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Biomedical subjects

B Pedersen

Publications and source records attributed to B Pedersen.

At least 145 records · Page 8Linked to original sources

Nocturnal asthma: effect of treatment with oral sustained-release terbutaline, inhaled budesonide, and the two in combination.

The purpose of this study was to compare effect of treatment with an oral long-acting beta 2-agonist (sustained-release terbutaline, Bricanyl depot), an inhaled steroid (budesonide, Pulmicort), and the combined treatment in patients with nocturnal asthma. Thirty-seven patients completed the study. During a 1-week run-in period with inhaled terbutaline monotherapy, the mean nocturnal asthma score was 1.0 (+/- 0.1) (corresponding to one awakening every night), and the mean overnight fall in peak expiratory flow rate was 27.7% (+/- 2.0). The patients were randomly entered into double-blind, crossover periods of 3 weeks each: (1) sustained-release terbutaline, 10 mg twice daily (b.i.d.), (2) sustained-release terbutaline, 10 mg b.i.d., and two puffs (400 micrograms) of budesonide, b.i.d., and (3) two puffs (400 micrograms) of budesonide, b.i.d. The combined treatment resulted in significantly lower overnight fall in peak expiratory flow rate (6.9% +/- 1.4 compared to 9.4% +/- 2.0 during sustained-release terbutaline and 10.4% +/- 1.9 during budesonide) and less nocturnal awakenings (nocturnal asthma score 0.15 +/- 0.05, 0.43 +/- 0.09, and 0.26 +/- 0.06, respectively) than either single treatment alone (p less than 0.05). The differences between the single treatments were not significant. We thus found that an inhaled steroid is as effective as a long-acting oral beta 2-agonist in controlling nocturnal asthma and that the combination is better. The observed differences were, however, small, and other studies would be required to evaluate the clinical significance of the present finding.

Administration, Inhalation↗

A placebo-controlled dose-response study of enprofylline in the maintenance therapy of asthma.

We assessed the efficacy and side effects of oral enprofylline in the maintenance therapy of 206 asthmatics 19 to 71 yr of age. After a 1-wk placebo run-in, patients were randomized to receive in double-blind fashion one of three doses of slow-release enprofylline tablets (150 mg, 300 mg, or 450 mg twice daily) or matching placebo for 4 wk. At baseline, mean (SD) peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) was 62 (19)% of predicted normal values. The mean increase in morning PEFR 12 h after dosing was: for 450 mg, 14(17)%; for 300 mg, 8(23)%; for 150 mg, 2(11)%, for placebo 0(10)%. The increases over baseline for 450 mg and 300 mg compared with 150 mg and placebo were statistically significant. The mean asthma symptoms score (scale zero to 3) exhibited a dose-related reduction. Significantly less beta 2-receptor agonist inhalations were used in the 450-mg group than in the placebo group. There was a statistically significant increase in headache and nausea with the doses 450 mg and 300 mg given twice daily during the first treatment week compared with 150 mg and placebo. Subsequent to the first week, there were no differences between the active treatments and placebo with respect to the incidence of these and other side effects. We conclude that oral enprofylline, in a dosage of 300 to 450 mg twice daily is an effective and well-tolerated drug that may be useful in the maintenance therapy of asthma.

Adult↗

Instability and rotation of silver silicone penile prosthesis.

Four cases of a similar complication in patients who have had the Jonas silver silicone prosthesis implanted are reported. The patients complain of instability and rotation of the prosthesis to a position that stands out from the body, no matter what the initial position of the prosthesis. The rotation causes difficulty with coitus. The explanation is one of a manufacturing and not a surgical defect.

Adult↗

Evaluation of patients and partners 1 to 4 years after penile prosthesis surgery.

One to 4 years after penile prosthesis implantation 52 men and 22 partners were interviewed personally. All except 4 patients were having intercourse on a regular basis. A quarter of the patients reported restriction in intercourse positions, possibly because of a smaller penis postoperatively, and 15 per cent reported decreased orgasm intensity. Six men had an undiagnosed prosthesis malfunction or they used an inadequate pumping technique, suggesting that prosthesis patients should be followed on a continuing basis. The 52 men had experienced 10 malfunctions with the prosthesis. Partial erections were reported by 69 per cent of the patients but this could be confirmed in only 1 of 10 with visual sexual stimulation testing. It is suggested that differences between prosthesis models are more a result of psychological, relationship and health factors than mechanical factors. Of the patients 79 per cent would undergo the operation again but only 59 per cent of the partners had no hesitations. The longer the postoperative period the more hesitations. A satisfaction score was used to measure patient satisfaction.

Coitus↗

Psychosocial follow-up of penile prosthesis implant patients and partners.

One to four years after penile prosthesis surgery, detailed medical and psychosocial interviews were conducted separately with 52 patients and 22 of their partners. Patients tended to be negative or disappointed about postoperative pain, penis size, postoperative sexual frequency, and prosthesis malfunctions. Positive comments emphasized the psychological benefits of renewed masculine self-esteem, repair of humiliation, and reduction of marital guilt. Most patients said they would have the surgery again. Partners corroborated patients' assessments of psychological benefits, but tended to rate the mechanical benefits of the prosthesis somewhat lower. Methodological difficulties in measuring satisfaction with the prosthesis and suggestions for future follow-up research are emphasized in the discussion.

Adult↗

Assessment of D-dimer in plasma: diagnostic value in suspected deep venous thrombosis of the leg.

D-dimer, a fibrin degradation product containing the gamma-gamma crosslink of fibrin, can now be assayed by the use of highly specific monoclonal antibodies. Such assays are not influenced by fibrinogenolysis and measurements can be performed on citrated plasma. The diagnostic values of four such assays--two based on ELISA technique and two on latex agglutination--were evaluated in 108 out of 118 consecutive patients admitted with suspected deep venous thrombosis of the leg. With cut-off limits defined by a pilot study and with venography as reference, a negative D-dimer test was confirmed in 45 of 46 patients (98%; 95% confidence limits: 88-99.9%) after ELISA-M, in 43 of 44 (98%; 88-99.9%) after ELISA-S, in 54 of 67 (81%; 69-89%) after Latex-M and in 40 of 44 (91%; 78-97%) after Latex-S. A positive D-dimer test was confirmed in 61% (48-73%), 59% (46-71%), 63% (47-78%), and 55% (42-67%) respectively. These data suggest the use of one of the ELISA assays for screening. A negative D-dimer test excludes deep venous thrombosis, whereas a positive D-dimer should be followed by venography. By this procedure a 40% reduction of venographic examinations can be expected.

Acute Disease↗

Analysis of leucocyte differentiation antigens in blood and bone marrow in patients with refractory anaemia (RA) and RA with sideroblasts. Prognostic implications of sequential and follow-up data.

34 patients with primary myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), initially diagnosed as subtypes refractory anaemia (RA) and RA with ringed sideroblasts (RA-S), were followed to investigate the distribution of lymphoid and myeloid differentiation antigens in the blood and bone marrow in search of potential prognostic significance with regard to progression to RA with an excess of blasts (RAEB) or acute myeloid leukaemia, and for relations to clinical, morphological and cytogenetic findings. Patients who later progressed to RAEB had significantly decreased percentages of anti-T8 positive T-suppressor cells in the blood at diagnosis compared to those who did not (p = 0.05). Sequential analysis showed a decrease with time also in the percentages of anti-T8-positive cells (p = 0.05). In the bone marrow, progressing patients initially showed significantly increased percentages of anti-My9-positive immature myeloid cells (p less than 0.001), and the percentages of anti-My9-positive cells in the bone marrow increased with time (p less than 0.005). Analysis of the pooled data revealed a statistically significant relation between increasing percentages of anti-My9-positive cells and the frequencies of clonally abnormal (p less than 0.001) and abnormal (p = 0.004) metaphases.

Anemia, Refractory↗

Serum concentrations and accumulation of silver in skin during three months treatment with an anti-smoking chewing gum containing silver acetate.

Silver acetate chewing gum was used for 12 weeks as a smoking deterrent in 21 adults. The effect of silver on serum concentrations, its accumulation in the skin and the risk of developing clinically evident argyria were investigated. Serum concentrations of silver clearly rose after chewing gum use had started, and concentrations quickly returned to normal after use had ceased. In most cases the number of silver granules in skin biopsies, observed by autometallography, increased after the gum had been used for 12 weeks. No one developed clinical signs of argyria. Silver acetate containing remedies can be used as an aid to stop smoking, but the consumption must be monitored to avoid accumulation of larger amounts of silver in the body.

Acetates↗

57Co-bleomycin scintigraphy for the preoperative detection and staging of lung tumors.

Twenty-five consecutive patients with lung tumors were classified according to the presence of metastases by the use of 57Co-Bleomycin scintigraphy. Twenty-two of the tumors were visualized but metastatic spread to hilar lymph nodes was not detected. Reliable separation of central tumors with and without growth into neighbouring organs was not possible. Mediastinal uptake was found in eight cases but only a part of these could be verified by operation. The method can contribute to the evaluation of lung tumors and can be helpful to avoid some unnecessary thoracotomies.

Adenocarcinoma↗