A Comprehensive Diagnostic Algorithm for Direct Antiglobulin Test-Negative Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia Reveals the Relative Ratio of Three Mechanisms in a Single Laboratory.

Background: Direct antiglobulin test (DAT)-negative warm autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA) is mainly caused by three mechanisms: red blood cell (RBC)-bound immunoglobulin (Ig)G below the detection limit of routine DAT; RBC-bound IgA or IgM; or low-affinity autoantibodies. Although most cases of DAT-negative AIHA are thought to be caused by RBC-bound IgG, and combinatory serological analyses are recommended, the relative ratios of each mechanism have not been clarified.

Methods: Two groups of patients with undiagnosed hemolytic anemia and negative conventional tube method-DAT (TM-DAT) were investigated using anti-IgA and anti-IgM sera, or column agglutination method-DAT (CM-DAT), respectively, in addition to radioimmunological quantitation of RBC-bound IgG.

Association between smoking and the peripheral vestibular disorder: a retrospective cohort study.

Common inner ear diseases include peripheral vestibular disorder (PVD) and hearing impairment. The association between smoking and peripheral vestibular disorder (PVD) is unclear. We examined associations between smoking and new PVD events.

Influence of family history on the willingness of outpatients to undergo genetic testing for salt-sensitive hypertension: a cross-sectional study.

Objectives: It is unclear whether family medical history influences the willingness to undergo genetic testing. This study aimed to determine how family history affected the willingness to undergo genetic testing for salt-sensitive hypertension in patients with and without hypertension.

Design: Cross-sectional study using a self-administered questionnaire.