Background and objectives. Recent evidence has demonstrated that mildly elevated bilirubin concentrations are protective against various oxidative stress-mediated diseases, including autoimmune disorders. Based on this, the present study aimed to investigate the association between serum bilirubin levels, albumin-based inflammatory ratios, and the presence of primary antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) in women with a history of spontaneous miscarriages.
Materials and methods. This cross-sectional observational study included 72 women aged 21–40 years (median age 27) with a history of spontaneous miscarriages in the first trimester. Based on clinical and laboratory findings, 47 women were diagnosed with APS, and 25 were classified as non-APS. All participants underwent a complete evaluation, including blood count, coagulation tests, glucose and lipid profiles, CRP, vitamin D, and assessments of thyroid, liver, and kidney function.
Results. A total bilirubin level below 8 μmol/L was observed in 53% of APS patients, significantly higher than in non-APS women (24%, p = 0.024). Total, direct, and indirect bilirubin concentrations were significantly lower, while inflammatory markers such as fibrinogen, CRP, and CRP/albumin ratio were significantly higher in APS patients (p < 0.05). Logistic regression and ROC analysis confirmed the diagnostic value of these markers. The AUC values for total bilirubin, bilirubin/albumin ratio, fibrinogen, albumin/fibrinogen ratio, CRP, and CRP/albumin ratio demonstrated moderate diagnostic
accuracy (AUC = 0.723, 0.793, 0.693, 0.828, 0.761, and 0.699, respectively).
Conclusions. Serum bilirubin levels and the bilirubin/albumin ratio were negatively associated with APS in women with a history of spontaneous miscarriage. These findings suggest impaired antioxidant and anti-inflammatory defenses in APS patients. Serum bilirubin combined with albumin-based inflammatory ratios may serve as additional screening tools for APS in this population.

Keywords: antiphospholipid syndrome, total bilirubin, total bilirubin to albumin ratio, oxidative stress

The aim: To evaluate the structural changes of the brain in relation to the formation of cognitive disorders (CD) in patients with arrhythmias

Materialsand methods: 147 patients with different clinical forms arrhythmias against the background of ischemic heart disease were examine. At the first stage, all patients with arrhythmias assessed cognitive functions. At the second stage, patients were distributed divided into two groups: the main group patients with CD, control – patients without CD. These groups underwent computed tomography examination of the brain.

Results:CD were established in 83% patients with arrhythmias. Mild CD were more often diagnosed in patients with persistent form of atrial fibrillation (AF), severe CD – in patients with permanent form of AF and atrioventricular blockade ІI-III degrees. Neuroimaging changes were found in 73.8% patients with CD and in 36% patients without CD. They were manifested by atrophic changes of the cortex, internal hydrocephalus, a decrease in the density of the brain sub- stance of the periventricular area. In patients with CD, compared to patients without CD, showed lacunar foci with predominant localization in the parietal and frontal lobes of the brain, periventricular and subcortical leukoaraiosis. Multiple correlations were established between CD and structural changes of the brain.

Conclusions: The increase in the severity of CD in patients with arrhythmias is associated with atrophic changes at the cortical-subcortical level, accompanied by the phenomena of internal hydrocephalus, periventricular and subcortical LA, lacunar foci, with a predominant localization in the frontal-temporal-occipital lobes, in the visual hump and basal ganglia of both cerebral hemispheres.

The aim: To investigate the relationship between serum bilirubin level and the presence of the APS in women with a history of spontaneous miscarriages.
Materials and methods: Fifty six women aged 22-38 (median 27) years with a history of spontaneous miscarriages were divided into two groups: 33 women with the APS and 23 without. Patients were tested for the presence of lupus anticoagulant, anticardiolipin, anti-β2-glycoprotein 1, antiphospholipid antibodies and genetic thrombophilic defects.
Results: Groups were comparable by age, blood pressure, BMI, co-morbidity (anemia, heart abnormality, thyroid disease, overweight). Median serum total bilirubin levels were 7,2 μmol/L (interquartile range [5,8-9,7]) in women with the APS and 10,5 μmol/L (interquartile range [7,5-15,1]) in control group, p=0.005. The chance of detecting a total bilirubin level of less than 8 μmol/L is 4.1 times higher in the APS patients than in the control group (OR 4,1; 95% CI 1,274-13,213). Logistic regression analysis found a statistically significant association between total bilirubin and the presence of the APS (odds ratio, 0.856; 95% CI, 0.734-0.997, p =0.046). Patients with the APS had elevated serum C-reactive protein (medians 2,3 vs 1,1 mg/L, p=0.01) and fibrinogen (medians 2,8 vs 2,5 g/L, p=0.006) levels compared with controls. Correlation analysis revealed a significant correlation between all types of bilirubin and inflammatory markers.
Conclusions: All types of serum bilirubin (total, direct and indirect) are significantly reduced in women with APS, associated with higher inflammatory markers and lower levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D, which may be the result of oxidative stress.