Evaluation of MCV/RDW Ratio and Correlations with Ferritin in Telogen Effluvium Patients

Introduction

Telogen effluvium is one of the chronic diseases that affect the quality of life (QoL) in women. Genetic factors, vitamin deficiencies, hormonal and environmental conditions take roles in the etiology of hair loss.

Objectives

The study aimed to evaluate the RDW(Red cell distribution witdh)/MCV(Mean corpuscular volume) ratio and its correlation with ferritin in Telogen Effluvium patients and to reveal their potential role in the etiopathogenesis of Telogen effluvium.

Methods

We retrospectively evaluated the medical data of 250 patients who were admitted to the dermatology outpatient clinic between September 2020 and December 2020 with a diagnosis of telogen effluvium. The control group was created retrospectively from the medical records of 250 healthy individuals. HB(Hemoglobin), HCT(Hematocrit), MPV(mean platelet volume), MCV, RDW, ferritin, and MCV/RDW ratio of both groups were compared and evaluated statistically.

Results

All telogen effluvium patients were women in terms of gender. The mean age of the patient group was 33.11 ± 9.66 years and the mean age of the control group was 34.98 ± 12.37 years. The ratio of MCV/RDW, MPV, MCV, and ferritin is lower in the group with telogen effluvium compared to the control group and a statistically significant difference was found (P < 0.05).

Conclusions

Iron deficiency anemia is thought of as a factor in female patients with telogen effluvium. Although the data shows the correction of iron deficiency is insufficient telogen effluvium, we proposed that laboratory tests should be routinely used in the diagnosis and treatment phase of patients who apply with the complaint of hair loss.

Serum levels of irisin and nesfatin-1 in multiple sclerosis

BACKGROUND

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory and neurodegenerative autoimmune chronic neurological disease. Currently, there are no effective serum biomarkers to verify MS diagnosis, to assess disease prognosis, and evaluate response to MS treatment.

OBJECTIVE

The present study is a preliminary assessment of irisin and nesfatin-1 serum levels in patients with relapsing- remitting MS (RRMS).

METHODS

A total of 86 participants, 42 patients with RRMS diagnosis and 44 healthy controls were included in the study. The serum irisin and nesfatin-1 parameters of the patients and control group members were analyzed.

RESULTS

Irisin and nesfatin-1 levels of the RRMS patients were significantly lower than the controls (z: -3.82, p<0.001; z: -4.79, p<0.001, respectively) The cut-off level of irisin is 10.390 (ng/mL) (sensitivity: 84.1%, specificity: 71.4%, AUC: 0.800), and the cut-off level of nestatin-1 is 7.155 (ng/mL) (sensitivity: 68.2%, specificity: 64.3%, AUC: 0.739) in the ROC analysis. For these cut-off levels in the case-control groups, the lower irisin and nesfatin-1 levels are the independent variables for MS patients (OR 9.723, 95%CI 2.884-32.785, p<0.001; OR 3.992, 95%CI 1.336-11.928, p<0.001) respectively.

CONCLUSION

The present study revealed lower irisin and nesfatin-1 levels in patients with RRMS. These findings suggest that the decreased levels of irisin and nesfatin-1 peptides may contribute to MS pathogenesis such as inflammation, oxidative stress, and apoptosis in MS, leading to demyelination, axonal damage with neuronal loss, and gliosis.

Evaluation of the association between platelet tests and thyroid stimulating hormone levels in patients with vitiligo

OBJECTIVE

Vitiligo is a common dermatological disease of unknown cause and progressing with depigmentation and affects approximately 1% of the world population. In the study, we aimed to compare plateletcrit (PCT), mean platelet volume (MPV), platelet (PLT), and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) values in vitiligo patients.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We retrospectively evaluated the medical data of 100 patients who were admitted to the dermatology outpatient clinic between January 2020 and December 2021 with a diagnosis of vitiligo. The control group was retrospectively constituted from medical records of 190 healthy individuals. PCT, MPV, PLT, and TSH levels of both groups were compared statistically.

RESULTS

A total of 190 participants (100 vitiligo patients and 90 healthy volunteers) were included in the study. The mean age of the patient group was 38.62±1.62, while the mean age of the control group was 41.52±1.54. There were no differences between the two groups in terms of age and gender. It was found that the mean MPV value in the patient group was lower than the control group (p=0.00). PLT and PCT values were significantly higher in the patient group than the control group (p=0.00, p=0.01, respectively). There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in terms of TSH (p>0.05). A negative correlation between MPV and PLT values in the patient group (r=-0.218, p=0.029), and a negative correlation between MPV and TSH (r=-0.218, p=0.029). -0.230, p=0.021).

CONCLUSION

In the study, a comparison of the PCT, MPV, and PLT levels showed a difference between both groups, but no differences in TSH levels. To clarify these results, comprehensive studies with more samples are needed.

Elevated survivin levels in patients with acne vulgaris

OBJECTIVE

Acne vulgaris is a multifactorial disease of the pilosebaceous unit. As the most common skin disease, it may affect approximately 85% of the young population. Survivin, a member of the inhibitors of the apoptosis (IAP) gene family, can inhibit apoptosis and regulate cell division and proliferation. In the study, we aimed to investigate the potential role of serum survivin in acne vulgaris.

METHODS

Forty individuals who were diagnosed with acne vulgaris and forty healthy subjects as the control group were enrolled in the study. Venous blood samples were collected from each participant, and the serum levels of survivin were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS software version 25.

RESULTS

The serum survivin levels were statistically significant between the groups, and the levels of survivin were measured as acne vulgaris patients group 153.44 and control group 104.17 pg/ml, respectively (p < 0.018). When the serum survivin levels were compared according to gender, females had higher levels of survivin than the males (168.16 versus 50.45 pg/mL, p = 0.001). A significant correlation was found between acne severity (p = 0.017) and Scale for Acne Scar severity (SCAR-S) score (p = 0.001) according to the survivin levels. In terms of age, no significant relationship was found between age and survivin (p = 0.4048).

CONCLUSION

Elevated serum levels of survivin were determined in acne vulgaris. Moreover, there was a significant correlation between acne stage and SCAR-S score according to survivin levels.

Evaluation of diagnostic performance of haematological parameters in Behçet's disease

OBJECTIVE

Behçet's Disease (BD) is a polygenic and chronic autoinflammatory multisystemic vasculitis disease characterised by mucocutaneous, musculoskeletal, neurological, gastrointestinal and ophthalmologic lesions. There has been no specific test or serum marker to measure and determine the diagnosis and severity of BD.

PURPOSE

The study aimed to investigate the diagnostic performance of haematological parameters as MLR (monocyte to lymphocyte ratio), NLR (neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio), PLR (platelet to lymphocyte ratio), MPV (mean platelet volume), MPVPR (mean platelet volume to platelet ratio), LMR (lymphocyte to monocyte ratio), LPM (lymphocyte and platelet multiplication), WLP (lymphocyte and leukocyte multiplication), RDW (red blood cell distribution width) and PCT (plateletcrit) in BD and compare these with disease activity and clinical findings.

METHODS

A total of 266 participants (49 healthy control and 217 BD patients) were recruited from the rheumatology department in a single-centre as a case-control study. The laboratory data were obtained from the electronic registration database. BD Activity scores (BDCAF/Behcet's Disease Current Activity Form) were calculated. Laboratory findings of BD patients and healthy controls were compared and evaluated.

RESULTS

RDW, Platelet, PCT, NLR and PLR values were significantly higher in patient group than in the healthy controls. However, haemoglobin, MPVPR and LMR were significantly lower in the patient group which compared with the healthy controls. LPM in BD with genital ulcers, WLP in BD with genital ulcers and arthritis, MPR in BD with uveitis, RDW in BD with thrombosis and neuro-Behçet's disease (NBD), PLR in NBD were observed to be higher. However, LMR in NBD and MPV in BD with thrombosis were lower than those without. There was a positive correlation between BDCAF score and RDW, and NLR.

CONCLUSION

Haemoglobin, RDW, Platelet, PCT, NLR, LMR, PLR and MPVPR were statistically significant predictors for BD. RDW, PCT and NLR are the most valuable predictors for BD.

Elevated levels of neopterin and pentraxin 3 in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

OBJECTIVES

As a systemic inflammatory disease, rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is the most common inflammatory arthritis in the population and there is no specific diagnostic marker in laboratory tests. The purpose of the study was to determine whether serum neopterin and pentraxin 3 (PTX3) levels may be a marker of increased inflammation in RA patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The study were consist of 30 RA patients and 30 healthy controls who were admitted to the department of rheumatology. Blood specimens were taken from both group, and the levels of neopterin were analyzed by chromatography method (HPLC) and the PTX 3 levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). All data and demographic characteristics of participants were also recorded.

RESULTS

Serum neopterin and PTX 3 levels of the patient group (25.99 ± 7.24 ng/mL and 4.19 ± 1.01 ng/dL, respectively) was higher than the control group (9.55 ± 0.74 ng/mL and 2.23 ± 0.39 ng/dL, respectively). These results were remarkable significant (p<0.01). No statistically significant correlation was found between age-PTX 3, age-neopterin and PTX 3-neopterin parameters in the patient group. In the control group, a significant negative correlation was found between age and PTX 3 (p<0.05), and a positive correlation between neopterin and PTX 3.

CONCLUSIONS

Consequently, the serum neopterin and PTX 3 levels were higher in RA patients as compared to the healthy individuals. Our study suggest that there is a relation between neopterin and PTX 3 levels with RA patients. These findings suggest that neopterin and PTX 3 are important markers in the monitoring of RA disease.

Evaluation of serum interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-13, and IL-17 levels and computed tomography finding in interstitial lung disease associated with connective tissue disease patients

OBJECTIVE

Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is one of the most severe complications which is associated with connective tissue disease (CTD) and causes to morbidity and mortality. So, we aimed to determine serum levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-13, and IL-17, to investigate whether these cytokines are related to CTD-ILD, and to find their possible contribution to determining the prognosis of the disease.

METHODS

A total of 150 participants, 80 patients diagnosed with CTD-ILD (mean age, 58.21 ± 12.36) and 70 healthy controls (mean age, 57.07 ± 9.60) were recruited from the rheumatology department between January 2016 and June 2019 in the study. High-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) findings were scored as similarly to previous studies. Serum IL-6, IL 13, and IL-17 levels were measured by ELISA test kits.

RESULTS

The levels of IL-6, IL-13, and IL-17 in CTD patients were significantly higher than the healthy individuals (p < 001), but the HRCT score's relation were not determined. IL-6 was associated with disease duration and disease activity scores of DAS28, ESDAII, and dSSc. There was a significant relation between dSSc, HCRT fibrosis, and total score.CRP, hemoglobin, and platelets were associated with the HRCT inflammation pattern.

CONCLUSION

At the study, it has been observed that serum IL-13, IL-6 and IL-17 levels are increased in patients with CTD-ILD. Besides, IL-6 was associated with disease activity scores of DAS28, ESDAII, and dSSc. Also, HRCT fibrosis score is associated with dSSc. Further and comprehensive studies are needed to understand better the complex intersection of lung disease with systemic autoimmunity. Key Points • Serum IL-13, IL-6, and IL-17 levels are increased in patients with CTD-ILD. • IL-6 was associated with disease activity scores of DAS28, ESDAII, and diffuse skin involvement. • HRCT fibrosis score is associated with diffuse skin involvement in patients with SSc-ILD. • HRCT inflammation score is associated with PAH.

Is there a relation between serum methylarginine levels and infertility?

OBJECTIVES

Infertility is defined as the absence of pregnancy within the reproductive period despite regular sexual intercourse. Methylarginines are formed as a result of methylation of arginine residues in proteins and formed in three forms as asymmetric dimethyl arginine (ADMA), symmetrical dimethyl arginine (SDMA) and monomethylarginine (L-NMMA). So, here, we aimed to evaluate arginine and their derivatives levels in fertile and infertile individuals.

METHODS

Present study were consist of 30 oligozoospermia patients (proven by spermiogram analysis) and 30 healthy individuals with normozoospermia group who were applied to the urology department. With blood samples taken from individuals, serum methylarginine and its derivatives levels were analyzed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Clinic data and demographic characteristics of individuals were also recorded at the same time.

RESULTS

The serum ADMA level (0.38 ± 0.07) of the oligozoospermia group was found to be significantly higher than the normozoospermia group (0.35 ± 0.05) (p=0.046). A positive correlation were observed between ADMA and SDMA (r=0.686, p=0.000), HArg and SDMA (r=0.611, p=0.001), citrulline and L-NMMA (r=0.595, p=0.001) in patients with oligosospermia. The increase in SDMA, arginine and HArg levels and a decrease in L-NMMA and citrulline levels were not significant as statistically. Also, the ADMA level was found to be high in individuals with low sperm concentration.

CONCLUSIONS

Consequently, serum ADMA levels of individuals with oligozoospermia were statistically significantly higher than those with normozoospermia. As proposal, determination of ADMA levels may be a potential biomarker parameter in terms of early diagnosis of fertility and infertility.