Evaluation of quality of life in patients treated for colorectal cancer at the University Hospital Trnava

Introduction: The aim of the study was to evaluate quality of life (QoL) in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) during complex treatment using the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) QLQ-C30 and QLQ-CR29 questionnaires and to implement routine QoL assessment into our practice. Methods: 30 patients diagnosed with CRC at the Department of Surgery, Faculty Hospital Trnava, Slovakia were included in the study between May 2014 and April 2015. QoL was assessed using EORTC QLQ-C30 and QLQ-CR29 questionnaires before surgery and 1 month after surgery. Data are presented as means, and a paired t-test and independent t-test were used for statistical analysis. Results: A significant correlation between the type of treatment and QoL was identified in the cohort. A trend to lower QoL was observed in patients with completed neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (CRT) and after surgery with stoma formation. The QoL was also affected by the age and gender of the patients. Conclusion: QoL assessment provides important outcomes reflecting the consequences of particular therapeutic modality in patients with CRC. The worse effect of neoadjuvant CRT and stoma formation was shown in our study in comparison to radical resection with adjuvant chemotherapy

Retinol-binding protein 4 in obese and obese-diabetic postmenopausal women in Montenegro

Introduction: Menopause is associated with an increase in visceral fat and obesity and is the leading risk factor for insulin resistance (IR) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Recent evidence suggests that retinol-binding protein 4 (RBP4) is not an independent determinant of IR and its role in human glucose metabolism is not well clarified. We examined RBP4 and its association with IR, cardiometabolic and kidney parameters in obese postmenopausal women with and without T2DM. Methods: Basic anthropometric, biochemical parameters, and blood pressure (BP) were determined in 50 obese diabetic and 50 obese non-diabetic sedentary postmenopausal women, and compared with 50 healthy normal weight controls. Results: Higher levels of RBP4 were observed in obese individuals, as compared with normal weight group (p=0.033). However, we did not find significant difference between obese non-diabetic and obese-diabetic individuals (p=0.583). Serum RBP4 did not correlate with anthropometric measurements or any indicator of glucose metabolism in diabetic group, whereas RBP4 correlated with creatinine (r=0.416, p=0.003), eGFR (r= -0.304, p=0.032) and triglycerides (r=0.484, p<0.001). In obese non-diabetic group, correlations were observed with fasting glucose (r=0.346, p=0.014), insulin (r=0.292, p=0.038), HOMA-IR (r=0.329 p=0.020), HbA1c (r=0.326, p=0.021), creatinine (r=0.399, p=0.004), eGFR (r= -0.389, p=0.005), HDL-c (r= -0.316, p=0.025), triglycerides (r=0.461, p<0.001), and systolic BP (r=0.286, p=0.044). In multiple regression analysis, triglycerides (Beta=0.302, p<0.001) and eGFR (Beta= -0.188, p=0.015) were independent predictors of RBP4. Conclusions: Serum RBP4 is not increased in obese type 2 diabetic postmenopausal women, but is associated with triglycerides and eGFR independently of diabetes

Cystatin C in healthy middle-aged adults: A relationship with anthropometric and cardiometabolic parameters

Introduction: Data suggesting that cystatin C levels are linked to obesity, apart from renal pathology, are conflicting. The aim of the study was to explore the potential association between serum cystatin C levels, anthropometric, and cardiometabolic parameters in healthy middle-aged adults.Methods: A total of 132 participants (mean age 56.2 ± 6.73 years, 69% females) were included in this cross-sectional study. Anthropometric and biochemical parameters, as well as blood pressure, were obtained.Results: Obese participants displayed higher cystatin C levels than normal-weight participants (p &lt; 0.001). Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that waist circumference (WC) (Beta = 0.376, p &lt; 0.001) and estimated glomerular filtration rate (Beta = -0.484, p &lt; 0.001) were independently associated with cystatin C levels (R2 = 0.447; p &lt; 0.001).Conclusions: Cystatin C is associated with abdominal obesity independent of renal function. Its relationship with changes in other target organs  should be determined

Cystatin C in healthy middle-aged adults: A relationship with anthropometric and cardiometabolic parameters

Introduction: Data suggesting that cystatin C levels are linked to obesity, apart from renal pathology, are conflicting. The aim of the study was to explore the potential association between serum cystatin C levels, anthropometric, and cardiometabolic parameters in healthy middle-aged adults. Methods: A total of 132 participants (mean age 56.2 ± 6.73 years, 69% females) were included in this cross-sectional study. Anthropometric and biochemical parameters, as well as blood pressure, were obtained. Results: Obese participants displayed higher cystatin C levels than normal-weight participants (p < 0.001). Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that waist circumference (WC) (Beta = 0.376, p < 0.001) and estimated glomerular filtration rate (Beta = -0.484, p < 0.001) were independently associated with cystatin C levels (R2 = 0.447; p < 0.001). Conclusions: Cystatin C is associated with abdominal obesity independent of renal function. Its relationship with changes in other target organs  should be determined