Bullous Pemphigoid and Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA)-DQA1: A Systematic Review

Bullous pemphigoid (BP) is an autoimmune blistering disease that mainly affects the elderly. The human leukocyte antigen (HLA) system is believed to be one of the genetic factors involved in the development of BP. The connection between major histocompatibility complex class II, specifically HLA-DQA1, and BP remains inconclusive. The objective of this review is to find potential associations between BP and HLA-DQA1 alleles, identify the HLA-DQA1 alleles associated with an increased or decreased risk of developing BP, and highlight literature gaps for future research. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines were used to conduct a literature review. Databases used included PubMed/MEDLINE, Google Scholar, Embase, and Cochrane Library. Only studies written in English and conducted after 2000 that investigated the association between HLA-DQA1 and BP in human subjects were included. Odds ratios were calculated from the data provided in the studies, and a meta-analysis was conducted using Review Manager (The Cochrane Collaboration, London, United Kingdom) and MetaXL (EpiGear International Pty Ltd., Queensland, Australia) software. The systematic review found five eligible studies, and all were included in the meta-analysis. Results show an increased odds for BP in the HLA-DQA1*05:05 loci (odds ratio (OR) = 2.25; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.80, 2.80) and decreased odds for BP in the HLA-DQA1*02:01 loci (OR = 0.50; 95% CI = 0.36, 0.70). Further research is needed to confirm these findings and explore the potential clinical implications for personalized medicine approaches in BP patients.

Don't get hung up on fishhooks: a guide to fishhook removal

In the sport of fishing, barbed fishhooks often are used for their effectiveness in maintaining the fish on the hook once it is caught. However, if a fishhook is implanted in the skin of a fisherman or fisherwoman, a barb can pose problems in removing the fishhook without exacerbating internal injury, a common fear among outpatient physicians. We describe the case of a patient who presented to the dermatology clinic with a barbed fishhook injury and discuss several simple methods for barbed fishhook removal that can be easily utilized in the outpatient setting. Because failing to treat the patient may lead to further discomfort and increased risk for complications, practitioners should be familiar with the removal methods described here, as they are not time consuming and do not require complex equipment. Furthermore, these techniques may be useful for removal of other foreign bodies embedded in cutaneous tissue (eg, splinters).

Abstract P298: The Impact of JNC VII Recommendations for Controlling Blood Pressure in a Heart Failure Disease Management Program

Background: A significant correlation between hypertension (HTN) and long-term risk for heart failure (HF) exists. The aim of this study was (i) to assess what percent of patients enrolled in a heart failure disease management program (HFDMP) reach the JNC VII target goals for blood pressure control; (ii) to assess if there is a disparity in HTN control by race or ethnicity; (iii) and to assess the impact of reaching JNC VII targets for blood pressure control on survival.

Methods: Patients with an ejection fraction ≤40% were enrolled into HFDMPs and screened for HTN, defined as blood pressure (BP) ≥ 130/80. Patients were titrated to beta blocker therapy and ace inhibitor therapy following the ACC/AHA HF guidelines. Final BP was measured after one year.

Results: Mean baseline systolic BP (SBP) (N = 648) was 149.9 mmHg and mean baseline diastolic BP (DBP) was 90.5 mmHg. At one year, mean SBP decreased to 138.0 mmHg, DBP to 81.8 mmHg. There was no significant increase in survival for patients with BP ≤130 and ≤80 versus patients with HTN. There was a significant disparity in BP control in Blacks and Hispanics compared to whites (p<0.001)

Conclusion: Disease management programs are an effective way to reduce BP in hypertensive patients, as well as keeping normotensive patients within JNC VII guidelines however health disparities persisted by race and ethnicity.

Prevalence of erectile dysfunction in systolic heart failure patients in a developing country: Tbilisi, Georgia, Eastern Europe

INTRODUCTION

In the past decade, there has been an increasing amount of published information regarding erectile dysfunction (ED) and heart failure (HF) in economically advanced, westernized populations. However, there is a paucity of data regarding ED and HF in developing countries. The country of Georgia is categorized as a lower-middle-income country (LMIC) with an emerging and developing economy.

AIM

To examine the prevalence of ED in patients with HF from a developing and LMIC and assess the association with depression.

METHODS

We conducted an observational, cross-sectional study that included male patients 18 years of age or older with an ejection fraction ≤40% by echocardiogram in a heart failure disease management program in Tbilisi, Georgia. The Sexual Health Inventory for Men (SHIM) survey was used to categorize men according to degree of ED. Baseline clinical characteristics known to be associated with ED, such as New York Heart Association functional classification, were also documented.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

The SHIM survey and the nine-question Patient Health Questionnaire.

RESULTS

The prevalence of ED was found to be 61.7%. Patients with ED were generally older, had more peripheral vascular disease, and had greater levels of depression than those without ED.

CONCLUSIONS

There is a high prevalence of ED in patients with HF living in Tbilisi, Georgia. In comparison to previously published data on HF populations, our Georgian population showed lesser degrees of ED. More research is needed to better explain the causality for lower prevalence of ED, but explanations may include lower degrees of diabetes and aspects of treatment such as beta-blocker medication. Health care providers in LMICs should screen all of their male HF patients for ED and provide appropriate therapy.

Prevalence of vaccination rates in systolic heart failure: a prospective study of 549 patients by age, race, ethnicity, and sex in a heart failure disease management program

Healthy People 2010 aims at immunizing 60% of high-risk adults annually against influenza and once against pneumococcal disease. The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of a standardized approach to improve vaccination rates in patients with heart failure (HF); to determine whether disparities exist based on age, race, ethnicity, or sex at baseline and follow-up; and to evaluate the impact of clinical variables on the odds of being vaccinated. A prospective study of 549 indigent patients enrolled in a systolic HF disease management program (HFDMP) began enrollment from August 2007 to January 2009 at Jackson Memorial Hospital. Patients were interviewed at their initial visit for immunization status; those without vaccinations were offered the vaccines. Prevalence of vaccination (POV) for influenza and pneumococcal disease was obtained at baseline and at follow-up. The odds ratio for being vaccinated was calculated using logistic regression. The study population comprised mostly Hispanic (56%), black (37%), and male (70%) patients, with a mean age of 56 ± 12 years and a mean ejection fraction of 25% ± 10%. The initial POV for both was 22% at baseline. At follow-up, POV improved to 60.5%. Of those not vaccinated at baseline, 17.5% refused vaccination. Odds ratios at baseline for age, race/ethnicity, and sex were 0.99 (P=.99), 0.63 (P=.08), and 0.62 (P=.14), respectively. These did not change significantly at follow-up. Prevalence of vaccination in our cohort was low. Enrollment into the HFDMP improved immunization prevalence without creating age, race, ethnicity, or sex disparities.

Longitudinal trends in the applicant pool for U.S. medical schools, 1974--1999

PURPOSE

To examine the pool of applicants to U.S. medical schools from 1974--1999 for changes in size and demographics and to identify factors that may be associated with such changes.

METHOD

Data on characteristics of the total applicant pools to U.S. medical schools for 1974--1999 were collected from the Association of American Medical Colleges' Data Warehouse. Data on undergraduates' receiving bachelor's degrees and unemployment rates were obtained from the National Center for Education Statistics and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, respectively. Variables such as race/ethnicity, gender, age, and first time or reapplicant status were compared across the study period.

RESULTS

The percentage of women applicants increased from 20% of the pool in 1974 to 45% of the pool in 1999, while the percentage of men dropped from 80% to 55%. The number of underrepresented minority (URM) applicants increased 45% during the period, from 2,890 to 4,181, but URM applicants represented only 11% of the total applicant pool in 1999. Between 1974 and 1999, the number of URM men applying to medical school dropped by 18%, from 1,984 to 1,629, while the number of URM women nearly tripled, from 906 to 2,552. The number of Asian/Pacific Islander applicants increased dramatically, from 986 in 1974 to 7,622 in 1999, and they now represent a fifth of all applicants. The proportion of reapplicants grew when the applicant pool grew and it shrank when the applicant pool shrank. No relationship was found between the size of the applicant pool and economic indicators, age, or geographic origin.

CONCLUSION

Changes in the proportions of women and Asian/Pacific Islander applicants were the driving force in the expansion of the applicant pool between 1974 and 1999.

The role of dietary iron in pigment gallstone formation

Recent studies suggest that dietary factors may be responsible for the increasing incidence of pigment gallstones. Although iron deficiency alters the activities of several hepatic enzymes, its effects on biliary lipid metabolism are not known. The aim of this study was to define the role of dietary iron in pigment gallstone formation. Three groups of prairie dogs were maintained for 2 months on either a control chow (iron-198 ppm), a high-carbohydrate diet with normal iron levels (CHO group; iron-220 ppm), or a high-carbohydrate, iron-deficient (iron-56 ppm) diet (CHO-FeD group). Serum analysis confirmed iron deficiency in the CHO-FeD group. The CHO animals had a significant (p less than 0.01) increase in hepatic bile phospholipids, while CHO-FeD animals had increased (p less than 0.01) concentrations of phospholipids and cholesterol as compared with controls. Similar findings were noted in gallbladder bile with the addition of increased calcium levels in both carbohydrate groups. Calcium bilirubinate crystals and stones were found in only 17% of CHO animals, as compared with 67% of CHO-FeD animals. These data indicate that consumption of diets rich in carbohydrates but deficient in iron alters hepatic metabolism of cholesterol and may be an important etiologic factor in pigment gallstone formation. Iron supplementation may prevent pigment gallstones in certain high-risk groups.