Correlation between mean platelet volume and total risk of cardiovascular disease

Introduction. The association between mean platelet volume (MPV) and single cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors has previously been tested. The aim of our study was to evaluate the association between MPV and total risk of CVD. Materials and Methods. In 216 consecutive outpatients referred for a cardiology assessment because of multiple CVD risk factors, total CVD risk was estimated according to the Framingham Risk Score (FRS) as low (20%). Additionally, FRS was adjusted for triglycerides (TG), body mass index (BMI) and a family history of CVD, important CVD risk factors which are not included in the FRS equation. Also, CVD risk was estimated according to terciles of MPV (9.1 fL, respectively). Correlation between high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and FRS was used as confirmation that our study hypothesis was properly set. Results. MPV did not correlate with individual CVD risk factors or with FRS, either before, or after adjustment for additional CVD risk factors. Significant correlation between MPV and total CV risk was observed only in the adjusted high FRS group; namely, for persons in tercile 3, CVD risk was doubled (OR 2.2; 95% CI 1.05-4.64; P =0.038). In comparison, there was a strong linear correlation between hs-CRP and unadjusted (r=0.203, P=0.004) and adjusted (r=0.383, P<0.001) FRS. Conclusion. Correlation between MPV and high total CVD risk suggests increased platelet activity primarily as a consequence and sign of atherosclerotic vascular damage. Linear correlation between hs-CRP with FRS confirms inflammation as an important mechanism of atherogenesis

High Incidence of Glucose-6-phosphate Dehydrogenase Deficiency in Croatian Island Isolate: Example from Vis Island, Croatia

Aim: To determine the prevalence of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency in the population of the town of Komiža on the island of Vis, which has previously been reported as a place with several cases of favism. Methods: We screened 302 randomly selected men, using the fluorescent spot test. Fluorescence readings were performed at the beginning and 5, 10, and 20 minutes after incubation, and were classified into three groups: bright fluorescence, weak fluorescence, and no fluorescence. All men found to be G6PD deficient were tested with a quantitative spectrophotometric UV method. Results: Of the 302 tested blood samples, 36 (11.9%) samples showed weak fluorescence or no fluorescence spots. Spectrophotometric UV test showed that 18 (5.96%) men were G6PD deficient. The prevalence of G6PD deficiency in the population of Komiža is significantly higher (P<0.001) than the prevalence in the whole population of Dalmatia in the south of Croatia (0.75% in men). Conclusion: On the basis of these findings, we recommend including the newborns from the island of Vis into a screening program for G6PD deficiency. Our results indicate that G6PD deficiency should be determined for all the island isolates in the Mediterranean basin and they warrant further studies

Correlation between mean platelet volume and total risk of cardiovascular disease

Introduction. The association between mean platelet volume (MPV) and single cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors has previously been tested. The aim of our study was to evaluate the association between MPV and total risk of CVD. Materials and Methods. In 216 consecutive outpatients referred for a cardiology assessment because of multiple CVD risk factors, total CVD risk was estimated according to the Framingham Risk Score (FRS) as low (20%). Additionally, FRS was adjusted for triglycerides (TG), body mass index (BMI) and a family history of CVD, important CVD risk factors which are not included in the FRS equation. Also, CVD risk was estimated according to terciles of MPV (9.1 fL, respectively). Correlation between high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and FRS was used as confirmation that our study hypothesis was properly set. Results. MPV did not correlate with individual CVD risk factors or with FRS, either before, or after adjustment for additional CVD risk factors. Significant correlation between MPV and total CV risk was observed only in the adjusted high FRS group; namely, for persons in tercile 3, CVD risk was doubled (OR 2.2; 95% CI 1.05-4.64; P =0.038). In comparison, there was a strong linear correlation between hs-CRP and unadjusted (r=0.203, P=0.004) and adjusted (r=0.383, P<0.001) FRS. Conclusion. Correlation between MPV and high total CVD risk suggests increased platelet activity primarily as a consequence and sign of atherosclerotic vascular damage. Linear correlation between hs-CRP with FRS confirms inflammation as an important mechanism of atherogenesis

Effect of preoperative topical diclofenac on intraocular interleukin-12 concentration and macular edema after cataract surgery in patients with diabetic retinopathy: a randomized controlled trial

AIM: To determine if preoperative treatment with a topical non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) lowers the concentration of intraocular interleukin (IL)-12 and the incidence of postoperative macular edema in patients with non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy undergoing cataract surgery. ----- METHODS: A total of 55 patients were randomized to diclofenac (n=27) or placebo (n=28). Patients receiving diclofenac started preoperative treatment with 0.1% topical diclofenac four times a day 7 days before cataract surgery and the therapy was discontinued 30 days after surgery. Patients in the control group were administered placebo 7 days preoperatively and a standard postoperative therapy with 0.1% topical dexamethasone four times a day for 30 days after surgery. All patients received postoperative antibiotic prophylaxis with tobramycin eye drops four times daily for 30 days. Seven days before the cataract surgery, on the day of surgery, and 1, 7, 30, and 90 days after surgery, central foveal thickness (CFT) was measured with optical coherence tomography (OCT) and the aqueous humor was sampled at the beginning of cataract surgery for the analysis of IL-12 concentration. Due to loss to follow-up and insufficient aqueous humor samples, the data of 3 patients treated with diclofenac and 8 patients receiving placebo were not analyzed. ----- RESULTS: The aqueous humor IL-12 concentration was significantly lower in the diclofenac group than in the placebo group (t=-2.85, p=0.007). The diclofenac group had a significantly smaller increase in CFT after phacoemulsification (F=13.57, p<0.001). ----- CONCLUSION: Patients preoperatively treated with diclofenac had significantly lower intraocular levels of IL-12 and a lower increase in CFT, which indicates that a combination of preoperative and postoperative treatment with a topical NSAID may lower the incidence of postoperative macular edema in patients with diabetic retinopathy

High Incidence of Glucose-6-phosphate Dehydrogenase Deficiency in Croatian Island Isolate: Example from Vis Island, Croatia

Aim: To determine the prevalence of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency in the population of the town of Komiža on the island of Vis, which has previously been reported as a place with several cases of favism. Methods: We screened 302 randomly selected men, using the fluorescent spot test. Fluorescence readings were performed at the beginning and 5, 10, and 20 minutes after incubation, and were classified into three groups: bright fluorescence, weak fluorescence, and no fluorescence. All men found to be G6PD deficient were tested with a quantitative spectrophotometric UV method. Results: Of the 302 tested blood samples, 36 (11.9%) samples showed weak fluorescence or no fluorescence spots. Spectrophotometric UV test showed that 18 (5.96%) men were G6PD deficient. The prevalence of G6PD deficiency in the population of Komiža is significantly higher (P<0.001) than the prevalence in the whole population of Dalmatia in the south of Croatia (0.75% in men). Conclusion: On the basis of these findings, we recommend including the newborns from the island of Vis into a screening program for G6PD deficiency. Our results indicate that G6PD deficiency should be determined for all the island isolates in the Mediterranean basin and they warrant further studies