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Treatment Results (treatment + result)

Distribution by Scientific Domains
Medical Sciences84%
Polymers and Materials Science15%

Selected Abstracts

Comparison of Treatment Result and Compliance between Private Practice Medicaid and Non-Medicaid Orthodontic Patients , A Brief Communication

JOURNAL OF PUBLIC HEALTH DENTISTRY, Issue 3 2008
Steven Dickens
Abstract Treatment result and compliance for orthodontic Medicaid patients were assessed and compared to non-Medicaid patients of similar initial severity. All 55 North Carolina practices providing orthodontic treatment covered by Medicaid were asked to submit their last five Medicaid cases and five non-Medicaid cases of similar initial treatment complexity. Nine practices agreed to participate. Initial models, final models, and progress notes were obtained for all subjects. Casts were scored using the Peer Assessment Rating (PAR) Index to assess initial and posttreatment orthodontic status, and progress notes were reviewed for compliance data. No clinically important differences were seen between the Medicaid and non-Medicaid groups with respect to initial PAR, final PAR, percent PAR reduction, broken appointments, broken appliances, or poor oral hygiene. In this study, Medicaid and non-Medicaid patients did not differ substantially with respect to effectiveness of treatment received or their compliance with treatment. [source]

Supraglottic Laryngeal Cancer: Analysis of Treatment Results,

THE LARYNGOSCOPE, Issue 8 2005
Donald G. Sessions MD
Abstract Objective: This study reports the results of treatment for supraglottic laryngeal cancer with nine different treatment modalities with long-term follow-up. Study Design: Retrospective study of 653 patients with supraglottic laryngeal squamous cell cancer treated from April 1955 to January 1999. Methods: The study population included previously untreated patients with cancer of the supraglottic larynx treated with curative intent by one of nine treatment modalities and who were eligible for 5-year follow-up. The treatment modalities included subtotal supraglottic laryngectomy (SSL), SSL with neck dissection (SSL/ND), total laryngectomy (TL), TL/ND, radiation therapy (RT), SSL/RT, SSL/ND/RT, TL/RT, and TL/ND/RT. Multiple diagnostic, treatment, and follow-up parameters were studied using standard statistical analysis to determine significance. Results: None of the nine treatment modalities produced a survival advantage, either overall or within the stages. Overall disease specific survival (DSS) by treatment modality included SSL 88.9%, SSL/ND 75.8%, TL 83.3%, TL/ND 66.7%, RT 47.2%, SSL/RT 68.9%, SSL/ND/RT 68.1%, TL/RT 59.3%, and TL/ND/RT 46.7%. Improved DSS and cumulative disease specific survival rates were associated with patients under the age of 65 years (P = .0001), early stage disease, N0 disease (P = .0001), clear resection margins (P = .0094), and no recurrence (P = .0001). Posttreatment function showed that 90% of patients were functional in everyday life, 90.7% were eating satisfactorily, 91.4% were breathing naturally, and 83% of SSL patients, 85.7% of RT patients, and 52.8% of TL patients had "good" voices. Laryngeal preservation was accomplished in 86.1% of SSL patients and 72.7% of RT patients (P = .0190). Conclusions: No treatment modality produced a survival advantage. Because SSL produced the best rate of laryngeal preservation, we recommend its use in treating the primary in eligible patients. The importance of clear resection margins is stressed. Patients with N+ disease should have the neck treated. Patients with N0 disease may be observed safely with no loss of survival advantage. Because of the pattern of recurrence and the high rates of distant metastasis and second primary cancers, follow-up for a period of not less than 8 years is recommended. [source]

Comparison of Treatment Result and Compliance between Private Practice Medicaid and Non-Medicaid Orthodontic Patients , A Brief Communication

JOURNAL OF PUBLIC HEALTH DENTISTRY, Issue 3 2008
Steven Dickens
Abstract Treatment result and compliance for orthodontic Medicaid patients were assessed and compared to non-Medicaid patients of similar initial severity. All 55 North Carolina practices providing orthodontic treatment covered by Medicaid were asked to submit their last five Medicaid cases and five non-Medicaid cases of similar initial treatment complexity. Nine practices agreed to participate. Initial models, final models, and progress notes were obtained for all subjects. Casts were scored using the Peer Assessment Rating (PAR) Index to assess initial and posttreatment orthodontic status, and progress notes were reviewed for compliance data. No clinically important differences were seen between the Medicaid and non-Medicaid groups with respect to initial PAR, final PAR, percent PAR reduction, broken appointments, broken appliances, or poor oral hygiene. In this study, Medicaid and non-Medicaid patients did not differ substantially with respect to effectiveness of treatment received or their compliance with treatment. [source]

Photorejuvenation for Asian Skin by Intense Pulsed Light

DERMATOLOGIC SURGERY, Issue 7 2001
Kei Negishi MD
Background. Dermabrasion and deep chemical peeling are used in the treatment of photoaged skin. These ablative procedures are effective enough to produce a certain improvement but have often caused postinflammatory hyperpigmentation among Asian patients. To avoid such adverse effects, a new, nonablative procedure has been sought. Objective. To determine the effectiveness of photorejuvenation for Asian skin using intense pulsed light (IPL). The specific parameters used, improvement ratios, side-effects, and downtime required are also discussed. Methods. Ninety-seven patients were treated for photoaging using IPL. The cutoff filters of 550 nm and 570 nm were utilized for three to six treatments at intervals of 2 to 3 weeks. Results. Treatment results were evaluated and rated by both patients and physicians at the end of the third treatment based on improvement in pigmentation, telangiectasia, and skin texture. A combined rating of "good" or "excellent" was given to more than 90% of the patients for pigmentation, more than 83% for telangiectasia, and more than 65% for skin texture. There were some minor complications in four cases: one had erythema that continued to the next day and three had minor blisters leaving no marks. Conclusion. Photorejuvenation using IPL is a completely safe and effective procedure even for Asian skin. It will be increasingly used for skin rejuvenation in the future. [source]

Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation improve tinnitus in normal hearing patients: a double-blind controlled, clinical and neuroimaging outcome study

EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROLOGY, Issue 1 2010
R. A. Marcondes
Background and purpose:, Tinnitus is a frequent disorder which is very difficult to treat and there is compelling evidence that tinnitus is associated with functional alterations in the central nervous system. Targeted modulation of tinnitus-related cortical activity has been proposed as a promising new treatment approach. We aimed to investigate both immediate and long-term effects of low frequency (1 Hz) repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) in patients with tinnitus and normal hearing. Methods:, Using a parallel design, 20 patients were randomized to receive either active or placebo stimulation over the left temporoparietal cortex for five consecutive days. Treatment results were assessed by using the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory. Ethyl cysteinate dimmer-single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) imaging was performed before and 14 days after rTMS. Results:, After active rTMS there was significant improvement of the tinnitus score as compared to sham rTMS for up to 6 months after stimulation. SPECT measurements demonstrated a reduction of metabolic activity in the inferior left temporal lobe after active rTMS. Conclusion:, These results support the potential of rTMS as a new therapeutic tool for the treatment of chronic tinnitus, by demonstrating a significant reduction of tinnitus complaints over a period of at least 6 months and significant reduction of neural activity in the inferior temporal cortex, despite the stimulation applied on the superior temporal cortex. [source]

Attitude of health-care providers toward childhood leukemia patients with different socio-economic status,

PEDIATRIC BLOOD & CANCER, Issue 5 2008
Saskia Mostert MD
Abstract Background Treatment results differ significantly between poor and prosperous children with leukemia in Indonesia. The objective of this study was to determine whether parental socio-economic status influences beliefs, attitude, and behavior of health-care providers (hcp) treating childhood leukemia in Indonesia. Procedure A self-administered semi-structured questionnaire was filled in by 102 hcp (69 doctors, 28 nurses, 2 psychologists, 2 hematology technicians, 1 administrator). Results Most hcp (98%) asked parents about their financial situation. The decision to start treatment was influenced by parental socio-economic status (86%), motivation of parents (80%), and motivation of doctors (76%). Health-care providers stated that prosperous patients comply better with treatment (64%), doctors comply better with treatment for the prosperous (53%), most patients cannot afford to complete treatment (58%), less extensive explanations are given toward poor families (60%), and communication is impeded by differences in status (67%). When dealing with prosperous families a minority of hcp stated that they pay more attention (27%), work with greater accuracy (24%), take more interest (23%), and devote more time per visit (22%). Most hcp denied differences in the quality of medical care (93%) and the chances of cure (58%) between poor and prosperous patients. Conclusions Beliefs, attitude, and behavior of hcp toward poor versus prosperous patients appeared to differ. These differences may contribute to the immense drop-out rate and slight chances of survival among poor patients with leukemia in developing countries. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2008;50:1001,1005. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]

Adult primary extragonadal germ cell tumors: Treatment results and long-term follow-up

PEDIATRIC BLOOD & CANCER, Issue 1 2003
Argon Andac MD
Abstract Background Primary extragonadal germ cell tumors (PEGCT) are rare neoplasms. They have a poor prognosis, different behavior, and natural course compared to their gonadal counterparts. Both primary and salvage treatment of these tumors constitute a challenge. We retrospectively evaluated the clinicopathologic status, therapeutic implications, and outcome of our patients with PEGCT. Procedure Between 1991 and 2000, 18 patients with PEGCT (median age 31 years; range 17,63), diagnosed with tru-cut biopsy and treated with cisplatin-based chemotherapy, were evaluated in respect to treatment response and outcome. Results Cisplatin-based chemotherapy achieved a complete response rate of 27.8% and a partial response rate of 55.5%. Overall response rate was 83.3%. Only three patients were unresponsive to chemotherapy; an additional six patients with residual mass underwent surgical resection and were rendered disease-free by surgery. The 5-year actuarial event-free and overall survival were 63.4 and 71.3%, respectively. Conclusions The outcomes of our patients with extragonadal primaries including mediastinal localization appear to be slightly better than those previously reported. Multimodality therapy is essential for these patients and given the relatively poor prognosis, prospective trials with large sample sizes, and new treatment approaches to improve outcome are required. Med Pediatr Oncol 2003;41:49,53. © 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]

Surgery by consultant gynecologic oncologists improves survival in patients with ovarian carcinoma

CANCER, Issue 3 2006
Mirjam J. A. Engelen M.D.
Abstract BACKGROUND Consultant gynecologic oncologists from the regional Comprehensive Cancer Center assisted community gynecologists in the surgical treatment of patients with ovarian carcinoma when they were invited. For this report, the authors evaluated the effects of primary surgery by a gynecologic oncologist on treatment outcome. METHODS The hospital files from 680 patients with epithelial ovarian carcinoma who were diagnosed between 1994 and 1997 in the northern part of the Netherlands were abstracted. Treatment results were analyzed according to the operating physician's education by using survival curves and univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses. RESULTS Primary surgery was performed on 184 patients by gynecologic oncologists, and on 328 patients by general gynecologists. Gynecologic oncologists followed surgical guidelines more strictly compared with general gynecologists (patients with International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics [FIGO] Stage I,II disease, 55% vs. 33% [P = 0.01]; patients with FIGO Stage III disease, 60% vs. 40% [P = 0.003]) and more often removed all macroscopic tumor in patients with FIGO Stage III disease (24% vs. 12%; P = 0.02). When patients were stratified according to FIGO stage, the 5-year overall survival rate was 86% versus 70% (P = 0.03) for patients with Stage I,II disease and 21% versus 13% (P = 0.02) for patients with Stage III,IV disease who underwent surgery by gynecologic oncologists and general gynecologists, respectively. The hazards ratio for patients who underwent surgery by gynecologic oncologists was 0.79 (95% confidence interval [95%CI], 0.61,1.03; adjusted for patient age, disease stage, type of hospital, and chemotherapy); when patients age 75 years and older were excluded, the hazards ratio fell to 0.71 (95% CI, 0.54,0.94) in multivariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS The surgical treatment of patients with ovarian carcinoma by gynecologic oncologists occurred more often according to surgical guidelines, tumor removal more often was complete, and survival was improved. Cancer 2006. © 2005 American Cancer Society. [source]

Analysis of 154 cases of teeth with cracks

DENTAL TRAUMATOLOGY, Issue 3 2006
Byoung-Duck Roh
Abstract,,, It is well known that cracked teeth occur most frequently in the mandibular molars with large or poor restorations, in those over 50 years of age. However, with increasing knowledge and experience with cracks of teeth, cracks appear to be found frequently in intact teeth without restorations. The aim of this study is to analyze the cases of tooth cracks in a dental hospital in a year, and to find out the characteristic features of cracks of teeth. For 1 year, each tooth that were identified as a cracked tooth was recorded and analyzed in terms of the classification of cavity and restorative material, the nature of opposing tooth, the location in the arch, the age and gender, and the clinical signs and symptoms, and treatment result. Cracked teeth were observed most frequently in the teeth with no restorations (60.4%) and with class I restorations (29.2%). The most prevalent age was in those over 40 years of age (31.2% in their 40s, 26.6% in their 50s) and the prevalence was similar in men (53.9%) and women (46.1%). Cracked teeth were found most frequently in the maxillary molars (33.8% in first molar, 23.4% in second molar) than in the mandibular molars (20.1% in first molar, 16.2% in second molar). 96.1% of the cracked teeth responded to the bite test, and 81.1% of the cracked teeth were observed in the mesiodistal direction. The prevalence of cracked tooth was highest in the intact teeth with no restoration, in maxillary molars, and in those over 40 years of age. When examining a intact maxillary posterior tooth that is sensitive to a bite and thermal change, crack in the mesiodistal direction need to be considered one of the causes. [source]

T-cell interleukin-6 receptor binding in interferon-,-1b-treated multiple sclerosis patients

EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROLOGY, Issue 6 2000
P. Bongioanni
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a T-cell-mediated autoimmune demyelinating disease of the central nervous system, associated with an altered cytokine network. We previously assayed peripheral blood T-lymphocyte binding for two prototypic cytokines, tumour necrosis factor-, (TNF-,) and interleukin-6 (IL-6), and found that T cells from MS patients had significantly more TNF-, and IL-6 receptors than those from healthy controls. In the present work, paralleling a previous one on T-cell TNF-, binding, we studied the effect of interferon (IFN)-,-1b treatment on T-lymphocyte IL-6 binding in patients with relapsing,remitting MS. T cells from MS patients had significantly (P < 0.001) higher amounts of IL-6 receptors than those from controls [292 ± 6 vs. 228 ± 8 (mean ± SEM) receptors per cell, respectively], whereas the ligand-receptor affinity values were similar in the two groups [26.2 ± 0.7 and 25.7 ± 0.4 (mean ± SEM) pmoles/l, respectively]. After a 3-month IFN-,-1b treatment, they showed a significant decrease in IL-6 binding [266 ± 7 (mean ± SEM) receptors per cell]. After 6 and 9 months, T-cell IL-6 Bmax values were even lower [258 ± 8 and 251 ± 8 (mean ± SEM) receptors per cell]. Since an increased IL-6 binding might be linked to a lymphocyte activation, our data give further support for an enhanced immune response in patients with MS. Our data seem to demonstrate that the major effects of IFN-,-1b treatment result in a decrease of T-cell activation. [source]

Cross-Linked Conjugated Polymers for Achieving Patterned Three-Color and Blue Polymer Light-Emitting Diodes with Multi-Layer Structures

MACROMOLECULAR RAPID COMMUNICATIONS, Issue 18 2009
Xianyu Deng
Abstract Reactions between the ethylene groups in the backbone of conjugated polymers under UV illumination and heat treatment result in the cross-linking of the main polymer chains. The cross-linking leads to two simultaneous results in the polymer: excellent solvent resistance and increased bandgap. Using this reaction, three-color polymer light-emitting diodes (PLEDs) with a multi-layer structure can be easily realized by a dry photo-pattern in an active-gas-free environment. Multi-layer blue devices with dramatically enhanced efficiency can also be achieved conveniently. [source]

The influence of chemical surface modification on the performance of sisal-polyester biocomposites

POLYMER COMPOSITES, Issue 2 2002
S. Misra
This article concerns the effectiveness of various types and degrees of surface modification of sisal fibers involving dewaxing, alkali treatment, bleaching cyanoethylation and viny1 grafting in enhancing the mechanical properties, such as tensile, flexural and impact strength, of sisal-polyester biocomposites. The mechanical properties are optimum at a fiber loading of 30 wt%. Among all modifications, cyanoethylation and alkali treatment result in improved properties of the biocomposites. Cyanoethylated sisal-polyester composite exhibited maximum tensile strength (84.29 MPa). The alkali treated sisal-polyester composite exhibited best flexural (153.94 MPa) and impac strength (197.88 J/m), which are, respectively, 21.8% and 20.9% higher than the corresponding mechanical properties of the untreated sisal-polyester composites. In the case of vinyl grafting, acrylonitrile (AN)-grafted sisal-polyester composites show better mechanical properties than methyl-methacrylate (MMA)-grafted sisal composites. Scanning electron microscopic studies were carried out to analyze the fiber-matrix interaction in various surface-modified sisal-polyester composites. [source]

Results of a Survey of 5,700 Patient Monopolar Radiofrequency Facial Skin Tightening Treatments: Assessment of a Low-Energy Multiple-Pass Technique Leading to a Clinical End Point Algorithm

DERMATOLOGIC SURGERY, Issue 8 2007
FRCP, FRCPC, JEFFREY S. DOVER MD
INTRODUCTION Monopolar radiofrequency is an effective means of nonsurgical facial skin tightening. OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to determine whether using larger tips at lower energy and multiple passes, using patient feedback on heat sensation and treating to a clinical end point of visible tightening, would yield better results than single passes with small tips at high energy, as measured by patient and physician satisfaction. METHODS Fourteen physicians from four specialties were surveyed to determine the answers to the following three questions. (1) Is patient's feedback on heat sensation a valid and preferred method for optimal energy selection? (2) Do multiple passes at moderate energy settings yield substantial and consistent efficacy? (3) Is treating to a clinical end point of visible tightening predictable of results? RESULTS A total of 5,700 patient treatments were surveyed. Comparisons were made using the original algorithm of high-energy, single pass to the new algorithm of lower energy and multiple passes with visible tightening as the end point of treatment. Using the original treatment algorithm, 26% of patients demonstrated immediate tightening, 54% observed skin tightening 6 months after treatment, 45% found the procedure too painful, and 68% of patients found the treatment results met their expectations. With the new multiple-pass algorithm, 87% observed immediate tightening, 92% had the tightening six months after treatment, 5% found the procedure too painful, while 94% found the treatment results met their expectations. CONCLUSIONS Patient feedback on heat sensation is a valid, preferable method for optimal energy selection in monopolar radiofrequency skin-tightening treatments. [source]

Coping with type-2 diabetes: the role of sense of coherence compared with active management

JOURNAL OF ADVANCED NURSING, Issue 6 2000
Birgitta Sandén-Eriksson PhD
Coping with type-2 diabetes: the role of sense of coherence compared with active management Changes in lifestyle, particularly in dietary and exercise habits, are necessary for the majority of patients with type-2 diabetes but are difficult to carry out. However, Antonovsky describes a salutogenic health perspective grounded in patients' developing what he terms ,a sense of coherence' (SOC). Can a strong SOC help diabetes patients to control the disease? The aim of this study was to analyse the relationship between SOC and treatment results measured as glucolysed haemoglobine (HbA1c) in patients with type-2 diabetes. The aim was further to test the relationship between treatment results and an index of patients' participation in active management and emotional state. Eighty-eight patients answered a questionnaire containing 13 statements about sense of coherence (SOC-13), questions about self-assessed health, diabetes activity such as self-management of diet, exercise and self-control of blood sugar and emotional acceptance. There was no direct relationship between SOC-13 and treatment results measured as HbA1c but there was a positive correlation between SOC-13, self-assessed health and HbA1c (P < 0·02). Self-assessed health was seen as a mediating factor. The better patients' estimation of their own health, the higher were SOC-13 scores and the lower HbA1c. There was also a strong positive correlation between low levels of HbA1c and high levels of an index of active management and emotional acceptance of diabetes (P < 0·001). [source]

Blood Pressure Components in Clinical Hypertension

JOURNAL OF CLINICAL HYPERTENSION, Issue 9 2006
Michel E. Safar MD
This review offers a critical evaluation of the remarkable progress in antihypertensive therapy since its inception. Despite the introduction of newer, more sophisticated drugs, treatment results have remained stable. Problems impeding further improvement include limited patient compliance, clinical inertia, incomplete adherence to guidelines, and dependence on brachial artery cuff pressures for diagnosis, risk assessment, and treatment response. Brachial artery systolic and pulse pressures do not reliably represent aortic or carotid artery pressures, which are better risk predictors for the heart and brain. Mean pressure, which is the same throughout the arterial tree, is directly measurable by cuff oscillometry, and might become the best single risk predictor. Available drugs have limited ability to decrease the aortic stiffness that is responsible for the elevated systolic blood pressure of aging. Therefore, to improve risk assessment and therapeutic benefit, we might include mean blood pressure and pulse pressure into blood pressure measurements, pursue efforts to measure central blood pressure, and search for new drugs to reduce arterial stiffness. [source]

Comparison of clinical outcome parameters, the Patient Benefit Index (PBI-k) and patient satisfaction after ablative fractional laser treatment of peri-orbital rhytides,

LASERS IN SURGERY AND MEDICINE, Issue 3 2010
Syrus Karsai MD
Abstract Background Laser treatment of facial rhytides has evolved as a major modality of aesthetic surgery. Published results, while generally encouraging, feature highly diverse evaluation methods, which makes an evidence-based assessment of treatment efficacy and safety all but impossible. Objective To compare the results of different instruments of measurement. Patients/Methods Twenty-eight patients were enrolled and completed the entire study. They received a single ablative fractional treatment of the peri-orbital region. The evaluation included the Fitzpatrick wrinkle score, the profilometric measurement of wrinkle depth and the Patient Benefit Index (both before and 3 months after treatment) as well as the assessment of patient satisfaction (1, 3, 6 days and 3 months after treatment). Results All assessment instruments showed a significant, albeit moderate, improvement. The agreement between assessment methods was poor. Despite claiming to assess basically the same parameter, the Fitzpatrick wrinkle score and profilometry differed significantly, and neither assessment instrument showed any appreciable correlation with any other. Conclusions The outcome assessment of rhytide therapy,regardless of the method used,shows substantial room for improvement. Strict methodological precautions ought to be applied for ,objective' evaluation methods like photographic scoring and profilometry. Subjective methods of assessment are essential and might serve as a main outcome parameter. Finally, critical reappraisal of published treatment results seems warranted to review the quality of their methodology. Lasers Surg. Med. 42:215,223, 2010. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]

Plasma polymerization and deposition of glycidyl methacrylate on Si(100) surface for adhesion improvement with polyimide

POLYMERS FOR ADVANCED TECHNOLOGIES, Issue 10 2001
X. P. Zou
Abstract Thin polymer films were deposited on Si(100) surfaces by plasma polymerization of glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) under different glow discharge conditions. The FT-IR, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and amine treatment results suggested that the epoxide functional groups of the deposited films had been preserved to various extents, depending on the plasma deposition conditions. The use of a low radio frequency power (, 5 W) and a relatively high system pressure (100,400 Pa) readily resulted in the deposition of thin films having nearly the same composition of the epoxide functional groups as that of the GMA homopolymer. The plasma-polymerized GMA (PP-GMA) thin films deposited on the Ar plasma-pretreated Si(100) surfaces were retained to a large extent after acetone extraction, suggesting the presence of covalent bonding between the PP-GMA layer and the Si surface. Thermal imidization of the poly(amic acid) precursor of polyimide on the GMA plasma-polymerized Si(100) surface resulted in a strongly adhered polyimide film. The adhesion results further suggested that the GMA polymer had been grafted on the Si(100) surface and the epoxide functional groups had undergone reactive interaction (curing) with the carboxylic and amine groups of the poly(amic acid) during thermal imidization. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]

ORIGINAL RESEARCH,PEYRONIE'S DISEASE: Use of Penile Extender Device in the Treatment of Penile Curvature as a Result of Peyronie's Disease.

THE JOURNAL OF SEXUAL MEDICINE, Issue 2 2009
Results of a Phase II Prospective Study
ABSTRACT Introduction., Pilot experiences have suggested that tension forces exerted by a penile extender may reduce penile curvature as a result of Peyronie's disease. Aim., To test this hypothesis in a Phase II study using a commonly marketed brand of penile extender. Methods., Peyronie's disease patients with a curvature not exceeding 50° with mild or no erectile dysfunction (ED) were eligible. Fifteen patients were required to test the efficacy of the device assuming an effect size of >0.8, consistent with an "important" reduction in penile curvature. Changes in penile length over baseline and erectile function (EF) domain scores of the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) constituted secondary end points. Main Outcome Measures., Patients were counselled on the use of the penile extender for at least 5 hours per day for 6 months. Photographic pictures of the erect penis and measurements were carried out at baseline, at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months (end of study). The IIEF-EF domain scores were administered at baseline and at the end of study. Treatment satisfaction was assessed at end of study using a nonvalidated institutional 5-item questionnaire. Results., Penile curvature decreased from an average of 31° to 27° at 6 months without reaching the effect size (P = 0.056). Mean stretched and flaccid penile length increased by 1.3 and 0.83 cm, respectively at 6 months. Results were maintained at 12 months. Overall treatment results were subjectively scored as acceptable in spite of curvature improvements, which varied from "no change" to "mild improvement." Conclusions., In our study, the use of a penile extender device provided only minimal improvements in penile curvature but a reasonable level of patient satisfaction, probably attributable to increased penile length. The selection of patients with a stabilized disease, a penile curvature not exceeding 50°, and no severe ED may have led to outcomes underestimating the potential efficacy of the treatment. Gontero P, Di Marco M, Giubilei G, Bartoletti R, Pappagallo G, Tizzani A, and Mondaini N. Use of penile extender device in the treatment of penile curvature as a result of Peyronie's disease. Results of a phase II prospective study. J Sex Med 2009;6:558,566. [source]

Phase II study of the irinotecan (CPT-11), mitoxantrone and dexamethasone regimen in elderly patients with relapsed or refractory peripheral T-cell lymphoma

CANCER SCIENCE, Issue 1 2007
Nozomi Niitsu
We treated elderly patients with relapsed or refractory peripheral T-cell lymphoma (PTCL) using a CMD (CPT-11, mitoxantrone [MIT], dexamethasone [DEX]) regimen and studied its safety and efficacy. The subjects were 70,79-year-old patients with relapsed or refractory PTCL. CPT-11 at 25 mg/m2 on days 1 and 2, MIT at 8 mg/m2 on day 3, and DEX at 40 mg/day on days 1,3 were administered once every 3 weeks, and this was performed for six cycles. Eleven (37%) of the 30 patients achieved complete remission and seven patients (23%) achieved partial remission. With a median follow-up period of 32 months, the 3-year survival rate was 28.2% and the 3-year progression-free survival rate was 17.5%. The main adverse drug reaction was hematological toxicity and there were no deaths related to the treatment. B-type natriuretic peptide and troponin T levels did not increase after the treatment and none of the patients showed electrocardiogram or echocardiogram abnormalities. Our results indicate that the CMD regimen is safe in elderly patients and no cardiotoxicities developed as a result of this regimen. In addition, it was effective in patients who had previously been treated with doxorubicin and good treatment results were obtained in elderly patients with relapsed PTCL. (Cancer Sci 2007; 98: 109,112) [source]