Are monocyte-to-HDL and C-reactive protein-to-albumin ratios useful for the diagnosis and follow-up of Takayasu arteritis?

OBJECTIVE: In this study, we aimed to investigate the role of erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein, neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio, platelet/lymphocyte ratio, monocyte/lymphocyte ratio, red blood cell distribution width, mean platelet volume, monocyte/HDL ratio, and C-reactive protein/albumin ratio in the diagnosis and treatment follow-up of active and remission Takayasu arteritis patients compared with healthy control group. METHODS: This is a retrospective case-control study in which 56 Takayasu arteritis patients and 40 age- and sex-matched healthy control were included. The blood values of Takayasu arteritis patients were analyzed during their active period and post-treatment remission periods, after comparing them with the healthy control. Furthermore, all parameters were evaluated by receiver operating characteristic analysis. RESULTS: Erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein, neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio, platelet/lymphocyte ratio, monocyte/lymphocyte ratio, monocyte/HDL ratio, and C-reactive protein/albumin ratio values were significantly higher in active Takayasu arteritis patients compared with healthy control and remission Takayasu arteritis groups. In the receiver operating characteristic analysis performed in active Takayasu arteritis and Takayasu arteritis patients in remission, C-reactive protein had the highest power to indicate disease activity, followed by C-reactive protein/albumin ratio, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and monocyte/HDL ratio. When Takayasu arteritis in remission was compared with the healthy control, a significant difference was found between erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein, red blood cell distribution width, and C-reactive protein/albumin ratio, while no significant difference was found between monocyte/HDL ratio values. CONCLUSION: C-reactive protein/albumin ratio and red blood cell distribution width can be used in the diagnosis of Takayasu arteritis, and C-reactive protein/albumin ratio, red blood cell distribution width, and monocyte/HDL ratio measurements can be used in the follow-up. As C-reactive protein/albumin ratio is more powerful than C-reactive protein in differentiating the Takayasu arteritis group from the healthy control group, evaluation of C-reactive protein/albumin ratio together with albumin instead of evaluation of C-reactive protein alone when diagnosing the disease may help us to obtain more accurate results in daily practice.

Are monocyte-to-HDL and C-reactive protein-to-albumin ratios useful for the diagnosis and follow-up of Takayasu arteritis?

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: In this study, we aimed to investigate the role of erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein, neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio, platelet/lymphocyte ratio, monocyte/lymphocyte ratio, red blood cell distribution width, mean platelet volume, monocyte/HDL ratio, and C-reactive protein/albumin ratio in the diagnosis and treatment follow-up of active and remission Takayasu arteritis patients compared with healthy control group. METHODS: This is a retrospective case-control study in which 56 Takayasu arteritis patients and 40 age- and sex-matched healthy control were included. The blood values of Takayasu arteritis patients were analyzed during their active period and post-treatment remission periods, after comparing them with the healthy control. Furthermore, all parameters were evaluated by receiver operating characteristic analysis. RESULTS: Erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein, neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio, platelet/lymphocyte ratio, monocyte/lymphocyte ratio, monocyte/HDL ratio, and C-reactive protein/albumin ratio values were significantly higher in active Takayasu arteritis patients compared with healthy control and remission Takayasu arteritis groups. In the receiver operating characteristic analysis performed in active Takayasu arteritis and Takayasu arteritis patients in remission, C-reactive protein had the highest power to indicate disease activity, followed by C-reactive protein/albumin ratio, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and monocyte/HDL ratio. When Takayasu arteritis in remission was compared with the healthy control, a significant difference was found between erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein, red blood cell distribution width, and C-reactive protein/albumin ratio, while no significant difference was found between monocyte/HDL ratio values. CONCLUSION: C-reactive protein/albumin ratio and red blood cell distribution width can be used in the diagnosis of Takayasu arteritis, and C-reactive protein/albumin ratio, red blood cell distribution width, and monocyte/HDL ratio measurements can be used in the follow-up. As C-reactive protein/albumin ratio is more powerful than C-reactive protein in differentiating the Takayasu arteritis group from the healthy control group, evaluation of C-reactive protein/albumin ratio together with albumin instead of evaluation of C-reactive protein alone when diagnosing the disease may help us to obtain more accurate results in daily practice.

Sexual dysfunction and associated factors in Behçet's disease: a case-control study.

Sexual health is an important part of a healthy life. The aim of this study is to define Behçet's sexual dysfunction and the factors affecting it. Sixty-nine patients with Behçet's disease (BD) and 74 healthy controls were included in the study. International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF), the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and the Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) were filled out by patients and healthy control group (HCG). Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), prolactin and estradiol or testosterone levels according to gender were measured in Behçet's patients. The rate of sexual dysfunction and its relationship with gonadal hormones, Beck depression and SF 36 subgroups were evaluated in Behçet's patients. Sixty-nine patients with BD (mean age 39.55 ± 11.7) and 74 HCG (mean age 36.9 ± 6.84) were included in the study. Sexual dysfunction was observed in 74% (49) of BD and 59.5% (44) of HCG (p = 0.047). Prolactin level is within normal limits in all patients. Although there are abnormal levels of gonadal hormones, no relationship was found with sexual dysfunction. Depression especially is more prevalent compared to the healthy population (p = 0.016). The presence of depression negatively affects sexual life. Depression, SF 36 physical role limitations, energy vitality, vitality and mental health were associated with sexual dysfunction in patients with Behçet's disease. Sexual dysfunction was associated with the presence of depression and SF-36 subscales in Behçet's patients.