Background: the prevalence of subclinical hypothyroidism worldwide is commoner than the overt disease. Limited studies discussed the vitamin D levels in subclinical hypothyroid patients. Giving vitamin D supplements may prevent form developing overt hypothyroidism. In this cross-sectional case-control study, we described the differences in the vitamin D of adult Saudis with and without subclinical hypothyroid dysfunction. Methods:This is an observational single-center, retrospective, age, and sex matched, case-control study. A total of 60 subjects [41 healthy controls, 19 subclinical hypothyroid case] were included. 25(OH) vitamin D, TSH, free T4 and free T3 are measured in both groups. Results: Subjects with subclinical hypothyroid dysfunction had a significantly lower serum Vitamin D than controls (p value 0.016) although both groups fall below vitamin D sufficiency levels. Correlation is found between both vitamin D and TSH, p value 0.036. but it was found to be less statistically significant positive relation, r value is 0.279, (R square = .078, beta regression coefficient = -.055 and p value <0.0005) Conclusion: Patients with hypothyroid dysfunction showed much lower serum vitamin D compared to controls but it has not that big role in early hypothyroid disorders as shown in less significant relation.
Background: Chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) is a chronic, sometimes debilitating skin disorder characterized by the appearance of wheals, angioedema, or both for a period of more than 6 weeks. Many biomarkers were explored for severity evaluation such as d dimer and C Reactive Protein. Objectives: The aim of the current study is to assess the usefulness of peripheral eosinopenia as a valuable and an applicable biomarker for CSU severity. Patients and methods: A case control study was conducted on 60 CSU patients. Patients were divided into 30 patients with mild UAS7 score <15 representing the controls and 30 patients with severe UAS7 score >28 representing the cases. Eosinophils count and other variables were compared. Results: Severe cases demonstrated significantly higher age (median 34 vs. 29 years, P =0.043), CRP (14 vs. 2 mg/L, P <0.001) and positive ASST (56.7% vs. 23.3%, P =0.008). In contrast, severe cases demonstrated significantly lower eosinophilic count (median 21 vs. 123 cell/mm 3 , P <0.001), basophilic count (median 5 vs. 25 cell/mm 3 , P <0.001), and total IgE (median 93 vs. 221.5 IU/ml, P <0.001). The eosinophilic count showed a significant-excellent AUC of 0.954. The best cutoff point was ≤70, at which sensitivity and specificity were 96.7% and 86.7%, respectively. Conclusion: Peripheral eosinophils are significantly lower count in severe urticarial patients (P value <0.001) and this could be used as a simple and accessible tool for monitoring urticaria activity.
Background: Primary immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is one of the most common autoimmune diseases characterized by low platelet count resulting from increased platelet destruction and impaired platelet production. The pathophysiology of ITP remains understood, and the study of polymorphism in different cytokine coding genes is important to understating the pathophysiology of the disease. This study aimed to evaluate the association between IL1β-31 and IL-1RA gene polymorphism in ITP. Subjects and methods: this is a case-control study conducted on 50(30 children and 20 adults) ITP patients and 60 age and sex-matched healthy controls. Genotyping of IL1β-31and IL-1RA gene polymorphism was performed using Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (RFLP-PCR) and detection of variable number tandem repeats. Results: the present study showed a significant association between IL1β-31 and IL-1RA gene polymorphism and ITP development. The mutant homozygous and heterozygous IL1β-31 and IL-1RA genotype and the mutant allele showed higher frequency compared to the control group and are associated with ITP susceptibility (odd ratio >1), pvalue (<0.05) for both. In addition, our results showed a significant association between IL1β-31and IL-1RA gene polymorphism and ITP severity as well as resistance to steroid treatment. However, no association was found with the onset of the disease. Conclusion: IL1β-31and IL-1RA gene mutant types are associated with an increased risk of ITP susceptibility. Additionally, they were associated with a severe type of disease and no response to steroid treatment.
Background: Chronic hepatitis C virus infection is a worldwide health problem that could cause complications such as cirrhosis or even hepatocellular carcinoma. Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection has increased preponderance of diabetes mellitus (DM) type 2 and insulin resistance. Objectives: Our goal is to determine whether the most recent direct acting antiviral (DAA) medications for the HCV treatment are linked to improvements in insulin resistance and other related glycemic parameters in type 2 DM patients. Patients and Methods: This prospective, observational study was conducted on 40 diabetic patients aged >18 years treated from HCV by DAA. Baselines HCV PCR and liver function tests were obtained before DAA. Pre-and post-treatment change of the glycemic profile including calculated homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) lab results were taken. Results: Impact of DDA drugs on our subjects' glycemic profile showed improvements of all glycemic indices (Fasting plasma glucose (FPG), fasting insulin, HBA1c and HOMA-IR with p-value < 0.001. HCV PCR changes after treatment was positivity correlated significantly especially with FPG and HOMA-IR (r value 0.501 and 0.478 respectively) with pvalue < 0.05. Conclusion:We concluded that DAAs improved insulin resistance and related glycemic control parameters after eradication of HCV. Our results suggest that HCV take a part in glucose homeostasis. Liver function before treatment could be a predictor of improvement of insulin resistance.IR, Diabetes Mellites, Direct Acting Antiviral DAA -HCV, HOMA
Background: Ocular allergy is a heterogeneous disorder in which allergic inflammation plays a major role. its manifestation may be seasonal or a perennial with a yearround moderate to severe symptoms like in perennial allergic conjunctivitis (PAC) or Atopic keratoconjunctivitis (AKC). Objectives: Our goal is to determine sensitization prevalence of inhalant allergens in ocular allergy. Patients and Methods: a cross sectional study conducted from November 2022 to March 2023 on 21 year-round ocular allergic patients with perennial allergic conjunctivitis or atopic keratoconjunctivitis was conducted. Total Ocular Symptoms Score (TOSS) score was used to measure the severity of ocular allergy. Skin Prick test with 7 inhalant allergens, negative and positive control were applied. Participants were recruited from Benha University Hospitals, Egypt after gaining ethical committee approval. Results: 80.9 % (17/21) had positive Skin Prick Test of our 21 participants. Only cockroach and dust mites' allergens were significantly associated with ocular allergy severity. Conclusion: to our knowledge it is the first study to state that cockroach sensitivity in year-round ocular allergy has higher prevalence especially in atopic keratoconjunctivitis and is more commonly found in severe ocular allergy patients. So, we enrich the research in this area which could secure an adjuvant treatment that might help in controlling patients' symptoms.
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