Interleukin-6 for the diagnosis of ovarian torsion: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Diagnostic accuracy of interleukin-6 in multiple diseases: An umbrella review of meta-analyses

Objective

This review aims to conduct a comprehensive study of the diagnostic accuracy of interleukin-6 (IL-6) for multiple diseases by utilizing existing systematic reviews and meta-analyses.

Methods

We performed a thorough search of Embase, Web of Science, PubMed, and Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews up to April 2023 to gather meta-analyses that investigate the diagnostic accuracy of IL-6. To assess the methodological quality of the studies, we employed the Assessing the Methodological Quality of Systematic Reviews-2 and Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation criteria.

Results

We included 34 meta-analyses out of the 3024 articles retrieved from the search. These meta-analyses covered 9 categories of diseases of the International Classification of Diseases-11. Studies rated as "Critically Low" or "Very Low" in the quality assessment process were excluded, resulting in a total of 6 meta-analyses that encompassed sepsis, colorectal cancer, tuberculous pleural effusion (TPE), endometriosis, among others. Among these diseases, IL-6 demonstrated a relatively high diagnostic potential in accurately identifying TPE and endometriosis.

Conclusions

IL-6 exhibited favorable diagnostic accuracy across multiple diseases, suggesting its potential as a reliable diagnostic biomarker in the near future. Substantial evidence supported its high diagnostic accuracy, particularly in the cases of TPE and endometriosis.

The value of clinical symptoms, the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, and ultrasonographic features in predicting adnexal torsion: A case-control study

AIM

Adnexal torsion remains a diagnostic challenge due to the nonspecific symptoms, sonographic features, and laboratory findings. The value of combining clinical, sonographic, and laboratory features is not well established, and controversy continues regarding their value in diagnosis. This study aimed to review sonographic, clinical, and laboratory features and to analyze their value separately and in combination, in managing and diagnosing adnexal torsions.

METHODS

The study included 278 women who underwent urgent laparoscopic surgery due to suspected adnexal torsion, according to clinical suspicion, with or without sonographic concordance. Laparoscopy findings confirmed the definitive diagnosis of torsion. Clinical laboratory and sonographic features were compared between those with and without adnexal torsion.

RESULTS

Adnexal torsion was confirmed in 110/278 (39.6%) women. In the torsion compared to nontorsion group, proportions were higher of women with acute abdominal pain in the preceding 24 h ([50] 45.5% vs. [35] 20.8%, p < 0.001), with vomiting ([45] 40.9% vs. [24] 14.3%, p < 0.001) and with suspected torsion by transvaginal sonography ([49] 44.5% vs. [23] 13.7%, p < 0.001). A high neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (>3) was identified in 65 (59.1%) of the study group and 60 (35.7%) of the control group (p < 0.001). Combining the latter three findings, the predicted probability of torsion was 58%-85%, depending on the combinations.

CONCLUSIONS

A simple predictive model based on combinations of clinical, laboratory, and sonographic findings can contribute to preoperative diagnosis of adnexal torsion, with predicted probability of 85%. Our model may assist clinicians in evaluating women with suspected adnexal torsion, and improve preoperative diagnostic accuracy.

A new biomarker for the early diagnosis of ovarian torsion: SCUBE-1

Objective

Prompt diagnosis and management are essential for saving the adnexal organs from infarction in cases of ovarian torsion (OT). This study aimed to determine the diagnostic significance of signal peptide, complement C1r/C1s, Uegf, and Bmp1 (CUB), and epidermal growth factor-like domain-containing protein-1 (SCUBE-1) levels in cases of OT, an emergent ischemic condition, and the relationship of SCUBE-1 with oxidative stress parameters.

Methods

This prospective study was conducted among 15 OT patients and 20 age- and gravidity-matched healthy women. SCUBE-1 serum concentrations were determined by using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. In addition, oxidative stress was evaluated by measuring the serum levels of advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP), ferric reducing ability of plasma (FRAP), and glutathione (GSH).

Results

The SCUBE-1 titers were significantly higher in the patients with OT than in the controls (p=0.008). In addition, serum FRAP and GSH levels were significantly lower in the OT patients than in the controls (p<0.001 for both). Serum AOPP levels were higher in the OT patients, but this trend was not statistically significant (p>0.05). Furthermore, there were no correlations between SCUBE-1 levels and age, gravidity, parity, cyst size, and AOPP, FRAP, or GSH levels (p>0.05).

Conclusion

We believe that SCUBE-1 may be a promising biomarker for the early diagnosis of OT.

Can adnexal torsion be predicted by measuring plasma heat shock protein 70 level? An experimental study

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effect of adnexal torsion on the plasma heat shock protein 70 level and to determine whether plasma heat shock protein 70 can be used in the adnexal torsion diagnosis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Twenty-one nulligravid 3-month-old female Wistar albino rats were randomly and equally allocated into three groups: study group (ovarian torsion) (n = 7), laparotomy group (sham operation) (n = 7) and control group (received no special treatment) (n = 7). Ovarian torsion model was created by twisting the right adnexa two times around its pedicle and fixing over the lateral pelvis with 6.0 polyglactin absorbable surgical suture. Blood was sampled before and 12 h after operation to assess plasma heat shock protein 70 level.

RESULTS

In the study group, the mean plasma heat shock protein 70 level was significantly higher than that in the laparotomy and control groups (1.75 ± 0.25), (1.16 ± 0.99), (1.19 ± 0.11) ng/ml, respectively, P = 0.001), following 12 h of ovarian torsion.

CONCLUSION

A significant increase in plasma heat shock protein 70 level in the study group indicates that plasma heat shock protein 70 level could be used as a serum marker in the early detection of adnexal torsion. However, further clinical and experimental studies of a larger size are required.

Use of cancer antigen 125, cancer antigen 19-9, and the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio to diagnose mature cystic teratoma with torsion

OBJECTIVE

To determine the efficacy of serum levels of cancer antigen 125 (CA125) and cancer antigen 19-9 (CA19-9), and the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) for diagnosis of mature cystic teratoma (MCT) with torsion.

METHODS

A retrospective medical record review was conducted of data for women who had undergone surgery for ovarian MCT at the First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, China, between January 1, 2008, and January 1, 2015. Patients with torsion and a control group who underwent surgery on the same days were identified. Clinical characteristics and the serum levels of CA125, CA19-9, and the NLR were assessed.

RESULTS

The serum levels of CA125, CA19-9, and the NLR were higher in the torsion group (n=68) than in the control group (n=120; P≤0.001 for all). Receiver operating characteristic analysis indicated that the area under the curve for the combined use of CA125, CA19-9, and NLR was 0.978 (95% confidence interval 0.954-1.000; P<0.001). This combination had a diagnostic sensitivity of 93.9% and a specificity of 98.3%. Moreover, levels of these inflammatory markers were significantly increased among patients with large tumor diameters (P<0.01 for all).

CONCLUSION

The combined measurement of CA125, CA19-9, and the NLR provided an efficient method for the diagnosis of MCT with torsion.

European Society of Paediatric Radiology abdominal imaging task force recommendations in paediatric uroradiology, part IX: Imaging in anorectal and cloacal malformation, imaging in childhood ovarian torsion, and efforts in standardising paediatric uroradiology terminology

At the occasion of the European Society of Paediatric Radiology (ESPR) annual meeting 2015 in Graz, Austria, the newly termed ESPR abdominal (gastrointestinal and genitourinary) imaging task force set out to complete the suggestions for paediatric urogenital imaging and procedural recommendations. Some of the last missing topics were addressed and proposals on imaging of children with anorectal and cloacal malformations and suspected ovarian torsion were issued after intense discussions and a consensus finding process that considered all evidence. Additionally, the terminology was adapted to fit new developments introducing the term pelvicalyceal dilatation/distension (PCD) instead of the sometimes misunderstood hydronephrosis. The present state of paediatric urogenital radiology was discussed in a dedicated minisymposium, including an attempt to adapt terminology to create a standardised glossary.

The comparison between the serum level of interleukin-6 in women with acute ovarian torsion and other causes of lower abdominal pain

The aim of this study was to investigate the role of serum Interleukin-6 (IL-6) as a predictive value to make decision for surgical interventions when ovarian torsion (OT) is suspected. This study was performed on 284 women with lower abdominal pain. IL-6 levels were compared between OT (n = 67, 23.6%) and control groups (n = 217, 76.4%). For the purpose of diagnosis of OT, sensitivity and specificity of IL-6 at the cut-off point of 9.6 pg/ml were 41.79 and 82.49%, respectively. Patients with ovarian masses on ultrasound and IL-6 >9.6 pg/ml were found to be 24 times more likely to develop OT. Patients with serum IL-6 >9.6 pg/ml who lacked blood flow in ovarian Doppler ultrasound had 40.75 times higher risk of developing OT. It seems that simultaneous use of Doppler ultrasound and serum IL-6 levels can be helpful for early diagnosis of OT and making decision for surgical intervention.

A network-based method for the identification of putative genes related to infertility

BACKGROUND

Infertility has become one of the major health problems worldwide, with its incidence having risen markedly in recent decades. There is an urgent need to investigate the pathological mechanisms behind infertility and to design effective treatments. However, this is made difficult by the fact that various biological factors have been identified to be related to infertility, including genetic factors.

METHODS

A network-based method was established to identify new genes potentially related to infertility. A network constructed using human protein-protein interactions based on previously validated infertility-related genes enabled the identification of some novel candidate genes. These genes were then filtered by a permutation test and their functional and structural associations with infertility-related genes.

RESULTS

Our method identified 23 novel genes, which have strong functional and structural associations with previously validated infertility-related genes.

CONCLUSIONS

Substantial evidence indicates that the identified genes are strongly related to dysfunction of the four main biological processes of fertility: reproductive development and physiology, gametogenesis, meiosis and recombination, and hormone regulation.

GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE

The newly discovered genes may provide new directions for investigating infertility. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled "System Genetics" Guest Editor: Dr. Yudong Cai and Dr. Tao Huang.