Relationship between systemic immune inflammation index and amputation in patients with diabetic foot ulcer.

AIM: The systemic immune inflammation index (SII) is a cost-effective biomarker calculated by lymphocyte, neutrophil and platelet counts and is currently being studied in various diseases. Since there is no study examining the relationship between SII and diabetic foot ulcers (DFU) in the literature, our aim was to investigate the relationship between SII and amputation rate in DFU. METHODS: Type 2 DM 511 patients with DFU were screened from 2017 to 2021. Laboratory data obtained on the first day of hospitalization were considered. Platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and SII were calculated from routine blood count. Participants were divided into two groups as amputation (Group 1) and non-amputation (Group 2). RESULTS: Amputation rate was 18.8%. The A1c (8.80 (3.26) % vs. 9.52 (3.10) %, p = 0.007) and HGB (10.17 ± 2.16 g/dL vs. 12.05 ± 2.20 g/dL, p < 0.001) levels, and lymphocyte count (1.81 (1.16) vs. 2.05 (1.11), p = 0.015) were significantly lower in Group 1 than Group 2. The counts of WBC (14.01 (9.16) × 109/L vs. 10.41 (5.82) × 109/L), PLT (393.35 (196.98) × 109/L vs. 312.05 (141.33) × 109/L), neutrophil (11.52 (8.75) × 109/L vs. 6.93 (5.96) × 109/L), PLR (226.04 (159.24) × 109/L vs. 153.12 (101.91) × 109/L), NLR (6.64 (6.93) vs. 3.34 (3.99)) and SII (2505.86 (3957.47) × 109/L vs. 1092.50 (1476.08) × 109/L), and the levels of CRP (14.12 (12.66) mg/dL vs. 3.86 (12.63) mg/dL) and ESR (87.50 (50.50) mm/h vs. 63.00 (57.25) mm/h) were significantly higher in Group 1 than Group 2 (all p < 0.001). AUC of ROC analysis of PLR was 0.666 (95% CI, 0.604-0.728), NLR was 0.695 (95% CI, 0.638-0.752) and SII was 0.716 (95% CI, 0.661-0.772) for the predicting of amputation and the SII had the best AUC with 67.4% sensitivity and 63.3%specificty. CONCLUSION: SII is a cost-effective and readily available marker, but alone may not be sufficient to predict the risk of amputation in DFU. In our results, the predictive role of SII alone or with other markers for future DFU and its role in predicting other chronic diabetic complications will be evaluated in extensive studies.

Effects of COVID-19 pandemic lockdown on the metabolic control of type 2 diabetes mellitus in patients.

Objective: The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the control of diabetes mellitus in patients are largely unknown. In this study we aimed to analyze the impact of the pandemic and the ensuing lockdown on the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Subjects and methods: A total of 7,321patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (4,501 from the pre-pandemic period, 2,820 from the post-pandemic period) were studied retrospectively. Results: The admission of patients with diabetes melitus (DM) decreased significantly during the pandemic (4,501 pre-pandemic vs. 2,820 post-pandemic; p < 0.001). The mean age of patients was statistically lower (51.5 ± 14.0 vs. 49.7 ± 14.5 years; p < 0.001), and the mean glycated hemoglobin (A1c) level was significantly higher (7.9% ± 2.4% vs. 7.3% ± 1.7%; p < 0.001) in the post-pandemic period than in the pre-pandemic. The female/male ratio was similar in both periods (59.9%/40.1% for pre-pandemic, 58.6%/41.4% for post-pandemic; p = 0.304). As calculated by month the pre-pandemic rate of women was higher only in January (53.1% vs. 60.6%, p = 0.02). Mean A1c levels were higher in the postpandemic period than in the same month of the previous year, excluding July and October (p = 0.001 for November, p < 0.001 for others). Postpandemic patients admitted to the outpatient clinic were significantly younger than prepandemic visits for July (p = 0.001), August (p < 0.001) and December (p < 0.001). Conclusion: The lockdown had detrimental effects on blood sugar management in patients with DM. Hence, diet and exercise programs should be adapted to home conditions, and social and psychological support should be provided to patients with DM.

An Analysis of the Prevalence and Risk Factors of Contrast-Associated Acute Kidney Injury in Patients With Diabetic Foot Ulcer.

The occurrence of contrast-associated acute kidney injury (CA-AKI) is influenced by both patient-related and contrast-related factors. More specifically, CA-AKI has been linked to renal dysfunction, diabetes mellitus (DM), and atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases (ASCVD). We hypothesized that the prevalence of CA-AKI was high in patients with diabetic foot ulcers (DFU) because they frequently have several ASCVD risk factors and additional comorbid conditions (including ASCVD). We retrospectively examined the medical records of 208 type 2 diabetic patients who were hospitalized for DFU. These patients were divided into two groups: group 1 included 107 patients who underwent contrast-enhanced computed tomographic angiography (CTA); group 2 (control group) included 101 patients who did not receive contrast media. Following CTA, 13 (12.1%) patients developed CA-AKI in group 1, while 3 (3.0%) patients in group 2 had serum creatinine elevations consistent with AKI (P = 0.013). The following risk factors for CA-AKI were identified: longer history of DM, higher baseline serum creatinine, congestive heart failure, Wagner stage 4 and 5 DFUs, peripheral artery disease, older age, and lower hemoglobin values. CA-AKI is a common complication after CTA in patients with DFU. To reduce the risk of CA-AKI in these patients, associated risk factors and preventive measures should be considered.

Higher Levels of Plasma Fetuin-A, Nrf2, and Cytokeratin 18 in Patients with Hashimoto's Disease.

Objectives: Fetuin-A is a protein that exhibits proatherogenic, pro-inflammatory, and anti-inflammatory effects with increased insulin resistance and adipocyte dysfunction. The nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor (Nrf2) is a transcription factor that is crucial for protecting cells against oxidative damage. As a cell death product, cytokeratin 18 (CK18) levels increase during necrosis and apoptosis of both normal and tumor cells. We analyzed the plasma levels of three biomarkers based on the hypothesis that they might be related to some pathophysiological pathways in Hashimoto's disease. Methods: We compared 34 female patients with overt hypothyroidism due to Hashimoto's disease (Group 1) with 34 age-matched healthy females (Group 2). For comparison, plasma levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), fetuin-A, Nrf2, and CK18 were measured in all participants. Results: In group 1, the mean TSH levels (31.4±15.3) were significantly higher than those in group 2 (2.6±1.0) (p<0.001). The levels of mean fetuin-A (606.7±34.2) and Nrf2 (1.3±0.6) were found to be significantly higher in group 1 than in group 2 (440.0±34.2 vs. 0.7±0.2) (p<0.001 for both). CK18 levels in group 1 (0.36±0.13) were also significantly higher than in group 2 (0.26±0.16) (p=0.020). A significant correlation was observed between TSH levels and fetuin-A (r=0.401, p=0.001). Conclusion: Increased levels of fetuin-A, Nrf2, and CK18 may be a consequence or cause of the pathophysiological pathways of Hashimoto's disease. The clinical significance of increased levels of these biomarkers requires further investigation.

Effects of COVID-19 pandemic lockdown on the metabolic control of type 2 diabetes mellitus in patients

ABSTRACT Objective: The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the control of diabetes mellitus in patients are largely unknown. In this study we aimed to analyze the impact of the pandemic and the ensuing lockdown on the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Subjects and methods: A total of 7,321patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (4,501 from the pre-pandemic period, 2,820 from the post-pandemic period) were studied retrospectively. Results: The admission of patients with diabetes melitus (DM) decreased significantly during the pandemic (4,501 pre-pandemic vs. 2,820 post-pandemic; p < 0.001). The mean age of patients was statistically lower (51.5 ± 14.0 vs. 49.7 ± 14.5 years; p < 0.001), and the mean glycated hemoglobin (A1c) level was significantly higher (7.9% ± 2.4% vs. 7.3% ± 1.7%; p < 0.001) in the post-pandemic period than in the pre-pandemic. The female/male ratio was similar in both periods (59.9%/40.1% for pre-pandemic, 58.6%/41.4% for post-pandemic; p = 0.304). As calculated by month the pre-pandemic rate of women was higher only in January (53.1% vs. 60.6%, p = 0.02). Mean A1c levels were higher in the postpandemic period than in the same month of the previous year, excluding July and October (p = 0.001 for November, p < 0.001 for others). Postpandemic patients admitted to the outpatient clinic were significantly younger than prepandemic visits for July (p = 0.001), August (p < 0.001) and December (p < 0.001). Conclusion: The lockdown had detrimental effects on blood sugar management in patients with DM. Hence, diet and exercise programs should be adapted to home conditions, and social and psychological support should be provided to patients with DM.

The Relation Between Epicardial Fat Tissue Thickness and TSH Receptor Antibody in Hyperthyroidism.

BACKGROUND: Although hyperthyroidism may be associated with atherosclerosis, its pathogenesis is not well known. TSH receptor antibody (TRAb) has been shown to be responsible for increased orbital fat tissue in Graves ophthalmopathy. Epicardial fat tissue thickness (EFT) has been found to be increased in case of overt hyperthyroidism. In our study, we aimed to investigate if TRAb is associated with the increased EFT in newly diagnosed hyperthyroidism. METHODS: Twenty six TRAb positive (group 1) and 26 TRAb negative (group 2) newly diagnosed patients with hyperthyroidism, and 26 healthy control subjects (group 3) were enrolled. EFT was measured by the same cardiologist using an echocardiography device. Serum TRAb levels were measured by the radio-receptor assay and levels above 1.75 IU/L were considered as positive. RESULTS: There was no difference among groups in terms of age, gender and body mass index. Although there was no significant difference between group 1 and 2, both group 1 (0.38±0.15 cm) and group 2 (0.4±0.17 cm) had significantly higher EFT levels when compared to group 3 (0.25±0.06 cm) (p=0.004 and p=0.001, respectively). However we did not find any correlation between TRAb and EFT levels. CONCLUSION: The results of our study suggested that EFT was increased in hyperthyroidism and this increasing was not dependent of TRAb level. EFT elevation might be depending directly to the cardiovascular effects of hyperthyroidism.

Comment on: Statin use and risk of diabetes mellitus.

In manuscript named "Statin use and risk of diabetes mellitus" by Chogtu et al, authors defined that pravastatin 40 mg/dL reduced the risk of diabetes by 30% in West of Scotland Coronary Prevention study. In fact, pravastatin 40 mg/dL reduced coronary heart disease risk approximately 30% in mentioned study.

Hypomagnesemia as First Clinical Manifestation of ADTKD-HNF1B: A Case Series and Literature Review.

BACKGROUND: Autosomal dominant tubulointerstitial kidney disease subtype HNF1B (ADTKD-HNF1B) is caused by a mutation in hepatocyte nuclear factor 1 homeobox beta (HNF1B). Although 50-60% of ADTKD-HNF1B patients develop hypomagnesemia, HNF1B mutations are mainly identified in patients with structural kidney defects or diabetes. CASES: The current case series describes 3 patients in whom hypomagnesemia proved to be the first clinical manifestation of ADTKD-HNF1B. All patients presented with hypomagnesemia with a high fractional excretion of Mg2+ and hypocalciuria. Exome sequencing performed for analysis of known and candidate hypomagnesaemia genes and subsequent multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification analysis revealed a large deletion at the chromosome 17q12. Follow-up analysis showed increased blood glucose concentrations in all 3 patients and high hemoglobin A1c levels in 2 out of 3 patients, indicating diabetes mellitus. Although all patients suffered from mild renal insufficiency, only 1 of the 3 patients was shown to have renal cysts on CT. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of HNF1B mutations and the relative contribution of hypomagnesemia to its symptoms are underestimated. Therefore, patients with primary renal magnesium wasting should be tested for HNF1B mutations to ensure early detection and optimal management of ADTKD-HNF1B.

Fever in Behçet's syndrome.

OBJECTIVES: Fever is taken to be rare in Behçet's syndrome (BS) and when present it is usually considered to be associated with vascular disease. The aim of this study was to formally investigate the presence of fever as a clinical feature in BS patients and suitable controls. METHODS: The study consisted of 2 parts. In the first part, 500 patients with BS, 94 with familial Mediterranean fever (FMF), 100 with ankylosing spondylitis (AS), and 72 with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) along with 100 healthy controls (HC) were surveyed with the help of a questionnaire for the history of periodic fever episodes. In the second part, body temperature was measured in 98 newly diagnosed BS patients having at least one active BS lesion and 61 HC. Temperature was measured 3 times and the highest reading was used in the analyses. RESULTS: First part: history of fever episodes was present in 22% patients with BS, 87% with FMF, 33% with SLE and 8% with AS. None of the HC recalled a fever episode. Patients with BS who reported fever episodes were more likely to have major organ involvement such as vascular, neurological or joint involvement. Second part: The mean body temperature reading was similar (albeit statistically different) among patients with BS (36.72±0.42ºC) compared to that of the HC (36.56± 0.27ºC) (p=0.004). CONCLUSIONS: In this study, 22% of patients with BS reported a history of fever episodes. As previously reported, fever attacks seemed to be associated strongly with vascular, neurological or joint involvement. The increase in temperature accompanying active BS lesions was modest even when the highest values were considered.

Mycophenolate mofetil monotherapy in membranous nephropathy: a 1-year randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Treatment of patients with membranous glomerulonephritis (MGN) is controversial because of the lack of clear benefit of the immunosuppressive regimens on patient or renal survival. The objective of this study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) for patients with MGN. STUDY DESIGN: 1-year prospective, randomized, and controlled clinical trial. SETTING & PARTICIPANTS: 36 patients with biopsy-proven idiopathic MGN and nephrotic syndrome. INTERVENTION: 19 patients received MMF (2 g/d) for 12 months and 17 patients were in the control group. All patients had the same conservative treatment based on renin-angiotensin blockers, statins, low-salt and low-protein diet, and diuretics in case of edema. OUTCOMES & MEASUREMENTS: End points were the mean proteinuria over creatinuria ratio in mg/g throughout the study and numbers of complete and partial remissions at 1 year (month 12). Data were analyzed on an intention-to-treat analysis. RESULTS: Mean proteinuria over creatinuria ratio was stable in both groups throughout the study (P = 0.1). Mean proteinuria over creatinuria ratio was 4,690 +/- 2,212 mg/g in the MMF group and 6,548 +/- 4,601 mg/g in the control group (95% confidence interval of the difference, -619 to +4,247; P = 0.1). Remission was complete in 3 patients (1 in the MMF group, 2 in the control group; P = 0.5) and partial in 11 patients (6 in the MMF group, 5 in the control group; P = 0.9). The probability of complete or partial remission did not differ between the 2 groups after 12 months (relative risk, 0.92; 95% confidence interval, 0.48 to 1.75; P = 0.7). Kidney function was stable in the 2 groups according to estimated glomerular filtration rate and serum creatinine level. LIMITATIONS: The small number of patients and short follow-up prevent generalizations. CONCLUSIONS: A 12-month regimen of MMF did not decrease mean proteinuria over creatinuria ratio or increase partial and complete remissions. Serious adverse effects were observed in 4 patients (20%) receiving MMF.