Objective To explore the value of fecal calprotectin （FCP） in the activity evaluation for ulcerative colitis （UC）. Methods Sixty three patients with UC （UC group） and 30 patients with gastrointestinal symptoms but without abnormal results of colonoscopy （control group）， who were treated in The Forth Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University between Sep. 2007 to Dec. 2009 were enrolled to examine the FCP， C-creative protein （CRP）， and erythrocyte sedimentation rate （ESR）. Then comparison between UC group and control group was performed. Results Levels of FCP and CRP in active gradeⅠ，Ⅱ， and Ⅲ group were all significantly higher than those of control group and inactive UC group （P＜0.05）， with the increase of active grade of UC， the level of FCP gradually increased （P＜0.05）. The levels of CRP in active grade Ⅱ and Ⅲ group were all significantly higher than those of gradeⅠgroup （P＜0.05）， but didn’t differed between active grade Ⅱ and Ⅲ group （P＞0.05）. There were no significant difference among 5 groups on ESR （P＞0.05）. Levels of FCP （rs=0.807， P＜0.01）， CRP（rs=0.651， P＜0.01）， and ESR （rs=0.371， P＜0.05） in active grade group were significantly related to histological grade under colonoscopy. Conclusion FCP examination is simple， inexpensive， repeatable， and noninvasive， and FCP can be used as an marker of activity evaluation in UC.
ObjectiveTo observe the changing patterns of erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP) and serum amyloid A protein (SAA) levels before and after hip replacement surgery, and explore their clinical significances. MethodsNinety-seven consecutive patients enrolled in clinical pathway in our hospital for hip replacement from April 2011 to May 2013 were included in the present study. ESR, CRP and SAA levels were investigated preoperatively and post-operatively at day 1, 3, 5, 7, 14, Month 1 and 3. All the cases were followed up, among which there were 14 cases of total hip replacement, 56 cases of cementless hemianthroplasty, and 27 cases of biotype hemianthroplasty. ResultsAll three of ESR, CRP and SAA levels were elevated post-operatively. Levels of CRP and SAA peaked at day 3 after surgery, and then subsided gradually to pre-operative levels after 1 month. ESR level peaked at day 7 postoperatively, and then subsided gradually to pre-operative levels after 3 months. There was a significant correlation between levels of CRP and levels of SAA. ConclusionCompared with ESR and SAA, CRP appears to be a faster and more sensitive parameter. Cementless hemianthroplasty is associated with changes of SAA levels but not with CRP levels. Close monitoring of evolutionary changes in ESR, SAA and CRP levels may help to diagnose and treat early infection after hip replacement surgery.
ObjectiveTo explore the clinical characters and histopathologic differences between patients with culture-positive and culture-negative prosthetic joint infection (PJI). MethodsBetween January 2012 and July 2013, 66 PJI patients in accord with diagnostic criteria were enrolled. According to the results of preoperative aspiration and intraoperative cultures, the patients were divided into culture-negative group (CN group, n=21) and culture-positive group (CP group, n=45). There was no significant difference in gender, age, height, weight, and body mass index between 2 groups (P>0.05). Preoperative C reactive protein (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and prosthesis survival time were compared between 2 groups. Intraoperative frozen sections and paraffin sections were both performed to identify infections, and histological typing was performed according to Morawietz's methods. ResultsThe preoperative CRP was (1.29±1.84) mg/ dL in CN group and (5.08±9.57) mg/dL in CP group, showing significant difference (t=2.094, P=0.038). The preoperative ESR was (22.86±28.42) mm/1 h in CN group and (36.74±31.26) mm/1 h in CP group, showing significant difference (t=7.761, P=0.000). The median survival time of prosthesis was 72 months (range, 8-504 months) in CN group and 25 months (range, 15 days-300 months) in CP group, showing significant difference (U=2.231, P=0.026). Morawietz's histological typing results showed that 2 cases were rated as type I, 7 cases as type II, and 12 cases as type III in CN group; 6 cases were rated as type I, 25 cases as type II, 13 cases as type III, and 1 case as type IV in CP group. The positive culture rate was 68.18% (45/66), and pathogenic bacteria was dominated by Staphylococcus, accounting for 68.89%. ConclusionThe patients with culture-negative PJI have slow onset and mild inflammatory response, so comprehensive diagnosis should be made based on pathological detection, laboratory examination, and intraoperative cultures.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the inflammatory markers in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) or non-inflammatory diseases undergoing total hip arthroplasty (THA) and to ascertain the variation trend of perioperative inflammatory markers and the influence of inflammation markers after THA. MethodsBetween January 2013 and December 2014, 153 consecutive patients with AS were included. According to the range of motion (ROM), the patients were divided into ankylosis group (ROM: 0°; group A, n=92) and stiff group (ROM: 3-46°; group B, n=61); 120 noninflammatory diseases patients having no bacterial infection and undergoing primary THA served as non-inflammatory group (group C). The inflammatory markers including C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) concentrations were measured before operation and at 1, 3, 5, and 7 days after operation, and the complication was observed. ResultsPerioperative serum CRP, IL-6, and ESR increased at first after operation, and then decreased in 3 groups. There were significant differences in CRP and ESR between at pre- and post-operation (P<0.05); the IL-6 at 1, 3, and 5 days after operation were significantly higher than that at preoperation (P<0.05), but no significant difference was found between at 7 days and at preoperation (P>0.05). CRP, IL-6, and ESR of group B were significantly higher than those of group A at preoperation (P<0.05); CRP and IL-6 of groups A and B were significantly higher than those of group C at preoperation and at 1 day after operation (P<0.05); ESR of groups A and B was significantly higher than that of group C at preoperation, and at 1 day and 3 days after operation (P<0.05); and no significant difference was shown among 3 groups at the other time points (P>0.05). No inflammatory activity or increased complication was observed. ConclusionAS and non-inflammatory diseases show similar change trend of inflammatory markers at preand post-operation. The inflammatory activity of AS has no significant effect on the changes of inflammation markers and does not increase the incidence of postoperative complications.