Cardiac autonomic neuropathy and risk of cardiovascular disease and mortality in type 1 and type 2 diabetes: a meta-analysis

We aimed to determine the prognostic association between cardiac autonomic neuropathy (CAN) and cardiovascular disease events (CVE) and mortality in type 1 and type 2 diabetes through a systematic review and meta-analysis. This systematic review and meta-analysis was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42020216305) and was conducted with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) methodological criteria. CAN was defined on the basis of 1 (early/possible CAN) or ≥2 (definite CAN) positive autonomic function tests as per the Toronto Consensus guidelines. Studies included those with prospective CVE or mortality data. Methodological variables/risk of bias were assessed using ROBINS-I (Risk Of Bias In Non-randomized Studies - of Interventions) and RoB-2 (Risk-Of-Bias tool for randomized trials) appraisal tools. Electronic database searches yielded 18 467 articles; 84 articles were screened full-text, 26 articles fulfilled the inclusion criteria for quantitative synthesis. Sixteen studies from patients with (n=2875) and without (n=11 722) CAN demonstrated a pooled relative risk (RR) of 3.16 (95%CI 2.42 to 4.13; p<0.0001) of future CVE in favour of CAN. Nineteen studies provided all-cause mortality data from patients with (n=3679) and without (n=12 420) CAN, with a pooled RR of 3.17 (95%CI 2.11 to 4.78; p<0.0001) in favour of CAN. The risk of both future CVE and mortality was higher in type 1 compared with type 2 diabetes and with a definite CAN (vs possible CAN) diagnosis. Three studies were considered to have risk of serious bias. This study confirms the significant association between CAN and CVE and all-cause mortality. The implementation of population-based CAN screening will identify a subgroup with disproportionately higher cardiovascular and mortality risk that will allow for earlier targeted intervention.

Typhoid fever presenting as acute psychosis in a young adult: case report and literature review of typhoid psychosis

The rarity of acute psychosis in typhoid fever can result in delayed and misdiagnosis of the condition. We report a case of a 20-year-old man who presented with fever and acute psychotic symptoms. This was associated with headache, dizziness, and body weakness. There were no other significant symptoms. Neurological examination revealed reduced muscle tone of bilateral lower limbs but otherwise unremarkable. The computed tomography (CT) scan of his brain showed no abnormality. Blood specimens for microbiological culture grew Salmonella Typhi. This isolate was susceptible to chloramphenicol, ampicillin, ceftriaxone, ciprofloxacin, and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. He was treated with intravenous ceftriaxone for one week and responded well. He was discharged with oral ciprofloxacin for another week. The repeated blood and stool for bacterial culture yielded no growth of Salmonella Typhi.