Comparison of thyroid function tests and blood count in pregnant women with versus without gestational diabetes mellitus

AIM

The aim of this study was to compare thyroid function and complete blood count parameters in pregnant women with versus without gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).

METHODS

A total of 269 pregnant women patients with (n = 110, GDM group) or without (n = 159, non-GDM group) GDM were included in this study. Data on age, rate of cesarean section, birthweight of neonate, hemogram, and thyroid function tests were collected. Multivariate analysis was performed to determine factors predicting increased risk of GDM.

RESULTS

Rate of cesarean section (70.9 vs 57.2%, P = 0.022), median (max-min) age (33.0 [26.0] vs 26.0 [20.0] years, P < 0.001), platelet count (246.7 ± 68.3 vs 227.8 ± 64.2 ×10³ /μL, P = 0.021) and thyroid-stimulating hormone (1.3 [97.6] vs 1.0 [4.1] μIU/mL, P = 0.028) were significantly higher in the GDM than in the non-GDM group; whereas mean platelet volume (10.4 [5.3] vs 10.6 [5.6] fL, P = 0.031) and free triiodothyronine (FT3) (2.9 [3.6] vs 3.1 [3.0] pg/mL, P < 0.001) levels were significantly lower in the GDM than in the non-GDM group. Older age (odds ratio, 1.281; 95% confidence interval, 1.182-1.389, P < 0.001) and lower FT3 levels (odds ratio, 0.295; 95% confidence interval, 0.149-0.586, P < 0.001) were independently associated with increased risk of GDM.

CONCLUSION

Our findings revealed that lower FT3 levels and older age predict the likelihood of developing GDM in euthyroid pregnant women, with no influence of other thyroid hormones or blood counts on the risk of GDM.

Prognostic Significance of DR-70 Levels in Dysplastic Colorectal Polyps

Background. To investigate the relationship between DR-70 serum levels and dysplastic colon polyps. Materials and Methods. A total of 130 patients with adenomatous polyps detected by colonoscopy and divided into two groups including low versus high grade polyp, along with 50 healthy blood donors were included in the study. Blood samples from each participant were analyzed for serum CEA and DR-70 levels. Results. No statistically significant differences were observed between the two groups in terms of age or gender. The median DR-70 level was 0.5  μ g/mL in the healthy control group and 1.1  μ g/mL in group 1b (i.e., the high grade polyp) (P < 0.001). DR-70 was higher in group 1b as compared to group 1a (P < 0.001). However, the median DR-70 values for the low grade polyp group (i.e., group 1a) and the control group were similar (P = 0.067). In order to determine independent predictors of high grade dysplasia, CEA, DR-70, polyp size, and age parameters were subjected to multiple logistical regression analyses via the Enter method; the model was statistically significant (P < 0.001). Conclusions. DR-70, a marker used to measure FDP, which is generated by all major cancers, is a potential marker to identify patients with advanced adenomatous polyps, that is, precursors of colorectal cancer.

Mean platelet volume and β-thromboglobulin levels in familial Mediterranean fever: effect of colchicine use?

BACKGROUND

Many studies have shown that subclinical inflammation persisted during remission period of Familial Mediterranean Fever (FMF) patients but long term effects of subclinical inflammation in these patients aren't clearly known. Besides, a few of the recent studies revealed that risk of atherosclerosis had increased in FMF patients. β-Thromboglobulin (β-TG) is considered as a sensitive marker of platelet activation. In this study Mean Platelet Volume (MPV) and β-TG levels were evaluated in FMF patients.

METHODS

Following the Local Ethics Committee's consent, 25 FMF patients were included in the study. Twenty eight age and sex matched healthy volunteers were recruited as a control group. Lipid profile, inflammatory parameters, hemogram, β-TG, MPV were assessed. Statistical analysis was performed with SPSS for Windows 16.00.

RESULTS

Group I consisted of 25 FMF cases (16 females, 9 males; mean age: 35.72 ± 12.34 years), Group II consisted of 28 cases (22 females, 6 males; mean age 31.78 ± 10.31 years). There was no statistically significant difference between the groups in terms of age and gender distribution, smoking status, total cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL and MPV (p>0.05). HDL levels were found to be statistically lower in Group I (p:0.04). Median β-TG levels was significantly higher in Group II than Group I (129.50 (range:372.00) ng/mL versus 104.00 (range:212.80) ng/mL respectively; p:0.03).

CONCLUSION

In this study MPV and β-TG were evaluated for FMF cases and healthy controls, β-TG levels were found significantly lower among patients; we hypothesized that this difference may have resulted from the effect of colchicine use on platelet functions.

Association of metabolic syndrome parameters with TT3 and FT3/FT4 ratio in obese Turkish population

BACKGROUND

Obesity and metabolic syndrome are major health problems worldwide, including Turkey. Recent studies have shown an association between thyroid function tests and metabolic syndrome parameters. In this study, we aimed to determine the frequency of metabolic syndrome in an obese Turkish population and the relationship between metabolic syndrome and thyroid functions.

MATERIALS AND METHOD

We recruited 211 patients (187 females/24 males; mean age, 39.7±11.7 years) with body mass index (BMI) >30 kg/m(2) and no other hormonal pathology that could cause obesity. Anthropometric evaluation was followed by measurement of fasting blood glucose (FBG), insulin, total cholesterol, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), total triiodothyronine (TT3), total thyroxine (TT4), free T3 (FT3), and free T4 (FT4). Metabolic syndrome was defined according to the 2005 revision of the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Panel III (NCEP ATP III) criteria. Insulin resistance was calculated from homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) formula. The TSH cutoff value was set at 2.5 mU/L.

RESULTS

Metabolic syndrome was diagnosed in 122 patients (58%). Metabolic syndrome positive patients had significantly higher FBG, triglycerides, FT4, systolic (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and statistically lower HDL-C and FT3/FT4 ratio than metabolic syndrome negative patients. TSH decreased with age and was not related with any metabolic syndrome parameters. The FT3/FT4 ratio negatively correlated with FBG, triglycerides, SBP, and DBP (P=0.003, r=-38; P=0.02, r=-0.28; P=0.005, r=-0.35; and P=0.007, r=-0.34, respectively); TT3 positively correlated with HOMA-IR (P=0.006, r=0.40), FBG (P=0.009, r=0.38), and waist circumference (P=0.02, r=0.34).

CONCLUSION

Metabolic syndrome frequency was increased in our study population compared to the general population. Metabolic syndrome parameters (except HDL) correlated with TT3, FT4, and the FT3/FT4 ratio. FT4 levels were associated with obesity and metabolic syndrome independently of insulin resistance, whereas TT3 levels were associated with both insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome. This relationship can be explained by compensatory effects of TT3, and probably FT4, on energy expenditure and thermogenesis in obese people.

Hemoglobin A1c as a prognostic marker in patients undergoing primary angioplasty for acute myocardial infarction

OBJECTIVES

We sought to determine the effect of hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) on the outcomes of primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).

BACKGROUND

Diabetes mellitus (DM) can be diagnosed from a level of at least 6.5% on two separate occasions according to the American Diabetes Association (ADA) definition, which was updated in 2010. No data are available for the value of HbA1c in patients with STEMI treated with primary PCI.

METHODS

A total of 374 consecutive patients with STEMI (mean age: 55.9±12.6 years, 318 men), undergoing primary PCI between December 2009 and June 2010, were prospectively enrolled in this study. Blood samples for HbA1c were obtained on the first 24 h after admission. In-hospital follow-up was performed. By using new ADA criteria, patients were classified into three groups: group I (HbA1c ≤5.6%, n=112); group II (HbA1c: 5.7-6.4%, n=180); and group III (HbA1c ≥6.5%, n=82).

RESULTS

In-hospital mortality was higher in group III (11%) compared with group II (2.8%) and group I (0.9%; P=0.001). Major adverse cardiac events in the hospital were also higher in group III (12.2%) compared with other groups (group II, 5.6% vs. group I, 0.9%, P=0.003). After adjusting the baseline characteristics, HbA1c remained a strong independent predictor of the in-hospital mortality (odds ratio: 1.412; 95% confidence interval: 1.031-1.935, P=0.03). Hospital stay was also longer in group III than others (P=0.007). A total of 196 (63.6%) patients without a history of diabetes mellitus had elevated HbA1c of more than or equal to 5.7%, with 31 (10.1%) of them having HbA1c of more than or equal to 6.5%.

CONCLUSION

HbA1c is an independent predictor of the in-hospital mortality in STEMI treated with primary PCI. Apart from prognostic value, high HbA1c could be used for diabetes mellitus diagnosis, which is supported by ADA definitions.

Which is worst in patients undergoing primary angioplasty for acute myocardial infarction? Hyperglycaemia? Diabetes mellitus? Or both?

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of admission hyperglycaemia and/or diabetes mellitus (DM) on the outcomes of primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).

METHODS

2482 consecutive patients with STEMI (mean age 56.5 +/- 11.9, years, 2064 men) undergoing primary PCI between October 2003 and March 2008 were retrospectively enrolled into the present study. Hyperglycaemia was defined as a venous plasma glucose level > or =200 mg/dl on admission. Patients were classified into four groups: non-diabetic/non-hyperglycaemic (NDNH, n=1806) patients; diabetic/non-hyperglycaemic (DNH, n=271) patients; non-diabetic/hyperglycaemic (NDH, n=64); and diabetic/hyperglycaemic (DH, n=341).

RESULTS

In-hospital mortality was higher in NDH (12.5%) compared to DH (8.5%), DNH (6.3%), and NDNH (0.9%) patients (P < 0.001). The composite end points including death, reinfarction, and target-vessel revascularization (major adverse cardiac events [MACE]) in the hospital were also higher in NDH (18.8%) compared with other patients (DH, 13.8% vs. DNH, 10.3% vs. NDNH, 3.7%, P < 0.001). The median follow-up time was 21 months.The Kaplan-Meier survival plot for long-term cardiovascular death was worst for DH patients (log rank P < 0.001). After adjustment for potentially confounding factors, NDH (OR 3.04, 95% CI 1.06-8.73; P = 0.03), and DH (OR 2.3,95% CI 1.29-4.09; P = 0.005), but not DNH (OR 1.22,95% CI 0.57-2.6; P = 0.6) status, remained independent predictors of long-term cardiovascular mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

STEMI patients with NDH represent the highest risk population for in-hospital mortality, and MACE. The worst outcomes for long-term cardiovascular mortality occur in DH patients.