Acta Medica Indonesiana – The Indonesian Journal of Internal Medicine
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Association of Polymorphisms in C-Reactive Protein (CRP) Promoter -821 A>G, -390 C>A/T, and Plasma Interferon-α (IFN-α) with Plasma CRP Level in Javanese Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) Patients
Background: As an acute-phase reactant, CRP is needed to clear apoptotic cells and immune complexes in SLE. This unresponsive CRP may be caused by genetic variation and abundant IFN-α that might inhibit CRP secretion. This study aims to analyze the association of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) in CRP promoter and plasma IFN-α with CRP level in Javanese SLE patients. We also analyzed the association of these SNPs with SLE. Methods: Forty SLE and 40 spondyloarthritis (as control) patients were included. SLE subjects underwent routine laboratory test, CRP level, serum IFN-α, and DNA sequencing to detect SNPs in CRP promoter. The control group only underwent DNA sequencing. Results: The median age of SLE patients was 31.5 years. The median SLAM score was 8.5. The median age of the control group was 39 years. The average CRP was 5.19 SD 2.69 mg/L, median plasma IFN-α was 46.02 pg/ml. There was no significant difference of SNPs in CRP -821 (rs2794521) or -390 (rs3091244) between SLE and control. New SNP was found in CRP -456 A>G in 5 SLE patients, but none in controls. This SNP would increase SLE risk 2.143 times. There was a moderate negative correlation between IFN-α level and plasma CRP. Linear regression only showed IFN-α level (not either SNP) correlated with serum CRP. Conclusion: Plasma IFN-α correlated with CRP level. There was no association of SNPs in CRP -821, -390, and -456 with CRP level. SNP CRP -456 A>G would increase the risk of SLE with an odds ratio of 2.143
The Influence of Right Ventricular Pacing Location, Pacing Burden and Paced QRS Duration to Subclinical Left Ventricular Systolic Dysfunction as Shown by Global Longitudinal Strain Echocardiography
Background: Prolonged pacing of the right ventricle (RV) is associated with left ventricular (LV) systolic dysfunction. Several studies have shown that the RV pacing location, pacing burden (percentage), and paced QRS duration may affect LV systolic function. Subclinical LV dysfunction may occur early after implantation of a permanent pacemaker (PPM). Therefore, this study aims to detect early subclinical LV systolic dysfunction measured by global longitudinal strain (GLS) using speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) at one month after PPM implantation. Methods: A single-center, prospective cohort study was conducted, and all patients indicated for PPM implantation with preserved LV systolic function were included. Data of RV pacing location (RV apical vs right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT), pacing burden (percentage) (≤40% vs >40%), and paced QRS duration (≤150 ms and >150 ms) were obtained. The change of GLS was also measured before and one month after PPM implantation (delta GLS). Results: 37 patients were enrolled in this study, which demonstrated significant difference between GLS before (-20.30 SD 3.38) and after (-16.93 SD 3.47) PPM implantation (p=<0.001). There were no significant difference in delta GLS either between patients with RV pacing location on RV apical vs RVOT ((2.30 (0.00–10.50) vs 2.95(0.10–8.30), p=0.648) or between patient with paced QRS duration ≤150ms vs >150ms ((1.70 (0.30–8.30) vs 3.45 (0.0–10.5)), p=0.266). Meanwhile, there was a significant difference of delta GLS between patients with pacing burden ≤40% vs >40% (Mean 1.92 SD 1.37 vs 3.98 SD 3.04), p=0.007). Further analysis found that pacing burden only affected the delta GLS in group with apical RV pacing (≤40% (1.58 SD 0.59) vs > 40% (4.67 SD 3.47), p = 0.008) and did not affect the delta GLS in group with RVOT pacing (≤40% (2.32 SD 1.98) vs > 40% (3.29 SD 2.48), p = 0.446). Conclusion: The pacing parameter, particularly pacing burden > 40% may induce the subclinical LV systolic dysfunction after one month of pacemaker implantation as shown by decline of GLS, especially when the RV pacing location was placed on apical
Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura in Dengue Fever
Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura is a rare but life threatening medical condition. Early recognition and treatment of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura is important especially in patients who do not present with the classic pentad to reduce the high mortality. Herein, we describe a case of a patient who does not fulfil the classic pentad features thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura that was induced by dengue fever. The patients’ initial full blood picture did not have all the typical features of microangiopathic haemolytic anaemia but there were fragmented red blood cells. However, even a small number of fragmented red blood cells in the peripheral blood should alert physicians of the possible diagnosis of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura together with other symptoms. Furthermore, signs and symptoms of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura and dengue fever can overlap such as fever, thrombocytopenia, neurological deficit mimicking dengue encephalopathy and dengue induced acute kidney injury
Rapid Antigen Detection Test for Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2: How to Use It Properly?
Cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Indonesia are still increasing and even higher in the last few weeks. Contact tracing and surveillance are important to locate cases in the community, including asymptomatic individuals. Diagnosis of COVID-19 depends on the detection of viral RNA, viral antigen, or indirectly, viral antibodies. Molecular diagnosis, using real time, reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), is the common standard method; however, it is not widely available in Indonesia and requires a high standard laboratory. Rapid, point-of-care antibody testing has been widely used as an alternative; however, interpretation of the results is not simple and now it is no longer used by the Indonesian government as a screening test for people travelling between locations. Thus, the rapid antigen detection test (Ag-RDT) is used by the Indonesian government as a screening test for travellers. As a result, many people buy the kit online and perform self-Ag-RDT at home. This raises the question of how safe and accurate it is to perform self-Ag-RDT at home. Before a test is applied, it is suggested to research its sensitivity and specificity, as compared to gold standard, and its limitations. In this article, laboratory diagnosis of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is discussed, with an emphasis on Ag-RDT and the recommendation to use it properly in daily practice
The Importance of the Timing of Tocilizumab Administration in Moderate to Severely Ill COVID-19: Single Centered Experience Case series
One of the main causes of death in COVID-19 is the dysregulation of the host’s immune system which leads to cytokine storm, a potentially fatal systemic inflammatory syndrome. Interleukin 6 (IL-6) is a pro-inflammatory cytokine that is produced in response to infections and tissue injuries and is believed to play a pivotal role in the event of a cytokine storm, as signified by its increase in the process. Considering the role of IL-6 as a pro-inflammatory cytokine in the process of cytokine storm in COVID-19, perceiving IL-6 as a therapeutic target could prove to be promising. Tocilizumab is a monoclonal antibody that competitively inhibits the binding of IL-6 to its receptor (IL-6R). The use of IL-6R blocker is recommended for severe COVID-19 patients in the latest therapeutic guideline published by the World Health Organization (WHO), but the timing of the administration has not been specified. While previous studies about the use of tocilizumab in COVID-19 patients have shown various results, these studies do not emphasize on plasma IL-6 levels when deciding the time of tocilizumab administration. In this case series, we present three patients with moderate to severe COVID-19 infections that receive tocilizumab as an adjunct to the standard of care therapy. This case series introduces the novel idea that the timely use of tocilizumab as signified by plasma IL-6 levels in moderate to severe COVID-19 patients could potentially improve overall clinical condition and increase survival rate
Validation of the Indonesian Version of the Asian Diabetes Quality of Life Questionnaire
Background: quality of life has been identified as the goal of therapy especially in patient with chronic disease such as type 2 diabetes mellitus. Quality of life measurement requires an instrument that was specifically developed in accordance with socio-cultural background of the measured population. The aim of this study was to adapt Asian Diabetes Quality of Life Questionnaire so it can be used in Indonesia as valid and reliable tool. Methods: Asian Diabetes Quality of Life Questionnaire was translated and adapted by group of experts, then validity and reliability tests were conducted on type 2 diabetes mellitus patients at Dr. Hasan Sadikin General Hospital, Bandung. Construct validity was analyzed using correlation test between score of each item and total score. Reliability was measured using test-retest method and internal consistency represented in Cronbach’s alpha score. Results: validity test showed significant correlation (p-value ≤0.05) between score of each item and total score across all domains with moderate to very strong correlation (r: 0.496-0.956). Reliability test using test-retest method showed no significant difference between Test I and II results (p-value >0.05) with very strong correlation (r: 0.830-0.975) and internal consistency yielded Cronbach’s alpha scores of ≥ 0.07 for all domains. Conclusion: Indonesian version of Asian DQOL is a valid and reliable tool to measure quality of life of type 2 diabetes mellitus patients
Psychotherapy for Healthcare Provider During COVID-19 Pandemic: An Evidence Based Clinical Review
Background: health workers are one of the groups affected physically as well as psychologically from the pandemic. Recent studies showed many of the health workers reported experiencing anxiety, depression, and insomnia. This study aims to identify psychotherapy as a psychological health intervention, for healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: an evidence based clinical review of psychotherapy as a psychological health intervention, reported in the literature, which is developed for healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. The review was conducted following set out for Evidence-based clinical review by searching the following digital libraries: PubMed, ProQuest, Cochrane, and Google Scholar. Results: six publications were selected. The identified psychotherapy used as a mental or psychological intervention for healthcare workers during COVID-19 consists of supportive psychotherapy, psychoeducation, social support, and music therapy. Overall, it shows that psychotherapy, especially supportive psychotherapy, can reduce anxiety, depression, and insomnia. Conclusion: the physiological condition of health workers needs to get attention during the COVID-19 pandemic. Although there is no standard of therapy yet, psychotherapy could be an option as it is proven to be able to reduce anxiety, depression, and insomnia
Outcomes of Daily Dose versus Part-daily Dose Treatment for Lung Tuberculosis: A Real-World Database Study in an Indonesian Hospital
Background: a meta-analysis of randomized control trials (RCTs) on category I pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) treatments showed that either part-daily (2RHZE/4R3H3) or daily dose (2RHZE/4RH) had the same failure and recurrence rates. However, the World Health Organization (WHO) concluded that the part-daily dose had higher failure and recurrence rates. Therefore, this study was conducted to compare the treatment outcomes between both regimens, whether daily dose regimen has a better treatment outcome than part-daily dose regimen, and the adverse effects between both regimens. Methods: this was an analytic cross-sectional study of patients at the Persahabatan General Hospital, over the period of January 2015-June 2018. Data were taken from medical records and supported by telephone interviews, each regimen group had 175 patients. Results: there were no significant differences for success rates (p=0.470), lost to follow up rates (p=0.659), failure rates (p=1.000), death rates (p=1.000), and adverse effects in the continuation phase (p=0.324) between the groups. There were, however, significant differences in cure rates (p < 0.001) and complete treatment rates (p<0.001) between the groups. Conclusion: the cure rate and complete treatment rate were found to be better for the part-daily than the daily doses. The success rate of both regimens were the same as Indonesia’s target (90%). In the continuation phase, there were no significant difference of adverse effects between both regimens
Correlation between Interstitial Lung Disease Morphology Scores Based on High-resolution Computed Tomography Chest and Skin Fibrosis Degree Based on Modified Rodnan’s Skin Score on Systemic Sclerosis
Background: Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a systemic autoimmune disease involving a multisystem. Modified Rodnan’s Skin Score (MRSS) is a gold standard for measuring skin fibrosis in SSc. In SSc, lung fibrosis disorders, especially interstitial lung disease (ILD), are the leading cause of mortality and often late in diagnosis. High-Resolution Computed Tomography (HRCT) Chest scan is a gold standard for evaluating ILD morphology, but its availability is limited. The degree of skin fibrosis based on MRSS in SSc can predict the presence of ILD in several studies but has not been widely studied in Indonesia. This study aimed to determine the relationship of the ILD morphology based on thoracic HRCT scan with the degree of skin fibrosis based on MRSS in SSc. Methods: This study is a retrospective analytic observational study with a cross-sectional design. The subjects of this study are SSc patients who had data of MRSS and HRCT chest scan from July 2019 to March 2020. Statistical analysis uses Spearman’s correlation test. Results: There were 42 study subjects, consisting of 41 women (97.6%) and one man (2.4%) with an average age of 39.50 years old (age range of 19 years to 60 years old). Correlation test results based on Spearman’s show a moderate correlation between the morphological score of ILD with MRSS with R = 0.429, which is significant (p = 0.005). Conclusion: There is a significant moderate correlation between the morphological scores of ILD based on HRCT chest and the degree of skin fibrosis based on MRSS in SSc
The Importance of Selecting Permanent Pacemaker, Evaluating the Heart and Assessing Quality of Life in Cardiac Patient
The use of pacemakers is necessary for patients with symptomatic bradycardia. Pacemaker implantation also acts as a life-saving procedure. However, there are several reports that patients with a pacemaker (the most widely used pacemaker is on the right ventricle, known as single chamber pacemaker) had disturbances in left ventricle contraction lead to left ventricular systolic dysfunction. Global Longitudinal Strain (GLS) Echocardiography can confirm these left ventricular disturbances. Echocardiography examination is best carried out before and after single-chamber PPM implantation. This study compares PPM placement in apical Right Ventricle (RV) and Right Ventricular Outflow Tract (RVOT) and compares paced QRS duration 150 ms and > 150 ms. Pacing burden >40% causes subclinical left ventricular systolic dysfunction after a month of PPM implantation with decreased GLS in apical RV pacing.This study gives additional information that PPM placement is preferably in RVOT with some specific settings. However, there are many ways to reduce the effects of impaired left ventricular function due to lead installation on the PPM single-chamber device. By using the PPM device which has a dual chamber, the leads will be placed in RVOT and also in the right atrium with atrial-ventricle synchronization. The aim is to avoid impaired left ventricular pump function as supported by a systematic review which states the superiority of dual-chamber PPM over single-chamber PPM in reducing atrial fibrillation and pacemaker syndrome. In the importance of quality of life related to heart disease, the Indonesian version of the MacNew questionnaire can be used. This questionnaire seeks the quality of life of patients with coronary heart disease after revascularization surgery and has undergone rehabilitation. Another important thing is the suitability of the adaptation to the original English version