Serum adiponectin and metabolic profile in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome in relation to body mass index

Background: Polycystic ovarian syndrome is a common endocrine disorder which affects approximately 5-10% of women in reproductive age. It is both a reproductive endocrinopathy and a metabolic disorder.Methods: 160 women aged 18 to 40 years attending obstetrics and gynaecology clinic at Federal medical centre, Owerri, Imo State Nigeria were recruited and divided into 2 groups (women diagnosed with PCOS using Rotterdam criteria and control) of 80 participants each. Anthropometric data were collected, and participants categorized into 3 based on BMI. Fasting blood samples was collected for biochemical analyses. Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences SPSS version 23.0, and level of significance set at p<0.05.Results: The mean serum levels of adiponectin and high density lipoprotein (HDL-C) were significantly lower while fasting plasma glucose, serum insulin, homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance, total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein (LDL-C), very low density lipoprotein (VLDL-C) and triglyceride were significantly higher in women with PCOS when compared with the control (p<0.05) as well as in obese when compared with normal weight women with PCOS (p<0.05). BMI negatively correlated with serum adiponectin and HDL-C, but positively correlated with FPG, insulin, HOMA-IR, TC, TG, LDL-C and VLDL-C in women with PCOS (p<0.05).Conclusions: This study highlights the prevalent biochemical and metabolic derangements in PCOS patients and was more evident in the obese and overweight patients. Early detection with subsequent application of preemptive measures including lifestyle modifications are therefore essential in the management of PCOS patients

Prognostic values of adiponectin and leptin in assessment of osteoarthritis in menopausal HIV women in Nauth Nnewi Nigeria

Background: Human immune deficiency virus (HIV) has progressively been implicated with development of inflammatory disease including osteoarthritis. This study evaluated serum levels of adiponectin and leptin in women living with HIV with/without osteoarthritis who have been placed on highly active anti-retroviral therapy (HAART) in NAUTH, Nnewi, Nigeria. Methods: Eighty eight participants aged between 18 and 65 years attending HAART unit of NAUTH, Nnewi were randomly selected and grouped thus: Group A (premenopausal HIV seropositive women with osteoarthritis), group B (postmenopausal HIV seropositive women with osteoarthritis), group C (premenopausal HIV seropositive women) and group D (postmenopausal HIV seropositive women). Five milliliters of blood sample collected from each of participants for determination of adiponectin and leptin using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) technique. Results: Adiponectin level was significantly higher in postmenopausal HIV seropositive women with osteoarthritis compared with pre and postmenopausal HIV seropositive women without osteoarthritis (p&lt;0.05 respectively). Similarly, leptin level was significantly higher in pre and post-menopausal HIV seropositive women with osteoartritis compared with their counterparts without osteoarthritis (p&lt;0.05 respectively). A positive significant correlation was observed between Leptin and age in premenopausal HIV seropositive women with osteoarthritis. Also, a significant negative correlation was observed between adiponectin, age in pre and postmenopausal HIV seropositive women without osteoarthritis. Conclusions: The significant increases in adiponectin and leptin levels in pre and postmenopausal HIV seropositive women can be linked to severe inflammatory reaction due to osteoarthritis which might have been aggravated by combined effects of menopause and HIV infection

Evaluation of nephrotoxic effect of lead exposure among automobile repairers in Nnewi Metropolis

Background:Lead toxicity is one of the most common occupational hazards that affect several organs of the body, kidney inclusive. Auto repairers are exposed to lead in petrol, radiator, leaded battery, lead soldering wire, and spray paints, thus this study was designed to evaluate lead-induced nephrotoxic effect among automobile repairers.Methods:A total of 80 male subjects within the age range of 20 and 65 years were recruited for this study. 50 subjects were occupationally exposed automobile repairers, of which 15 were electricians, 21 mechanics and 14 panel beaters/spray painters, whereas 30 were non-exposed students and staff from Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nnewi campus. Blood sample was collected from these individuals and their blood lead levels were determined alongside creatinine, urea, uric acid, sodium, potassium, chloride and bicarbonate.Results:The results showed that the mean levels of blood lead is significantly higher in automobile repairers than in control group (P 0.05). The evaluation of the renal function markers show that, there were significant increases in the mean serum concentration of creatinine, urea, and uric acid in the study group compare to the control subjects (P 0.05).Conclusion:Findings from this study show that blood lead level is high among automobile repairers above CDC recommended level for adults. This high blood lead level among automobile repairers may be responsible for raised levels of renal markers which may eventually lead to their renal damage.

Effect of omega-3 supplementation on serum adiponectin and fertility hormones in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome

Background: Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrinopathy affecting women of reproductive age with prevalence of about 4%–20%. Aim: This study aims to evaluate serum adiponectin and fertility hormones in women with PCOS, and the subsequent effect of omega-3 supplementation. Subjects and Methods: One hundred and fifty women aged 18–40 years were assigned into groups A and B comprising women with PCOS and control, respectively. Group A was further subdivided into groups 1 and 2 receiving omega-3 and placebo daily for 12 weeks, respectively. Blood samples were collected before and after 12 weeks of supplementation for analysis of adiponectin, follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), testosterone, prolactin, estradiol, progesterone, and sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG). Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 23.0 was used for data analysis, and the level of statistical significance was set at P < 0.05. Results: Serum adiponectin, progesterone, and SHBG were significantly lower while FSH, LH, testosterone, prolactin, and estradiol were significantly higher in women with PCOS when compared with the control (P < 0.05). Adiponectin and progesterone levels increased significantly while FSH, LH, testosterone, prolactin, and estradiol levels decreased significantly after 12 weeks of omega-3 supplementation when compared with the levels at baseline as well as when compared with those on placebo (P < 0.05). Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 23.0 was used for data analysis. Conclusion: Omega-3 may be beneficial in improving certain hormonal alterations in women with PCOS. Omega-3 supplements may therefore be used as part of the regimen in the management of patients with PCOS

Characteristics of emerging new autoimmune diseases after COVID-19 vaccination: A sub-study by the COVAD group

Abstract Background Despite the overall safety and efficacy of COVID-19 vaccinations, rare cases of systemic autoimmune diseases (SAIDs) have been reported post-vaccination. This study used a global survey to analyze SAIDs in susceptible individuals' post-vaccination. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted among participants with self-reported new-onset SAIDs using the COVID-19 Vaccination in Autoimmune Diseases (COVAD) 2 study dataset—a validated, patient-reported e-survey—to analyze the long-term safety of COVID-19 vaccines. Baseline characteristics of patients with new-onset SAIDs and vaccinated healthy controls (HCs) were compared after propensity score matching based on age and sex in a 1:4 ratio. Results Of 16 750 individuals, 74 (median age 52 years, 79.9% females, and 76.7% Caucasians) had new-onset SAID post-vaccination, mainly idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIMs) (n = 23, 31.51%), arthritis (n = 15; 20.53%), and polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) (n = 12, 16.40%). Higher odds of new-onset SAIDs were noted among Caucasians (OR = 5.3; 95% CI = 2.9–9.7; p 60 years (OR = 0.6; 95% CI = 0.4–0.8; p = .007) and from high/medium human development index (HDI) countries (compared to very high HDI) reported fewer events than HCs. Conclusion This study reports a low occurrence of new-onset SAIDs following COVID-19 vaccination, primarily IIMs, PMR, and inflammatory arthritis. Identified risk factors included pre-existing AID multimorbidity, mental health diseases, and mixed race. Revaccination was well tolerated by most patients; therefore, we recommend continuing COVID-19 vaccination in the general population. However, long-term studies are needed to understand the autoimmune phenomena arising post-vaccination

Listening to patients, for the patients: The COVAD Study-Vision, organizational structure, and challenges

Background: The pandemic presented unique challenges for individuals with autoimmune and rheumatic diseases (AIRDs) due to their underlying condition, the effects of immunosuppressive treatments, and increased vaccine hesitancy. Objectives: The COVID-19 vaccination in autoimmune diseases (COVAD) study, a series of ongoing, patient self-reported surveys were conceived with the vision of being a unique tool to gather patient perspectives on AIRDs. It involved a multinational, multicenter collaborative effort amidst a global lockdown. Methods: Leveraging social media as a research tool, COVAD collected data using validated patient-reported outcomes (PROs). The study, comprising a core team, steering committee, and global collaborators, facilitated data collection and analysis. A pilot-tested, validated survey, featuring questions regarding COVID-19 infection, vaccination and outcomes, patient demographics, and PROs was circulated to patients with AIRDs and healthy controls (HCs). Discussion: We present the challenges encountered during this international collaborative project, including coordination, data management, funding constraints, language barriers, and authorship concerns, while highlighting the measures taken to address them. Conclusion: Collaborative virtual models offer a dynamic new frontier in medical research and are vital to studying rare diseases. The COVAD study demonstrates the potential of online platforms for conducting large-scale, patient-focused research and underscores the importance of integrating patient perspective into clinical care. Care of patients is our central motivation, and it is essential to recognize their voices as equal stakeholders and valued partners in the study of the conditions that affect them

COVID-19 breakthrough infections in type 1 diabetes mellitus: a cross-sectional study by the COVID-19 Vaccination in Autoimmune Diseases (COVAD) Group

To investigate the frequency, profile, and severity of COVID-19 breakthrough infections (BI) in patients with type I diabetes mellitus (T1DM) compared to healthy controls (HC) after vaccination. The second COVID-19 Vaccination in Autoimmune Diseases (COVAD-2) survey is a multinational cross-sectional electronic survey which has collected data on patients suffering from various autoimmune diseases including T1DM. We performed a subgroup analysis on this cohort to investigate COVID-19 BI characteristics in patients with T1DM. Logistic regression with propensity score matching analysis was performed. A total of 9595 individuals were included in the analysis, with 100 patients having T1DM. Among the fully vaccinated cohort, 16 (16%) T1DM patients had one BI and 2 (2%) had two BIs. No morbidities or deaths were reported, except for one patient who required hospitalization with oxygen without admission to intensive care. The frequency, clinical features, and severity of BIs were not significantly different between T1DM patients and HCs after adjustment for confounding factors. Our study did not show any statistically significant differences in the frequency, symptoms, duration, or critical care requirements between T1DM and HCs after COVID-19 vaccination. Further research is needed to identify factors associated with inadequate vaccine response in patients with BIs, especially in patients with autoimmune diseases