Association between hyponatremia, inflammation, and mortality in patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis: A nationwide observations

INTRODUCTION

Hyponatremia is the most common electrolyte disorder often present in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients. The aim of this retrospective study was to investigate the effect of hyponatremia on mortality in patients undergoing PD.

METHODS

The health records of adult individuals with an inserted PD catheter identified via the centralized national e-health database were used.

RESULTS

The mean age of the 846 patients included in the study was 52.48 years (±14.6). The mean sodium level was 136.51 mEq/L. Sodium levels <137 mEq/L were associated with higher death risk independent of comorbidities. There was a 0.821 times less reduction in mortality for each mEq /L increase in serum sodium.

CONCLUSION

Our study provides evidence that monitoring and adjusting serum sodium levels is crucial in managing PD patients with hyponatremia, as low serum sodium level was found to be a significant and independent predictor of mortality.

MONOCYTE/HDL RATIO IN NON-ALCOHOLIC HEPATIC STEATOSIS

BACKGROUND

Non-alcoholic hepatic steatosis (NAS) is characterized by excess fat accumulation in hepatocytes, causing portal and lobular inflammation and hepatocyte injury.

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to evaluate the alterations in monocyte count to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio (MHR) in patients with grade 2 or 3 fatty liver disease and the association of this marker with liver function tests and insulin resistance.

METHODS

In this retrospective analysis; patients diagnosed and followed for the grade 2 or 3 fatty liver disease were included in the patient group and the patients who had undergone abdominal ultrasound for any reason and who were not having any fatty liver disease were included in the control group.

RESULTS

Totally 409 cases were included in the study. Among participants, 201 were in the control group, and 208 were in the NAS group (111 were having grade 2 and 97 were having grade 3 steatosis). The monocyte/HDL ratio was significantly higher in the NAS group compared with the healthy controls (P=0.001). There was a significant positive correlation between the monocyte/HDL ratio and age (r=0.109; P=0.028), ALT (r=0.123, P=0.014) and HOMA-IR (r=0.325, P=0.001) values.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, the monocyte to high-density lipoprotein ratio significantly increases in fatty liver disease and correlates with insulin resistance. Since it was suggested as a prognostic marker in atherosclerotic diseases, elevated MHR values in fatty liver disease should be evaluated cautiously.

Prognostic Factors in Male Breast Cancer: A Single Centre Experience

OBJECTIVE

To determine the prognostic factors by assessing the clinicopathological characteristics of the male patients with breast cancer (MBC).

STUDY DESIGN

Observational study.

PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY

Department of Internal Medicine, HSU Dr. Abdurrahman Yurtaslan Oncology, Training and Research Hospital, Turkey, between January 2010 and November 2018.

METHODOLOGY

Data of patients with MBC were evaluated. Age ≥18 years, diagnosis of breast carcinoma, and male gender were the inclusion criteria of the study. Patients were excluded from the study, if their data were incomplete. Ki-67, the status of estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), and HER2 receptor were obtained from the hospital records. Kaplan-Meier method was performed for survival analysis. Cox regression analysis was used to determine independent prognostic factors of overall survivall (OS).

RESULTS

Out of the 73 patients included in the study, 37 of them aged under 65, while 36 of them aged 65 or over. ER positivity was 94.5%, while PR positivity was 87.7%, and HER2 positivity was 13.7%. It was found that as a result of the univariate analysis, the 5-year OS of the elderly group (≥65 years) was lower compared to the younger group (<65 years, 74.2% vs. 93.3%, p=0.022). Age, tumor grade, and T stage were included in the multivariate Cox regression analysis and only advanced age was found to be an independent poor prognostic factor (HR: 3.068, 95% CI: 1.013-9.293, p=0.047).

CONCLUSION

Advanced age might be an independent poor prognostic factor for patients with MBC. Key Words: Breast cancer, Elderly, Male, Prognosis.

Prognostic Value of ABO Blood Groups in Patients with Glioblastoma Multiforme

OBJECTIVE

To investigate relationship among ABO blood groups and prognosis in patients with glioblastoma multiforme (GBM).

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective observational study.

PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY

Department of Medical Oncology, HSU Dr Abdurrahman Yurtaslan Oncology Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey, from April 2012 to May 2020.

METHODOLOGY

Two hundred and thirty-eight patients with the diagnosis of GBM were retrospectively reviewed. Data regarding age, gender, surgery (total or subtotal), type (chemotherapy (CT) or radiotherapy (RT)) and duration of adjuvant therapies, comorbid conditions, ABO blood groups were analysed for survival. Median overall survival (OS) was estimated using Kaplan-Meier method. Cox regression model was used to identify independent prognostic factors.

RESULTS

Median age was 57 years (range: 20-83); and 57.6% were male in the study population. The blood group was blood group A in 45.0%, blood group B in 14.7%, blood group AB in 5.4%, and blood group O in 34.9% of patients.  Median OS was 22 months in blood group O whereas 14 months in blood group A, 11 months in blood group B and 6 months in blood group AB (p=0.027).The median OS was shorter in non-O blood groups when compared to blood group O (13.0 vs. 22.0; p=0.008). In addition advanced age, subtotal resection and lack of adjuvant therapy (chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy), non-O blood group were identified as independent poor prognostic factor in multivariate analysis (HR: 1.39; p=0.033).

CONCLUSION

An association was detected among ABO blood groups and prognosis in patients with GBM. It was observed that blood groups significantly affected survival and that median survival was significantly shorter in Non-O blood groups when compared blood group O. Key Words: Glioblastoma multiforme, ABO blood group, Prognosis, Survival.