Pheochromocytoma-induced reverse tako-tsubo with rapid recovery of left ventricular function

Pheochromocytoma is a rare, catecholamine-secreting tumor of neuroendocrine cells. It has been documented to present atypically as myocardial ischemia, arrhythmias, or congestive heart failure. We present the case of a patient who had transient cardiomyopathy with hypokinesia of the basal portions of the left ventricle and hyperkinesia of the apex triggered by a pheochromocytoma crisis similar to that of tako-tsubo cardiomyopathy, but with an inverse left ventricular contractile pattern (‘inverted tako-tsubo’). (Cardiol J 2012; 19, 5: 527-531

Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Alcohol-Attributed Deaths in the United States, 1999–2020

The disparities in alcohol-attributed death rates among different racial and ethnic groups in the United States (US) have received limited research attention. Our study aimed to examine the burden and trends in alcohol-attributed mortality rates in the US by race and ethnicity from 1999 to 2020. We used national mortality data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Wide-ranging Online Data for Epidemiologic Research (CDC WONDER) database and employed the ICD-10 coding system to identify alcohol-related deaths. Disparity rate ratios were calculated using the Taylor series, and Joinpoint regression was used to analyze temporal trends and calculate annual and average annual percentage changes (APCs and AAPCs, respectively) in mortality rates. Between 1999 and 2020, 605,948 individuals died from alcohol-related causes in the US. The highest age-adjusted mortality rate (AAMR) was observed among American Indian/Alaska Natives, who were 3.6 times more likely to die from alcohol-related causes than Non-Hispanic Whites (95% CI: 3.57, 3.67). An examination of trends revealed that recent rates have leveled among American Indians/Alaska Natives (APC = 17.9; 95% CI: −0.3, 39.3) while increasing among Non-Hispanic Whites (APC = 14.3; 95% CI: 9.1, 19.9), Non-Hispanic Blacks (APC = 17.0; 95% CI: 7.3, 27.5), Asians/Pacific Islanders (APC = 9.5; 95% CI: 3.6, 15.6), and Hispanics (APC = 12.6; 95% CI: 1.3, 25.1). However, when the data were disaggregated by age, sex, census region, and cause, varying trends were observed. This study underscores the disparities in alcohol-related deaths among different racial and ethnic groups in the US, with American Indian/Alaska Natives experiencing the highest burden. Although the rates have plateaued among this group, they have been increasing among all other subgroups. To address these disparities and promote equitable alcohol-related health outcomes for all populations, further research is necessary to gain a better understanding of the underlying factors and develop culturally sensitive interventions

Evaluation of an immunocapture-agglutination test (Brucellacapt) for serodiagnosis of human brucellosis, Ilam, Iran

Brucellosis is common health problem in some Middle Eastern, Mediterranean countries and Iran. The present investigation was carried out to investigate the prevalence of brucella antibodies through Rose bengal test (RBT), Wright and Coombs and comparison with Brucella Capt Test. A total of 754 different suspected to brucellosis were tested during the period from March 2008 to February 2009. They assayed by Brucellacapt, Coombs tests and SAT. Our results had shown that of 754 serum samples, 125 samples were positive by Rosbangal test. Thus, frequency of brucellosis by Rosbangal test was 16.5%. The results in 1/40 and 1/80 were equal for Brucellacapt and Coombs test and different for SAT. The other titers results were different for all testes which used in our study. The results from the present study showed a high sensitivity and specificity of Brucellacapt for the diagnosis of human brucellosis

Migraine attacks the Basal Ganglia

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>With time, episodes of migraine headache afflict patients with increased frequency, longer duration and more intense pain. While episodic migraine may be defined as 1-14 attacks per month, there are no clear-cut phases defined, and those patients with low frequency may progress to high frequency episodic migraine and the latter may progress into chronic daily headache (> 15 attacks per month). The pathophysiology of this progression is completely unknown. Attempting to unravel this phenomenon, we used high field (human) brain imaging to compare functional responses, functional connectivity and brain morphology in patients whose migraine episodes did not progress (LF) to a matched (gender, age, age of onset and type of medication) group of patients whose migraine episodes progressed (HF).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>In comparison to LF patients, responses to pain in HF patients were significantly lower in the caudate, putamen and pallidum. Paradoxically, associated with these lower responses in HF patients, gray matter volume of the right and left caudate nuclei were significantly larger than in the LF patients. Functional connectivity analysis revealed additional differences between the two groups in regard to response to pain.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Supported by current understanding of basal ganglia role in pain processing, the findings suggest a significant role of the basal ganglia in the pathophysiology of the episodic migraine.</p

Chronic Pain in Relation to Depressive Disorders and Alcohol Abuse

Chronic pain disorders have been associated separately with neuropsychiatric conditions such as depression and alcohol abuse. However, in individuals who suffer from non-cancer chronic pain disorders, it is not clear if the burden of depressive disorders is similar for those with and without a history of alcohol abuse. Using data from the Collaborative Psychiatric Epidemiology Surveys (CPES), we found depressive disorders to have a high burden in men and women with a history of alcohol abuse, independently of the presence or absence of chronic pain. We also found that, although the incidence of persistent depressive disorder was comparable in men and women with a history of alcohol abuse, and significantly higher than in control men and women, the incidence of a major depressive episode was higher in women with a history of alcohol abuse independently of the presence or absence of chronic pain. The age of onset of depressive disorders, independently of pain status, was younger for individuals with a history of alcohol abuse. The findings of this study have important implications for the clinical management of individuals who suffer from chronic pain comorbidly with depression and/or alcohol abuse

Development and validation of the first iranian questionnaire to assess quality of life in patients with heart failure: IHF-QoL

Background: In its Constitution of 1948, WHO defined health as “a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease and infirmity” . In 1994, the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research published clinical practice guidelines recommending providers to routinely evaluate patients' HRQoL (Health Related Quality of Life) and use their assessment to modify and guide patient care. Objectives: to create a valid, sensitive, disease-specific Persian health status quality of life questionnaire for patients with chronic heart failure in Iran. Materials and Methods: Considering the existing relevant inventories and scientific literature, the authors designed the first draft of questionnaire which was modified and validated, using expert opinions and finalized in a session of expert panel. The questionnaire was processed among 130 patients with heart failure. Construct validity evaluated by principle component factor analysis, and promax method was used for factor rotation. MacNew quality of life questionnaire was selected to assess convergence validity, and the agreements were measured in 60 patients. Discriminant validity was also assessed. Thirty patients were followed for 3 months and responsiveness of questionnaire was measured. Cronbach's alpha, item analysis, and Intra-class correlation coefficients (ICCs) were used to investigate reliability of questionnaire. SPSS 15 for Windows was applied for statistical analysis. Results: Principle component factor analysis revealed 4 main components. Sub-group analysis suggested that IHF-QoL questionnaire demonstrated an acceptable discriminant validity. High conformity between this inventory and MacNew questionnaire revealed an appropriate convergence validity. Cronbach's alpha (α) for the overall questionnaire was equal to 0.922. Intra-class correlation coefficients (ICCs) for all components were significant (from. 708 to. 883; all P values < 0.001). Patients fallow-up revealed an acceptable responsiveness of our questionnaire. Conclusions: IHF-QoL questionnaire is a valid and reliable inventory. It can be applied in daily clinical practice and in the clinical research context

Oral iron therapy with polysaccharide-iron complex may be useful in increasing the ferritin level for a short time in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy

Background: Iron deficiency (ID) is one of the most common comorbidities in patients with heart failure (HF). The preferred form of iron supplementation is intravenously. Polysaccharide-iron complex (PIC) is an oral iron supplement that has a bioavailability of 100%; gastrointestinal complaints are absent or less frequent with PICs. Objectives: In this study we aimed to investigate if oral PIC was effective at increasing the ferritin level over 12 weeks in dilated cardiomyopathy patients with an absolute iron deficiency and to determine the incidence GI side effects with this type of treatment. Methods: Thirty patients with a diagnosis of non-ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy (left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) < 35%) and absolute iron deficiency (serum ferritin level < 100 mcg/L) were recruited. For all study participants, one capsule of Feramax-150 was prescribed on a daily basis for 12 weeks. All patients were asked to report any GI side effects, including heartburn, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, and bloating. Results: The mean (SD) age was 43.2 (13.4) years. The mean LVEF was 23%. The mean(SD) ferritin level was 48.8 (27.7) at baseline. After 12 weeks of treatment with Feramax-150, the mean(SD) ferritin level had increased to 69.9 (42) (P< 0.001). No patients reported any gastrointestinal side effects. Conclusions: PICs could be a good and well-tolerated medicine in the treatment of iron deficiency in patients with heart failure. It is recommended that PICs be prescribed to maintain body iron stores after IV iron therapies in HF patients

Insulin resistance in pulmonary arterial hypertension, is it a novel disease modifier?

Background: Recent studies have introduced glucose intolerance and insulin resistance (IR) as novel risk factors in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Objectives: We aimed to investigate the prevalence of glucose intolerance and IR in patients with PAH and their correlation with functional capacity and prognostic factors. Patients and Methods: Sixty-nine patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (class I Pulmonary hypertension in accordance with updated clinical classification of pulmonary hypertension) scheduled for right heart catheterization were enrolled. FBS, HbA1c, lipid profile, pro .BNP and hs-CRP were measured along with a 6-minute walk test (6-MWT) and obtaining demographic, functional and hemodynamic data. Fasting triglyceride to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio (TG/HDL-C) was used as a surrogate of insulin sensitivity. Using published criteria, HbA1c ≤ 5.9% defined as normal, 6.0-6.4% as glucose intolerance, and ≥ 6.5% as diabetes. All patients were followed for a year regarding development of any cardiovascular event (mortality and/or hospitalization). Results: In total, 76.8% of patients were female: 61% of them had idiopathic PAH, 33% Eisenmenger syndrome, and 6% PAH secondary to a connective tissue disease. With respect to TG/HDL-C, 43.5% of patients had IR and 47.8% of patients had HbA1c > 6. There was no difference between IR and insulin sensitive (IS) group or glucose intolerance and sensitive group regarding NYHA class, 6MWT, Pro BNP, hs-CRP and hemodynamic data and there was no correlation between IR or glucose intolerance and any event. Conclusions: Unrecognized glucose intolerance and IR are common in PAH. However, further studies are needed to show whether glucose or insulin dysregulation plays any role in PAH pathogenesis or it is secondary to advanced PAH