Different blood pressure (BP) indices had varying associations with carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) and plaques in clinical practice. However, insufficient evidence has focused on this issue, especially in Chinese population. Herein we examined associations of different BP indices with cIMT and plaques cross-sectionally in a community-based atherosclerosis cohort. We qualitatively measured cIMT and plaques, and also measured central systolic blood pressure and brachial systolic blood pressure (baSBP), from which pulse pressure (PP), and second PP (PP2) were calculated. Logistic multivariate regression was used to assess the associations with BP indices and carotid artery hypertrophy (increased cIMT) and the extent of atherosclerosis (presence of plaques). Each BP index was significantly and independently associated with increased cIMT and plaques except the association of baSBP with plaques. When every two BP indices were put into one model, brachial pressure indices were associated with increased cIMT independently of central pressures, whereas the association between central pressure indices and plaque presence were stronger than those of brachial pressures. In addition, SBP indices were associated with increased cIMT independently of PP indices, whereas PP indices were more strongly related to plaques. In conclusion, central and PP indices might be associated with plaques; however, brachial and SBP indices might be associated with increased cIMT. Nevertheless, whether these BP indices predict increased cIMT and plaque progression warrants further longitudinal and laboratory studies.

Objective To explore the feasibility and efficacy of transoral radiofrequency coblation surgery (TRS) in the treatment of adult laryngopharyngeal vascular lesion (LVL). Methods A total of 15 patients with LVL were retrospectively studied, including 11 capillary lesions and five cavernous lesions (there was one case with two separate lesions). All of the lesions were treated with TRS alone (capillary lesion) or with a combination of TRS and sclerotherapy (cavernous lesion). The treatment efficacy was evaluated according to the modified Achauer criteria: grade 1, no change in size; grade 2, a decrease of < 50% in size; grade 3, a decrease of ≥ 50% but < 100%; and grade 4, the disappearance of the lesion with no recurrence for at least 6 months. Results The surgical procedures were successfully completed in all patients. According to the modified Achauer criteria, the treatment outcomes were grade 4 for 10 capillary lesions and one cavernous lesion; grade 3 for one capillary lesion and one cavernous lesion; grade 2 for one cavernous lesion; and grade 1 for two cavernous lesions, respectively. No complications related to the surgery, including bleeding, dysphagia, and infections, occurred after treatment. Conclusion The TRS is an effective treatment option for LVL, especially for patients with laryngopharyngeal capillary lesions. Level of Evidence 4 Laryngoscope, 131:566–570, 2021

Objective This study aimed to evaluate knowledge of laryngopharyngeal reflux disease (LPRD) among otolaryngologists in 3A hospitals in Beijing. Methods A cross-sectional questionnaire survey of LPRD knowledge was conducted with otolaryngologists in 40 3A hospitals in Beijing. A response rate of <80% was obtained from one hospital, so data from 331 valid questionnaires from the other 39 hospitals were analysed. Results The most common source of LPRD knowledge was academic lectures (80.1%). The most commonly known risk factors, symptoms, clinical signs and associated diseases were unhealthy eating habits (49.2%), foreign body sensation in the pharynx (71.0%), hyperaemia (42.3%) and pharyngolaryngitis (63.7%), respectively. Only 57.7% of otolaryngologists knew about 24-hour pH monitoring as a gold standard diagnostic test for LPRD. The most commonly known treatment option was medication (93.1%). Most physicians (86.7%) had made a clinical diagnosis of LPRD; however, only 59.9% of them had followed up the treatment outcomes. The most common treatment provided was medication (82.6%). Conclusions Knowledge of LPRD among otolaryngologists in 3A hospitals in Beijing was insufficient. Educational programs are needed to increase the knowledge of LPRD among otolaryngologists.

Background and purpose Extracranial internal carotid artery thromboembolism is one major cause of ischaemic stroke and the predictive value of non‐high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (non‐HDLC) is superior to low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLC). This study aimed to assess the association between non‐HDLC levels and the prevalence of asymptomatic extracranial internal carotid artery stenosis (EICAS) as well as the predictive value of non‐HDLC over LDLC on EICAS presence. Methods The Asymptomatic Polyvascular Abnormalities Community study is a subset of the Kailuan study emphasizing asymptomatic polyvascular abnormalities in Chinese adults. A total of 5351 participants, aged ≥40, without history of cardiovascular disease were enrolled in this study. Carotid duplex ultrasonography was carried out for the detection of EICAS. Results Of the 5351 patients, 2.5% (131/5351) were diagnosed with EICAS (stenosis ≥50%). Univariate analysis showed that non‐HDLC is an independent indicator for asymptomatic EICAS [odds ratio (OR) 1.49, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.17–1.91]; the same result was reached in multivariate analysis after adjustment for confounding factors (OR 1.32, 95% CI 1.00–1.75), especially for people with hypertension (OR 1.52, 95% CI 1.11–2.08), whilst non‐HDLC failed to show better predictive value of EICAS than LDLC (OR 1.45, 95% CI 1.02–2.05). Conclusions Non‐HDLC is an independent risk factor for EICAS prevalence, especially for hypertension patients. Although the predictive value of non‐HDLC was no better than LDLC on EICAS presence, non‐HDLC is still a powerful atherogenic factor and potential therapeutic target for EICAS.

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