Background: Left main coronary artery disease (LMCAD) can substantially compromise myocardial blood supply. Plasma malondialdehyde (MDA), a marker of lipid peroxidation, is associated with coronary atherosclerosis and arterial stiffness, the latter of which is measured by the cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI). This study aimed to evaluate the relationships among lipid profiles, plasma MDA levels, and CAVI in patients with LMCAD. Methods: A total of 186 patients presenting with new-onset chest pain underwent coronary angiography at Thammasat University Hospital, Thailand between June 2021 and August 2022; Of these, 23 patients were diagnosed with LMCAD, while 25 participants without significant coronary artery occlusion served as the non-coronary artery disease (non-CAD) group. Blood samples were collected after an 8-hour fast for routine laboratory testing and measurement of plasma MDA levels. Arterial stiffness was assessed using CAVI. Between-group comparisons were performed using the t-test, and associations between variables were evaluated using Pearson correlation analysis. Results: The 48 participants had a mean age of 67.2±9.7 years, and 56% were male. Patients with LMCAD exhibited significantly higher plasma MDA levels (p<0.001) and CAVI values (p=0.007) than non-CAD patients. Triglyceride levels showed a significant positive correlation with plasma MDA (r=0.388, p=0.006), whereas HDL-cholesterol levels were negatively associated with both plasma MDA (r=0.317, p=0.028) and CAVI (r =-0.297, p=0.041). Although plasma MDA was not significantly correlated with CAVI (r=0.250, p=0.086). Conclusions: Higher plasma MDA and CAVI were found in LMCAD patients. Triglyceride and HDL cholesterol levels associated with plasma MDA. Despite a non-significant correlation between MDA and CAVI, further investigation with a larger sample size is warranted.
Background: P-wave dispersion (PWD), defined as the difference between the longest and shortest P-wave durations on a 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG), reflects heterogeneous atrial conduction. This study aimed to compare P-wave parameters between patients with significant and non-significant coronary artery disease (CAD) based on coronary angiography. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 58 patients who underwent coronary angiography at Sultan Agung Islamic Hospital, Semarang, Indonesia, from January to September 2023. Participants were recruited consecutively. Stenosis ≥50% was classified as significant CAD and <50% as non-significant CAD. P-wave durations were measured manually from magnified ECG tracings. Continuous and categorical variables were compared using independent-samples t-tests and chi-square tests, respectively. Results: Of 58 participants, 34 had significant CAD and 24 had non-significant CAD. Mean age was higher in the significant CAD group (62.05±7.54 vs. 56.20±11.46 years; p=0.035). P-wave minimum duration (51.1±17.2 vs. 48.3±15.5 ms; p=0.57), maximum duration (107.0±23.5 vs. 95.8±25.7 ms; p=0.14), and PWD (55.9±22.1 vs. 47.5±26.2 ms; p=0.29) were higher in the significant CAD group, but none differed significantly. Conclusions: P-wave parameters did not differ significantly between patients with significant and non-significant CAD. Larger prospective studies are needed to further evaluate the relationship between P-wave parameters and angiographic CAD severity.
Background: Hyperuricemia contributes to cardiovascular disease (CVD) through oxidative stress, endothelial dysfunction, and chronic inflammation. The monocyte-to-HDL-cholesterol ratio (MHR) is a novel inflammatory biomarker reflecting the balance between pro-inflammatory monocytes and the anti-inflammatory effects of HDL-C. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between MHR and cardiovascular risk and to determine its predictive value among patients with hyperuricemia. Methods: A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted between July and September 2025, involving 87 patients with hyperuricemia aged 25-65 years at Bahteramas Regional Hospital, Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia. Hematological and lipid parameters were measured using standardized laboratory methods. Cardiovascular risk was assessed using the Framingham Risk Score (FRS). Spearman correlation, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis, and multivariate logistic regression were used for statistical analysis. Results: MHR showed a significant positive correlation with FRS (r=0.30; p=0.005) and a significant negative correlation with HDL-C levels (r=–0.27; p=0.010). ROC analysis demonstrated that MHR had acceptable discriminatory ability for predicting cardiovascular risk, with an AUC of 0.70 (95% CI: 0.59–0.81; p=0.001). The optimal cut-off value was 18.1, yielding 66% sensitivity and 67% specificity. Multivariate logistic regression revealed that MHR remained an independent predictor of cardiovascular risk after adjustment for conventional risk factors (OR=4.68; 95% CI: 1.31–16.70; p=0.018). Conclusion: MHR appears to be a promising and accessible independent biomarker for cardiovascular risk assessment in patients with hyperuricemia. Incorporating MHR into routine clinical evaluation may support earlier cardiovascular risk stratification and preventive interventions, particularly in resource-limited healthcare settings
Background: Sarcopenia is a syndrome associated with ageing that causes a decrease in muscle mass and muscle function. Environmental factors play role as risk factors for severe sarcopenia. This study aimed to determine the differences in physical performance, muscle strength, and muscle mass between elderly people living in the community and those living in an institusionalized setting. Methods: This cross-sectional study involved community-dwelling elderly (n=56, age 64.27±3.570) and institutionalized older adult (n=46, age 78.11±7.655) in Semarang City, Central Java, Indonesia from January–September 2024, using consecutive sampling method. Physical performance was measured using the gait speed test, muscle strength was assessed using handgrip strength, and muscle mass was determined using the Skeletal Muscle Mass Index. Health status was evaluated using sociodemographic characteristics, anthropometric measurements, and body composition. Variables were compared using the chi-square test, independent samples t-test, and Mann-Whitney test. Results: Elderly in community showed significantly better physical performance (1.05±0.194 vs 0.69±0.406; p<0.001), muscle strength (20.13±6.466 vs 17.79±7.739; p=0.036), and muscle mass (9.83±0.975 vs 9.36±0.900; p=0.013) compared to elderly in institutional setting. There were statistically significant differences in physical performance (p<0.001), muscle strength (p=0.036), and muscle mass (p =0.013) between the two groups. Conclusion: This study indicates that sarcopenia parameters may vary according to residential location. Elderly individuals living in the community have shown better physical performance, muscle strength and muscle mass, suggesting that sarcopenia interventions should consider the specific needs of each elderly living location.
Background: Diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) is a severe complication of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) associated with impaired wound healing and increased risks of amputation and mortality. Hormonal differences between males and females may influence albumin metabolism, glycemic markers, and inflammatory responses. However, evidence in patients with moderate DFU remains limited. This study aimed to evaluate metabolic and inflammatory profiles and assess gender-related differences in patients with DFU. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among patients with T2DM and Wagner grade 2–3 DFU, representing moderate, non-gangrenous stages of ulcer severity. Eighty patients were enrolled using consecutive sampling at three hospitals in East Kalimantan, Indonesia, from April to December 2025. Serum albumin, glycated albumin (GA), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were measured using standardized automated assays. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize patient characteristics. Gender-stratified analyses were performed using the independent-samples t-test or Mann–Whitney U test. Results: Most participants were female (61.3%) and aged ≥45 years (91.3%). The median serum albumin level was 3.7 g/dL (IQR 3.1–4.1), while the mean GA level was 26.6± 6.7%, indicating poor short-term glycemic control. Median hs-CRP and IL-6 levels were also elevated, indicating persistent systemic inflammation. Female patients had higher hs-CRP and IL-6 levels than male patients; however, no statistically significant gender-related differences were observed in albumin, GA, hs-CRP, or IL-6 levels (p>0.05). Conclusion: Patients with Wagner grade 2–3 DFU exhibit substantial metabolic and inflammatory disturbances, although gender-related differences were not evident. These findings highlight the importance of comprehensive biomarker assessment to support clinical evaluation and management.
