Specific impact of cardiovascular risk factors on coronary microcirculation in patients with subclinical hypothyroidism.

Background: Although thyroid hormones have significant effect on cardiovascular system, the impact of subtle thyroid dysfunction such as subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) remains to be determined. We investigated coronary flow reserve (CFR) in patients with subclinical hypothyroidism. Methods: Thirty two subjects with SCH and eighteen control subjects with normal serum thyroid hormones and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels were included in the study. TSH, free thyroxine, free triiodothyronine, glucose, insulin, HbA1c, cholesterol, triglyceride and plasma levels of C-reactive protein were measured. Coronary diastolic peak flow velocities in left anterior descending coronary artery were measured at baseline and after adenosine infusion. CFR was calculated as the ratio of hyperemic to baseline diastolic peak velocity. Results: CFR values were not significantly different between the two groups (SCH 2.76±0.35 vs controls 2.76±0.42). There was a significant correlation of CFR with waist to hip ratio, hypertension, smoking habits, markers of glucose status (glucose level, HbA1c, insulin level, HOMA IR), cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and triglyceride levels in SCH group, whereas only cholesterol level showed significant correlation with CFR in controls. There was no correlation between CFR and thyroid hormones. Conclusions: We concluded that there is a different impact of cardiovascular risk factors on CFR in SCH patients compared to healthy control and that these two groups behave differently in the same circumstances under the same risk factors. The basis for this difference could be that the altered thyroid axis "set point" changes the sensitivity of the microvasculature in patients with SCH to known risk factors.

Intestinal Ultrasonography as a Tool for Monitoring Disease Activity in Patients with Ulcerative Colitis.

Background: Ultrasonography is a noninvasive, inexpensive, and widely available diagnostic tool. In the last two decades, the development of ultrasound techniques and equipment has significantly increased the usage of intestine ultrasound (US) in the assessment of the gastrointestinal tract in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Although current guidelines suggest routine utilization of US in patients with Crohn's disease, data regarding US usage in ulcerative colitis are still scarce. We aimed to assess the reliability of intestinal ultrasonography in the assessment of disease activity and extension of patients with ulcerative colitis. Methods: Fifty-five patients with a histologically confirmed diagnosis of ulcerative colitis, treated at University Clinical Center of Serbia in the period from 2019 to 2022 were included in this retrospective observational study. The data were obtained from the patient's medical records including history, laboratory, US, and endoscopy findings. US examined parameters were as following: bowel wall thickness (BWT), presence of fat wrapping, wall layer stratification, mesenteric hypertrophy, presence of enlarged mesenteric lymph nodes, and absence or presence of ascites. Results: Our results suggest that there is a strong correlation of BWT and colonoscopy findings regarding disease extension (r = 0.524, p=0.01, p < 0.05). Furthermore, our results have shown a statistically significant correlation of BWT with the Mayo endoscopic score (r = 0.434, p=0.01, p < 0.05), disease activity score (r = 0.369,p=0.01, p < 0.05), degree of ulcerative colitis burden of luminal inflammation (r = 0.366, p=0.01, p < 0.05), and Geboes index (r = 0.298, p=0.027, p < 0.05). Overall accuracy of US for disease extension and activity was statistically significant (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Our results suggest that US is a moderately accurate method for the assessment of disease activity and localization in patients with UC.

Drug Induced Cutaneous Manifestations due to Treatment of Gastrointestinal Disorders.

Cutaneous manifestations due to drugs used in the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders are multiple and common. Adequate diagnosis is of great importance, bearing in mind that the therapeutic regimen depends on its diagnosis. In this review, we provided an overview of the most common drug-induced skin lesions with a detailed explanation of the disease course, presentation and treatment, having in mind that in recent years, novel therapeutic modalities have been introduced in the treatment of various gastrointestinal disorders, and that incidence of cutaneous adverse reactions has been on the rise.

Hepcidin Is a Reliable Marker of Iron Deficiency Anemia in Newly Diagnosed Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

RESULTS: There was a high statistically significant difference between IBD patients and controls in levels of hepcidin (P < 0.01). Namely, serum hepcidin levels were significantly higher in the control group. There was no statistically significant correlation of serum hepcidin with CRP, Mayo score, or CDAI, respectively (P > 0.05). However, we have found a statistically significant negative correlation of sTfR and TIBC with hepcidin (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Results of our study suggest that hepcidin is a reliable marker of IDA in patients with IBD, and it could be used in routine clinical practice when determining adequate therapy in these patients.

Subclinical Thyroid Dysfunction and the Risk of Cardiovascular Disease.

The prevalence of subclinical hypothyroidism (SH) is 3-10%. The prevalence of subclinical hyperthyroidism (SHr) is 0.7-9.7%. Thyroid hormones affect cardiac electrophysiology, contractility, and vasculature. SH is associated with an increased risk of coronary heart disease (CHD), especially in subjects under 65. SHr seems to be associated with a slightly increased risk of CHD and an increase in CHD-related mortality. Both SH and SHr carry an increased risk of developing heart failure (HF), especially in those under 65. Both SH and SHr are associated with worse prognoses in patients with existing HF. SH is probably not associated with atrial fibrillation (AF). SHr, low normal thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and high normal free thyroxine (FT4) are all associated with the increased risk of AF. An association between endothelial dysfunction and SH seems to exist. Data regarding the influence of SHr on the peripheral vascular system are conflicting. SH is a risk factor for stroke in subjects under 65. SHr does not increase the risk of stroke. Both SH and SHr have an unfavourable effect on cardiovascular disease (CVD) and all-cause mortality. There is a U-shaped curve of mortality in relation to TSH concentrations. A major factor that modifies the relation between subclinical thyroid disease (SCTD) and mortality is age. SH increases blood pressure (BP). SHr has no significant effect on BP. Lipids are increased in patients with SH. In SHr, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and lipoprotein( a) are increased. SCTD should be treated when TSH is over 10 mU/l or under 0.1 mU/l. Treatment indications are less clear when TSH is between normal limits and 0.1 or 10 mU/L. The current state of knowledge supports the understanding of SCTD's role as a risk factor for CVD development. Age is a significant confounding factor, probably due to age-associated changes in the TSH reference levels.

Biochemical and clinical characteristics of patients with primary aldosteronism: Single centre experience.

BACKGROUND: Primary aldosteronism (PA) is associated with increased prevalence of metabolic disorders (impaired glucose and lipid metabolism and insulin resistance), but also with more frequent cardiovascular, renal and central nervous system complications. METHODS: Biochemical and clinical parameters were retrospectively analysed for 40 patients with PA caused by aldosterone-producing adenoma (APA) and compared to the control groups of 40 patients with nonfunctioning adrenal adenoma (NFA) and essential hypertension (HT), and 20 patients with adrenal Cushing syndrome (CS) or subclinical CS (SCS). RESULTS: Systolic, diastolic and mean arterial blood pressures were significantly higher in the PA group (p=0.004; p=0.002; p=0.001, respectively) than in NFA+HT group. PA patients had longer hypertension history (p=0.001) than patients with hypercorticism and all had hypokalaemia. This group showed the smallest mean tumour diameter (p<0.001). The metabolic syndrome was significantly less common in the PA group (37.5% vs. 70% in CS+SCS and 65% in NFA+HT group; p=0.015), although there was no significant difference in any of the analysed metabolic parameters between groups. PA group was found to have the most patients with glucose intolerance (81.8%), although the difference was not significant. The mean BMI for all three groups was in the overweight range. Patients with PA had higher microalbuminuria and a higher tendency for cardiovascular, renal and cerebrovascular events, but the difference was not significant. CONCLUSIONS: Our results support the importance of the early recognition of primary aldosteronism on the bases of clinical presentation, as well as an increased screening intensity.

Comparison of efficacy and safety of parenteral versus parenteral and oral glucocorticoid therapy in Graves' orbitopathy.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The most effective and safe treatment protocol for Graves' orbitopathy (GO) needs to be further assessed. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy, safety and outcome of parenteral versus parenteral and oral glucocorticoid (GC) protocols in euthyroid patients with untreated and active moderate to severe GO. METHODS: This was a retrospective observational study in 140 patients comparing intravenous GC pulses only (IVGC group, 74 patients, 51 ± 11 years) with historical controls of combined oral and intravenous GC therapy (CombGC group, 66 patients, 49 ± 10 years, P = ns). IVGC therapy included infusions of 500 mg of methylprednisolone weekly for the first six weeks, followed by infusions of 250 mg weekly for the remaining six weeks (cumulative dose 4.5 g). CombGC therapy included 500 mg of methylprednisolone in 500 mL of saline solution for two alternative days, followed by oral prednisone tapering dose repeated each month for the next 5 months (cumulative dose 10.2 g). RESULTS: The overall success of the treatment was 43/66 (65%) in the CombGC group and 37/73 (51%, P = .071) in the IVGC group. Deterioration of GO developed in four (6%) patients during CombGC therapy and in nine (12%, P = .214) patients during IVGC therapy. After 6 months, relapse of GO was observed in 10/37 (26%) in the IVGC group, whereas none of the patients in CombGC had a relapse (P < .001). There were significantly more side effects in the CombGC versus IVGC group (49/66, 74% vs 28/74, 38%, P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that CombGC therapy was more efficient with significantly less relapse rate, but with more side effects in comparison to IVGC therapy.

Perineural invasion as a prognostic factor in patients with stage I-III rectal cancer - 5-year follow up.

BACKGROUND: Rectal cancer (RC) is one of the most common diagnosed cancers, and one of the major causes of cancer-related death nowadays. Majority of the current guidelines rely on TNM classification regarding therapy regiments, however recent studies suggest that additional histopathological findings could affect the disease course. AIM: To determine whether perineural invasion alone or in combination with lymphovascular invasion have an effect on 5-years overall survival (OS) of RC patients. METHODS: A prospective study included newly diagnosed stage I-III RC patients treated and followed at the Digestive Surgery Clinic, Clinical Center of Serbia, between the years of 2014-2016. All patients had their diagnosis histologically confirmed in accordance with both TMN and Dukes classification. In addition, the patient's demographics, surgical details, postoperative pathological details, differentiation degree and their correlation with OS was investigated. RESULTS: Of 245 included patients with stage I-III RC, lymphovascular invasion (LVI) was identified in 92 patients (38%), whereas perineural invasion (PNI) was present in 46 patients (19%). Using Kaplan-Meier analysis for overall survival rate, we have found that both LVI and PNI were associated with lower survival rates (P < 0.01). Moreover when Cox multiple regression model was used, LVI, PNI, older age, male gender were predictors of poor prognosis (HR = 5.49; 95%CI: 2.889-10.429; P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: LVI and PNI were significant factors predicting worse prognosis in early and intermediate RC patients, hence more aggressive therapy should be reserved for these patients after curative resection.

Correlation of Patient-Reported Outcome (PRO-2) with Endoscopic and Histological Features in Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn's Disease Patients.

METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in consecutive newly diagnosed patients with inflammatory bowel disease in a tertiary care referral center. The initial evaluation included patient-reported outcome for stool frequency subscore and rectal bleeding. Endoscopic activity was determined using the Mayo scoring system for ulcerative colitis and the Simple Endoscopic Score for Crohn's disease. Histopathological activity was assessed using a validated numeric scoring system. RESULTS: We included 159 patients (63 Crohn's disease with colonic involvement and 96 with ulcerative colitis). We found significant correlation between the Mayo endoscopic subscoring system and histology activity in ulcerative colitis, while no correlation was found in patients with Crohn's disease. Patient-reported outcome showed inverse correlation with endoscopic and histological activity in Crohn's disease (r s = -0.67; r s = -0.72), while positive correlation was found in ulcerative colitis (r s = 0.84; r s = 0.75). Interpretation and Conclusions. Patient-reported outcome is a practical and noninvasive tool for assessment of disease activity in ulcerative colitis patients but not in Crohn's disease.

Combined Diagnostic Efficacy of Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio (NLR), Platelet-to-Lymphocyte Ratio (PLR), and Mean Platelet Volume (MPV) as Biomarkers of Systemic Inflammation in the Diagnosis of Colorectal Cancer.

BACKGROUND: Systemic inflammation in colorectal cancer (CRC) may be reflected by neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and mean platelet volume (MPV). This study was designed to investigate the efficiency of preoperative NLR, PLR, and MVP as a tool for the assessment of tumor characteristics in newly diagnosed patients with CRC. PATIENTS AND METHODS: For 300 patients and 300 healthy volunteers, complete blood counts with automated differential counts were performed. The NLR was calculated by dividing the absolute neutrophil count by the absolute lymphocyte count; PLR was calculated by dividing the absolute platelet count by the absolute lymphocyte count. The diagnostic performance of NLR, PLR, and MVP was estimated by ROC curve. RESULTS: ROC curve analysis showed high diagnostic efficacy of NLR and PLR in CRC patients with cut-off values of 2.15 (AUC = 0.790, 95% CI 0.736-0.884, Se = 74.1%, and Sp = 73%) and 123 (AUC = 0.846, 95% CI 0.801-0.891, Se = 73.5%, and Sp = 80%) compared to healthy controls, respectively. The diagnostic efficacy of three combined markers was superior compared with individual markers (AUC = 0.904, 95% CI 0.812-0.989, Se = 96%, and Sp = 70%). CONCLUSION: NRL, PLR, and MPV may be useful markers in diagnostic and early recognition of different stages of CRC; additionally combined all together have stronger diagnostic efficacy.

Patient, Healthcare System and Total Delay in Tuberculosis Diagnosis and Treatment Among Serbian Population.

Currently, topical are studies that examine different reasons for delay of tuberculosis (TB) diagnosis and its impact on disease prognosis. The aim was to examine three time periods associated with treatment delay: patient related, health system related and total delay. This retrospective-prospective study included 100 consecutive patients hospitalized at Department of Pulmonology, Clinical Center of Serbia, in the period from March to December 2015. Study results showed median patient delay to be 92.5 days. Total delay was affected by patient related delay. Median healthcare delay was 18.5 days. Patients that reported excessive alcohol consumption were more likely to have prolonged time to seek medical help. Years of alcohol consumption yielded moderate positive correlation with patient related delay (r=0.362, p <0.001). Correlation between the number of cigarettes and patient delay was moderate, positive and statistically significant (r=0.314, p=0.001). Delay in seeking medical help was more likely in patients with negative family history of TB. There was no difference in the effect of the presence of symptoms on patient related delay (p>0.05). Clinical characteristics such as patient TB category and chest radiograph abnormalities were not associated with prolonged patient related delay (p>0.05). Study results point to the importance of health education and/or health intervention in the population group at a high risk of TB.

Variability of HOMA and QUICKI insulin sensitivity indices.

Assessment of insulin sensitivity based on a single measurement of insulin and glucose, is both easy to understand and simple to perform. The tests most often used are HOMA and QUICKI. The aim of this study was to assess the biological variability of estimates of insulin sensitivity using HOMA and QUICKI indices. After a 12-h fast, blood was sampled for insulin and glucose determination. Sampling lasted for 90 min with an intersample interval of 2 min. A total of 56 subjects were included in the study, and in nine subjects sampling was done before and after weight reduction, so total number of analyzed series was 65. To compute the reference value of the insulin sensitivity index, averages of all 46 insulin and glucose samples were used. We also computed point estimates (single value estimates) of the insulin sensitivity index based on the different number of insulin/glucose samples (1-45 consecutive samples). To compute the variability of point estimates a bootstrapping procedure was used using 1000 resamples for each series and for each number of samples used to average insulin and glucose. Using a single insulin/glucose sample HOMA variability was 26.18 ± 4.31%, and QUICKI variability was 3.30 ± 0.54%. For 10 samples variability was 11.99 ± 2.22% and 1.62 ± 0.31% respectively. Biological variability of insulin sensitivity indices is significant, and it can be reduced by increasing the number of samples. Oscillations of insulin concentration in plasma are the major cause of variability of insulin sensitivity indices.

Can preoperative CEA and CA19-9 serum concentrations suggest metastatic disease in colorectal cancer patients?

OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to investigate the efficiency of preoperative serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and carbohydrate cancer antigen (CA19-9) levels for diagnosing synchronous liver metastases and lymph node in colorectal carcinoma (CRC) patients. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A total of 300 patients with histologically diagnosed CRC were included in this study between May 2014 and March 2015. The data were obtained prospectively from patient's medical records: medical history, demographics, tumor location, differentiation (grade), depth of the tumor (T), lymph node metastases (N), distant metastases (M), lymphatics, venous and perineural invasion, and disease stage. Tumor markers were measured with an electrochemiluminescent assay and the reference value was 5ng/ml for CEA and for Ca19-9, 37u/ml. RESULTS: There was A high statistically significant difference in the levels of serum CEA and CA19-9 between different disease stages of CRC (P<0.001). Regarding different T stages of CRC, We noticed a significant statistical difference in CEA (stage I 3.76±8.73; II 5.68±17.27, III 7.56±14.81, and IV 70.90±253.23) and CA 19-9 levels (stage I 9.65±11.03, II 9.83±11.09; III 19.58±36.91, and IV 228.9±985.38, respectively). The mean CEA and CA19-9 serum levels were significantly higher in patients with regional lymph nodes involvement (CEA 37.21±177.85 vs 4.79±9.90, CA19-9 119.51±687.71 VS 12.24±17.69, respectively, P<0.05) and in liver metastases (CEA 86.56±277.65 vs. 5.98±12.98, and CA19-9 273.27±1073.46 vs. 4.98±3142, respectively, with P<0.001) in comparison to patients without lymph node involvement and liver metastases. We noticed a cut-off value for lymph nodes involvement, for CEA and CA 19-9, 3.5 ng/mL and 7.5 U/mL, respectively. While, a cut-off value for the presence of synchronous liver metastases of these two markers was 3.5ng/mL AND 5.5 U/mL. CONCLUSION: Our study showed that tumor makers, CEA and CA19-9, can be used as diagnostic factors regarding the severity of CRC specifically to suggest metastatic disease in CRC.

Challenges in interpretation of thyroid hormone test results.

INTRODUCTION: In interpreting thyroid hormones results it is preferable to think of interference and changes in concentration of their carrier proteins. OUTLINE OF CASES: We present two patients with discrepancy between the results of thyroid function tests and clinical status. The first case presents a 62-year-old patient with a nodular goiter and Hashimoto thyroiditis. Thyroid function test showed low thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and normal to low fT4. By determining thyroid status (TSH, T4, fT4,T3, fT3) in two laboratories, basal and after dilution, as well as thyroxine-binding globulin (TBG), it was concluded that the thyroid hormone levels were normal. The results were influenced by heterophile antibodies leading to a false lower TSH level and suspected secondary hypothyroidism.The second case, a 40-year-old patient, was examined and followed because of the variable size thyroid nodule and initially borderline elevated TSH, after which thyroid status showed low level of total thyroid hormones and normal TSH. Based on additional analysis it was concluded that low T4 and T3 were a result of low TBG. It is a hereditary genetic disorder with no clinical significance. CONCLUSION: Erroneous diagnosis of thyroid disorders and potentially harmful treatment could be avoided by proving the interference or TBG deficiency whenever there is a discrepancy between the thyroid function results and the clinical picture.

Hematological and Biochemical Parameters in Elite Soccer Players During A Competitive Half Season.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of the present study was to report and discuss the hematological and biochemical behavior of elite soccer players, in order to get more insight in the physiological characteristics of these sportsmen and to provide trainers and sports doctors with useful indicators. METHODS: Nineteen male soccer players volunteered to participate in this study. We followed the young elite soccer players during a competitive half season. Venous blood samples were collected between 9:00 and 10:00 a.m. after an overnight fast (10 h) at baseline, after 45 and 90 days and hematological and biochemical parameters were measured. RESULTS: Hemoglobin and hematocrit levels were significantly reduced over the observational period (p<0.05), but erythrocyte count and iron levels remained unchanged. Bilirubin and ferritin levels significantly increased in response to regular soccer training (p<0.05). We observed a significant decrease in muscle enzyme plasma activity during the 90 days study period. ANOVA analysis revealed a significant increase in the leukocyte and neutrophil counts (p<0.05), in parallel with a significant decrease in the lymphocyte count (p<0.05) after the observational period of 90 days. CONCLUSIONS: Elite soccer players are characterized by significant changes in biochemical and hematological parameters over the half season, which are linked to training workload, as well as adaptation induced by the soccer training. Although the values of the measured parameters fell within the reference range, regular monitoring of the biochemical and hematological parameters is fundamental for the identification of a healthy status and related optimal performances by sport doctors and trainers and selection of a correct workload by trainers.

Efficacy and safety of combined parenteral and oral steroid therapy in Graves' orbitopathy.

OBJECTIVE: Glucocorticoids (GC) are the treatment of choice for moderate-to-severe and active Graves' orbitopathy (GO), but optimal treatment is still . The aim of the present study was to analyze the efficacy and tolerability of combined parenteral GC pulse therapy followed by oral GC in the interpulse period. DESIGN: The study included 50 patients (48 ± 10 years; 37 female) with untreated, active and moderate-to-severe GO. Patients received 500 mg of methylprednisolone in 500 ml of physiologic saline. Infusion was repeated after 48 h and then followed by tapering doses of oral prednisone and the cycle repeated each month for the next 5 months. The cumulative dose was 10.2g.Ophthalmic assessment was performed before and 6 months after start of treatment. Side effects of GC therapy were evaluated and recorded each month. RESULTS: GC showed the greatest effectiveness on soft tissue changes (incorporated in the CAS). Median CAS values decreased from 4.5 to 2 (p>0.001). Improvement was demonstrated in 37 patients (74%), there was no change in 13 patients (26%) and none of the patients presented with deterioration of inflammatory status. Diplopia improved in 21 patients (42%), was unchanged in 28 patients (56%) and deteriorated in 1 patient (2%). Improvement in visual acuity occurred in 36% of patients. At 6 months, 33/50 patients (66%) demonstrated overall treatment response. Response to GC therapy was influenced by CAS, TSHRAb and smoking behavior. The only independent parameter associated with positive treatment response was CAS ≥ 4 (p<0.001). Side effects occurred in 35/50 patients (70%) and the vast majority of them were mild to moderate. During the 6-months follow-up period, 2/33 patients (6%) had relapsing GO. CONCLUSION: With appropriate selection of patients and careful monitoring during and after treatment, combined parenteral and oral GC therapy is effective and safe.

One-year treatment continuation in patients prescribed risperidone long-acting injection in New Zealand: a retrospective study.

OBJECTIVE: Treatment discontinuation is a major problem in routine clinical settings and is associated with poorer outcomes for conditions like schizophrenia. Risperidone long-acting injection (RLAI) has shown low discontinuation and good tolerability in long-term clinical trials. This retrospective study investigated RLAI continuation in a naturalistic clinical setting in New Zealand. METHODS: Those starting publicly funded RLAI between October 1, 2005 and October 31, 2006 in five public mental health services were included in the study. Data were retrospectively collected for 443 patients 12 months pre- and post-RLAI initiation. Patient demographics, diagnosis, antipsychotic treatment and treatment setting were obtained from clinical files and patient information systems. RESULTS: Patients were mostly male (64%), the mean age was 35.9 years, and were predominantly European (43%) or Maori (29%). Most started RLAI due to adherence issues (77%). Adverse events due to RLAI were reported by 39%; most commonly, extrapyramidal side effects. Fifty-eight percent of patients continued treatment 12 months after starting; patient choice (either refusal or failure to turn up) was the most common reason for discontinuation (54%), followed by lack of efficacy (29%). Alternative antipsychotic treatment was prescribed for 79% of those who discontinued. Regression analysis found continuation was more common for people started in the community, on a compulsory treatment order, with a dose of >25 mg and for non-Maori. CONCLUSIONS: RLAI appears well-tolerated and over half the patients continued treatment for one year or more. Using treatment continuation as an indicator of effectiveness, RLAI appears to be an effective treatment for people with adherence problems in this real world practice setting.

Fatigue in sarcoidosis: detection and treatment.

Fatigue is a prominent symptom in a large number of medical conditions, malignant and infectious diseases. Fatigue is also a prominent symptom of sarcoidosis. The occurrence of fatigue in sarcoidosis is well known but exact incidence has not been established and varies from 30-70% of patients depending on age, sex and organ involvement by the granulomatous process. The exact definition of fatigue varies broadly. It can be both physical and mental. The patients describe their sensation of fatigue qualitatively different from that fatigue they experienced before they became sick. Fatigue has a major impact on the quality of life in sarcoidosis. Establishing the extent of fatigue in sarcoidosis provides relevant insight regarding the patient's quality of life. Unfortunately there is no objective parameter for assessing fatigue in sarcoidosis. Generally, fatigue is detected by means of questionnaires. Regarding the therapy, there is no effective treatment for fatigue in sarcoidosis.

Nitroglycerine effects on portal vein mechanics and oxidative stress in portal hypertension.

AIM: Тo examine the effects of nitroglycerine on portal vein haemodynamics and oxidative stress in patients with portal hypertension. METHODS: Thirty healthy controls and 39 patients with clinically verified portal hypertension and increased vascular resistance participated in the study. Liver diameters, portal diameters and portal flow velocities were recorded using color flow imaging/pulsed Doppler detection. Cross-section area, portal flow and index of vascular resistance were calculated. In collected blood samples, superoxide anion radical (O(2) (-)), hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)), index of lipid peroxidation (measured as TBARS) and nitric oxide (NO) as a marker of endothelial response (measured as nitrite-NO(2) (-)) were determined. Time-dependent analysis was performed at basal state and in 10th and 15th min after nitroglycerine (sublingual 0.5 mg) administration. RESULTS: Oxidative stress parameters changed significantly during the study. H(2)O(2) decreased at the end of study, probably via O(2) (-) mediated disassembling in Haber Weiss and Fenton reaction; O(2) (-) increased significantly probably due to increased diameter and tension and decreased shear rate level. Consequently O(2) (-) and H(2)O(2) degradation products, like hydroxyl radical, initiated lipid peroxidation. Increased blood flow was to some extent lower in patients than in controls due to double paradoxes, flow velocity decreased, shear rate decreased significantly indicating non Newtonian characteristics of portal blood flow. CONCLUSION: This pilot study could be a starting point for further investigation and possible implementation of some antioxidants in the treatment of portal hypertension.