Search

In patients with unstable angina pectoris (UAP) or non-ST elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI), long-term mortality remains high despite improvements in the diagnosis and treatment. In this study, we investigated whether serum albumin level is a useful predictor of long-term mortality in patients with UAP/NSTEMI. Consecutive patients (n = 403) who were hospitalized with a diagnosis of UAP/NSTEMI were included in the study. Patients were divided into 2 groups based on the presence of hypoalbuminemia and the relationship between hypoalbuminemia and mortality was analyzed. Hypoalbuminemia was detected in 34% of the patients. The median follow-up period was 35 months (up to 45 months). Long-term mortality rate was 32% in the hypoalbuminemia group and 8.6% in the group with normal serum albumin levels ( P < .001). On multivariate analysis, hypoalbuminemia, decreased left ventricular ejection fraction, and increased age were found to be independent predictors of mortality ( P < .05). The cutoff value of 3.10 g/dL for serum albumin predicted mortality with a sensitivity of 74% and specificity of 67% (receiver-operating characteristic area under curve: 0.753, 95% CI: 0.685-0.822). All-cause long-term mortality rates were significantly increased in patients with hypoalbuminemia. On-admission albumin level was an independent predictor of mortality in patients with UAP/NSTEMI.

Objective The course of bipolar disorder (BD) is sensitive to factors that may disrupt biological and social rhythms. It is important for patients diagnosed with BD to continue their follow-up and treatment during the pandemic due to personal and social effects. This study aimed to evaluate the disease course and treatment compliance of individuals diagnosed with BD during the pandemic. Methods A total of 267 patients with BD were included in the study. The scales were applied by phone calls. A sociodemographic data form was filled out during the phone interviews. Diagnostic criteria for hypomanic, manic, and depressive episodes in DSM-5 were questioned and recorded through the created form. Results During the first of the pandemic, a total of 72 (27.0%) patients had a mood episode, of which 56 (21.0%) were manic/hypomanic episodes and 16 (6.0%) depressive episodes. Also, 54.7% of the patients were able to obtain their medications thanks to the extended medication reports. Being unable to use their medications regularly, having a seasonal pattern of disease, and using an increased number of psychotropics were significant predictors of a new episode. While 74.5% of the patients wanted to talk to their psychiatrists online, only 1.1% could reach the psychiatrist online. Discussion The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic are particularly evident in patients with a seasonal pattern. Telepsychiatry practices should be actively included in clinical practice, and government policies developed for treatment compliance seem important.

WOS:000595335800014 PMID: 33030023 2 They suggested providing more detailed information on the enrolled patients regarding history of coronary artery disease (CAD). However, we consider that doing that is not needed. In studies evaluating the treatment of cardiovascular diseases (interventional treatment, drug treatment, or markers with a possible prognostic value), it is typically needed to group the patients based on the presence of hypertension, presence of diabetes with regard to HbA1c levels, treatment compliance, and duration of the disease

The aim of the study is to investigate the association between the severity of rheumatic mitral valvular disease (RMVD) and the neutrophil–lymphocyte ratio (NLR). A total of 227 patients were enrolled in the study and divided into 3 groups. Patients in group 1 had rheumatic mitral stenosis (RMS), those in group 2 had RMVD without stenosis, and those in group 3 served as the control group. Group 1 was further divided into 2 groups, severe mitral stenosis (MS) and mild to moderate MS. The NLR was significantly higher in patients with severe MS when compared to those with mild to moderate MS ( P = .002) while lymphocyte count was lower ( P = .034). Using a cutoff level of 2.56, the NLR predicted severe RMS with a sensitivity of 75% and specificity of 74%. In conclusion, as an inexpensive, simple, and accessible marker of inflammation, the NLR may be useful in predicting the presence and severity of MS in patients with RMVD.

Inflammation has recently emerged in the pathogenesis of several cardiovascular disorders, including arrhythmias. The neutrophil–lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is a simple marker for the assessment of inflammatory status. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the relationship between the NLR and the ventricular premature contraction (VPC) existence. Patients aged between 18 and 40 years who were referred to the cardiology clinic were enrolled in the study. All patients’ complete blood counts and 24-hour Holter recordings were analyzed. The NLR was higher within the VPC group compared to the control group ( P < .001). According to the NLR tertiles, VPCs were more common in the higher NLR tertile ( P < .001). A cutoff point of 1.80 for the NLR had 71% sensitivity and 60% specificity in predicting VPC in apparently healthy individuals. After multivariate analysis, only the NLR remained significant predictor of presence of VPC. In conclusion, the NLR is independently and significantly associated with VPC existence.

The aim of this study is to investigate the association between neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and severity of coronary atherosclerosis. A total of 172 patients undergoing coronary angiography were included in the study. Control group consisted of patients with normal coronary arteries. Patients with coronary stenosis were divided into 2 groups by use of Gensini scores. The NLR was higher in severe atherosclerosis group compared with mild atherosclerosis and control groups ( P < .001). In correlation analysis, NLR showed significant correlation with Gensini score. A cutoff value of 2.5 for NLR predicted severe atherosclerosis with a sensitivity and specificity of 62% and 69%, respectively. After multivariate analysis, high levels of NLR were independent predictors of severe atherosclerosis together with glucose and high-density lipoprotein. Our study suggests that the NLR is a predictor of severe atherosclerosis that may be useful for cardiac risk stratification in patients with coronary artery disease.

In the present study, we aimed to investigate the parameters in serum of patients with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) and correlate with the cancer stage. The serum concentrations of ceruloplasmin, a-1-acid glycoprotein, albuminumin, transferrin, copper, zinc, manganese, and ceruloplasmin oxidase activity were measured, and compared with those from a healthy control group. The serum from 34 patients with CLL were extracted before chemotherapy. Serum transferrin, albuminumin and Zinc concentrations were lower in patients with CLL while serum a-1-acid glycoprotein, ceruloplasmin, copper concentrations, and ceruloplasmin oxidase activity were higher in CLL patients when compared with the control group. Although serum manganese concentration was lower in CLL groups than in the control group, the difference was not statistically significant. Serum transferrin concentration was lower in the early stage group compared with the advanced stage. Serum ceruloplasmin level positively correlated with serum ceruloplasmin oxidase activity in patients from the early stage group. Serum ceruloplasmin level positively correlated with serum ceruloplasmin oxidase activity in patients with advanced stage. In conclusion, increased serum ceruloplasmin oxidase activity, ceruloplasmin, a-1-acid glycoprotein, copper levels and decreased transferrin and albuminumin, unchanged manganese levels are associated with CLL and appear to be a consequence of the disease itself.

The aim of this study was to investigate increase of QTc dispersion and P-wave dispersion during migraine attacks. Fifty-five patients (16–65 years of age, 49 women, six men) with migraine were included in our study. Heart rate, QTc interval, maximum and minimum QTc interval, QTc dispersion, maximum and minimum P-wave duration and P-wave dispersion were measured from 12-lead ECG recording during migraine attacks and pain-free periods. ECGs were transferred to a personal computer via a scanner and then used for magnification of x400 by Adobe Photoshop software. Maximum QTc interval (454 ± 24 ms vs. 429 ± 23 ms, P < 0.001), QTc interval (443 ± 26 ms vs. 408 ± 22 ms, P