Srivali, Narat

Background: Several immune-mediated inflammatory disorders, such as rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and systemic lupus erythematosus have been linked to an increased risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE). However, the data on ankylosing spondylitis (AS) are limited. Methods: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies that reported odds ratio, relative risk, hazard ratio, or standardized incidence ratio comparing the risk of VTE and possible pulmonary embolism (PE) in patients with AS versus non-AS participants. Pooled risk ratio and 95% confidence intervals were calculated using a random-effect, generic inverse variance method of DerSimonian and Laird. Results: Of 423 potentially relevant articles, three studies met our inclusion criteria and thus, were included in the data analysis. The pooled risk ratio of VTE in patients with AS was 1.60 (95% confidence interval: 1.05–2.44). The statistical heterogeneity of this study was high with an I 2 of 93%. Conclusion: Our study demonstrated a statistically significant increased VTE risk among patients with AS.

Summary Background: Pulmonary artery sarcoma (PAS) is a rare malignant neoplasm with an aggressive behavior and often difficult to distinguish from pulmonary thromboembolic disease. Aim: To assess the demographic, clinical, and radiological characteristics of PAS and clinical course. Design and Methods: We retrospectively identified and analyzed all patients with PAS seen at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, between January 1, 1996 and July 31, 2015. Results: Of nine patients (5 women and 4 men; median age 55 years [range, 24–74 years]), eight were diagnosed while alive with surgical (n = 6) or catheter-based endovascular biopsy (n = 2); the remaining patient was diagnosed at postmortem examination. All tumors manifested on CT as filling defect in the main, right or left pulmonary artery and were not associated with peripheral filling defects in seven patients. Seven patients were initially treated with anticoagulant therapy for presumed PE; two patients were suspected to have tumor based on constrictive or expanding effect seen on CT. Five patients died after a mean duration of 2.1 years (10 months–4.25 years) after diagnosis. Two patients are alive with recurrence and metastases of the disease 23 and 27 months after diagnosis, respectively; one remaining patient is alive and disease-free 116 months after diagnosis. Conclusions: Although PAS is associated with a poor prognosis, long-term survival is possible and can be improved by early diagnosis and prompt surgical resection. Atypical appearance on CT including central mass-like lesion without peripheral emboli and constrictive or expanding effect should raise suspicion of PAS.

AbstractObjectiveThe risk of hypertension in adults who regularly take a nap is controversial. The objective of this meta‐analysis was to assess the associations between napping and hypertension.MethodsA literature search was performed using MEDLINE, EMbase and The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews from inception through October, 2015. Studies that reported relative risks, odd ratios or hazard ratios comparing the risk of hypertension in individuals who regularly take nap were included. Pooled risk ratios (RR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated using a random‐effect, generic inverse variance method.ResultsNine observational studies with 112,267 individuals were included in the analysis to assess the risk of hypertension in nappers. The pooled RR of hypertension in nappers was 1.13 with 95% CI (0.98 to 1.30). When meta‐analysis was limited only to studies assessing the risk of hypertension in daytime nappers, the pooled RR of hypertension was 1.19 with 95% CI (1.06 to 1.35). The data on association between nighttime napping in individuals who work night shift and hypertension were limited, only one observational study reported reduced risk of hypertension in nighttime nappers with odds ratio of 0.79 with 95% CI (0.63 to 1.00).ConclusionsOur meta‐analysis demonstrates a significant association between daytime napping and hypertension. Future study is needed to assess the potential benefits of HTN screening for daytime nappers.

Abstract Background: The risks of proteinuria and chronic kidney disease (CKD) in adults who regularly have short sleep duration (short sleepers) are controversial. The aim of this meta-analysis was to assess the effects of short sleep duration on proteinuria and CKD. Methods: A literature search was conducted using MEDLINE, EMBASE and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews from the inception of the databases through November 2015. Studies that reported relative risks, odd ratios or hazard ratios comparing the risks of proteinuria and CKD in short sleepers were included. Pooled risk ratios (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were computed utilizing a random-effect, generic inverse variance method. Results: Six observational studies with 252 075 individuals and three observational studies with 37 197 individuals were included in the analyses to assess the risks of CKD and proteinuria in short sleepers, respectively. The pooled RR of CKD in short sleepers was 1.51 (95% CI, 0.99–2.55). When meta-analysis was restricted only to studies with adjusted analysis for confounders assessing the risk of CKD in short sleepers, the pooled RR of CKD was 1.54 (95% CI, 0.80–2.95). The pooled RR of proteinuria in short sleepers was 1.47 (95% CI, 1.26–1.72). Conclusions: Despite the lack of significant association between short sleep duration and CKD, our meta-analysis suggests a potential association between short sleep duration and proteinuria, a surrogate marker for kidney disease progression. Future study is required to investigate if reversal of short sleep helps reduce proteinuria.

ABSTRACTBackgroundThe association between the development of heart failure (HF) and use of nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) is not well established.HypothesisUse of NSAIDs may increase the risk of incident HF.MethodsWe conducted a systematic review and meta‐analysis of observational studies that reported odds ratio, relative risk, hazard ratio, or standardized incidence ratio comparing risk of incident HF in NSAID users vs nonusers. Pooled risk ratios (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for all NSAIDs and both subclasses (conventional NSAIDs and highly selective cyclooxygenase‐2 inhibitors [COXIBs]) were calculated using a random‐effect, generic inverse variance method.ResultsSeven studies with 7 543 805 participants were identified and included in our data analysis. Use of NSAIDs was associated with a significantly higher risk of developing HF, with a pooled RR of 1.17 (95% CI: 1.01‐1.36). Subgroup analysis showed a significantly elevated risk among users of conventional NSAIDs (RR: 1.35, 95% CI: 1.15‐1.57) but not users of COXIBs (RR: 1.03, 95% CI: 0.92‐1.16).ConclusionsA significantly elevated risk of incident HF was observed among users of NSAIDs.

AbstractAimThis study aimed to determine the incidence and risk factors of acute kidney injury (AKI) following transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR).MethodsWe included all adult patients undergoing TAVR for aortic stenosis from 1 January 2008 to 30 June 2014 at a tertiary referral hospital. AKI was defined based on Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes criteria. We performed a multivariate logistic regression to identify factors associated with post‐procedural AKI occurrence.ResultsThree hundred eighty‐six patients met the inclusion criteria, of which 106 (28%) developed AKI. In multivariate analysis, AKI development was independently associated with a transapical approach (odds ratio (OR), 2.81; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.72–4.65 compared with transfemoral approach) and the need for an intra‐aortic balloon pump (OR, 9.11; 95% CI, 1.77–68.29). Higher baseline renal function (OR, 0.78 per 10 mL/min per 1.73 m2 increment in glomerular filtration rate; 95% CI, 0.68–0.87) was significantly associated with a decreased risk of AKI. After adjustment for the Society of Thoracic Surgeons' risk score, post‐procedural AKI development remained significantly associated with an increased in‐hospital (OR, 4.74; 95% CI, 1.39–18.48) and 6‐month mortality (OR, 4.66; 95% CI, 2.32–9.63).ConclusionIn a cohort of patients undergoing TAVR for aortic stenosis, AKI commonly occurred and was significantly associated with increased mortality. Baseline renal function, procedure approach and the need for circulatory support were important predictive factors for post‐procedural AKI occurrence.

AbstractAimsPatients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) might be at an increased risk of developing atrial fibrillation (AF) as a result of deleterious effects of inflammatory cytokines on cardiomyocytes. This study aimed to comprehensively review all available evidence to further characterize this possible association.MethodsWe conducted a systematic review and meta‐analysis of cohort studies that reported relative risk, hazard ratio, incidence ratio or standardized incidence ratio with 95% confidence intervals comparing the risk of incidence of AF in patients with RA versus non‐RA participants. Pooled risk ratio and 95% confidence interval were calculated using random‐effect, generic inverse‐variance methods of DerSimonian and Laird.ResultsThree retrospective cohort studies with 39 912 cases of RA and 4 269 161 non‐RA controls were included in the data analysis. The pooled risk ratio of subsequent development of AF in patients with RA versus controls was 1.29 (95% CI, 1.05–1.59). The statistical heterogeneity was moderate with an I2 of 71%.ConclusionOur meta‐analysis demonstrated a statistically significant increased risk of subsequent development of AF among patients with RA.