Factors Influencing Total Serum IgE in Adults: The Role of Obesity and Related Metabolic Disorders.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Few reports have investigated the association between metabolic abnormalities (obesity and related metabolic syndrome) and total serum IgE concentrations. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included a random sample of 1,516 adult individuals (44.7% men, aged 18-91 years, median 52 years) from a single municipality in Spain. Serum IgE was measured in the ADVIA Centaur system. Atopy was defined by the presence of positive skin prick tests to a panel of common aeroallergens in the area. Body mass index and data related to the definition of metabolic syndrome were obtained from all participants. Alcohol consumption, smoking, and regular physical exercise were assessed by a questionnaire. RESULTS: Atopy (present in 21.9% of 1,514 evaluable individuals) was the strongest factor determining serum IgE concentrations. Male sex and heavy alcohol drinking were independently associated with higher IgE concentrations, particularly in the non-atopic individuals. Body mass index was positively associated with IgE concentrations, independent of potential confounders, although the effect was only evident among non-atopic individuals. In that group, median IgE concentrations in normal-weight and obese individuals were 15 and 24 kU/L, respectively (p < 0.001); likewise, obesity was associated with high (>100 kU/L) IgE concentrations after adjusting for potential confounders (odds ratio: 1.79, 95% confidence interval: 1.26-2.56, p = 0.001). The presence of metabolic syndrome and its components, particularly abdominal obesity and hyperglycaemia, was also positively and independently associated with higher IgE concentrations in non-atopic individuals. CONCLUSIONS: Obesity and metabolic syndrome components are associated with high total serum IgE concentrations, particularly in non-atopic individuals.

Factors associated with serum IgM concentrations: a general adult population study.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: To investigate the influence of common factors on serum immunoglobulin M (IgM) concentrations in adults, and clinical associations with high and low values. METHODS: We measured serum IgM levels using immunonephelometry in a random sample of 1510 individuals (aged 18-91 years, 44.7% male). We obtained data defining metabolic syndrome from all participants, defined atopy by skin prick tests to aeroallergens, and assessed lifestyle factors by questionnaire. RESULTS: Women showed higher IgM concentrations than men; 95 (6.3%, mostly male) individuals showed low (<0.40 g/L) IgM values, and 64 (4.2%, mostly female) showed high (>2.30 g/L) IgM values. Individuals with abnormal IgM concentrations had no history of opportunistic infections nor a different atopy prevalence. Serum IgM concentrations decreased with age, and obesity was negatively associated with IgM concentrations. Alcohol consumption, smoking, physical activity, and metabolic syndrome had no significant influence in the multivariate analyses. CONCLUSIONS: Many adults in the general population show abnormally high or low IgM concentrations with no evidence of immunodeficiency-associated diseases. Sex and age should be considered when defining reference IgM concentrations.

Transient hypertriglyceridemia: a common finding during Epstein-Barr virus-induced infectious mononucleosis.

BACKGROUND: Hypertriglyceridemia can occur in lymphoproliferative disorders. Infectious mononucleosis is a self-limiting, benign lymphoproliferative disorder. This study aimed to investigate the serum triglyceride concentrations and their change over time in patients with infectious mononucleosis. METHODS: We evaluated an adult patient with severe hypertriglyceridemia (>1000 mg/dL) during infectious mononucleosis and reviewed the records of 360 patients admitted to our hospital because of infectious mononucleosis (median age, 19 years; range, 15-87 years; 51.4% male). We compared the serum triglyceride concentrations with those of a control sample from the general population (n=75). A second triglyceride measurement, obtained during convalescence (median of 30 days after the initial determination), was available for 160 patients. RESULTS: The triglyceride concentrations in the acute phase (median: 156 mg/dL) were significantly higher than those of the controls (median, 76 mg/dL; P<0.001). A total of 194 (53.9%) patients presented with hypertriglyceridemia (>150 mg/dL), which was more common in the patients older than 30 years than in the younger patients (78.6% vs. 50.6%; P<0.001). A significant correlation (P<0.005) was observed between the triglyceride levels and white blood cell counts, total cholesterol levels, and liver damage markers. The triglyceride concentrations decreased during convalescence (P<0.001) and were lower than the initial measurement in 83.7% of the cases. Conversely, the total cholesterol concentrations during the acute phase were lower than those of the controls and increased during convalescence (P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with severe infectious mononucleosis frequently show mild, transient hypertriglyceridemia. Further studies are needed to elucidate the mechanisms underlying this finding.

Epidemiology of multiple sclerosis in Santiago de Compostela (Spain).

OBJECTIVES: To analyze the frequency and demographic characteristics of multiple sclerosis (MS) in the Council of Santiago de Compostela (SPAIN). MATERIAL AND METHODS: The patients diagnosed with MS according to the McDonald 2010 diagnostic criteria were identified within the population of the District of Santiago de Compostela. Several sources were used (records and databases from Hospital, General Practitioners, Private Clinics, and the MS Patients Association). Demographic and clinical data were obtained from the electronic files. RESULTS: The incidence of MS between 2010 and 2015 was 8/100 000/year (95% CI: 6-10), and the prevalence on December 31, 2015, was 152/100 000 (95% CI: 127-176). The age-standardized prevalence (using the European Standard Population 2013) was 137 (95% CI: 114-159) and the incidence of 7 (95% CI: 2-12). The female:male ratio was 1.84, the mean age at the first symptom was 32.23 years, the diagnosis was delayed 3.12 years, and the mean EDSS was 2.82. 71.17% had relapsing-remitting MS, 16.55% secondary progressive MS, 7.59% primary progressive MS, and 0.69% progressive relapsing MS. A disease-modifying treatment was established in 62.76% of patients in a mean of 1.96 years after the diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: The northwest of Spain is a high-risk area for MS, with frequencies similar to other Atlantic regions and higher than the rest of the country.

Being an internist throughout the world - same name, different training curricula.

In the 79 countries revised, two fundamental internal medicine (IM) training patterns were in evidence, first, only basic training needed, requiring a 3-4-year residency period for obtaining the diploma of internist; and advanced training needed, requiring 5-7 years of study. Second, evaluation of common IM training for sub-specialists revealed the following three patterns: dual training; core training and separate training.

Skin and soft-tissue infections: Factors associated with mortality and re-admissions.

INTRODUCTION: Skin and soft-tissue infections (SSTIs) are common and are linked to a wide variety of clinical conditions. Few studies have analysed the factors associated with mortality and re-admissions in medical patients with SSTIs. Accordingly, this study sought to describe the clinical and microbiological characteristics of patients diagnosed with SSTIs, and identify mortality and re-admission related factors. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 308 patients were included in the study. Clinical, socio-demographic and microbiological characteristics were collected. Univariate and logistic regression multivariate analyses were performed in order to identify factors associated with mortality and re-admission. RESULTS: The bacteria responsible were identified in 95 (30.8%) patients, with gram-positive bacteria being isolated in 67.4% and gram-negative in 55.8% of cases. Multi-resistant bacteria were frequent (39%), and the initial empirical treatment proved inadequate in 25.3% of all cases. In-hospital mortality was 14.9%; the related variables were heart failure (OR=5.96; 95%CI: 1.93-18.47), chronic renal disease (OR=6.04; 95%CI: 1.80-20.22), necrotic infection (OR=4.33; 95%CI: 1.26-14.95), and inadequate empirical treatment (OR=44.74; 95%CI: 5.40-370.73). Six-month mortality was 8%, with the main related factors being chronic renal disease (OR: 3.03; 95%CI: 1.06-8.66), and a Barthel Index score of under 20 (OR: 3.62; 95%CI: 1.17-11.21). Re-admission was necessary in 26.3% of cases, with the readmission-related variables being male gender (OR: 2.12; 95%CI: 1.14-3.94), peripheral vascular disease (OR: 3.05; 95%CI: 1.25-7.41), and an age-adjusted Charlson Comorbidity Index score of over 3 (OR: 3.27; 95%CI: 1.40-7.63). CONCLUSIONS: Clinical variables such as heart failure, chronic renal disease, peripheral vascular disease, and necrotic infection could help identify high-risk patients. The main factor associated with higher mortality was inadequate initial empirical treatment. Physicians should consider gram-negative, and even extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing bacteria when assigning initial empirical treatment for SSTIs, especially in healthcare-associated cases.

Altered Distribution of Peripheral Blood Maturation-Associated B-Cell Subsets in Chronic Alcoholism.

BACKGROUND: Although decreased counts of peripheral blood (PB) B cells-associated with an apparently contradictory polyclonal hypergammaglobulinemia-have been reported in chronic alcoholism, no information exists about the specific subsets of circulating B cells altered and their relationship with antibody production. Here, we analyzed for the first time the distribution of multiple maturation-associated subpopulations of PB B cells in alcoholism and its potential relationship with the onset of liver disease. METHODS: PB samples from 35 male patients-20 had alcoholic hepatitis (AH) and 15 chronic alcoholism without liver disease (AWLD)-were studied, in parallel to 19 male healthy donors (controls). The distribution of PB B-cell subsets (immature/regulatory, naïve, CD27(-) and CD27(+) memory B lymphocytes, and circulating plasmablasts of distinct immunoglobulin-Ig-isotypes) was analyzed by flow cytometry. RESULTS: Patients with AH showed significantly decreased numbers of total PB B lymphocytes (vs. controls and AWLD), at the expense of immature, memory, and, to a lesser extent, also naïve B cells. AWLD showed reduced numbers of immature and naïve B cells (vs. controls), but higher PB counts of plasmablasts (vs. the other 2 groups). Although PB memory B cells were reduced among the patients, the percentage of surface (s)IgA(+) cells (particularly CD27(-) /sIgA(+) cells) was increased in AH, whereas both sIgG(+) and sIgA(+) memory B cells were significantly overrepresented in AWLD versus healthy donors. Regarding circulating plasmablasts, patients with AH only showed significantly reduced counts of sIgG(+) cells versus controls. In contrast, the proportion of both sIgA(+) and sIgG(+) plasmablasts-from all plasmablasts-was reduced in AH and increased in AWLD (vs. the other 2 groups). CONCLUSIONS: AH and AWLD patients display a significantly reduced PB B-cell count, at the expense of decreased numbers of recently produced immature/regulatory B cells and naïve B cells, together with an increase in Ig-switched memory B lymphocytes and plasmablasts, particularly of IgA(+) cells.

Serum concentrations of mast cell tryptase are reduced in heavy drinkers.

BACKGROUND: Baseline serum tryptase concentrations are commonly used in clinical practice as a marker of the body's mast cell burden. This study aimed to investigate serum tryptase concentrations in heavy drinkers. METHODS: Serum tryptase concentrations were determined in 126 heavy drinkers (75% males, median age 47 years) who were admitted to the hospital because of alcohol withdrawal syndrome (n = 60), general symptoms with abnormalities on biochemical tests that indicated acute liver disease (n = 19), complications of advanced liver disease (n = 33), and miscellaneous reasons (n = 14). Results were compared with those of 70 healthy controls (66% males, median age 40 years). RESULTS: Serum tryptase concentrations were lower in heavy drinkers than in healthy controls (median 2.23 µg/l vs. median 3.25 µg/l, p < 0.001). Ten heavy drinkers (7.9%) had undetectable (<1 µg/l) serum tryptase levels versus none of the healthy controls (p = 0.01). The association of low tryptase levels with heavy drinking was independent of age, gender, and smoking status. Among heavy drinkers, the lowest tryptase concentrations were observed in patients with alcohol withdrawal syndrome and patients with general symptoms with abnormalities on biochemical tests that indicated acute liver disease. Furthermore, serum tryptase concentrations were negatively correlated with markers of acute liver damage or alcohol consumption (serum aspartate aminotransferase and gamma-glutamyl transferase). Atopy (skin prick test positivity) was not associated with serum tryptase concentrations in heavy drinkers. CONCLUSIONS: Serum concentrations of mast cell tryptase are lower in heavy drinkers than in healthy controls.

Influence of high cardiovascular risk in asymptomatic people on the duration and cost of sick leave: results of the ICARIA study.

AIMS: We investigated the potential influence of a moderate-to-high cardiovascular (CV) risk (CVR) (defined as a Systematic COronary Risk Evaluation model, or SCORE ≥ 4%), in the absence of an established CV disease, on the duration and cost of CV and non-CV sick leave (SL) resulting from common and occupational accidents or diseases. METHODS AND RESULTS: We conducted a prospective cohort study on 690 135 workers with a 1-year follow-up and examined CV- and non-CV-related SL episodes. To obtain baseline values, CVR factors were initially assessed at the beginning of the year during routine medical examination. The CVR was calculated with the SCORE charts for all subjects. Moderate-to-high CVR was defined as SCORE ≥ 4%. A baseline SCORE ≥ 4% was associated with a higher risk for long-term CV and non-CV SL, as revealed by follow-up assessment. This translated into an increased cost, estimated at €5 801 464.18 per year. Furthermore, pharmacological treatment for hypertension or hyperlipidaemia was significantly associated with longer SL duration. CONCLUSION: Moderate-to-high CVR in asymptomatic subjects was significantly associated with the duration and cost of CV and non-CV SL. These results constitute the first body of evidence that the SCORE charts can be used to identify people with a non-established CV disease, which might ultimately translate into more lost workdays and therefore increased cost for society.

The longitudinal relationship of changes of adiposity to changes in pulmonary function and risk of asthma in a general adult population.

BACKGROUND: Adiposity has been linked to both higher risk of asthma and reduced lung function. The effects of adiposity on asthma may depend on both atopic status and gender, while the relationship is less clear with respect to lung function. This study aimed to explore longitudinal weight changes to changes in forced expiratory volume in first second (FEV1) and forced vital capacity (FVC), as well as to incident cases of asthma and wheezing, according to atopy and gender. METHODS: A general population sample aged 19-72 years was examined with the same methodology five years apart. Longitudinal changes in weight, body mass index, waist circumference, and fat percentage (bio-impedance) were analyzed with respect to changes of FEV1 and FVC (spirometry), and incidence of asthma and wheezing (questionnaire). Gender, atopy (serum specific IgE-positivity to inhalant allergens) and adipose tissue mass prior to adiposity changes were examined as potential effect modifiers. RESULTS: A total of 2,308 persons participated in both baseline and five-year follow-up examinations. Over the entire span of adiposity changes, adiposity gain was associated with decreasing levels of lung function, whereas adiposity loss was associated with increasing levels of lung function. All associations were dependent on gender (p-interactions < 0.0001). For one standard deviation weight gain or weight loss, FEV1 changed with (+/-)72 ml (66-78 ml) and FVC with (+/-)103 ml (94-112 ml) in males. In females FEV1 changed with (+/-) 27 ml (22-32 ml) and FVC with (+/-) 36 ml (28-44 ml). There were no changes in the FEV1/FVC-ratio. The effect of adiposity changes increased with the level of adipose tissue mass at the start of the study (baseline), thus, indicating an aggregate effect of the total adipose tissue mass. Atopy did not modify these associations. There were no statistically significant associations between changes in adiposity measures and risk of incident asthma or wheeze. CONCLUSIONS: Over a five-year period, increasing adiposity was associated with decreasing lung function, whereas decreasing adiposity was associated with increasing lung function. This effect was significantly greater in males than in females and increased with pre-existing adiposity, but was independent of atopy.

Are corticosteroids safe in adolescent and adult patients with infectious mononucleosis? A retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: The use of systemic corticosteroids during Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-induced infectious mononucleosis is a controversial but widespread practice. We aimed to investigate the frequency of complications in adolescents and adults with infectious mononucleosis in relation to the use of corticosteroids. METHODS: We reviewed the clinical records of 396 patients admitted to the hospital with infectious mononucleosis (52.0% male; median age, 19 years; range, 15-87 years), with a focus on both short-term (infectious and non-infectious) and long-term (hematological malignancies) complications in relation to corticosteroid use. RESULTS: A total of 155 (38.6%) patients received corticosteroids at some point during infectious mononucleosis. Corticosteroid use was significantly (P≤0.002) associated with sore throat, lymphadenopathy, leukocytosis, and with antibiotics use (mainly indicated after suspicion of tonsillar bacterial superinfection). Overall, 139/155 (89.7%) patients who were treated with corticosteroids also received antibiotics either before or during hospitalization, compared with 168/241 (69.7%) patients who did not. The frequency of short-term severe complications, either infectious (peritonsillar-parapharyngeal abscess or bacteremia) or non-infectious (splenic rupture, severe thrombocytopenia, myopericarditis, or lymphocytic meningitis) were similar in patients receiving and not receiving corticosteroids. After a median of 15 years of follow-up, only one Hodgkin's lymphoma was diagnosed, in a patient who was not treated with corticosteroids during infectious mononucleosis. CONCLUSIONS: The use of systemic corticosteroids during EBV-induced infectious mononucleosis is generally safe, at least with concomitant antibiotic therapy. However, this should not encourage the use of corticosteroids in this context, given that their efficacy has yet to be demonstrated.

Frank's Sign and Cardiovascular Risk: An Observational Descriptive Study.

PURPOSE: This study was undertaken to analyze the relationship between the diagonal earlobe crease and the main indices of cardiovascular risk, considering the crease's anatomical variations. METHODS: The study group consisted of 1050 adults residing in Spain. Participants underwent the following determinations: age, sex, body mass index, smoking habit, blood pressure, glycemia, glycated hemoglobin, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and cardiovascular events. Cardiovascular risk was calculated applying the Framingham-Anderson equation, the Systematic Coronary Risk Evaluation equation, and the Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease Risk Score calculator. Both earlobes were examined, recording diagonal earlobe crease presence, length and depth, and presence of accessory creases. Results were analyzed by using chi-square test, Student's t test, analysis of variance, and Mann-Whitney or Kruskal-Wallis tests. To extract the functions of cardiovascular risk, a script in R was created (https://cran.r-project.org/). RESULTS: The estimated cardiovascular mortality risk was significantly higher in individuals who presented diagonal earlobe crease (P < .001). The number of individuals with moderate, high, or very high cardiovascular risk increased significantly as the presence of the crease increased (23.8% had no crease, 35.6% had unilateral creases, and 58% had bilateral creases; P < .001). The mean cardiovascular risk estimated was significantly higher for individuals with longest and deepest diagonal earlobe crease (P < .001 and P < .001, respectively), and with accessory creases (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: The diagonal earlobe crease is independently associated with higher cardiovascular risk scores, especially when the crease is complete, bilateral, deep, and has accessory creases.

Association between loss-of-function mutations in the filaggrin gene and self-reported food allergy and alcohol sensitivity.

BACKGROUND: Loss-of-function mutations of the filaggrin (FLG) gene cause an impaired skin barrier and increase the risk of atopic dermatitis. Interestingly, FLG mutations have also been found to be associated with a high risk of peanut allergy. OBJECTIVE: We investigated the association of FLG mutations with self-reported food allergy, symptoms of oral allergy syndrome (OAS), and alcohol sensitivity. METHODS: A total of 3,471 adults from the general population participated in a health examination. Information on food allergies, OAS and alcohol sensitivity was obtained by questionnaire. FLG mutation carriers were defined as having at least one null mutation allele of R501X or 2282del4. Primary lactose intolerance (PLI) was defined as the C/C genotype of the rs4988235 polymorphism. RESULTS: FLG mutations were associated with a higher risk of self-reported allergy to eggs (OR 3.22 and 95% CI 1.46-7.11), milk (OR 2.10 and 95% CI 1.12-3.92), fish (OR 4.54 and 95% CI 1.88-10.96) and wheat (OR 3.59 and 95% CI 1.61-8.02), but not with symptoms of OAS (OR 1.05 and 95% CI 0.73-1.51). Serum-specific IgE was measured in a subsample and confirmed the association between FLG and IgE to milk. A significant gene-by-gene interaction between FLG and PLI was observed in relation to self-reported allergy to milk. Furthermore, FLG mutations were associated with a higher risk of alcohol sensitivity. CONCLUSIONS: We found that loss-of-function mutations in the FLG gene were significantly associated with self-reported food allergy and alcohol sensitivity, but not with OAS. These findings, if confirmed, support the idea that skin barrier functions may be involved in the pathogenesis of food allergy.

Decreased peripheral blood CD4+/CD25+ regulatory T cells in patients with alcoholic hepatitis.

BACKGROUND: Development of alcoholic hepatitis (AH) may be favored by the activation of the innate immune response. Recently, decreased numbers of circulating regulatory T cells (Tregs) have been reported in diseases associated with an immune activation status, but no studies have focused so far, in investigating the distribution of Tregs in chronic alcoholism and its potential association with liver disease. Here, we analyzed for the first time the frequency of peripheral blood (PB) Tregs and Treg subsets in AH and its relationship with the production of inflammatory cytokines by PB monocytes and dendritic cells (DCs). METHODS: PB samples from 25 male patients with AH were studied; in parallel, 15 male chronic alcoholic patients without liver disease (AWLD) and 17 male healthy donors were also studied, as controls. The distribution of CD4⁺CD25hiCD127-/lo Tregs and their maturation subsets (naïve, central memory, and peripheral memory Tregs) was analyzed by flow cytometry. Spontaneous and in vitro-stimulated production of inflammatory cytokines by PB monocytes and DCs was analyzed by flow cytometry at the cytoplasmic level. RESULTS: Patients with AH showed decreased (p < 0.05) numbers of PB CD4⁺CD25hiCD127-/lo Tregs at the expense of all maturation-associated subsets, while AWLD and healthy subjects showed a similar (p > 0.05) distribution of PB CD4⁺CD25hiCD127-/lo Tregs. Interestingly, significantly increased amounts of spontaneously produced inflammatory cytokines were found among circulating monocyte-derived DCs and monocytes from AH (and AWLD) patients in comparison with healthy donors. Conversely, the ability of these cell subsets to produce cytokines after in vitro stimulation was lower (p < 0.05) in AH versus the 2 control groups. CONCLUSIONS: PB CD4⁺CD25hiCD127-/lo Tregs are significantly decreased in patients with AH when compared to both healthy and AWLD; this may contribute to explain the more pronounced activation of the innate immune response observed in AH, as reflected by an increased secretion of inflammatory cytokines by PB DCs and monocytes, and could facilitate the development of liver disease.

Hematological Abnormalities Beyond Lymphocytosis During Infectious Mononucleosis: Epstein-Barr Virus-Induced Thrombocytopenia.

Background: Thrombocytopenia during Epstein-Barr virus mononucleosis is well-known; however, no recent series have investigated its frequency, associated factors, and evolution. The present study aimed to investigate platelet count characteristics in adult patients with infectious mononucleosis. Methods: We reviewed the clinical records of 400 patients admitted to the hospital with infectious mononucleosis (52.0% male; median age, 19 years [range, 15-87 years]), focusing on blood platelet counts, thrombocytopenia prevalence and outcomes. Results: Thrombocytopenia (platelet count ≤150 ×109/L) was present in 119 (29.7%) patients. Thirty-two (8.0%) patients showed platelet counts lower than 100 ×109/L. Thrombocytopenia was severe (platelets <50 ×109/L) in 6 (1.5%) patients. Thrombocytopenia was associated with a lower frequency of typical mononucleosis symptoms such as sore throat and lymphadenopathy, lower frequency of positive heterophil antibodies, higher serum bilirubin concentration and prothrombin time, lower blood leukocyte and lymphocyte count, lower concentration of serum immunoglobulin G and immunoglobulin A concentrations, and larger spleen size. Thrombocytopenia normalized quickly during follow-up. Only 2 cases required specific therapy. Platelet counts significantly increased during follow-up, even in cases without baseline thrombocytopenia. There were no significant hemorrhagic complications. Conclusions: Transient thrombocytopenia is common during infectious mononucleosis in adult patients. Patients with thrombocytopenia have distinct clinical and biological features; it is typically mild during infectious mononucleosis. Cases of severe thrombocytopenia are rare and were not associated with hemorrhagic complications in this series.

Jaundice in relation to immune activation during Epstein-Barr virus-induced infectious mononucleosis.

BACKGROUND: Liver involvement during infectious mononucleosis is common, but jaundice is considered rare. This study aimed to investigate serum bilirubin concentrations in patients with infectious mononucleosis and immune abnormalities associated with jaundice. METHODS: We report on an adult patient with monoclonal B lymphocytosis and IgM-lambda gammopathy who developed a severe icteric hepatitis during infectious mononucleosis. We then reviewed the clinical records of 389 patients admitted to the hospital with infectious mononucleosis between 1995 and 2018 (51.7% male patients; median age, 19 years; range, 15-87 years) with focus on liver abnormalities and associated factors. RESULTS: Fifty-nine patients (15.1%) had serum bilirubin concentrations between 1.5 and 3 mg/dL, and 47 patients (12.0%) had serum bilirubin >3 mg/dL. Patients with increased bilirubin concentrations had a distinct clinical presentation, with more frequent abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, and less frequent sore throat than patients with normal bilirubin. Age and sex were not significantly different for the patients with increased and normal serum bilirubin concentrations. The patients with increased serum bilirubin concentrations showed higher levels of immune activation markers than the patients with normal bilirubin, including blood lymphocyte counts, serum IgM, and ß2-microglobulin concentrations. Heterophile antibody-positive patients (88.6%) showed similar bilirubin concentrations but higher aspartate aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase levels than their heterophile-negative counterparts. Serum bilirubin elevations normalized quickly during follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Transient hyperbilirubinemia is common during severe (in-hospital) infectious mononucleosis in adult patients. Patients with hyperbilirubinemia have less frequent pharyngitis symptoms and more frequent abdominal symptoms. Hyperbilirubinemia during infectious mononucleosis is associated with immune activation markers.

Reproducibility of continuous glucose monitoring results under real-life conditions in an adult population: a functional data analysis.

Continuous glucose monitoring systems (CGM) are a very useful tool to understand the behaviour of glucose in different situations and populations. Despite the widespread use of CGM systems in both clinical practice and research, our understanding of the reproducibility of CGM data remains limited. The present work examines the reproducibility of the results provided by a CGM system in a random sample of a free-living adult population, from a functional data analysis approach. Functional intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) and their 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated to assess the reproducibility of CGM results in 581 individuals. 62% were females 581 participants (62% women) mean age 48 years (range 18-87) were included, 12% had previously been diagnosed with diabetes. The inter-day reproducibility of the CGM results was greater for subjects with diabetes (ICC 0.46 [CI 0.39-0.55]) than for normoglycaemic subjects (ICC 0.30 [CI 0.27-0.33]); the value for prediabetic subjects was intermediate (ICC 0.37 [CI 0.31-0.42]). For normoglycaemic subjects, inter-day reproducibility was poorer among the younger (ICC 0.26 [CI 0.21-0.30]) than the older subjects (ICC 0.39 [CI 0.32-0.45]). Inter-day reproducibility was poorest among normoglycaemic subjects, especially younger normoglycaemic subjects, suggesting the need to monitor some patient groups more often than others.