Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), including Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC), is a prevalent condition associated with chronic noninfectious inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. It has been hypothesized that chronic inflammation can predispose patients to atrial fibrillation (AF), however, no clear evidence exists to support this. A systematic literature search was conducted using major databases aimed at studies focusing on AF development in patients with IBD. Further subgroup analyses were performed for ulcerative colitis (UC) and crohn’s disease (CD). Risk ratios (RR) with their corresponding 95 % confidence intervals (CI) were pooled using a random-effects model in the Review Manager Software. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Seven studies with 88,893,407 patients were included (1,002,719 and 87, 890, 688 patients in the IBD and non-IBD groups, respectively). IBD patients were at an increased risk of developing AF [RR: 1.52; 95 % CI: 1.19–1.95; p = 0.0009] compared to the non-IBD group. In subgroup analyses, patients with UC were at an increased risk of developing AF [RR: 1.29; 95 % CI: 1.08–1.53; p = 0.004], as were CD patients [RR: 1.30; 95 % CI: 1.07–1.58; p = 0.008] compared to the non-UC and non-CD groups, respectively. Patients with IBD are at nearly 1.5 times the risk of developing AF compared to the non-IBD population. Our meta-analysis was limited by heterogeneity among the studies, highlighting the importance of further large-scale prospective studies to establish more robust evidence.

Introduction: Thoracic aortic aneurysms (TAA) are a significant health concern, with the true prevalence likely underestimated due to undiagnosed cases. Outcomes in TAA are influenced by factors like age, sex, and comorbidities such as hypertension. This study examines mortality trends and disparities associated with TAA in US adults. Methodology: This study analyzed death certificates from 1999 to 2020 using the CDC WONDER Database to identify TAA-related deaths in individuals aged 25 and older using ICD-10 codes I71.1 and I71.2. Age-adjusted mortality rates (AAMRs) per 1 000 000 and annual percent changes (APCs) were calculated and stratified by year, sex, age group, race/ethnicity, region, and urbanization status. Results: Between 1999 and 2020, 47 136 TAA-related deaths were reported among US adults. The AAMR decreased from 16.2 to 8.2 per 1 000 000, with a significant decline from 1999 to 2013 (APC: −5.00; 95% CI: −5.54 to −4.54; P<0.001). Older adults had the highest AAMRs at 44.6 per 1 000 000. Men had higher AAMRs than women (11.2 vs. 9). AAMRs were highest among non-Hispanic (NH) Black (11), followed by NH White (10.3), NH Asian or Pacific Islander (9.5), NH American Indian or Alaska Native (7.8), and Hispanic (5.2) populations. Nonmetropolitan areas had higher AAMRs than metropolitan areas (11 vs. 9.8). Conclusions: The analysis showed a significant decline in TAA mortality since 1999, with recent stabilization. However, disparities persist, with higher AAMRs among men, older adults, NH Black adults, and nonmetropolitan residents, highlighting the need for targeted and equitable interventions.

Although many chronic inflammatory conditions are linked to elevated cardiovascular risk, the specific extent of this risk in ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV) remains elusive, largely due to the disease's rarity. Our study sought to clarify the cardiovascular risks and mortality linked to AAV. A systematic literature review was conducted across multiple databases from their inception until April 2024 to identify studies comparing cardiovascular outcomes in patients with and without AAV. R Studio's meta package was used to pool risk ratios under the random-effects model, and statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Nine observational studies involving 45024 individuals were included in this analysis. Patients with AAV exhibited a significantly elevated risk of stroke (RR = 1.43, 95 % CI: 1.12–1.83, I2 = 62 %, p = 0.0048), myocardial infarction (RR = 1.49, 95 % CI: 1.25–1.79, I² = 0 %, p < 0.0001), ischemic heart disease (RR = 1.40, 95 % CI: 1.24–1.58, I² = 1 %, p < 0.0001), venous thromboembolism (RR = 2.57, 95 % CI: 1.70–3.90, I² = 74 %, p < 0.0001), and pulmonary embolism (RR = 3.53, 95 % CI: 2.82–4.42, I² = 9 %, p < 0.0001), deep vein thrombosis (RR: 4.21; 95 % CI: 2.00–8.86; p = 0.0002), heart failure (RR = 1.63, 95 % CI: 1.39–1.90, I² = 0 %, p < 0.0001), and cardiovascular disease-related mortality (RR = 1.79, 95 % CI: 1.07–3.00, I2 = 0 %, p = 0.0256) compared to patients without AAV. This meta-analysis underscores a notable increase in adverse cardiovascular events among patients with AAV, underscoring the need for comprehensive cardiovascular care and diligent monitoring in this patient cohort.

We report a rare case of Brodie's abscess caused by Mycobacterium kansasii (M. kansasii). Our patient is a 39-war-old male who presented with right foot pain a month after a new diagnosis of HIV infection. X-ray and MRI were done, and the diagnosis of Brodie's abscess was confirmed. Surgical debridement was done, and bone cultures grew M. kansasii after five weeks. Brodie's abscess is a subacute form of osteomyelitis usually caused by Staphylococcus. Some other bacteria have been implicated in several case reports. To best of our knowledge, this is the first case of Brodie's abscess caused by M. kansasii. M. kansasii is the atypical mycobacteria causing infections in immunocompromised hosts as in HIV patients with low CD4 count. M. kansasii is usually associated with lung infections with rare extrapulmonary manifestations as in our case.