Home About us Contact
|
Home About us Contact | ||
|
|
||
Main Indications (main + indication)
Selected AbstractsA century of the synthesis of dapsone: its anti-infective capacity now and thenINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DERMATOLOGY, Issue 10 2000Ronni Wolf MD Background Although dapsone was first synthesized in 1908, a quarter of a century was to pass before it was used in the treatment of bacterial infections. Dapsone was, however, too toxic for humans (because of the excess dosage which was administered at that time) and was thus considered to be of no value in the treatment of common bacterial infections. Since the early 1950s, dapsone has been recognized as being uniquely effective against a number of noninfectious, inflammatory diseases and, today, this is its main indication. Thus, the reason why dapsone was first introduced into medicine, namely the treatment of bacterial infections, has been set aside and its main current applications are the treatment of noninfectious, inflammatory, autoimmune, and bullous diseases. Objective To study the anti-infective capacity of dapsone against common bacterial infections. As many patients who receive dapsone for the treatment of noninfectious, inflammatory diseases have a concomitant bacterial infection or a superinfection of their skin disease, we thought that, if dapsone proved to be effective against common bacterial infections, it may obviate the need for an additional antimicrobial drug in these patients. Methods Three bacterial ATCC> strains (Streptococcus pyogenes, Staphylococcus aureus, and Escherichia coli) were tested by a macrodilution minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) test for dapsone. Dapsone concentrations were between 0.06 and 1125 ,g/mL. Results Even the highest concentration of dapsone of 1125 ,g/mL did not inhibit bacterial growth. Conclusions Our results indicate that dapsone has no antibacterial effects whatsoever. Even at very high concentrations, it does not suppress the growth of most susceptible strains of bacteria. The story of dapsone (i.e. the long time that elapsed between its synthesis to its use for the chemotherapy of infectious diseases) will not repeat itself this time. [source] Fundoplication in children with gastro-oesophageal reflux diseaseJOURNAL OF PAEDIATRICS AND CHILD HEALTH, Issue 2 2002AW Norrashidah Objectives: The associations between gastro-oesophageal reflux (GOR), chronic respiratory symptoms and gastrointestinal complications have been well described. The aim of this study was to compare the characteristics of children in whom the main indication for fundoplication was respiratory disease with children who had gastrointestinal indications for surgery. Methods: A retrospective review of 79 children who underwent fundoplication between January 1995 and December 1999. Results: Forty-nine of the children (62%) had a respiratory indication for fundoplication. Children with neurological impairment tended to have a respiratory rather than a gastrointestinal indication for surgery. Congenital anomalies were present in 47%. Fundoplication in older children was more likely to be for a gastrointestinal indication. Children with neurological impairment were more likely to have a gastrostomy compared to children with normal neurological status (P < 0.01). Children with a respiratory indication were more likely to have three or more diagnostic investigations (P < 0.001). Ninety-two per cent of children with a respiratory indication and 90% with a gastrointestinal indication for fundoplication had at least one positive test for GOR (barium meal or 24-h oesophageal pH monitoring). Oesophagoscopy showed reflux oesophagitis in 46/61. Eighty-five per cent of the children had complete resolution of their symptoms after fundoplication. Conclusions: Neurological comorbidity was common in children who had surgery for gastro-oesophageal reflux disease, whether for gastrointestinal or respiratory indications. The majority of fundoplications were performed for respiratory indications. [source] Prescribing pattern of anti-epileptic drugs in an Italian setting of elderly outpatients: a population-based study during 2004,07BRITISH JOURNAL OF CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY, Issue 4 2010Alessandro Oteri WHAT IS ALREADY KNOWN ABOUT THIS SUBJECT , In the last years there has been a growing trend in anti-epileptic drug (AED) use, particularly in elderly patients, but few data concerning indication of use are available in general practice. , Various AEDs, including newer agents, have been approved for indications other than epilepsy and are increasingly also used for unlicensed indications. , No data about the impact of re-imbursement restrictions on the choice of anti-epileptic drugs in general practice are available. WHAT THIS STUDY ADDS , In general practice, a rapid increase of AED prescriptions in the elderly was observed, principally due to the use of newer AEDs for indications other than epilepsy. , Re-imbursement restrictions influenced newer AED use, particularly pregabalin and gabapentin prescriptions. , Phenobarbital, accounting for more than 50% of total AED volume, was the most prescribed medication during the entire study period. This finding should be considered in light of the potential risks associated with phenobarbital use in the geriatric population. AIMS The aims of the study were to assess the trend of older and newer anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs) in the elderly population and to analyze the effects of a health-policy intervention with regard to AED use in general practice in a setting in Southern Italy. METHODS Data were extracted from the ,Caserta-1' Local-Health-Unit Arianna database in the years 2004,07. Patients aged over 65 years, receiving at least one AED prescription and registered in the lists of 88 general practitioners, were selected. The use of older and newer AEDs was calculated as 1 year prevalence and incidence of use and defined daily dose (DDD) per 1000 inhabitants day,1. Sub-analyses by gender, age and indication of use were performed. RESULTS Most of AED users were treated because of neuropathic pain (64.8%). However, the main indication of use for older AEDs (57.8%) was epilepsy, whereas newer AEDs (79.5%) were used for neuropathic pain. Prevalence and incidence of newer AED use increased until 2006, followed by a reduction in 2007. Newer AEDs, particularly gabapentin and pregabalin, were used in the treatment of more patients than older AEDs. However phenobarbital, accounting for more than 50% of total AED volume, was the most prescribed medication during the entire study period. CONCLUSIONS An increasing use of AEDs has been observed during 2004,07, mostly due to the prescription of newer compounds for neuropathic pain. The fall in the use of newer AEDs during 2007 coincides with revised re-imbursement criteria for gabapentin and pregabalin. The large use of phenobarbital in the elderly should be considered in the light of a risk of adverse drug reactions. [source] The treatment of adolescents presenting with a varicoceleBJU INTERNATIONAL, Issue 4 2007Settin Çayan In the last 10 years there have been many reports of children and adolescents with varicocele, but virtually none from the UK. There is an increasing incidence with age, to 19% by the age of 19 years. There is some evidence that a varicocele impairs the development of the affected testis; 9.3% of boys of 19 years old have a small testis as a result. Some aspects of testicular function are compromised. Treatment of the varicocele allows compensatory growth and testicular function. The surgical technique must be meticulous to avoid complications, particularly the formation of a hydrocele. Despite much research, the effect on fertility is unknown. The incidence of varicocele is much higher than that of male factor infertility. It is not known whether varicocele in adolescence impairs fertility or whether surgery restores fertility. At present the main indications for surgery are persistent delay in growth of >20%, bilateral varicocele and impaired spermatogenesis persisting beyond 18 years old. [source] Overall survival, prognostic factors, and repeated surgery in a consecutive series of 516 patients with glioblastoma multiformeACTA NEUROLOGICA SCANDINAVICA, Issue 3 2010R. Helseth Helseth R, Helseth E, Johannesen TB, Langberg CW, Lote K, Rønning P, Scheie D, Vik A, Meling TR. Overall survival, prognostic factors, and repeated surgery in a consecutive series of 516 patients with glioblastoma multiforme. Acta Neurol Scand: 122: 159,167. © 2010 The Authors Journal compilation © 2010 Blackwell Munksgaard. Objectives,,, To study overall survival (OS), prognostic factors, and repeated surgery in glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). Material and methods, Retrospective study of 516 consecutive adult patients who underwent primary surgery for a GBM in year 2003,2008. Results,,, Median age at primary surgery was 63.7 years (range 18.0,88.0). Median OS was 9.9 months. Age >60 years, poor preoperative ECOG score, bilateral tumor, biopsy rather than resection, and no temozolomide chemoradiotherapy were negative risk factors. Repeat surgery was performed in 65 patients (13%). Median time between first and second surgery was 7 months. Indications for second surgery were increasing neurological deficits (35.4%), raised ICP (33.8%), asymptomatic but reoperated because of tumor progression verified on MRI (20.0%), and epileptic seizures (11%). Patients who underwent repeated surgery had longer OS; 18.4 months vs 8.6 months (P < 0.001). Conclusions,,, OS for adult GBM patients was 9.9 months. Negative prognostic factors were increasing age, poor neurological function, bilateral tumor involvement, biopsy instead of resection, and RT alone compared to temozolomide chemoradiotherapy. Our rate of repeated surgery for GBM was 13% and the main indications for second surgery were raised ICP and increasing neurological deficits. In a carefully selected group of patients, repeat surgery significantly prolongs OS. [source] Fine-needle aspiration biopsy and other biopsies in suspected intraocular malignant disease: a reviewACTA OPHTHALMOLOGICA, Issue 6 2009Nils Eide Abstract. Ocular oncologists require a strong indication for intraocular biopsy before the procedure can be performed because it carries a risk for serious eye complications and the dissemination of malignant cells. The purpose of this review is to evaluate the extent to which this restricted practice is supported by evidence from previous reports and to outline our main indications and contraindications. The different intraocular biopsy techniques in the anterior and posterior segment are discussed with a focus on our preferred method, fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB). In the literature, complications are typically under-reported, which reduces the possibilities of evaluating the risks correctly and of making fair comparisons with other biopsy methods. In FNAB, the exact placement of the needle is critical, as is an accurate assessment of the size of the lesion. Fine-needle aspiration biopsy is usually not a reliable diagnostic tool in lesions < 2 mm in thickness. It is very advantageous to have a cytopathologist present in the operating theatre or close by. This ensures adequate sampling and encourages repeated biopsy attempts if necessary. This approach reduces false negative results to < 3%. Adjunct immunocytochemistry is documented to increase specificity and is essential for diagnosis and management in about 10% of cases. In some rare pathological processes the diagnosis depends ultimately on the identification of specific cell markers. An accurate diagnosis may have a decisive influence on prognosis. The cytogenetic prognostications made possible after FNAB are reliable. Biopsy by FNA has a low complication rate. The calculated risk for retinal detachment is < 4%. Intraocular haemorrhage is frequently observed, but clears spontaneously in nearly all cases. Only a single case of epibulbar seeding of malignant cells at the scleral pars plana puncture site of transvitreal FNAB has been documented. Endophthalmitis has been reported and adequate standard preoperative preparation is obligatory. An open biopsy is still an option in the anterior segment, but has been abandoned in the posterior segment. Although vitrectomy-based procedures are becoming increasingly popular, we recommend using FNAB as part of a stepwise approach. A vitrectomy-assisted biopsy should be considered in cases where FNAB fails. In any adult patient with suspected intraocular malignancy in which enucleation is not the obvious treatment, the clinician should strive for a diagnosis based on biopsy. When the lesion is too small for biopsy or the risks related to the procedure are too great, it is reasonable to be reluctant to biopsy. The standards applied in the treatment of intraocular malignant diseases should be equivalent to those in other fields of oncology. Our view is controversial and contrary to opinion that supports current standards of care for this group of patients. [source] Corneal oedema after cataract surgery: predisposing factors and corneal graft outcomeACTA OPHTHALMOLOGICA, Issue 2 2009Margareta Claesson Abstract. Purpose:, Pseudophakic bullous keratopathy (PBK) is one of the main indications for corneal transplantation. Graft survival and visual outcome in this group are often poorer than for other indications. The aim of this study was to find risk factors for developing corneal oedema after cataract surgery and factors that influence the subsequent survival of the graft and the visual outcome. Methods:, We carried out an observational, retrospective cohort study using data from the Swedish Cornea Transplant Register and patient medical records. A total of 273 patients whose indication for corneal transplantation was corneal oedema after cataract surgery were included in the study. Multiple logistic regression analysis and, where appropriate, univariate analyses were applied. Results:, A total of 43% of the patients developed persistent corneal oedema immediately after cataract surgery, the main risk factors for which were phacoemulsification and pre-existing endothelial disease. Almost a third (32%) of the transplants for PBK failed within 2 years, for which rejection and other postoperative complications increased the risk. Half (50%) the patients had visual acuity , 0.1 at 2 years after keratoplasty. Comorbidity, increasing duration of the bullous keratopathy and increasing age affected the visual outcome negatively. Conclusions:, Phacoemulsification was a risk factor for immediate persistent corneal oedema after cataract surgery, although it did not increase the overall risk of developing PBK. However, transplants for immediate PBK had a better survival rate than those for later onset PBK. Shorter duration of PBK and intraocular lens exchange at the time of penetrating keratoplasty increased the likelihood of good visual acuity. [source] | ||||||||||