The Effects of Anti-thyroid Drugs on Lipoproteins and Insulin Resistance in Graves' Disease: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Objective: Graves' disease (GD) is characterized by thyroid overactivity. Anti-thyroid drugs (ATDs), such as propylthiouracil (PTU) and methimazole (MMI), are commonly used for GD treatment, and studies have suggested a link between these drugs and elevated lipoprotein levels. However, data on their effects on lipoproteins, insulin resistance, or low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDL-R) levels are lacking, both in Indonesia and in other countries. This study investigated changes in lipoproteins, LDL-R, and insulin resistance markers with ATD treatment. Methods: This study is a secondary analysis of a randomized clinical trial entitled "The Differential Effects of Propylthiouracil and Methimazole as Graves' Disease Treatment on Vascular Atherosclerosis Markers" conducted in Jakarta, Indonesia. Thirty-seven newly diagnosed GD patients received MMI or PTU for 3 months. Results: After 3 months of ATD treatment, LDL-R levels significantly decreased compared to baseline (197 vs. 144 ng/mL, p<0.001), while most lipoproteins, including TC, LDL-C, HDL-C, non-HDL-C, the cholesterol ratio, and the LDL-C/HDL-C ratio, increased. Unexpectedly, neither the PTU nor MMI groups showed an increased dyslipidemia prevalence. Although body mass index increased significantly and fasting plasma glucose decreased slightly, no significant post-treatment change in insulin resistance was observed. The study received ethical approval from the Ethics Committee of the Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia (ref KET-784/UN.2.F1/ETIK/PPM.00.02/2019) and was registered on clinicaltrials.gov (NCT05118542). Conclusion: ATD treatment for GD led to a significant increase in total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, and high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol levels, along with a reduction in LDL-R levels. Both PTU and MMI showed similar effects. These findings provide valuable insights into the effects of ATDs on lipoproteins and insulin resistance in GD patients. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT05118542.

Updating AFP Level in Chronic Hepatitis B to Evaluate the Risk of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Occurrence.

BACKGROUND: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a cancer with poor prognosis. Indonesia is a country with high prevalence of chronic hepatitis B infection. The performance of alpha fetoprotein (AFP) as a tumor marker in HCC surveillance is primarily influenced by the etiology of the underlying liver disease. We aimed to determine the best cut-off value of AFP biomarker examination for HCC surveillance in patients with chronic hepatitis B infection. METHODS: The study collected medical record data of the Hepatobiliary Division of Dr. Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital from the period of 2017 to 2023. A total of 506 subjects with chronic hepatitis B of all spectrums (hepatitis B without cirrhosis, liver cirrhosis, and early-stage HCC, BCLC 0 and A) were included by total sampling that was performed from 26 July 2023 to 31 August 2023. Determination of the AFP cut-off value was carried out using the receiver operating characteristics (ROC) method.  Results: For HCC surveillance caused by hepatitis B virus, ROC curve analysis resulted in an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.792 (95% CI, 0.719-0.866), and the cut-off value with the highest Youden index was 8.7 ng/ml, with 58% sensitivity, 94% specificity, positive predictive value (PPV)  56.14%, negative predictive value (NPV) 94.43%, positive likelihood ratio (LR+) 10.08, and negative likelihood ratio (LR-) 0.46. CONCLUSION: The cut-off value of AFP in HCC surveillance on hepatitis B specific etiology is lower than the cut-off value of AFP in previous HCC surveillance which was not etiologically specific. The cut-off value of 8.7 ng/ml produces the best sensitivity and specificity for the cut-off value for HCC surveillance with hepatitis B etiology.

Obesity Parameters as Predictor of Poor Outcomes in Hospitalized Patients with Confirmed Mild-to-Moderate COVID-19.

(1) Background: This study aims to assess visceral fat values, waist circumference (WC), body mass index (BMI), and body fat percentage for their ability to predict poor outcomes during COVID-19 patients' hospitalization; (2) Methods: This study was a prospective cohort of mild-moderate COVID-19 patients hospitalized at Dr. Cipto Mangunkusumo National General Hospital from December 2020 to March 2021. This study includes hospitalized patients over 18 diagnosed with COVID-19 using RT-PCR. Patients who do not have chest radiography, waist circumference, a bioimpedance analyzer (BIA) error, or are unable to stand or mobilize during the examination are excluded from this study. Cox regression was used for multivariate analysis; (3) Results: The study included two hundred sixty-one patients. The median visceral fat value was 10 (equivalent to 100 cm2), the WC was 93.4 cm, the BMI was 26.1 kg/m2, and the body fat percentage was 31.5%. Based on multivariate Cox regression, WC was statistically significant as an independent factor influencing poor outcomes in COVID-19 patients (RR 1.037 [95% CI 1.011-1.064]) along with COVID-19 degree of severity (RR 3.063 [95% CI 1.537-6.104]) and comorbidities (RR 2.123 [95% CI 1.017-4.435]); (4) Conclusions: Waist circumference can influence poor outcomes in confirmed COVID-19 patients during hospitalization.

Sex disparities in the associations of overall versus abdominal obesity with the 10-year cardiovascular disease risk: Evidence from the Indonesian National Health Survey.

BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are a leading cause of disability-adjusted life years in Indonesia. Although obesity is a known risk factor for CVDs, the relative contributions of overall versus abdominal obesity are less clear. We aimed to estimate the 10-year CVD risks of the Indonesian population and investigate the separate and joint associations of overall and abdominal obesity with these risks. METHODS: Using nationally representative data from the Indonesian Health Survey (n = 33,786), the 10-year CVD risk was estimated using the Framingham Score. The score was calculated as %-risk, with >20% indicating high risk. Overall obesity was measured by BMI, while abdominal obesity was measured by waist circumference. We performed sex-stratified multivariable linear regressions to examine the associations of standardized units of BMI and waist circumference with the 10-year CVD risk, mutually adjusted for waist circumference and BMI. RESULTS: Mean (SD) 10-year CVD risks were 14.3(8.9)% in men and 8.0(9.3)% in women, with 37.3% of men and 14.1% of women having high (>20%) risks. After mutual adjustment, one SD in BMI and waist circumference were associated with 0.75(0.50-1.01) and 0.95(0.72-1.18) increase in the %-risk of CVD in men, whereas in women, the ß(95% CIs) were 0.43(0.25-0.61) and 1.06(0.87-1.26). CONCLUSION: Abdominal fat accumulation showed stronger associations with 10-year CVD risks than overall adiposity, particularly in women. Although men had higher overall CVD risks, women experienced more detrimental cardiovascular effects of obesity. Raising awareness of abdominal/visceral obesity and its more damaging cardiovascular effects in women is crucial in preventing CVD-related morbidity and mortality.

Obstructive sleep apnea: Overlooked comorbidity in patients with diabetes.

In this review article, we explore the interplay between obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), highlighting a significant yet often overlooked comorbidity. We delve into the pathophysiological links between OSA and diabetes, specifically how OSA exacerbates insulin resistance and disrupts glucose metabolism. The research examines the prevalence of OSA in diabetic patients and its role in worsening diabetes-related complications. Emphasizing the importance of comprehensive management, including weight control and positive airway pressure therapy, the study advocates integrated approaches to improve outcomes for patients with T2DM and OSA. This review underscores the necessity of recognizing and addressing OSA in diabetes care to ensure more effective treatment and better patient outcomes.

Persistent hypoglycemia in patients with liver cancer.

Summary: Hypoglycemia is one of the paraneoplastic syndrome manifestations that arise from primary and secondary liver cancer. Hypoglycemia usually presents in the late stage of the disease and indicates a poor prognosis. This case series displays the characteristics profile of patients with primary and secondary liver cancer who are presented with hypoglycemia in a tertiary referral hospital in Indonesia. The study included 41 liver cancer patients who were presented with hypoglycemia. Hepatocellular carcinoma was diagnosed in 51.2% of patients, metastatic liver disease in 14.6% of patients, and undiagnosed liver cancer in 34.1% of patients. The mean age was 47.7 years with male predominance (65.9%). Jaundice was found in 58.5% and hepatomegaly in 70.7% of patients. The mean (± S.D.) initial blood glucose was 42.15 ± 17.11 mg/dL and the Child-Pugh score was 9.93 ± 2.11. Based on imaging, tumor diameter was 12.6 ± 6.9 cm, multiple (61%), and involving both lobes (61%). Treatments for hypoglycemia included oral/enteral feeding, intravenous dextrose, and steroids. No treatment was given for the cancer because all patients were in an advanced stage. The treatment resulted in 41.5% blood glucose being controlled, 56.1% refractory, and 2.4% persistent. Mortality was 70.7% and in average occurred 5.76 ± 4.99 days after hypoglycemia. The mainstay of treatment in these cases is treating the tumor with cytoreduction. However, it was difficult to do cytoreduction because the tumor was already in an advanced stage. Beneficial supportive treatments for maintaining normal blood glucose are frequent meals, dextrose infusion, steroids, and glucagon. Learning points: Hypoglycemia in liver cancer occurs due to the failure of the liver to fulfill body glucose demand because the liver parenchyma has been largely replaced by the tumor, in addition to the high production of insulin growth factor (IGF). Hypoglycemia is often caused by islet cell and non-islet cell tumors, with a higher occurrence in non-islet cell tumors due to paraneoplastic syndrome and the high metabolic requirements of the tumor. The mainstay of NICTH treatment is treating the tumor with cytoreduction. However, in an advanced stage, cytoreduction therapy is often challenging to conduct. Beneficial supportive treatments for controlling blood glucose are frequent meals, dextrose infusion, and the injection of steroids and glucagon. Steroids play a beneficial role in the treatment of persistent hypoglycemia in hepatocellular carcinoma by stimulating gluconeogenesis and increasing lipolysis. Steroids also have roles in the inhibition of peripheral glucose intake, suppression of big IGF-2 production, and modulation of the GH-IGF axis.

Altered Body Composition and Cytokine Production in Patients with Elevated HOMA-IR after SARS-CoV-2 Infection: A 12-Month Longitudinal Study.

Altered body composition and cytokine production due to SARS-CoV-2 antigens may affect homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) after SARS-CoV-2 infection. To elucidate this phenomenon, we conducted a longitudinal study involving 47 COVID-19 patients, who were followed up for 12 months. During recruitment, body composition and glucose indices were measured, and heparin blood samples were collected for measuring cytokine production. HOMA-IR was considered an elevated or non-elevated group based on the ratio between HOMA-IR at 12 months and 1 month of convalescence. Those with elevated HOMA-IR had a significantly higher body mass index, body fat percentage, and visceral fat rating and had a lower lean mass and lean/fat mass ratio than their counterparts. During the convalescent period, the elevated HOMA-IR group had lower TNFα, IFNγ, IL-2, IL-10, and granzyme B expression levels but had higher TNFα/IL-10, IFNγ/IL-10, IL-2/IL-10, and granzyme B/IL-10 ratios than the other group. The reduced cytokine production and pro-/anti-inflammatory imbalance in patients with elevated HOMA-IR may suggest immune cell dysfunction toward SARS-CoV-2. Patients with elevated HOMA-IR after SARS-CoV-2 infection may experience an increase in BMI and body fat percentage, leading to increased immune dysfunction and chronic inflammatory condition. A nutritional approach and promotion of physical activity may help reduce HOMA-IR and ameliorate glucose indices in these patients.

A Systematic Review of the Accuracy of Insulin and C-peptide Secretion Ratios During the Oral Glucose Tolerance Test to Diagnose Insulinoma.

Background: Insulinoma is one of the causes of recurrent hypoglycemia, one of the chief complaints for emergency department admission. The gold standard in diagnosing insulinoma is a 72-hour fasting test which is inconvenient and inefficient as it requires hospitalization. Research has found that measurement of insulin and C-peptide during OGTT may help diagnose insulinoma. We aimed to assess the diagnostic value of OGTT in diagnosing insulinoma. Methodology: The literature search was conducted on 19 August 2022 using several databases (MEDLINE, Scopus, Embase, and ScienceDirect). All studies that measured OGTT as diagnostic tools in diagnosing insulinoma and 72-hour fasting test as reference standard were included. The quality assessment of the selected studies was based on the Centre of Evidence-Based Medicine University of Oxford and the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy-2 tool (QUADAS-2). Analysis of the included studies was performed qualitatively. This study was registered on PROSPERO (CRD42022360205). Results: A total of two case-control studies (106 patients) were included, which were at risk of bias and low concern of applicability. Both studies demonstrated that the combination of insulin and C-peptide levels measured during OGTT had high specificity, sensitivity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value in diagnosing insulinoma compared to the reference standard. A logistic regression model of 8.305 - (0.441 × insulin 2-h/0-h) - (1.679 × C-peptide 1-h/0-h) >0.351 has the highest diagnostic value in one study (AUC 0.97, Sensitivity 86.5%, Specificity 95.2%, PPV 94.1, NPV 88.9). Conclusion: The measurement of 0-h and 2-h insulin and C-peptide levels during 2-h OGTT was found in two small case-control studies with a total of 106 patients to have good sensitivity and specificity. However, due to these limitations, future research is still needed to validate the potential use of OGTT for the diagnosis of insulinoma.

Lifestyle and clinical risk factors in relation with the prevalence of diabetes in the Indonesian urban and rural populations: The 2018 Indonesian Basic Health Survey.

Aims: To investigate the differences between Indonesian urban and rural populations in the association of lifestyle and clinical factors with diabetes prevalence. Methods: Using database of the 2018 Indonesian Basic Health Survey, which was conducted in April-May 2018, non-pregnant respondents aged ≥15 years old with available blood glucose data (n urban = 17,129, n rural = 16,585) were included in this study. The diagnosis of diabetes was based on the combination of known diabetes, i.e., a previous history of diabetes or use of anti-diabetes medication, and unknown diabetes based on blood glucose criteria. We performed logistic regression analyses separately for the urban and rural populations to examine the association of lifestyle and clinical factors with prevalent diabetes. Results: Indonesian urban population was less physically active, had a lower proportion of adequate fruit and vegetable intake, and had higher individuals with obesity than rural population. Although there were no differences in the total prevalence of diabetes between the two populations (10.9 % vs. 11.0 %, for urban and rural, respectively), the prevalence of known diabetes was twice higher in urban than in rural population (3.8 % vs. 1.9 %). Physical activity was associated with lower risk of diabetes, especially in the urban population [prevalence OR (95 %CI): 0.91 (0.85; 0.98) for urban and 0.94 (0.89; 1.00) for rural). Obesity, hypertension, and dyslipidemia were risk factors for prevalent diabetes in both populations. Conclusions: Indonesian rural population showed relatively better lifestyle and clinical profiles compared to their urban counterparts. However, no differences were observed between the two populations in the relation between risk factors and diabetes. Special attention needs to be addressed to the high prevalence of undiagnosed and untreated diabetes in Indonesia.

Autologous intraarterial pancreatic bone-marrow mononuclear cells infusion in T2D patients: Changes on beta-cells function, insulin resistance, and inflammatory marker.

BACKGROUND: Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a progressive disease. Many drugs currently being used for the management of T2D have minimal effect on pancreatic beta cells regeneration. Cell-based therapies might provide potential benefits in this aspect. METHODS: A pilot study in five T2D patients with 12 months follow-up was performed to evaluate the effect of autologous bone marrow mononuclear stem cells (BM-MNCs) infusion into pancreatic arteries on the insulin requirement, beta-cell function, insulin resistance, and systemic inflammatory marker (CRP). RESULTS: The primary endpoint, a 50 % reduction of total insulin doses from baseline, was not achieved in this study. However, a trend of increasing fasting C-peptide (p = 0.07) and C-peptide 60' (p = 0.07) and 90' (p = 0.07) after a mixed-meal tolerance test was observed 12 months post-infusion compared to baseline levels. A similar result was observed for the homeostatic model assessment of beta cell function (HOMA1-B), an index for beta cell function. No improvement was observed for insulin resistance measured by homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA1-IR) and systemic inflammatory parameter. CONCLUSION: Intraarterial pancreatic autologous BM-MNCs infusion might potentially improve beta cell function in T2D patients, although further study is needed to confirm this finding.

Physio-cognitive decline syndrome among middle-aged diabetes patients: Handgrip strength significantly correlates with glycaemic control and cognitive score.

Aims: To investigate the correlation between glycaemic control with component of Physio-Cognitive Decline Syndrome (PCDS) and among each component of PCDS itself. Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted (January 2021-November 2022) at Dr. Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital, Jakarta, Indonesia on consecutively recruited T2DM outpatients aged 40-59 years old. Data on the latest three months HbA1c, hand grip strength (HGS), usual gait speed (GS), and Indonesian Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA-Ina) were evaluated. Pearson or Spearman's test was used to analyse the correlations. Results: There were 133 subjects with median age 53 (40-59) years. The PCDS was found in 48.1 % subjects, of which 64.1 % with uncontrolled glycaemia. Significant correlations were found between HGS and HbA1c (r = -0.24, R2 = 0.06, p < 0.01) and MoCA-Ina score (r = 0.21, R2 = 0.04, p < 0.05). Conclusion: The higher HbA1c and the lower MoCA-Ina score, the weaker handgrip strength was.

The role of high fat diet on serum uric acid level among healthy male first degree relatives of type 2 diabetes mellitus.

First-degree relatives (FDR) of type 2 diabetes mellitus have increased risk of developing insulin resistance-related disorders including hyperuricemia. We investigated metabolic profile and serum uric acid (SUA) metabolism in response to high-fat diet among healthy male FDR in comparison to those without family history of diabetes. A total of 30 FDR and 30 non-FDR subjects completed a 5-days-hypercaloric diet with fat added to regular daily intake. Despite similar insulin response, FDR displayed different changes in SUA compared to non-FDR subjects (0.26 ± 0.83 mg/dL vs - 0.21 ± 0.78 mg/dL, p = 0.028). In subgroup analyses stratified by body mass index and waist circumference, significant different SUA changes between FDR and non-FDR subjects were only found in obese (0.48 ± 0.87 mg/dL vs - 0.70 ± 0.71 mg/dL, p = 0.001) and centrally obese (0.59 ± 0.83 mg/dL vs - 0.55 ± 0.82 mg/dL, p = 0.011) subgroups. In multivariate analysis, visceral adiposity seemed mediating the different response in SUA metabolism between FDR and non-FDR subjects induced by short-term obesogenic diet.

Prevalence and associated factors of female sexual dysfunction among type 2 diabetes patients in Indonesia: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Female sexual dysfunction (FSD) is a neglected chronic complication of diabetes. However, there is a scarcity of data in Indonesia, which is currently ranked as the 5th in the world for the number of people with Type 2 Diabetes (T2D). Our study aims to analyze the prevalence and factors of FSD among T2D patients in Indonesia. METHOD: Literature searching was performed in PubMed/Medline®, CINAHL®, Embase®, Proquest®, Scopus®, local journals and libraries. All studies in searching keywords "sexual", "diabetes" and "Indonesia" with Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) terms were included, without time or language restriction. Pooled prevalence and odds ratio of associated factors of FSD were analyzed using STATA. RESULTS: Ten studies comprised 572 females with T2D were included in this review. The pooled prevalence of FSD reached 52% (95% CI = 0.49-0.56; I2 93.9%, p < 0.001). After removing one study that was conducted with an unstandardized questionnaire cut-off value, the pooled prevalence of FSD was 62% (95% CI = 0.58-0.66; I2 68.7%, p = 0.001). Age more than 45 years old and or menopause, and the use of antihypertensives were associated with FSD. While Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) is only correlated with a desire for sexual dysfunction. CONCLUSION: FSD was prevalent among T2D patients in Indonesia and was associated with age more than 45 years old, menopause, and the use of antihypertensive medications.

Risk factors of severe hypoglycemia among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus in outpatient clinic of tertiary hospital in Indonesia.

This study aimed to describe risk factors of severe hypoglycemia in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients in a tertiary care hospital in Indonesia. This study was a retrospective cohort study in the Endocrinology Outpatient Clinic of Dr. Cipto Mangunkusumo National General Hospital, Jakarta, Indonesia. All subjects more than 18 years old who had been visiting the clinic for at least a year were included. Subjects were interviewed whether they had any severe hypoglycemia events within the past year, while data on risk factor variables of severe hypoglycemia was taken from medical records one year before data collection. We recruited 291 subjects, among whom 25.4% suffered at least one episode of severe hypoglycemia within one year. History of severe hypoglycemia (OR 5.864, p ≤ 0.001), eGFR less than 60 mL/min/1.73m2 (OR 1.976, p = 0.028), and insulin use (OR 2.257, p = 0.021) were associated with increased risk of severe hypoglycemia. In conclusion, history of previous severe hypoglycemia, eGFR less than 60 mL/min/1.73m2, and insulin use were associated with severe hypoglycemia.

Dysregulation of adipokines levels among healthy first-degree relatives of type 2 diabetes patients.

Background: Leptin, adiponectin and its ratio (L/A), as well as adipocyte fatty acid binding protein (A-FABP) have shown association to type 2 diabetes and atherosclerosis. Since first degree relatives (FDR) of type 2 diabetes are known to have higher risks of developing aforementioned diseases, this study aimed to see differences in adipokines profiles between FDR of type 2 diabetes and non-FDR counterpart. Methods: Age, sex and body mass index (BMI)-matched normotensive-normoglycemic subjects, aged 19-39 years with BMI<30 kg/m2, were included in this cross-sectional study. Serum adiponectin, leptin, and A-FABP levels were measured by sandwich ELISA while HOMA-IR was calculated from fasting blood glucose and insulin levels. Results: Of 116 subjects recruited, there were significant difference of insulin level (6.00 vs 5.00 µIU/mL, P = 0.029) and HOMA-IR (1.27 vs 1.10, P = 0.028). Adiponectin, leptin, L/A ratio, and A-FABP levels were not statistically different between FDR and non-FDR groups. Stratified by BMI, non-obese FDR had higher L/A ratio (0.83 vs 0.49, P = 0.020) compared to those of corresponding non-FDR. In multivariate analysis, after adjusting for age, sex, waist circumference, BMI, and metabolic profiles (HbA1C, HOMA-IR, LDL-C, HDL-C, and triglyceride levels), FDR status became significantly associated with adiponectin level, and in non-obese subgroup, remained its significance with L/A ratio. Conclusion: The FDR status was independently associated with adiponectin level. Furthermore, higher L/A ratio was more pronounced in non-obese FDR than those of non-FDR subjects, suggesting that FDR status may already contribute to the development of adipokines dysregulation before obesity occurs.

Differential effect of ramadan fasting on intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) in diabetes mellitus and non-diabetes mellitus patients.

Background: The month of Ramadan is a holy month for Muslims. During this month, Muslims do not eat, drink, or smoke from sunrise to sunset. Patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) will also fast from dawn to dusk, creating a unique opportunity to study the effects of dietary changes during fasting period. One of the interesting results of Ramadan fasting is its effect on endothelial dysfunction, measured using Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 (ICAM-1) as a biological marker of endothelial function. Aim: To determine the changes ICAM-1 levels in T2DM and non-DM patients during Ramadan fasting. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was performed on 26 T2DM patients and 21 non-DM, age-matched patients (aged 19-60 years). Measurement of metabolic parameters (systolic and diastolic blood pressure, total calorie intake, and intensity of physical activity), anthropometry (body weight, body mass index (BMI) and abdominal circumference), total dietary intake, and laboratory analysis (blood glucose fasting, HbA1c, lipid profile, ICAM-1) were done at 4 weeks before (T0) and 14 days after Ramadan fasting (T1). Result: The median ICAM-1 level in T2DM patients at T0 was 340.9 (193-505) ng/mL and at T1 was 312.3 (158-581) ng/mL, while the ICAM-1 level in non-DM patients at T0 was 482 (305-653) and at T1 was 398.4 (202-526) ng/mL. There was no significant difference of ICAM-1 level between study groups at both T0 and T1 (p > 0.05). Both T2DM and non-DM patients had lower ICAM-1 level following Ramadan fasting. However, only non-DM patients had significantly lower post Ramadan ICAM-1 (p = 0.008). Conclusion: There was a significant decrease in ICAM-1 level in both T2DM and non-DM patients after Ramadan fasting.

Obesity as an independent risk factor for COVID-19 severity and mortality.

BACKGROUND: Since December 2019, the world has struggled with the COVID-19 pandemic. Even after the introduction of various vaccines, this disease still takes a considerable toll. In order to improve the optimal allocation of resources and communication of prognosis, healthcare providers and patients need an accurate understanding of factors (such as obesity) that are associated with a higher risk of adverse outcomes from the COVID-19 infection. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate obesity as an independent prognostic factor for COVID-19 severity and mortality among adult patients in whom infection with the COVID-19 virus is confirmed. SEARCH METHODS: MEDLINE, Embase, two COVID-19 reference collections, and four Chinese biomedical databases were searched up to April 2021. SELECTION CRITERIA: We included case-control, case-series, prospective and retrospective cohort studies, and secondary analyses of randomised controlled trials if they evaluated associations between obesity and COVID-19 adverse outcomes including mortality, mechanical ventilation, intensive care unit (ICU) admission, hospitalisation, severe COVID, and COVID pneumonia. Given our interest in ascertaining the independent association between obesity and these outcomes, we selected studies that adjusted for at least one factor other than obesity. Studies were evaluated for inclusion by two independent reviewers working in duplicate.  DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Using standardised data extraction forms, we extracted relevant information from the included studies. When appropriate, we pooled the estimates of association across studies with the use of random-effects meta-analyses. The Quality in Prognostic Studies (QUIPS) tool provided the platform for assessing the risk of bias across each included study. In our main comparison, we conducted meta-analyses for each obesity class separately. We also meta-analysed unclassified obesity and obesity as a continuous variable (5 kg/m2 increase in BMI (body mass index)). We used the GRADE framework to rate our certainty in the importance of the association observed between obesity and each outcome. As obesity is closely associated with other comorbidities, we decided to prespecify the minimum adjustment set of variables including age, sex, diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease for subgroup analysis.  MAIN RESULTS: We identified 171 studies, 149 of which were included in meta-analyses.  As compared to 'normal' BMI (18.5 to 24.9 kg/m2) or patients without obesity, those with obesity classes I (BMI 30 to 35 kg/m2), and II (BMI 35 to 40 kg/m2) were not at increased odds for mortality (Class I: odds ratio [OR] 1.04, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.94 to 1.16, high certainty (15 studies, 335,209 participants); Class II: OR 1.16, 95% CI 0.99 to 1.36, high certainty (11 studies, 317,925 participants)). However, those with class III obesity (BMI 40 kg/m2 and above) may be at increased odds for mortality (Class III: OR 1.67, 95% CI 1.39 to 2.00, low certainty, (19 studies, 354,967 participants)) compared to normal BMI or patients without obesity. For mechanical ventilation, we observed increasing odds with higher classes of obesity in comparison to normal BMI or patients without obesity (class I: OR 1.38, 95% CI 1.20 to 1.59, 10 studies, 187,895 participants, moderate certainty; class II: OR 1.67, 95% CI 1.42 to 1.96, 6 studies, 171,149 participants, high certainty; class III: OR 2.17, 95% CI 1.59 to 2.97, 12 studies, 174,520 participants, high certainty). However, we did not observe a dose-response relationship across increasing obesity classifications for ICU admission and hospitalisation. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that obesity is an important independent prognostic factor in the setting of COVID-19. Consideration of obesity may inform the optimal management and allocation of limited resources in the care of COVID-19 patients.

Impact of the source of hematopoietic stem cells on immune reconstitution after transplantation: A systematic review.

Hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) transplantation's success lies in its ability to induce immune reconstitution. To date, there is no review published to compare the immune reconstitution among the three sources of HSC: umbilical cord blood (UCB), bone marrow (BM), and peripheral blood (PB). The review aims to analyze the kinetic of immune reconstitution among UCB, PB, and BM in HSC transplant patients by focusing on natural killer (NK) cells, B and T lymphocytes, and neutrophils. A systematic review was conducted through five databases, searching for clinical trials and randomized control trials (RCTs) which analyze the kinetics of immune reconstitution in at least two sources. Selected studies were assessed with Cochrane RoB 2.0. This review included 14 studies, with a total of 2539 subjects. The PB group achieved the fastest time to neutrophil recovery, while the B-cell count was the highest in the UCB group. The T-cell count is the lowest in the BM group, and the NK-cell count does not differ significantly among the three HSC sources. Among the three sources of HSC, there is no superior HSC source for any immune reconstitution parameter. More studies must be conducted to compare the immune reconstitution and clinical outcomes of all HSC sources in specific diseases.

Defining the optimum HOMA-IR cut-off value for insulin resistance among ARV-treated HIV patients in Indonesia.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: HIV-infected patients who are treated with anti-retroviral (ARV) drugs are prone to develop insulin resistance. This study aims to determine the cut-off value of HOMA-IR score in ARV-treated HIV patients in Indonesia. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 234 adults with HIV who received ARV therapy in HIV Integrated Care Unit of Dr. Cipto Mangunkusumo National General Hospital, Jakarta, Indonesia. The duration of HIV diagnosis, duration of ARV therapy, metabolic syndrome status, and calculated HOMA-IR were obtained in this study. HOMA-IR cut-off point was calculated using ROC curve analysis, along with the specificity, sensitivity and likelihood ratio (LR). RESULTS: Among 234 subjects, 58% of subjects were on second-line ARV therapy. The prevalence of metabolic syndrome was 23.9%. The obtained HOMA-IR cut-off value was 2.705 with sensitivity and specificity approaching 70%, PPV 40.9%, NPV 87.6%, with positive LR of 2.15 and negative LR of 0.48. The insulin resistance prediction from the obtained HOMA-IR cut-off value was at moderate strength. Based on this cut-off value, 39.7% of the subjects experienced insulin resistance. CONCLUSIONS: Using the new proposed HOMA-IR cut-off point for HIV patient in Indonesia, the prevalence of insulin resistance among HIV-infected patients treated with ARV in Indonesia using optimum HOMA-IR cut-off value of 2.705 was 39.7%.