Background In patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, liver fibrosis was associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular events. However, the relationship between liver fibrosis scores and clinical outcomes in patients with cardiovascular disease remains unclear. Methods Searching from PubMed, EMBASE and Cochrane Library databases yielded cohort studies that reported adjusted effect size between liver fibrosis scores (Fibrosis‐4 score [FIB‐4] or NAFLD fibrosis score [NFS]) and prognosis in patients with cardiovascular disease. The effect size was computed using a random‐effects model. Results This meta‐analysis included twelve cohort studies involving 25,252 patients with cardiovascular disease. Participants with the highest baseline level of FIB‐4 or NFS had a significantly increased risk of cardiovascular events (FIB‐4, HR: 1.75, 95% CI: 1.53–2.00, I 2 = 0%; NFS, HR: 1.92, 95% CI: 1.50–2.47, I 2 = 47%). This finding was consistent with the analysis of FIB‐4 or NFS as a continuous variable (per 1‐unit increment FIB‐4, HR: 1.15, 95% CI: 1.06–1.24, I 2 = 72%; NFS, HR: 1.15, 95% CI: 1.07–1.24, I 2 = 71%). Furthermore, participants with the highest levels of FIB‐4 or NFS had a greater risk of cardiovascular mortality (FIB‐4, HR: 2.07, 95% CI: 1.19–3.61, I 2 = 89%; NFS, HR: 3.72, 95% CI: 2.62–5.29, I 2 = 60%) and all‐cause mortality (FIB‐4, HR: 1.81, 95% CI: 1.24–2.66, I 2 = 90%; NFS, HR: 3.49, 95% CI: 2.82–4.31, I 2 = 25%). This result was also consistent as a continuous variable. Conclusion Higher levels of FIB‐4 and NFS are related to an increased risk of cardiovascular events, cardiovascular mortality and all‐cause mortality in patients with cardiovascular disease.

BACKGROUND: Non-specific low back pain (NS-LBP) is a serious public health problem. Tai Chi is promising in reducing the risk of falls and alleviating symptoms in this population. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of Tai Chi on gait and dynamic balance in elderly women with NS-LBP. METHODS: 20 women (age > 65 yr.) with NS-LBP were randomly assigned to a Tai Chi group (n= 10) or a control group (n= 10). The Tai Chi group practiced Tai Chi exercise 3 times a week for 6 weeks. Each session lasted 60 minutes. Pain, spatiotemporal gait features and dynamic balancing capacity were assessed at 0 and 6 weeks. RESULTS: Compared to the control group at 6 weeks, the Tai Chi group had a significant decrease in VAS (p= 0.027) and stride width (p= 0.019), significant improvement in gait velocity, stride length (p< 0.001). Regarding dynamic balance capacity, the Tai Chi group had significant improvements in anterior (Left: p= 0.001; Right: p= 0.038), postero-lateral (Left: p< 0.001; Right: p= 0.038), and postero-medial (Left: p= 0.015; Right: p= 0.018). CONCLUSION: 6-week Tai Chi can relieve pain and improve gait and dynamic balance in elderly women with NS-LBP, which suggests Tai Chi could be a promising rehabilitation intervention to reduce the risk of falls in this population.

Background The triglyceride and glucose (TyG) index has been linked to various cardiovascular diseases. However, it's still unclear whether the TyG index is associated with arterial stiffness and coronary artery calcification (CAC). Methods We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of relevant studies until September 2022 in the PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Embase databases. We used a random-effects model to calculate the pooled effect estimate and the robust error meta-regression method to summarize the exposure-effect relationship. Results Twenty-six observational studies involving 87,307 participants were included. In the category analysis, the TyG index was associated with the risk of arterial stiffness (odds ratio [OR]: 1.83; 95% CI 1.55–2.17, I2 = 68%) and CAC (OR: 1.66; 95% CI 1.51–1.82, I2 = 0). The per 1-unit increment in the TyG index was also associated with an increased risk of arterial stiffness (OR: 1.51, 95% CI 1.35–1.69, I2 = 82%) and CAC (OR: 1.73, 95% CI 1.36–2.20, I2 = 51%). Moreover, a higher TyG index was shown to be a risk factor for the progression of CAC (OR = 1.66, 95% CI 1.21–2.27, I2 = 0, in category analysis, OR = 1.47, 95% CI 1.29–1.68, I2 = 41% in continuity analysis). There was a positive nonlinear association between the TyG index and the risk of arterial stiffness (Pnonlinearity < 0.001). Conclusion An elevated TyG index is associated with an increased risk of arterial stiffness and CAC. Prospective studies are needed to assess causality. Graphical Abstract

BackgroundEvidence from longitudinal studies has shown that influenza infection is linked to an increased risk of arrhythmia. Therefore, we aimed to assess the role of influenza vaccination in arrhythmia prevention.Materials and methodsThe PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases were searched to identify studies that investigated the potential effects of the influenza vaccine on arrhythmia risk published until October 25th, 2021. The study was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42022300815).ResultsOne RCT with 2,532 patients and six observational studies with 3,167,445 patients were included. One RCT demonstrated a non-significant benefit of the influenza vaccine against arrhythmias [odds ratio (OR) = 0.43, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.11–1.64; P = 0.20] in patients after myocardial infarction or those with high-risk stable coronary heart disease. A meta-analysis based on observational studies showed that vaccination was associated with a significantly lower risk of arrhythmia (OR: 0.82, 95% CI: 0.70–0.97; P = 0.02; I2 = 76%). Additionally, subgroup analysis showed a decreased risk of atrial fibrillation (AF) (OR: 0.94, 95% CI: 0.90–0.98; P = 0.006; I2 = 0%) and a non-significant but positive trend concerning ventricular arrhythmias (VAs) (OR: 0.68, 95% CI: 0.42–1.11; P = 0.12; I2 = 85%) after influenza vaccination.ConclusionBased on the current evidence, influenza vaccination may be associated with a reduced risk of arrhythmia, especially AF. Influenza vaccination may be an effective tool for the prevention of arrhythmias. The effect of influenza vaccination on the risk of VAs and arrhythmias in patients at low risk for cardiovascular diseases should be further studied.Systematic review registration[https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/], identifier [CRD42022300815].