Pituitary Apoplexy in Five Patients with Pituitary Tumours

Five cases of pituitary apoplexy occurring in patients with pituitary tumours are described. This uncommon condition is characterized by headache, sudden loss of vision, alteration in the level of consciousness, and usually an abnormal cerebrospinal fluid. The whole picture may be complicated by endocrine dysfunction. The diagnosis is strengthened by a radiologically abnormal pituitary fossa and confirmed by the operative finding of haemorrhagic necrotic tissue. Surgical decompression under steroid cover offers the only hope of restoration of vision. Frequent postoperative follow-up is obligatory.     

Pituitary Apoplexy in Nonfunctioning Pituitary Macroadenomas: A Case-Control Study

ObjectivePituitary apoplexy (PA) is an endocrinologie emergency characterized by headache, visual abnormalities, and hemodynamic instability in the context of hemorragic infarction of a pituitary adenoma. Our goal was to estimate the incidence, precipitating factors, clinical characteristics, and outcome of PA in a cohort of patients with nonfunctioning pituitary macroadenomas (NFPMAs).MethodsA retrospective, case-control study of 46 patients with PA and 47 controls matched for age, gender, and tumor invasiveness. Clinical, hormonal, and tumoral charactersitics, as well as the presence of potential precipitating factors and long-term outcome were evaluated using both bivariate and multivariate analysis.ResultsThe prevalence of PA was 8%. Cases and controls were similar in regards to the prevalence of diabetes, hypertension, use of antiplatelet agents, and the presence of headaches and visual field defects. Oculomotor paralysis was present in 18% of cases and in none of the controls (P = .001). Prior use of dopamine agonists was significantly more frequent among cases than in controls on both bivariate and multivariate analysis. Pituitary hormone deficiencies were more common among cases than in controls on bivariate but not on multivariate analysis. Early and late surgical treatment was carried out in 11 and 25 patients, respectively; 11 patients were managed conservatively. Visual and endocrine outcomes were similar among the 3 groups.ConclusionPA represents a life-threatening medical emergency. Prior use of dopamine agonists and the presence of oculomotor abnormalities clearly distinguished patients with NFPMA who developed PA from those who did not. (Endocr Pract 2014;20:1274-1280)     

Association of Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever With Multiple Risk Factors for Pituitary Apoplexy

ObjectiveTo describe pituitary apoplexy that developed during the course of dengue hemorrhagic fever.MethodsWe describe the clinical findings, laboratory test results, imaging findings, and clinical course of the study patients.ResultsPatient 1 was a 40-year-old man who developed clinical signs and symptoms of dengue, which was confirmed by serologic testing. He presented with thrombocytopenia and developed severe headache and vomiting. During hospitalization, acromegaly was suspected because of the characteristic disease phenotype. Magnetic resonance imaging confirmed the diagnosis of pituitary apoplexy. Subsequently, the biochemical diagnosis of acromegaly was confirmed, and the patient underwent transsphenoidal surgery. Histopathologic examination showed signs of recent bleeding. Patient 2 was a 38-year-old man with a macroprolactinoma, who had been treated with cabergoline for 10 weeks and had shown improvement on laboratory testing and imaging. The patient then presented with clinical symptoms of dengue (confirmed serologically) and thrombocytopenia. He developed bilateral hemianopsia, and magnetic resonance imaging showed enlargement of the pituitary adenoma with signs of intratumoral bleeding. The patient underwent transsphenoidal surgery, and histopathologic examination documented a pituitary adenoma diffusely infiltrated by blood cells.ConclusionsWe describe dengue as a probable novel condition for pituitary apoplexy because it may be associated with multiple risk factors for pituitary infarction or bleeding. Physicians should suspect pituitary apoplexy in patients with dengue hemorrhagic fever who develop a rapid onset of severe headache and vision defects, even in those without known pituitary adenomas. (Endocr Pract. 2012;18:e97-e101)     

Evaluation of Cardiovascular Risk With Arterial Stiffness in Patients With Nonfunctioning Pituitary Adenoma

Objective: Nonfunctioning pituitary adenoma (NFPA) accounts for 30% of all pituitary adenomas, and its incidence has been increasing compared to previous years. Increased risk of cardiovascular effects shown in recent studies is noteworthy in patients with NFPA diagnosis, but the number of studies on the subject is limited. In this study, we aimed to assess possible cardiovascular effects and risk via arterial stiffness measurements in patients diagnosed with NFPA.Methods: We performed arterial stiffness measurements for 30 patients diagnosed with NFPA and 30 healthy volunteers and compared the results to explore the relationship between arterial stiffness parameters, hormone levels, and adenoma size.Results: Systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), mean blood pressure (MBP), central SBP, central DBP, augmentation index corrected for a heart rate of 75 beats per minute (AIx@75), and pulse wave velocity (PWV) values of the patients with NFPA diagnosis were significantly higher than the control group. PWV was found to have a significant and negative correlation with growth hormone and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1). A significant and positive correlation was found between adenoma median short-axis length and PWV. IGF-1 was found to have a significant and negative correlation with adenoma median long- and short-axis length. In multivariate linear regression analysis, we found that IGF-1 was an independent predictor of PWV.Conclusion: Both arterial stiffness parameters such as AIx@75 and PWV and peripheral SBP, DBP, and MBP values were found to be high in NFPA patients with no cardiovascular risk factors. Our findings suggest increased cardiovascular effect and risk in patients with NFPA diagnosis, and therefore, we recommend that patients are monitored closely in this respect.Abbreviations: ACTH = adrenocorticotropic hormone; AIx@75 = augmentation index corrected for a heart rate of 75 beats per minute; BMI = body mass index; CVD = cardiovascular disease; DBP = diastolic blood pressure; FSH = follicle-stimulating hormone; GH = growth hormone; HT = hypertension; IGF-1 = insulin-like growth factor 1; LH = luteinizing hormone; MBP = mean blood pressure; MRI = magnetic resonance imaging; NFPA = nonfunctioning pituitary adenoma; PP = pulse pressure; PWA = pulse wave analysis; PWV = pulse wave velocity; SBP = systolic blood pressure; TSH = thyroid-stimulating hormone     

Incidence of Inadvertent Intraoperative Hypothermia and Its Risk Factors in Patients Undergoing General Anesthesia in Beijing: A Prospective Regional Survey

Background/Objective

Inadvertent intraoperative hypothermia (core temperature <36⁰ C) is a recognized risk in surgery and has adverse consequences. However, no data about this complication in China are available. Our study aimed to determine the incidence of inadvertent intraoperative hypothermia and its associated risk factors in a sample of Chinese patients.

Methods

We conducted a regional cross-sectional survey in Beijing from August through December, 2013. Eight hundred thirty patients who underwent various operations under general anesthesia were randomly selected from 24 hospitals through a multistage probability sampling. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were applied to explore the risk factors of developing hypothermia.

Results

The overall incidence of intraoperative hypothermia was high, 39.9%. All patients were warmed passively with surgical sheets or cotton blankets, whereas only 10.7% of patients received active warming with space heaters or electric blankets. Pre-warmed intravenous fluid were administered to 16.9% of patients, and 34.6% of patients had irrigation of wounds with pre-warmed fluid. Active warming (OR = 0.46, 95% CI 0.26–0.81), overweight or obesity (OR = 0.39, 95% CI 0.28–0.56), high baseline core temperature before anesthesia (OR = 0.08, 95% CI 0.04–0.13), and high ambient temperature (OR = 0.89, 95% CI 0.79–0.98) were significant protective factors for hypothermia. In contrast, major-plus operations (OR = 2.00, 95% CI 1.32–3.04), duration of anesthesia (1–2 h) (OR = 3.23, 95% CI 2.19–4.78) and >2 h (OR = 3.44, 95% CI 1.90–6.22,), and intravenous un-warmed fluid (OR = 2.45, 95% CI 1.45–4.12) significantly increased the risk of hypothermia.

Conclusions

The incidence of inadvertent intraoperative hypothermia in Beijing is high, and the rate of active warming of patients during operation is low. Concern for the development of intraoperative hypothermia should be especially high in patients undergoing major operations, requiring long periods of anesthesia, and receiving un-warmed intravenous fluids.     

The Incidence,Clinical Outcomes,and Risk Factors of Thrombocytopenia in Intra-Abdominal Infection Patients: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Background

Studies on the incidence and risk factors of thrombocytopenia among intra-abdominal infection patients remain absent, hindering efficacy assessments regarding thrombocytopenia prevention strategies.

Methods

We retrospectively studied 267 consecutively enrolled patients with intra-abdominal infections. Occurrence of thrombocytopenia was scanned for all patients. All-cause 28-day mortality was recorded. Variables from univariate analyses that were associated with occurrence of hospital-acquired thrombocytopenia were included in a multivariable logistic regression analysis to determine thrombocytopenia predictors.

Results

Median APACHE II score and SOFA score of the whole cohort was 12 and 3 respectively. The overall ICU mortality was 7.87% and the 28-day mortality was 8.98%. The incidence of thrombocytopenia among intra-abdominal infection patients was 21.73%. Regardless of preexisting or hospital-acquired one, thrombocytopenia is associated with an increased ICU mortality and 28-day mortality as well as length of ICU or hospital stay. A higher SOFA and ISTH score at admission were significant hospital-acquired thrombocytopenia risk factors.

Conclusions

This is the first study to identify a high incidence of thrombocytopenia in patients with intra-abdominal infections. Our findings suggest that the inflammatory milieu of intra-abdominal infections may uniquely predispose those patients to thrombocytopenia. More effective thrombocytopenia prevention strategies are necessary in intra-abdominal infection patients.     

Incidence and Risk of Proteinuria with Aflibercept in Cancer Patients: A Meta-Analysis

Background

Aflibercept is a human recombinant fusion protein with antiangiogenic effects that functions as a decoy receptor to bind vascular endothelial growth factor A. Proteinuria is one of its major adverse effects with a substantial variation in the incidence rate, and the overall risk of proteinuria has not been systematically studied. We performed a meta-analysis of published clinical trials to quantify the incidence and relative risk of proteinuria in cancer patients treated with aflibercept.

Methods

The electronic databases were searched, including PubMed, Embase, Cochrane databases, and ASCO (American Society of Clinical Oncology) abstracts. Eligible studies were phase II and III prospective clinical trials of cancer patients treated with aflibercept with toxicity data on proteinuria. Overall incidence rates, relative risk (RR), and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated using fixed or random effects models depending on the heterogeneity of the included studies.

Results

A total of 4,596 patients with a variety of solid tumors from 16 prospective clinical trials were included for the meta-analysis. The overall incidences of all-grade and high-grade proteinuria in cancer patients were 33.9% (95% CI: 27.3–42.1%) and 7.9% (95% CI: 6.1–10.2%). The relative risks of proteinuria of aflibercept compared to control were increased for all-grade (RR = 1.41, 95% CI: 1.13–1.77) and high-grade (RR = 6.18, 95% CI: 3.78–10.12) proteinuria. The risk of developing all-grade and high-grade proteinuria with aflibercept was substantially higher than that of bevacizumab (all-grade: RR 1.85, 95% CI: 1.63–2.11; high-grade: RR 2.37, 95% CI: 1.84–3.05).

Conclusions

Aflibercept is associated with an increased risk of developing proteinuria. Appropriate monitoring and treatment is strongly recommended to prevent potential renal damage. Future studies are still needed to investigate the risk reduction and possible use of aflibercept in cancer patients.     

Probable Hypothalamic Disorder Requiring Corticoid Therapy in Patients with Pituitary Adenoma or Craniopharyngioma

From findings in six patients with pituitary adenoma or craniopharyngioma correlations were sought between (a) radiological and other evidence of anatomical suprasellar or intrasellar disturbance and (b) clinical and laboratory indicators of pituitary function. Two patients with grossly enlarged sellae (most of the contents of the pituitary fossa had been removed in one) had essentially normal hypophyseal function. Two others with no sellar enlargement had disabling hypopituitarism. The need for corticoid therapy was not associated with impairment of (1) urine 17-hydroxycorticoid (17-OH) response to intravenous ACTH in two patients, (2) RAI uptake in two and (3) PBI in three. There was no 17-OH response to oral methopyrapone (750 mg. every four hours for six doses) in all four cases requiring corticoids for hypopituitarism. Four control subjects showed 17-OH levels of 12 to 18 mg. per day (twofold to threefold rises above baseline) on the day after methopyrapone was given. In no instance was the urine concentrating ability impaired remarkably. The suprasellar effects of such tumours are more often responsible for anterior pituitary deficiency than is generally recognized. Methopyrapone offers desirable sensitivity and specificity in the testing of pituitary function.     

Pulmonary Tuberculosis Incidence and Risk Factors in Rural Areas of China: A Cohort Study

The incidence of tuberculosis (TB) and its risk factors in China remains unclear. This study examined TB incidence and relative risk factors in rural areas of China. Participants (n = 177,529) were recruited in Xiangtan County (in the central area of China) and in Danyang County (in the eastern area of China) in 2009 and a followed-up study was conducted for one year. The incidence density of pulmonary TB and smear-positive TB were 91.6 (95% CI: 78.7, 106.0) per 100,000 person-year and 36.7 (95% CI: 33.1, 52.4) per 100,000 person-year respectively in Xiangtan, and 47.3 (95% CI: 38.2, 57.5) per 100,000 person-year and 22.7 (95% CI: 16.5, 30.8) per 100,000 person-year in Danyang. The medical history of TB was associated with TB, with the relative risk (RR) of 7.00 (95% CI: 2.76, 17.18) in Xiangtan and that of 31.08 (95% CI: 13.22, 73.10) in Danyang. The association between TB and per capita living space over median was found in Xiangtan, with the RR of 1.86 (95% CI: 1.15, 3.01). No association was found between TB and the insurance status, the contact history with TB, the history of diabetes, smoking, or per capita annual income. The host genetic susceptibility, and social factors such as education and income could be considered in future studies.     

Association of Maximum Weight with Hyperuricemia Risk: A Retrospective Study of 21,414 Chinese People

Background

Obesity has been demonstrated to be associated with increased serum uric acid (SUA); however, little is known regarding the relationship between maximum weight, or maximum weight fluctuation, and uric acid concentration. Through retrospective means, we determined the association of maximum weight with SUA risk.

Methods

Data of 21,414 participants (8,630 males and 12,784 females) from the 2007-8 China National Diabetes and Metabolic Disorders Study were analyzed for parameters including lifestyle habits, biochemical blood analysis and self-reported maximum weight.

Results

Elevated SUA subjects shared a cluster of demographic features. After adjustment for age, gender, education, smoking, drinking, physical activity, WHR, height, eGFR(evaluate glomerular filtration rate), and diuretic usage, multivariate logistic regression models demonstrated maximum weight was associated with increased risk of elevated SUA level (P<0.001). Duration of maximum weight was related with decreased risk of elevated SUA level (P<0.001). There was a significant correlation between time of weight loss and risk of increased SUA level reduction (P<0.001). Furthermore, our data indicated that the degree of weight loss from maximum weight was another important factor for the risk of increased SUA level reduction (P<0.001). Finally, ROC curve analysis revealed area under the curve was 0.661 (95% CI, 0.647-0.674), statistically significant for maximum weight association with hyperuricemia (P<0.001).

Conclusions

Maximum weight is a strong risk factor for increased uric acid level in the Chinese population, which might serve as a novel clinical indicator suggesting hyperuricemia. Controlling maximum weight, keeping weight to the appropriate range, and maintaining the stable weight may be conducive for decreasing risk of hyperuricemia.     

The Incidence and Relative Risk of Stroke among Patients with Bipolar Disorder: A Seven-Year Follow-Up Study

Objective

This study aimed to estimate the incidence and relative risk of stroke and post-stroke all-cause mortality among patients with bipolar disorder.

Methods

This study identified a study population from the National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD) between 1999 and 2003 that included 16,821 patients with bipolar disorder and 67,284 age- and sex-matched control participants without bipolar disorder. The participants who had experienced a stroke between 1999 and 2003 were excluded and were randomly selected from the NHIRD. The incidence of stroke (ICD-9-CM code 430–438) and patient survival after stroke were calculated for both groups using data from the NIHRD between 2004 and 2010. A Cox proportional-hazards model was used to compare the seven-year stroke-free survival rate and all-cause mortality rate across the two cohorts after adjusting for confounding risk factors.

Results

A total of 472 (2.81%) patients with bipolar disorder and 1,443 (2.14%) controls had strokes over seven years. Patients with bipolar disorder were 1.24 times more likely to have a stroke (95% CI = 1.12–1.38; p<0.0001) after adjusting for demographic characteristics and comorbid medical conditions. In addition, 513 (26.8%) patients who had a stroke died during the follow-up period. The all-cause mortality hazard ratio for patients with bipolar disorder was 1.28 (95% CI = 1.06–1.55; p = 0.012) after adjusting for patient, physician and hospital variables.

Conclusions

The likelihood of developing a stroke was greater among patients with bipolar disorder than controls, and the all-cause mortality rate was higher among patients with bipolar disorder than controls during a seven-year follow-up period.     

Prevalence and Risk Factors of CKD in Chinese Patients with Periodontal Disease

Background

Periodontal disease is common among adults and is associated with an increasing risk of chronic kidney disease (CKD). We aimed to investigate the prevalence and risk factors of CKD in patients with periodontal disease in China.

Methods

In the current cross-sectional study, patients with periodontal disease were included from Guangdong Provincial Stomatological Hospital between March 2011 and August 2011. CKD was defined as estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) <60 mL/min/1.73 m², the presence of albuminuria, or hematuria. All patients with periodontal disease underwent a periodontal examination, including periodontal probing pocket depth, gingival recession, and clinical attachment level by Florida Probe. They completed a questionnaire and had blood and urine samples taken. The adjusted prevalence of indicators of kidney damage was calculated and risk factors associated with CKD were analyzed.

Results

A total of 1392 patients with periodontal disease were invited to participate this study and 1268 completed the survey and examination. After adjusting for age and sex, the prevalence of reduced eGFR, albuminuria, and hematuria was 2.7% (95% CI 1.7–3.7), 6.7% (95% CI 5.5–8.1) and 10.9% (95% CI 9.2–12.5), respectively. The adjusted prevalence of CKD was 18.2% (95% CI 16.2–20.3). Age, male, diabetes, hypertension, history of CKD, hyperuricemia, and interleukin-6 levels (≥7.54 ng/L) were independent risk factors for reduced eGFR. Female, diabetes, hypertension, history of CKD, hyperuricemia, high level of cholesterol, and high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) (≥1.03 mg/L) and TNF-α levels (≥1.12 ng/L) were independently associated with an increased risk of albuminuria. Female, lower education (<high school), and history of CKD were independent risk factors for hematuria.

Conclusions

18.2% of Chinese patients with periodontal disease have proteinuria, hematuria, or reduced eGFR, indicating the presence of kidney damage. Whether prevention or treatment of periodontal disease can reduce the high prevalence of CKD, however, remains to be further investigated.     

Incidence,Characteristics and Risk Factors of Acute Kidney Injury among Dengue Patients: A Retrospective Analysis

Background

Dengue induced acute kidney injury (AKI) imposes heavy burden of illness in terms of morbidity and mortality. A retrospective study was conducted to investigate incidence, characteristics, risk factors and clinical outcomes of AKI among dengue patients.

Methodology

A total 667 dengue patients (2008–2013) were retrospectively evaluated and were stratified into AKI and non-AKI groups by using AKIN criteria. Two groups were compared by using appropriate statistical methods.

Results

There were 95 patients (14.2%) who had AKI, with AKIN-I, AKIN-II and AKIN-III in 76.8%, 16.8% and 6.4% patients, respectively. Significant differences (P<0.05) in demographics and clinico-laboratory characteristics were observed between patients with and without AKI. Presence of dengue hemorrhagic fever [OR (95% CI): 8.0 (3.64–17.59), P<0.001], rhabdomyolysis [OR (95% CI): 7.9 (3.04–20.49)], multiple organ dysfunction [OR (95% CI): 34.6 (14.14–84.73), P<0.001], diabetes mellitus [OR (95% CI): 4.7 (1.12–19.86), P = 0.034], late hospitalization [OR (95% CI): 2.1 (1.12–19.86), P = 0.033] and use of nephrotoxic drugs [OR (95% CI): 2.9 (1.12–19.86), P = 0.006] were associated with AKI. Longer hospital stay (>3 days) was also observed among AKI patients (OR = 1.3, P = 0.044). Additionally, 48.4% AKI patients had renal insufficiencies at discharge that were signicantly associated with severe dengue, secondary infection and diabetes mellitus. Overall mortality was 1.2% and all fatal cases had AKI.

Conclusions

The incidence of AKI is high at 14.2% among dengue patients, and those with AKI portended significant morbidity, mortality, longer hospital stay and poor renal outcomes. Our findings suggest that AKI in dengue is likely to increase healthcare burden that underscores the need of clinicians’ alertness to this highly morbid and potentially fatal complication for optimal prevention and management.     

Incidence and Risk Factors of Striae Distensae Following Breast Augmentation Surgery: A Cohort Study

Background

The significant increase in the popularity of breast augmentation surgeries has led to an increase in the number and types of complications; among these is the postoperative occurrence of Striae Distensae (SD). The objective of this study was to investigate the incidence of SD and describing its occurrence in association with age, breast implant volume, history of SD, history of pregnancies and breastfeeding, body mass index (BMI), changes in postoperative weight, smoking habits, and use of oral contraceptives.

Methods

A cohort study was conducted and the patient data from a specific social group that underwent augmentation mammaplasty with silicone breast implants in a private clinic was analyzed.

Results

563 patients entered the cohort, while 538 completed the study. The SD incidence was 7.06%. The risk was almost the double at 22–28 years of age and triple in women of 21 years of age or less. The women who did not use oral contraceptives were 2.59 times more likely of developing SD. A higher incidence of SD was observed among those with normal or low BMI values, smokers, and in those who had implants larger than 300 ml.

Conclusions

Young age, larger implant volumes, smoking, and normal or low BMI values were the risk factors responsible for the development of SD; while using oral contraceptives was found to be a protective factor.     

Chemotherapy-Related Amenorrhea and Menopause in Young Chinese Breast Cancer Patients: Analysis on Incidence,Risk Factors and Serum Hormone Profiles

Purpose

In this prospective cross-sectional study on young premenopausal breast cancer patients, the objectives were to: determine the incidences of chemotherapy-related amenorrhea (CRA) and menopause (CRM); identify associated factors; and assess plasma levels of estradiol (E2) and follicular stimulating hormone (FSH) among patients who developed menopause.

Methods

Eligibility criteria include Chinese stage I-III breast cancer patients, premenopausal, age ≤45 at breast cancer diagnosis, having received adjuvant chemotherapy, within 3–10 years after breast cancer diagnosis. Detailed menstrual history prior to and after adjuvant treatment was taken at study entry. Patients’ background demographics, tumor characteristics and anti-cancer treatments were collected. The rates of CRA and CRM were determined. Analysis was conducted to identify factors associated with CRM. For postmenopausal patients, levels of E2 and FSH were analyzed.

Results

286 patients were recruited; the median time from breast cancer diagnosis to study entry was 5.0 years. 255 patients (91.1%) developed CRA. Of these, 66.7% regained menstruation. At the time of study entry, 137 (48.9%) had developed CRM, amongst whom 84 were age ≤45. On multivariate analysis, age was the only associated factor. Among patients with CRM, the median FSH was 41.0 IU/L; this was significantly lower in those who were taking tamoxifen compared to those who were not (20.1 vs. 59.7 IU/L, p<0.0001). The E2 level was <40 pmol/L; there was no difference between those who were still on tamoxifen or not.

Conclusion

After adjuvant chemotherapy, the majority of young Chinese breast cancer patients developed CRA; ~50% developed CRM, with 61% at age ≤45. Age at diagnosis is the only factor associated with CRM. FSH level may be affected by tamoxifen intake.     

Trends in Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors in People with and without Diabetes Mellitus: A Middle Eastern Cohort Study

Aims/Hypothesis

To investigate secular trends in cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors during a decade of follow-up in a Middle Eastern cohort, and to compare observed trends between diabetic and non-diabetic populations.

Methods

In a population of 6181 participants (2622 males and 3559 females), diabetes status and CVD risk factors were evaluated in 4 study phases from 1999–2011. 1045 subjects had type 2 diabetes mellitus at baseline and 5136 participants were diabetes-free. To examine the trends of CVD risk factors, generalized estimation equation models were constructed. The interaction between the diabetes status and each phase of the study was checked in a separate model.

Results

During the follow-up period diabetic females significantly gained better control of their blood pressure, serum low density lipoprotein cholesterol and general and central obesity measures compared to non-diabetic counterparts, although 60% of them had high BP and 64% had high serum LDL-C levels till the end of the study. Diabetic males however, experienced significantly better control on their serum LDL-C and general and central obesity measures compared to their non-diabetic controls; but 24% of them were still smoker, 63% had high BP and 60% had high serum LDL-C levels at the end of the follow-up (all Ps _interaction <0.05). Use of lipid-lowering and antihypertensive medications increased consistently in both diabetic and non-diabetic populations.

Conclusions/Interpretation

Although CVD risk factors have been controlled to some extent among diabetic population in Iran, still high numbers of people with diabetes have uncontrolled CVD risk factors that prompt more attention.     

MiR-26a在人垂体腺瘤组织及血清中表达的研究

目的：miRNA遍及生命体的发生、发育、分化和死亡的过程。它在肿瘤、心血管、糖尿病等多种疾病的各个阶段中起到调控癌基因作用。miRNA在垂体腺瘤中异常表达,且影响垂体腺瘤的增殖、侵袭及凋亡情况。本研究通过探讨miRNA家族中的miR-26a在垂体腺瘤组织及血清中的表达变化情况,为垂体瘤的早期诊断及疗效监测提供依据,以便更好的指导临床诊断及治疗工作。方法：收集哈尔滨医科大学附属第四医院微创神经外科手术切除并经病理证实的垂体腺瘤20例,取其组织及采集血清标本：年龄在20-74岁（平均50岁）,术前均未进行任何治疗。既往无内分泌疾病的正常死亡人的垂体组织及其血清标本20例作为对照组。采用实时定量聚合酶链式反应（Real-timePCR）方法分别检测垂体腺瘤病人和正常人组织及血清中的miRNA-26a的表达情况。用SPSSl3．0统计分析软件运用Mann—WhitneyU检验方法对数据进行统计学分析。结果：miRNA-26a在垂体腺瘤组织中的表达量为22．30,正常垂体组织中的表达量为23．38,垂体腺瘤患者血清中miRNA-26a的表达表达量为25．04,正常对照组血清中的表达量为24．95,垂体腺瘤组织中的表达较正常垂体组织中的表达明显升高（P〈0．05）,垂体腺瘤患者血清与正常人血清中miRNA-26a的表达无明显差异（P〉0．05）。结论：垂体腺瘤组织中miRNA-26a的高表达与血清学检测miRNA-26a的正常表达,为预防脑垂体腺瘤的发生和发展提供了重要的临床诊断依据。     

The Incidence and Risk Factors of Meningitis after Major Craniotomy in China: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Background

Meningitis after neurosurgery can result in severe morbidity and high mortality. Incidence varies among regions and limited data are focused on meningitis after major craniotomy.

Aim

This retrospective cohort study aimed to determine the incidence, risk factors and microbiological spectrum of postcraniotomy meningitis in a large clinical center of Neurosurgery in China.

Methods

Patients who underwent neurosurgeries at the Department of Neurosurgery in Huashan Hospital, the largest neurosurgery center in Asia and the Pacific, between 1^stJanuary and 31^st December, 2008 were selected. Individuals with only shunts, burr holes, stereotactic surgery, transsphenoidal or spinal surgery were excluded. The complete medical records of each case were reviewed, and data on risk factors were extracted and evaluated for meningitis.

Results

A total of 65 meningitides were identified among 755 cases in the study, with an incidence of 8.60%. The risk of meningitis was increased by the presence of diabetes mellitus (odds ratio [OR], 6.27; P = 0.009), the use of external ventricular drainage (OR, 4.30; P = 0.003) and the use of lumbar drainage (OR, 17.23; P<0.001). The isolated microorganisms included Acinetobacter baumannii, Enterococcus sp, Streptococcus intermedius and Klebsiella pneumonia.

Conclusions

Meningitis remains an important source of morbidity and mortality after major craniotomy. Diabetic patients or those with cerebral spinal fluid shunts carry significant high risk of infection. Thus, identification of the risk factors as soon as possible will help physicians to improve patient care.     

Pituitary Stalk Interruption Syndrome in 53 Postpubertal Patients: Factors Influencing the Heterogeneity of Its Presentation

Background

Pituitary stalk interruption syndrome (PSIS) may induce an isolated growth hormone (GH) deficiency or multiple hypothalamic-pituitary (HP) deficiencies. Patients with multiple HP deficiencies, primarily those with adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) deficiency, are at increased risk of morbidity and mortality. Our objective was to identify the factors influencing each symptom and the MRI features of the syndrome to enhance its diagnosis and genetic analysis.

Methods

This study was a retrospective, single-center, case-cohort study of 53 patients with PSIS who had reached pubertal age.

Results

Patients were classified as having an isolated GH deficiency (n = 24, Group 1) or HP deficiencies (n = 29, Group 2); of these, 19 had complete HP deficiency, and 10 had GH deficiency associated with TSH (n = 4), TSH and ACTH (n = 3), TSH and gonadotropin (n = 1) deficiencies or amenorrhea (n = 2). The following features were less frequent in Group 1 than in Group 2: breech presentation (4% vs 35%, P = 0.008), hypoglycemia (0% vs 59%, P<0.00001), micropenis (13% vs 69%, P<0.003), hypothalamic origin (0% vs 52%, P<0.000001), ophthalmic malformation (8% vs 38%, P<0.02) and psychomotor delay (0% vs 31%, P<0.004). The frequencies of all other malformations were similar in both groups (37% vs 59%). A visible pituitary stalk was characteristic of patients belonging to Group 1 (P<0.0002). The GH peak was greater in Group 1 than in Group 2 (P<0.0003), as was the anterior pituitary height (P = 0.01).

Conclusion

The factors that best discriminate patients with multiple HP deficiencies from those with an isolated GH deficiency are breech presentation, hypoglycemia, and micropenis. No patient with an isolated GH deficiency had psychomotor delay, but associated malformations and/or syndromes, with the exception of ophthalmic disorders, occurred with similar frequencies in both groups. We have also shown that each of the above characteristics is associated with a given HP deficiency and/or malformation/syndrome in the majority of cases.