The role of serum uric acid in the prediction of graft-versus-host disease in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Uric acid (UA) level is of the valuable signs of inflammation. However, the role of UA in the outcomes of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) such as GVHD and patients' overall survival is still a matter of debate. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the relationship between UA levels and GVHD incidence and overall survival in allogeneic HSCT patients. METHODS: A total of 201 patients who were admitted for allogeneic transplantation at Taleghani hospital, Tehran, Iran, were considered for retrospective analysis. Serum UA levels from 1 week before transplantation until 2 weeks after transplantation were used to determine thresholds and find out the association of serum UA levels with GVHD and overall survival. RESULTS: We showed that the determined thresholds using receiver operating characteristic curves have poor predictive value for GVHD and overall survival. The patients with serum UA higher than 3.4 mg/dL had 37% lower odds of GVHD incidence and 35% lower hazard of death than patients with UA lower than 3.4 mg/dL. CONCLUSION: Our results indicated that serum UA levels lower than 3.4 mg/dL could significantly increase the incidence of GVHD and hazard of death. The antioxidant functions of UA could explain the lower incidence of GVHD in hyperuricemic patients. However, the inconsistencies of the previous studies require further investigation to elucidate the role of UA in the prediction of GVHD.

Psychological Aspects of Pregnancy and Lactation in Patients with Breast Cancer.

Young breast cancer patients face numerous challenges during the cancer trajectory. As in the last decade, women tend to delay pregnancies to a later time in life, and clinicians are often faced with young breast cancer patients who want to start a family or complete it. Becoming a mother is a delicate developmental process in which the woman redefines and restructures her identity as she gets prepared for her new role and responsibilities. When there is a history of cancer or cancer diagnosis is communicated during the pregnancy, fears, worries, and concerns emerge and specific support may be necessary. Follow-ups during the post-partum period are also recommended as lactation issues should not be overlooked. In this chapter, we analyze the psychological aspects of cancer survivors and women with pregnancy-associated breast cancer, and the management of these issues.

Undiagnosed tuberculosis associated with hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis due to improper use of corticosteroid.

INTRODUCTION: Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a rare and life-threatening hematologic disease segregated into familial (primary) and acquired (secondary) subtypes. Hyperinflammation and HLH occur when the immune system fails to clear activated macrophages and histiocytes. Infections, malignancies, and rheumatologic disorders are the major triggers leading to HLH. Miliary tuberculosis is a serious disease with a lymphohematogenous spread of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which is known to be one of the causative agents of HLH. Miliary tuberculosis and HLH have atypical presentations which are similar to routine diseases. Hence, physicians may face challenges to diagnose and treat these complications. CASE REPORT: We report the case of a 60-year-old man with a history of prolonged fever, shortness of breath, jaundice, altered mental status, undiagnosed lower back pain, and overuse of parenteral betamethasone. Miliary tuberculosis was diagnosed by diffuse, vague random micronodules in both lungs and positive acid-fast bacilli in bronchoalveolar lavage and bone marrow aspiration and biopsy. Moreover, compatible presentation and pancytopenia, hypertriglyceridemia, high serum level of ferritin and fibrinogen-derived products, and evidence of hemophagocytosis on bone marrow aspirate led to the diagnosis of HLH. Unfortunately, despite nearly two months of an anti-tuberculosis regimen (standard and salvage) and eight doses of etoposide, he eventually passed away after clinical improvement. CONCLUSIONS: Irrational and indiscriminate use of glucocorticoids can be a devastating cause of the spread of tuberculosis and its rare complications, such as HLH.