The prognostic significance of the heterologous component in uterine carcinosarcomas

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: Uterine carcinosarcomas are aggressive, rare biphasic tumors with malignant epithelial and malignant sarcomatous components. The prognostic significance of the presence of extrauterine sarcoma (heterologous component) is controversial. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effect of heterologous components in uterine carcinosarcomas on disease-free survival, overall survival, and other prognostic factors. METHODS: Clinical and histopathological data from patients treated for uterine carcinosarcoma in a tertiary cancer center in Turkey between July 2000 and January 2020 were collected. Independent risk factors affecting overall survival and disease-free survival were analyzed by univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses. RESULTS: A total of 98 patients were identified. The median follow-up was 21.8 (1.2-233.1) months. In the multivariate analysis, the median overall survival and disease-free survival were 23.8 and 20.7 months in those with homologous mesenchymal components and 17.6 and 9.7 months in those with heterologous mesenchymal components, respectively. It was found that the presence of heterologous mesenchymal components significantly reduced both overall survival and disease-free survival (odds ratio [OR], 2.861; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.196-6.841; p=0.018 and OR, 3.697; 95%CI 1.572-8.695; p=0.003, respectively). In addition, both lymphadenectomy and adjuvant radiotherapy were found to significantly increase overall survival and disease-free survival. Age was found to increase only disease-free survival. CONCLUSION: The results obtained in this study showed that the presence of heterologous components in uterine carcinosarcoma is a prognostic factor that adversely affects both overall survival and disease-free survival. Lymphadenectomy and adjuvant radiotherapy have beneficial effects on both overall survival and disease-free survival.

Los hallazgos oculares relacionados con el uso de bisfosfonatos orales / The ocular findings related to oral bisphosphonate use

Objetivo Nuestro objetivo fue investigar los hallazgos de afectación ocular en pacientes femeninas con osteoporosis que usaban bisfosfonato oral (BP). Métodos Se incluyó en el estudio a un total de 51 pacientes con osteoporosis, de 50 a 75 años, que utilizaron BP oral durante al menos un año para el grupo de estudio y a 64 pacientes sin osteoporosis de la misma edad para el grupo de control, todas del sexo femenino. Se anotaron el tipo de BP y el tiempo de exposición. Se evaluaron los resultados del examen oftálmico de las pacientes que recibieron BP oral por osteoporosis y de las controles. Resultados La duración media del uso de BP fue de 3,96 años. Se detectó que 4de 51 pacientes fueron diagnosticadas con disfunción de la glándula de Meibomio (7,8%), 7de 102 ojos tenían margen palpebral eritematoso, irregular, engrosado o telangiectasia alrededor de los orificios glandulares. No hubo hallazgos patológicos en el examen del fondo de ojo. El valor medio de las medidas del brote (ph/ms) fue de 7,90±7,96 en el grupo de estudio y de 5,02±0,81 en el grupo de control. Cuando se compararon los valores medios, hubo una diferencia significativa entre los 2grupos (p=0,001). Se encontró una diferencia significativa en el valor medio de las mediciones del flare entre las pacientes que usaban alendronato e ibandronato y las del grupo de control (p=0,001; p=0,005, respectivamente). Conclusión Nuestro estudio mostró que el flare de la cámara anterior asociado con la inflamación crónica del ojo se puede observar con mayor frecuencia en pacientes que usan alendronato e ibandronato por vía oral en comparación con aquellos que no lo hacen. Además, se puede decir que BP oral puede provocar efectos secundarios oculares similares a los de la BP intravascular (AU)

Objective We aimed to investigate ocular involvement findings in female osteoporosis patients using oral bisphosphonate (BP). Methods A total of 51 female osteoporosis patients aged 50-75 years using oral BP for at least one year for the study group and 64 age-matched non-osteoporosis female patients for the control group were included in the study. The BP type and exposure time were noted. The ophthalmic examination findings and measurements of the flare of the patients who received oral BP due to osteoporosis and the controls were evaluated. Results The mean duration of BP use was 3.96 years. In the study group, it was detected 4of 51 patients were diagnosed with meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) (7.8%), 7of 102 eyes had erythematous, irregular, thickened lid margin or telangiectasia around the glandular orifices. There were no pathological findings on fondus examination. The mean value of measurements of the flare (ph/ms) was 7.90±7.96 in the study group, and 5.02±0.81 in the control group. When the mean values were compared, there was a significant difference between the 2groups (P=0.001). A significant difference was found in the mean value of measurements of the flare between the patients using alendronate, and ibandronate with the control group (P=0.001; P=0.005, respectively). Conclusion Our study showed that the flare in the anterior chamber associated with chronic ocular inflammation can be seen higher rate in patients using oral alendronate, and ibandronate compared to those who do not. Morever it can be said that oral BPs may cause similar ocular side effects like as intravascular BPs (AU)

The ocular findings related to oral bisphosphonate use.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to investigate ocular involvement findings in female osteoporosis patients using oral bisphosphonate (BP). METHODS: A total of 51 female osteoporosis patients aged 50-75 years using oral BP for at least one year for the study group and 64 age-matched non-osteoporosis female patients for the control group were included in the study. The BP type and exposure time were noted. The ophthalmic examination findings and measurements of the flare of the patients who received oral BP due to osteoporosis and the controls were evaluated. RESULTS: The mean duration of BP use was 3.96 years. In the study group, it was detected four of 51 patients were diagnosed with meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) (7.8%), seven of 102 eyes had erythematous, irregular, thickened lid margin or telangiectasia around the glandular orifices. There were no pathological findings on fundus examination. The mean value of measurements of the flare (ph/ms) was 7.90±7.96 in the study group, and 5.02±0.81 in the control group. When the mean values were compared, there was a significant difference between the two groups (P=.001). A significant difference was found in the mean value of measurements of the flare between the patients using alendronate, and ibandronate with the control group (P=.001; P=.005, respectively). CONCLUSION: Our study showed that the flare in the anterior chamber associated with chronic ocular inflammation can be seen higher rate in patients using oral alendronate, and ibandronate compared to those who do not. Morever it can be said that oral BPs may cause similar ocular side effects like as intravascular BPs.

Influence of the MIF polymorphism -173G > C on Turkish postmenopausal women with osteoporosis.

BACKGROUND: MIF, a proinflammatory cytokine, contributes to the pathogenesis of acute, chronic, and autoimmune inflammatory disorders and balances the suppressive effect of glucocorticoids on the immune system. There is an interaction between bone metabolism and the immune system via the production of cytokines. We aimed to analyze the relationship between the MIF gene -173G > C promoter polymorphism and osteoporosis. METHODS: In this case-control study performed in a university hospital, 286 samples (136 women with osteoporosis and 150 healthy age-matched controls) participated. The polymerase chain reaction-based restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) assay was used to genotype the MIF gene polymorphism. The alleles and genotypes frequencies of patients and controls were compared using the χ2 test. RESULTS: The genotype frequencies of MIF gene -173G > C polymorphism showed statistically significant differences between patients and controls (p = 0.038). Also, the subjects carrying the variant C allele in the MIF -173 position were at significantly higher risk of osteoporosis than subjects carrying the wild-type G allele (p = 0.009, odds ratio 1.7, 95% confidence interval 1.1-2.6). CONCLUSION: Our study suggested a strong association between MIF gene -173G > C polymorphism and osteoporosis in a Turkish population.

Essure microinsert hysteroscopic tubal sterilization: eight-years follow-up results.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effectiveness and reliability of microinsert hysteroscopic sterilization method at short- and long-term. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In the period between January 2004 and December 2005, 34 patients who submitted to the present gynecology outpatient clinic seeking for permanent contraception and accepted tubal sterilization with microinsert method were included in this prospective, interventional study. RESULTS: Bilateral microinsert placement was successful in 28 (87.5%) of 32 patients that underwent the procedure. In all of the 30 patients (100%) in whom the placement procedure was attempted, bilateral tubal occlusion was documented by hysterosalpingogram (HSG) including the two patients in whom unilateral placement was carried out. First three procedures were performed under general anesthesia. Local or general anesthesia was not administered in any other cases (97.5%). The mean visual analogue scale score for pain felt during the procedure was 3.1. The mean procedure time was 11.5 ± 4.88 (5-22) minutes, the average time from beginning the procedure to discharge of the patients was 41.7 ± 18.5 (15-94) minutes. One intrauterine pregnancy was detected in one of the patients nine months after cessation of the alternative contraceptive period. This patient was excluded from the follow-up. At short-term all patients rated their microinsert-wearing tolerance as good or excellent. At eighth year, three patients were lost to follow-up. Mean follow-up time was 83.4 ± 15.0 (36-103) months. During 2,420 woman-months of follow-up, no other pregnancies were detected. Almost all of the patients were happy with the procedure and recommended it to a friend. CONCLUSION: Essure microinsert is a safe, effective, minimally invasive sterilization method which can be performed in outpatient settings without any anesthesia requirement. It appears to be a good alternative to laparoscopic tubal sterilization. The procedure time and the time to discharge are brief. Patient tolerance during the procedure and at long-term is very good.

Dilatation of the cervix at non-labour caesarean section: Does it improve the patients' perception of pain post-operatively?

Our aim was to determine the effect of cervical dilatation at non-labour caesarean section on post-operative pain and maternal morbidity. This prospective, randomised, single-blinded trial was conducted from March 2013 to February 2014. In all, 199 patients were enrolled in the study: 102 in non-dilated group and 97 in cervical dilatation group. Based on Visual Analogue Scale, there were no significant differences between the two groups on post-operative 8th, 24th and 48th hour pain scores. We observed thinner endometrial cavity thickness, shorter operation time and shorter hospitalisation duration in cervical dilatation group. However, change in haemoglobin concentrations and puerperal fever rates were found to be comparable between the groups. In conclusion, intra-operative cervical dilatation does not seem to benefit in terms of post-operative pain, change in haemoglobin concentrations or puerperal fever.

Placental site trophoblastic tumor: report of a tertiary center experience.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the clinical and pathological characteristics of placental site trophoblastic tumor (PSTT) cases and to discuss the diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of PSTT. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The clinical and pathological data of eight patients with PSTT at Istanbul Medical Faculty Hospital from 1988 to 2010 were analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 31 years. The antecedent pregnancy was full-term delivery in most of the patients (6/8, 75%). The mean interval from last pregnancy to diagnosis of PSTT was 35 months (range, six to 192). Serum human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) levels at the time of diagnosis ranged from 0.1 to 2280 mIU/ml (mean, 614). All patients had Stage 1 disease and ultimately underwent hysterectomy. None of the patients received adjuvant chemotherapy. One patient died of an unknown reason, one month after the surgery. The rest of the patients were alive and without evidence of disease after an average of 3.5 years (range, one to 11) of follow-up. CONCLUSION: Hysterectomy alone can provide long-term survival in early-stage disease.

Clinical analysis of emergency peripartum hysterectomies in a tertiary center.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the incidence, indications, complications, and risk factors associated with increased mortality and morbidity of emergency peripartum hysterectomy (EPH). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The authors retrospectively analyzed 48 cases of EPH performed within six-year interval at Ondokuz Mayis University Hospital. EPH was defined as the operation performed for life-threatening hemorrhage which could not be controlled with conservative treatment modalities within 24 hours of a delivery. RESULTS: The incidence of EPH was 5.03 per 1,000 deliveries. The most common indication for EPH was abnormal placental adherence (n = 22, 45.8%), followed by uter- ine atony (n = 19, 39.6%). All the patients with placenta accreta had a history of repeat cesarian section (CS) and placenta previa.Total hysterectomy was performed in almost all of the patients (n = 47, 97.9%). All women required blood transfusions. Maternal morbidity was significant, with bladder injury (31.3%) and disseminated intravascular coagulation (18.7%) among the most common complications. There were one maternal (2.1%) and five neonatal deaths (10.4%). CONCLUSION: Since most of the EPH cases are associated with prior cesarean delivery, decision of the first CS should be made for true obstetrical indications.If conservative treatments fail to control massive obstetrical bleeding, blood products and an experienced obstetrician should be ready to perform EPH to decrease the maternal mor- bidity and mortality.

Borderline epithelial ovarian tumors: a single center experience.

AIM: To evaluate the clinical outcomes of the patients treated for borderline ovarian tumor (BOT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this retrospective study, records of the patients between November 2001 and December 2012 who underwent surgery and whose final pathological diagnosis were BOT were retrieved. RESULTS: During the study period, 78 patients were diagnosed as BOT. The patho- logical diagnoses of the tumors were serous in 26 (33.3%) and mucinous in 52 patients (66.6 %), respectively. Accuracy of frozen section diagnosis was observed in 63 of 89 patients (70.7%). Sixty-eight women (87.1%) underwent complete staging procedure. According to final pathological diagnoses, Stage IA, IB, and IC were found in 52 (67%), five (6.5%), and seven (9%) patients, respectively. FIGO Stages IIC and IIIC were found in one case in each (1.25%). Remaining 12 patients were classified as unstaged (15%). The median follow-up time was 63 months. The authors observed only one recurrence (1.3%) and that patient died of disease. CONCLUSION: The survival rate in patients with BOTs confined to the ovary is excellent. Surgical staging procedure can be omitted in the patients with grossly apparent Stage I mucinous tumors.

Pyomyoma after dilatation and curettage for missed abortion.

Infection of a leiomyoma is a very rare clinical entity called pyomyoma. Pathology may be encountered during the reproductive period, pregnancy, and even postmenopausal period. In this report, we present a case of pyomyoma which developed after dilatation and curettage managed by broad spectrum antibiotics and myomectomy to preserve the fertility in a 31-year-old patient.

Analyses of atypical glandular cells re-defined by the 2006 Bethesda System: histologic outcomes and clinical implication of follow-up management.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the histopathology and the long-term follow-up outcome of women who had atypical glandular cells on Pap smears. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All women with atypical glandular cells (AGC) who underwent colposcopic and histopathologic evaluation between January 2005 and October 2010 were reviewed. Patient data were examined up to October 2012, allowing for at least two years of follow-up for all patients. RESULTS: Forty-four women with AGC Pap test underwent histologic follow-up during the study period. Overall, upon reclassification of smears, 35 (79.5%) cases were diagnosed with AGC "not otherwise specified" (NOS) and nine (20.5%) with AGC "favour neoplasia". Seven out of nine patients (77.7%) with AGC "favour neoplasia" had significant pathology. On the other hand, only 11 out of 35 cases (31.4%) with AGC "NOS" had significant pathology. Significant correlation was found between AGC "favour neoplasia" smears and a significant pathology (p: 0.01). Of the 44 patients, 18 (40.9%) had significant pathology. Eight patients (18.2%) had low grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN 1), four (9%) had high-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN 2/3), one (2.2%) had microinvasive squamous cell carcinoma of uterine cervix, one (2.2%) had cervical adenocarcinoma in situ, one (2.2%) had cervical adenocarcinoma, one (2.2%) had endometrial adenocarcinoma, and two (4.5%) had endometrial hyperplasia. CONCLUSION: Reporting AGC in the population is clinically significant due to the high prevalence of underlying preinvasive and invasive diseases (40.9%). The subtypes of the AGC category are significant predictor of such lesions.

Evaluation of biventricular myocardial performance index in patients with Behçet's disease.

OBJECTIVE: The global function of both left ventricular (LV) and right ventricular (RV) functions were compared in patients with Behçet's disease (BD) versus healthy controls. METHODS: Biventricular function was evaluated by measurement of the myocardial performance index (MPI) evaluated from tissue Doppler echocardiographic measurements in 24 BD patients and was compared with measurements in 24 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. RESULTS: Significantly higher MPI values were associated with ventricular dysfunction. The study demonstrated impaired RV function in patients with BD compared with healthy controls, whereas normal LV function was observed both in patients with BD and in healthy controls. CONCLUSION: Early noninvasive evaluation of the properties of BD during the asymptomatic phase of this inflammatory disease may have prognostic value in the management of patients.

Sleep quality in fibromyalgia and rheumatoid arthritis: associations with pain, fatigue, depression, and disease activity.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to compare the sleep quality in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS); and to evaluate the relationship between sleep quality and pain, fatigue, depression, and disease activity in patients with RA and FMS. METHODS: Forty RA, 40 FMS and 40 healthy controls were enrolled in the study. Disease activity and disease duration were reported in patients. Pain by visual analogue scale (VAS), fatigue by Multidimensional Assesment of Fatigue (MAF), depression by Beck Depression Index (BDI), and sleep quality by Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) were gathered in all participants. RESULTS: All participants were aged between 20 and 65 years, with a mean age of 42.97±10.75 years. There was no significant difference with respect to demographic characteristics among the three study groups. Patients reported more depression than controls, but BDI scores were similar in FMS and RA patients. VAS pain scores and MAF scores were significantly different in the three groups (p<0.001). FMS and RA patients had poor sleep quality (p<0.001). FMS patients had daytime dysfunction due to sleep disorder and had worse habitual sleep efficiency than RA patients (p<0.05). In patients, positive correlations were found between PSQI and clinic assessment variables except disease duration. CONCLUSIONS: FMS and RA may have poor sleep quality when compared to subjects without rheumatologic disorders. The quality of sleep can be impaired by pain, fatigue, depression, and disease activity in such patients.

Frequency of juvenile fibromyalgia syndrome in children with familial Mediterranean fever: effects on depression and quality of life.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence of juvenile fibromyalgia syndrome (JFMS) in children with familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) and to evaluate quality of life (QoL) and depression. METHODS: Ninety-one FMF patients (M/F: 44/47) who fulfilled the Livneh criteria and 60 healthy children (M/F: 27/33) were enrolled in the study. Yunus and Masi's criteria were used for diagnosis of JFMS. Depression was assessed with Children's Depression Inventory (CDI) and QoL was evaluated with child and parent reports of Paediatric Quality of Life Inventory 4.0 (PedsQL™). RESULTS: While 20 (21.9%) of 91 FMF patients fulfilled JFMS criteria, 2 (3.3%) of the control group met the diagnostic criteria of JFMS (p=0.002). PedsQL™ scores (child self-report and parent-report) of the FMF patients were significantly lower and the depression scores were significantly higher than the healthy controls (p<0.001 for all). When the FMF patients were assigned to two groups as FMF with or without JFMS, patients with JFMS were found to have a higher depression score (p=0.007) and child and parent reports of PedsQL™ 4.0 were lower in the children with JFMS than in the patients without JFMS (p=0.001, p=0.003, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: We have determined that JFMS frequency was higher in children with FMF and patients with FMF and JFMS had a poor QoL and were more susceptible to depression. FMF patients with widespread and persistent pain should be evaluated for JFMS in order to avoid unnecessary investigations and inappropriate treatment.

The comparison of ultrasound treatment and local steroid injection plus splinting in the carpal tunnel syndrome: a randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to compare the efficacy of ultrasound treatment to local corticosteroid injection plus splinting in carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). There is still limited knowledge on the efficacy of conservative treatment options for CTS. METHODS: Fourty-nine hands of 34 patients with CTS were enrolled in this study. Patients were randomly assigned to the ultrasound treatment (group A) or local corticosteroid injection plus splinting (group B). The primary outcome measures included clinical parameters such as symptoms severity score, visual analogue scale (VAS) pain, functional status score, grip strength and two-point discrimination. The secondary outcome measures were the electrophysiological tests. The examinations were performed at baseline, and then at 4th and 8th weeks. RESULTS: At the end of the study, a statistically significant improvement was obtained in all clinical parameters in the group B: VAS pain, severity of symptoms, functional status, grip strength (p < 0.001 for each) and two-point discrimination (p < 0.016). Also the group A showed significant improvements in all clinical parameters (p < 0.001 for each), except for the grip strength. Additionally, significant improvements in the median nerve sensory conduction velocity and distal motor latency were also found in both groups at the end of the 8 week follow-up period. There was no significant difference between the groups in the primary and secondary outcome measures, except for the grip strength. CONCLUSIONS: Both ultrasound treatment and corticosteroid injection plus splinting were effective on the clinical symptoms and the electrophysiological findings of CTS. Thus, the ultrasound therapy may be an alternative treatment for CTS, particularly in patient who do not accept injection or splinting (Tab. 3, Fig. 2, Ref. 36).

A new value of proximal femur geometry to evaluate hip fracture risk: true moment arm.

This study was undertaken to determine the influence of proximal femur geometry on hip fracture risk independent of bone mineral density. We examined 34 hip fracture subjects (17 men, 17 women) and 36 control subjects (18 men, 18 women). The control subjects were matched with the hip fracture patients by femoral neck bone mineral density (+ or - 0.100 g/cm(2)). Hip axis length (HAL), femoral axis length (FAL), femoral neck-shaft angle (Theta angle), lateral and medial femoral cortical thickness were measured on standart pelvic radiographs. In the literature, there are conflicting views of the relationship between femur geometry and hip fracture risk which may be explained by different definitions of some parameters. We investigated the effect of a new parameter called true moment arm (TMA) on hip fracture risk. Longer TMA may be correlated to higher transmission of impact energy to the femoral neck. Thus it may be useful to define fracture prone individuals. The results of this study showed that HAL, FAL and TMA were significantly longer in the hip fracture subjects compared to the control group (p<0.001). Hip fracture patients had thinner lateral and medial femoral cortical thickness (p<0.001). Theta angle was wider in the hip fracture group than in the control group (p<0.001). In conclusion, our study showed that evaluation of TMA in addition to HAL, FAL, Theta angle, MCT and LCT can be used to determine of the fracture risk independently of BMD.

Angiotensin II inhibition attenuates postexercise proteinuria in rats.

An important explanatory theory for the mechanism of postexercise proteinuria is that angiotensin II could be inhibited by angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors. Because of the kininase effect of the angiotensin converting enzyme, it is unclear whether the kallikrein-kinin system contributes to the effect of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors on postexercise proteinuria. The aim of this study was to evaluate any possible involvement of the kallikrein-kinin system in the therapeutic effect of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors on postexercise proteinuria. We evaluated urinary protein levels in exhausted rats receiving an angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor (enalapril) or an angiotensin II type I receptor antagonist (losartan). Enalapril (30 mg/kg/day, two days) or losartan (20 mg/kg/day, two days) were given to animals using an intragastric catheter. Urinary protein levels increased (41 %) in rats which were exhausted via treadmill running (p < 0.05). In animals that received drug treatment (enalapril or losartan), but did not exercise to exhaustion, urinary protein levels were not different from the control group. Urinary protein levels were found to be significantly lower (p < 0.05) in animals which performed acute exhaustive exercise after enalapril or losartan administration, compared to rats which were exhausted without drug administration. Inhibition of postexercise proteinuria by either enalapril or losartan suggested that angiotensin II plays an important role in postexercise proteinuria, however, it appears the kallikrein-kinin system is not involved in angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors effect.

Pulmonary involvement in rheumatoid arthritis.

The primary objective of this investigation was to assess the relationships between clinical characteristics, lung involvement, and frequency of pulmonary involvement in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Using high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) and pulmonary function tests (PFT), we prospectively evaluated 52 patients with RA (eight males and 44 females, mean age 53.6 years). The HRCT was abnormal in 35 patients (67.3%), the most frequent abnormalities being reticulonodular patterns, which were found in 22 patients (62.9%), ground-glass attenuation (20%), and bronchiectasis (17%). In this group of patients, PFT results were normal in 13 patients (37%). Titers of rheumatoid factor and erythrocyte sedimentation rate were significantly higher in abnormal HRCT presence. Higher Larsen's score, advanced age, and severe disease were significant risk factors for lung involvement (p<0.001, p<0.01, and p<0.01, respectively) and are suggested by our data to be statistically significant predictors of lung involvement in RA.

Impact of obstructive sleep apnoea on left ventricular mass and global function.

Obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS) might be a cause of heart failure. The present study aimed to assess left ventricular mass and myocardial performance index (MPI) in OSAS patients. A total of 67 subjects without any cardiac or pulmonary disease, referred for evaluation of OSAS, had overnight polysomnography and echocardiography. According to apnoea-hypopnoea index (AHI), subjects were classified into three groups: mild OSAS (AHI: 5-14; n = 16), moderate OSAS (AHI: 15-29; n = 18), and severe OSAS (AHI: > or = 30; n = 33). Thickness of interventricular septum (IVS) and posterior wall (LVPW) were measured by M-mode, along with left ventricular mass (LVM) and LVM index (LVMI). Left ventricular MPI was calculated as (isovolumic contraction time+isovolumic relaxation time)/aortic ejection time by Döppler echocardiography. There were no differences in age or body mass index among the groups, but blood pressures were higher in severe OSAS compared with moderate and mild OSAS. In severe OSAS, thickness of IVS (11.2+/-1.1 mm), LVPW (11.4+/-0.9 mm), LVM (298.8+/-83.1 g) and LVMI (144.7+/-39.8 g x m(-2)) were higher than in moderate OSAS (10.9+/-1.3 mm; 10.8+/-0.9 mm; 287.3+/-74.6 g; 126.5+/-41.2 g x m(-2), respectively) and mild OSAS (9.9+/-0.9 mm; 9.8+/-0.8 mm; 225.6+/-84.3 g; 100.5+/-42.3 g x m(-2), respectively). In severe OSAS, MPI (0.64+/-0.14) was significantly higher than in mild OSAS (0.50+/-0.09), but not significantly higher than moderate OSAS (0.60+/-0.10). In conclusion, severe and moderate obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome patients had higher left ventricular mass and left ventricular mass index, and also left ventricular global dysfunction.

QT interval dispersion in obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome patients without hypertension.

QT interval dispersion (QT(d)) reflects inhomogeneity of repolarisation. Delayed cardiac repolarisation leading to the prolongation of the QT interval is a well-characterised precursor of arrhythmias. Obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS) can cause cardiovascular complications, such as arrhythmias, myocardial infarction, and systemic and pulmonary hypertension. The aim of this study was to assess QT(d) in OSAS patients without hypertension. A total of 49 subjects without hypertension, diabetes mellitus, any cardiac or pulmonary diseases, or any hormonal, hepatic, renal or electrolyte disorders were referred for evaluation of OSAS. An overnight polysomnography and a standard 12-lead ECG were performed in each subject. According to the apnoea-hypopnoea index (AHI), subjects were divided into control subjects (AHI <5, n = 20) and moderate-severe OSAS patients (AHI > or =15, n = 29). QT(d) (defined as the difference between the maximum and minimum QT interval) and QT-corrected interval dispersion (QT(cd)) were calculated using Bazzet's formula. In conclusion, the QT(cd) was significantly higher in OSAS patients (56.1+/-9.3 ms) than in controls (36.3+/-4.5 ms). A strong positive correlation was shown between QT(cd) and AHI. In addition, a significantly positive correlation was shown between QT(cd) and the desaturation index (DI). The AHI and DI were significantly related to QT(cd) as an independent variable using stepwise regression analysis. The QT-corrected interval dispersion is increased in obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome patients without hypertension, and it may reflect obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome severity.