Association of Uric Acid with Incident Metabolic Syndrome in a Japanese General Population.

Uric acid is associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD) and its risk factors. Here, we examined the association between the serum uric acid level and incident metabolic syndrome in a Japanese general population. This retrospective, observational study was based on data obtained from an annual health checkup program in Gunma Prefecture, Japan. We evaluated 14,793 participants who did not use antihypertensive or antidiabetic medications and did not present with CVD or metabolic syndrome at the study baseline in 2009. Metabolic syndrome was defined as per the Japanese diagnostic criteria. A discrete proportional hazards regression model was used to evaluate the association between the serum uric acid level at baseline and the incident metabolic syndrome through 2012 and was adjusted for age, gender, waist circumference, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, fasting blood glucose, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and triglyceride. At baseline, the average age of the participants was 48.9 years, who were comprised of 40% women. The mean serum uric acid level at baseline was 5.3 ± 1.4 mg/dL. During the three-year follow-up, 7% of the cohort (n = 1,031) developed metabolic syndrome. The uric acid level was strongly associated with incident metabolic syndrome in the multivariable model (adjusted hazard ratio: 1.10; 95% confidence interval, 1.04-1.17; P < 0.01 per 1 mg/dL increase for uric acid). Higher uric acid levels were independently associated with a greater risk of incident metabolic syndrome in a Japanese general population.

Impact of uric acid on incident hypertension: Sex-specific analysis in different age groups.

The aim of the present study is to evaluate the association of serum uric acid (UA) levels with the risk of incident hypertension among different age groups in men and women using a single large Japanese general cohort. The present study is based on annual health check-up program in Gunma, Japan. We studied 12,029 participants (mean age, 48 â€‹± â€‹9 years old; 31% women) free of prevalent cardiovascular disease and hypertension at baseline (2009). Hypertension was defined by self-report, hypertensive medication use, or measured BP â€‹> â€‹140/90 â€‹mmHg â€‹at each visit. Discrete proportional hazards regression model was used to evaluate the association of UA level at baseline with incident hypertension through 2012 adjusted for age, gender, baseline blood pressure, and other CVD risk factors among different age decade groups in men and women. During follow-up of 3 years, 12% of the cohort (n â€‹= â€‹1457) developed hypertension. UA was strongly associated with incident hypertension in the multivariable model in all participants. In age-stratified analysis, participants below 50 years of age in men had the significant association of UA with incident hypertension, whereas participants above 50 years did not. In women, participants above 40 years had the significant association, whereas participants below 40 years did not. The present data suggest that UA level is an independent predictor for incident hypertension among middle aged men below 50 years old and middle aged and the elderly women above 40 years.

A Risk Score with Additional Four Independent Factors to Predict the Incidence and Recovery from Metabolic Syndrome: Development and Validation in Large Japanese Cohorts.

BACKGROUND: Although many risk factors for Metabolic syndrome (MetS) have been reported, there is no clinical score that predicts its incidence. The purposes of this study were to create and validate a risk score for predicting both incidence and recovery from MetS in a large cohort. METHODS: Subjects without MetS at enrollment (n = 13,634) were randomly divided into 2 groups and followed to record incidence of MetS. We also examined recovery from it in rest 2,743 individuals with prevalent MetS. RESULTS: During median follow-up of 3.0 years, 878 subjects in the derivation and 757 in validation cohorts developed MetS. Multiple logistic regression analysis identified 12 independent variables from the derivation cohort and initial score for subsequent MetS was created, which showed good discrimination both in the derivation (c-statistics 0.82) and validation cohorts (0.83). The predictability of the initial score for recovery from MetS was tested in the 2,743 MetS population (906 subjects recovered from MetS), where nine variables (including age, sex, γ-glutamyl transpeptidase, uric acid and five MetS diagnostic criteria constituents.) remained significant. Then, the final score was created using the nine variables. This score significantly predicted both the recovery from MetS (c-statistics 0.70, p<0.001, 78% sensitivity and 54% specificity) and incident MetS (c-statistics 0.80) with an incremental discriminative ability over the model derived from five factors used in the diagnosis of MetS (continuous net reclassification improvement: 0.35, p < 0.001 and integrated discrimination improvement: 0.01, p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: We identified four additional independent risk factors associated with subsequent MetS, developed and validated a risk score to predict both incident and recovery from MetS.

ST segment elevation in secondary cardiac cancer: a case report and review of the literature.

Secondary cardiac cancer most frequently originates from primary lung cancer and most commonly occurs in the pericardium. On electrocardiographic examination, patients with secondary cardiac cancer occasionally show ST segment elevation that mimics acute coronary syndrome, despite the absence of coronary artery occlusion. We herein describe a rare case of secondary cardiac cancer that presented with ST segment elevation and review the literature regarding ST segment elevation caused by secondary cardiac cancer. A 73-year-old Japanese woman was admitted to the hospital with chest pain. Electrocardiography showed abnormal ST segment elevation in the precordial and lateral leads, suggestive of ST-elevation myocardial infarction. Emergency coronary angiography showed occlusion of the distal left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD), and plain old balloon angioplasty of the LAD was performed. The ST segment elevation initially resolved after angioplasty, but recurred after 7 days. Contrast-enhanced chest computed tomography showed primary lung cancer in the left lower lobe, pericardial metastasis, and myocardial metastasis in the intraventricular septum and posterolateral wall of the left ventricle. Histopathological examination of the lung cancer was not performed. Patients with ST segment elevation due to secondary cardiac cancer may have symptoms and electrocardiographic changes mimicking anteroseptal or lateral infarction without the development of abnormal Q waves. These findings are frequently associated with posterolateral or anteroseptal invasion by primary lung cancer and may indicate a poor prognosis. In conclusion, physicians should be aware that secondary cardiac cancer may present with symptoms and ST segment elevation mimicking acute coronary syndrome, indicating a poor prognosis.

Cross-sectional study of patients with onset of acute coronary syndrome during statin therapy.

BACKGROUND: Although statin therapy significantly reduces cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, atherosclerotic plaque progresses in some patients taking statins. This study investigated the factors associated with onset of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) early after the initiation of statin therapy. METHODS: Consecutive patients taking statins who presented with ACS (n = 64) were divided into < 1-year and > 1-year groups based on the duration of statin therapy. Patient characteristics, coronary risk factors, lesion locations, and percutaneous intervention procedures were compared between groups. RESULTS: The < 1-year group was significantly younger (57.6 ± 11.9 years vs. 76.6 ± 9.1 years, P < 0.01), had significantly higher body mass index (27.22 ± 4.20 kg/m(2) vs. 24.60 ± 4.65 kg/m(2), P < 0.05), higher proportion of males (94% vs. 70%, P < 0.05), higher proportion of current smokers (61% vs. 17%, P < 0.01), and lower proportions taking aspirin and calcium antagonists (both 17% vs. 57%, P < 0.05) than the > 1-year group. In the < 1-year group, there were significant correlations between the low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and triglyceride (TG) levels (r = 0.649, P = 0.004) and between the TG and hemoglobin (Hb)A1c levels (r = 0.552, P = 0.018), but these correlations were not observed a year before admission. TG level was the only parameter associated with LDL-C and HbA1c levels. CONCLUSIONS: A linear correlation between the LDL-C and TG levels, obesity, older age, male sex, and smoking may be associated with increased risk of onset of ACS early after the initiation of statin therapy. Prospective cohort studies are needed to further explore these interactions.

Three cases of spontaneous isolated dissection of the superior mesenteric artery.

BACKGROUND: Spontaneous isolated superior mesenteric artery dissection is a rare disease that may cause bowel ischemia or aneurysm rupture and subsequent death. Thus, the establishment of a correct diagnosis in the early stage is quite important. OBJECTIVE: To describe the presentation of 3 patients diagnosed with spontaneous isolated supramesenteric artery dissection and briefly summarize the diagnostic procedure, treatment, and clinical course. CASE REPORTS: We experienced three cases of isolated mesenteric artery dissection in the past 5 years. A definitive diagnosis was obtained by abdominal spiral computed tomography in two cases and angiography in one case. All patients were provided anticoagulation therapy. CONCLUSION: One patient died of bowel ischemia, 2 were discharged within 21 days without complications, and one was able to discontinue anticoagulation therapy 12 months after discharge. The remaining patient has continued warfarin, making it difficult to determine the end point of anticoagulation.

Secondary brain abscess following simple renal cyst infection: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Escherichia coli (E. coli) is the most common causative bacteria of neonatal meningitis, but hematogenous intracranial E. coli infection is rare in adults. Moreover, intracranial abscess formation owing to E. coli, including brain abscesses and subdural empyema formation, is extremely rare. We herein present a case involving a patient with a brain abscess owing to E. coli following a simple renal cyst infection. A review of the literature is also presented. CASE PRESENTATION: A 77-year-old Japanese woman with a history of polymyalgia rheumatica was admitted to our hospital because of persistent fever, right flank pain, and pyuria. Intravenous antibiotics were administered; however, her level of consciousness deteriorated 6 days after admission. Contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging showed a brain abscess in the left occipital lobe and pyogenic ventriculitis. Enhanced abdominal computed tomography revealed a right renal cyst with heterogeneous content. Culture of urine, blood, and aspirated pus from the infected cyst revealed E. coli with identical antibiotic sensitivity in all sites, suggesting that the cyst infection and subsequent bacteremia might have caused the brain abscess. The patient recovered after a 6-week course of meropenem. CONCLUSION: The prognosis of patients with E. coli-associated intracranial abscess is usually poor. Advanced age and immunosuppression may be potent risk factors for intracranial abscess formation owing to the hematogenous spread of E. coli.

Two patients with ruptured posterior inferior pancreaticoduodenal artery aneurysms associated with compression of the celiac axis by the median arcuate ligament.

Patients with compression of the celiac axis by the median arcuate ligament may develop aneurysms in the pancreaticoduodenal arcades. We experienced two cases of ruptured pancreaticoduodenal artery aneurysm associated with this condition. Both patients presented with abdominal pain and shock, and abdominal contrast-enhanced computed tomography showed retroperitoneal hematoma and compression of the celiac axis by the median arcuate ligament. Both patients were successfully treated by coil embolization. Patients with celiac axis compression or stenosis may develop recurrent aneurysms unless revascularization of the celiac axis is performed. Long-term follow-up is required because aneurysms may develop after 10 years or longer.

Myocarditis, hepatitis, and pancreatitis in a patient with coxsackievirus A4 infection: a case report.

Viral myocarditis presents with various symptoms, including fatal arrhythmia and cardiogenic shock, and may develop chronic myocarditis and dilated cardiomyopathy in some patients. We report here a case of viral myocarditis with liver dysfunction and pancreatitis. A 63-year-old man was admitted to our hospital with dyspnea. The initial investigation showed pulmonary congestion, complete atrioventricular block, left ventricular dysfunction, elevated serum troponin I, and elevated liver enzyme levels. He developed pancreatitis five days after admission. Further investigation revealed a high antibody titer against coxsackievirus A4. The patient's left ventricular dysfunction, pancreatitis, and liver dysfunction had resolved by day 14, but his troponin I levels remained high, and an endomyocardial biopsy showed T-lymphocyte infiltration of the myocardium, confirming acute myocarditis. The patient underwent radical low anterior resection five weeks after admission for advanced rectal cancer found incidentally. His serum troponin I and plasma brain natriuretic peptide levels normalized six months after admission. He has now been followed-up for two years, and his left ventricular ejection fraction is stable.This is the first report of an adult with myocarditis and pancreatitis attributed to coxsackievirus A4. Combined myocarditis and pancreatitis arising from coxsackievirus infection is rare. This patient's clinical course suggests that changes in his immune response associated with his rectal cancer contributed to the amelioration of his viral myocarditis.

Transient Plasmacytosis With Trisomy of Chromosome 8 in a Patient With Multiple Myeloma: A Case Report.

A 96-year-old woman with a 5-year history of multiple myeloma was admitted to our hospital because of increasing fatigue and fever. Bone marrow plasma cell analysis showed t(11;14), del(13q), and del(17p13). Her condition deteriorated, and she developed plasmacytosis resembling plasma cell leukemia. Chromosome analysis showed trisomy of chromosome 8 in the circulating plasma cells. The plasmacytosis resolved spontaneously without chemotherapy after about 5 weeks, and the trisomy became undetectable. The findings suggest that trisomy 8 might have contributed to the transient plasmacytosis, and that chromosome 8 carries genes associated with plasma cell proliferation, maturation, and apoptosis.