2 results
Abnormalities in serum biomarkers correlate with lower cardiac index in the Fontan population
- Bradley S. Marino, David J. Goldberg, Adam L. Dorfman, Eileen King, Heidi Kalkwarf, Babette S. Zemel, Margaret Smith, Jesse Pratt, Mark A. Fogel, Amanda J. Shillingford, Barbara J. Deal, Anitha S. John, Caren S. Goldberg, Timothy M. Hoffman, Marshall L. Jacobs, Asher Lisec, Susan Finan, Lazaros K. Kochilas, Thomas W. Pawlowski, Kathleen Campbell, Clinton Joiner, Stuart L. Goldstein, Paul Stephens, Jr, Alvin J. Chin
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- Journal:
- Cardiology in the Young / Volume 27 / Issue 1 / January 2017
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 05 July 2016, pp. 59-68
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Background
Fontan survivors have depressed cardiac index that worsens over time. Serum biomarker measurement is minimally invasive, rapid, widely available, and may be useful for serial monitoring. The purpose of this study was to identify biomarkers that correlate with lower cardiac index in Fontan patients.
Methods and resultsThis study was a multi-centre case series assessing the correlations between biomarkers and cardiac magnetic resonance-derived cardiac index in Fontan patients ⩾6 years of age with biochemical and haematopoietic biomarkers obtained ±12 months from cardiac magnetic resonance. Medical history and biomarker values were obtained by chart review. Spearman’s Rank correlation assessed associations between biomarker z-scores and cardiac index. Biomarkers with significant correlations had receiver operating characteristic curves and area under the curve estimated. In total, 97 cardiac magnetic resonances in 87 patients met inclusion criteria: median age at cardiac magnetic resonance was 15 (6–33) years. Significant correlations were found between cardiac index and total alkaline phosphatase (−0.26, p=0.04), estimated creatinine clearance (0.26, p=0.02), and mean corpuscular volume (−0.32, p<0.01). Area under the curve for the three individual biomarkers was 0.63–0.69. Area under the curve for the three-biomarker panel was 0.75. Comparison of cardiac index above and below the receiver operating characteristic curve-identified cut-off points revealed significant differences for each biomarker (p<0.01) and for the composite panel [median cardiac index for higher-risk group=2.17 L/minute/m2 versus lower-risk group=2.96 L/minute/m2, (p<0.01)].
ConclusionsHigher total alkaline phosphatase and mean corpuscular volume as well as lower estimated creatinine clearance identify Fontan patients with lower cardiac index. Using biomarkers to monitor haemodynamics and organ-specific effects warrants prospective investigation.
Quality of life in obsessive compulsive disorder
- Alexandra S. Macy, Jonathan N. Theo, Sonia C. V. Kaufmann, Rassil B. Ghazzaoui, Paul A. Pawlowski, Hala I. Fakhry, Brian J. Cassmassi, Waguih William IsHak
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- Journal:
- CNS Spectrums / Volume 18 / Issue 1 / February 2013
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 02 January 2013, pp. 21-33
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Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) has a profound impact with a high disease burden. In order to truly understand the scope of the effect OCD has on the patient population, one must take into account not only the relentless symptoms beleaguering the patients but also examine their overall ability to enjoy their life. Quality of life (QOL) assessments/improvements are becoming an increasingly important component of healthcare, especially in the mental health field. This review examines QOL in OCD, as well as the influence of comorbidities, and the impact that OCD treatment has on QOL. We searched MEDLINE/PUBMED and PsycINFO databases from 1980–2011 using keywords “obsessive compulsive disorder” OR “OCD” AND “quality of life” OR “QOL.” Fifty-eight studies meeting specific selection criteria were ultimately included in this review. The results show that QOL in OCD is significantly impaired when compared to QOL in the general population and in patients with other psychiatric and medical disorders. Likewise, QOL in OCD also appears to be largely affected by comorbid conditions, which should be taken into account when developing a treatment plan. Furthermore, QOL in OCD has been shown to improve with medications and with both individual and group psychotherapy, albeit not to the levels enjoyed by community norms. QOL assessment in both clinical and research settings is important to examine the disease burden, to monitor treatment effectiveness, and to determine full recovery from OCD. Treatment providers should strive to not only reach symptom abatement, but also to assure that patients have regained satisfaction and functioning in their daily lives.