1.Traditional Chinese medicine syndrome and syndrome differentiation-based treatment of Wilson disease
Wenjie HAO ; Wenming YANG ; Ting CHENG ; Hailin JIANG ; Han WANG ; Meixia WANG
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2026;42(3):522-528
Wilson disease (WD) is an autosomal recessive disorder of copper metabolism, and decoppering therapy and symptomatic treatment are the main Western medicine therapies for WD. This article systematically reviews the understanding of the etiology and pathogenesis of WD in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and points out that abnormal natural endowment is the core etiology and pathogenesis of WD, with internal accumulation of copper toxicity as the manifestation, liver/spleen/kidney dysfunction as the root cause, and intermingled “toxin, stasis, phlegm, and deficiency” as the key pathogenesis. Literature research and clinical observation are conducted to summarize the common TCM syndromes of WD, including stagnation of liver Qi, internal retention of damp-heat, phlegm-stasis-heat accumulation syndrome, liver-kidney Yin deficiency syndrome, spleen-kidney Yang deficiency, and syndrome of deficiency damage and phlegm stasis. This article proposes the corresponding therapies and representative prescriptions for each syndrome and discusses the advantages of treatment by stage and integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine therapy. This article aims to provide a systematic reference for the syndrome differentiation-based treatment of WD in clinical practice of TCM, thereby giving full play to the advantages of TCM in the treatment of this disease.
2.Effect of Zhinao Capsules on Mild and Moderate Sleep Disorders in Alzheimer's Disease Patients with Syndrome of Spleen-kidney Deficiency and Combined Phlegm and Stasis
Hu XI ; Wenming YANG ; Wenting XIE ; Yue YANG ; Shu ZHAI ; Hao LI ; Yulong YANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(20):171-180
ObjectiveTo observe the clinical efficacy and safety of Zhinao capsules in the treatment of mild and moderate sleep disorders in Alzheimer's disease patients with the syndrome of spleen-kidney deficiency and combined phlegm and stasis. MethodsA randomized, double-blind, placebo, controlled clinical trial design was adopted, and 60 Alzheimer's disease patients aged 50-85 years with mild and moderate sleep disorders due to spleen-kidney deficiency and combined phlegm and stasis were included. According to the randomized numble table method, the patients were assigned into a treatment group and a control group (30 in each group, with 29 patients in the treatment group and 28 patients in the control group finally completing the trial). The treatment group was treated with donepezil hydrochloride tablets combined with Zhinao capsules, and the control group was treated with donepezil hydrochloride tablets combined with the simulant of Zhinao capsules for 12 weeks. The Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI), smart bracelet sleep monitoring, epworth sleeping scale (ESS), Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), Activities of Daily Living (ADL), and traditional Chinese medicine symptoms were scored. Furthermore, the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) levels were measured. ResultsAfter 12 weeks of treatment, the total response rate of clinical efficacy assessment in the treatment group reached 89.7%, which was significantly higher than that (21.4%) in the control group (Z=-5.14, P<0.01). After treatment, the TCM symptom scores declined in both groups (P<0.01), and the scores in the treatment group were lower than those in the control group (P<0.01). After treatment, the treatment group showed decreased total score and seven component scores of the PSQI scale (P<0.05, P<0.01), and the scores in the treatment group were lower than those in the control group (P<0.05, P<0.01). After treatment, the treatment group showed increases in the duration of deep sleep, light sleep, rapid eye movement sleep, and total sleep at night and decreases in the time to fall asleep, the number of awakenings from sleep at night, and the time for sporadic daytime naps (P<0.01). The control group did not show significant changes in the duration of light sleep, time to fall asleep, and number of awakenings from sleep at night. Moreover, the treatment group outperformed the control group in terms of the indicators above (P<0.05, P<0.01). After treatment, the treatment group showed decreased scores of ESS, ADL and its subscales physical self-maintenance scale (PSMS), and Instrumental Activities of daily living scale (IADLs) and increased score of MMSE and levels of BDNF and GABA (P<0.05, P<0.01). There was no significant difference in PSMS between the two groups, and the treatment group was significantly better than the control group in terms of the rest of the above indicators (P<0.05, P<0.01). Patients in neither groups complained of uncomfortable symptoms. ConclusionZhinao capsules have significant clinical efficacy in treating patients with mild and moderate sleep disorders in Alzheimer's disease patients with the syndrome of spleen-kidney deficiency and combined phlegm and stasis. Zhinao capsules can significantly reduce PSQI, ESS, and ADL scores, increase the MMSE score and the expression of BDNF and GABA, effectively optimize the structure of sleep, improve the intelligence, and enhance the ability of daily life, without causing uncomfortable symptoms. The mechanism may be related to the increase in the expression of sleep/wake-related neurotransmitters.
3.Effect of Zhinao Capsules on Mild and Moderate Sleep Disorders in Alzheimer's Disease Patients with Syndrome of Spleen-kidney Deficiency and Combined Phlegm and Stasis
Hu XI ; Wenming YANG ; Wenting XIE ; Yue YANG ; Shu ZHAI ; Hao LI ; Yulong YANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(20):171-180
ObjectiveTo observe the clinical efficacy and safety of Zhinao capsules in the treatment of mild and moderate sleep disorders in Alzheimer's disease patients with the syndrome of spleen-kidney deficiency and combined phlegm and stasis. MethodsA randomized, double-blind, placebo, controlled clinical trial design was adopted, and 60 Alzheimer's disease patients aged 50-85 years with mild and moderate sleep disorders due to spleen-kidney deficiency and combined phlegm and stasis were included. According to the randomized numble table method, the patients were assigned into a treatment group and a control group (30 in each group, with 29 patients in the treatment group and 28 patients in the control group finally completing the trial). The treatment group was treated with donepezil hydrochloride tablets combined with Zhinao capsules, and the control group was treated with donepezil hydrochloride tablets combined with the simulant of Zhinao capsules for 12 weeks. The Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI), smart bracelet sleep monitoring, epworth sleeping scale (ESS), Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), Activities of Daily Living (ADL), and traditional Chinese medicine symptoms were scored. Furthermore, the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) levels were measured. ResultsAfter 12 weeks of treatment, the total response rate of clinical efficacy assessment in the treatment group reached 89.7%, which was significantly higher than that (21.4%) in the control group (Z=-5.14, P<0.01). After treatment, the TCM symptom scores declined in both groups (P<0.01), and the scores in the treatment group were lower than those in the control group (P<0.01). After treatment, the treatment group showed decreased total score and seven component scores of the PSQI scale (P<0.05, P<0.01), and the scores in the treatment group were lower than those in the control group (P<0.05, P<0.01). After treatment, the treatment group showed increases in the duration of deep sleep, light sleep, rapid eye movement sleep, and total sleep at night and decreases in the time to fall asleep, the number of awakenings from sleep at night, and the time for sporadic daytime naps (P<0.01). The control group did not show significant changes in the duration of light sleep, time to fall asleep, and number of awakenings from sleep at night. Moreover, the treatment group outperformed the control group in terms of the indicators above (P<0.05, P<0.01). After treatment, the treatment group showed decreased scores of ESS, ADL and its subscales physical self-maintenance scale (PSMS), and Instrumental Activities of daily living scale (IADLs) and increased score of MMSE and levels of BDNF and GABA (P<0.05, P<0.01). There was no significant difference in PSMS between the two groups, and the treatment group was significantly better than the control group in terms of the rest of the above indicators (P<0.05, P<0.01). Patients in neither groups complained of uncomfortable symptoms. ConclusionZhinao capsules have significant clinical efficacy in treating patients with mild and moderate sleep disorders in Alzheimer's disease patients with the syndrome of spleen-kidney deficiency and combined phlegm and stasis. Zhinao capsules can significantly reduce PSQI, ESS, and ADL scores, increase the MMSE score and the expression of BDNF and GABA, effectively optimize the structure of sleep, improve the intelligence, and enhance the ability of daily life, without causing uncomfortable symptoms. The mechanism may be related to the increase in the expression of sleep/wake-related neurotransmitters.
4.Correlation between Muscle Tension,Clinical Characteristics, and Traditional Chinese Medicine Syndromes in Patients with Wilson Disease Based on Digital Muscle Function Assessment System Myoton PRO
Yulong YANG ; Wenming YANG ; Han WANG ; Xiang LI ; Taohua WEI ; Wenjie HAO ; Yue YANG ; Yufeng DING ; Yuqi SONG ; Wei HE
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(15):147-154
ObjectiveThis paper aims to use the digital muscle function assessment system Myoton PRO to assess the correlation between muscle tension,clinical characteristics, and traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) syndromes in patients with hepatolenticular degeneration [also known as Wilson disease(WD)]. MethodsA total of 104 patients with WD accompanied by abnormal muscle tension(increased or decreased,hereinafter the same) who were hospitalized in the Brain Disease Centre of the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui University of Chinese Medicine from April 2021 to November 2023 were selected,all of whom were subjected to TCM syndrome diagnosis and Myoton PRO for the measurement of F value of muscle tension,Goldstein, and UWDRS-N scales. The age of onset of the disease and disease duration were analyzed,and the differences and correlations of the above indexes in different TCM syndromes of WD were analyzed ResultsAmong the 104 patients with WD ,the phlegm and stasis syndrome was the most common(60 patients),followed by the damp-heat syndrome(33 patients),and the least common was the liver-kidney Yin deficiency syndrome(11 patients). The F value of the phlegm and stasis syndrome group was higher than that of the liver-kidney Yin deficiency syndrome group and the damp-heat syndrome group(P<0.01). The F value of the damp-heat syndrome group was higher than that of the liver-kidney Yin deficiency syndrome group(P<0.05),and the F value of the lower limbs of each group was higher than that of the upper limbs(P<0.01). Goldstein and UWDRS-N scores of the patients in the phlegm and stasis syndrome group were higher than those in the damp-heat syndrome group and the liver-kidney Yin deficiency syndrome group(P<0.05). There was no significant difference between the Goldstein and UWDRS-N scores of patients in the liver-kidney Yin deficiency syndrome group and the damp-heat syndrome group. Correlation analysis revealed that the age of onset and duration of the disease were positively correlated with the F values of the lower limbs(r=0.20,P<0.05,r=0.38,P<0.01)and had no significant correlation with those of the upper limbs. The F value levels of muscle tension of all limbs in the three groups of patients were positively correlated with the Goldstein and UWDRS-N scores(muscle tension of the upper limbs in the phlegm and stasis syndrome group,r=0.36,P<0.01,r=0.42,P<0.01. muscle tension of the lower limbs in the phlegm and stasis syndrome group,r=0.70,P<0.01,r=0.60,P<0.01. muscle tension of the upper limbs in the damp-heat syndrome group,r=0.64,P<0.01,r=0.53,P<0.01. muscle tension of the lower limbs in the damp-heat syndrome group,r=0.59,P<0.01,r=0.70,P<0.01. muscle tension of the upper limbs in the liver-kidney Yin deficiency syndrome group,r=0.70,P<0.01,r=0.74,P<0.01. muscle tension of the lower limbs in the liver-kidney Yin deficiency syndrome group,r=0.85,P<0.01,r=0.62,P<0.01).
5.Cost-effectiveness of Fractional Flow Reserve Versus Intravascular Ultrasound to Guide Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: Results From the FLAVOUR Study
Doyeon HWANG ; Hea-Lim KIM ; Jane KO ; HyunJin CHOI ; Hanna JEONG ; Sun-ae JANG ; Xinyang HU ; Jeehoon KANG ; Jinlong ZHANG ; Jun JIANG ; Joo-Yong HAHN ; Chang-Wook NAM ; Joon-Hyung DOH ; Bong-Ki LEE ; Weon KIM ; Jinyu HUANG ; Fan JIANG ; Hao ZHOU ; Peng CHEN ; Lijiang TANG ; Wenbing JIANG ; Xiaomin CHEN ; Wenming HE ; Sung Gyun AHN ; Ung KIM ; You-Jeong KI ; Eun-Seok SHIN ; Hyo-Soo KIM ; Seung-Jea TAHK ; JianAn WANG ; Tae-Jin LEE ; Bon-Kwon KOO ;
Korean Circulation Journal 2025;55(1):34-46
Background and Objectives:
The Fractional Flow Reserve and Intravascular UltrasoundGuided Intervention Strategy for Clinical Outcomes in Patients with Intermediate Stenosis (FLAVOUR) trial demonstrated non-inferiority of fractional flow reserve (FFR)-guided percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) compared with intravascular ultrasound (IVUS)-guided PCI. We sought to investigate the cost-effectiveness of FFR-guided PCI compared to IVUS-guided PCI in Korea.
Methods:
A 2-part cost-effectiveness model, composed of a short-term decision tree model and a long-term Markov model, was developed for patients who underwent PCI to treat intermediate stenosis (40% to 70% stenosis by visual estimation on coronary angiography).The lifetime healthcare costs and quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) were estimated from the healthcare system perspective. Transition probabilities were mainly referred from the FLAVOUR trial, and healthcare costs were mainly obtained through analysis of Korean National Health Insurance claims data. Health utilities were mainly obtained from the Seattle Angina Questionnaire responses of FLAVOUR trial participants mapped to EQ-5D.
Results:
From the Korean healthcare system perspective, the base-case analysis showed that FFR-guided PCI was 2,451 U.S. dollar lower in lifetime healthcare costs and 0.178 higher in QALYs compared to IVUS-guided PCI. FFR-guided PCI remained more likely to be cost-effective over a wide range of willingness-to-pay thresholds in the probabilistic sensitivity analysis.
Conclusions
Based on the results from the FLAVOUR trial, FFR-guided PCI is projected to decrease lifetime healthcare costs and increase QALYs compared with IVUS-guided PCI in intermediate coronary lesion, and it is a dominant strategy in Korea.
6.Cost-effectiveness of Fractional Flow Reserve Versus Intravascular Ultrasound to Guide Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: Results From the FLAVOUR Study
Doyeon HWANG ; Hea-Lim KIM ; Jane KO ; HyunJin CHOI ; Hanna JEONG ; Sun-ae JANG ; Xinyang HU ; Jeehoon KANG ; Jinlong ZHANG ; Jun JIANG ; Joo-Yong HAHN ; Chang-Wook NAM ; Joon-Hyung DOH ; Bong-Ki LEE ; Weon KIM ; Jinyu HUANG ; Fan JIANG ; Hao ZHOU ; Peng CHEN ; Lijiang TANG ; Wenbing JIANG ; Xiaomin CHEN ; Wenming HE ; Sung Gyun AHN ; Ung KIM ; You-Jeong KI ; Eun-Seok SHIN ; Hyo-Soo KIM ; Seung-Jea TAHK ; JianAn WANG ; Tae-Jin LEE ; Bon-Kwon KOO ;
Korean Circulation Journal 2025;55(1):34-46
Background and Objectives:
The Fractional Flow Reserve and Intravascular UltrasoundGuided Intervention Strategy for Clinical Outcomes in Patients with Intermediate Stenosis (FLAVOUR) trial demonstrated non-inferiority of fractional flow reserve (FFR)-guided percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) compared with intravascular ultrasound (IVUS)-guided PCI. We sought to investigate the cost-effectiveness of FFR-guided PCI compared to IVUS-guided PCI in Korea.
Methods:
A 2-part cost-effectiveness model, composed of a short-term decision tree model and a long-term Markov model, was developed for patients who underwent PCI to treat intermediate stenosis (40% to 70% stenosis by visual estimation on coronary angiography).The lifetime healthcare costs and quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) were estimated from the healthcare system perspective. Transition probabilities were mainly referred from the FLAVOUR trial, and healthcare costs were mainly obtained through analysis of Korean National Health Insurance claims data. Health utilities were mainly obtained from the Seattle Angina Questionnaire responses of FLAVOUR trial participants mapped to EQ-5D.
Results:
From the Korean healthcare system perspective, the base-case analysis showed that FFR-guided PCI was 2,451 U.S. dollar lower in lifetime healthcare costs and 0.178 higher in QALYs compared to IVUS-guided PCI. FFR-guided PCI remained more likely to be cost-effective over a wide range of willingness-to-pay thresholds in the probabilistic sensitivity analysis.
Conclusions
Based on the results from the FLAVOUR trial, FFR-guided PCI is projected to decrease lifetime healthcare costs and increase QALYs compared with IVUS-guided PCI in intermediate coronary lesion, and it is a dominant strategy in Korea.
7.Cost-effectiveness of Fractional Flow Reserve Versus Intravascular Ultrasound to Guide Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: Results From the FLAVOUR Study
Doyeon HWANG ; Hea-Lim KIM ; Jane KO ; HyunJin CHOI ; Hanna JEONG ; Sun-ae JANG ; Xinyang HU ; Jeehoon KANG ; Jinlong ZHANG ; Jun JIANG ; Joo-Yong HAHN ; Chang-Wook NAM ; Joon-Hyung DOH ; Bong-Ki LEE ; Weon KIM ; Jinyu HUANG ; Fan JIANG ; Hao ZHOU ; Peng CHEN ; Lijiang TANG ; Wenbing JIANG ; Xiaomin CHEN ; Wenming HE ; Sung Gyun AHN ; Ung KIM ; You-Jeong KI ; Eun-Seok SHIN ; Hyo-Soo KIM ; Seung-Jea TAHK ; JianAn WANG ; Tae-Jin LEE ; Bon-Kwon KOO ;
Korean Circulation Journal 2025;55(1):34-46
Background and Objectives:
The Fractional Flow Reserve and Intravascular UltrasoundGuided Intervention Strategy for Clinical Outcomes in Patients with Intermediate Stenosis (FLAVOUR) trial demonstrated non-inferiority of fractional flow reserve (FFR)-guided percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) compared with intravascular ultrasound (IVUS)-guided PCI. We sought to investigate the cost-effectiveness of FFR-guided PCI compared to IVUS-guided PCI in Korea.
Methods:
A 2-part cost-effectiveness model, composed of a short-term decision tree model and a long-term Markov model, was developed for patients who underwent PCI to treat intermediate stenosis (40% to 70% stenosis by visual estimation on coronary angiography).The lifetime healthcare costs and quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) were estimated from the healthcare system perspective. Transition probabilities were mainly referred from the FLAVOUR trial, and healthcare costs were mainly obtained through analysis of Korean National Health Insurance claims data. Health utilities were mainly obtained from the Seattle Angina Questionnaire responses of FLAVOUR trial participants mapped to EQ-5D.
Results:
From the Korean healthcare system perspective, the base-case analysis showed that FFR-guided PCI was 2,451 U.S. dollar lower in lifetime healthcare costs and 0.178 higher in QALYs compared to IVUS-guided PCI. FFR-guided PCI remained more likely to be cost-effective over a wide range of willingness-to-pay thresholds in the probabilistic sensitivity analysis.
Conclusions
Based on the results from the FLAVOUR trial, FFR-guided PCI is projected to decrease lifetime healthcare costs and increase QALYs compared with IVUS-guided PCI in intermediate coronary lesion, and it is a dominant strategy in Korea.
8.Exploring the idea of differentiating and treating mild cognitive impairment due to Alzheimer′s disease based on latent toxin blocking collaterals
Hu XI ; Wenming YANG ; Hao LI ; Wenting XIE ; Yue YANG ; Shu ZHAI
Journal of Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;48(4):559-565
Mild cognitive impairment due to Alzheimer′s disease is an inevitable pathological stage in the early development of Alzheimer′s disease, which can be classified as "microlumps in the brain collaterals" in traditional Chinese medicine. Based on the theory of latent toxin blocking collaterals, this article discusses the etiology and pathogenesis, clinical sequelae, and traditional Chinese medicine intervention strategies for mild cognitive impairment due to Alzheimer′s disease. The onset of mild cognitive impairment due to Alzheimer′s disease is very similar to the latent pathogen theory, which states that "the latent pathogen is latent and then develops, the poison is deep and difficult to cure, and the development can be recognized but the latent pathogen cannot be detected." Combining clinical experience, our team believes that the basic nature of the disease is a slight deficiency and a slight excess of symptoms. A slight deficiency of the five zang viscera and six fu viscera as root and a latent toxin colling collaterals of qi, fire, phlegm, and blood stasis as manifestaion. These usually start from the qi depression and develop into phlegm coagulation and blood stasis, then end up in latent toxin and gradually become the healthy qi deficiency. Therefore, the deficiency of vital qi and incubation of evil, latent toxin blocking collaterals the pathogenesis of early intervention of this disease should be carried out, upholding the idea that "the upper workman treats the disease before it is diagnosed." The principle of strengthening vital qi to eliminate pathogenic factors, slowing down and promoting pathogenic factors elimination, establishing the method of supporting correctness and wisdom, simultaneously detoxifying and clearing the blood stasis, pattern differentiation as the main and the disease differentiation as the first, combining the disease and pattern, and adjusting the macroscopic and microscopic, focusing simultaneously on eliminating and replenishing, dispel phlegm and remove blood stasis, achieve a strong vital qi and the elimination of evil, and enhance intelligence, delay or even block the progression of mild cognitive impairment due to Alzheimer′s disease, improve patients′ quality of life, and provide a theoretical basis for the early clinical prevention and treatment of Alzheimer′s disease.
9.Risk factors for sarcopenia in patients with Wilson’s disease-related liver cirrhosis and their impact on clinical outcomes
Weiqi WANG ; Taohua WEI ; Nannan QIAN ; Wenming YANG ; Yulong YANG ; Yuqi SONG ; Wenjie HAO ; Yue YANG ; Hu XI ; Wei HE
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2025;41(10):2075-2081
ObjectiveTo investigate the incidence rate of sarcopenia in patients with Wilson’s disease (WD)-related liver cirrhosis, as well as the risk factors for sarcopenia and their impact on clinical outcomes. MethodsA total of 140 patients with WD-related liver cirrhosis who were treated in The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui University of Chinese Medicine from January 2019 to June 2020, and according to the third lumbar skeletal muscle mass index (L3 SMI), the patients were divided into sarcopenia group and non-sarcopenia group. Nutritional risk screening, anthropometric measurements, and blood biochemical tests were performed for the patients to identify the influencing factors for sarcopenia. The patients were followed up for 36 — 48 months, and survival status and complications were compared between the two groups. The independent-samples t test was used for comparison of normally distributed continuous data between two groups, and the chi-square test and the Mann-Whitney U rank sum test were used for comparison of categorical data between two groups. A binary Logistic regression analysis was used to investigate the influencing factors for sarcopenia, and univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were used to investigate the risk factors for the prognosis of patients with WD-related liver cirrhosis. The Kaplan-Meier survival curve was plotted, and the Log-rank test was used for comparison between groups. ResultsAmong the 140 patients with WD-related liver cirrhosis, 53 (37.9%) developed sarcopenia, with significantly lower body mass index (BMI) and L3 SMI than the patients without sarcopenia (t=10.550 and 3.982, both P<0.001). The multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that age (odds ratio [OR]=2.243, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.196 — 4.208, P=0.012), sex (OR=0.450, 95%CI: 0.232 — 0.872, P=0.018), BMI (OR=0.126, 95%CI: 0.089 — 0.294, P<0.001), and hepatic encephalopathy (OR=8.367, 95%CI: 2.423 — 28.897, P<0.001) were the main influencing factors for sarcopenia in patients with WD-related liver cirrhosis. Compared with the non-sarcopenia group, the sarcopenia group had significantly higher mortality rate (χ2=6.158, P=0.019) and significantly higher incidence rates of infection (χ2=8.008, P=0.040), recurrent abdominal/pleural efflux (χ2=17.742, P<0.001), and hepatic encephalopathy (χ2=4.338, P=0.039). The multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that sarcopenia (hazard ratio [HR]=4.685, P=0.002) and hepatic encephalopathy (HR=19.156, P<0.001) were independent risk factors for death in patients with WD-related liver cirrhosis. The Kaplan-Meier survival curve analysis showed a significant reduction in survival rate in the patients with sarcopenia (P=0.003). ConclusionSarcopenia is one of the manifestations of malnutrition in patients with WD-related liver cirrhosis, which increases the risk of mortality and other complications and has an adverse effect on prognosis. There is an increased risk of sarcopenia in male patients or patients with hepatic encephalopathy, a lower level of BMI or an older age.
10.Autogenous rib cartilage combined with nasal Pitanguy ligament reconstruction technique for correction of nasal tip droopiness
Yaning HAO ; Xuming WANG ; Wenming XIAO ; Wenlong LUO
Chinese Journal of Plastic Surgery 2025;41(8):819-826
Objective:To evaluate the clinical efficacy of autologous costal cartilage combined with nasal Pitanguy ligament reconstruction for correcting downward rotation of the nasal tip following rhinoplasty.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of patients who underwent this combined technique at the Department of Plastic Surgery, Chongqing Contemporary Plastic Surgery Hospital, between January 2019 and January 2021. Autologous costal cartilage was carved into a bifurcated nasal columella support graft (3 cm in length × 8 mm in width × 2 mm in thickness, with a 1 cm bifurcation at the distal end). This graft was fixed across the caudal septum to establish a costal cartilage support framework. A piece of costal perichondrium (approximately 3 cm × 1 cm) was harvested. Using 5-0 PDS sutures, the cephalic end of the perichondrium was meticulously fixed to the residual stump of the Pitanguy ligament on the nasal dorsum, while the caudal end was anchored to the nasal tip scaffold, thereby reconstructing the ligamentous tension system. Postoperative complications were monitored. Preoperatively and at 12 months postoperatively, patients’ photographs were processed using Adobe Photoshop CS 6 to measure the nasolabial angle, nasofrontal angle, and columellar-lobular angle. Patient satisfaction was assessed using the rhinoplasty outcome evaluation (ROE) questionnaire (total score range: 0-24; higher scores indicate greater satisfaction). The paired t-test was employed for statistical comparison of these measurements and scores, with a P-value < 0.05 considered statistically significant. Results:A total of 76 patients were included (16 males, 60 females), with a mean age of 26.5 ± 4.3 years (range: 18-42 years). The mean follow-up duration was 13.2 months (range: 12-15 months). All patients recovered well, with no complications, such as nasal tip graft visibility, graft displacement, or breathing difficulties were observed. Natural contouring between the nasal tip and dorsum was achieved, and the fullness of the infratip lobule was significantly improved. Statistically significant differences ( P < 0.01 for all) were found between preoperative and 12-month postoperative measurements: nasofrontal angle (143.54° ± 5.08° vs. 134.12° ± 8.63°), nasolabial angle (82.28° ± 7.02° vs. 95.36° ± 3.76°), columellar-lobular angle (50.72° ± 6.67° vs. 43.05° ± 4.52°), and ROE scores [(9.05 ± 2.03) points vs. (22.07 ± 2.45)points]. Conclusion:The combined technique utilizing autologous costal cartilage and Pitanguy ligament reconstruction effectively corrects downward rotation of the nasal tip. Through the synergistic action of costal cartilage structural support and anatomical restoration of the Pitanguy ligament, it achieves a natural nasal tip contour, functional stability and high patient satisfaction.


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