Annals of medicine
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This study aimed to explore the prognostic value of the lymphocyte (LYM)-to-white blood cell (WBC) ratio (LWR) in patients with decompensated liver cirrhosis (DLC). ⋯ Our findings indicate that a lower LWR is an independent factor for unfavourable outcomes and may serve as a potential novel prognostic predictor in patients with DLC.KEY MESSAGESThis study is the first report on the prognostic value of the lymphocyte (LYM)-to-white blood cell (WBC) ratio (LWR) in patients with decompensated liver cirrhosis (DLC).Decreased LWR is an independent factor for adverse outcomes in patients with DLC.
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Improvements in screening and imaging technologies and treatment of liver disease have influenced the trend in diagnosis for stage I liver cancer. In this article, recent trends in age, incidence, tumour size, and survival of different stages of liver cancer are analysed. ⋯ The incidence of stage I liver cancer has increased over the study period, with an increase in age of diagnosis, decrease in tumour size, and generally stable overall survival rate with slight decrease. These trends emphasized the importance of early detection of liver cancer and regular screening and better treatment for high-risk populations.RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTSImprovements in screening and imaging technologies and treatment of liver disease have influenced the trend in diagnosis for liver cancer.Stage I cases of liver cancer increased most tremendously over the study period, with a greater increase from 2004 to 2012 following a smaller increase from 2012 to 2015.These trends emphasized the importance of early detection of liver cancer and regular screening and better treatment for high-risk populations.
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Prenatal chromosomal microarray analysis in foetuses with isolated absent or hypoplastic nasal bone.
To evaluate the efficiency of chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA) in the prenatal diagnosis of foetuses with isolated absent or hypoplastic nasal bone (NB) in the first and second trimester. ⋯ CMA can increase the diagnostic yield of chromosome abnormality, especially pathogenic CNVs for foetuses with isolated absent or hypoplastic NB. CMA should be recommended when isolated absent or hypoplastic NB is suspected antenatally.7.
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Observational Study
Heterogeneity in pharmacological treatment and outcomes in Crohn's disease patients in Catalonia: a population-based observational study.
Heterogeneity in the treatment of a disease is a marker of suboptimal quality of care. The aim of this study is to evaluate the heterogeneity in the treatment used and the outcomes for Crohn's disease (CD) in Catalonia. ⋯ A remarkable geographical heterogeneity in the use of different treatments and in outcomes of CD was observed between different geographical areas of Catalonia. KEY MESSAGEThere is a notable geographical heterogeneity in the administration of biological and immunosuppressive treatments to Crohn's disease patients in Catalonia.There is also a geographical heterogeneity in their rates of hospitalization and surgical intervention.
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Clostridioides difficile (formerly known as Clostridium difficile) infection (CDI) is one of the most prevalent healthcare-associated infections in the United States (US). In the early 2000s, CDI emerged as a great threat with increasing prevalence, mortality, and severity, especially in advanced age. We investigated the US national trends in in-hospital CDI prevalence, mortality, severity, and age composition from 2003 to 2014. ⋯ Compared to the earlier years 2003-2008, overall CDI outcome improved in the later years 2008-2014. Younger patients increasingly contributed to CDI prevalence, mortality, and severity during 2003-2014. More studies to understand underlying driving forces of changes in CDI trends are warranted to mitigate CDI.