BACKGROUND: It has been suggested that bilirubin has an inverse association with cardiovascular disease (CVD) due to its antioxidant properties. However, there are few data regarding the relationship between serum total bilirubin (sTB) and risk factors for CVD in Koreans. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between sTB and high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), which is an independent risk factor for CVD. METHODS: We performed a cross sectional study in 6,800 men who were examined at a health promotion center at a university hospital in Korea between May 2005 and June 2006. We grouped the subjects according to values of serum hsCRP (above or below 1.0 mg/L) and compared the characteristics of the two groups. To evaluate the relationship between sTB and hsCRP, we classified the subjects according to quartile values of sTB. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to analyze the relationship of levels of sTB and hsCRP after adjusting for known risk factors for CVD. RESULTS: Serum hsCRP was significantly associated with body mass index (BMI), smoking, diabetes, hypertension, fasting plasma glucose, systolic blood pressure, alanine aminotransferase, and total cholesterol/high density lipoprotein (TC/HDL-C) ratio, but not with age or alcohol use. As levels of sTB increased, there was a decrease in age, numbers of smokers, BMI, and TC/HDL ratio. Compared to the lowest quartile of sTB, levels of hsCRP decreased with odds ratios of 0.82 (95% CI, 0.71 to 0.96), 0.75 (95% CI, 0.65 to 0.88), and 0.63 (95% CI, 0.54 to 0.74) in the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th quartiles of bilirubin, respectively. CONCLUSION: Bilirubin may be inversely associated with hsCRP
Alanine Transaminase ; Bilirubin ; Blood Pressure ; Body Mass Index ; C-Reactive Protein ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; Fasting ; Glucose ; Health Promotion ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Korea ; Lipoproteins ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Odds Ratio ; Plasma ; Risk Factors ; Smoke ; Smoking

Objective: To systematically review the effect of intrathecal baclofen pump insertion in children with cerebral palsy (CP) with respect to scoliosis. Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted in PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar databases up to June 2022. The inclusion criteria were as follows: (1) studies with a quantitative study design; (2) studies with a study group of children with CP; (3) studies comparing scoliosis in children with and without an intrathecal baclofen pump; and (4) studies with Cobb’s angle as a parameter. Results: Of the 183 studies found, four studies, all of which were retrospective comparative studies, met the aforementioned inclusion criteria. All studies were homogeneous (I2=0%, p=0.53) and intrathecal baclofen pump insertion accelerated the progression of scoliosis (standard mean difference=0.27; 95% confidence interval=0.07–0.48). Conclusion Intrathecal baclofen pumps have been used to alleviate spasticity in children with CP, thus aiding their daily activities and movements. However, their advantages and disadvantages should be reviewed after sufficient time considering the pumps’ negative effect on the course of scoliosis.