1.Hydrogel scaffolds loaded with bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells/resveratrol liposomes for traumatic brain injury treatment
Wenya CHI ; Yan YUAN ; Weilin LI ; Tongyu WU ; Yuan YU
Journal of Pharmaceutical Practice and Service 2025;43(2):67-74
Objective To prepare a thermosensitive hydrogel scaffold loaded with bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells(BMSCs) and resveratrol liposomes (RSV-LIP) to form a therapeutic unit and evaluate its treatment efficacy for traumatic brain injury (TBI). Methods BMSCs were extracted from rats, and RSV-LIP was prepared and characterized. Cell models were constructed to investigate the pharmacological effects of BMSCs combined with RSV-LIP. BMSCs and RSV-LIP were then loaded into the hydrogel, and a TBI mouse model was established to evaluate the therapeutic effects of the hydrogel. Results The RSV-LIP had a particle size of 127.8 nm, a Zeta potential of −4.9 mV, an encapsulation efficiency of 78.50%, and a drug loading content of 2.37%. Live-dead staining indicated good biocompatibility of the hydrogel. The combination of BMSCs and RSV-LIP significantly inhibited TNF-α and reduced ROS levels, promoting cell migration in scratch assays. Compared to the control group, the hydrogel group showed significantly lower mNSS scores (P<0.01), higher hanging scores (P<0.001), and reduced stepping errors (P<0.001). Conclusion The combination of BMSCs and RSV-LIP exhibited antioxidative stress, anti-inflammatory, and neurogenic cell migration-promoting effects. When loaded into a hydrogel scaffold and locally implanted, it could improve the motor and sensory functions in TBI mice.
2.Diagnostic Techniques and Risk Prediction for Cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic (CKM) Syndrome
Song HOU ; Lin-Shan ZHANG ; Xiu-Qin HONG ; Chi ZHANG ; Ying LIU ; Cai-Li ZHANG ; Yan ZHU ; Hai-Jun LIN ; Fu ZHANG ; Yu-Xiang YANG
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(10):2585-2601
Cardiovascular disease (CVD), chronic kidney disease (CKD), and metabolic disorders are the 3 major chronic diseases threatening human health, which are closely related and often coexist, significantly increasing the difficulty of disease management. In response, the American Heart Association (AHA) proposed a novel disease concept of “cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic (CKM) syndrome” in October 2023, which has triggered widespread concern about the co-treatment of heart and kidney diseases and the prevention and treatment of metabolic disorders around the world. This review posits that effectively managing CKM syndrome requires a new and multidimensional paradigm for diagnosis and risk prediction that integrates biological insights, advanced technology and social determinants of health (SDoH). We argue that the core pathological driver is a “metabolic toxic environment”, fueled by adipose tissue dysfunction and characterized by a vicious cycle of systemic inflammation and oxidative stress, which forms a common pathway to multi-organ injury. The at-risk population is defined not only by biological characteristics but also significantly impacted by adverse SDoH, which can elevate the risk of advanced CKM by a factor of 1.18 to 3.50, underscoring the critical need for equity in screening and care strategies. This review systematically charts the progression of diagnostic technologies. In diagnostics, we highlight a crucial shift from single-marker assessments to comprehensive multi-marker panels. The synergistic application of traditional biomarkers like NT-proBNP (reflecting cardiac stress) and UACR (indicating kidney damage) with emerging indicators such as systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) and Klotho protein facilitates a holistic evaluation of multi-organ health. Furthermore, this paper explores the pivotal role of non-invasive monitoring technologies in detecting subclinical disease. Techniques like multi-wavelength photoplethysmography (PPG) and impedance cardiography (ICG) provide a real-time window into microcirculatory and hemodynamic status, enabling the identification of early, often asymptomatic, functional abnormalities that precede overt organ failure. In imaging, progress is marked by a move towards precise, quantitative evaluation, exemplified by artificial intelligence-powered quantitative computed tomography (AI-QCT). By integrating AI-QCT with clinical risk factors, the predictive accuracy for cardiovascular events within 6 months significantly improves, with the area under the curve (AUC) increasing from 0.637 to 0.688, demonstrating its potential for reclassifying risk in CKM stage 3. In the domain of risk prediction, we trace the evolution from traditional statistical tools to next-generation models. The new PREVENT equation represents a major advancement by incorporating key kidney function markers (eGFR, UACR), which can enhance the detection rate of CKD in primary care by 20%-30%. However, we contend that the future lies in dynamic, machine learning-based models. Algorithms such as XGBoost have achieved an AUC of 0.82 for predicting 365-day cardiovascular events, while deep learning models like KFDeep have demonstrated exceptional performance in predicting kidney failure risk with an AUC of 0.946. Unlike static calculators, these AI-driven tools can process complex, multimodal data and continuously update risk profiles, paving the way for truly personalized and proactive medicine. In conclusion, this review advocates for a paradigm shift toward a holistic and technologically advanced framework for CKM management. Future efforts must focus on the deep integration of multimodal data, the development of novel AI-driven biomarkers, the implementation of refined SDoH-informed interventions, and the promotion of interdisciplinary collaboration to construct an efficient, equitable, and effective system for CKM screening and intervention.
3.Novel biallelic MCMDC2 variants were associated with meiotic arrest and nonobstructive azoospermia.
Hao-Wei BAI ; Na LI ; Yu-Xiang ZHANG ; Jia-Qiang LUO ; Ru-Hui TIAN ; Peng LI ; Yu-Hua HUANG ; Fu-Rong BAI ; Cun-Zhong DENG ; Fu-Jun ZHAO ; Ren MO ; Ning CHI ; Yu-Chuan ZHOU ; Zheng LI ; Chen-Cheng YAO ; Er-Lei ZHI
Asian Journal of Andrology 2025;27(2):268-275
Nonobstructive azoospermia (NOA), one of the most severe types of male infertility, etiology often remains unclear in most cases. Therefore, this study aimed to detect four biallelic detrimental variants (0.5%) in the minichromosome maintenance domain containing 2 ( MCMDC2 ) genes in 768 NOA patients by whole-exome sequencing (WES). Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) demonstrated that MCMDC2 deleterious variants caused meiotic arrest in three patients (c.1360G>T, c.1956G>T, and c.685C>T) and hypospermatogenesis in one patient (c.94G>T), as further confirmed through immunofluorescence (IF) staining. The single-cell RNA sequencing data indicated that MCMDC2 was substantially expressed during spermatogenesis. The variants were confirmed as deleterious and responsible for patient infertility through bioinformatics and in vitro experimental analyses. The results revealed four MCMDC2 variants related to NOA, which contributes to the current perception of the function of MCMDC2 in male fertility and presents new perspectives on the genetic etiology of NOA.
Humans
;
Male
;
Azoospermia/genetics*
;
Meiosis/genetics*
;
Spermatogenesis/genetics*
;
Adult
;
Exome Sequencing
;
Microtubule-Associated Proteins/genetics*
;
Alleles
;
Infertility, Male/genetics*
4.Genetic and clinical characteristics of children with RAS-mutated juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia.
Yun-Long CHEN ; Xing-Chen WANG ; Chen-Meng LIU ; Tian-Yuan HU ; Jing-Liao ZHANG ; Fang LIU ; Li ZHANG ; Xiao-Juan CHEN ; Ye GUO ; Yao ZOU ; Yu-Mei CHEN ; Ying-Chi ZHANG ; Xiao-Fan ZHU ; Wen-Yu YANG
Chinese Journal of Contemporary Pediatrics 2025;27(5):548-554
OBJECTIVES:
To investigate the genomic characteristics and prognostic factors of juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia (JMML) with RAS mutations.
METHODS:
A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of JMML children with RAS mutations treated at the Hematology Hospital of Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, from January 2008 to November 2022.
RESULTS:
A total of 34 children were included, with 17 cases (50%) having isolated NRAS mutations, 9 cases (27%) having isolated KRAS mutations, and 8 cases (24%) having compound mutations. Compared to children with isolated NRAS mutations, those with NRAS compound mutations showed statistically significant differences in age at onset, platelet count, and fetal hemoglobin proportion (P<0.05). Cox proportional hazards regression model analysis revealed that hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) and hepatomegaly (≥2 cm below the costal margin) were factors affecting the survival rate of JMML children with RAS mutations (P<0.05); hepatomegaly was a factor affecting survival in the non-HSCT group (P<0.05).
CONCLUSIONS
Children with NRAS compound mutations have a later onset age compared to those with isolated NRAS mutations. At initial diagnosis, children with NRAS compound mutations have poorer peripheral platelet and fetal hemoglobin levels than those with isolated NRAS mutations. Liver size at initial diagnosis is related to the prognosis of JMML children with RAS mutations. HSCT can improve the prognosis of JMML children with RAS mutations.
Humans
;
Leukemia, Myelomonocytic, Juvenile/therapy*
;
Mutation
;
Male
;
Female
;
Child, Preschool
;
Retrospective Studies
;
Child
;
Infant
;
GTP Phosphohydrolases/genetics*
;
Membrane Proteins/genetics*
;
Adolescent
;
Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation
;
Proportional Hazards Models
;
Proto-Oncogene Proteins p21(ras)/genetics*
;
Prognosis
5.Clinical analysis of anti-GT1a antibody-positive Guillain-Barré syndrome in 25 children
Dan CHEN ; Chi HOU ; Haixia ZHU ; Jie YU ; Yani ZHANG ; Kelu ZHENG ; Yuanyuan GAO ; Xiaojing LI
Chinese Journal of Pediatrics 2025;63(10):1092-1096
Objective:To summarize the clinical characteristics, treatment, and prognosis of children with anti-GT1a antibody-positive Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS).Methods:A case series study was conducted, including 25 children diagnosed with serum anti-GT1a antibody-positive GBS at Guangzhou Women and Children′s Medical Center from March 2019 to December 2024. Clinical data, treatment protocols, and follow-up outcomes were analyzed. Mann Whitney U test was used to compare the changes in Hughes functional grading scale (HFGS). Results:A total of 25 children included 12 boys and 13 girls, and the age at first onset was (71±8) months. There were 16 children (64%) had preceding infections, and of which 13 children had predominantly respiratory tract infections. At disease peak, neurological manifestations included limb weakness (21 cases (84%)), bulbar palsy (13 cases (52%)), drowsiness (7 cases (28%)), limb pain (9 cases (36%)), ataxia (6 cases (24%)), respiratory muscle paralysis (5 cases (20%)), ophthalmoplegia (5 cases (20%)), and unilateral facial nerve palsy (4 cases (16%)). Cerebrospinal fluid analysis in 23 children revealed albuminocytological dissociation in 18 children. All 25 children underwent whole-spine magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), demonstrated spinal nerve root enhancement in 18 children, with leptomeningeal enhancement combined with spinal nerve root enhancement in 1 child. Electromyography in 16 children showed 15 children abnormality, of which demyelinating lesions in 8 children, mixed demyelinating-axonal changes in 4 children, and pure axonal involvement in 3 children. Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) was administered to 21 cases (84%), of which 3 children required mechanical ventilation and blood purification (plasma exchange in 2 children and immunoadsorption in 1 child) due to disease progression. Four children (16%) received intravenous methylprednisolone (IVMP) instead of IVIG, with 1 child requiring ventilatory support due to respiratory muscle paralysis, and the tracheal tube was removed after continued sequential IVMP treatment. The hospitalization duration of 25 children was (23±3) d. At discharge, HFGS was 1.6 (0.6, 2.7) score. At a follow-up of 12 (4, 18) months, HFGS was 0.1 (0.0, 0.5) score, and higher than that at discharge ( Z=4.38, P<0.05). Two children relapsed but achieved remission after IVIG retreatment with no recurrence during 1-year follow-up. Conclusions:Anti-GT1a antibody-positive GBS in children predominantly presents with limb weakness and bulbar palsy, occasionally complicated by respiratory failure in the acute phase. Demyelinating neuropathy and spinal nerve root enhancement on MRI are characteristic. IVIG therapy yields favorable outcomes, with low residual disability. Relapses are rare but manageable with re-treatment.
6.Development and evaluation of a diagnostic model for autoimmune liver disease based on clinical indicators
Jia-Cheng JIN ; Jia-Chi YU ; Rui-Bing LI ; Mian-Yang LI
Medical Journal of Chinese People's Liberation Army 2025;50(8):976-983
Objective To develop and evaluate a diagnostic model for autoimmune liver disease(AILD)using clinical indicators.Methods A total of 181 AILD patients(AILD group)diagnosed in the Department of Gastroenterology or Rheumatology and Immunology,the First Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital,from June 2019 to February 2024,133 patients with hepatitis B virus cirrhosis(HBVC)(HBVC group),and 100 healthy individuals(HC group)were included in the study cohort for retrospective analysis.Clinical data,blood routine tests,and biochemical indicators were compared among the groups.Propensity score matching was used to balance the effects of factors such as gender and age.Multivariate logistic regression analysis was applied to identify characteristic indicators for AILD.Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curves were used to evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of single and combined indicators,and the optimal diagnostic model for AILD was constructed.The Hosmer-Lemeshow test was performed to assess the model's goodness-of-fit,while ROC analysis was employed to evaluate the predictive validity.Additionally,an independent validation cohort,including 91 AILD patients(AILD validation group),82 HBVC patients(HBVC validation group),and 40 healthy individuals(HC validation group)who visited during the same period,was used to validate the diagnostic model.False-positive and false-negative rates were calculated to assess the diagnostic efficacy and clinical utility of the model.Results The age and the proportion of male patients in AILD and HBVC groups were higher than those in HC group,and the proportion of male patients in AILD group was higher than in HBVC group,the differences were statistically significant(P<0.05).Prior to matching,compared with HC group,HBVC group and AILD group had significantly lower levels of hemoglobin(HB),red blood cell count(RBC),white blood cell count(WBC),platelet count(PLT),and albumin(ALB)(P<0.05),but significantly higher levels of alanine aminotransferase(ALT),aspartate aminotransferase(AST),alkaline phosphatase(ALP),gamma-glutamyl transferase(GGT),total bilirubin(TBIL),and direct bilirubin(DBIL)(P<0.05).Compared with HBVC group,AILD group had significantly higher levels of WBC,PLT,ALB,ALP,and GGT(P<0.05 or P<0.001)but significantly lower levels of TBIL and DBIL(P<0.001).After maching,compared with HC group,AILD group still had significantly lower levels of HB,RBC,WBC,PLT,and ALB,but significantly higher levels of ALT,AST,ALP,GGT,TBIL,and DBIL(P<0.05).Compared with HBVC group,AILD group had significantly higher levels of HB,RBC,WBC,PLT,ALB,ALT,ALP,and GGT,but significantly lower levels of DBIL(P<0.05).ROC analysis results showed that AST,GGT,ALP,and DBIL had high predictive values for differentiating AILD from HC(AUC=0.843,0.804,0.802,0.773),while PLT,WBC,GGT,and ALP had high predictive values for differentiating AILD from HBVC(AUC=0.780,0.739,0.729,0.702).For distinguishing AILD from HC,the combined model of AST,ALP,and DBIL(Model e)had an AUC of 0.887,with a sensitivity of 82.2%,and a specificity of 94.7%.For distinguishing AILD from HBVC,the combined model of ALP,GGT,and PLT(Model D)had an AUC of 0.829,with a sensitivity of 78.5%and a specificity of 80.6%.Conclusions The combined diagnostic model based on AST,ALP,and DBIL can effectively differentiate healthy individuals without liver diseases from AILD patients,while the combined diagnostic model based on PLT,ALP,and GGT can effectively distinguish HBVC from AILD patients.
7.Willingness of General Practitioners to Enhance Working Competence in Community Healthcare Centers in Shanghai.
Miao-Miao ZHAO ; Yu-Feng CHI ; Chuan-Qiang ZHOU ; Xin-Yue WANG ; Li NING
Acta Academiae Medicinae Sinicae 2025;47(1):55-62
Objective To understand the willingness of general practitioner(GP) to enhance working competence in community healthcare centers in Shanghai and provide a basis for the competence training of GPs in community healthcare centers. Methods In August 2023,GPs were selected from some community healthcare centers in Shanghai and their willingness to enhance working competence were studied by a questionnaire survey.The survey included 39 secondary indicators in three dimensions:general practice theory,skills,and humanity. Results A total of 1 192 GPs completed the questionnaire,with an effective rate of 100%.The total score of GPs' willingness to enhance their working competence was 258.45±80.93,and the mean score of the three dimensions was 6.63±2.08.The score for the general practice theory was the highest (6.92±1.95),while that for general practice humanity was the lowest (6.44±2.34) among the three dimensions.The score of willingness to enhance working efficiency differed across different age ranges (P<0.001),professional titles (P<0.001),years of work (P<0.001),and educational backgrounds of GPs (P=0.039).Those with the age younger than 30 years old,junior professional titles,less than 5 years of work experience,and a college degree or below had the highest willingness score to enhance their working competence.Among the top three secondary indicators of willingness score in each dimension,the top three methods of working competence enhancement were community general practice and specialized healthcare services combined with outpatient learning,flexible further training,and continuing education courses.Conclusions There is an urgent need for young GPs in community healthcare centers in Shanghai to enhance their working competence.Targeted enhancement plans can be provided to different groups of GPs with different characteristics through community general practice and specialized healthcare services combined with outpatient learning,flexible further training,and continuing education courses,which can further enhance the ability and quality of the GP team.
Humans
;
China
;
General Practitioners/psychology*
;
Surveys and Questionnaires
;
Community Health Centers
;
Clinical Competence
;
Female
;
Adult
;
Male
;
Attitude of Health Personnel
;
Middle Aged
8.Accumulated Effects of 24 Hours Physical Activity,Sedentary Behavior,and Sleep on Cardiorespiratory Fitness in College Students.
Yun-Feng SONG ; Chi XU ; Kai-Xin LI ; Si-Jie TAN ; Yu-Gang QI
Acta Academiae Medicinae Sinicae 2025;47(2):155-163
Objective To explore the accumulated effects of physical activity,sedentary behavior,and sleep on cardiorespiratory fitness(CRF)among college students and provide effective measures for enhancing their CRF. Methods From May to June in 2023,223 college students aged 18 to 24 years old were recruited from Tianjin University of Science and Technology for a 24 hours activity behavior survey and CRF testing.Compositional analysis was employed to investigate the relationships of physical activity,sedentary behavior,and sleep with CRF.Isotemporal substitution models were established to predict the effects of substituting various activity behaviors on CRF.Results The proportion of time spent on moderate-to-vigorous physical activity(MVPA)was positively correlated with CRF of college students(β=6.40,P=0.002),while the proportion of time spent on sedentary behavior was negatively correlated with CRF(β=-3.02,P=0.004).Light physical activity(LPA)and sleep were not correlated with CRF(β=-1.06,P=0.504).Isotemporal substitution results for 15-min increments showed that replacing other activity behaviors with MVPA significantly increased the CRF of college students[SB:1.72 mL/(kg·min),95% CI=0.94-2.51;LPA:1.82 mL/(kg·min),95% CI=0.95-2.68;sleep:1.64 mL/(kg·min),95% CI=0.84-2.45].In the dose-response relationship from -30 min to 30 min,reallocating time from other behaviors to MVPA had greater adverse effect on CRF than reallocating time from MVPA to other behaviors.Among all the substitutions,replacing LPA with MVPA had the most beneficial effect on improving CRF.Additionally,a 5-min increment was considered the optimal tipping point for MVPA replacing other activities.Conclusions This study underscores the importance of participating in MVPA for improving the CRF of college students.The isotemporal substitution model provides clear goals for the allocation of time for these behaviors,aiding in future intervention measure development and policy-making.
Humans
;
Sedentary Behavior
;
Sleep
;
Students
;
Cardiorespiratory Fitness
;
Exercise
;
Young Adult
;
Adolescent
;
Universities
;
Male
;
Female
9.Correlation of seminal plasma oxidation reduction potential and sperm DNA fragmentation index to sperm motion parameters and their predictive value for oligoasthenozoospermia.
Li-Sha CHEN ; Ning ZHANG ; Xing-Chi LIU ; Qian ZHANG ; Li-Yan LI ; Yue-Xin YU
National Journal of Andrology 2025;31(1):11-18
OBJECTIVE:
To investigate the correlation of seminal plasma oxidation reduction potential (ORP), normalized oxidation-reduction potential (nORP) and sperm DNA fragmentation index (DFI) to sperm motion parameters, and their clinical predictive value for oligoasthenozoospermia (OAZ).
METHODS:
This study included 433 male subjects visiting the Clinic of Andrology in our hospital from March to May 2024. According to sperm concentration and the percentage of progressively motile sperm (PMS), we divided them into a normal control (n = 119), an oligozoospermia (OZ, n = 118), an athenozoospermia (AZ, n = 119) and an OAZ group (n = 77). Using the electrode method, we measured the seminal plasma ORP, calculated nORP=ORP/sperm concentration (mV/[10⁶/ml]), and determined DFI and high DNA chromatin sperm (HDS) by flow cytometry based on sperm chromatin structure assay (SCSA), followed by comparison among the four groups in age, abstinence days, semen volume, total sperm count, sperm concentration, PMS, non-progressively motile sperm (NPMS), immotile sperm (IMS), curvilinear velocity (VCL), straight line velocity (VSL), average path velocity (VAP), linearity (LIN), straightness(STR), wobble (WOB), DFI, HDS, ORP and nORP. Using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, we assessed the predictive value of DFI, ORP and nORP for OAZ, and analyzed the correlation of DFI, ORP and nORP to sperm motion parameters by Pearson and Spearman analyses.
RESULTS:
Statistical analysis revealed statistically significant differences among the four groups in semen volume, abstinence days, total sperm count, sperm concentration, PMS, NPMS, IMS, total sperm motility, VCL, VSL, VAP, STR, DFI, HDS, ORP and nORP (P < 0.05), but not in age, LIN and WOB (P > 0.05). The area under the ROC curve (AUC) for the predictive value of DFI for OAZ was 0.880, with the critical value of 8.920, sensitivity of 74.8% and specificity of 88.2%; that of ORP for AZ was 0.698, with the critical value of 155.375, sensitivity of 70.6% and specificity of 64.7%; and that of nORP for OZ was 0.999, with the critical value of 9.844, sensitivity of 98.3% and specificity of 99.2%. Pearson and Spearman correlation analyses showed that DFI was correlated positively with age, abstinence days, semen volume, IMS, HDS and ORP, but negatively with PMS, NPMS, total sperm motility, VCL, VSL, VAP and STR; ORP positively with abstinence days, semen volume, IMS, DFI and nORP, but negatively with PMS, NPMS, total sperm motility, VSL, LIN and STR; and nORP positively with HDS, but negatively with abstinence days, total sperm count, sperm concentration, PMS and NPMS.
CONCLUSION
Oxidative stress (OS) may be an important pathological factor for elevated ORP, increased DFI and changes of routine sperm motion parameters, consequently leading to OAZ. As OS markers, DFI and ORP have a high predictive value for OS-induced OAZ.
Male
;
Humans
;
DNA Fragmentation
;
Semen/metabolism*
;
Sperm Motility
;
Spermatozoa
;
Oxidation-Reduction
;
Adult
;
Oligospermia
;
Sperm Count
;
Semen Analysis
;
Asthenozoospermia
10.Glucocorticoid Discontinuation in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis under Background of Chinese Medicine: Challenges and Potentials Coexist.
Chuan-Hui YAO ; Chi ZHANG ; Meng-Ge SONG ; Cong-Min XIA ; Tian CHANG ; Xie-Li MA ; Wei-Xiang LIU ; Zi-Xia LIU ; Jia-Meng LIU ; Xiao-Po TANG ; Ying LIU ; Jian LIU ; Jiang-Yun PENG ; Dong-Yi HE ; Qing-Chun HUANG ; Ming-Li GAO ; Jian-Ping YU ; Wei LIU ; Jian-Yong ZHANG ; Yue-Lan ZHU ; Xiu-Juan HOU ; Hai-Dong WANG ; Yong-Fei FANG ; Yue WANG ; Yin SU ; Xin-Ping TIAN ; Ai-Ping LYU ; Xun GONG ; Quan JIANG
Chinese journal of integrative medicine 2025;31(7):581-589
OBJECTIVE:
To evaluate the dynamic changes of glucocorticoid (GC) dose and the feasibility of GC discontinuation in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients under the background of Chinese medicine (CM).
METHODS:
This multicenter retrospective cohort study included 1,196 RA patients enrolled in the China Rheumatoid Arthritis Registry of Patients with Chinese Medicine (CERTAIN) from September 1, 2019 to December 4, 2023, who initiated GC therapy. Participants were divided into the Western medicine (WM) and integrative medicine (IM, combination of CM and WM) groups based on medication regimen. Follow-up was performed at least every 3 months to assess dynamic changes in GC dose. Changes in GC dose were analyzed by generalized estimator equation, the probability of GC discontinuation was assessed using Kaplan-Meier curve, and predictors of GC discontinuation were analyzed by Cox regression. Patients with <12 months of follow-up were excluded for the sensitivity analysis.
RESULTS:
Among 1,196 patients (85.4% female; median age 56.4 years), 880 (73.6%) received IM. Over a median 12-month follow-up, 34.3% (410 cases) discontinued GC, with significantly higher rates in the IM group (40.8% vs. 16.1% in WM; P<0.05). GC dose declined progressively, with IM patients demonstrating faster reductions (median 3.75 mg vs. 5.00 mg in WM at 12 months; P<0.05). Multivariate Cox analysis identified age <60 years [P<0.001, hazard ratios (HR)=2.142, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.523-3.012], IM therapy (P=0.001, HR=2.175, 95% CI: 1.369-3.456), baseline GC dose ⩽7.5 mg (P=0.003, HR=1.637, 95% CI: 1.177-2.275), and absence of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs use (P=0.001, HR=2.546, 95% CI: 1.432-4.527) as significant predictors of GC discontinuation. Sensitivity analysis (545 cases) confirmed these findings.
CONCLUSIONS
RA patients receiving CM face difficulties in following guideline-recommended GC discontinuation protocols. IM can promote GC discontinuation and is a promising strategy to reduce GC dependency in RA management. (Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, No. NCT05219214).
Adult
;
Aged
;
Female
;
Humans
;
Male
;
Middle Aged
;
Arthritis, Rheumatoid/drug therapy*
;
Glucocorticoids/therapeutic use*
;
Medicine, Chinese Traditional
;
Retrospective Studies

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