Background: Some studies found that red blood cell count (RBC) was an unrecognized risk factor for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). While the epidemiological data underpinning the evidence is very limited. As there are some differences between the latest criteria of metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) and NAFLD, itis necessary to evaluate the relationship between RBC and MAFLD. Methods: We performed a cross-sectional analysis of the National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey (NHANES)2017-2018 cohort, including 4477 participants. Hepatic steatosis was determined when the value of controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) obtained by Fibroscan was ≥274 dB/m. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to estimate the association between RBC and MAFLD. We estimated the adjusted odds ratio (OR) of RBC for MAFLD, and the nonlinear relationship between RBC and MAFLD was further described using smooth curve fittings and threshold-effect analysis. Results: We found that MAFLD risk was significantly higher according to RBC quartiles. The adjusted odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs)for the highest RBC quartile were 1.5(1.0, 2.3) for male and 1.1 (0.8, 1.6) for female, respectively. As for male, a non-linear relationship was discovered between RBCs and MAFLD, with a RBC threshold of 4.2. The effect sizes and confidence intervals on the right side of the inflection point were 1.5 (1.0, 2.0) (P for nonlinearity = 0.027). The sensitivity analysis showed a similar result. Conclusion: We demonstrated that that elevated RBC level is associated with the higher risk of MAFLD in male. The positive relationship was not significant in females after full adjustment. Our finding provided novel evidence indicating that RBCs might be a potential biomarker for MAFLD.

Goals: A combination of multiple tests was introduced to noninvasively investigate the differences in pathophysiologies among functional dyspepsia (FD) subgroups, including postprandial distress syndrome (PDS), epigastric pain syndrome (EPS), and overlap. Background: It has not been extensively evaluated whether different pathophysiologies are involved in FD subgroups. Study: This multicenter study included 364 FD patients fulfilling Rome IV criteria and 47 healthy controls. A combined noninvasive gastric and autonomic function test was performed: The electrogastrogram and electrocardiogram were recorded simultaneously in the fasting state and after a drink test. Symptoms after drinking were recorded using visual analog scale. Results: (1) Compared with HC, FD patients showed a decreased maximum tolerable volume (MTV) (P<0.01) and percentage of normal gastric slow waves [normal gastric slow waves (%NSW)] (P<0.01), and increased postdrinking symptoms, anxiety (P<0.01), and depression (P<0.01). The drink reduced %NSW in both FD patients and HC; however, the effect was more potent in patients. (2) The PDS and overlap groups displayed a reduced MTV (P<0.05). The overlap group exhibited a higher symptom score at 30 minutes after drinking, and higher anxiety and depression scores, and a higher sympathovagal ratio than the EPS (P<0.05 for all) and PDS (P<0.01 for all). (3) In the PDS subgroup, the MTV, postprandial sympathovagal ratio, and depression were associated with the overall dyspepsia symptom scale (DSS, P=0.034, 0.021, 0.043, respectively). No significant associations were found in the other 2 subgroups. Conclusions: The combination of multiple tests can detect pathophysiological abnormities in FD patients. Overall, patients with overlap symptoms display more severe pathophysiologies.

Purpose: Ulcerative colitis (UC) is an idiopathic, chronic inflammatory disease that primarily affects the large intestine. Coagulation abnormalities have been detected in UC patients. This study aimed to evaluate coagulation-related parameters in patients with UC. Patients and Methods: A total of 364 UC patients were analyzed with 163 female and 201 male. Disease activity was determined according to the Truelove and Witts criteria. The fibrinogen (FIB), D-dimer, fibrin/fibrinogen degradation products (FDP), C-reactive protein (CRP) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) levels were evaluated. Results: We found higher D-dimer, FDP, FIB levels in severe UC compared with non-severe patients.The area under the curve (AUC) of D-dimer was 0.852 (95% CI 0.805 to 0.898) and the optimum cut-off point was 0.585, with a sensitivity of 80.6% and a specificity of 78.9%. Furthermore, D-dimer and FIB are positively correlated with ESR and CRP levels. Conclusion: Our results indicate that D-dimer, FDP, and FIB levels are potential biomarkers for disease severity in UC patients.