RESUMEN
PURPOSE: We aimed to assess the relationship between the regional body fat distribution and insulin resistance and pancreas volume (PV) in type-2 diabetes (DM) patients. METHODS: Fifty-three consecutive type-2 diabetic and 51 non-diabetic patients matched by age, gender and body mass index (BMI) were enrolled. Subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT), visceral adipose tissue (VAT), waist circumference, and PV were measured with computed tomography. Insulin resistance was assessed by the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). RESULTS: Patients with type-2 DM had significantly lower PV than non-diabetic individuals. HOMA-IR ranged from 0.74 to 6.24; and from 0.37 to 3.26, in type-2 DM patients and non-diabetics, respectively. VAT was positively correlated with HOMA-IR in two groups. There were inverse correlations between PV and VAT and VAT/SAT but only in diabetics. CONCLUSIONS: The VAT/SAT ratio may reflect the possible role of VAT to better understand the pathogenesis of obesity-related disorders in patients with type-2 DM.
RESUMEN
PURPOSE: Newborns at risk for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) should be examined 4 to 8 weeks postpartum. Various treatment modalities including cryotherapy, are proposed to ablate the retinal proliferation, when serious and progressive ROP is detected. This study stresses as main risk factors low birth weight and short gestational age as pre-disposing to ROP and the efficiency of cryotherapy as a treatment modality. METHODS: One hundred and twenty five newborns were examined before hospital discharge and after oxygen administration was terminated. Patients with suspected ROP returned for frequent follow-up visits. In patients with stage III ROP (ridge with extraretinal fibrovascular proliferation) ablation by cryotherapy was performed. RESULTS: Retinal ridge and extraretinal proliferation characteristic of stage III ROP were detected in ten newborns. All surviving stage III patients were treated with cryoablation and two of them progressed to stage IV. Regression of ROP was observed in eight of the ten treated cases. CONCLUSIONS: With properly planned screening of newborns at risk for ROP, early diagnosis and treatment are possible. Cryotherapy seems to be effective for ablation of the proliferation.