Influence of type 2 diabetes mellitus on bone mineral density response to bisphosphonates in late postmenopausal osteoporosis.

Bisphosphonates are effective agents for postmenopausal osteoporosis, but their efficacy in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) is not known. The investigators evaluated bone mineral density (BMD) response to alendronate in women with concurrent late postmenopausal osteoporosis and type 2 DM. In a retrospective, matched case-control study, 26 late postmenopausal osteoporotic women with type 2 DM (age, 67.6+/-7.3 y; type 2 DM duration, 12.8+/-6.8 y; duration of menopause, 10.9+/-7.4 y; time on alendronate: 4.8+/-2.3 y; body mass index [BMI], 31.4+/-6.3 kg/m2) were matched with 26 controls according to age, BMI, duration of menopause, and alendronate treatment received. All subjects were given alendronate 10 mg/d or 70 mg/wk, along with sufficient vitamin D (>or=400 IU) and calcium (>or=1 g/d) intake, for 4.8 y. Response to alendronate therapy was determined by assessment of mean percent change in BMD of total hip, femoral neck, forearm, and lateral spine. The presence of type 2 DM resulted in no difference in spinal BMD response to alendronate therapy. In contrast, BMD in the total hip (mean percent change in BMD, -5.6% vs +1.4%; P=.096), femoral neck (-8.1% vs +1.1%; P=.015), and forearm (-3.6% vs +12.7%; P=.013) fell progressively from baseline in subjects with type 2 DM who were taking alendronate for 4.8 y, compared with controls. Elderly, postmenopausal, osteoporotic obese women with type 2 DM are resistant to long-term bisphosphonates, especially in regions of the hip, femoral neck, and forearm compared with the spine. The efficacy of bone resorption inhibitors in patients with type 2 DM, especially in comparison with anabolic agents, should be considered in additional studies.

Prognostic effect of red cell distribution width-to-platelet ratio in colorectal cancer according to tumor stage and localization

Introduction: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common cancers worldwide and survival is still approximately 24 months. Recently, importance of the molecular features, tumor localization, and also inflammatory status is increased, and most of these entities can be used as a predictive marker for colon tumor. However, since most of these tests are expensive and unachievable, there is a need for new prognostic and predictive markers that can be used easily and are inexpensive. Aim: We aimed to investigate the prognostic effect of red cell distribution width (RDW)-to-platelet ratio (RPR) which reflects inflammatory status and can be calculated basically by using center blood count (CBC) parameters on CRC according to tumor stage and localization. Methods: Newly diagnosed 312 CRC patients between 2010 and 2016 were retrospectively analyzed. Patients' demographics, including survival data and tumor characteristics, were obtained from medical charts. RPR was calculated using CBC parameters at the time of diagnosis. Cutoff value for RPR was set at 0.05 and the patient population was divided into two arms (arm A: RPR ≥0.05 and arm B: RPR <0.05). The patients were stratified according to the tumor stage (early and advanced disease) and tumor localization (right sided and left sided). Results: Totally, 312 patients were enrolled to the study. Nearly 81.9% of the patients were at early stage and 18.1% were at advanced stage at the time of diagnosis. In patients with early-stage disease, no significant disease-free survival and overall survival (OS) was found in both arms (P = 0.88 and P = 0.085, respectively). In arm A, OS was nonsignificantly better in the entire and left-sided advanced tumor compared to arm B. In patients with right-sided advanced cancer, OS was statistically significantly better for arm A compared to arm B (median OS; RPR ≥0.05: 24.8 months vs. <0.05: 13.9 months; P = 0.035). Discussion: RPR can be a useful prognostic marker in CRC, especially in right-sided advanced tumors. Conclusion: RPR can be used as a prognostic marker in CRC but should be validated with further investigation

Unusual presentation of tuberculosis as a splenic mass.

Tuberculosis is an important health problem in developing countries, with varying clinical presentations depending on the organs/systems involved. Tuberculosis is mostly seen in immuno-compromised individuals, such as those with acquired immune deficiency syndrome or malignancies. Here we report a case of a spleen tuberculoma in a 29-year-old male patient with no known immune deficiency. He first presented with abdominal pain, and subsequent ultrasonographic examination revealed a splenic lesion of 10 cm in diameter. A computerized tomography scan of the abdomen confirmed the presence of a solitary, hypodense, septated cystic lesion. Lack of evidence supporting the presence of a splenic infection or a primary/metastatic malignancy prompted explorative surgery where a septated abscess formation was discovered and splenectomy was performed. Histopathological examination revealed granulomatous inflammatory changes with Langerhans-type giant cells, which are consistent with tuberculosis. For a period of two months, antituberculosis therapy with four drugs, isoniazid, rifampicin, pyrazinamide, and ethambutol, was carried out. Pyrazinamide and ethambutol were quitted at the end of two months. Therapy with isoniazid and rifampicin was planned for an additional 10 months. We would like to call attention to yet another atypical presentation of extrapulmonary tuberculosis.

Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis associating Kimura disease.

Kimura disease presents as a benign subcutaneous mass. Although it principally affects the skin and soft tissues, there is a high prevalence of related renal disease. We report a case of Kimura disease from western Asia, presenting itself as nephrotic syndrome, and this case was seen at a nontransplant kidney presenting with focal segmental glomerulonephritis.

Anasarca edema with amlodipine treatment.

OBJECTIVE: To report a case of anasarca edema associated with amlodipine use. CASE SUMMARY: A 77-year-old woman with essential hypertension who had not been treated with any other drug was prescribed amlodipine 10 mg/day to control her blood pressure. She developed anasarca edema soon after amlodipine treatment was initiated. Laboratory test results for possible etiologies were negative. Discontinuation of amlodipine resulted in dramatic improvement. DISCUSSION: To our knowledge, as of February 3, 2005, there have been no other reports of amlodipine-related anasarca edema in the English literature, and only one case was described in the Japanese literature. Pretibial edema is the most common adverse effect of amlodipine. Periocular and perioral edema have occurred less frequently, but anasarca edema has not emerged as a problem. An objective causality assessment revealed amlodipine to be a probable cause of anasarca edema. CONCLUSIONS: In rare instances, amlodipine may cause generalized edema, which will resolve upon discontinuation of the drug.