Serum interleukin-6 levels are increased in post-herpetic neuralgia: a single-center retrospective study

Abstract Background: Studies have shown that the overall incidence rate of herpeszoster (HZ) in China is 6.64 cases per 1000 people, despite such harms brought by postherpetic neuralgia (PHN), the mechanism of the disease remains unclear in China. Currently, effective biomarkers to predict PHN remain unavailable, which makes it difficult to prevent and successfully treat PHN. Objectives: The aim of the study was to determine the serum interleukin-6 level in PHN. Methods: The serum levels of interleukin 6 (IL-6) were measured by multi-antibody sandwich ELISA. The likert scale was used to represent the degree of neuralgia in the patients. Patients with PHN were divided into a mild PHN group and a severe PHN group according to the Likert scale. ROC curve was performed for evaluating the diagnostic efficiency of IL6 for PHN. The correlation between the IL6 level and the Likert scale before and after treatment with gabapentin and mecobalamin was analyzed. Results: IL6 levels in PHN patients resulted higher compared to volunteers. Patients in the severe PHN group had a higher serum IL6 level than in the mild PHN group. The Likert scale score was related to the serum IL6 levels and the frequency of IL6 levels above the cutoff value (4.95pg/mL) in PNH groups before and after treatment (p<0.05). Study limitations: Pain is subjective. Some mental states, such as anxiety and depression, greatly influence an individual's perception of pain, and pain tolerance can vary between people. Therefore, pain scores can be affected by different individual factors. Conclusions: The serum IL6 levels may be used as a biochemical indicator of the severity of PNH.

Serum interleukin-6 levels are increased in post-herpetic neuralgia: a single-center retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: Studies have shown that the overall incidence rate of herpeszoster (HZ) in China is 6.64 cases per 1000 people, despite such harms brought by postherpetic neuralgia (PHN), the mechanism of the disease remains unclear in China. Currently, effective biomarkers to predict PHN remain unavailable, which makes it difficult to prevent and successfully treat PHN. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to determine the serum interleukin-6 level in PHN. METHODS: The serum levels of interleukin 6 (IL-6) were measured by multi-antibody sandwich ELISA. The likert scale was used to represent the degree of neuralgia in the patients. Patients with PHN were divided into a mild PHN group and a severe PHN group according to the Likert scale. ROC curve was performed for evaluating the diagnostic efficiency of IL6 for PHN. The correlation between the IL6 level and the Likert scale before and after treatment with gabapentin and mecobalamin was analyzed. RESULTS: IL6 levels in PHN patients resulted higher compared to volunteers. Patients in the severe PHN group had a higher serum IL6 level than in the mild PHN group. The Likert scale score was related to the serum IL6 levels and the frequency of IL6 levels above the cutoff value (4.95 pg/mL) in PNH groups before and after treatment (p < 0.05). STUDY LIMITATIONS: Pain is subjective. Some mental states, such as anxiety and depression, greatly influence an individual's perception of pain, and pain tolerance can vary between people. Therefore, pain scores can be affected by different individual factors. CONCLUSIONS: The serum IL6 levels may be used as a biochemical indicator of the severity of PNH.

Hope and Worry: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis of Psychological Experiences Associated With Targeted Drug Therapy Among Patients With Advanced Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer.

BACKGROUND: With the rapid development of precision medicine, targeted therapy has brought new hope for patients with advanced lung cancer. However, because of the high specificity of targeted therapy, individual differences in treatment have occurred, and drug resistance has led to treatment failure, or unpredictable serious side effects have resulted in reducing or stopping treatment. Such outcomes reduce hope. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to understand the phenomena of existential worry and hope in patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who are receiving targeted therapies. METHODS: The interpretative phenomenological analysis method was used in this study. Semistructured interviews were conducted with patients with advanced NSCLC who had received targeted drug therapy at a public cancer hospital in China. RESULTS: Four themes emerged from the descriptions of 16 patients regarding their psychological experiences of undergoing targeted therapy: wishes and concerns, hopes and fears, expectations and worry, and desires and anxiety. CONCLUSIONS: Non-small-cell lung cancer patients experience positive emotions, such as hope and expectation, as well as negative emotions, such as worry and anxiety, while receiving targeted drug therapy. These different emotions can be experienced concurrently. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Our findings illuminate NSCLC patients' psychological perceptions while undergoing targeted drug therapy. Supportive care resources and interventions are required to enhance patients' positive feelings and reduce their worry during targeted therapy. Patients also require better preparation and information to enable them to improve their quality of life and remain safe after undergoing treatment.

Influence of carotid artery stenting on cognition of elderly patients with severe stenosis of the internal carotid artery.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of carotid artery stenting (CAS) on the cognition and quality of life of elderly patients with severe stenosis of the internal carotid artery. MATERIAL/METHODS: 65 elderly patients with symptomatic severe stenosis of internal carotid artery were recruited into 2 groups: the pharmacotherapy group (n=29) and the CAS group (n=36). Before surgery and 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after surgery, Montreal cognitive assessment (MoCA) was used for the evaluation of cognition and WHOQOL-BREF was used for the assessment of quality of life. RESULTS: At 12 months after surgery, total MoCA score and WHOQOL-BREF score in the pharmacotherapy group was significantly reduced when compared with those before surgery (P<0.05). In the CAS group, the total MoCA score, scores of attention and delayed recall, and WHOQOL-BREF score increased significantly at different time points after surgery when compared with those before surgery (P<0.05). Moreover, in CAS group, the MoCA score and WHOQOL-BREF markedly increased gradually over time (P<0.05). Compared with the pharmacotherapy group, cognition and quality of life in the CAS group were improved dramatically during the follow-up period (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Severe stenosis of the internal carotid artery is a cause of cognition impairment, and CAS may improve cognition and quality of life.

Influence of stent-assisted angioplasty on cognitive function and affective disorder in elderly patients with symptomatic vertebrobasilar artery stenosis.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to investigate cognitive function and affective disorder in elderly patients with symptomatic vertebrobasilar artery stenosis (SVAS) after stent-assisted angioplasty (SAA) and to explore the potential mechanism. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study subjects were 26 elderly SVAS patients who were non-responsive to pharmacotherapy and received SAA (study group) and 30 patients receiving intracoronary stent implantation (control group). Montreal cognitive assessment (MoCA), Hamilton depression rating scale (HAMD), and Hamilton anxiety rating scale (HAMA) were used. RESULTS: The total MoCA score, scores of line connection, copying cube, drawing clock, and delayed recall increased significantly in the study group after surgery (P<0.05, P<0.01). In addition, the MoCA score increased over time and the total MoCA score at 12 months was markedly higher than that at 1 month (P<0.05). The scores of HAMD and HAMA decreased dramatically after surgery compared with before surgery in these patients (P<0.01). A comparison at the corresponding period was performed between study group and control group, and it was found that the differences in total MoCA scores and scores of line connection, copying cube, drawing clock, and delayed recall before surgery and at 1 month after surgery were significant (P<0.05, P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: SAA may improve the visuospatial/executive abilities and delayed recall, as well as the depression and anxiety in patients with SVAS. Larger and controlled trails are needed to investigate the effect of SAA on cognition and affection in these patients.

Treatment of symptomatic vertebrobasilar artery stenosis with stent-assistant angioplasty in the elderly

OBJECTIVE: To study the efficacy, safety, and feasibility of stent-assistant angioplasty (SAA) in the treatment of symptomatic vertebrobasilar artery stenosis in the elderly. METHODS: SAA was performed in 26 elderly patients with symptomatic vertebrobasilar artery stenosis. The success rate, perioperative complications, and long-term effectiveness were evaluated. RESULTS: A total of 29 balloon expandable stents were implanted in these patients. The success ratio was 100%. The degree of stenosis decreased from 81.3 ± 8.8% to 3.7 ± 3.6% (p < 0.01). Complications were absent during the perioperative period. Follow-up was performed for seven to 36 months (median: 21.9 months). Two patients developed the recurrent symptoms of vertebrobasilar artery stenosis, and no cerebral ischemic events were noted in the remaining patients, suggesting a favorable outcome. CONCLUSION: SAA is a safe and effective strategy for the treatment of symptomatic vertebrobasilar artery stenosis in the elderly.