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Abstract Background Data for predicting which patients with pandemic influenza A (H1N1) infection are likely to run a complicated course are sparse. We retrospectively studied whether the admission serum C-reactive protein (CRP) levels can serve as a predictor of illness severity. Methods Included were all consecutive adult patients who presented to the emergency department (ED) between May-December, 2009 with a flu-like illness, a confirmed diagnosis of pandemic influenza A (H1N1) infection and a serum CRP level measured within 24 hours of presentation. Patients with a proven additional concurrent acute illness (e.g., bacteremia) were excluded. We used the ROC curve analysis, Kaplan-Meier curves and the Cox proportional hazard model to evaluate the predictive ability of CRP as a prognostic factor. Results Seventeen (9%) of the 191 enrolled patients were admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU), of whom eight (4%) required mechanical ventilation and three (2%) died. The median admission serum CRP levels were significantly higher among patients who required subsequent ICU care and mechanical ventilation than among patients who did not (123 mg/L and 112 mg/L vs. 40 mg/L, p < .001 and 43 mg/L, p = .017, respectively). A Cox proportional hazard model identified admission serum CRP levels and auscultatory findings over the lungs as independent prognostic factors for ICU admission. Admission serum CRP levels were the only independent prognostic factor for mechanical ventilation. Thirty days after presenting to the ED, none of the patients with admission serum CRP level p < .001 for ICU and p < .024 for mechanical ventilation). Conclusions In our study group, serum CRP levels obtained in the early ED admission stage from patients presenting with pandemic H1N1 influenza A infection were found to serve as a useful gauge for predicting disease course and assisting in patient management.

Abstract Background The metabolic syndrome (MetS) is associated with the presence of low grade inflammation. Our aim was to analyze the inter-relations between each of the components of the metabolic syndrome (MetS) and four inflammatory markers, namely high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), the erythrocyte sedimentation rate, the concentration of fibrinogen and the white blood cell count. Methods We have analyzed data collected between September 2002 and June 2009 in the Tel-Aviv medical center inflammation survey (TAMCIS). We recruited both apparently healthy individuals and individuals presenting with atherothrombotic risk factors. All participants were enrolled during their routine annual health check-up and gave their written informed consent. This is a cross sectional study in which we have fitted linear regression models using inflammatory markers as the dependant variables and adjust them according to the different components of the MetS and multiple other confounders. Results Included were 12,072 individuals of whom there were 7,760 men at a mean (S.D.) age of 44 (11) years, and 4,312 women aged 44 (11) years. A significant correlation was noted between most components of the MetS and all inflammatory markers, the most significant one being with hs-CRP. In the multi-adjusted regression analysis, waist was the factor that best explained the variability of hs-CRP, in both women and men. It also remained a significant variable for the other inflammatory markers. Conclusions From amongst the various components of the MetS, waist circumference appears to exert the most influence upon the presence and intensity of the micro-inflammatory response.

Abstract Background Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is frequently characterized by elevated liver enzymes, including gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT). Our objective was to evaluate the range of prevalence of MetS in apparently healthy individuals whose liver enzyme concentrations were all within-normal-range. Methods We have performed a cross sectional analysis on participants of the Tel-Aviv medical center inflammation survey (TAMCIS) recruited between the years 2003-2009. Analyzed were a cohort of 6,561 men and 3,389 women. Results The prevalence of MetS increased significantly from the first quintile to the fifth for both GGT and ALT, all the five quintiles being in the normal range. Logistic regression analysis for the presence of MetS showed crude odds ratios of 2.7 and 2.4 between the first and fourth quintiles and 3.6 and 3.2 for the fifth quintile in men and women respectively for ALT. For GGT the respective odds being 3.6 and 3.2 for the fourth quintile and 3.9 and 3.4 for the fifth quintile in men and women, respectively. Conclusions A relatively high prevalence of MetS was noted in a cohort of apparently healthy individuals with liver enzyme concentrations within-normal-limits. Practical consequences include the need to follow up these enzyme concentrations as continuous variables and to take into consideration that even relatively small elevations within the normal range might reflect the presence of dysmetabolism.

Abstract Background Increased resting heart rate (RHR) may be associated with increased cardiovascular morbidity. Our aim was to explore the possibility that increased RHR is associated with the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome (MetS) in a sample of apparently healthy individuals and those with cardiovascular risk factors. Methods We performed a cross-sectional analysis in a large sample of apparently healthy individuals who attended a general health screening program and agreed to participate in our survey. We analyzed a sample of 7706 individuals (5106 men and 2600 women) with 13.2% of men and 8.9% of the women fulfilling the criteria for the MetS. The participants were divided into quintiles of resting heart rate. Multiple adjusted odds ratio was calculated for having the MetS in each quintile compared to the first. Results The multi-adjusted odds for the presence of the MetS increased gradually from an arbitrarily defined figure of 1.0 in the lowest RHR quintile ( Conclusion Raised resting heart rate is significantly associated with the presence of MetS in a group of apparently healthy individuals and those with an atherothrombotic risk. The strength of this association supports the potential presence of one or more shared pathophysiological mechanisms for both RHR and the MetS.

Introduction: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) and high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T (hs-TnT) are associated with higher risk for cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Our aim was to assess the relation between hs-TnT elevation and MetS in a general population sample. Materials and methods: Individuals participating in an annual health survey program between 2010 and 2016 were included in the study. Blood samples including hs-TnT levels were collected. The study population was divided into three groups based on hs-TnT levels – undetectable (<5 ng/L), intermediate (5–14 ng/L) and elevated (>14 ng/L). Results: A total of 5994 subjects were included in the study, the mean age was 48.5 and 4336 (72%) were males. Compared with subjects with undetectable hs-TnT the prevalence of MetS was higher in those with detectable and elevated levels – 392 (10%) vs. 270 (15%) and 51 (33%), respectively (p < 0.001). In a multivariate model adjusted for age, gender and multiple co-morbidities, the number of MetS components and presence of MetS were significantly associated with an increased risk for detectable hs-TnT levels (OR = 1.02 {for each component}; 95% CI [1.00–1.05], p = 0.04) and (OR = 1.13; 95% CI [1.07–1.2], p < 0.001) respectively. Only the waist, glucose and hypertension components of the MetS were significantly associated with elevated troponin. Conclusions: The MetS and its distinct components have a cumulative impact on hs-TnT levels in apparently healthy subjects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Only few studies of living kidney donors have included controls that were similarly healthy, including excellent kidney function.Methods: In this study, we aimed to estimate long term metabolic and renal outcome in a cohort of 211 living donors compared to two control groups: paired-matched controls, and another control group of 2534 healthy individuals with excellent kidney function.Results: Donors presented with higher estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate (eGFR): (97.6 ± 15.2 vs 96.1 ± 12.2 vs 94.5 ± 12.4 ml/min/1.73m2) and lower urine albumin to creatinine ratio (UACR) (4.3 ± 5.9 vs 5.9 ± 6.1 vs 6.1 ± 6.9 mg/g) for donors, matched controls and healthy controls, respectively (p <  0.001). In a mean follow up period of 5.5 for donors, donors presented with positive eGFR slopes during the first 3 years post donation, followed by negative slopes, compared to constantly negative slopes presented in the control group (p <  0.05). The variables related to the slope were being a donor, baseline eGFR, Body Mass Index (BMI) and age but not eGFR on the last day of follow-up or increased delta UACR. There was a significant increase in UACR in donors, as well as a higher rate of albuminuria, associated with a longer time since donation, higher pre-donation UACR and higher pre-donation BMI. Healthy controls had a lower BMI at baseline and gained less weight during the follow up period. Donors and controls had similar incidence of new onset diabetes mellitus and hypertension, as well as similar delta systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Donors were more likely to develop new onset metabolic syndrome, even after adjustment for age, gender and BMI. The higher incidence of metabolic syndrome resulted mainly from increased triglycerides and impaired fasting glucose criteria. However, prevalence of major cardiovascular events was not higher in this group.Conclusions: Donors are at increased risk to develop features of the metabolic syndrome in addition to the expected mild reduction of GFR and increased urine albumin excretion. Future studies are needed to explore whether addressing those issues will impact post donation morbidity and mortality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]