Diagnostic and prognostic values of serum Selenoprotein P and soluble St2 levels in pulmonary embolism.

AIM: Pulmonary Thromboembolism (PTE) occurs as a result of occlusion of one or more of the pulmonary artery branches by thrombus and is an important cause of right heart failure and pulmonary hypertension. Selenoprotein P (SePP) and soluble suppression of tumorigenicity 2 protein (sST2) are two new biomarkers that have previously been the subject of various studies in heart failure. The aim of this study was to determine the diagnostic and prognostic potential of SePP and soluble sST2 levels in patients with acute PTE. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included 135 patients diagnosed with acute non-massive PTE and 43 healthy volunteers. Clinical, laboratory, and radiological patient data were recorded. SePP and sST2 levels were measured in the patient and control groups. Patients were followed at 1, 3, and 6 months of treatment via the death notification system and telemedicine. RESULTS: SePP and sST2 levels were significantly lower in the patient group compared with the control group (SePP: 17.65 ng/ml vs. 43.06 ng/ml and sST2: 10.86 ng/ml vs. 16.20 ng/ml, both p < 0.001). No correlation was found at 1, 3, and 6 months of follow-up with prognosis and mortality. CONCLUSION: SePP and sST2 values were significantly lower in patients with acute PTE compared with the control group. Low levels of these biomarkers may be diagnostically valuable.

Effectiveness of a Program to Raise Awareness About Pneumococcal Vaccination Among Physicians and Patients with Chronic Respiratory Diseases: A Multicenter Cohort Study.

OBJECTIVE: There is a need to increase patient and clinician awareness on the effectiveness of pneumococcal vaccination in at-risk groups. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of reminders for physicians and patients using the vaccination tracking system created in the hospital information management system (HIMS) on the vaccination rate, and the effect of pneumococcal vaccination on pneumonia-related hospitalization and mortality over a 12-month period. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This prospective observational cohort study was undertaken during a 2-year period in 3 tertiary care centers. Patients were followed up for 12 months following vaccination, and hospital admissions and mortality were recorded via HIMS. During the campaign, HIMS transmitted pneumococcal immunization reminder messages in accordance with guideline recommendations to physicians' computers and patients' mobile phones. Educational posters on pneumococcal vaccination were posted in outpatient clinics. Regular seminars on the evidence for pneumococcal vaccination were organized. All patients who were hospitalized during the follow-up period for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, lung cancer, or pneumonia were analyzed in relation to their vaccination history regarding clinical outcomes. RESULTS: A total of 29530 patients were included in the study. During the study period, the annual vaccination rate increased by 74.4% and reached 4.8% in 3 hospitals (P = .001). The rates were 3.9% in patients older than 65 years without comorbidities and 5.2% in those with COPD and asthma (P = .002). In pneumococcal vaccine recipients, pneumonia-related hospital mortality was lower (relative risk (RR) = 0.19, CI 0.09-0.35, P < .001). CONCLUSION: It is possible to raise the rate of pneumococcal vaccination through awareness campaigns. Individuals with COPD and asthma are more willing to receive pneumococcal vaccination. Among patients hospitalized for pneumonia, prior pneumococcal vaccination is associated with lower mortalit.

Resultados del seguimiento a largo plazo de pacientes con derrame pleural no diagnosticado / Long-term Outcome of Patients With Undiagnosed Pleural Effusion

Introducción: En algunos pacientes no es posible establecer la causa del derrame pleural exudativo. Se han analizado los resultados del seguimiento a largo plazo de pacientes con derrame pleural no diagnosticado. Métodos: Se evaluó retrospectivamente a pacientes con derrame pleural exudativo a los que se les había realizado una biopsia pleural mediante cirugía toracoscópica videoasistida (VATS) entre 2008 y 2012 como parte de los procedimientos diagnósticos. En el estudio se incluyó a 53 pacientes con diagnóstico de pleuritis inespecífica y con datos de seguimiento disponibles. Resultados: Se incluyó a 40 varones y 13 mujeres (promedio de edad, 53,9 ± 13,9 años). La mediana de tiempo de seguimiento fue de 24 meses. Durante el seguimiento no se llegó a un diagnóstico en 27 pacientes (51%) y se alcanzó diagnóstico clínico en los 26 pacientes restantes (49%). A 2 pacientes (3,7%) se les diagnosticó neoplasia maligna (mesotelioma maligno). Otras enfermedades diagnosticadas fueron derrame paraneumónico en 12 casos, insuficiencia cardíaca congestiva en 8 casos y otras afecciones en 4 pacientes. El volumen del derrame en la exploración inicial y la reacumulación de fluido tras VATS se asociaron a neoplasia maligna (p = 0,004 y 0,0001, respectivamente). Conclusión: Aunque la probabilidad es baja, los pacientes con derrame pleural exudativo y sin diagnóstico tras una biopsia pleural mediante VATS pueden tener neoplasia maligna. Es necesario controlar cuidadosamente a los pacientes con un volumen de derrame inicial alto que reaparece tras la exploración

Introduction: The cause of exudative pleural effusion cannot be determined in some patients. The longterm outcomes of patients with undiagnosed pleural effusion were analyzed. Methods: Patients with exudative pleural effusion whose diagnostic procedures included pleural biopsy using video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery carried out between 2008 and 2012 were evaluated retrospectively. Patients diagnosed with non-specific pleuritis were included. Fifty-three patients with available follow-up data were included in the study. Results: Forty men and 13 women (mean age 53.9 ± 13.9 years) were included. Median follow-up time was 24 months. No diagnosis was given in 27 patients (51%), and a clinical diagnosis was given in 26 patients (49%) during the follow-up period. Malignant disease (malignant mesothelioma) was diagnosed in 2 (3.7%) patients. Other diseases were parapneumonic effusion in 12, congestive heart failure in 8, and miscellaneous in 4 patients. Volume of effusion at the time of initial examination and re-accumulation of fluid after video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery were associated with malignant disease (P = .004 and .0001, respectively). Conclusion: Although the probability is low, some patients with exudative pleural effusion undiagnosed after pleural biopsy via video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery may have malignant disease. Patients with an initially large volume of effusion that re-accumulates after examination should be closely monitored

Efecto de la hipoxia sobre el metabolismo de la glucosa en pacientes no diabéticos con síndrome de apnea obstructiva del sueño / Effect of Hypoxia on Glucose Methabolism in Nondiabetic Patients With Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome

Objetivo: El síndrome de apnea obstructiva del sueño (SAOS) puede fomentar la hiperglucemia y la resistencia a la insulina. Nuestro objetivo es investigar el efecto del SAOS sobre la glucosa plasmática en ayunas, la hemoglobina glucosilada (HbA1c) y la proteína C reactiva (PCR) en pacientes no diabéticos. Material y métodos: Se determinaron los parámetros de analítica hemática de 90 pacientes no diabéticos consecutivos en los que se realizaron evaluaciones polisomnográficas en nuestro laboratorio del sueño. Un total de 61 de estos pacientes con una glucemia en ayunas normal fueron clasificados según el índice de apnea-hipopnea (IAH) como casos leves (n = 16, 26,2%), moderados (n = 18, 29,5%) o graves (n = 27, 44,2%) de SAOS. Se efectuaron determinaciones de la glucosa plasmática en ayunas, la HbA1c y la PCR. Resultados: La media de edad de los pacientes fue de 47,7 ± 11,2 años, y el 72% eran varones. Los niveles de HbA1c y de glucosa en ayunas presentan una correlación positiva con el IMC (r = 0,503, p = 0,00; r = 0,258, p = 0,045). No se detectó relación alguna de la HbA1c con el índice de apnea ni con el IAH, mientras que sí se observó una correlación positiva de la glucosa en ayunas con la PCR (r = 0,262, p = 0,042; r = 0,258, p = 0,045). Los niveles de HbA1c, glucosa en ayunas y PCR muestran una correlación negativa con los valores de SpO2 mínima (con valores de r = –0,302, p = 0,018; r = –0,368, p = 0,004; r = –0,365, p = 0,004, respectivamente). Los niveles de HbA1c, glucosa en ayunas y PCR muestran una correlación positiva con el índice de desaturación medio (tiempo durante el que la SpO2 es < 90% según la pulsioximetría) (r = 0,263, p = 0,041; r = 0,311, p = 0,015; r = 0,283, p = 0,027) (AU)

Conclusiones: Aunque no se detectó relación alguna entre el aumento de los niveles de HbA1c o de glucosa y la gravedad del SAOS en los pacientes con SAOS no diabéticos, sí se detectó una correlación con la hipoxia nocturna. Esto podría poner de manifiesto el efecto de la hipoxia nocturna sobre el metabolismo de la glucosa en los pacientes con SAOS (AU)

Aim: Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) may promote hyperglycemia and insulin resistance. Our aim is to investigate the effect of OSAS on the fasting plasma glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), and C reactive protein (CRP) in nondiabetic patients. Materials and methods: Blood parameters of consecutive 90 non diabetic patients whom polysomnografic evaluations were done in our sleep laboratory was evaluated. Among these 61 patients with normal fasting blood glucose were classified due to their apne-hipopnea index (AHI) as mild (n=16, 26.2%), moderate (n=18, 29.5%) and severe (n=27, 44.2%) OSAS. The fasting plasma glucose, HbA1c and CRP were measured. Results: Mean age of the patients was 47.7±11.2 years, 72% male. HbA1c, fasting glucose levels show positive correlation with BMI (r=0.503, P=0.00; r=0.258, P=0.045). No relation of HbA1c to apnea index nor AHI was detected while positive correlation of fasting glucose and CRP was detected (r=0.262, P=0.042; r=0.258, P=0.045). HbA1c, fasting glucose and CRP levels show negative correlation with minimum SpO2 levels (by order of r=–0.302, P=0.018; r=–0.368, P=0.004; r=–0.365, P=0.004). HbA1c, fasting glucose levels and CRP levels show positive correlation with mean desaturation index (time duration in which SpO2<90% by pulse oxymeter) (r=0.263, P=0.041; r=0.311, P=0.015; r=0.283, P=0.027). Conclusions: Although no relation in between increased HbA1c or glucose levels and severity of OSAS was detected in nondiabetic OSAS patients, the correlation with the night hypoxia was detected. This could also show the effect of night time hypoxia on glucose metabolism in OSAS patients (AU)