Subclinical atherosclerotic predictive value of inflammatory markers in thalassemia intermedia patients.

BACKGROUND: A high incidence of thromboembolic events is observed in thalassemia patients. This study investigated the relationship between carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) and lipid profile, iron metabolic indices (IMI), and inflammatory markers in ß-thalassemia intermedia (ß- TI) patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Forty-five ß-TI patients at Assiut University Hospital and 34 healthy individuals were enrolled in the study. We measured Lipid profile, IMI, high sensitive CRP (Hs-CRP), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) and compared the results between both groups. We used CIMT measurement as a marker for subclinical atherosclerosis. We used both univariate and multivariate analyses to test relations and independent predictors of CIMT. RESULTS: ß-TI patients had higher CIMT (P = 0.000). CIMT was positively correlated with absolute neutrophil count (ANC) (r = 0.320, p = 0.032), ferritin (r = 0.544, p = 0.000), Hs-CRP (r = 0.603, p = 0.000), and IL-6 (r = 0.520, p = 0.000). Hs-CRP was an independent predictor of CIMT (p = 0.000). Hs-CRP cut off value of 60.4 ug/dl has sensitivity of 63.3% and specificity of 93.3% in predicting premature atherosclerosis. CONCLUSION: ß-TI patients had higher CIMT despite the protective lipid profile. Hs-CRP was an independent predictor of CIMT.

Association of serum fibroblast growth factor-23 with Doppler pulse wave velocity in hemodialysis patients.

We aimed to study the association of fibroblast growth factor-23 (FGF-23) as a novel cardiovascular risk factor with Doppler pulse wave velocity (PWV) as an arterial stiffness measuring tool in hemodialysis (HD) patients. We conducted a cross-sectional study in which blood samples from 86 HD patients were obtained to estimate FGF 23 and other parameters. Flow waveforms were obtained at two locations within right common carotid artery, and right femoral artery by Doppler ultrasound with ECG recorded in addition. The time differences between the R wave of the ECG signal and the onset of the flow waveforms at the two sites yield ΔT. Distances between sampling sites were measured using a tape measure. PWV was defined as (m/s) = D (m)/ ΔT (s). In the current study, we found significant positive correlations between Doppler PWV and both age (r = 0.401, P = 0.039) and systolic blood pressure (r = 0.602, P = 0.034), while no significant association between Doppler PWV and FGF-23 (r = 0.123, P = 0.259) could be detected. Serum FGF-23 levels are not significantly associated with Doppler PWV in HD patients.