Anemia in Patients With Diabetes and Prediabetes With Normal Kidney Function: Prevalence and Clinical Outcomes.

OBJECTIVE: Anemia is a known complication of diabetes mellitus (DM); however, its prevalence and prognostic relevance in patients with DM and pre-DM with normal kidney function have not been well defined. This study assessed the prevalence of anemia in patients with DM and pre-DM and evaluated its association with clinical outcomes during a 4-year follow-up period. METHODS: This retrospective analysis included patients with DM and pre-DM referred to the Meir Medical Center Endocrine Institute in 2015. Patients with an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) of <60 mL/min or any other recognized cause of anemia were excluded. The risk of developing microvascular or macrovascular complications or of death during the 4-year follow-up period was determined. RESULTS: A total of 622 patients (408 with DM and 214 with pre-DM) were included. The mean age of the patients was 64 ± 10.6 years, and 70% were women. The baseline hemoglobin A1C level was 7.1% ± 1.7% (54 mmol/mol), and the eGFR was 86.1 ± 15.3 mL/min. At the time of inclusion, 77 patients (19%) with DM and 23 (11%) with pre-DM had anemia (hemoglobin level 11.9 ± 0.8 and 11.8 ± 0.8 g/dL, respectively), compared with normal hemoglobin levels of 13.8 ± 0.9 and 13.7± 0.9 g/dL, respectively, in the others. A multivariable analysis demonstrated an inverse correlation between baseline hemoglobin (as a continuous variable) and mortality (P = .035), microvascular complications (P = .003), and eGFR decline (P < .001) but not between baseline hemoglobin and macrovascular complications (P = .567). CONCLUSION: This study found a significant prevalence of anemia unrelated to renal failure, both in patients with DM and pre-DM. Anemia in these patients is associated with the development of microvascular complications, eGFR decline, and mortality. These results underscore the need for intensive lifestyle and pharmacologic interventions in these patients.

Clinical experience with biologic treatment in resistant eosinophilic fasciitis: Case reports and review of the literature.

RATIONALE: Eosinophilic fasciitis (EF) is an uncommon connective tissue disorder characterized by limb and trunk erythema, with symmetrical thickening of the skin. Its pathogenesis is poorly understood. Treatment consists mainly of glucocorticoids. Yet, no randomized trials have evaluated therapies for this rare disease and the optimal treatment modality remains unclear. Although most patients show partial or complete response to glucocorticoids, many relapse upon drug tapering, while others either do not respond at all or fail to sustain prolonged remission. Second-line therapy for this rare disorder includes mainly methotrexate (MTX), azathioprine, cyclosporine and hydroxychloroquine. Recently, several attempts using rituximab and intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIG) have shown good clinical results. PATIENT CONCERNS: The three patients had good clinical response to glucocorticoid treatment, followed by disease flare when the drug dose was tapered. Adding methotrexate in all patients and azathioprine to patient 3 did not lead to remission. DIAGNOSES: EF was diagnosed in all patients based on clinical presentation accompanied by fascia biopsy that demonstrated eosinophilic fasciitis. INTERVENTIONS: The patients were successfully treated with rituximab or IVIG, achieving sustained remission. OUTCOMES: The three cases had good clinical response to glucocorticoid treatment, followed by disease flare when the drug dose was tapered. The patients were then successfully treated with rituximab or IVIG, achieving sustained remission. LESSONS: This review of three cases of EF supports the results of previous reports, suggesting addition of rituximab and IVIG is an effective treatment for patients with refractory disease.

Clinical and Radiological Characteristics of Patients Diagnosed with Spontaneous Pneumothorax: Treatment Options and Clinical Outcomes. A Retrospective Analysis 2004 to 2017.

BACKGROUND: Primary spontaneous pneumothorax (PSP) tends to occur in young adults without underlying lung diseases and is usually followed by limited symptoms, while secondary spontaneous pneumothorax (SSP) is a complication of a pre-existing lung disease. Surprisingly, for such common conditions, there is a considerable inconsistency regarding management guidelines. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the risk factors for spontaneous pneumothoraxes and to summarize outcomes and complications based on our clinical experience. METHODS: This retrospective study group was comprised of 250 consecutive patients older than 18 years of age who were diagnosed with spontaneous pneumothorax and hospitalized at the Meir Medical Center (2004-2017). Data on demographic characteristics, indicating symptoms, chest X-rays, and chest computed tomography (CT) results were collected. Our experience and outcomes were then compared to a large multicenter study. RESULTS: Most of the patients were male (85%) and past or current smokers; 69% presented with PSP, while the rest were SSP. No occupational relation was noted. About 55% of the cases presented with a moderate or large pneumothorax (over 1/3 hemithorax). Most patients (56%) required chest tube drainage and 20% undergone surgery. Nearly 10% presented with a recurrent pneumothorax with the mean time to recurrence being 11 ± 20 days. Although the length of hospital stay of patients that underwent surgery was the longest (P < 0.001) for both PSP and SSP, the recurrence rate was actually reduced, suggesting some benefit for the surgical treatment option. CONCLUSIONS: Our experience showed that the traditional approach to the PSP treatment should be further considered, as previously suggested.

The Profile of COPD Patients with Prolonged Hospitalizations: A Retrospective Analysis of 200 Hospital Admissions.

BACKGROUND: Patients with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) experience frequent exacerbations and need to be hospitalized, resulting in an economic and social burden. Although data exist regarding reasons of frequent hospitalizations, there is no data available about the impact on the length of stay (LOS). OBJECTIVES: To characterize the causes of prolonged hospitalizations in COPD patients. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted of patients who were diagnosed and treated in the pulmonary department for severe COPD exacerbations. All patient demographic data and medical history were collected. Data regarding the disease severity were also collected (including Global Initiative for Obstructive Lung Disease [GOLD] criteria, pulmonologist follow-up, prior hospitalizations, and LOS). RESULTS: The study comprised 200 patients, average age 69.5 ± 10.8 years, 61% males. Of these patients, 89 (45%) were hospitalized for up to 4 days, 111 (55%) for 5 days or more, and 34 (17%) for more than 7 days. Single patients had longer LOS compared with married patients (48% vs. 34%, P = 0.044). Multivariate analysis showed that the number of prior hospital admissions in the last year was a predictor of LOS (P = 0.038, odds ratio [OR] = 0.807, 95% confidence interval [95%CI] = 0.659-0.988), as well as the use of non-invasive respiratory support by bilevel positive airway pressure (BiPAP) during the hospitalization (P = 0.024, OR = 4.662, 95%CI = 1.229-17.681). CONCLUSIONS: Fewer previous hospitalizations due to COPD exacerbations and the need for non-invasive respiratory support by BiPAP were found as predictors of longer LOS.

Computed Tomography Angiography Findings in Pulmonary Embolism Patients Vary Following Thrombolytic Treatment.

BACKGROUND: Pulmonary embolism (PE) is the third most frequently occurring cardiovascular disease. However, the clinical presentation in patients with PE is variable. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the prevalence of radiological findings detected in contrast-enhanced computed tomography angiography (CTA) and their significance in patients with PE; and to assess whether the CTA findings differed in patients receiving tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) therapy from those who did not. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed CTA scans of 186 patients diagnosed with acute PE. Incidental findings on CTA scan were assessed, including mediastinal and parenchymal lymph nodes, pleural effusion, space-occupying lesions, consolidations, emphysema, and pericardial effusion. RESULTS: Patients receiving tPA (19.9%) were less likely to have pleural effusion (29.7% vs. 50.3%, P = 0.024). Other CTA findings did not differ between the tPA and non-tPA groups, including lung infiltrates (40.5% vs. 38.9, P = 0.857), space-occupying lesions (5.4% vs. 6.7%, P = 1), pericardial effusion (8.1% vs. 8.7%, P = 1), emphysema (21.6% vs. 17.4%, P = 0.557), lung (18.9% vs. 24.2%, P = 0.498), and mediastinal ( 24.3% vs. 25.5%, P = 0.883) lymph nodes, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of pleural effusion (unilateral or bilateral) was higher in patients not treated with tPA. Therefore, in patients with a borderline condition, the presence of pleural effusion could support the decision not to give tPA treatment.

Diabetes mellitus with normal renal function is associated with anaemia.

BACKGROUND: Anaemia is a common complication of diabetes mellitus (DM), usually related to renal failure. There is scarce information as to the levels of haemoglobin (Hb) and the rate of anaemia in diabetic patients with normal renal function. We, therefore, evaluated haemoglobin levels and the rate of anaemia in diabetic subjects with normal renal functions [estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) > 60 mL/min]. METHODS: The charts of 9250 subjects who attended the Institute of Periodic Medical Examinations at the Chaim Sheba Medical Center for a routine yearly check-up were reviewed. Four hundred and forty-five subjects with type 2 DM and normal renal function were indentified and compared with those without DM who were routinely examined at the same time. Subjects' electronic records were used to build a biochemical and clinical database. RESULTS: Mean haemoglobin levels were lower in subjects with DM than in those without (14.2 vs. 14.7 g/dL, respectively; p < 0.001). Anaemia was observed in 48 (10.8%) subjects in the diabetic group and in only 12 (2.7%) in the nondiabetic group (p < 0.001). Multivariate analysis revealed that age, gender, history of gastrointestinal disease, use of beta blockers, renal function and DM were independent determinants of haemoglobin levels. After adjustment for age, gender, history of gastrointestinal tract diseases and renal function, DM remained a significant determinant of anaemia with an odds ratio of 2.15 (confidence interval: 1.07-4.31). CONCLUSIONS: Anaemia is more common in diabetic patients even when eGFR > 60 mL/min.

Coronary artery calcification is associated with the development of hypertension.

BACKGROUND: Hypertension (HTN) is associated with coronary artery calcification (CAC). We hypothesized that preexisting CAC is associated with the development of HTN. METHODS: This study included 483 normotensive subjects (mean age 54 years, 83% males) who underwent a baseline evaluation of their CAC score with ungated dual-section computed tomography during 2001-2002 and returned for at least the first annual follow-up. All subjects underwent an annual examination and were followed for a mean period of 6.6 ± 3.2 years to identify newly developed HTN. Data on the patient's medical history, physical examination and laboratory evaluations were collected. RESULTS: During the follow-up, 104 subjects developed HTN. The rate of newly developed HTN was significantly higher among those with CAC (60 of 223 subjects; 27%) than among those without CAC (44 of 260; 17%) (P < 0.01). The presence of CAC predicted the development of HTN with a hazard ratio of 1.73 (95% confidence interval, 1.17-2.56; P < 0.01). After adjustment for age, sex, body mass index, smoking, baseline systolic blood pressure, and levels of glucose, triglycerides, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, the presence of CAC still predicted the development of HTN with a hazard ratio of 1.63 (95% confidence interval, 1.02-2.60; P = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: Preexisting CAC is associated with the development of HTN.

Do infections facilitate the emergence of systemic sclerosis?

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is an autoimmune disease characterized by vascular obliteration, excessive extracellular matrix deposition, and fibrosis of the connective tissues of the skin, lungs, gastrointestinal tract, heart, and kidneys. Infections are believed to play a role in the immunopathogenesis of SSc. A number of infectious agents have been proposed as possible triggering factors in SSc. Homology between viruses and autoantibody targets suggests that molecular mimicry may play a role in the initiation of antibody response in disorders characterized by diffuse vascular disease, mainly SSc. Four pathogenic hypotheses have been proposed: molecular mimicry, endothelial cell damage, super-antigens, and microchimerism. Although several studies have provided important information linking infectious agents to SSc, a clear, direct association is still missing. It is very likely that the infectious agents are cofactors in a specific hormonal and environmental setting that mounts an immune reaction, which leads to the emergence of the disorder.

The endless differential diagnosis of acute obstructive renal failure: unusual challenges for the sharp-sighted clinician.

Obstruction of urine outflow can result from mechanical blockade as well as from functional defects. In adults, urinary tract obstruction is due mainly to acquired defects, such as pelvic tumors, calculi, and urethral stricture. In childhood it is mostly due to congenital malformations. In this article we present two rare cases of acute obstructive renal failure that presented with hydronephrosis. These cases underline the wide range of causes that may lead to this clinical feature.

Pneumatosis intestinalis presenting in autoimmune diseases: a report of three patients.

Pneumatosis intestinalis (PI) is an uncommon condition characterized by the presence of gas within the wall of the gastrointestinal tract. PI is a physical or imaging finding that is the result of an underlying pathological process or a disease. This finding may present in diverse conditions, such as obstructive pulmonary disease and intestinal disease, including obstruction, inflammation, or ischemia. PI has also been reported in different autoimmune conditions, especially in systemic sclerosis and rarely with systemic lupus erythematosus. In this report we present PI occurring in three patients with different autoimmune conditions and review the literature.

Arrhythmias and conduction defects in rheumatological diseases--a comprehensive review.

OBJECTIVES: To review the clinical aspects of cardiac arrhythmias and conduction disturbances in several common and less encountered adult rheumatic diseases and to underline the importance of prompt diagnosis and management in these patients. METHODS: The PubMed database was searched for articles published between the years 1960 and 2008 for keywords referring to autoimmune diseases. All relevant English-written articles were reviewed. Most were uncontrolled series and case reports, due to the lack of prospective studies and randomized trials. RESULTS: Rheumatologic conditions may affect the cardiovascular system and increase morbidity and mortality. Rhythm and conduction defects are usually mild but may be life-threatening; in certain diseases, such as in systemic lupus erythematosus they may resolve following therapy with corticosteroids. Conduction defects occur frequently in patients with spondyloarthropathies and in those with various forms of vasculitis. Enhanced variation of the QT interval may be a sensitive marker of a higher arrythmogenic tendency in patients with autoimmune conditions. CONCLUSIONS: It is important to identify patients at high risk for cardiac arrhythmias. Treating such patients with arrhythmias should not differ fundamentally from other patients. Nevertheless, appropriate clinical attention and judgment should be applied to exclude the possibility that arrhythmias reflect uncontrolled myocardial inflammation.

[Cancer of unknown primary site origin--advances in diagnosis and therapy].

Cancer of unknown primary site (CUP) is defined as a metastatic disease, identified on biopsy, with it's origin remaining unknown despite extensive clinical, laboratory and imaging studies. As much as 3% to 10% of all cancers can be defined as CUP. The primary workup includes history taking, a full physical examination, basic laboratory studies, imaging studies and immunohistochemical staining or genetic analysis of biopsy material. The diagnostic yield of such studies is about 20% to 30% of cases. New advanced techniques can be used to define the genetic profile of the tumor cells. Comparing such profiles to those originating from known tumors may markedly improve our ability to detect the origin of CUP in up to 90% of cases. The treatment of CUP is based on the regimen given for cancer of the presumed origin, and in many cases is completely empiric. The prognosis for patients with CUP is dismal partially due to the late stages in which the disease is diagnosed and the aggressiveness of the tumor. The median survival is 10-12 months and the 2 year survival is 20%-25%. This is a case report demonstrating the dilemmas in managing such patients, followed by a review of the recent medical literature covering the topic.

Diffuse disseminated candidiasis in a patient with Felty's syndrome: a case report.

Severe granulocytopenia predispose patients with Felty's syndrome to severe infectious diseases. The following report deals with an occurrence of chronic disseminated candidiasis in a patient with Felty's syndrome who presented with prolonged and severe granulocytopenia. To the best of our knowledge this coexistence has never been described before.