brachial index, followed by the level of glycosylated hemoglobin, most strongly correlated with the volume of gray matter in the right temporal lobe. These data suggest that voxel-based morphometry could detect small structural changes in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Early macrovascular atherosclerosis may play a crucial role in subtle brain atro- phy in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients, with chronic hyperglycemia playing a lesser role.

Peripheral Artery Disease and Risk of Fibrosis Deterioration in Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease:A Prospective Investigation

Objective Liver fibrosis is an important predictor of mortality in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD).Peripheral artery disease(PAD)and liver fibrosis share many common metabolic dysfunctions.We aimed to explore the association between PAD and risk of fibrosis deterioration in NAFLD patients.Methods The study recruited 1,610 NAFLD patients aged≥40 years from a well-defined community at baseline in 2010 and followed up between August 2014 and May 2015.Fibrosis deterioration was defined as the NAFLD fibrosis score(NFS)status increased to a higher category at the follow-up visit.PAD was defined as an ankle-brachial index of<0.90 or>1.40.Results During an average of 4.3 years’follow-up,618 patients progressed to a higher NFS category.PAD was associated with 92%increased risk of fibrosis deterioration[multivariable-adjusted odds ratio(OR):1.92,95%confidence interval(CI):1.24,2.98].When stratified by baseline NFS status,the OR for progression from low to intermediate or high NFS was 1.74(95%CI:1.02,3.00),and progression from intermediate to high NFS was 2.24(95%CI:1.05,4.80).There was a significant interaction between PAD and insulin resistance(IR)on fibrosis deterioration(P for interaction=0.03).As compared with non-PAD and non-IR,the coexistence of PAD and IR was associated with a 3.85-fold(95%CI:2.06,7.18)increased risk of fibrosis deterioration.Conclusion PAD is associated with an increased risk of fibrosis deterioration in NAFLD patients,especially in those with IR.The coexistence of PAD and IR may impose an interactive effect on the risk of fibrosis deterioration.

Investigation and analysis of lower extremity arterial disease in hospitalized elderly type 2 diabetic patients

Background:The risk of lower extremity arterial disease (LEAD) is increased in diabetic patients.LEAD in diabetic patients occurs earlier and is often more severe and diffuse;however,it is largely underdiagnosed and untreated.The purposes of this study were to investigate and analyze LEAD situation of hospitalized elderly type 2 diabetic patients.Methods:The ankle-brachial index (ABI) was used to screen LEAD in hospitalized elderly type 2 diabetic patients.The patients were divided into 5 groups based on the screening results:non-LEAD group and LEAD group;the LEAD group was divided into mild stenosis group,moderate stenosis group,and severe stenosis group.Results:The percentage of patients who had LEAD was 43%.Significant difference in age,diabetes duration,peak velocity,microalbuminuria,and vibratory sensory neuropathy was observed between patients with and without LEAD;regression analysis showed that urinary albumin and vibratory sensory neuropathy were independent risk factors for LEAD.Significant difference in age,body mass index (BMI),peak velocity,urinary albumin,and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) was observed between mild stenosis group,moderate stenosis group,and severe stenosis group;regression analysis showed that urinary albumin,BMI,and HDL-C were independent risk factors for accelerating vascular stenosis.Conclusions:The incidence of LEAD in hospitalized elderly type 2 diabetic patients is high;age,diabetes duration,peak velocity,BMI,urinary microalbumin,vibratory sensory neuropathy,and HDL-C are the maior risk factors for LEAD.Active control of risk factors is helpful to reduce or delay LEAD.

Use of pocket pulse oximeters for detecting peripheral arterial disease in patients with diabetes mellitus

Recent Aims: New diagnostic methods are needed to detect peripheral arterial disease easier than using the ankle-brachial index measured by Doppler devices. We investigated whether the use of pocket pulse oximeters could meet sensitivity and specificity criteria as screening method to detect significant peripheral arterial perfusion deficits. Methods: We measured oxygen saturation (SaO2) at index fingers and great toes (on horizontal and elevated 30°) by a pocket pulse oximeter in 250 subjects with diabetes mellitus attending the outpatient clinic. A finger-to-toe SaO2 gradient greater than 2% was considered abnormal. Ankle-brachial index was measured by a hand held Doppler device. Peripheral arterial disease was defined as an ankle-brachial index less than 0.9. Results: A total of 1392 (93%) valid SaO2 readings were obtained. Twenty-seven (11%) patients were excluded due to not having measurable SaO2 finger-to-toe gradients. A total of 223 patients were analyzed. Peripheral arterial disease was detected in 47 (21%) patients. A finger-to-toe SaO2 gradient greater than 2% had sensitivity 42.6% (95% CI 30.0% - 55.3%), specificity 79.1% (95% CI 75.7% - 82.6%), positive predictive value 35.7% (95% CI 25.2% - 46.4%), negative predictive value 83.4% (95% CI 79.8 - 87.1), positive likelihood ratio 2.03 (95% CI 1.23 - 3.17) and negative likelihood ratio 0.73 (95% CI 0.54 - 0.93) to detect peripheral arterial disease. The area under the receiving operating characteristic curve was 0.69 (95% CI 0.62 - 0.77). Conclusion: Pocket pulse oximeters showed insufficient sensitivity as screening method for detecting peripheral arterial disease in patients with diabetes mellitus.

Leg Atherosclerosis in Japanese COPD Patients: Prevalence of Undiagnosed Peripheral Artery Disease and Association between Leg Atherosclerosis and Clinical Indices

Introduction: Several studies have suggested that decreased FEV1 is associated with cardiovascular risk in COPD patients. Objective: To identify the prevalence of undiagnosed peripheral artery disease (PAD) and the relationship between leg atherosclerosis and clinical indices, which predict COPD mortality in Japanese COPD patients. Methods: We performed a cross-sectional study in 51 COPD patients and 51 age-matched, healthy control smokers. We measured ankle-brachial index (ABI) as a marker of atherosclerosis of the legs, pulmonary function, body mass index, modified Medical Research Council (MMRC) dyspnea scale, and smoking pack-years. We also calculated the ADO index (Age, Dyspnea, and Obstruction), an established predictor of mortality in COPD patients. Co-morbidities including diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and hypercholesterolemia were identified from blood laboratory tests and medical records. Results: Five subjects (9.8%) had an ABI 0.9. ABI was significantly lower in the COPD patients than in the healthy control smokers (p 0.05). The prevalence of PAD was marginally higher in COPD patients than in control smokers (p = 0.09), with the prevalence of ABI 1.0 being significantly higher in COPD patients than in control smokers (p = 0.04). In the COPD patients, ABI showed significant correlations with age (p = 0.006), FEV1 (p = 0.004), smoking pack-years (p = 0.047), MMRC dyspnea scale (p = 0.0005), SaO2 (p = 0.001), andADOindex (p 0.001). Multiple linear regression modeling showed the factors associated independently with ABI were age, FEV1, smoking pack-years, MMRC dyspnea scale, and SaO2. Conclusion: The risk of leg atherosclerosis in Japanese COPD patients is higher than in smokers without COPD. Leg atherosclerosis in COPD patients is associated with clinical indices that predict COPD mortality.

Novel markers of endothelial dysfunction in hepatitis C virus-related cirrhosis: More than a mere prediction of esophageal varices

BACKGROUND Hepatitis C virus(HCV)infection may affect lipid metabolism by enhancing the circulating levels of inflammatory cytokines,together with its impact on endothelial function.AIM To evaluate the potential correlation of changes in lipid profile,carotid intimamedia thickness(CIMT),and ankle-brachial index with the severity of fibrosis,grades of esophageal varices(EVs),and fibrosis indices.METHODS The study included 240 subjects who were divided into 3 groups;group 1(n=90,HCV-related cirrhotic patients with EVs),group 2(n=90,HCV-related cirrhotic patients without EVs),and group 3(n=60,served as the healthy control group).All patients underwent routine laboratory tests,including a lipid profile assay.Low-density lipoproteins(LDL)/platelet count and platelet/splenic diameter ratios were calculated.Abdominal ultrasonography,CIMT by carotid Doppler,bedside ankle-brachial index(ABI),liver stiffness measurement,and upper gastrointestinal endoscopy were performed.RESULTS Multivariate logistic regression revealed that very-low-density lipoprotein(VLDL)(β=0.988,odds ratio 2.5,P=0.001),LDL/platelet count ratio(β=1.178,odds ratio 3.24,P=0.001),CIMT(β=1.37,odds ratio 3.9,P=0.001),and ABI(β=2.3,odds ratio 5.9,P=0.001)were the key variables associated with significant fibrosis,EVs and endothelial dysfunction.CIMT and LDL/platelet count ratio were predictive of advanced fibrosis and EVs at cutoff values of 1.1 mm and 1 mm,respectively,with an area under the curve(AUC)of 0.966 and 0.960(P=0.001),while VLDL and ABI at a cutoff of 16.5 mg/dL and 0.94 were predictive of advanced fibrosis and EVs with an AUC of 0.891 and 0.823,respectively(P=0.001).CONCLUSION CIMT,ABI,VLDL,LDL/platelet count ratio are good non-invasive predictors of advanced fibrosis,presence of EVs,and endothelial dysfunction in liver cirrhosis.

The number of antihypertensive agents simply reflects the grade and the risk of atherosclerosis in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

Aims: The associations between the number of antihypertensive agents being taken by type 2 diabetic patients and 1) the grade of atherosclerosis according to non-invasive surrogate markers for atherosclerosis and 2) the other risk factor for atherosclerosis, were cross-sectionally investigated. Methods: The association between the blood pressure control and the clinical characteristics was evaluated in 1359 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Results: The number of antihypertensive agents was 1.5 ± 1.4 (2.0 ± 1.2 among the 990 patients with hypertension). The proportion of patients taking no antihypertensive agents was 29%, 22% were taking one, 29% were taking two and 21% of the patients were taking three or more antihypertensive agents. The value of the ankle-brachial pressure index significantly decreased with the increase in the number of antihypertensive agents even if the blood pressure was corrected to the target value. The values of brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity and carotid intima-media thickness were also increased. The prevalence of risk factors for atherosclerosis, such as obesity, hyperlipidemia, chronic kidney disease, hyperuricemia and anemia was significantly elevated with the number of agents. Conclusions: The number of antihypertensive agents simply reflects the grade and risk of atherosclerosis in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Guidelines on multidisciplinary approaches for the prevention and management of diabetic foot disease(2020 edition)

In recent years,as living standards have continued to improve,the number of diabetes patients in China,along with the incidence of complications associated with the disease,has been increasing.Among these complications,diabetic foot disease is one of the main causes of disability and death in diabetic patients.Due to the differences in economy,culture,religion and level of medical care available across different regions,preventive and treatment methods and curative results for diabetic foot vary greatly.In multidisciplinary models built around diabetic foot,the timely assessment and diagnosis of wounds and appropriate methods of prevention and treatment with internal and external surgery are key to clinical practice for this pathology.In 2019,under the leadership of the Jiangsu Medical Association and Chinese Diabetes Society,the writing group for the Guidelines on multidisciplinary approaches for the prevention and management of diabetic foot disease(2020 edition)was established with the participation of scholars from the specialist areas of endocrinology,burn injury,vascular surgery,orthopedics,foot and ankle surgery and cardiology.Drawing lessons from diabetic foot guidelines from other countries,this guide analyses clinical practices for diabetic foot,queries the theoretical basis and grades and gives recommendations based on the characteristics of the pathology in China.This paper begins with assessments and diagnoses of diabetic foot,then describes treatments for diabetic foot in detail,and ends with protections for high-risk feet and the prevention of ulcers.This manuscript covers the disciplines of internal medicine,surgical,nursing and rehabilitation and describes a total of 50 recommendations that we hope will provide procedures and protocols for clinicians dealing with diabetic foot.

简易法测踝臂指数预测飞行员动脉硬化

踝臂指数（ankle-brachial index,ABI）是指足踝动脉收缩压和肱动脉收缩压之比,最初是用来评价下肢动脉粥样硬化程度的一种指标,但动脉硬化一般情况下都是全身性的,因此也用来衡量心血管病的危险性.有研究表明,ABI降低可增加心血管疾病的危险性口].笔者通过对民航飞行员这一特殊职业人群ABI的测量,比较各组群间的差异,以期进一步提高体检鉴定质量,促进健康指导.