The influence of embolization of internal carotid artery aneurysms on arterial tortuosity: a prospective cohort study.

PURPOSE: To compare quantitative tortuosity descriptors of Internal Carotid Artery (ICA) on aneurysmal and non-aneurysmal side before and after embolization of aneurysm and to determine possible factors associated with its change. MATERIAL AND METHODS: An analysis of 52 patients with intracranial aneurysm, treated with endovascular procedure, was performed. Based on their Digital Subtraction Angiography images, obtained prior to the procedure and after first follow-up examination, tortuosity of ICA, both on the side of embolization and on the other side was analysed. For each patient tortuosity descriptors were calculated: Relative Length, Sum of Angle Metrics, Triangular Index, Product of Angle Distance, and Inflection Count Metric. To represent changes in tortuosity, for each descriptor delta value (Δ) was defined as value of the descriptor prior to embolization - value of the descriptor on follow-up examination. RESULTS: In the follow-up We found no statistically significant changes in tortuosity on non-embolized side. On the embolized side SOAM (2.89±0.92 vs. 2.38±0.94;p<0.001), PAD (5.01±1.83 vs. 3.95±1.72 ;p<0.001) and ICM (12.18±4.55 vs. 9.76±4.04 vs.;p = 0.006) was significantly higher after embolization than before embolization. Mean ΔRelative Length (-0.02 [-0.045--0.002] vs. -0.01 [-0.02-0.003];p - 0.003),ΔProduct of Angle Distance (0.84 [0.30 - 1.82] vs. 0.10 [-0.001 - 1.10];p<0.001) and ΔInflection Count Metric (2.05 [0.42 - 3.50] vs. 0.27 [0.02 - 2.16];p = 0.004) were significantly higher on the embolized side. CONCLUSION: Following study showed that embolization may increase the tortuosity of ICA.

Joint interprofessional education of pharmacy and dietetics undergraduates - a scoping review.

INTRODUCTION: Interprofessional education (IPE) is an integrative approach that enables collaboration of students of two or more different health professions in aim to acquire skills and competencies related not only to their field of study but also to ensure the standard of care based on collaborative practice. IPE has not yet been explored in relation to collaboration between dietetics-nutrition and pharmacy students, while there is evidence that in many cases nutrition is complementary to pharmacotherapy in the treatment process. AIM: The aim of this scoping review was to gather, describe and discuss all relevant literature regarding joint interprofessional training of pharmacy and dietetics-nutrition undergraduates. METHODS: We performed a literature search for studies where IPE between dietetics-nutrition and pharmacy students was described. 2204 articles on this topic were identified. After eligibility assessment, 8 articles were included in the review. RESULTS: Eight studies were included in the review. Two of these described IPE activities between dietetics and pharmacy students only. The included studies varied in setting, methodology and outcome measures and covered a wide range of topics relevant to clinical practice, such as management of inflammatory bowel diseases, care of the older adults or counselling skills. The most common teaching method was the use of case studies. Some of the included studies did not identify specific learning objectives. The most common way of gathering feedback from participants was through questionnaires and interviews. CONCLUSIONS: IPE of pharmacy and dietetics-nutrition students is feasible and may be beneficial in many aspects related to learning. However, there is no well-established model or standard that would facilitate the implementation of such activities in individual educational institutions.

The national burden of frailty and disproportionate distribution of its components-the predominance of slow gait speed: a 2018-19 face-to-face epidemiologic assessment representative of population of older Poles.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of frailty and its components may be affected by age, diseases and geriatric deficits. However, the current operational definition of frailty assigns equal weight to the five components of frailty. AIMS: To perform a population-based assessment of physical frailty, its prevalence, and distribution of its components across different age, disease and deficit spectrum. METHODS: From 2018 to 2019, we conducted a face-to-face cross-sectional assessment of a representative sample of older Poles. We obtained data on frailty components, chronic disease burden, and prevalence of particular diseases and geriatric deficits. We calculated weighted population estimates, representative of 8.5 million older Poles, of prevalence of frailty and its components across the disease burden, associated with the particular diseases and the geriatric deficits present. RESULTS: Of 10,635 screened persons ≥ 60 years, 5987 entered the face-to-face assessment. Data of 5410 have been used for the present analysis. Seventy-two percent of the population are burdened with at least one frailty component. The estimated weighted population prevalence (95% CI) of frailty was 15.9% (14.6-17.1%), and of pre-frailty 55.8% (53.3-58.2%). Slow gait speed predominated across disease burden, specific diseases, geriatric deficits and the age spectrum. Overall, the prevalence of slow gait speed was 56.3% (52.7-60.0%), followed by weakness 26.9% (25.4-28.4%), exhaustion 19.2% (17.6-20.8%), low physical activity 16.5% (14.8-18.3%), and weight loss 9.4% (8.4-10.3%). CONCLUSIONS: Slow gait speed predominates among the components of frailty in older Poles. This may affect the component-tailored preventive and therapeutic actions to tackle frailty.

Relationships between quality of life and comprehensive geriatric assessment among seniors - a cross-sectional study in Krakow, Poland.

B a c k g r o u n d: Due to current increased life expectancy, the quality of life (QoL) of senior patients is gaining in importance. The aims of this study were: to estimate QoL in a group of patients, aged above 64 years, that is cared for by general practitioners (GPs) in Krakow, Poland, and to find relation- ships between elements of QoL and the results of comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) and other important medical and social factors. M e t h o d s: We designed a cross-sectional, questionnaire study among patients who attended GPs' surgeries from April 2018 to April 2019. To examine the patients, we used the Euro-Quality of Life Questionnaire (EQ-5D-5L) and eight scales forming CGA: the Activities of Daily Living, the Instrumental Activities of Daily Living, Mini-Mental State Examination, Geriatric Depression Scale, Timed Up and Go Test, Mini Nutritional Assessment, Clinical Frailty Scale and Athens Insomnia Scale. R e s u l t s: The lowest QoL was observed in dimensions of pain/discomfort and mobility, where 70% and 52% of patients, respectively, reported problems in these areas. Only 91 (21%) respondents had highest results in all five dimensions of QoL. The average score in the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) of the EQ-5D-5L (representing self-rated health on a given day) was 62.36 ± 18.98 points. Statistically significant relationships were observed between QoL and age, physical activity and multimorbidity (in all cases p <0.001). The results of QoL were correlated with every aspect of CGA, while the strongest relationship was noticed between scores in the EQ-5D-5L VAS scale and scales assessing depression and frailty (p <0.001; r = -0.57 both).

Disparate effects of ankle-brachial index on mortality in the 'very old' and 'younger old' populations-the PolSenior survey.

To assess the relationship between ankle-brachial index (ABI) and up to 10-year mortality in older individuals below and above the age of 80 years. In a multicenter survey of health status in the community dwelling subjects aged 55-59 and 65 + years in Poland, we assessed baseline medical history including risk-factors. We measured ABI, and serum creatinine, cholesterol, NT-proBNP, and interleukin-6 (IL-6) concentrations. We assessed mortality based on public registry. Between 2009 and 2019, 27.3% of 561 participants < 80 years, and 79.4% of 291 participants ≥ 80 years, died (p < 0.001); 67.8, 41.5, and 40.3% in the ABI groups < 0.9, 0.9-1.4, and > 1.4, respectively (p < 0.01). In the unadjusted Cox models, ABI was associated with mortality in the entire group, and < 80 years. In the entire group, analysis adjusted for age and sex showed mortality risk increased by 11% per year, and 50% with male sex. Mortality decreased by 37% per 1 unit ABI increase. In the group of people ≥ 80 years, only age was significantly associated with mortality (p < 0.001). In stepwise regression ABI < 0.9, male sex, active smoking, and NT-proBNP level were associated with risk of death < 80 years. In the ≥ 80 years old, mortality risk was associated with older age, and higher levels of IL-6, but not ABI. The ABI < 0.9 is associated with higher mortality in older people, but not among the oldest-old. In the oldest age group, age is the strongest predictor of death. In this age group, inflammageing is of importance.

Factors associated with mortality in hospitalised, non-severe, older COVID-19 patients - the role of sarcopenia and frailty assessment.

BACKGROUND: COVID-19 has affected older persons the most. The propensity to have severe COVID-19 or die of the infection was especially prevalent among older subjects with multimorbidity, frailty and sarcopenia. The aim of our study was to check which of the simple clinical biomarkers, including the assessment of muscle and frailty, would associate with the survival and the length of hospital stay in older patients with COVID-19. An additional aim was to report the influence of chronic diseases, chronic medication use, and COVID-19 signs and symptoms on the aforementioned outcome measures. METHODS: The CRACoV study was a prospective single-center (University Hospital in Krakow, Krakow, Poland) observational study of clinical outcomes in symptomatic COVID-19 patients that required hospital treatment. We analysed data of persons aged ≥ 65 years. We assessed muscular parameters in accordance with EWGSOP2, frailty with the Rockwood Clinical Frailty Scale. We used the data of the initial and 3-month assessment. Demographic characteristics, past medical history, and baseline laboratory values were gathered as a part of routine care. We calculated sex and age, and additionally number-of-diseases adjusted odds ratios of mortality associated with studied factors and betas of the relation with these factors and the length of hospital stay. RESULTS: The mean (standard deviation, SD) age of 163 participants (44.8% women, 14.8% died) was 71.8 (5.6) years, age range 65-89 years. One score greater SARC-F was associated with 34% (p = 0.003) greater risk of death, and 16.8 h longer hospital stay (p = 0.01). One score greater Rockwood was associated with 86% (p = 0.002) greater risk of death, but was unrelated to the length of hospital stay. Hand grip strength and dynapenia were unrelated to mortality, but dynapenia was related to longer hospital stay. Probable sarcopenia was associated with 441% (p = 0.01) greater risk of death. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, the patient assessment with SARC-F and the Rockwood Clinical Frailty Scale may significantly improve the prediction of outcomes in older patients with COVID-19 and by extension might be of use in other acute severe infections. This, however, requires further research to confirm.

Mortality of older persons with and without abnormalities in the physical examination of arterial system.

BACKGROUND: Ankle-brachial index (ABI) is a screening tool for peripheral arterial disease (PAD). However, persons with normal ABI may still exhibit abnormalities in the physical examination of arterial system (PHEA). OBJECTIVE: In older persons from the PolSenior study, we aimed to assess the risk of total mortality associated with abnormalities in PHEA in the context of dichotomised ABI. METHODS: We used data from the PolSenior survey and matched them with mortality information from the Polish Census Bureau. We obtained sociodemographic, medical history, and lifestyle data. The PHEA by a geriatrician included carotid, femoral, popliteal, posterior tibial and the dorsalis pedis arterial pulses, and auscultation of aorta, carotid, femoral, and renal arteries. Ankle-brachial index was tibial to brachial SBP ratio. We plotted the stratified Kaplan-Meier curves and used Cox's regression to assess the unadjusted and adjusted influence of PHEA result on time to death. RESULTS: The mean (standard deviation, SD) age of 852 persons (46.7% women) was 74.7 (10.6) years. In the ABI < 0.9 group, the PHEA was not associated with mortality. However, in the ABI ≥ 0.9 group, both in unadjusted and adjusted (RHR; 95% CI: 1.08; 1.02-1.16, p = 0.01) Cox regression, PHEA greater by 1 score was associated with mortality. Presence of 4 or more PHEA abnormalities was raising the risk in the ABI ≥ 0.9 group to the level associated with ABI < 0.9. CONCLUSIONS: In the older persons with normal ABI, the greater number of abnormalities during physical examination of arteries may be indicative of higher risk of death.

Teledentistry and oral health in older adults - aspects for implementation of the "Patient centric solution for smart and sustainable healthcare (ACESO)" project.

P u r p o s e: Oral health and diseases are significant components of general health. However, oral health-care remains at the lowest of older patients' priorities. The inability to obtain dental care can result in progression of dental disease, leading to a diminished quality of life and overall health. Teledentistry (TD) provides an opportunity to improve the quality of oral health services. The aim of our narrative review was to analyze the usefulness of teledentistry as a part of telemedicine to improve oral health in the elderly. Materials/Methods: The PubMed database search was done for: teledentistry, oral health, oral- health related diseases, elderly, older adults. R e s u l t s: The applicability of TD has been demonstrated from children to older adults. Older adults have many obstacles in getting oral health care, including low income, lack health insurance, frailty, anxiety, depression, mobility problems or other handicaps. Available data suggests that the usefulness of TD in the provision of oral care in elderly people living in residential aged care facilities. Moreover, TD procedures were found to be as accurate as traditional face-to-face dental examinations, they was cost-effective and well accepted among patients and caregivers. C o n c l u s i o n s: TD might be a very useful tool for professional education, improving access and patient satisfaction of dental care. However, such TD modes would be difficult to widely implementation in community-dwelling older people who cannot access dental care. The ongoing "Patient centric solution for smart and sustainable healthcare (ACESO)" project will add to the intelligent oral health solutions.

Acute sarcopenia changes following hospitalization: influence of pre-admission care dependency level.

INTRODUCTION: Hospitalization is associated with acute changes in sarcopenia status in older people, but the influencing factors are not fully understood. Pre-admission care dependency level as a risk factor has not yet been investigated. OBJECTIVE: Evaluate if pre-admission care dependency level is an independent predictor of sarcopenia changes following hospitalization. SETTING AND SUBJECTS: Data came from the Sarcopenia 9+ EAMA Project, a European prospective multi-centre study. For this study, 227 hospitalised older people were included from four different hospitals in Belgium, Spain and Poland, between 18 February 2019 and 5 September 2020. METHODS: Sarcopenia status at admission and discharge were calculated using a combined score (desirability value) based on muscle mass (calf circumference), strength (grip) and function (walking speed). Ratio of admission to discharge status was the outcome (desirability ratio; 1.00 meaning no difference). Predictor variable was the pre-admission care dependency level, classified into three groups: independent older people living at home, dependent older people living at home and older people living in a care home. Linear regression models were applied, considering potential confounders. RESULTS: Mean desirability ratio for dependent older people living at home ('middle dependent group') was lower (0.89) compared to independent older people (0.98; regression coefficient -0.09 [95% CI -0.16, -0.02]) and care home patients (1.05; -0.16 [95% CI -0.01, -0.31]). Adjusting for potential confounders or using another statistical approach did not affect the main results. CONCLUSION: Dependent older people living at home were at higher risk of deterioration in sarcopenia status following hospitalization. In-depth studies investigating causes and potential interventions of these findings are needed.

Post-COVID-19 acute sarcopenia: physiopathology and management.

In this review, we discuss the pathophysiologic and management aspects of acute sarcopenia in relation to SARS-CoV-2 infection. COVID-19 is as a multi-organ infectious disease characterized by a severe inflammatory and highly catabolic status, influencing the deep changes in the body build, especially the amount, structure, and function of skeletal muscles which would amount to acutely developed sarcopenia. Acute sarcopenia may largely impact patients' in-hospital prognosis as well as the vulnerability to the post-COVID-19 functional and physical deterioration. The individual outcome of the COVID-19 and the degree of muscle mass and functional loss may be influenced by multiple factors, including the patient's general pre-infection medical and functional condition, especially in older adults. This paper gathers the information about how the SARS-CoV-2 hyper-inflammatory involvement exacerbates the immunosenescence process, enhances the endothelial damage, and due to mitochondrial dysfunction and autophagy, induces myofibrillar breakdown and muscle degradation. The aftermath of these acute and complex immunological SARS-CoV-2-related phenomena, augmented by anosmia, ageusia and altered microbiota may lead to decreased food intake and exacerbated catabolism. Moreover, the imposed physical inactivity, lock-down, quarantine or acute hospitalization with bedrest would intensify the acute sarcopenia process. All these deleterious mechanisms must be swiftly put to a check by a multidisciplinary approach including nutritional support, early physical as well cardio-pulmonary rehabilitation, and psychological support and cognitive training. The proposed holistic and early management of COVID-19 patients appears essential to minimize the disastrous functional outcomes of this disease and allow avoiding the long COVID-19 syndrome.

SARC-F as a case-finding tool for sarcopenia according to the EWGSOP2. National validation and comparison with other diagnostic standards.

BACKGROUND: Sarcopenia is a potentially reversible condition, which requires proper screening and diagnosis. AIMS: To validate a Polish version of sarcopenia screening questionnaire (SARC-F), and assess its clinical performance. METHODS: Cross-sectional validation study in community-dwelling subjects ≥ 65 years of age. Diagnosis of sarcopenia was based on the 2018 2nd European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People (EWGSOP2) consensus. Hand grip and 4-m gait speed were measured, and the Polish version of SARC-F was administered. RESULTS: The mean (SD) age of 73 participants (21.9% men) was 77.8 (7.3) years. Seventeen participants (23.3%) fulfilled the EWGSOP2 criteria of sarcopenia, and 9 (12.3%) criteria for severe sarcopenia. Fourteen (19.2%) participants fulfilled the SARC-F criteria for clinical suspicion of sarcopenia. The Cronbach's alpha coefficient for internal was 0.84. With EWGSOP2 sarcopenia as a gold standard, the sensitivity of SARC-F was 35.3% (95% CI 14.2-61.7, p = 0.33), specificity was 85.7% (95% CI 73.8-93.6, p < 0.0001). The corresponding positive and negative predictive values were 42.9% (p = 0.79) and 81.4% (p < 0.0001), respectively. The probability of false-positive result was 14.3% (95% CI 6.4-26.2, p < 0.0001) and the probability of false-negative result was 64.7% (95% CI 38.3-85.8, p = 0.33). Overall the predictive power of SARC-F was low (c-statistic 0.64). DISCUSSION: SARC-F is currently recommended for sarcopenia case finding in general population of older adults. However, its sensitivity is low, despite high specificity. CONCLUSIONS: At present SARC-F is better suited to rule out sarcopenia then to case-finding. Further refinement of screening for sarcopenia with the use of SARC-F seems needed.

Post-occlusive reactive hyperemic response of skin microcirculation among extremely obese patients in the short and long term after bariatric surgery.

OBJECTIVE: To assess changes of post-occlusive reactive hyperemic response in skin microcirculation among extremely obese patients 10 days and 6 months after bariatric surgery for patients with and without hypertension. METHODS: Skin blood flow was measured using PeriFlux laser Doppler fluxmetry. Data were analyzed in the entire group and two subgroups: with and without hypertension. RESULTS: Data from 88 patients (mean age 42.1 ± 11.2 years, 40.5% men) were analyzed. Six months after bariatric surgery, the time to reach peak flows had been shortened (2.4 ± 1.7 vs 2.1 ± 1.0 seconds, P < .05) and the area of hyperemia had increased (1027 ± 791 vs 1386 ± 699 AU*s, P < .05). The total power of post-occlusive reactive hyperemic after occlusion had been augmented mainly with power intensification of endothelial and myogenic origin. Post-occlusive reactive hyperemic parameters had changed mainly in the subgroup with hypertension. Variations of anthropometric parameters, metabolic characteristic, and adipokines mainly influenced on studied hyperemic flow parameters variations after the intervention in multiple regression analysis. CONCLUSION: Cutaneous post-occlusive reactive hyperemic reactivity in time and frequency domains improved 6 months after bariatric surgery, and improvements in microvascular function were observed mainly in patients with hypertension. Variations of anthropometric parameters, metabolic characteristics, and adipokines had influence on hyperemic flow reactivity.

Increased tortuosity of basilar artery might be associated with higher risk of aneurysm development.

OBJECTIVES: We analysed tortuosity of basilar artery (BA) to determine its relationship with the presence of aneurysm. METHODS: We retrospectively analysed 71 patients with BA aneurysms along with 71 age- and risk factors-matched control patients without BA aneurysm. From patients' medical records, we obtained their history including previous and current diseases and medications. For each patient, we calculated relative length (RL), sum of angle metrics (SOAM), triangular index (TI), product of angle distance (PAD) and inflexion count metrics (ICM). We used t-test and Mann-Whitney U test for continuous variables and χ2 test for dichotomised variables. To find independent predictors of BA aneurysm, we employed logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: We found significant positive correlation between age and SOAM (R = 0.195, p = 0.02) and PAD (R = 0.199, p = 0.018). Our study also showed that patients with BA aneurysm had significantly higher SOAM (0.21 ± 0.16 vs. 0.11 ± 0.08; p < 0.01), PAD (0.30 ± 0.19 vs. 0.18 ± 0.11; p < 0.01), TI (0.23 ± 0.23 vs. 0.10 ± 0.16; p < 0.01) and ICM (0.20 ± 0.16 vs. 0.15 ± 0.11; p = 0.045). In multivariate logistic regression analysis, after adjustment for all possible confounders, SOAM (OR = 1.086; 95% CI 1.046-1.136; p < 0.01) and TI (OR = 1.004; 95%C: 1.002-1.006; p < 0.01) remained independently associated with higher risk of BA aneurysm. CONCLUSIONS: Increased tortuosity of BA is associated with higher risk of its aneurysm development. KEY POINTS: • Basilar artery sum of angle metrics and product of angle distance are correlated with age. • Basilar artery tortuosity is independently associated with higher risk of its aneurysm development. • Basilar artery tortuosity is positively correlated with its diameter and bifurcation angle.

Cardiovascular risk factors as determinants of cerebral blood flow - a cross-sectional and 6-year follow-up study.

Purpose: The parameters of cerebral blood flow are modulated by many factors. The aim of the study was to prospectively assess the relationship between the number of the established cardiovascular risk factors and hemodynamic parameters of cerebral blood flow.Material and methods: The study was cross-sectional baseline and 6-year follow-up data analysis. We analyzed data regarding cardiovascular risk factors, medications use, and ultrasonographically (transcranial Doppler) obtained mean cerebral blood flow velocity (mCBFV), pulsatility (PI), resistance (RI) indexes of middle cerebral artery.Results: After 6.0 ± 0.6 years of follow-up, there was increase in systolic (p = .047), and decrease in diastolic (p = .005) blood pressure, resulting in greater pulse pressure (p < .001). Although intima-media thickness increased during follow-up (p = .019), PI, RI and mCBFV did not differ between baseline and follow-up. In the cohort without follow-up (n = 112), we observed strong association between number of studied cardiovascular risk factors and lower mCBFV, and higher PI and RI (all p < .001), in the cohort with 6 year follow-up (n = 53), we confirmed similar association for mCBFV and PI (p = .002) at baseline, and mCBFV (p = .024) after follow-up. During follow-up, more patients were treated with vasoactive medications (p < .05). Also the median (interquartile range) of total number of taken drugs at follow-up 2 (1-3) was greater than at baseline 1 (0-2), (p < .001). The addition of vasoactive medications during follow-up was associated with increase of the mCBFV (0.012 ± 0.02 m/s, p = .013).Conclusion: The parameters of the cerebral blood flow are adversely influenced by accretion of cardiovascular risk factors, both at baseline and after 6 years of follow-up. The addition of a vasoactive medication during follow-up is associated with an increase of the mCBFV, a possibly beneficial effect.

Risk Factors for Frailty and Cardiovascular Diseases: Are They the Same?

Cardiovascular disease burden increases with the increasing age of populations. Also, with increasing longevity, some individuals are ageing along an unfavourable path developing frailty syndrome. Epidemiologic studies indicate that frailty is overrepresented among the persons with cardiovascular disease. On the other hand, frail subjects tend to be burdened with cardiovascular disease to a greater degree than their biologically better-off peers. Hypertension, diabetes, and obesity, especially abdominal, and at least some other risk factors appear to be shared between frailty and cardiovascular disease. The probable common underlying pathophysiologic feature is inflammation and associated phenomena, possibly having its root in the inflammageing. We discuss these issues based on the results of original studies, comprehensive literature reviews, and metaanalyses, by hundreds of dedicated researchers worldwide.

Increased tortuosity of ACA might be associated with increased risk of ACoA aneurysm development and less aneurysm dome size: a computer-aided analysis.

OBJECTIVES: We decided to perform computer-aided analysis of the anterior cerebral artery (ACA) to check for a potential correlation with anterior communicating artery (ACoA) aneurysm presence and growth. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the ACA anatomy of 121 patients with ACoA aneurysms along with 121 age, risk factors, and vessel side-matched control patients without an ACoA aneurysm. We obtained their medical history and digital subtraction angiography (DSA) data from their medical records. For each patient's DSA, we extracted curve representing the course of their ACA and calculated its relative length (RL), sum of angle metrics (SOAM), triangular index (TI), product of angle distance (PAD), and inflection count metrics (ICM). RESULTS: Patients with ACoA aneurysm had significantly higher RL (0.64 ± 0.23 vs. 0.56 ± 0.22; p < 0.01), SOAM (0.27 ± 0.19 vs. 0.18 ± 0.15; p < 0.01), PAD (0.12 ± 0.13 vs. 0.09 ± 0.11; p = 0.02), and TI (0.57 ± 0.14 vs. 0.44 ± 0.15; p < 0.01). In multivariate logistic regression analysis, after adjustment for possible confounders, SOAM (OR, 1.34; 95% CI, 1.12-1.63; p < 0.01) and TI (OR, 1.84; 95% CI, 1.47-2.35; p < 0.01) remained independently associated with higher risk of ACoA aneurysm. Additionally, we found significant negative correlations between TI and aneurysm dome size (R = - 0.194; p = 0.047). CONCLUSIONS: Increased tortuosity of ACA might increase the risk of ACoA aneurysm development and decrease the risk of aneurysm growth. KEY POINTS: • Anterior cerebral artery's sum of angle metrics is associated with hypertension as well as with history of ischemic stroke and myocardial infarction. • Increased tortuosity of anterior cerebral artery might be associated with anterior communicating artery aneurysm development. • Tortuosity of anterior cerebral artery is negatively correlated with anterior communicating artery aneurysm dome size.

The comparison of the 1972 Hodkinson's Abbreviated Mental Test Score (AMTS) and its variants in screening for cognitive impairment.

BACKGROUND: Since its introduction by Hodkinson in 1972, Abbreviated Mental Test Score (AMTS) and its English and other language versions have been widely used in research and clinical practice alike. However, whether the various versions of AMTS yield equivalent information has never been tested. METHODS: We performed cross-sectional assessment of inpatients aged 65+ years with seven AMTS versions and the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) after correction for age and education (MMSEc). We used the MMSEc cut-off score of < 24 as comparator and fitted linear regression models from which we obtained the receiver operating characteristics, and further compared the c-statistics obtained for each version of AMTS. We used Spearman's correlation to check the relation between different AMTS versions. RESULTS: The mean (SD) age of 72 (52.8% women) patients was 76.2 (7.6) years. The average time spent on education was 11.3 (3.5) years. The AMTS score across versions varied between 7.4 (2.0) and 8.2 (1.7). The MMSE averaged 24.1 (4.6) and the MMSEc averaged 25.2 (4.1). We found that the c-statistic across AMTS versions with dichotomised MMSEc as comparator ranged from 0.83 to 0.85 and did not significantly differ from the c-statistic of 0.87 for original AMTS (all p > 0.16). We found AMTS versions to be significantly correlated (all r between 0.83 and 0.99, all p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: We found AMTS to be a reliable and useful tool in the screening for possible cognitive impairment. This seems to be true irrespective of whether we use the original test or any of its studied modifications.

Clinical examination of peripheral arterial disease and ankle-brachial index in a nationwide cohort of older subjects: practical implications.

BACKGROUND: Prevalence of peripheral arterial disease increases with age and is related to increased morbidity and mortality. The clinical diagnosis includes the measurement of ankle-brachial index (ABI). AIMS: To check the prevalence of abnormal ABI, and the value of physical examination of arterial system in detection of ABI < 0.9. METHODS: We performed subgroup analysis of patients included in the PolSenior survey. We measured ABI, performed physical examination of arterial system, assessed laboratory and questionnaire factors related to atherosclerosis. Participants were divided according to ABI strata of < 0.9, 0.9-1.4 and > 1.4. Clinical score of abnormalities on physical examination was proposed. Using logistic regression, we obtained areas under the curve (AUC). RESULTS: The mean age of 844 participants (53.3% men) was 74.7 (10.6) years. ABI < 0.9 was found in 20.3% participants and it was linked to history of myocardial infarction, hypertension and renal failure. In the entire group, 72.4% of subjects declared, that they were able to walk a distance of 200 m without interruption. Higher clinical score was associated with lower ABI. Full physical examination (AUC = 0.67) followed by examination of lower extremities (AUC = 0.65) showed strongest diagnostic value for PAD based on ABI. Neither ABI nor clinical examination was a good predictor of the inability to walk 200 meters without difficulties. DISCUSSION/CONCLUSIONS: Full clinical examination, only moderately, adds to detection of PAD. The ability to walk 200 m is not a good measure of PAD in older subjects.

Sera of patients with axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) enhance osteoclastogenic potential of monocytes isolated from healthy individuals.

BACKGROUND: Axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) is characterized by significant bone loss caused by dysregulation of physiological bone turnover, possibly resulting from intensified differentiation of osteoclasts. The aim of this study was to reevaluate the levels of osteoclastogenesis-mediating factors: soluble RANKL, M-CSF, OPG and other cytokines in sera of untreated, with sDMARDs and/or bDMARDs, axSpA patients and to test whether these sera influence differentiation of healthy monocytes towards osteoclast lineage. METHODS: Bone remodeling molecules (RANKL, M-CSF, OPG, IL-6, OSM, IL-17A, TGFß, and TNFα) were evaluated in 27 patients with axSpA and 23 age and sex-matched controls. Disease activity (BASDAI, ASDAS) and inflammatory markers (ESR, CRP) were assessed. Monocytes obtained from healthy individuals were cultured in vitro in presence of sera from 11 randomly chosen axSpA patients and 10 controls, with addition of exogenous M-CSF and/or RANKL or without. Osteoclastic differentiation was assessed analyzing osteoclast markers (cathepsin K and RANK at mRNA level) and with osteoclast-specific staining. RESULTS: axSpA patients' sera levels of soluble RANKL were significantly lower and M-CSF, IL-6, OSM, IL-17A and TNFα significantly higher in comparison to controls, whereas of OPG and TGFß were comparable in both groups. Numbers of generated in vitro osteoclasts and cathepsin K mRNA levels did not differ between cultures supplemented with sera of healthy and axSpA patients, both in the absence and presence of M-CSF. Instead, addition of exogenous RANKL boosted osteoclastogenesis, which was significantly higher in cultures with axSpA sera. Furthermore, sera from axSpA patients induced substantially higher levels of RANK mRNA, independently of M-CSF and RANKL stimulation. CONCLUSION: We show that, paradoxically, serum levels of soluble RANKL observed in axSpA are in fact significantly lower in comparison to healthy blood donors. Our results indicate that sera of axSpA patients - in contrary to healthy subjects - contain circulating, soluble factors (presumably IL-6, OSM, IL-17A, TNFα and others) able to stimulate healthy monocytes responsiveness to even relative low RANKL serum levels, by inducing high RANK mRNA expression and - as a net effect - boosting their osteoclastogenic potential. We suggest also that locally produced RANKL in axSpA may induce overactive osteoclasts from their precursors.

Vitamin D serum concentration is not related to the activity of spondyloarthritis - preliminary study.

OBJECTIVE: Vitamin D plays an important role in mineral turnover and bone remodeling and there are increasing data about its immunomodulatory potential in different rheumatologic disorders. Deficiency of vitamin D is frequent in patients with spondyloarthritis (SpA) and some data suggest its association with increased disease activity and structural damage. However, its exact role in the pathogenesis of SpA and its association with disease activity are still a matter of debate. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study of patients diagnosed with axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) and peripheral spondyloarthritis (perSpA) according to Assessment of Spondyloarthritis International Society classification criteria was performed. The correlation between concentration of 25-hydroxyvitamin D - 25(OH)D - and disease activity scores (Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index - BASDAI, Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score - ASDAS), inflammatory markers (C-reactive protein - CRP, erythrocyte sedimentation rate - ESR) and clinical symptoms (arthritis, enthesitis, dactylitis) was performed. RESULTS: We included 40 patients with axSpA and 23 patients with perSpA. The mean concentration of 25(OH)D was 24.9 ng/ml (SD 12.49). Forty-seven (74.6%) patients had 25(OH)D below the recommended threshold (< 30 ng/ml). We found no statistically significant negative correlation between the level of 25(OH)D and disease activity of axSpA and perSpA in terms of clinical symptoms (arthritis, enthesitis, dactylitis), inflammatory markers (ESR, CRP) and disease activity scores (BASDAI, ASDAS). These results did not change after adjustment for supplementation of vitamin D and seasonal variation. CONCLUSIONS: Our data show no correlation between the concentration of 25(OH)D in the serum and disease activity in two subgroups of SpA. However, this does not exclude the potential role of vitamin D in pathogenesis of SpA. Further studies are required to evaluate the optimal range of 25(OH)D serum concentration in axSpA and perSpA patients with its possible immunomodulatory potential and influence on disease activity.