Ultramarathon running is associated with a wide range of significant changes in hematological parameters, several of which can be associated with potentially serious renal and physiological abnormalities.

This study compares the serological markers between runners who are hepatitis B virus carries (HBVc) and runners who are non-HBVc in a 100-km ultra-marathon race. Blood samples of 8 HBVc and 18 non-HBVc runners were drawn 1 week before, immediately following, and 24 h after the race. Samples were analyzed and compared between the 2 groups for liver function tests, muscle damage markers and oxidative stress cytokines. For HBVc runners, HBV-DNA (hepatitis B virus-deoxyribonucleic acid) levels were also evaluated for virus reactivation. The results demonstrate a statistically significant increase in both immediate and 24-h post-race values for alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), creatine kinase (CK), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), compared with pre-race values. No statistically significant difference was observed between the 2 groups for the values of AST, LDH, CK, hs-CRP, IL-6 and TNF-α either before or after the race. There was also no statistically significant change in the levels of HBV-DNA in HBVc runners. These findings suggest that HBVc runners do not have higher risks of liver function impairment, muscle breakdown and inflammatory response compared to non-HBVc runners in such endurance races.

a b s t r a c tPurpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate risk factors for frequent emergency department (ED) visits among older Chinese men living in a veterans home in northern Taiwan Methods: In 2006, all residents of Banciao Veterans Home were invited for study. Minimum Data Set Nursing Home 2.1 Chinese version, Chinese version of Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) short form, minimental status examinations (MMSE), and Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) were used for study. ED records of all study participants were obtained from Taipei Veterans General Hospital, and frequent ED visitors were defined as who visited ED for three times or more in 1 year. Results: Overall, 609 residents (mean age ¼ 80.9 AE 5.3 years, all men) were enrolled, and 169 (27.8%) of them visited the ED for at least once. Among all participants, 30 (4.9%) were frequent ED visitors. Frequent ED visitors were significantly older, disabled, cognitively impaired, depressed, urinary incontinent, having poorer social engagement score, and higher Charlson's comorbidity index (CCI). Adjustments for age, activities of daily living, depression, cognitive impairment (adjusted odds ratio: 3.19; 95% confidence interval: 1.37e7.46, p ¼ 0.004) and higher CCI (adjusted odds ratio: 1.69; 95% confidence interval: 1.20e2.39, p ¼ 0.003) were independent risk factors for frequent ED visits. Conclusion: The cumulative incidence of ED visit was 51 visits per 100 person-years, and the prevalence of frequent ED visitors was 4.9% among older veterans living in a Veterans Home. Cognitive impairment and higher Charlson's comorbidity index were independent risk factors for frequent ED visitors. Further study is needed to explore the unmet health-care needs for frequent ED visitors in the veterans home.

No abstract

No abstract