Predictive value of D-dimer and fibrinogen degradation product for splanchnic vein thrombosis in patients with severe acute pancreatitis: a single-center retrospective study

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Early diagnosis of splanchnic vein thrombosis (SVT) after severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) remains difficult because of its insidious onset. Common serum markers for thrombosis such as D-dimer (D-D) have lost their diagnostic value due to their elevation in non-thrombotic patients with SAP. The aim of this study is to predict SVT after SAP using common serum indicators of thrombosis by establishing a new cut-off value.

METHODS

177 SAP patients were included in a retrospective cohort study from September 2019 to September 2021. Patient demographics, dynamic changes of coagulation and fibrinolysis indicators were collected. Univariate analyses and binary logistic regression analyses were applied to assess potential risk factors for the development of SVT in SAP patients. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was generated to assess the predictive value of independent risk factors. Moreover, clinical complications and outcomes were compared between two groups.

RESULTS

Among 177 SAP patients, 32 (18.1%) developed SVT. The most common cause of SAP was biliary (49.8%), followed by hypertriglyceridemia (21.5%). Multivariate logistic regression analyses showed that D-D (OR, 1.135; 95%CI, 1.043-1.236; p = 0.003) and fibrinogen degradation product (FDP) (OR, 1.037; 95%CI, 1.015-1.060; p = 0.001) were independent risk factors for SVT development in patients with SAP. The area under ROC curve for D-D was 0.891 (p = 0.003, sensitivity= 95.3%, specificity = 74.1%) at a cut-off value of 6.475, and the area under ROC curve for FDP was 0.858 (p = 0.001, sensitivity = 89.4%, specificity = 72.4%) at a cut-off value of 23.155.

CONCLUSION

D-D and FDP are significant independent risk factors with high predictive value for SVT in patients with SAP.

Survey of nocturnal reflux in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease in China

To evaluate current diagnosis and treatment of patients with nocturnal gastroesophageal reflux (nGER).

METHODS

This multicenter observational study was conducted in 44 hospitals in China from May 2017 to February 2018. Outpatients with nGER were recruited and their relevant data were collected using a questionnaire, including age, gender, body mass index, history of smoking and alcohol consumption, comorbid diseases, lifestyle, self-reported health status, medical history, nGER symptoms and severity, Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, diagnosis and treatment choices. The study was registered on the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (no. ChiCTR1800017525).

RESULTS

The study included 4978 individuals, with valid questionnaires collected from 4448 patients (89.4%). The symptoms of heartburn and regurgitation were more severe at night than during the day (P < 0.05). Age and body mass index were positively correlated with reflux severity at night and during the day (P < 0.05). The severity of nGER was positively associated with lifestyle factors such as smoking, a high-fat diet, carbonated beverage consumption, late supper (later than 9 pm), and snoring (all P < 0.05). Night-time heartburn and regurgitation were related with sleep disorder.

CONCLUSIONS

Lifestyle factors are associated with nGER severity, and nGER affects sleep quality. It will be beneficial to popularize and strengthen the diagnosis and treatment of nGER.

Adipose-derived stem cells: A candidate for liver regeneration

The scarcity of donor livers and the impracticality of hepatocyte transplantation represent the biggest obstacles for the treatment of liver failure. Adipose-derived stem cells, with their ability to differentiate into the hepatic lineage, provide a reliable alternative cell source with clear ethical and practical advantages. Moreover, adipose-derived stem cells can effectively repair liver damage by the dominant indirect pattern and increase the number of hepatocytes by the secondary direct pattern. In recent years, the development of the indirect pattern, which mainly includes immunomodulatory and trophic effects, has become a hot topic in the field of cell engineering. Therefore, adipose-derived stem cells are considered to be ideal therapeutic stem cells for human liver regeneration. In this article, we reviewed the advantages of adipose-derived stem cells in liver regeneration, and explore their underlying mechanisms.