Hepatic steatosis in patients with schizophrenia: a clinical cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVE: With hepatic steatosis (HS) being an established risk factor for CVD in the general population, it may also be a predictor of CVD in patients with schizophrenia. The aim of the present study was to investigate if time since schizophrenia diagnosis, body mass index (BMI), sex, metabolic syndrome, alcohol use, smoking, alanine transaminase (ALT), and body fat percentage (as measured by bioelectrical impedance) were associated with HS, determined by computed tomography (CT), in a population of patients diagnosed with schizophrenia. METHODS: Moderate to severe HS (40 CT Hounsfield units as threshold) was determined utilizing non-contrast enhanced CT. The association between the explanatory variables and outcome of HS was assessed using multivariable logistic regression. RESULTS: In the present study, 145 patients diagnosed with schizophrenia (mean age 42.2 years (SD ± 13.8)) were included, with 88 (60.7%) being male. On average, patients had been diagnosed for 14.8 (SD ± 10.7) years. A total of 31 (21.4%) patients had HS as determined by CT. The presence of HS was associated with ALT (OR 1.06, 95% CI (1.02-1.10) per 1 U/L increase), and the presence of metabolic syndrome (OR 62.89, 95% CI (2.03-1949.55)). The presence of HS was not associated with BMI, body fat percentage or time since diagnosis in the multivariable analysis. CONCLUSION: Higher ALT and the presence of metabolic syndrome were associated with HS in patients with schizophrenia utilizing multivariable analysis. The findings suggest that risk factors for HS are similar in both the general population and in patients with schizophrenia.

Groin hematoma after electrophysiological procedures-incidence and predisposing factors.

OBJECTIVES: We evaluated the incidence and predisposing factors of groin hematomas after electrophysiological (EP) procedures. DESIGN: Prospective, observational study, enrolling consecutive patients after EP procedures (Atrial fibrillation: n = 151; Supraventricular tachycardia/Diagnostic EP: n = 82; Ventricular tachycardia: n = 18). Patients underwent manual compression for 10 min and 3 h post procedural bed rest. AF ablations were performed with INR 2-3, ACT > 300, and no protamine sulfate. Adhesive pressure dressings (APDs) were used if sheath size ≥ 10F; procedural time > 120 min; and BMI > 30. Patient-reported hematomas were recorded by a telephone follow-up after 2 weeks. RESULTS: Hematoma developed immediately in 26 patients (10%) and after 14 days significant hematoma was reported in 68 patients (27%). Regression analysis on sex, age, BMI 25, ACT 300, use of APD, sheath size and number, and complicated venous access was not associated with hematoma, either immediately after the procedure or after 14 days. Any hematoma presenting immediately after procedures was associated with patient-reported hematomas after 14 days, odds ratio 18.7 (CI 95%: 5.00-69.8; P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Any hematoma immediately after EP procedures was the sole predictor of patient-reported hematoma after 2 weeks. Initiatives to prevent groin hematoma should focus on the procedure itself as well as post-procedural care.