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Weekly Treatments (weekly + treatment)
Selected AbstractsOptimizing the frequency of outpatient short-contact dithranol treatment used in combination with broadband ultraviolet B for psoriasis: a randomized, within-patient controlled trialBRITISH JOURNAL OF DERMATOLOGY, Issue 6 2003S.R. Mcbride Summary Background Recent concerns over the side-effects of psoralen plus ultraviolet (UV) A, immunosuppressive and cytotoxic treatments have led to increased interest in dithranol for treatment of psoriasis. Few studies have investigated how frequently dithranol should be applied. Dithranol-induced inflammation is maximal at 48,72 h, suggesting that daily application of dithranol may not be optimal. Objectives To investigate the effectiveness of five times weekly application of short-contact dithranol (SCD) compared with three times weekly application in a dedicated hospital outpatient treatment unit. Methods A randomized, within-patient, controlled study was performed. Patients had SCD applied five times weekly to one half of the body, and three times weekly to the other side. Whole-body UVB irradiation was given 5 days a week. Patients were assessed weekly for 8 weeks. Principal outcome measures were percentage reduction in modified Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (mPASI) at the end of study and time to 50% improvement in mPASI score. Results Twenty-nine patients were recruited; four were excluded from analysis. Mean percentage reduction in mPASI score at the end of study for five times weekly application was 57·3% (95% confidence interval, CI 39·6,75·0%) and for three times weekly application was 55·4% (95% CI 37·8,73·1%; P = 0·34). Mean time to 50% improvement in mPASI for five times weekly treatment was 4·1 weeks and for three times weekly treatment was 4·0 weeks (P = 0·50). There was no difference in the frequency or severity of burning episodes for each side. Conclusions This study suggests that three times weekly application of SCD may be as effective as five times weekly when used in conjunction with UVB administered five times weekly. Large studies of whole-body comparisons are warranted to assess further the optimal frequency of SCD and UVB therapy for psoriasis. [source] Two schedules of second-line irinotecan for metastatic colon carcinomaCANCER, Issue 11 2004Economic evaluation of a randomized trial Abstract BACKGROUND In a recently reported, randomized trial, it was found that a regimen of irinotecan once every 3 weeks for patients with advanced colorectal carcinoma was associated with a lower incidence of severe diarrhea compared with weekly treatment, and both regimens had similar efficacy. METHODS Resource utilization was captured prospectively for all 291 patients who were included in the trial. Utilities were estimated by transformation of the global quality-of-life (QOL) item on the Eastern Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer QLQ-C30 instrument. RESULTS Patients in the every-3-week arm incurred an average incremental cost of $1362, because they received higher average weekly doses and because the every-3-week regimen resulted in less toxicity, allowing delivery of 97% of the planned doses compared with delivery of only 75% of the planned doses in the weekly arm. This lower toxicity also resulted in offsetting savings from decreased hospitalization and less requirement for supportive medications. Non-chemotherapy-related treatment administration costs also were lower, because the every-3-week regimen could be delivered with half the number of infusions. Utility declined less in the every-3-week arm, resulting in a saving of 6.3 quality-adjusted days. The base-case cost:utility ratio was $78,627 per quality-adjusted life year for patients on the every-3-week schedule. However, that ratio was very sensitive to the cost of irinotecan. CONCLUSIONS The schedule of irinotecan once every 3 weeks schedule was more costly but achieved lower toxicity, resulting in modestly improved utility. The cost-per-utility ratio was comparable to other commonly accepted contemporary treatments. Cancer 2004. © 2004 American Cancer Society. [source] A randomized comparison of cognitive behavioral therapy and behavioral weight loss treatment for overweight individuals with binge eating disorderINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF EATING DISORDERS, Issue 2 2007Simone Munsch PhD Abstract Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the efficacy of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and behavioral weight loss treatment (BWLT) for overweight patients with binge eating disorder (BED). Method: Eighty obese patients meeting criteria of BED according to DSM-IV-TR were randomly assigned to either CBT or BWLT consisting of 16 weekly treatments and 6 monthly follow-up sessions. Binge eating, general psychopathology, and body mass index (BMI) were assessed before, during, and after treatment, and at 12-month follow-up. Results: At posttreatment results favored CBT as the more effective treatment. Analysis of the course of treatments pointed to a faster improvement of binge eating in CBT based on the number of self-reported weekly binges, but faster reduction of BMI in BWLT. At 12-month follow-up, no substantial differences between the two treatment conditions existed. Conclusion: CBT was somewhat more efficacious than BWLT in treating binge eating but this superior effect was barely maintained in the long term. Further research into cost effectiveness is needed to assess which treatment should be considered the treatment of choice. © 2006 by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Eat Disord 2006 [source] Effects of two whole blood systems (DALI and Liposorber D) for LDL apheresis on lipids and cardiovascular risk markers in severe hypercholesterolemiaJOURNAL OF CLINICAL APHERESIS, Issue 6 2007Carsten Otto Abstract LDL apheresis is an extracorporal modality to lower the concentration of atherogenic lipoproteins, e.g., LDL cholesterol. We compared two recently introduced whole-blood LDL apheresis systems inpatients with hypercholesterolemia in a randomized cross-over trial with respect to their effects on lipoproteins as well as on other cardiovascular risk markers. Six patients (4 women, 2 men, median age 62.5 years, median BMI 25.9 kg/m2) on regular LDL apheresis were randomly assigned to receive six weekly treatments with either DALI (Fresenius) or Liposorber D (Kaneka). After 6 weeks, the patients were switched to the other device (again six weekly treatments). Blood was drawn before and immediately after LDL apheresis at three time points (last regular apheresis before the study; after six treatments with DALI and after six treatments with Liposorber D). LDL cholesterol concentration before the sixth apheresis (DALI 129 mg/dL, Liposorber D 132 mg/dL) as well as LDL cholesterol reduction during the sixth apheresis (DALI 68.3% and Liposorber D 68.4%) were similar with the two systems. CRP and fibrinogen concentrations were lower but interleukin-6, myeloperoxidase, and resistin concentrations were higher after the last Liposorber treatment compared with DALI (P < 0.05, respectively). No differences were observed concerning adiponectin, ghrelin, and PYY levels. In conclusion, both devices were highly effective in eliminating atherogenic lipoproteins. CRP and fibrinogen were better eliminated with Liposorber D. However, following Liposorber D, interleukin-6 levels were higher than after DALI possibly indicating an increased inflammatory activation. J. Clin. Apheresis, 2007. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Improvement in arm and post-partum abdominal and flank subcutaneous fat deposits and skin laxity using a bipolar radiofrequency, infrared, vacuum and mechanical massage deviceLASERS IN SURGERY AND MEDICINE, Issue 10 2009Lori Brightman MD Abstract Background and Objectives Skin laxity of the body is a growing cosmetic concern. Laxity can result from chronological or photoaging and changes in body dimensions during pregnancy or weight loss. The end result is loose, sagging skin, and localized fat deposits. Liposuction and abdominoplasty or brachioplasty are established approaches to these issues. Patient desire for alternatives to surgical correction has spawned the development of non-invasive body contouring devices. The combination of infrared light (IR), bipolar radiofrequency (RF), vacuum and mechanical massage (Velashape, Syneron Medical Ltd, Israel) has demonstrated efficacy in improving skin appearance and circumference of the thighs [Goldberg et al., Derm Surg 2008; 34:204,209; Fisher et al., Derm Surg 2005; 31:1237,1241; Arnoczky and Aksan, J Am Acad Orthop Surg 2000; 8:305,313; Alster and Tanzi, J Cosmetic Laser Therapy 2005; 7:81,85; Wanitphakdeedecha and Manuskiatti, J Cosmet Dermatol 2006; 5:284,288; Nootheti et al., Lasers Surg Med 2006; 38: 908,912], but only anecdotal evidence has supported its use on other anatomic locations. This study was designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Velashape on additional body sites and more rigorously examine the technology's impact on upper arm as well as abdominal and flank circumference. Study Design and Methods Subjects were 28,70 years old, skin types I,V. Nineteen subjects underwent 5 weekly treatments of the upper arms, and 10 subjects underwent 4 weekly treatments of the abdomen and flanks. Treatments were performed using Velashape. Circumference measurements, photographs, and subject weights were performed prior to treatment and at 1- and 3-month follow-ups. Subjects were asked to record their treatment satisfaction level. Results Change in arm circumference, at the 5th treatment was statistically significant with a mean loss of 0.625,cm. At 1- and 3-month follow-ups, mean loss was 0.71 and 0.597,cm respectively. Reduction of abdominal circumference at 3rd treatment was statistically significant with a 1.25,cm mean loss. At 1- and 3-month follow-ups, average loss was 1.43 and 1.82,cm respectively. Conclusions This study demonstrates with statistical significance, sustainable reduction in circumference and improvement in appearance of arms and abdomen following treatment with Velashape. Lasers Surg. Med. 41:791,798, 2009. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] | ||||||||||