Microvascular Changes Are Associated with Proteinuria and EMG Changes in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Using Video Capillaroscopy.

Objectives: Video capillaroscopy is a diagnostic method for evaluating microvascular changes in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). This study evaluated microvascular changes, including microvascular architecture, capillary distribution (morphology and density), and angiogenesis conditions in T2DM patients via video capillaroscopy. Methods: A total of 256 patients with T2DM enrolled in this study. Based on electromyography (EMG)-nerve conduction velocity results, patients were divided into patients with normal and abnormal EMG. Microalbuminuria was assessed using biochemical urine analysis. Finally, video capillaroscopy was performed to evaluate changes in microvascular architecture, capillary distribution, and angiogenesis status. Results: The differences between microalbuminuria in patients with normal and abnormal EMG were not significant. Other microvascular changes were not significant between normal and abnormal EMG groups. The patients with greater microalbuminuria were at risk of abnormal EMG 2.8 times higher than those with fewer microalbuminuria (odds ratio = 2.804; 1.034-7.601). However, EMG is not a risk factor for microvascular architecture alternation in T2DM (odds ratio = 1.069; 0.323-3.546). Conclusions: Microvascular alternations are common in T2DM and early detection of these changes could help to avoid the progress of nephropathic complications. Also, video capillaroscopy provides a promising diagnostic method for the detection of microvascular alternations in T2DM.

Cumulative burden and trajectories of body mass index and blood pressure from childhood and carotid intima-media thickness in young adulthood.

There are significant gaps in understanding of the association between levels and rate of change of body mass index (BMI) and blood pressure (BP) at different ages during childhood and carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) in adulthood. We investigated the association between trajectories of BMI and BP from childhood to adulthood and adult CIMT among Iranian participants in the Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study (TLGS) cohort. A total of 1334 participants (692 men), from the TLGS cohort (1999-2018) with repeated measurements of BMI and BP (2-6 times) from childhood (3-18 years) to young adulthood (20-40 years) were selected. Trajectory parameters included levels and linear slopes of BMI and BP growth curve models, and cumulative burden defined as the area under those curves (AUC). After adjusting for confounders, AUC of BMI and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) were significantly associated with high CIMT in adulthood, with the standardized odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI) of 1.35 (1.12-1.62) and 1.27 (1.01-1.60), respectively. Associations between level-independent slopes of BMI and adult CIMT were significantly positive (ORs: 1.27 to 1.26) during childhood ages (3-18 years). Further, levels of BMI (ORs: 1.23 to 1.29) and DBP (ORs: 1.25 to 1.33) during the ages of 13-18 and 11-17 years, respectively, were significantly associated with CIMT in adulthood (all P < 0.05). The cumulative burden of BMI and DBP was associated with CIMT in adulthood. Adolescence is a crucial period for high CIMT, which has implications for early prevention of atherosclerosis.

Diagnostic performance of different anthropometric indices among Iranian adolescents for intima media thickness in early adulthood: A prospective study and literature review.

Background: There is debate regarding which anthropometric indices is the most appropriate predictor of cardiovascular disease (CVD) among adolescents. The purpose of this study was to investigate the association of body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) in adolescents with high carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) in early adulthood, as the surrogate marker of CVD in a cohort study. Methods: A total of 875 Iranian adolescents (female = 421) aged 10-17 years old were entered the study. The cIMT was measured in early adulthood (20-38 years old) after 18.2 (median) years of follow-up and defined as > 90th percentile for sex and age groups. The gender specific association between a 1-SD increase in each anthropometric measures with high cIMT was examined using multivariate logistic regression analysis adjusted for age, smoking, family history of CVD, systolic blood pressure, total cholesterol, and fasting blood sugar. In the multivariable analysis, the interaction between sex and age groups with anthropometric measures were significant (all p-values < 0.05). Results: Among males, all anthropometric measures including BMI, WC, WHR, and WHtR were associated with high cIMT; the corresponding odds ratios were 1.43 (1.05-1.94), 1.63 (1.22-2.19), 1.33 (1.03-1.71), and 1.41 (1.07-1.87), respectively. However, after considering the related adulthood anthropometric measurements, the association remained significant for WC 1.48 (1.04-2.10) and WHR [1.28 (0.99-1.66), P = 0.06]. Moreover, among early adolescent boys aged 10-14 years, all of the anthropometric measures were significantly associated with high cIMT in the multivariate analysis that included the related adulthood anthropometric measures. The area under the curve (AUC) for the anthropometric measurements among males ranged from 0.576 for WHtR up to 0.632 for WC, without any superiority between them. Among females, only in linear regression analysis, a significant association were found between the higher value of WC and WHtR with cIMT measurement in adulthood; however, the risk reached to null after considering adult anthropometric measures. Conclusion: General and central obesity measures were significantly associated with high cIMT only among Iranian male adolescents, the relationship that were more prominent among pre-pubertal males.

Association of ideal cardiovascular health with carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) in a young adult population.

Ideal cardiovascular health (CVH) is associated with a lower risk of developing cardiovascular diseases. This study aims to investigate the association of CVH metrics with carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) as a marker of subclinical atherosclerosis in young adults. A cross-sectional study was performed on 1295 adults, average age of 29.7 ± 4.0 years, selected from the participants of the Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study. The participants were divided into three groups based on the overall CVH score: ideal, intermediate, and poor CVH. Multivariate-adjusted linear regression was used to determine the association of the CVH score with cIMT. Multivariate-adjusted odds ratios (ORs) were calculated for high cIMT (≥ 95% percentile). Also, the independent effects of each ideal CVH metric on cIMT were analyzed. The prevalence of ideal CVH was 6.4% in men and 12.4% in women, and mean cIMT was obtained 0.53 ± 0.09 mm in men and 0.57 ± 0.08 mm in women. A 1-point increase of the CVH score in men and women was associated with a cIMT decrease of 0.009 and 0.011 mm (men: Beta [SE] = - 0.009 [0.003]; women: - 0.011 [0.007], p < 0.001), rendering the ORs of 0.66 and 0.70 for having a high cIMT (≥ 95% percentile), respectively. Ideal blood pressure in both sexes and body mass index in women had significant inverse association with cIMT. There was an inverse graded association between the CVH score and cIMT among young adults, indicating that ideal CVH metrics were associated with better vascular health in this population.

Association of childhood obesity phenotypes with early adulthood Carotid Intima-Media Thickness (CIMT): Tehran lipid and glucose study.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Over the past few years, obesity and metabolic syndrome prevalence among children and adolescence have an increasing trend. This study aims to investigate the association of obesity phenotypes during childhood and adolescence with early adulthood carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT). METHODS AND RESULTS: Participants were divided into four obesity phenotypes: Metabolically healthy normal weight (MHNW), metabolically unhealthy normal weight (MUNW), metabolically healthy obese (MHO), and metabolically unhealthy obese (MUO). Participants were followed for 18 years. Multivariate-adjusted Risk Ratios (RRs) were calculated for high CIMT (≥95% percentile) incidence. In this cohort study 1220 children and adolescents with the average age of 10.9 ± 4.0 years were included. CIMT values had a significantly increasing trend from MHNW to MUO group (p for trend<0.001). Individuals with normal weight status, even with an unhealthy metabolic profile did not have higher risk of high CIMT. Similarly, Children with obesity but healthy metabolic status was not at higher risk. On the other hand, MUO phenotype during childhood was associated with increased risk of high CIMT in early adulthood (RR = 2.13, 95%CI (1.02-4.48)). This association became insignificant for all obesity phenotypes after adjusting for adulthood BMI. CONCLUSION: Adulthood CIMT has an increasing trend based on childhood and adolescence obesity phenotypes from MHNW to MUO. Children with MUO phenotype was the only ones that had an increased risk of high CIMT incidence in early adulthood.

Association of childhood metabolic syndrome and metabolic phenotypes with the carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) in early adulthood: Tehran lipid and glucose study.

BACKGROUND: The clinical significance of metabolic syndrome (MetS) during adolescence and its association with adulthood adverse outcomes is a controversial issue. This study aimed to investigate the association of MetS and metabolic phenotypes with a high carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) in early adulthood. METHODS: MetS was defined as proposed by Cook, de Ferranti, the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP), and the pediatric International Diabetes Federation (IDF). Metabolic phenotypes were defined based on the binary clustering of cardiovascular risk factors. The participants were adolescent's individual selected from a large cohort study and followed for 18.2 years. Multivariate-adjusted odds ratios (ORs) were calculated for a high CIMT incidence (≥95th percentile). RESULTS: In this study, 862 adolescents (52.3% males), with the mean age of 13.4 ± 2.2 years, were included. The presence of MetS, based on the definitions proposed by Cook (OR = 1.90, 95% CI: 1.01-3.57, P = 0.046) and de Ferranti (OR = 1.74; 95% CI: 1.04-2.90, P = 0.033), was associated with the increased risk of a high CIMT in early adulthood. Metabolic phenotypes, including high waist circumference (WC)/hypertension (HTN), high WC/low high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C), and high triglyceride (TG)/high WC, showed higher risks of a high CIMT. However, these positive associations become insignificant after adjusting for the adulthood BMI, except for the high WC/low HDL-C phenotype (OR = 2.04, 95% CI: 1.02-4.11, P = 0.044). CONCLUSION: The high WC/low HDL-C phenotype had a better predictive value and could be used as a simpler alternative for MetS to identify adolescents with a higher risk of high CIMT during early adulthood.

Comparison analysis of childhood body mass index cut-offs in predicting adulthood carotid intima media thickness: Tehran lipid and glucose study.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of obesity among children and adolescences have been increased, which can consequently increase the prevalence of metabolic and cardiovascular diseases later in life. The objective of this study is to compare the ability of different childhood body mass index cut-offs in prediction of carotid intima media thickness (CIMT) as an indicator of subclinical atherosclerosis. METHODS: Participants were categorized into normal weight, overweight and obesity group, based on world health organization (WHO), center for disease control and prevention (CDC), international obesity task force (IOTF) and local IOTF cut-offs. After 18 years of follow up CIMT was measured. Akaike's information criterion and relative efficiency were measured in order to compare regression models on the role of obesity on CIMT. RESULTS: In this prospective cohort study, 1295 subjects aged 3 to 18 years old were enrolled. The overall prevalence of overweight was 15.4, 11.5, 16.3 and 14.1 along with obesity prevalence of 6.6, 8.5, 7.7 and 5.0% based on WHO, CDC, local IOTF and international IOTF criteria, respectively. CIMT was higher in obese compare to normal groups across all classification criteria. After regression analysis, international IOTF was the best to predict adulthood CIMT, followed by local IOTF and WHO. CDC had the least discriminatory ability. CONCLUSION: Due to the results of this study, IOTF could be a better tool in national and international surveillances of children in order to define overweight and obesity, which can help us to intervene more effectively in reducing the burden of cardiovascular diseases.

Correlation Between Low-Dose Chest Computed Tomography and RT-PCR Results for the Diagnosis of COVID-19: A Report of 27,824 Cases in Tehran, Iran.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: Real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) remains the gold standard for confirmation of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) despite having many disadvantages. Here, we investigated the diagnostic performance of chest computed tomography (CT) as an alternative to RT-PCR in patients with clinical suspicion of COVID-19 infection. METHODS: In this descriptive cross-sectional study, 27,824 patients with clinical suspicion of COVID-19 infection who underwent unenhanced low-dose chest CT from 20 February, 2020 to 21 May, 2020 were evaluated. Patients were recruited from seven specifically designated hospitals for patients with COVID-19 infection affiliated to Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences. In each hospital, images were interpreted by two independent radiologists. CT findings were considered as positive/negative for COVID-19 infection based on RSNA diagnostic criteria. Then, the correlation between the number of daily positive chest CT scans and number of daily PCR-confirmed cases and COVID-19-related deaths in Tehran province during this three-month period was assessed. The trends of admission rate and patients with positive CT scans were also evaluated. RESULTS: A strong positive correlation between the numbers of daily positive CT scans and daily PCR-confirmed COVID-19 cases (r = 0.913, p < 0.001) was observed. Furthermore, in hospitals located in regions with a lower socioeconomic status, the admission rate and number of positive cases within this three-month period was higher as compared to other hospitals. CONCLUSION: Low-dose chest CT is a safe, rapid and reliable alternative to RT-PCR for the diagnosis of COVID-19 in high-prevalence regions. In addition, our study provides further evidence for considering patients' socioeconomic status as an important risk factor for COVID-19.

A Multicenter Survey on the Trend of Chest CT Scan Utilization: Tracing the First Footsteps of COVID-19 in Iran.

BACKGROUND: Chest computed tomography (CT) scan has been used widely to diagnose COVID-19 in Iran. OBJECTIVES: To trace the footsteps of COVID-19 in Iran by exploring the trend in using chest CT scans and its economic impact on radiology departments. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, the number of imaging examinations from 33 tertiary radiology departments in 9 large cities of Iran was collected from September 23, 2019 to March 20, 2020 (Months 1 to 6) and the corresponding months in 2018-2019. RESULTS: A 50.2% increase was noted in the chest CT scan utilization in 2019-2020 compared to 2018-2019. This increase was +15%, +15%, +27%, +2%, +1% in Months 1-5 of 2019-2020, respectively. In Month 6 of 2019-2020, a 251% increase in the acquisition of chest CT scans was observed compared to the Month 6 of 2018-2019. Following negative balance of revenue from Month 1 to 5 with respect to the inflation rate, the total income in Month 6 was further 1.5% less than the same Month in 2018-19. CONCLUSION: The observed peak in chest CT utilization in Month 3 prior to the surge in Month 6 could be explained by the seasonal influenza. However, unawareness about an emerging viral disease, i.e. COVID-19, might have underutilized chest CT in Months 4 and 5 before the official announcement in Month 6. The unbalanced increase in the workload of radiology departments in the shortage of cardiothoracic radiologists with the simultaneous decrease in income initiated a vicious cycle that worsened the economic repercussions of the pandemic.

Dietary Inflammatory Index in Relation to Carotid Intima Media Thickness among Overweight or Obese Children and Adolescents.

BACKGROUND: Low-grade systematic inflammation triggers atrial wall thickening, which predisposes to several cardiovascular events. Since diet is a strong moderator of systematic inflammation, the literature review-based dietary inflammatory index (DII®) score has been recently introduced for evaluating inflammatory properties of an individual's diet. The aim of the present study was to assess the association of DII, with carotid intima media thickness (cIMT) among overweight or obese children and adolescents. METHODS: A total of 339 children and adolescents (48% girls) aged from 6 to 13 years, with WHO body mass index z-score >1 were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. A valid and reliable semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire was used to collect dietary intakes and calculate DII score. cIMT was measured in the common carotid artery with high-resolution ultrasonography. RESULTS: In this cross-sectional study, the mean ± SD age of participants was 9.3 ± 1.7 years. Among participants, 68% were obese and 83% were in the pubertal stage. DII ranged from -5.43 to 4.42, with the mean of -2.83 in the lowest, and 1.25 in the highest tertile of DII. When fit as a continuous variable, DII score had no significant association with cIMT after adjusting for potential confounders. However, the participants in the highest DII score tertile compared to the lowest had 2.46-fold increased risk of high cIMT in the multivariable adjusted model (p for trend = 0.02). DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION: Higher DII scores were associated with increased risk of high cIMT.

The Correlation between Trabecular Bone Score and Lumbar Spine Bone Mineral Density in Patients with Normal and High Body Mass Index.

BACKGROUND: Trabecular bone score (TBS) measures the underlying quality of bone texture using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) images. The present study aimed to investigate the correlation between lumbar spine bone mineral density (BMD) and TBS, and subsequently determine whether the association varies with the body mass index (BMI). METHODS: Data from 548 patients were collected and categorized into three groups according to the relationship between BMD and age. BMD of the lumbar spine (LS) using DXA and TBS from DXA images were measured. Pearson's correlation coefficient (SPSS software, version 24.0) was used to investigate the association between LS-BMD and TBS, as well as the effect of BMI and age on these parameters. P<0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: The total mean TBS was 1.31±0.12. LS-BMD and TBS values significantly decreased with age in both sexes. A statistically significant correlation was found between TBS and LS-BMD (r=0.601). An increase in BMI was associated with a higher LS-BMD score and a lower TBS level. The correlation coefficient between LS-BMD and TBS reduced as the BMI increased. By comparing TBS with BMD, the majority of the patients with osteopenia and osteoporosis had fully degraded and partially degraded TBS, respectively. CONCLUSION: TBS was positively correlated with LS-BMD and decreased with age. Moreover, the extent of the correlation varied with respect to BMI.

Association of dietary pattern with carotid intima media thickness among children with overweight or obesity.

BACKGROUND: Since there is no evidence demonstrating the relationship between dietary patterns and subclinical atherosclerosis in children and adolescents, we aimed to examine the association between dietary patterns and carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) in children and adolescents with overweight and obesity. METHODS: Data were collected on individuals, aged 6-13 years (n = 339) recruited from primary schools with age- and sex-specific body mass index (BMI) Z-score > 1, based on WHO criteria. Dietary intake was assessed using a valid and reliable food frequency questionnaire and dietary patterns were derived by factor analysis. Measurement of cIMT was performed by means of ultrasonography for the wall of common carotid artery. RESULTS: The mean ± SD age, BMI Z-score and cIMT of study participants were 9.3 ± 1.7 years, 2.5 ± 0.7 and 0.403 ± 0.057 mm, respectively. Three dietary patterns were identified, which accounted for 23.0% of the total variance, including the healthy, the traditional, and the unhealthy patterns. After adjusting for age, sex, pubertal status, smoking exposure, physical activity, body fat percentage, and intake of magnesium and energy, a significant inverse association was observed between the healthy dietary pattern and cIMT (ß = - 0.131, P = 0.019), whereas none were found between cIMT and the traditional (ß = - 0.004, P = 0.932) and the unhealthy dietary (ß = 0.004, P = 0.942) patterns. CONCLUSIONS: Results of the present study indicate that adherence to healthy dietary pattern could prevent increased cIMT in children and adolescents with overweight and obesity. Further cohort design research is required to elucidate the association between dietary patterns and cIMT in children and adolescents.

Effects of dry needling on tendon-pulley architecture, pain and hand function in patients with trigger finger: a randomized controlled trial study.

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of dry needling on tendon-pulley architecture, pain and hand function in patients with trigger finger. [Participants and Methods] A randomized controlled trial was conducted. Fifty eight patients having trigger finger were randomly assigned as either an experimental group that received a single session of dry needling over pulleyA1 and flexor tendon or a control group that received no intervention. Thickness of tendon-pulley, and pain-hand function (by disability arm-shoulder questionnaire score and pinch grip strength) were measured by a blinded assessor before and one week after intervention. [Results] The two way mixed ANOVA in the experimental group showed that the thickness of pulley-tendon decreased, pinch grip power increased and DASH questionnaire score was decreased in comparison to the control group. [Conclusion] This study results suggest that a single session of Dry Needling (DN) was effective in decreasing pain, DASH score, pulley-tendon thickness and improving pinch grip power in patients with trigger finger.

Association of nuts and unhealthy snacks with subclinical atherosclerosis among children and adolescents with overweight and obesity.

BACKGROUND: The process of atherosclerosis begins early in childhood and usually remains asymptomatic until later in life. Carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) as a marker of subclinical atherosclerosis could identify early vascular alterations. Unhealthy snacks consumption is associated with obesity and other CVD risk factors in children and adolescents. The aim of this study is to investigate the association of different snack substitution and cIMT among overweight and obesity children and adolescents. METHODS: A total of 339 participants aged 6 to 13 years with the body mass index Z score ≥ 1 based on WHO criteria enrolled in this study. We measured food intakes of participants by validate and reliable food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). Carotid intima media thickness was measured in the common carotid artery with high-resolution ultrasonography. RESULTS: After controlling for confounders, intake of nuts had a negative relationship with cIMT (ß = 0.135 mm P value = 0.009). Moreover, participants in the last tertile of nuts intake had 59% lower risk of high cIMT in comparison with those who consumed less than 0.64 serving/wk./1000Kcal of nuts (P for trend = 0.010). Substituted of nuts intake with sweet unhealthy snacks had a negative relationship with cIMT (ß = 0.15 mm). There was no other significant association between energy-dense nutrient-poor solid snacks and cIMT. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings emphasize the impact of nuts consumption as a healthy snack on subclinical stages atherosclerosis. Clinical trial studies could examine the effect of different kinds of nuts consumption on cIMT and complications of CVD risk factors.

Association of circulating 25-hydroxyvitamin D and parathyroid hormone with carotid intima media thickness in children and adolescents with excess weight.

Evidence on the association of vitamin D and parathyroid hormone (PTH) with cardiovascular risk factors in the young is limited. We therefore assessed the relationships of circulating vitamin D and PTH concentrations and subclinical atherosclerosis in overweight or obese children and adolescents. This was a cross-sectional study, investigated the association of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D), intact PTH (iPTH), and iPTH/25(OH)D ratio with carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) in 368 Iranian children and adolescents with a body mass index (BMI) ≥1 z-score based on WHO criteria. Ultrasound measurement of cIMT was performed. Multivariable linear and logistic regressions were used to test associations between 25(OH)D, iPTH, and iPTH/25(OH)D ratio using one-ln-unit increment with cIMT. Median (25-75 interquartile range) 25(OH)D and iPTH concentrations were 11.8 (8.2-18.6) ng/ml and 38.2 (25.0-61.4) pg/ml, respectively. Among boys, each one-ln-unit increase of iPTH and iPTH/25(OH)D ratio was significantly associated with 0.194 mm and 0.147 mm increase, respectively, in cIMT, after adjustment for confounders. A similar pattern of association was observed between iPTH (ß = 0.143, p = 0.037) and iPTH/25(OH)D ratio (ß=0.172, p = 0.007) with cIMT among obese participants. Furthermore, among obese participants in the fully adjusted model, each one-ln-unit increase of iPTH and 25(OH)D/iPTH ratio was significantly associated with 53% and 39% increased odds of having high cIMT, respectively. Girls and those who were overweight did not show any significant association of 25(OH)D, iPTH, and iPTH/25(OH)D ratio with cIMT. High iPTH and iPTH/25(OH)D ratio were associated with increased cIMT in boys and those who are obese.

Insulin metabolism markers are predictors of subclinical atherosclerosis among overweight and obese children and adolescents.

BACKGROUND: To investigate the association between markers of insulin metabolism and carotid intima-media thickness(cIMT) among overweight and obese children and adolescents. METHODS: A total of 378 children and adolescents aged from 6 to 13 years, with WHO body mass index Z-Scores ≥2 were enrolled in this study. We measured fasting serum insulin and glucose, conducted a homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance(HOMA-IR), and calculated the quantitative insulin sensitivity check index(QUICKI). Carotid intima-media thickness was measured in the common carotid artery with high-resolution ultrasonography. RESULTS: The study participants consisted of 198 boys and 180 girls with a mean(±SD) age of 9.3 ± 1.7 years, 18.3% being pre-pubertal. In boys, after controlling for confounders, a one-SD increase in fasting insulin and HOMA-IR were associated with 0.351 mm(P < 0.001) and 0.350 mm(P < 0.001) increases in cIMT, respectively. However, a one-SD increase in QUICKI was associated with a - 0.305 mm(P = 0.001) decrease in cIMT. When categorizing into tertiles, a one-SD increase in fasting insulin and HOMA-IR were associated with 87 and 81% increases in the odds of higher categories of cIMT(both P < 0.05). However, a one-SD increase in QUICKI was associated with 37% lower odds of higher categories of cIMT(P = 0.022). No significant associations were found among girls. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that insulin resistance and sensitivity markers were independent predictors of cIMT in overweight and obese boys, but not in girls, highlighting the importance of chronically elevated insulin levels for predisposing these boys to alterations in their vascular structure.

Association of CD26/dipeptidyl peptidase IV mRNA level in peripheral blood mononuclear cells with disease activity and bone erosion in rheumatoid arthritis.

Dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP-IV, CD26) plays many roles in the pathogenesis of several autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. The current study evaluated the association of DPP-IV enzymatic activity and its gene expression with disease activity and bone erosion in rheumatoid arthritis. Blood samples were collected from 20 rheumatoid arthritis patients and 40 healthy volunteers. Patients were divided into four subgroups using DAS28 index. CD26 gene expression levels were analyzed in peripheral blood mononuclear cells by quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Additionally, the enzymatic activity of this molecule in serum was determined using Gly-Pro-p-nitroanilide as substrate. Digital radiography was applied to obtain images for bone erosion assessment. No significant difference in serum DPP-IV activity level was seen between patients and controls (p = 0.140). However, patients exhibited an increase in CD26 mRNA expression (1.68 times) when compared to controls (p = 0.001). Moreover, a strong positive correlation between CD26 gene expression and DAS28 index as well as bone erosion in the hands was observed (r = 0.71, p = 0.002 and r = 0.61, p = 0.049, respectively). This study demonstrated that CD26 mRNA expression in rheumatoid arthritis patients is associated with disease activity and bone erosion, suggesting a potential role for this molecule in the immunopathology of rheumatoid arthritis and bone erosion.

Nailfold capillaroscopy in 430 patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

BACKGROUND: Microvascular changes are one of the first obvious steps in numerous inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Nailfold video capillaroscopy (NFC) is an easy, reliable and safe method for evaluating peripheral microangiopathy. The objective of this study was to examine nailfold microcirculation in RA patients, assess morphological and structural changes quantitatively and qualitatively, and recognize useful changes. METHODS: A total of 430 patients diagnosed with RA were examined in a period of 4 years. NFC was performed on all fingers of both hands in each patient. Different parameters indicating microvascular changes were detected and analyzed; such as microvascular architecture, capillary distribution disturbances, capillary morphology, capillary density, efferent/afferent limb ratio, subpapillary venular plexus and morphological abnormalities. The obtained results were categorized into normal pattern, nonspecific morphological abnormality and scleroderma pattern. RESULTS: The mean age of participants was 51.03±14.54 (19-87 years) that consisted of 359 females and 71 males. Based on the findings, angiogenesis (74.7%) was the most pathological condition observed after tortuosity (99.5%). 7.2% and 20.9% of patients were categorized into normal and scleroderma pattern group, respectively. Among morphological abnormalities, angiogenesis, isolated enlarged loop, irregular enlarged loop and architectural derangement were significantly more frequent in scleroderma than normal pattern (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: NFC may play an important role in monitoring RA disease and patients' follow-up. Therefore, in our opinion it could be considered in the course and follow-up of rheumatoid arthritis.

Correlating Whole-Body Bone Mineral Densitometry Measurements to Those From Local Anatomical Sites.

BACKGROUND: Using the same cutoff points for whole-body measurements as for site-specific measurements will result in underestimation of osteoporosis. OBJECTIVES: We assessed the correlation between densitometry measurements for the whole body with those for the femur, lumbar spine, and forearm to evaluate the possibility of replacing site-specific values with whole-body measurements. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, we evaluated all patients referred to a single rheumatology clinic for bone mineral density measurements from 2009 to 2010. All patients who had bone mineral density measurements taken from the hip, lumbar spine, forearm, and whole body were enrolled in the study. Standard bone mineral density measurements were performed using a dual energy X-ray absorptiometry device (Hologic Delphi A; Hologic, Bedford, MA, USA). Bone mineral density, Z-score, and T-score were measured for all patients and all body regions. RESULTS: The mean age of the 152 participating patients was 56.7 ± 12.6 years, and 97.4% were female. Pearson correlation coefficients of the whole-body bone mineral density values compared with site-specific values in patients over age 50 were 0.66 - 0.75. Using T-score cutoff points of -1 and -2.5 for osteopenia and osteoporosis, whole-body measurements underestimated the percentage of abnormal patients compared with the site-specific measurements (all P < 0.001). Using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis, the whole-body bone mineral density showed respective areas under the curve of 0.96 and 0.84 for the diagnosis of abnormal hip bone mineral density and osteoporosis. CONCLUSION: Using the same cutoff points for whole-body measurements as for site-specific measurements will result in overestimation or especially underestimation of osteopenia and osteoporosis diagnosis. Choosing new and appropriate cutoff points for whole-body densitometric measurements when we want to substitutes this assessment instead of site specific measurements seems mandatory and will decrease the rate of false diagnoses of densitometric deficiencies in these anatomical sites.

Prevalence of atherosclerosis in patients with inactive rheumatoid arthritis.

Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) exhibit higher cardiovascular morbidity and mortality than the general population. The common carotid artery intima-media thickness (CCA-IMT) measured by ultrasound is a validated surrogate marker of atherosclerosis. We studied the prevalence of subclinical atherosclerosis in patients with inactive RA. CCA-IMT was measured at the level of the carotid bifurcation in 35 patients with RA and 35 age- and sex-matched controls. CCA-IMT measurements more than two standard deviations above the mean measurement of the control group were defined as abnormal. Patients and controls with known cardiovascular risk factors were excluded from the study. The following data were taken into consideration for each patient: age, sex, duration of RA, and medication received by the patient. These variables were adjusted in data analysis. The patients were required to have had normal C-reactive protein levels for at least 1 year and no clinical signs or symptoms of active disease. An independent t test and chi-squared test were used for statistical analysis. Nine patients with RA (25.7 %) and two controls (5.7 %) had an abnormal IMT. Patients showed more carotid atherosclerotic plaques and a higher mean CCA-IMT than did controls (48.6 vs. 14.3 % and 0.705 ± 0.140 vs. 0.580 ± 0.125, respectively). An abnormal CCA-IMT was more prevalent in patients >50 years of age with >5 years of involvement (P = 0.001). These results support the theory that chronic inflammation in patients with inactive RA is associated with atherosclerosis and suggest the use of carotid ultrasonography as a useful tool with which to establish the risk of cardiovascular disease.