RESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is often complicated by steatotic liver disease, cardiovascular disease (CVD), and extrahepatic cancer. We investigated whether FIB-4, an indicator of liver fibrosis, is associated with a higher risk of CVD and extrahepatic cancer history in T2DM. METHODS: Two hundred and nine of 244 diabetics admitted to our center in one year were included and retrospectively evaluated. RESULTS: One hundred and fifty-two (72.7%) were males and 57 (27.3%) females. The mean age and FIB-4 were 64.3 ± 11 years, and 1.15 ± 0.5, respectively. One hundred and fifty patients (71.8%) had FIB-4 ≤ 1.3, and 59 (28.2%) had FIB-4 > 1.3. A history of CVD was presented in 76 (36.4%) patients, and of extrahepatic cancer in 39 (18.7%). Patients with CVD were significantly older than those without (68.4 ± 8.5 vs. 63.2 ± 11.5 years; p = 0.002), with significantly higher FIB-4 (1.26 ± 0.5 vs. 1.08 ± 0.5; p = 0.012). Patients with cancer were older, with higher FIB-4 compared to those without (68.2 ± 9.5 vs. 64.4 ± 10.9 years; p = 0.098 and 1.37 ± 0.6 vs. 1.1 ± 0.5; p = 0.004, respectively). FIB-4 > 1.3 was associated with a 2.1-fold probability for CVD (χ2 = 5.810; p = 0.025) and 2.7-fold probability for cancer history (χ2 = 7.603; p = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: FIB-4 ≥ 1.3 is associated with a higher probability of CVD or extrahepatic cancer history. FIB-4 could potentially discriminate patients at risk, justifying stricter surveillance.
RESUMEN
The unfolding COVID-19 pandemic began in December 2019 in Wuhan, Hubei Province. COVID-19 is a systemic infection affecting several systems including the haematopoietic system. Surveys illustrating the laboratory findings of these patients conclude that lymphocytopenia, neutrophilia and thrombocytopenia are prominent amongst them. Moreover, it has been reported a significant decrease in T lymphocyte subsets and an increase of inflammatory cytokines of hospitalized patients with COVID-19. Generally, thrombocytopenia is commonplace in critically ill patients and usually suggests serious organ malfunction. In view of this, this review investigates the correlation between these abnormalities and the prognosis and disease course. Full blood count is an easy, economic and widely available tool which may help to discriminate between patients with or without severe disease. Last but not least, this review examines potential pathophysiological mechanisms by the novel coronavirus which contribute to these haematological alterations aiding the clinicians to better understand this disease and provide more clinical treatment options.
