The incidence of gestational diabetes mellitus before and after the introduction of HAPO diagnostic criteria.

INTRODUCTION: During the years 2014-2015 new diagnostic criteria for gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) were gradually adopted by the Czech professional societies, which emerged from the results of the large prospective multicenter HAPO study (The Hyperglycemia and Adverse Pregnancy Outcome). The adoption of the new criteria was accompanied by concerns about the increase in the number of women with GDM. The paper deals with epidemiological results of GDM incidence in the first three years since the introduction of new criteria. METHODS AND RESULTS: In the years 2013-2014 GDM screening was performed at 1,594 pregnant woman at the General Teaching Hospital in Prague. According to that time valid diagnostic criteria (fasting glucose 5.6 mmol/g and/or 8.9 mmol/l in 60 min and/or 7.7 mmol/l in 120 min 75 g OGTT) GDM was found in 324, i.e. 20 % of women. In the years 2016-2018 were 2,629 pregnant women examined. GDM based on the new criteria (fasting blood glucose 5.1 mmol/l and/or 10 mmol/l in 60 min and/or 8.5 mmol/l in 120 min OGTT) was diagnosed in significantly less women - in 375, i.e. 14.3% (p < 0.0001). Overt diabetes, i.e. fasting glucose 7.0 mmol/l and/or 11.1 mmol/l in 120 min OGTT, was newly detected in 6 pregnant women, i.e. 0.2 %. Gestational diabetes was found in 62% cases based on repeated fasting fasting blood glucose and in 38% on the basis of higher blood glucose at 60 min and/or 120 min OGTT. GDM was significantly more prevalent in the age category over 30 years. Among women aged under 25 years GDM was present at 9.9%, aged 25-29.9 years at 9.6%, aged 30-34.9 years at 14.2% and aged 35 years at 18.6 %. Hypoglycaemia < 3.5 mmol/l experienced 2.9% of women during OGTT. When the screening in 2016-2018 was evaluated according to the previous diagnostic criteria, diabetes would be diagnosed in 16.2% of pregnant women. The result of the test would be falsely negative in 6% of all pregnant women, i.e. these women have repeatedly higher fasting glucose (5.1-5.5 mmol/l) according to the current criteria which was evaluated as physiological according to the previous criteria. However, in the HAPO, these values were already associated with a significant increase of complications. A total of 50% of women with GDM diagnosed according to the previous criteria would have a false positive result of OGTT (8.9-9.9 mmol/l in 60 min and/or 7.7-8.4 mmol/l in 120 min OGTT). These values are not considered to be significantly at risk under the new criteria. CONCLUSION: Our data do not confirm the increase in GDM incidence following the introduction of new diagnostic criteria which, according to current knowledge, better reflect the real risks of complications for the child and the mother. Applying the previous criteria has led to a number of false negative and positive results, so we consider the adoption of better-funded new criteria a step in the right direction. The incidence of diabetes was significant in all age categories and significantly increased in women over 30 years of age.

Cystatin C Is Associated with the Extent and Characteristics of Coronary Atherosclerosis in Patients with Preserved Renal Function.

Cystatin C (CysC), an endogenous inhibitor of cysteine proteases and a sensitive and accurate marker of renal function, is associated with the severity of coronary atherosclerosis assessed by angiography and future cardiovascular events according to previous studies. We aimed to evaluate the association between CysC levels and coronary plaque volume, composition and phenotype assessed by intravascular ultrasound and intravascular ultrasound-derived virtual histology in patients with preserved renal function. Forty-four patients with angiographically documented coronary artery disease and complete intravascular imaging were included in the study. Patients were categorized into tertiles by CysC levels. Subjects in the high CysC tertile had significantly higher mean plaque burden (48.0 % ± 6.9 vs. 42.8 % ± 7.4, P = 0.029), lower mean lumen area (8.1 mm2 ± 1.7 vs. 9.9 mm2 ± 3.1, P = 0.044) and a higher number of 5-mm vessel segments with minimum lumen area < 4 mm2 (17.9 ± 18.9 vs. 6.8 ± 11.7, P = 0.021) compared to patients in the lower tertiles. In addition, CysC levels demonstrated significant positive correlation with the mean plaque burden (r = 0.35, P = 0.021). Neither relative, nor absolute plaque components differed significantly according to CysC tertiles. The Liverpool Active Plaque Score was significantly higher in the high CysC tertile patients (0.91 ± 1.0 vs. 0.18 ± 0.92, P = 0.02). In conclusion, our study demonstrated a significant association of increased CysC levels with more advanced coronary artery disease and higher risk plaque phenotype in patients with preserved renal function.

[The alarming incidence of gestational diabetes mellitus using currently used and new international diagnostic criteria]. / Alarmující výskyt gestacního diabetes mellitus pri pouzití stávajících i nových mezinárodních diagnostických kritérií

OBJECTIVE: The aim of our study was to analyze the results of oral glucose tolerant test (oGTT) of pregnant woman with currently used Czech criteria for diagnosis of GDM, to find out the prevalence of GDM if the measurement of glycemia in 1 hour of oGTT is included and to compare the prevalence of GDM using the new IADPSG (International Association of Diabetes and Pregnancy Study Groups) criteria versus the currently used Czech criteria. DESIGN: Retrospective analysis. SETTINGS: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of the First Faculty of Medicine and General Teaching Hospital, Prague. METHODS: Data from the standard 75g 2-hour oral glucose tolerance test (oGTT) of 2567 pregnant females were analyzed using the currently recommended Czech cut-off values for plasma glucose at baseline and at2 hours of oGTT (5.6 and 7.7 mmol/l) and at baseline, 1 and2 hours oGTT (5.6, 8.9 and 7.7 mmol/l). The frequency of GDM using the Czech criteria was compared with the frequency of GDM using the novel IADPSG criteria (5.1, 10.0 and 8.5 mmol/l). Statistical analysis was done using the software GNU PSPP Statistical Analysis Software version 0.8.0-g0ad9f6. RESULTS: When using the current Czech criteria (at baseline and 2 hours of oGTT) GDM was diagnosed in 362 (14.11%) females. Inclusion of glycemia at 1 hour of oGTT increased the frequency of GDM to 571 (22.26%) females (p<0.00). With the novel IADPSG criteria GDM was diagnosed in 818 (31.89%) females (p=0.038). 503 females i.e. 19.61% and 394 females i.e. 15.36% (when glycemia at 1 h of oGTT included) respectively met the IADPSG but not the Czech criteria and thus were not treated for GDM. In contrast, 47 (1.83%) resp. 147 (5.73%) of tested women who met the Czech but not the IADPSG criteria received unnecessary diabetes treatment. CONCLUSION: The frequency of GDM is higher with the novel IADPSG criteria when compared with the currently used Czech recommendation. Switching to IADPSG criteria might help unravel hitherto unidentified cases of GDM and thus improve outcomes for females with GDM and their offsprings.

Levels of circulating biomarkers at rest and after exercise in coronary artery disease patients.

As traditional risk factors are unable to fully explain the pathogenesis of coronary artery disease (CAD), novel mechanisms became a target of many investigations. Our aim was to study the response of selected markers to physical exercise. High-sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), matrix metalloproteinases 2 and 9 (MMP-2, MMP-9), advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP), soluble receptor for advanced glycation end-products (sRAGE), pregnancy-associated plasma protein A (PAPP-A), E-selectin, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels were measured in serum of 21 CAD patients and in 22 healthy controls at rest and after exercise bicycle stress test performed up to the maximal tolerated effort. At rest, hs-CRP, AOPP, MMP-9 and BNP were significantly elevated in the CAD patients as compared with controls. In contrast, P-selectin was significantly lower in CAD patients and a tendency to lower levels of sRAGE was noted. After exercise MMP-9 and BNP, increased significantly in both groups. In conclusions, CAD patients have elevated hs-CRP, AOPP, MMP-9 and BNP--novel markers related to cardiovascular risk or left ventricular overload. MMP-9 and BNP increase significantly with exercise in both healthy individuals and CAD patients.

[Detection of free light chains--a new method of diagnostics of haematological diseases]. / Detekce volných lehkých retezcu ("free light chains")--nová metoda diagnostiky hematologickych onemocneí.

BACKGROUND: To diagnose monoclonal gamopathy, one of the most frequent haematological diseases, we use immunochemical assays, which are based on the detection of paraprotein in serum and/or urine. METHODS AND RESULTS: The most common laboratory assays we use are SPE (serum protein electrophoresis) and IFE (immunofixation electrophoresis). New method represents the detection of free light chain (FLC) in serum. In our study we compared those three methods (SPE, IFE and FLC) from the point of sensitivity of paraprotein detection. For FLC detection was used Freelite system analyzer (Immunotech Beckman Coulter). We examined 51 patients with diagnosis of multiple myeloma, nonHodgkin's lymphoma, primary amyloidosis and monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance. CONCLUSIONS: Detection of FLC is a valuable method which sometimes could specify diagnosis of MG and make the treatment more accurate.

International Staging System required standardization of biochemical laboratory testing in multiple myeloma.

The standardization of biochemical measurement procedures in multiple myeloma is necessary for reliable prognostic stratification of patients in multicentric trials. The new prognostic index International Staging System for multiple myeloma uses only two laboratory markers, albumin and beta-2 microglobulin. Our study compared results of albumin, beta-2 microglobulin and monoclonal immunoglobulin measurements from six centers which provide treatment for multiple myeloma in the Czech Republic and attempted to standardize the analytic procedures. We have found that the measurement of albumin is well standardized and the results from all laboratories were comparable. The measurement of beta-2 microglobulin achieved comparability only after a partial unification of analytical methods. The determination of monoclonal immunoglobulin concentration provided comparable results for concentrations higher than 20 g/l with higher variability for lower values.

Impact of essential hypertension and primary aldosteronism on plasma brain natriuretic peptide concentration.

INTRODUCTION: Brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) has important role in the diagnosis and management of heart failure. Data on the impact of blood pressure (BP) on BNP are controversial. In primary aldosteronism (PA), BNP production can be affected by both hypertension and specific endocrine mechanisms. This study was aimed at investigating the impact of hypertension and hyperaldosteronism on plasma BNP levels. METHODS: Plasma BNP concentration, casual and 24-h BP and echocardiographic indices were assessed in 40 patients with moderate to severe essential hypertension (EH), 40 BP-matched patients with PA, and 40 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. RESULTS: BNP levels in PA and EH groups did not differ significantly and were higher compared with those in controls [median and interquartile range 26 (13-48) pg/ml, p = 0.01, and 23 (9-32) pg/ml, n.s., vs 14 (6-26) pg/ml in controls]. Remarkably elevated BNP was observed only in three PA and two EH patients, all having significant left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy. BNP levels in PA and EH groups correlated weakly with casual and 24-h BP, interventricular septal thickness and LV mass index (LVMI). Diastolic BP and LVMI were identified as the strongest independent determinants of BNP (p = 0.002 and p = 0.01, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Both PA and EH patients had modest and mutually comparable elevation of BNP, which was independently determined by diastolic BP and LVMI. Both subtypes of PA (aldosterone-producing adenoma and bilateral adrenal hyperplasia) had similar effect on BNP production. Specific impact of hyperaldosteronism on BNP was not confirmed.