Objective:To explore the correlation between the ratio of serum free triiodothyronine/free thyroxine (FT3/FT4) and carotid atherosclerosis in a population undergoing physical examination.Methods:This retrospective cross-sectional study consecutively enrolled 4 031 adult healthy examinees who underwent both carotid ultrasound and serum thyroid hormone level testing at the Health Management Center of Shengjing Hospital Affiliated to China Medical University from January 2017 to December 2023. The general information, anthropometric measurements, and related laboratory indicators were collected. Based on carotid ultrasound results, the participants were divided into carotid atherosclerosis group (2 382 cases) and non-carotid atherosclerosis group (1 649 cases). According to the median FT3/FT4 ratio (0.35), participants were further categorized into a high FT3/FT4 ratio group (1 998 cases) and a low FT3/FT4 ratio group (2 033 cases). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was performed to assess the diagnostic value of serum FT3/FT4 levels for carotid atherosclerosis. Additionally, the carotid atherosclerosis group was subdivided into carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) thickening group (1 006 cases) and plaque formation group (1 376 cases). Stepwise logistic regression analysis was used to assess the correlation between FT3/FT4 levels and different severity of carotid artery stiffness.Results:Among the 4 031 health examinees included in the study, the detection rate of carotid atherosclerosis was 59.09% (2 382/4 031). The FT3/FT4 ratio in the carotid atherosclerosis group was significantly lower than that in the non-carotid atherosclerosis group (0.34 vs 0.39, Z=-19.958, P<0.001). The incidence rate of carotid atherosclerosis in the high FT3/FT4 ratio group was significantly lower than that in the low FT3/FT4 ratio group (46.7% vs 71.3%, Z=251.797, P<0.001). Multivariate regression analysis revealed that the FT3/FT4 ratio was an independent protective factor for carotid atherosclerosis ( OR=0.493, 95% CI: 0.458-0.529), with a protective effect comparable to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ( OR=0.659, 95% CI: 0.543-0.801), while fasting blood glucose ( OR=1.566) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol ( OR=1.164) were risk factors. ROC curve analysis showed that the area under the curve (AUC) of the FT3/FT4 ratio for diagnosing carotid atherosclerosis was 0.685 (sensitivity 79.3%, specificity 50.2%, cutoff value 0.39). In the analysis of carotid atherosclerosis subtypes, the FT3/FT4 ratio in the plaque formation group (0.328) was significantly lower than that in the CIMT thickening group (0.360) and the non-stiffness group (0.391)(all P<0.001), and it exhibited a stronger protective effect against plaque formation ( OR=0.297, 95% CI: 0.256-0.344). Conclusion:The FT3/FT4 ratio shows a dose-response relationship with the severity of carotid artery sclerosis and can serve as an auxiliary screening indicator for individuals at high cardiovascular risk. To enhance diagnostic efficacy, it is recommended to integrate this measure with other metabolic indicators.

Objective:To explore the correlation between the ratio of serum free triiodothyronine/free thyroxine (FT3/FT4) and carotid atherosclerosis in a population undergoing physical examination.Methods:This retrospective cross-sectional study consecutively enrolled 4 031 adult healthy examinees who underwent both carotid ultrasound and serum thyroid hormone level testing at the Health Management Center of Shengjing Hospital Affiliated to China Medical University from January 2017 to December 2023. The general information, anthropometric measurements, and related laboratory indicators were collected. Based on carotid ultrasound results, the participants were divided into carotid atherosclerosis group (2 382 cases) and non-carotid atherosclerosis group (1 649 cases). According to the median FT3/FT4 ratio (0.35), participants were further categorized into a high FT3/FT4 ratio group (1 998 cases) and a low FT3/FT4 ratio group (2 033 cases). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was performed to assess the diagnostic value of serum FT3/FT4 levels for carotid atherosclerosis. Additionally, the carotid atherosclerosis group was subdivided into carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) thickening group (1 006 cases) and plaque formation group (1 376 cases). Stepwise logistic regression analysis was used to assess the correlation between FT3/FT4 levels and different severity of carotid artery stiffness.Results:Among the 4 031 health examinees included in the study, the detection rate of carotid atherosclerosis was 59.09% (2 382/4 031). The FT3/FT4 ratio in the carotid atherosclerosis group was significantly lower than that in the non-carotid atherosclerosis group (0.34 vs 0.39, Z=-19.958, P<0.001). The incidence rate of carotid atherosclerosis in the high FT3/FT4 ratio group was significantly lower than that in the low FT3/FT4 ratio group (46.7% vs 71.3%, Z=251.797, P<0.001). Multivariate regression analysis revealed that the FT3/FT4 ratio was an independent protective factor for carotid atherosclerosis ( OR=0.493, 95% CI: 0.458-0.529), with a protective effect comparable to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ( OR=0.659, 95% CI: 0.543-0.801), while fasting blood glucose ( OR=1.566) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol ( OR=1.164) were risk factors. ROC curve analysis showed that the area under the curve (AUC) of the FT3/FT4 ratio for diagnosing carotid atherosclerosis was 0.685 (sensitivity 79.3%, specificity 50.2%, cutoff value 0.39). In the analysis of carotid atherosclerosis subtypes, the FT3/FT4 ratio in the plaque formation group (0.328) was significantly lower than that in the CIMT thickening group (0.360) and the non-stiffness group (0.391)(all P<0.001), and it exhibited a stronger protective effect against plaque formation ( OR=0.297, 95% CI: 0.256-0.344). Conclusion:The FT3/FT4 ratio shows a dose-response relationship with the severity of carotid artery sclerosis and can serve as an auxiliary screening indicator for individuals at high cardiovascular risk. To enhance diagnostic efficacy, it is recommended to integrate this measure with other metabolic indicators.

Objective The aim of the current study is to determine the clinical value of incidental internal mammary lymph node biopsy in free abdominal flap breast reconstruction using internal mammary vessels as recipient vessels and to investigate the risk factors of internal mammary lymph nodes metastasis. Methods The clinical data of all patients who underwent free abdominal flap breast reconstruction using internal mammary vessels as recipient vessels from November 2006 to December 2015 in the Department of Breast Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center were reviewed in the study. The incidence of internal mammary lymph node biopsy and the rate of metastasis were analyzed. Statistical analysis was conducted to evaluate the risk factors of internal mammary lymph node metastasis. Results A total of 113 patients met the inclusion criteria, 53 (46.9%) of whom had internal mammary lymph nodes harvested. Four of these were positive for metastatic disease, all in immediate breast reconstructions. The incidence of metastasis was 7.5% in patients who had successful internal mammary lymph node biopsies.The multi?variate Logistic regression analysis showed that invasive tumor size, tumor location and axillary lymph node metastasis were not risk factors for internal mammary lymph node metastasis ( P>0. 05 ) . Conclusions Internal mammary lymph nodes found incidentally during recipient vessel exposure may provide important information about internal mammary lymph node metastasis in free flap breast reconstruction. This approach for internal mammary lymph node biopsy reveals an appreciable success rate and is convenient in clinical practice. The size of invasive tumor and the axillary lymph node metastasis are probably associated with internal mammary lymph node positivity.

Objective The aim of the current study is to determine the clinical value of incidental internal mammary lymph node biopsy in free abdominal flap breast reconstruction using internal mammary vessels as recipient vessels and to investigate the risk factors of internal mammary lymph nodes metastasis. Methods The clinical data of all patients who underwent free abdominal flap breast reconstruction using internal mammary vessels as recipient vessels from November 2006 to December 2015 in the Department of Breast Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center were reviewed in the study. The incidence of internal mammary lymph node biopsy and the rate of metastasis were analyzed. Statistical analysis was conducted to evaluate the risk factors of internal mammary lymph node metastasis. Results A total of 113 patients met the inclusion criteria, 53 (46.9%) of whom had internal mammary lymph nodes harvested. Four of these were positive for metastatic disease, all in immediate breast reconstructions. The incidence of metastasis was 7.5% in patients who had successful internal mammary lymph node biopsies.The multi?variate Logistic regression analysis showed that invasive tumor size, tumor location and axillary lymph node metastasis were not risk factors for internal mammary lymph node metastasis ( P>0. 05 ) . Conclusions Internal mammary lymph nodes found incidentally during recipient vessel exposure may provide important information about internal mammary lymph node metastasis in free flap breast reconstruction. This approach for internal mammary lymph node biopsy reveals an appreciable success rate and is convenient in clinical practice. The size of invasive tumor and the axillary lymph node metastasis are probably associated with internal mammary lymph node positivity.