The value of routine measurement of serum calcitonin on insufficient, indeterminate, and suspicious thyroid nodule cytology

Routine calcitonin measurement in patients with nodular thyroid disease is rather controversial. The aim of this study was to evaluate the contribution of serum calcitonin measurement in the diagnostic evaluation of thyroid nodules with insufficient, indeterminate, or suspicious cytology. Out of 1668 patients who underwent thyroidectomy with the diagnosis of nodular thyroid disease and were screened, 873 patients with insufficient, indeterminate, or suspicious fine needle aspiration biopsy results were included in the study. From the total number of patients in this study, 10 (1.1%) were diagnosed as medullary thyroid cancer (MTC) using histopathology. The calcitonin level was detected to be above the assay-specific cut-off in 23 (2.6%) patients ranging between 6.5 - 4450 pg/mL. While hypercalcitoninemia was detected in all 10 MTC patients, a false positive elevation of serum calcitonin was detected in 13 patients (1.5%). Of the MTC group, 7 patients had cytology results that were suspicious for malignancy (Bethesda V), one patient’s cytology showed atypia of undetermined significance (Bethesda III) and two patient’s cytology results were suspicious for follicular neoplasm (Bethesda IV). Among the cases with non-diagnostic cytology (Bethesda I), none of the patients were diagnosed with MTC. In conclusion, routine serum calcitonin measurement can be performed in selected cases rather than in all nodular thyroid patients. While it is reasonable to perform routine calcitonin measurement in patients with Bethesda IV and Bethesda V, this measurement was not useful in Bethesda I patients. In Bethesda III patients, patient-based decisions can be made according to their calcitonin measurement.

The evaluation of cochlear functions in Familial Mediterranean Fever

cure, erkan/0000-0001-7807-135X; yucel, abitter/0000-0002-6433-0362WOS: 000387700400008PubMed: 27130205Familial Mediterranean Fever (FMF) is a progressive disease characterized by chronic inflammation, which also has negative effects on cochlear functions and hearing levels. We investigated whether the cochlear functions and hearing levels of FMF patients were different than healthy controls and also evaluated the relationship of hearing levels with the age at diagnosis, duration without treatment, and inflammation and lipid parameters in this study. A total of 60 patients diagnosed with FMF and 48 age, gender and body mass index (BMI)-matched healthy controls were included in the study. the hemogram, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), and lipid parameters of the subjects were studied and they all underwent pure tone audiometry and Transient evoked otoacoustic emission tests after an otologic examination. the hearing levels of the FMF group were significantly higher than those of the control group. the TEOAE signal/noise (S/N) ratios were similar in both groups. A positive relationship was present between the audiometric test results and the age, BMI, low-density lipoprotein and triglyceride levels and a negative relationship with the high-density lipoprotein levels. A negative relationship was present between the TEOAE S/N ratios and the age of the patients, duration without treatment, lipid parameters, inflammation markers and the creatinine level. FMF patients are exposed to chronic inflammation and this can influence their hearing levels. the age at diagnosis, duration without treatment, chronic inflammation, unfavorable lipid parameters, and obesity can affect hearing tests negatively

The Relationship Between Atherogenic Index and Carotid Artery Atherosclerosis in Familial Mediterranean Fever: A Pilot Study

Cure, Medine Cumhur/0000-0001-9253-6459; cure, erkan/0000-0001-7807-135X; Aydogan Baykara, Rabia/0000-0003-0542-266XWOS: 000397580300005PubMed: 27436495Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is a disease characterized by chronic inflammation. Atherogenic index of plasma (AIP) is a logarithmic value of the triglyceride to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio and it is a good marker for atherosclerotic heart disease and cardiac risk. in this study, we investigated subclinical atherosclerosis and cardiac risks in patients with FMF. Patients with FMF (78 men and 84 women) and healthy controls (74 men and 82 women) were included in this study. the AIP values of the patients were calculated and carotid intima-media thicknesses (cIMTs) were measured. the cIMT (P < .001) and AIP (P < .001) values of patients with FMF were higher than the values of the control group. There was a positive correlation between cIMT and AIP values (r = .304, P < .001). in regression analysis, we detected an independent relationship between cIMT and AIP ( = .248, P = .001). Atherogenic index of plasma may be highly correlated with the subclinical atherosclerosis. Particularly, male patients with FMF may have a high cardiac risk

Plasma Atherogenic Index is an Independent Indicator of Subclinical Atherosclerosis in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Amaç: Sistemik lupus eritematozus (SLE), kronik inflamasyon ile karakterize bir hastalıktır. Plazma aterojenik indeks (PAI), kardiyovasküler hastalık ve kardiyak risk için değerli bir belirteçtir. Bu çalışmanın amacı PAI'in SLE hastalarında aterosklerozu ve kardiyak riski değerlendirmekteki rolü ve klinik kullanılabilirliliğini araştırmaktır.Gereç ve Yöntem: Amerikan Romatoloji Koleji (1997) tanı kriterlerine göre değerlendirilen 56 kadın SLE hastası dahil edildi. Ayrıca yaş ve vucüt kitle indeksi uyumlu 56 kadın sağlıklı kişi seçildi. PAI, trigliserit'in yüksek yoğunluklu kolesterole oranı logartimik ölçümüdür. Karotis intima medya kalınlığı (KIMK) inflamatuvar belirteç olarak yaygın olarak kullanıldığından, bu işareti bu çalışmada kullandık. Hasta ve kontrol gruplarının lipid ve diğer biyokimyasal parametreleri incelendi.Bulgular: Hasta grubunda PAI 0,04±0,23, KIMK 0,78±0,18 mm, kontrol grubunda PAI -0,09±0,20, KIMK 0,50±0,15 mm olduğu tespit edildi. Hasta grubunda PAI ve KIMK'ın kontrol grubuna kıyasla yüksek olduğu görüldü (sırasıyla p=0,002, p<0,001). SLE hastaları içerisine KIMK ile PAI arasında pozitif korelasyon olduğu görüldü (r=0,273, p=0,003). Multipl logistik regresyon analize göre PAI, KIMK için bağımsız risk faktörü olarak değerlendirildi (Olasılık oranı: 2,6, Güven aralığı %95 1,506-4,374, p=0,029).Sonuç: Bu çalışma bize PAI'nın SLE hastalarında subklinik aterosklerozun değerlendirilmesinde kullanılabilecek bağımsız bir belirteç olabileceğini düşündürdüObjective: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is characterized by chronic inflammation. Plasma atherogenic index (PAI) is a valuable marker for the cardiovascular disease and cardiac risk. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role and clinical use of PAI in atherosclerosis and the cardiac risk in SLE patients.Materials and Methods: We included 56 female SLE patients who were selected according to the American College of Rheumatology (1997) diagnosis criteria. Furthermore, we selected age- and body mass index (BMI)-matched 56 female healthy individuals. PAI was measured as a logarithmic value of triglyceride to high-density cholesterol ratio. We used carotid intima media thickness (cIMT) as an inflammatory marker because of its widespread use. The lipid and other biochemical parameters of patient and control groups were examined.Results: The PAI and cIMT values of SLE patients were 0.04±0.23 and 0.78±0.18 mm, respectively. Besides, for the control group, the PAI value was ?0.09±0.20 and cIMT value was 0.50±0.15 mm (p=0.002, p<0.001; respectively). There was a strong correlation between cIMT and PAI (r=0.273, p=0.003). According to the multiple logistic regression analysis, we found that PAI value is an independent factor for cIMT in SLE patients (odds ratio: 2.6, 95 % confidence interval; 1.506-4.374; p=0.029). Conclusions: We determined that PAI can be used as an independent indicator for subclinical atherosclerosis in SLE patient

Plasma Atherogenic Index is an Independent Indicator of Subclinical Atherosclerosis in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

cure, erkan/0000-0001-7807-135X; Aydogan Baykara, Rabia/0000-0003-0542-266XWOS: 000413775600007PubMed: 29123443Objective: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is characterized by chronic inflammation. Plasma atherogenic index (PAI) is a valuable marker for the cardiovascular disease and cardiac risk. the aim of this study was to evaluate the role and clinical use of PAI in atherosclerosis and the cardiac risk in SLE patients. Materials and Methods: We included 56 female SLE patients who were selected according to the American College of Rheumatology (1997) diagnosis criteria. Furthermore, we selected age-and body mass index (BMI)-matched 56 female healthy individuals. PAI was measured as a logarithmic value of triglyceride to high-density cholesterol ratio. We used carotid intima media thickness (cIMT) as an inflammatory marker because of its widespread use. the lipid and other biochemical parameters of patient and control groups were examined. Results: the PAI and cIMT values of SLE patients were 0.04 +/- 0.23 and 0.78 +/- 0.18 mm, respectively. Besides, for the control group, the PAI value was -0.09 +/- 0.20 and cIMT value was 0.50 +/- 0.15 mm (p=0.002, p<0.001; respectively). There was a strong correlation between cIMT and PAI (r=0.273, p=0.003). According to the multiple logistic regression analysis, we found that PAI value is an independent factor for cIMT in SLE patients (odds ratio: 2.6, 95 % confidence interval; 1.506-4.374; p=0.029). Conclusions: We determined that PAI can be used as an independent indicator for subclinical atherosclerosis in SLE patients

Novel myokine: irisin may be an independent predictor for subclinic atherosclerosis in Behcet's disease

Cure, Medine Cumhur/0000-0001-9253-6459; cure, erkan/0000-0001-7807-135X; Balta, Sevket/0000-0002-6657-7334WOS: 000374792900009PubMed: 26941246Behcet's disease (BD) is a vasculitic and inflammatory disease causing endothelial dysfunction. Irisin is a metabolic hormone related to insulin resistance and endothelial functions. in this study, we investigated the relationship between irisin and carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT), which is a marker of atherosclerosis in patients with BD. 48 patients with BD and 50 healthy individuals were enrolled in the study. Disease severity was evaluated by BD current activity form. Irisin, glucose, insulin, C reactive protein, erythrocyte sedimentation rate and lipid panel were examined in all patients. Homeostasis Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR) was used to calculate insulin resistance. A simple and inexpensive cIMT test was used as indicator of atherosclerosis. cIMT was 0.62 (0.45-1.05) mm in the patients, while it was 0.38 (0.25-0.65) mm in the control group (p<0.001). Irisin value was found to be 197.3 (24.8-834.2) ng/mL in the control group, while it was 85.4 (4.7-471.1) ng/mL in the patient group (p=0.007). There was a negative correlation between irisin level and cIMT (r=-0.511, p<0.001) and HOMA-IR (r=-0.371, p=0.009). Decreased irisin levels (OR 0.996, 95% CI 0.992 to 1.000, p=0.041), male gender (OR 7.634, 95% CI 1.415 to 41.191, p=0.018), and HOMA-IR (OR 2.596, 95% CI 1.451 to 4.643, p=0.001) are independent risk factors for cIMT in patients with BD. We detected a very strong relationship between cIMT, which is an indicator of subclinical atherosclerosis, and decreased irisin levels in patients with BD. BD is characterized by chronic inflammation, and low serum irisin levels in BD may be related to atherosclerosis

Soluble Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF)-Like Weak Inducer of Apoptosis (Tweak) Independently Predicts Subclinical Atherosclerosis in Behcet’s Disease

Background: Vasculopathy is a major cause of mortality and morbidity in Behcet’s Disease (BD). Subclinical atherosclerosis can even be detected in the early stage of BD. Soluble tumor necrosis factor-like (TNF) weak inducer of apoptosis (TWEAK) is known as a good marker of the inflammation in vascular tree. The aim of this study is to examine the relationship between carotid artery intima-media thickness (cIMT) and serum TWEAK levels in patients with BD. Materials and Methods: In line with International BD Study Group criteria, 48 BD, and 30 controls were included in our study. Disease activity was evaluated according to BD current activity form (BDCAF). C-reactive protein (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), lipid parameters, serum TWEAK levels, and cIMT were measured. Results: Disease activity score of BD patients was found as 2 (range 0–7). cIMT, serum TWEAK, CRP and ESR levels of BD patients were significantly higher comparing to cIMT (0.62 ± 0.13 mm vs. 0.43 ± 0.09 mm, p < 0.001), serum TWEAK (667.5 ± 130.6 vs. 603.4 ± 89.6 pg/ml, p = 0.015), CRP (3.9 ± 4.3 vs. 1.4 ± 1.0 mg/dl, p < 0.001) and ESR (10.2 ± 10.0 vs. 5.6 ± 3.7 mm/h, p = 0.005) levels of the control group. There was a positive correlation between serum TWEAK level and disease activity (r = 0.251, p = 0.030) and cIMT (r = 0.463, p < 0.001). Our study also revealed an independent correlation between cIMT and serum TWEAK levels (beta = 0.354, p < 0.001). Conclusion: Increased serum TWEAK levels can play a part in the development of atherosclerotic heart disease in BD. Due to their liability to atherosclerosis, patients with BD must followed closely