Vesa Rasi

Effect of treating periodontitis on C-reactive protein levels: a pilot study

BackgroundPeriodontitis is associated with elevated levels of C-reactive protein and fibrinogen and it may be a coronary heart disease risk factor. We wanted to study if treatment of periodontitis can decrease the levels of these inflammatory markers.MethodsC-reactive protein and fibrinogen levels were measured in 35 patients (21 M, 14 F, mean age 50 years) with adult periodontitis, before and after treatment.ResultsThe median baseline C-reactive protein level in the patients was 1.05 mg/l and it decreased to 0.7 mg/l (p = 0.05) after periodontal treatment. Of the 30 patients who could be included in the analyses, 24 patients had a baseline level below 2 mg/l (the 95th percentile limit in Finland); 6 patients had levels higher than this. Elevation of the baseline C-reactive protein level or the magnitude of its decrease were not associated with severe form of periodontitis. The decrease in C-reactive protein levels was at least 50 % in 4/6 of those with elevated baseline levels, as compared with 3/24 of the rest of the patients (p = 0.016). No corresponding effect was observed in fibrinogen levels.ConclusionsPeriodontitis seems to increase C-reactive protein only in some individuals, presumably the ones reacting to it with a systemic inflammatory reaction. Periodontal treatment decreases C-reactive protein levels in these individuals and it may thus decrease their risk of coronary heart disease.

Protein C substitution in sepsis-associated purpura fulminans.

Objective To assess the effect of protein C (PC) substitution on imminent peripheral necroses and overall outcome in patients with sepsis-associated purpura fulminans. Design Case series. Setting Intensive care units of two university hospitals. Patients A total of 12 patients with purpura fulminans, disseminated intravascular coagulation and imminent peripheral necroses in association with sepsis caused by Neisseria meningitidis (n = 5), Streptococcus pneumoniae (n = 2), Capnocytophaga canimorsus (n = 2), and Staphylococcus aureus (n = 1). In two patients, no pathogens were identified. Interventions Intravenous administration of PC concentrate (100 IU/kg every 6 hrs). In addition, antithrombin III substitution, antimicrobial therapy, hemodynamic support, and mechanical ventilation in all patients and hemodiafiltration in 10 patients. Main Results After the onset of PC, progressive peripheral ischemia was reversed irrespective of the etiology of infection. Laboratory variables reflecting disseminated intravascular coagulation improved rapidly, although the recovery of the platelet count was retarded in the patients who subsequently died. No drug-related adverse events were noted. Amputations were necessary in two patients, and necrotic tips of fingers and toes were macerated in a third. The hospital mortality was 42%. Of the five lethal cases, two were caused by S. pneumoniae, one by N. meningitidis, one by C. canimorsus, and one by an unknown pathogen. Conclusions This article provides encouraging results on the use of PC substitution in meningococcal purpura and presents new data on the administration of this drug to patients with septic purpura caused by other bacterial species. By clinical judgment, PC limited the extent of tissue necrosis. The small number of patients does not allow for any conclusions on the potential effect of PC on mortality. A controlled and randomized study with a larger number of patients is needed before any recommendations can be given on the use of PC in sepsis-related purpura fulminans and shock.

The association of sensitive systemic inflammation markers with bronchial asthma

BACKGROUND Airway inflammation is a characteristic feature of bronchial asthma. Previous studies have shown an increased local inflammatory activity in the airway mucosa of asthma patients. OBJECTIVES To analyze the association of asthma with three sensitive markers of systemic inflammation, C-reactive protein, serum amyloid-A (SAA), and plasma fibrinogen. METHODS A cross-sectional, population-based study including 1,513 Finnish men aged 45 to 74 years, who participated in a chronic disease risk factor survey in 1997. Of the participating men, 97 were classified as asthma patients. The odds ratios of asthma were analyzed by quartile of each inflammation marker. RESULTS In logistic regression models the age-adjusted odds ratios (second, third, and fourth quartile as compared with the first quartile) of asthma increased gradually with increasing quartile of C-reactive protein (1.28, 1.19, 1.96, P for trend = 0.039), SAA (1.20, 3.00, 3.49, P for trend < 0.001), and fibrinogen (1.22, 1.79, 3.16, P for trend < 0.001). The associations were independent of smoking. Further adjustment for waist-to-hip ratio, a marker of central obesity, and symptoms of chronic bronchitis weakened the observed association, but the increasing trend in the association of SAA and fibrinogen with asthma remained highly significant. CONCLUSIONS Sensitive markers of systemic inflammation, particularly SAA and fibrinogen, were positively and significantly associated with asthma prevalence. These findings support the hypothesis that not only local, but also systemic, inflammation exist in bronchial asthma.

The association of c-reactive protein, serum amyloid a and fibrinogen with prevalent coronary heart disease--baseline findings of the PAIS project.

Recent data suggest that infections, inflammation and the immune system are involved in the process of atherosclerosis. The aim of the present study was to analyze the association of coronary heart disease (CHD) with three inflammation markers, C-reactive protein (CRP), serum amyloid-A (SAA) and plasma fibrinogen. The cross-sectional study included 1400 men aged 45-74 years, who participated in a cardiovascular risk factor survey in Finland in 1997. Participants with prevalent CHD had markedly higher CRP, SAA and fibrinogen levels than participants without CHD. In logistic regression models, the age, smoking, serum cholesterol and systolic blood pressure adjusted odds ratios (2nd, 3rd and 4th quartile as compared with the 1st quartile) of CHD increased gradually with increasing quartile of CRP (1.90, 2.27, 2.64), SAA (1.68, 1.83, 2.41), and fibrinogen (1.60, 1.95, 2.14). The associations weakened somewhat after further adjustment for indicators of obesity, particularly waist hip-ratio. CRP, SAA and fibrinogen levels were markedly lower among CHD patients using cholesterol-lowering medication as compared to non-users. In conclusion, CRP, SAA and fibrinogen, which are markers of inflammation, were positively and significantly associated with prevalent CHD. Central obesity needs to be considered as a confounding factor in the observed associations. These findings support the hypothesis that cholesterol-lowering drugs have an anti-inflammatory effect.

Factor V Leiden and prothrombin gene mutation may predispose to paradoxical embolism in subjects with patent foramen ovale.

&NA; The role of paradoxical embolism through patent foramen ovale as a mechanism of cryptogenic stroke is controversial. If a venous source of emboli is relevant, prothrombotic states should be associated with patent foramen ovale and cryptogenic stroke. We assessed the occurrence of several prothrombotic states (factor V Leiden, prothrombin G20210A, deficiencies in protein S, protein C and antithrombin, lupus anticoagulant, anticardiolipin antibodies, elevated factor VIII, resistance to activated protein C) and classical risk factors for venous thrombosis in 57 adult patients with cryptogenic stroke and patent foramen ovale and in 104 matched controls. Prothrombotic states [odds ratio (OR) 2.8; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.2‐6.5; P = 0.021], migraine with aura (OR 4.4; 95% CI 1.8‐10.8; P = 0.001) and classical risk factors for venous thrombosis (OR 2.5; 95% CI 1.1‐5.7; P = 0.037) were independent risk factors for cryptogenic stroke. In particular factor V Leiden or prothrombin G20210A associated with cryptogenic stroke (P = 0.022) whereas other coagulation abnormalites did not (P = 0.140). Among the patients with prothrombotic states, Valsalva manoeuvre was common at onset of stroke. Our results support the possibility of paradoxical embolism behind strokes in patients with patent foramen ovale. Blood Coagul Fibrinolysis 14:261‐268

The effects of saturated fat and n-6 polyunsaturated fat on postprandial lipemia and hemostatic activity

The effect of different fat loads on postprandial lipemia and hemostatic activity was examined in 10 middle-aged men using 3 different meals. One meal was rich in saturated fatty acids (cream), the other rich in n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (sunflower oil) and the third was fat-free containing only carbohydrates. Lipoprotein lipids and hemostatic parameters were measured during fasting and 2, 4, 6 and 8 h after the test meal. In fasting samples, several hemostatic parameters were significantly associated with lipoprotein lipids. Most notable were the strong associations of fibrinolysis parameters tissue plasminogen activator antigen and plasminogen activator inhibitor activity (PAI-1) with total and very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) triglycerides. During lipemia, the associations were approximately similar or slightly weaker than in the fasting state. Both fat loads resulted in similar postprandial lipid responses: VLDL and high density lipoprotein (HDL) triglycerides reached maximum at 4 h after the meal. VLDL cholesterol also increased 4 and 6 h after the fat loads. HDL3 cholesterol declined after the fatty meals but no change was observed in the HDL2 fraction. The fat-free meal gave no significant lipid changes during the time course studied. Factor VII activity (F VII:C) increased 6 and 8 h after the fatty meals, whereas a decrease was observed after the fat-free meal. The changes (+/- S.D.) at 8 h after cream, sunflower oil and fat-free meal were 5.2 +/- 3.3, 3.3 +/- 4.2 and -5.8 +/- 7.9 percentage points, respectively, and the effect of the meal on the changes was statistically significant (F (8,99) = 2.99, P = 0.0048). F VII antigen (F VII:Ag) tended to decline during the day but there was no difference between the meals. Factor VIII activity (F VIII:C) was highest after the polyunsaturated fat meal and lowest after the fat-free meal. PAI-1 declined during the day and the decline tended to be steepest after the fat-free morning meal. The effect of the meal on the changes in lipoprotein lipids and hemostatic factors varied significantly between individuals. In conclusion, postprandial lipemia after a single fatty meal was associated with procoagulatory change in F VII:C but there was no difference between saturated fat and n-6 polyunsaturated fat.

Changes in the life expectancy of patients with severe haemophilia A in Finland in 1930‐79

Summary. Important advances have been made in the treatment of haemophilia during the past 30 years. We have analysed the data of all the known 163 patients with severe haemophilia A living in Finland in 1930–79 in order to study changes in the prognosis of severe haemophilia A. During the period of 50 years the mean age at death of the patients has increased from 7.8 years in 1930‐39 to 25.5 years in 1970–79 and the annual death rate has markedly decreased in all age groups. The decline has been greatest in patients under 10 years of age. In this age group the annual death rate decreased from over 50 per thousand in 1930‐39 and 1940‐49 to 4.8 per thousand in 1970–79. The prognosis of patients with inhibitors has remained poor, however. Five of the six deaths during the last decade occurred in patients with inhibitors. The overall annual death rate of patients without inhibitors was only 1.2 per thousand in 1970–79, suggesting that at the present time the life expectancy of patients who do not develop inhibitors does not markedly differ from that of the general male population.

Association of Hormone Replacement Therapy With Hemostatic and Other Cardiovascular Risk Factors The FINRISK Hemostasis Study

The risk of cardiovascular diseases in women is small until menopause but increases considerably afterwards. When all age groups are considered, cardiovascular diseases are responsible for approximately half of the total mortality in women. It has been suggested that hormone replacement therapy (HRT) in perimenopausal and postmenopausal women could be useful in the prevention of cardiovascular diseases, but its effects are insufficiently known. We performed a cross-sectional study on the associations of menopause and HRT with cardiovascular risk factors, in particular with hemostatic factors, on female participants of the FINRISK Hemostasis Study. The participants, aged 45 to 64 years, were recruited from the Finnish population register by random sampling from three geographically defined areas. The participation rate of women was 83.2%. Of the 1202 women included in the study, 29.2% were current users of HRT. Differences in cardiovascular risk factors by menopausal status and by HRT use were examined after adjustment for age, study area, current smoking, body mass index, self-reported diabetes, and years of education. Postmenopausal women not using exogenous sex hormones had on average a total cholesterol level 0.5 mmol/L (8.9%) higher and an LDL cholesterol level 0.4 mmol/L (11.4%) higher than premenopausal women. Women reporting irregular menstruation (presumably due to perimenopause) had higher adjusted plasma fibrinogen, factor VII coagulant activity, and factor VII antigen than women with regular menstruation or no menstrual periods.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

β-thromboglobulin in plasma; false high values caused by platelet enrichment of the top layer of plasma during centrifugation

Abstract β-thromboglobulin was measured and platelets were counted separately from the top and middle layers of plasma prepared by double centrifugation. A variable high number of platelets was found in the top layer and a linear correlation existed between the platelet count and the β-thromboglobulin level. In the middle layer both the platelet count and the β-thromboglobulin value was constantly low. More platelets were found in the top layer after fasting than after fatty meal. Slight disturbance of the sample caused sedimentation of part of the top layer with consequent contamination of the middle layer by platelets. Enrichment of the top layer with platelets could be diminished by incubating the sample with ristocetin. Instead of using the top part of plasma for β-thromboglobulin assay, a carefully taken middle layer sample is recommended if high g-forces have been used.

Evaluation of STOX1 as a preeclampsia candidate gene in a population-wide sample.

Preeclampsia is a common, pregnancy-specific vascular disorder characterised by hypertension and proteinuria. A recent report suggested association of the STOX1 gene on chromosome 10q22.1 with preeclampsia in the Dutch population. Here, we present a comprehensive assessment of STOX1 as a candidate gene for preeclampsia in the Finnish population by re-examining our previous genetic linkage analysis results for both chromosome 10 and paralogous loci, by genotyping representative markers in a nationwide data set, and by studying STOX1 expression in placentas from preeclamptic and uncomplicated pregnancies. In conclusion, we are unable to validate STOX1 as a common preeclampsia susceptibility gene.