Journal of investigative medicine : the official publication of the American Federation for Clinical Research
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The aim of the study was to evaluate the predictive value of HbA(1c) for risk of overall mortality or a composite endpoint of death and nonfatal events. ⋯ Inverse association of HbA(1c) with adverse outcomes in men and nondiabetic people indicates the involvement of HbA(1c) levels in autoimmune activation. The weaker inverse association with prevalent diabetes and in women is consistent with the operation of more pronounced confounding autoimmune processes.
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Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) has increased in incidence and severity worldwide, causing direct costs estimated to range from US $3.2 billion to $4.8 billion. The aim of this study was to investigate and identify factors that predict recurrence of CDI. ⋯ Our data suggest that the use of glucocorticoids, use of proton-pump inhibitors, and having end-stage renal disease are significant risk factors associated with recurrent CDI.
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High weight status is associated with increased forearm fracture risk but its relationship to severity of fracture has not been evaluated. We compared the epidemiology of children's forearm fractures treated with fracture reduction to those not treated with reduction, hypothesizing that high weight status would be significantly associated with need for reduction. ⋯ The need for reduction among children with forearm fractures is significantly associated with male sex and major mechanisms of trauma but not with high weight status. Strategies to reduce severe forearm fractures should focus on preventing major mechanisms of trauma.
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Multicenter Study Clinical Trial
Ivabradine on aortic stiffness in patients with heart failure.
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of ivabradine treatment on aortic stiffness by measuring aortic elastic parameters in patients with heart failure (HF) receiving ivabradine treatment. ⋯ During the follow-up at 12 months, significant improvements were observed in the left ventricular functions and aortic elastic parameters along with decreased heart rate in patients with HF receiving ivabradine treatment. This outcome may indicate that ivabradine treatment may correct aortic stiffness and may reduce aortic stiffness after 1 year of follow-up.