Tirath Patel

and 1 more

Article type : Case ReportCorrespondace : Tirath PatelInstitute: American University of AntiguaDepartment: MedicineCity:  Antigua and BarbudaContact: +91-8128250661Email: [email protected] of interest: NoneDeclaration: NoneFunding: NoneAbstract : We present the case of a 65-year-old male who presented to the emergency department with syncope and dyspnea. The patient was found to have an atrioventricular valve thrombus, which was likely the cause of his symptoms. The patient was treated with anticoagulation therapy and underwent surgical intervention to remove the thrombus. This case highlights the importance of prompt diagnosis and treatment of atrioventricular valve thrombus in patients presenting with syncope.Introduction : syncope due to Atrioventricular Valve Thrombus is a medical condition that can be life-threatening if not diagnosed and treated promptly.1 The condition occurs when a blood clot forms on the heart valve, which can lead to a blockage of blood flow to the rest of the body. The resulting lack of oxygen and nutrients can cause fainting, dizziness, or even sudden cardiac arrest. The atrioventricular valves are located between the atria and ventricles of the heart and play a crucial role in ensuring proper blood flow through the heart. When a thrombus or blood clot forms on the valve, it can cause a disruption in the normal flow of blood, leading to a range of symptoms and potentially severe complications.2Syncope, or fainting, is a common symptom of atrioventricular valve thrombus and can be a sign of a more serious underlying condition. Other symptoms may include chest pain, shortness of breath, and palpitations. A diagnosis of atrioventricular valve thrombus typically involves an electrocardiogram (ECG), echocardiogram, or other imaging tests to visualize the clot and determine its size and location. Treatment may involve anticoagulant medications, such as heparin or warfarin, or surgical intervention to remove the clot or repair the valve.3 Early detection and treatment of atrioventricular valve thrombus are critical to prevent complications and improve outcomes.4 If left untreated, the condition can lead to serious health consequences, including stroke, heart attack, and even death. Overall, a case of syncope due to atrioventricular valve thrombus is a potentially life-threatening condition that requires prompt medical attention and intervention. Understanding the symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment options for this condition is critical for healthcare providers and patients alike to ensure the best possible outcomes.5Case Presentation : A 65-year-old male with a past medical history of hypertension and dyslipidemia presented to the emergency department with syncope and dyspnea. He had no history of prior cardiovascular disease or thromboembolic events. On physical examination, he was hypotensive with a blood pressure of 90/60 mmHg and tachycardic with a heart rate of 120 beats per minute. His respiratory rate was 20 breaths per minute and his oxygen saturation was 92% on room air. A cardiac examination revealed a holosystolic murmur and an irregular rhythm. An electrocardiogram (ECG) revealed atrial fibrillation with rapid ventricular response. Laboratory investigations were notable for an elevated D-dimer level of 500 ng/mL (normal range < 250 ng/mL). A computed tomography (CT) scan of the chest revealed a filling defect in the left atrium, suggestive of a thrombus. Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) revealed a large thrombus attached to the mitral valve leaflet, causing significant obstruction of the mitral valve orifice. The thrombus was causing severe mitral regurgitation and was likely the cause of the patient’s syncope and dyspnea. The patient was started on intravenous heparin and underwent urgent surgical intervention to remove the thrombus. The surgery was successful, and the patient was transitioned to oral anticoagulation therapy with warfarin. The patient had an uneventful postoperative course and was discharged from the hospital on postoperative day 6.Discussion : Atrioventricular valve thrombus is a rare but potentially life-threatening condition that can cause syncope and other cardiovascular symptoms.6 The diagnosis of atrioventricular valve thrombus can be challenging, as the symptoms can be nonspecific and the condition is often asymptomatic.7 The presence of an atrial fibrillation with rapid ventricular response and elevated D-dimer levels should raise suspicion for atrioventricular valve thrombus in patients presenting with syncope. TTE is the diagnostic modality of choice for the detection of atrioventricular valve thrombus.8 Treatment typically involves anticoagulation therapy and surgical intervention. Anticoagulation therapy is used to prevent further thrombus formation and embolization,9 while surgical intervention is necessary for the removal of the thrombus in cases of significant obstruction or high risk of embolization. The prognosis of atrioventricular valve thrombus is generally good with prompt diagnosis and treatment.10Conclusion : In conclusion, a case of syncope due to atrioventricular valve thrombus is a serious medical condition that can have severe consequences if not diagnosed and treated promptly. The formation of a blood clot on the heart valve can lead to a disruption in normal blood flow, causing a range of symptoms such as fainting, chest pain, shortness of breath, and palpitations. Early detection and treatment of atrioventricular valve thrombus are essential to prevent complications and improve outcomes. Healthcare providers must remain vigilant and consider this condition as a possible diagnosis when evaluating patients with syncope or other related symptoms. Appropriate imaging tests and medical interventions such as anticoagulant medications or surgery may be necessary to manage the condition effectively. In summary, a case of syncope due to atrioventricular valve thrombus highlights the importance of timely medical evaluation and intervention for patients presenting with symptoms suggestive of cardiac events. Increased awareness and understanding of this condition among healthcare providers and the general public can help improve outcomes and prevent potentially life-threatening complications.References :Rouleau, S. G., Brady, W. J., Koyfman, A., & Long, B. (2022). Transcatheter aortic valve replacement complications: A narrative review for emergency clinicians. The American Journal of Emergency Medicine.Toggweiler, S., Schmidt, K., Paul, M., Cuculi, F., Kobza, R., & Jamshidi, P. (2016). Valve thrombosis 3 years after transcatheter aortic valve implantation. International journal of cardiology, 207, 122-124.von Dohlen, T. W., & Frank, M. J. (1989). Presyncope and syncope: how to find the cause and avoid staggering costs. Postgraduate Medicine, 86(2), 85-96.Marvin, H. M., & Sullivan, A. G. (1935). Clinical observations upon syncope and sudden death in relation to aortic stenosis. American Heart Journal, 10(6), 705-735.Tarzia, V., Bortolussi, G., Rubino, M., Gallo, M., Bottio, T., & Gerosa, G. (2015). Evaluation of prosthetic valve thrombosis by 64-row multi-detector computed tomography. J Heart Valve Dis, 24(2), 210-213.Davutoglu, V., Soydinc, S., Celkan, A., & Kucukdurmaz, Z. (2004). Left ventricular free-floating ball thrombus complicating aortic valve stenosis. JOURNAL OF HEART VALVE DISEASE, 13(2), 197-199.Achouh, P., Jemel, A., Chaudeurge, A., Redheuil, A., Zegdi, R., & Fabiani, J. N. (2011). Aortic biological valve thrombosis in an HIV positive patient. The Annals of Thoracic Surgery, 91(6), e90-e91.Vinnakota, S., Jentzer, J. C., & Luis, S. A. (2021). Thrombolysis for COVID-19-associated bioprosthetic mitral valve thrombosis with shock. European heart journal, 42(39), 4093-4093.Olesen, K. H., Rygg, I. H., Wennevold, A., & Nyboe, J. (1986). Long-term follow-up in 262 patients after aortic valve replacement with the Lillehei–Kaster prosthesis. Overall results and prosthesis-related complications. European Heart Journal, 7(9), 808-816.Alajaji, W., Hornick, J. M., Malek, E., & Klein, A. L. (2021). The characteristics and outcomes of native aortic valve thrombosis: a systematic review. Journal of the American College of Cardiology, 78(8), 811-824.
Article type : Case ReportCorrespondace : Tirath PatelInstitute: American University of AntiguaDepartment: MedicineCity:  Antigua and BarbudaContact: +91-8128250661Email: [email protected] of interest: NoneDeclaration: NoneFunding: NoneAbstract : This case report describes a 45-year-old man with a history of episodic headache, palpitations, and sweating who was diagnosed with pheochromocytoma. The diagnosis was confirmed by elevated levels of plasma catecholamines and metanephrines and imaging studies that revealed a 3 cm mass in the right adrenal gland with evidence of local invasion into surrounding tissues. The patient underwent a laparoscopic right adrenalectomy and was discharged on the third postoperative day with normal blood pressure. Histopathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of pheochromocytoma with evidence of capsular and vascular invasion, but no malignancy markers were identified. The patient was followed up for six months postoperatively with resolution of symptoms and no evidence of tumor recurrence on imaging. This case report highlights the importance of early diagnosis, appropriate management, and follow-up for pheochromocytoma.Introduction : Pheochromocytoma is a rare tumor arising from the chromaffin cells in the adrenal medulla that produces catecholamines (epinephrine and norepinephrine) in an uncontrolled and excessive manner. It accounts for less than 0.2% of all diagnosed hypertension cases. This tumor can occur sporadically or as part of an inherited syndrome like Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia (MEN) or von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) disease. Pheochromocytoma can present with a wide range of symptoms including episodic headache, sweating, palpitations, anxiety, and hypertension. The diagnosis can be challenging due to the nonspecific nature of the symptoms, and hence, imaging and biochemical testing play a crucial role. Surgical resection is the mainstay of treatment.Case Presentation : A 45-year-old man presented with a history of episodic headache, palpitations, and sweating for the past 6 months. He also reported feeling anxious and irritable during these episodes. He denied any history of hypertension or other chronic medical conditions. There was no family history of pheochromocytoma or other endocrine disorders. Physical examination was unremarkable except for an elevated blood pressure of 170/100 mmHg. Laboratory investigations revealed elevated levels of plasma catecholamines (epinephrine: 550 pg/mL, norepinephrine: 700 pg/mL) and metanephrines (metanephrine: 1800 pg/mL, normetanephrine: 1200 pg/mL), confirming the diagnosis of pheochromocytoma. Further investigations were performed to determine the location of the tumor. Abdominal computed tomography (CT) scan showed a 3 cm mass in the right adrenal gland with evidence of local invasion into the surrounding tissues. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain was normal. Genetic testing for MEN and VHL was negative. The patient was started on alpha-blockers (phenoxybenzamine) to control his blood pressure and prevent intraoperative hypertensive crisis. He underwent a laparoscopic right adrenalectomy. Intraoperative findings confirmed the presence of a pheochromocytoma with local invasion into the adjacent tissues. The tumor was removed completely, and the postoperative period was uneventful. The patient was discharged on the third postoperative day with normal blood pressure. Histopathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of pheochromocytoma. The tumor measured 3.5 cm in diameter and showed evidence of capsular and vascular invasion. The mitotic rate was low, and Ki-67 index was 5%. The tumor was negative for malignancy markers. The patient was followed up in the clinic for six months postoperatively. He reported resolution of his symptoms, and his blood pressure was normal on follow-up visits. Repeat imaging did not show any evidence of tumor recurrence.Discussion : Pheochromocytoma is a rare tumor that can present with a wide range of symptoms, making the diagnosis challenging. Biochemical testing for plasma catecholamines and metanephrines is the cornerstone of diagnosis. Imaging studies like CT and MRI can localize the tumor and determine its extent of invasion. Alpha-blockers are used to control hypertension and prevent intraoperative hypertensive crises during surgical resection. The prognosis of pheochromocytoma is generally good with surgical resection being the mainstay of treatment. However, the risk of recurrence and metastasis is higher in patients with malignant pheochromocytoma.Conclusion : In conclusion, this case report highlights the diagnostic and therapeutic challenges associated with pheochromocytoma, a rare tumor arising from the chromaffin cells in the adrenal medulla. The diagnosis of pheochromocytoma requires a high index of suspicion, given its nonspecific symptoms. The biochemical testing for plasma catecholamines and metanephrines and imaging studies like CT and MRI play a crucial role in the diagnosis and management of this tumor. Surgical resection is the mainstay of treatment, with alpha-blockers being used to control hypertension and prevent intraoperative hypertensive crises. The prognosis of pheochromocytoma is generally good with surgical resection, although the risk of recurrence and metastasis is higher in patients with malignant pheochromocytoma. This case report underscores the importance of early diagnosis, appropriate management, and follow-up for pheochromocytoma to ensure the best possible outcomes for patients.References :Neumann, H. P., Young Jr, W. F., & Eng, C. (2019). Pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma. New England journal of medicine, 381(6), 552-565.Reisch, N., Peczkowska, M., Januszewicz, A., & Neumann, H. P. (2006). Pheochromocytoma: presentation, diagnosis and treatment. Journal of hypertension, 24(12), 2331-2339.Bravo, E. L., & Tagle, R. (2003). Pheochromocytoma: state-of-the-art and future prospects. Endocrine reviews , 24 (4), 539-553.Tsirlin, A., Oo, Y., Sharma, R., Kansara, A., Gliwa, A., & Banerji, M. A. (2014). Pheochromocytoma: a review. Maturitas , 77 (3), 229-238.Pacak, K., Eisenhofer, G., Ahlman, H., Bornstein, S. R., Gimenez-Roqueplo, A. P., Grossman, A. B., … & Tischler, A. S. (2007). Pheochromocytoma: recommendations for clinical practice from the First International Symposium. Nature clinical practice Endocrinology & metabolism , 3 (2), 92-102.Davutoglu, V., Soydinc, S., Celkan, A., & Kucukdurmaz, Z. (2004). Left ventricular free-floating ball thrombus complicating aortic valve stenosis. JOURNAL OF HEART VALVE DISEASE, 13(2), 197-199.Adler, J. T., Meyer-Rochow, G. Y., Chen, H., Benn, D. E., Robinson, B. G., Sippel, R. S., & Sidhu, S. B. (2008). Pheochromocytoma: current approaches and future directions. The oncologist , 13 (7), 779-793.Vinnakota, S., Jentzer, J. C., & Luis, S. A. (2021). Thrombolysis for COVID-19-associated bioprosthetic mitral valve thrombosis with shock. European heart journal, 42(39), 4093-4093.Steinsapir, J., Carr, A. A., Prisant, L. M., & Bransome, E. D. (1997). Metyrosine and pheochromocytoma. Archives of internal medicine , 157 (8), 901-906.Manger, W. M., & Gifford, R. J. (2012). Pheochromocytoma . Springer Science & Business Media.Walther, M. M., Keiser, H. R., & Linehan, W. M. (1999). Pheochromocytoma: evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment. World journal of urology, 17, 35-39.Bryant, J., Farmer, J., Kessler, L. J., Townsend, R. R., & Nathanson, K. L. (2003). Pheochromocytoma: the expanding genetic differential diagnosis. Journal of the National Cancer Institute , 95 (16), 1196-1204.

Roya Imani

and 5 more

Abstract:Despite varying findings, TST has been used for a long time to treat hypogonadal males with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The function of TST was evaluated in this meta-analysis in hypogonadal males with type 2 diabetes. Relevant randomised controlled trials and observational studies were identified by searching PubMed, Embase, and Google Scholar. The effects of TST were evaluated using pooled mean differences (MDs) and relative risks with 95% confidence intervals (CIs).Our meta-analysis includes 3,002 hypogonadal, type 2 diabetics from 13 randomised controlled trials and 2 observational studies. Total testosterone levels increase significantly with testosterone replacement, and TST significantly improves glycemic management compared to placebo by lowering homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (WMD = -1.47 [-3.14, 0.19]; p=0.08; I2=56.3%), fasting glucose (WMD = -0.30 [-0.75, 0.15]; p=0.19; I2= 84.4%), fasting insulin (WMD = -2.95 [-8. Overall, TST resulted in a greater increase in free testosterone levels compared to placebo (WMD = 81.21 [23.87, 138.54] p=0.07; I2= 70%) when comparing patients' individual measurements.We conclude that TST can help hypogonadal Type 2 Diabetes patients with better glycemic control and hormone levels, as well as lower total cholesterol, triglyceride, and LDL cholesterol while raising HDL cholesterol. Therefore, in addition to the usual care for diabetes, we advise TST for these individuals.Introduction:An abnormality in one or more of the testicular hormone concentrations along the hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular axis is the cause of the clinical syndrome known as hypogonadism. In men, hypogonadism is diagnosed when low levels of testosterone (both total and free) are found in the blood. [1] The annual incidence rate of hypogonadism is 12.3 per 1000 people, affecting between 5.1% and 12.3% of men between the ages of 30 and 79. When free testosterone levels fall below 225 pmol/l (65 pg/ml), a pathology is present and treatment is necessary. [2] Due to the devastating effects it can have on a patient's ability to perform basic bodily functions and their overall quality of life, hypogonadism is a global health problem. Recent studies have found strong evidence connecting hypogonadism and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). This is because low T levels cause an increase in fat storage, insulin resistance, and poor glycemic control, and a higher risk of obesity increases the likelihood of TD. [3] The use of testosterone in routine clinical care for type 2 diabetes is being questioned by a growing (and sometimes conflicting) body of research. Numerous studies have shown that testosterone treatment lowers the risk factors for cardiovascular disease and diabetes in men with type 2 diabetes, including systolic and diastolic blood pressure, lipid profiles, insulin sensitivity, inflammation, and levels of fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c). It has also been suggested that men with hypogonadism who undergo long-term testosterone therapy have a lower chance of developing type 2 diabetes and a higher quality of life, as measured by the Aging Male Symptoms (AMS) questionnaire. [5] There were, however, studies that found the opposite. Hypogonadal patients with type 2 diabetes have been shown in multiple studies to benefit greatly from testosterone replacement therapy (TRT), as measured by decreases in fasting serum glucose (FSG), fasting serum insulin (FSI), and haemoglobin A1C (HBA1C). [6] These indicators did not significantly decrease in TRT groups, according to other data. Total cholesterol, triglyceride, and serum low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels have all been shown to be reduced in studies where TRT was used, while high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels were found to be increased. [7,8] But no other studies found evidence of a statistically significant improvement in lipid metabolism.Only a small number of randomised control trials and observational studies have looked at the role of TRT in male hypogonadism caused by TDM, and the results have been inconsistent. To better understand the role of TRT in hypogonadal males with type 2 diabetes, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis. As far as we can tell, this meta-analysis provides the most recent look at how testosterone therapy stacks up against no treatment or placebo.Methods and MaterialsThis meta-analysis was conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA). [9]Search strategyMethods From the study's inception on September 5, 2022, to the present day, PubMed (Medline) and Cochrane were combed extensively. Searches on ClinicalTrials.gov, Google Scholar, and Medrxiv uncovered the grey literature and preprints. An indexing strategy was developed using both keywords and Medical Subject Headings (MESH terms). ['Testosterone' OR 'TST' OR Testosterone undecanoate] were among these. AND [[Diabetes Mellitus OR [Hypogonadism]]. Table S1 provides details on the search parameters and parameters. In conducting this search, we did not apply any filters or limitations. In the case of non-English text, Google Translate was used to produce an English version. The studies were located through manual searches of review articles. Two reviewers independently and anonymously evaluated the titles, abstracts, and full texts (MK and SK). The relevant studies were imported into Endnote X9 to avoid repetition (Clarivate Analytics, US).Criteria for EligibilityCriteria for inclusionThe studies were chosen based on their language, study design, patient population, intervention, comparison, outcomes of interest, and definition.Publications were limited to those written in English, and studies had to be either randomised clinical trials or observational studies that met certain criteria for inclusion before the meta-analysis could be performed.Hypogonadism patients are those who have type 2 diabetes and have been diagnosed with the condition.Patients who participated in the study's exposure group included those who had received testosterone therapy.The non-TST group served as a control and received either the gold standard of care or a placebo in this analysis.Implications on glucose homeostasis and hormonal levels after treatment constitute the Primary Outcomes.Measurements of cholesterol, body mass index, waist size, fat percentage, and systolic and diastolic blood pressure were recorded as secondary outcomes.Criteria for exclusionThe following significant exclusion criteria were established to ensure the quality of this meta-analysis:• There are no agreed-upon criteria for making a diagnosis of late-onset hypogonadism or type 2 diabetes, determining the appropriate population to study, dosage, or administration method for testosterone, or evaluating outcomes.There are no control or placebo groups• Duplicate publications • Inadequate data for estimating a mean difference (MD) with a 95% confidence intervalIn addition, the 25-item CONSORT checklists, which stress describing how trials were conceived, analysed, and interpreted, were used to assess all included RCTs (Table S2). The 25 reported items were used to evaluate the quality of the included RCTs. The strength of a randomised controlled trial (RCT) correlates with the number of outcomes that were reported. All 25 criteria should be present in high-quality research.Data ExtractionData ExtractionTwo researchers (HN and RI) independently read and evaluated each article to determine whether or not it should be included in the review. Questions were answered and doubts dispelled. We collected the following data from each trial: first author's name, publication year, country, ethnicity, testosterone cut-off point, diabetes duration, testosterone regimen, medications on comparators, mean age, Hba1c percentage, and total serum testosterone level. Table 1 summarises these facts. Parameters such as HOMA-IR, fasting plasma glucose, fasting serum insulin, haemoglobin A1c, total cholesterol, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein, low-density lipoprotein, body fat percentage, body mass index, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, erectile function, and the ageing male score are listed in Table 2.Study quality assessmentPublished RCT quality was evaluated using a modified version of the Cochrane Collaboration risk of bias tool [10], while observational study quality was measured using the New Castle Ottawa scale. [11] Statistical analysis The aforementioned meta-analysis was conducted using the statistics software Review Manager 5.4 (Cochrane Collaboration). For a simple yes/no outcome, we found the relative risk (RR) and 95% CI. The average and standard deviation were used to illustrate continuous results. In this meta-analysis, we show the combined effect of relative risks (RRs) and weighted mean differences (WMDs) calculated with the generic-inverse variance and continuous outcome functions using a random-effects model. Results were considered to be statistically significant when the p-value was less than 0.05. In order to assess the possibility of publication bias, funnel plots were constructed for primary outcomes.Using I2 statistics, we were able to quantify the degree of disagreement between studies. Low heterogeneity was represented by an I2 value of 25%, moderate heterogeneity by a value between 25% and 50%, and high heterogeneity by a value of 50% or more. A sensitivity analysis on outcomes with a high degree of heterogeneity was performed to investigate the impact of individual studies on the overall pooled estimate.ResultsStudy selectionThe initial literature search yielded a total of 659 articles. Out of the initial 30 publications, only 15 met the inclusion criteria for this meta-analysis; 2 were observational [12,24] and 13 were randomised trials [5,8,13-23]. The distinguishing characteristics of the selected studies are outlined in (Supplementary table S2 and S3)Baseline characteristics Three thousand and two people met the criteria for hypogonadism across the 15 studies; 1484 received testosterone and 1518 received a placebo. Six studies [8,12,14,18,20,24] required the presence of at least three sexual symptoms and a total testosterone level of 12 nmol/L to diagnose hypogonadism, while the remaining studies [5,13,15,16,17,19,21,22] required the presence of a total testosterone level of 15 nmol/L or a free testosterone level of 225 pmol/L to make the diagnosis. The cutoff for hypogonadism in another study [13] was set at TT13 nmol/L. The primary testosterone regimens used in the included studies varied widely. Only one study () used oral testosterone, three (15,17,21) injected testosterone gel subcutaneously, and eleven (5,8,12-14,16,18-20,22,23,24) injected testosterone intramuscularly. Testosterone was administered in a wide variety of doses and at different intervals in these studies. Only two of the RCTs [17,19] lacked a control group entirely, while the other eleven [5,8,13-16,18,20-23] were double-blind placebo-controlled studies. Table 1 and Table 2 provide information about the participants' demographics, medical histories, hormone levels, and glycemic indices as appropriate for the study.Quality assessment and publication biasAccording to the New Castle-Ottawa scale, an instrument for assessing the quality of studies, there is a low risk of bias in observational studies (Supplementary Table 4). The Cochrane method for evaluating randomised controlled trials yielded results of moderate to high quality (Supplementary Table 5). Publication bias did not affect the findings, as demonstrated by the funnel plots (Supplementary Figure S1).Primary outcomes:The effects of testosterone on glucometabolism were assessed by measuring HOMA-IR, haemoglobin A1c, fasting serum glucose (FSG), and fasting serum insulin (FSI). Data from 9 of the 15 studies reporting on HOMA-IR ([5,8,13,14,16,17,21,22,24]) showed that testosterone therapy was superior to placebo at lowering HOMA-IR levels (WMD = -1.47 [-3.14, 0.19]; p = 0.08; I2 = 56.3%). Patients in the testosterone group showed a greater decrease in FSG after treatment compared to those in the placebo group (WMD = -0.30 [-0.75, 0.15]; p=0.19; I2= 84.4%). FSG was measured in 14 [5,8,12-19,21-24] of the 15 studies. WMD = -2.95 [-8.64,2.74]; p = 0.31; I2 = 49.3%]; 8 [8,13,15-18,22,24] of 15 studies found that patients treated with testosterone had greater reductions in FSI levels. Among the 15 studies, 13 reported HbA1c values, and pooled analysis showed that testosterone treatment was associated with a greater improvement in post-treatment HbA1c levels (WMD = -0.29 [-0.57, -0.02] p=0.04; I2= 89.8%). (Figure 3)Total testosterone, free testosterone, serum hormone binding protein (SHBG), and prostate specific antigen (PSA) were taken into account to determine testosterone's impact on hormone levels. The pooled analysis of 9 studies that measured total testosterone levels [5,12,13,18,19,21-24] found that testosterone therapy is associated with a significant increase in total testosterone levels (WMD = 4.51 [2.40, 6.61] p0.0001; I2= 96.3%). The in-study heterogeneity was unaffected by excluding individual studies from the pooled analysis.Combining data from three studies [13,14,21] found that patients on testosterone therapy experienced a greater increase in free testosterone levels compared to those on placebo (WMD = 81.21 [23.87, 138.54] p=0.07; I2= 70%). After pooling data from 5 studies [13,17,21,22,23], researchers found that SHBG level decreased more with testosterone therapy (WMD = -1.28 [-5.51, 2.96] p=0.55; I2 = 0%). There was no statistically significant difference in PSA levels between the two groups after therapy (WMD = -0.02 [-0.13, 0.08] p=0.65; I2 = 0%) across seven studies [8,13,14,15,17,21,23].Secondary outcomes: (Table 3)Treatment with testosterone has been shown in a pooled analysis of secondary outcomes to improve HDL cholesterol and IIEF, as well as reduce total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, triglyceride, body fat, waist circumference, body mass index, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, arterial mean stiffness, and mortality.Discussion:Recent studies have found that hypogonadism occurs in a high percentage of men with Type-2 diabetes. Despite growing knowledge of the correlation between T2D and hypogonadism, no universally accepted guidelines exist for dealing with the condition. The purpose of this meta-analysis was to develop clear, evidence-based recommendations for the treatment of hypogonadism in men with Type 2 diabetes mellitus who are taking testosterone replacement therapy. Evidence linking type 2 diabetes and low blood testosterone due to an amplified insulin signalling pathway has been established by multiple studies showing a significant incidence (30-80%) of hypogonadism in males with diabetes mellitus. [25] Hypogonadism is more common in males with diabetes than in non-diabetic men across the globe, including in the West, Asia, and Africa. The effects of testosterone replacement therapy in hypogonadal males with type 2 diabetes were compared to those in a control group in a systematic review and meta-analysis involving 15 studies and 3002 patients (T2DM). All men with Type 2 diabetes and all men with a body mass index (BMI) greater than 30 or a waist circumference greater than 104 cm were recommended for screening for hypogonadism by the American Academy of Clinical Endocrinologists in 2016. The 2018 Endocrine Society guidelines continue to discourage testosterone monitoring despite the high prevalence of hypogonadism in conditions like type 2 diabetes. [26] Screening for hypogonadism was advocated for in 2016 by the American Academy of Clinical Endocrinologists in all men with Type 2 diabetes and in all men with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher, or a waist circumference of 104 centimetres or more. In spite of the high prevalence of hypogonadism in conditions such as type 2 diabetes, the Endocrine Society's 2018 guidelines still discourage testing for the hormone. [26] In men with hypogonadism, testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) has been shown to have a positive effect on a wide range of outcomes, including sexual desire and function, bone mineral density, muscle mass, body composition, mood, erythropoiesis, cognition, quality of life, and cardiovascular disease, but the indications for testosterone supplementation are still up for debate. Potential side effects of testosterone replacement therapy have been categorised by the guidelines into two groups: those with a strong association to testosterone therapy, such as acne and oily skin, an increase in hematocrit, decreased fertility, locally active prostatic carcinoma, and the development of metastatic prostatic carcinoma, and those with a weak association, such as gynecomastia, worsening sleep apnea, and the progression of breast cancer. [27] Our results confirm the findings of previous studies [5,8,12-19,21-24] showing that TRT can significantly enhance glucose control by decreasing Homeostatic Model Assessment for Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR), fasting serum glucose (FSG), fasting insulin (FSI), and glycated haemoglobin (HBA1C). Recent research has established a correlation between baseline HOMA-IR and body mass index, waist circumference, and C-peptide. Insulin sensitivity, as measured by changes in HOMA-IR, HOMA-%, and blood C-peptide and proinsulin levels, was also enhanced by testosterone supplementation, demonstrating the presence of metabolic syndrome. [28] Testosterone replacement therapy for hypogonadal males with diabetes has been linked to improvements in both body mass index and glucose control. The testosterone treatment group showed statistically significant improvements in body mass index, fasting glucose, A1C, blood pressure, lipid profiles, and liver enzymes, according to a study. [29] Twelve months of testosterone treatment (adjusted to mid-normal concentrations for healthy men) decreased insulin resistance modestly, HOMA-IR 0.6, p = 0.03, but had no effect on body weight or waist circumference in a large testosterone trial involving 788 men over the age of 65 (72% were obese and 37% had diabetes at baseline). [29] Testosterone therapy has been linked to long-term weight loss, a marked decrease in cardiometabolic risk factors, and in some cases, the complete reversal of diabetes, according to a number of case studies. Treatment with testosterone undecanoate depot injections was initiated for a 57-year-old man with benign prostatic hyperplasia, erectile dysfunction, apathy, and subpar physical fitness (intramuscular injections at 3-month intervals following a 6-week gap). Patients on testosterone therapy saw improvements in fasting blood glucose (to 6.0 mmol/L after 3 months, to below 5.7 mmol/L after 12 months, and then permanently below this value), insulin resistance (HOMA-IR: 3.9 at month 24), and serum lipid levels (LDL/HDL ratio: 3 and triglycerides: 2.5 mmol/L). [30] To fully understand the connection between circulating sex hormones and glucose metabolism, more interventional studies are required.In our meta-analysis, we looked at a lipid panel consisting of total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and triglyceride levels. Thirteen studies found that testosterone recipients had lower total cholesterol levels compared to placebo recipients. On the other hand, 14 studies showed that while HDL cholesterol increased, triglyceride levels decreased. However, there was less of a difference in LDL cholesterol levels between the two groups. Similarly, Si Hyun Kim et al2021 .'s meta-analysis found that TRT significantly lowered total cholesterol compared to placebo. There was also a reduction in triglycerides, though it was not statistically significant. HDL levels unexpectedly dropped after TRT compared to the placebo group. TRT's role in HDL was unclear due to a lack of evidence and conflicting results. It has been shown that high doses of TRT lower levels of HDL and lipoprotein A. TRT's effect on blood lipid and lipoprotein levels is controversial, however. [31] The 14 studies that made up our meta-analysis all showed a reduction in diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and a modest rise in systolic blood pressure (SBP). The effects of testosterone on lipid profiles in the blood are ambiguous. In men with and without type 2 diabetes, low testosterone has been linked to elevated levels of LDL and triglycerides and decreased HDL. In patients with high endogenous testosterone profiles, several cross-sectional studies found no association between elevated serum lipid levels or even elevated LDL. TRT has been shown to significantly reduce LDL-C and total cholesterol in men with eugonadism and hypogonadism in numerous systematic reviews and meta-analyses. [32] Measurements of the patient's waist and body mass index (BMI) can be used for screening for cardiometabolic risk. Testosterone supplementation is gaining popularity as an anti-obesity medication due to its ability to decrease visceral adipose tissue and increase muscle mass in males with hypogonadism. Thirteen additional studies, which contradict the aforementioned randomised controlled trials, have found that testosterone therapy results in a greater reduction in body mass index. [32]A significant correlation between total serum testosterone and AMS and IIEF scores was found in three studies. Treatment with testosterone significantly reduced AMS scores while increasing IIEF. Slight enhancements in sexual functioning, as measured by the AMS scale, the IIEF erectile dysfunction domain, and the IIEF-5 scale, have been associated with low testosterone in older men (testosterone threshold, 10.4 nmol/L [300 ng/dL]). Physical function, depressive symptoms, energy, vitality, and cognitive abilities do not significantly improve, however, according to the literature. Since the AMS scale was the only source of data on life satisfaction, we can assume that the slight improvement in quality of life was attributable to a rise in sexual satisfaction. [33] Different levels of testosterone were analysed including total, free, SHBG, and PSA. Both total and free testosterone levels increased significantly, while SHBG dropped significantly. However, PSA levels were not related to this therapy. The impact of TRT on PSA has been the subject of multiple meta-analyses. Despite this, the primary focus of the papers reviewed was not on PSA and testosterone but on TRT and the risk of prostate cancer. Risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD) such as obesity, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and diabetes are often co-occurring with androgen insufficiency. Androgens have a direct effect on PSA, and the protein's level has been suggested as a possible indicator of androgen deficiency in a number of studies. According to the research conducted by Do Kyung Kim et al., TRT significantly increased PSA levels compared to placebo. [34]Numerous benefits can be gained from our meta-analysis. If we add two more studies to our meta-analysis, we'll have about twice as large of a sample to work with. (2) A sensitivity analysis was run to determine the impact of various studies on the final tally. (3) Multiple plots and tests, such as the funnel plot, Egger's test, and Begg's test, were used to evaluate estimates of publication biases, and all of them concluded that the estimates were not statistically significant. Our meta-analysis also included an additional observational study, and we checked it for publication bias using the New Castle-Ottawa Scale. (4) We integrated mortality, total testosterone, free testosterone, SHBG, and PSA to account for new information in the literature that is rarely mentioned in individual studies.While we did collect a substantial amount of statistical data, it is important to note the caveats of our study. 1) Most studies had different follow-up times, with some indicating longer times. Because of the significance of homeostasis in the body, longitudinal follow-up studies are preferred when evaluating hormonal diseases like hypogonadism. Testosterone was used in a wide variety of doses and administration routes across a large number of studies spanning many weeks. This clinical heterogeneity may be attributable to (2) differences in study designs, interventions, and patient factors (including body mass index, age, sample size, ethnicity, and trial characteristics). (3) There have been few randomised controlled trials investigating the association between body fat, AMS and IIEF scores, free testosterone, and mortality rates. (4) All included RCTs displayed signs of selective reporting bias, except for Groti 2020. More research was needed to ascertain how testosterone therapy affected libido. (5) Also, most studies did not include information on doses for control groups, which may have added uncertainty.Conclusion Our results demonstrate that hypogonadal T2DM patients who underwent long-term testosterone replacement therapy experienced a sustained remission of their diabetes. This therapy improved glycemic control, decreased total cholesterol, HDL levels, and triglycerides, and reduced body mass index and waist circumference. We propose that this treatment be taken in conjunction with anti-diabetes medications for these patients. The intervention's long-term durability, safety, and cardiovascular effects need to be studied further.References:1.       Bhasin S, Brito JP, Cunningham GR, Hayes FJ, Hodis HN, Matsumoto AM, Snyder PJ, Swerdloff RS, Wu FC, Yialamas MA. Testosterone Therapy in Men With Hypogonadism: An Endocrine Society Clinical Practice Guideline. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2018 May 1;103(5):1715-1744. doi: 10.1210/jc.2018-00229. PMID: 29562364. 2.       Fernández-Miró M, Chillarón JJ, Pedro-Botet J. Déficit de testosterona, síndrome metabólico y diabetes mellitus [Testosterone deficiency, metabolic syndrome and diabetes mellitus]. Med Clin (Barc). 2016 Jan 15;146(2):69-73. Spanish. doi: 10.1016/j.medcli.2015.06.020. Epub 2015 Oct 1. PMID: 26433309. 3.       Caliber M, Saad F. Testosterone therapy for prevention and reversal of type 2 diabetes in men with low testosterone. Curr Opin Pharmacol. 2021 Jun;58:83-89. doi: 10.1016/j.coph.2021.04.002. Epub 2021 May 13. PMID: 33993064. 4.       Jenkins CR, Rittel A, Sturdivant RX, Wan J, Clerc PG, Manning E, Jenkins LM, Wardian JL, Graybill SD. Glycemic benefits with adherence to testosterone therapy in men with hypogonadism and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Andrology. 2021 Jul;9(4):1076-1085. doi: 10.1111/andr.12990. Epub 2021 Mar 8. PMID: 33606360. 5.       Groti Antonič K, Antonič B, Žuran I, Pfeifer M. Testosterone treatment longer than 1 year shows more effects on functional hypogonadism and related metabolic, vascular, diabetic and obesity parameters (results of the 2-year clinical trial). Aging Male. 2020 Dec;23(5):1442-1454. doi: 10.1080/13685538.2020.1793132. Epub 2020 Aug 26. PMID: 32844712. 6.       Zhang J, Yang B, Xiao W, Li X, Li H. 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PMID: 19578132. 18.     Kapoor D, Goodwin E, Channer KS, Jones TH. Testosterone replacement therapy improves insulin resistance, glycaemic control, visceral adiposity and hypercholesterolaemia in hypogonadal men with type 2 diabetes. Eur J Endocrinol. 2006 Jun;154(6):899-906. doi: 10.1530/eje.1.02166. PMID: 16728551. 19.    Boyanov MA, Boneva Z, Christov VG. Testosterone supplementation in men with type 2 diabetes, visceral obesity and partial androgen deficiency. Aging Male. 2003 Mar;6(1):1-7. PMID: 12809074. 20.    Hackett G, Cole N, Mulay A, Strange RC, Ramachandran S. Long-term testosterone therapy in type 2 diabetes is associated with reduced mortality without improvement in conventional cardiovascular risk factors. BJU Int. 2019 Mar;123(3):519-529. doi: 10.1111/bju.14536. Epub 2018 Oct 16. PMID: 30216622. 21.    Khripun I, Vorobyev S, Belousov I, Kogan M, Zitzmann M. Influence of testosterone substitution on glycemic control and endothelial markers in men with newly diagnosed functional hypogonadism and type 2 diabetes mellitus: a randomized controlled trial. Aging Male. 2019 Dec;22(4):241-249. doi: 10.1080/13685538.2018.1506918. Epub 2018 Sep 20. PMID: 30235049. 22.    Groti K, Žuran I, Antonič B, Foršnarič L, Pfeifer M. The impact of testosterone replacement therapy on glycemic control, vascular function, and components of the metabolic syndrome in obese hypogonadal men with type 2 diabetes. Aging Male. 2018 Sep;21(3):158-169. doi: 10.1080/13685538.2018.1468429. Epub 2018 Apr 30. PMID: 29708829. 23.    Wittert G, Bracken K, Robledo KP, Grossmann M, Yeap BB, Handelsman DJ, Stuckey B, Conway A, Inder W, McLachlan R, Allan C, Jesudason D, Fui MNT, Hague W, Jenkins A, Daniel M, Gebski V, Keech A. 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Metabolic Effects of Testosterone Therapy in Men with Type 2 Diabetes and Metabolic Syndrome. Sex Med Rev. 2019 Jul;7(3):476-490. doi: 10.1016/j.sxmr.2018.12.004. Epub 2019 Feb 22. PMID: 30803918. 27.    Bassil N, Alkaade S, Morley JE. The benefits and risks of testosterone replacement therapy: a review. Ther Clin Risk Manag. 2009 Jun;5(3):427-48. doi: 10.2147/tcrm.s3025. Epub 2009 Jun 22. PMID: 19707253; PMCID: PMC2701485.                                                                      28.    Reddy KC, Yadav SB. Effect of testosterone replacement therapy on insulin sensitivity and body composition in congenital hypogonadism: A prospective longitudinal follow-up study. J Postgrad Med. 2021 Apr-Jun;67(2):67-74. doi: 10.4103/jpgm.JPGM_887_20. PMID: 33942770; PMCID: PMC8253336. 29.    Grossmann M, Ng Tang Fui M, Cheung AS. Late-onset hypogonadism: metabolic impact. Andrology. 2020 Nov;8(6):1519-1529. doi: 10.1111/andr.12705. Epub 2019 Sep 25. PMID: 31502758.  30.    Haider A, Haider K, Saad F, Hanefeld M. Remission of type 2 diabetes and pleiotropic effects of long-term testosterone treatment for "late-onset" hypogonadism: A case report. SAGE Open Med Case Rep. 2019 Jan 16;7:2050313X18823454. doi: 10.1177/2050313X18823454. PMID: 30719309; PMCID: PMC6349975. 31.    Kim SH, Park JJ, Kim KH, Yang HJ, Kim DS, Lee CH, Jeon YS, Shim SR, Kim JH. Efficacy of testosterone replacement therapy for treating metabolic disturbances in late-onset hypogonadism: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Int Urol Nephrol. 2021 Sep;53(9):1733-1746. doi: 10.1007/s11255-021-02876-w. Epub 2021 Jun 5. PMID: 34089171.  32.    Kirlangic OF, Yilmaz-Oral D, Kaya-Sezginer E, Toktanis G, Tezgelen AS, Sen E, Khanam A, Oztekin CV, Gur S. The Effects of Androgens on Cardiometabolic Syndrome: Current Therapeutic Concepts. Sex Med. 2020 Jun;8(2):132-155. doi: 10.1016/j.esxm.2020.02.006. Epub 2020 Mar 20. PMID: 32201216; PMCID: PMC7261691. 33.    Qaseem A, Horwitch CA, Vijan S, Etxeandia-Ikobaltzeta I, Kansagara D; Clinical Guidelines Committee of the American College of Physicians, Forciea MA, Crandall C, Fitterman N, Hicks LA, Lin JS, Maroto M, McLean RM, Mustafa RA, Tufte J. Testosterone Treatment in Adult Men With Age-Related Low Testosterone: A Clinical Guideline From the American College of Physicians. Ann Intern Med. 2020 Jan 21;172(2):126-133. doi: 10.7326/M19-0882. Epub 2020 Jan 7. PMID: 31905405.   34.    Kim DK, Noh JW, Chang Y, Lee HY, Park JJ, Ryu S, Kim JH. Association between prostate-specific antigen and serum testosterone: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Andrology. 2020 Sep;8(5):1194-1213. doi: 10.1111/andr.12806. Epub 2020 May 18. PMID: 32329181.         Legends to figuresFigure 1: Prisma flow chartFigure 2: Effects on Glucometabolism; A= HOMA-IR (Homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance), B= FSG (Fasting serum glucose), C= FSI (Fasting serum insulin), D= HbA1C (Glycated hemoglobin), WMD= weighted mean difference, CI= confidence intervalFigure 3:  Effects on Hormonal levels; A= TT (Total testosterone), B= FT (Free testosterone), C = SBHG (sex hormone binding globulin), D= PSA (Prostate specific antigen).   

Suroj Napit

and 2 more

Abstract:Nothing is known regarding the clinical characteristics associated with the incidence of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) in hospitalised Coronavirus illness 2019 patients (COVID-19). The purpose of this study was to characterise the incidence of pre-admission antithrombotic medications in patients with COVID-19 and to examine the potential connection between antithrombotic therapy and ARDS as clinical disease presentation or in-hospital mortality.We enrolled 192 consecutive patients admitted to the emergency departments of five Italian hospitals with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19. The study population was separated into two groups based on the presence of ARDS on admission chest computed tomography. A propensity score weighted regression analysis was used to estimate the risk of ARDS at admission and death during hospitalisation in patients treated or not with antiplatelet and anticoagulant medications.73 cases (38%) were diagnosed with ARDS and were more likely to have hypertension than those without ARDS (57.8% vs. 49.6%; P = 0.005). Thirty-five patients (18.5%) passed away while hospitalised. Patients who did not survive COVID-19 had statistically significant increases in age (77 8.31 vs 65.57 8.31; P = 0.001), hypertension (77.1% vs 53.5%; P = 0.018), and coronary artery disease prevalence (28.6% vs 10.5%; P = 0.009). Both unadjusted and adjusted regression models revealed no difference in the risk of ARDS at admission or mortality during hospitalisation between antiplatelet and anticoagulant-treated and untreated patients. Pre-admission Antithrombotic medication, including antiplatelet and anticoagulant, does not appear to be protective in severe cases of COVID-19 presenting with ARDS and fast progressing to mortality.  1.    Introduction SARS-CoV-2 is a novel, highly deadly human coronavirus recently identified as the cause of coronavirus sickness in 2019. (COVID-19). The outbreak began in Wuhan, the capital of China's Hubei region, and swiftly spread to neighbouring nations, reaching pandemic proportions [1]. Italy is among the countries hardest impacted by COVID-19, with over 200,000 laboratory-confirmed cases expected by May 2, 2020 [2]. Many life-threatening diseases, including sepsis, respiratory failure, heart failure, severe renal and cardiac damage, and septic shock, may worsen the clinical course of COVID-19 [3]. Nothing is known about the clinical characteristics of patients that predispose them to these life-threatening illnesses.Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is one of the most often observed complications of COVID-19, and it has been related to significantly reduced hospital survival rates for patients. The relationship between inflammation and coagulation seems crucial in its pathophysiology [4], even though its aetiology is not fully understood.It has not yet been determined whether anti-inflammatory medications and anticoagulants may influence the onset of ARDS in COVID-19.This multicenter study aimed to assess the prevalence of antithrombotic treatments upon admission in patients with COVID-19, as well as any potential association between antithrombotic therapy and ARDS, as illness clinical presentation, or in-hospital mortality.  Methods:We enrolled 192 consecutive patients with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 from a large cohort of 963 patients admitted from February to April 2020 for fever and dyspnea to the Emergency Department (ED) of five Italian hospitals (Humanitas Hospital of Milan, Fatebenefratelli Hospital of Naples, Bergamo Hospital, Rivoli Hospital of Turin, Health Authority Bergamo East). Real-time quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT- PCR) assay on nose/throat swab or sputum sample positive for SARS-CoV-2 provided laboratory confirmation.Upon admission, all patients were given a medical history, physical examination, and laboratory evaluation. A chest X-ray and computed tomography (CT) scan were also conducted to rule out pneumonia in one or many sites. The COVID-19 population was separated into two groups based on the presence or absence of pneumonia with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and in-hospital mortality. The diagnosis of ARDS was based on the Berlin definition [5].We evaluated the prevalence and kind of antithrombotic treatment between these groups. The discontinuation of antithrombotic therapy during hospitalisation was assessed as an exclusion criterion. The institution's ethical committee authorised the protocol. All patients provided verbal and written informed consent for participation.   Statistical analysisThe Kolmogorov–Smirnov and Shapiro–Wilk tests distributed continuous data. Normally distributed data were expressed as the mean, and standard deviation (SD), while non-normally distributed variables were described as the median and interquartile range (IQR). Numbers and percentages were supplied for categorical variables.Student's t-test was used to compare regularly distributed continuous data, whereas the Mann-Whitney U test was utilised to evaluate non-normally distributed continuous variables. Categorical variables were compared using the chi-square test or the Fisher exact test when applicable. Using logistic regression models, the unadjusted and adjusted risk ratios (RR) for the outcomes of interest were determined and presented as RR with their 95% confidence intervals (CI). We employed propensity score weighting to account for the possibility of selection bias in treatment assignment between the two study groups (average treatment effect weights). The propensity score model was created by integrating all pre-procedural covariates potentially associated with the outcome and treatment decision, irrespective of their statistical significance or collinearity with other variables included in the model. Age, smoking, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), hypertension, diabetes, coronary artery disease (CAD), heart failure, obesity, dyslipidemia, stroke, and chronic kidney disease were baseline factors included in the propensity score model (CKD). Following weighting, standardised mean differences were computed to evaluate the balance of all covariates included in the propensity score model; values more than 0.10 were deemed statistically significant for differences across groups.A p-value 0.05 was considered statistically significant for all tests.Version 3.5.1 of R was used to conduct analyses (R Foundation for Statistical Computing, Vienna, Austria).   ResultsTable 1 details the characteristics of the study population. 67.7 15.2 years was the mean age; 115 (59.9%) were men. 73 cases (38%) were diagnosed with ARDS and were more likely to have hypertension than those without ARDS (57.8% vs. 49.6%; P = 0.005).At the time of admission, 55 COVID-19 patients (28.6%) were on antiplatelet medication, with 44 (22.9%) using acetylsalicylic acid, 5 (2.6%) P2y12 inhibitors, and 6 (3.1%) receiving dual antiplatelet therapy. They were older (73.7 9.2 vs 65.2 16.4; P = 0.001) and had a greater prevalence of hypertension (78.2% vs 49.6%; P = 0.001), dyslipidemia (30.9% vs 4.4%; P 0.001), and coronary artery disease (26.4% vs 4.4%; P = 0.001). At admission, 26 COVID-19 patients (13.5%) were on anticoagulant medication, with 18 (9.4%) receiving non-vitamin K oral anticoagulant (NOAC) and 8 (4.2%) on well-controlled vitamin K oral anticoagulant (VKA). They had a higher prevalence of hypertension (80.8% vs 54.2%; P = 0.02), atrial fibrillation (84.6% vs 1.2%; P 0.001), heart failure (30.8% vs 7.2%; P = 0.001), chronic kidney disease (19.2% vs 1.2%; P = 0.012), prior stroke (23.1% vs 6.0%; P = 0.011), and coronary artery disease (30.8% vs Thirty-five patients (18.5%) passed away while hospitalised. Patients who did not survive COVID-19 had a statistically significant increase in age (77 15.6 vs 65.6 8.3; P = 0.001), hypertension (77.1% vs 53.5%; P = 0.018), and CAD prevalence (28.6% vs 10.5%; P = 0.009). (Table 2). The proportion of deaths according to pre-mission antiplatelet and anticoagulant medication is depicted in Figure 1.Notwithstanding the significant disparities in baseline characteristics between COVID-19 patients who survived and those who did not, the inverse probability weighting achieved a solid covariate balance, with absolute standard deviations of less than 10% for all variables. Antiplatelet and anticoagulant arms were more evenly distributed in allocation probability among patients who did not use antithrombotic medicines at admission, as depicted in Figure 2. Table 3 displays the unadjusted and adjusted regression models for the likelihood of ARDS and death according to pre-mission antithrombotic treatment. In COVID-19 patients, pre-admission antithrombotic medication with antiplatelets or anticoagulants was not linked with an elevated risk of ARDS at admission or in-hospital death.Discussion:Patients who did not survive were older and showed a higher prevalence of comorbidities. Both antiplatelet and anticoagulant therapy did not affect the risk of severe clinical presentation as ARDS at admission. These findings can be summed up as follows: many patients admitted for COVID-19 are on treatment with antithrombotic agents.The epidemiological link between CV risk factors and individual susceptibility to SARS-CoV2 infection, as established in Chinese and American cohort studies [6,7], was confirmed in our study sample, which included hospitalised COVID-19 patients from Italy. Individual vulnerability to SARS-CoV2 infection has been linked to preexisting conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, and coronary cardiovascular risk (CV) factors, as revealed in Chinese and American cohort studies [6,7]. The most common co-existing conditions included high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart disease. Early Chinese data [8,9] also demonstrated that the prevalence of CV diseases, especially hypertension, was significantly higher in critically ill COVID-19 patients with ARDS compared to those with milder forms of illness and that the majority of hypertension and CAD was similarly higher in non-survivors of COVID-19 compared to survivors.The prevalence of AF among the patients in our study was 12.5%, which is greater than what is seen in the general population [10]. However, AF prevalence has yet to be reported in COVID-19 patients with a more severe form of the disease, characterised by ARDS and poor clinical outcomes.The direct effects of SARS-CoV-2 on alveolar epithelial cells and indirect effects of infection-related hypoxia, which predispose to thrombotic events, may contribute to the development of ARDS in the clinical context of COVID-19. Furthermore, recent data [11,12] suggest that COVID-19 individuals may be predisposed to pulmonary microvascular thrombosis due to a robust inflammatory response and disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC).We hypothesised that pre-admission antithrombotic therapy, including both antiplatelet and anticoagulant drugs, might affect the clinical course and prognosis of hospitalised COVID-19 patients due to the pathophysiological hypothesis that microvascular thrombotic processes may drive COVID-19-induced ARDS patients.This study found that pre-admission anticoagulation did not affect the clinical presentation of COVID-19 concerning ARDS or in-hospital mortality. Given the complex interplay between clotting system activation and the SARS-CoV2 immuno-mediated inflammatory response, these findings suggest that pre-admission antithrombotic treatment does not affect the pathophysiology of pulmonary microvascular thrombosis in the clinical context of COVID19-induced pneumonia.This study's weaknesses can be attributed to the fact that it was conducted based on past data. Confirmation of our preliminary findings requires more extensive multicenter prospective trials.\ Conclusion:Although our results need confirmation by prospective studies in- including a larger population, the antithrombotic therapy, both anti-platelet and anticoagulant, does not seem to show a protective effect in severe forms of COVID-19 characterized by ARDS and rapidly evolving toward death.Table 1Clinical characteristic of the study population  according to the presence or not of ARDS at admission.   Overall (N = 192) Patients without ARDS (N = 119) Patients with ARDS (N = 73) P Males, n (%) 115 (59.9) 73 (61.3) 42 (57.5) 0.710 Age, mean years (SD) 67.7 (15.2) 66.1 (16.7) 70.3 (12.1) 0.063 Smoke, n (%) 16 (8.3) 11 (9.2) 5 (6.8) 0.754 Hypertension, n (%) 111 (57.8) 59 (49.6) 52 (71.2) 0.005 Diabetes Mellitus, n 42 (21.9) 24 (20.2) 18 (24.7) 0.582 (%) Dyslipidemia   23 (12.0)   12 (10.1)   11 (15.1)   0.422 Obesity, n (%) 26 (13.5) 16 (13.4) 10 (13.7) 1.000 Atrial fibrillation, n (%) 24* (12.5) 12 (10.1) 12 (16.4) 0.286 Heart Failure, n (%) 20 (10.4) 12 (10.1) 8 (11.0) 1.000 Previous Ischemic 16 (8.3) 12 (10.1) 4 (5.5) 0.394 Stroke, n (%) CKD, n (%)   12 (6.2)   4 (3.4)   8 (11.0)   0.071 CAD, n (%) 26 (13.5) 14 (11.8) 12 (16.4) 0.483 COPD, n (%) 26 (13.5) 19 (16.0) 7 (9.6) 0.300 Antiplatelet Therapy, n 55 (28.6) 36 (30.3) 19 (26.0) 0.643 (%) Anticoagulant   26 (13.5)   15 (12.6)   11 (15.1)   0.789 Therapy, n (%)         CAD, coronary artery disease; CKD, chronic kidney disease; COPD, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. *13 paroxysmal, 7 persistent, 4 permanent.