Search

Multiple myeloma (MM) is a plasma cell dyscrasia characterized by malignant proliferation of monoclonal plasma cells in the bone marrow. Interphase fluorescence in situ hybridization (I-FISH) required for revised international staging system (R-ISS) classification in MM risk classification is not available in every medical center. CRAB findings were suggested to be an easy and practically applicable marker for MM prognosis. In this study, we aimed to examine the effect of CRAB and SLiM factors, which are among the myeloma defining events, on progression-free survival and overall survival of the MM patients. Sixty six MM patients who applied to Diskapi Yildirim Beyazit Training and Research Hospital Hematology Clinic for treatment and follow up between 2012 and 2021 were included in the study. Patients in this study were between the ages of 39-86. The number of male patients in the study was 36 (54.5%). In the multivariate analysis, the most important factors affecting the overall survival of the patients were identified as M protein type, bone marrow plasma cell ratio ≥ 60% and autologous stem cell transplantation (p= 0.019, p= 0.007, p= 0.04, respectively). Multivariate analysis revealed that the only factor affecting the progression-free survival of the patients included in the study was the presence of extra medullary plasmacytoma (p= 0.014). In conclusion, CRAB criteria are not related to overall survival. CRAB criteria cannot replace R-ISS, contrary to what is suggested in some studies in the literature. Bone marrow plasma cell ratio, which is one of the SLiM criteria, affects overall survival. SLiM criteria may be more important than CRAB criteria as a practical and easy prognostic marker that can be substituted for R-ISS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To evaluate early changes after the first antivascular endothelial growth factor injection for macular edema secondary to diabetic retinopathy and retinal vein occlusion and the relationship between longterm outcomes., Methods: The study enrolled patients who received anti-vascular endothelial growth factor injections for treatment-naive macular edema due to retinal vein occlusion and diabetic retinopathy. The central macular thickness was measured at baseline, post-injection day 1, week 2, and month 1, and at the last visit using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography. A good response was defined as a central macular thickness reduction of ≥10% on post-injection day 1. Patients were reassessed at the last visit with regard to treatment response on post-injection day 1 based on the favorable anatomic outcome defined as a central macular thickness <350 µm., Results: In total, 26 (44.8%) patients had macular edema-retinal vein occlusion and 32 (55.2%) had macular edema-diabetic retinopathy. The mean follow-up time was 24.0 (SD 8.5) months. A statistically significant decrease in the central macular thickness was observed in both patients with macular edema-retinal vein occlusion and macular edema-diabetic retinopathy after antivascular endothelial growth factor injection therapy (p<0.001 for both). All patients with macular edema-retinal vein occlusion were good responders at post-injection day 1. All nongood responders at post-injection day 1 belong to the macular edema-diabetic retinopathy group (n=16.50%). The rate of hyperreflective spots was higher in nongood responders than in good responders of the macular edema-diabetic retinopathy group (p=0.03). Of 42 (2.4%) total good responders, one had a central macular thickness >350 µm, whereas 5 (31.2%) of 16 total nongood responders had a central macular thickness >350 µm at the last visit (p=0.003)., Conclusion: The longterm anatomical outcomes of macular edema secondary to retinal vein occlusion and diabetic retinopathy may be predicted by treatment response 1 day after antivascular endothelial growth factor injection.

Aim: To investigate the influence of non-oil 95 (N95)/filtering facepiece 2 (FFP2) facemask wear on retinal thickness, choroidal thickness (CT), retinal nerve fiber layer thickness (RNFLT), and ganglion cell layer thickness (GCLT) in healthy subjects., Methods: In this prospective study, 53 healthy participants who used FFP2/N95 facemask were enrolled. Participants underwent optical coherence tomography imaging before and at 1 and 4h following FFP2/N95 facemask wear. The last imaging session was performed 1h after FFP2/N95 removal. Retinal thickness, CT, RNFLT, and GCLT were assessed at each session. Vital parameters were also assessed., Results: The pulse rate of the subjects significantly decreased at 1 and 4h compared to baseline values ( P <0.05). No significant changes in retinal thickness, RNFLT, and GCLT were observed in the study. CT profile showed a significant increase at all measured locations except 1-mm temporal, 1-mm inferior and 2-mm inferior points following FFP2/N95 wear which turned to baseline values after FFP2/N95 removal. Pulse rate and CT changes at 4h were significantly correlated ( P <0.05)., Conclusion: Parasympathetic activation during FFP2/N95 facemask wear might have a role on elevated CT measurements in healthy individuals by virtue of increased choroidal blood flow., (International Journal of Ophthalmology Press.)