Serum Pentraxin-3 Level in Patients Who Underwent Coronary Angiography and Relationship with Coronary Atherosclerosis.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the role of pentraxin-3 (PTX-3) in determining the presence and severity of coronary atherosclerosis in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Ninety-five patients (77 males and 18 females) who underwent elective coronary angiography were enrolled in this study. Patients with heart failure, renal failure, diabetes and thyroid disease were excluded. The study population was divided into 3 groups: individuals with normal coronary arteries, patients with critical CAD (n = 35) and patients with noncritical CAD (n = 36). The association of PTX-3 levels with the presence and severity of CAD and the number of involved vessels were analyzed. RESULTS: The mean age was 53.40 ± 10.25 years. The PTX-3 levels were significantly higher in patients with CAD than without CAD (146.48 ± 48.52 vs. 109.83 ± 49.06 pg/ml, p < 0.001). A statistically significant difference was found among the 3 groups regarding the severity of CAD (165.66 ± 49.10, 127.83 ± 40.51 and 109.83 ± 49.06 pg/ml, p < 0.001, respectively). The serum PTX-3 levels in normal arteries were 110.4 ± 48.11 pg/ml, in single-vessel disease 132.35 ± 32.96 pg/ml, in 2-vessel disease 142.57 ± 55.88 pg/ml, in 3-vessel disease 156.07 ± 50.53 pg/ml, and in 3-vessel disease 160.50 ± 30.41 pg/ml. After adjusting for baseline confounders, older age (OR = 1.107, 95% CI = 1.027-1.193, p = 0.008) and higher PTX-3 levels (OR = 1.017, 95% CI = 1.003-1.032, p = 0.021) were detected as significant predictors for the presence of CAD. CONCLUSIONS: Higher PTX-3 levels were associated with the presence of CAD and its increased severity in clinically stable patients. Higher PTX-3 levels may be regarded as a novel diagnostic predictor and may offer therapeutic options in the clinic.

Comparison of cystatin-C and pentraxin-3 in coronary atherosclerosis.

OBJECTIVE: Inflammation is one of the numerous factors that promote atherosclerosis. Cystatin-C (Cys-C) and pentraxin-3 (PTX-3) predominantly play roles in inflammation. Thus, we evaluated whether these markers were related to the presence and severity of coronary artery disease (CAD). METHODS: Eighty-two stable patients who had undergone coronary angiography were enrolled in the study. Patients were diagnosed with significant (>50% stenosis) and nonsignificant (<50% stenosis) CAD. Patients with diabetes, chronic heart failure, chronic kidney disease, and so on were excluded from the study. RESULTS: Patients without CAD had higher Cys-C levels compared with those with CAD (1338.96±396.71 vs. 853.69±406.72 ng/ml, P<0.001). However, the PTX-3 level was inversely lower in patients without CAD (110.40±48.10 vs. 149.46±49.44 pg/ml, P=0.001). The Cys-C level was found to be 677.11±335.56, 1024.18±401.21, and 1338.96±396.71 ng/ml in patients with significant CAD and nonsignificant CAD, and healthy individuals, respectively (P<0.001). The PTX-3 level was inversely reduced in these groups: 168.43±49.09, 131.14±43.10, and 110.40±48.10 pg/ml, respectively (P<0.001). CONCLUSION: We observed that the levels of Cys-C and PTX-3 were inversely varied in the same study groups. These parameters may aid detection of the presence or identification of the severity of CAD when used in combination. Determinative values could exactly be described in the large study groups.

Distribution of psychiatric symptoms among young Turkish males and the relationship between these symptoms and socio-demographic characteristics.

OBJECTIVE: Youth is a period during which individuals undergo rapid physical and psychological changes in their transition from childhood to adulthood. This study aimed to determine the psychological problems of young males from different socio-cultural backgrounds living in different cities of Turkey and to examine the socio-cultural factors possibly associated with these problems. METHODS: The study was conducted in six different cities in Turkey with the participation of 3655 young male adults. Participants were administered a questionnaire to collect socio-demographic data such as age, marital status, educational background, the history of smoking and alcohol use, income level, occupation, place of residence and the history of chronic disease and allergies. Psychological symptoms were detected via the Symptom Check List (SCL-90 R). The study data were transferred to the SPSS-15 database for statistical analysis. RESULTS: The median age of the participants was 20.49±1.48years (20-29 age range, median age=20). Based on the SCL-90 R scores, the mean General Symptom Index (GSI) score of the study participants was found to be 0.44±0.27 (0.00-2.61). 13.5% of the participants (n=493) were recorded to have above-the-average GSI scores (≥1.0). Occupation, smoking and alcohol use were found to effect depression. Factors effecting anxiety were occupation, smoking, alcohol use and place of residence. CONCLUSION: Psychological symptoms that young people suffer from can be diagnosed at early stages and the psychological problems that are triggered by these symptoms can be prevented with the help of such questionnaires. These questionnaires can easily be administered in primary care settings.

Relationship of cystatin C with coronary artery disease and its severity.

OBJECTIVE: Cystatin C, which is an endogenous marker for renal function, is reported to be a novel marker for coronary atherosclerosis. In this study, we aimed to evaluate its role in determining the presence and also the severity of coronary atherosclerosis in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighty-eight patients who underwent elective coronary angiography were enrolled in the study. Patients with heart failure, renal failure, diabetes, and thyroid disease were excluded from the study. The study population was divided into three groups: individuals with normal coronary arteries, patients with critical CAD, and patients with noncritical CAD. We also analyzed the relationship of cystatin C levels with the presence and the severity of CAD and the number of vessels involved. RESULTS: The mean age of the study group was 51.73±9.21 years, and the majority were men (n=71, 80.7%). Cystatin C levels were significantly lower in patients with CAD (1334.86±93.45 vs. 836.49±411.29, P<0.001). It was significantly lower in patients with critical CAD compared with those with noncritical CAD and normal individuals (656.60±346.35, 1016.38±396.54, and 1334.86±393.45, P<0.001, respectively). Serum levels of cystatin C according to the numbers of coronary vessels such as none, single-vessel, two-vessel, three-vessel, and four-vessel disease were as follows: 1334.86±393.45, 801.67±418.70, 993.90±457.34, 744.09±354.53, and 682.30±294.43, respectively. CONCLUSION: Lower cystatin C levels may be associated with increased severity of CAD in clinically stable patients, whereas higher levels may indicate the presence of any vulnerable plaque. It may also guide the diagnostic and therapeutic options for the clinical scene on the presentation.