PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

Cary E Johnson

Publications and source records attributed to Cary E Johnson.

11 recordsLinked to original sources

Otitis media: review of the 2004 treatment guidelines.

OBJECTIVE: To review the 2004 treatment guidelines provided by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) regarding the treatment of otitis media in pediatric patients. DATA SOURCES: A MEDLINE search, restricted to English-language articles about pediatric patients, was conducted (1966-May 2005) using the key words acute otitis media (AOM), guideline, observation therapy, and vaccination. Additional references were located through review of the bibliographies of cited articles. STUDY SELECTION AND DATA EXTRACTION: Studies related to the fundamental basis of the updated guidelines and articles addressing current issues related to otitis media infection were included. DATA SYNTHESIS: Otitis media affects many children in the US. Concerns have been raised about the proper treatment of AOM in the face of increasing drug resistance among primary pathogens responsible for infection. Some countries have chosen to observe patients for a designated period of time prior to initiation of antibiotic therapy. The AAP and AAFP have updated the treatment guidelines for otitis media to include the option of observation therapy, recommendations for dosing of various antibiotic regimens and their place in therapy, and the importance of initial pain management. CONCLUSIONS: Updated treatment guidelines for otitis media have been developed in an effort to properly treat children while decreasing current resistance rates for common organisms that cause AOM. In the future, the therapeutic outcomes of observation therapy related to both the incidence of drug resistance and the possibility of increased complications related to otitis media will need to be evaluated in the US.

Child↗

Antiinflammatory therapies for cystic fibrosis: past, present, and future.

Inflammation is a major component of the vicious cycle characterizing cystic fibrosis pulmonary disease. If untreated, this inflammatory process irreversibly damages the airways, leading to bronchiectasis and ultimately respiratory failure. Antiinflammatory drugs for cystic fibrosis lung disease appear to have beneficial effects on disease parameters. These agents include oral corticosteroids and ibuprofen, as well as azithromycin, which, in addition to its antimicrobial effects, also possesses antiinflammatory properties. Inhaled corticosteroids, colchicine, methotrexate, montelukast, pentoxifylline, nutritional supplements, and protease replacement have not had a significant impact on the disease. Therapy with oral corticosteroids, ibuprofen, and fish oil is limited by adverse effects. Azithromycin appears to be safe and effective, and is thus the most promising antiinflammatory therapy available for patients with cystic fibrosis. Pharmacologic therapy with antiinflammatory agents should be started early in the disease course, before extensive irreversible lung damage has occurred.

Acetates↗

Stability of dolasetron in two oral liquid vehicles.

The stability of dolasetron 10 mg/mL over 90 days when prepared as an oral liquid formulation from commercially available tablets in both strawberry syrup and a sugar-free vehicle was studied. A liquid suspension of dolasetron mesylate 10 mg/mL was prepared from commercially available dolasetron tablets, OraPlus, and Ora-Sweet or strawberry syrup. Six samples of each formulation were prepared and stored in amber plastic bottles. Three samples of each formulation were refrigerated (3-5 degrees C) and three were stored at room temperature (23-25 degrees C). A 1-mL sample was withdrawn from each of the 12 bottles immediately and after 7, 14, 30, 60, and 90 days. After further dilution to an expected concentration of 10 micrograms/mL with sample diluent, the solutions were assayed in duplicate using high-performance liquid chromatography. The samples were also inspected for color and odor changes, and the pH of each sample was determined. The stability-indicating capability of the dolasetron assay was determined by forced degradation of four separate 10-mg/mL samples exposed to direct sunlight for 90 days. There were no detectable changes in color, odor, or taste and no visible microbial growth in any sample. At least 98% of the initial dolasetron concentration remained throughout the 90-day study period for all samples. An extemporaneously compounded oral liquid preparation of dolasetron mesylate 10 mg/mL in a 1:1 mixture of Ora-Plus and strawberry syrup or Ora-Sweet was stable for at least 90 days when stored at 3-5 or 23-25 degrees C.

Administration, Oral↗

Lecture versus Web tutorial for pharmacy students' learning of MDI technique.

OBJECTIVE: To compare pharmacy students' acquired knowledge and ability to assess metered-dose inhaler (MDI) technique after a traditional lecture versus a Web-based MDI technique tutorial. METHODS: All 42 third-year PharmD students completed a baseline MDI technique knowledge test and were then randomized into 1 of 3 groups. The Web group completed the tutorial on the college dispensing laboratory computers; the lecture group participated in the MDI technique excerpt of the asthma therapeutics lecture; and the control group participated in a 15-minute discussion of participants' hobbies. Afterward, participants in each group completed an identical MDI technique knowledge posttest. Students then observed a standardized mock patient perform MDI technique, documenting steps that were conducted incorrectly. MDI technique knowledge test and MDI technique evaluation test scores were compared between groups using repeated measures ANOVA. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in the baseline MDI technique knowledge test scores between groups. The post-MDI technique knowledge test scores for the Web and lecture groups did not differ significantly (p = 0.38), and both were significantly different from the control group (p < 0.001). MDI technique knowledge scores increased significantly for the Web and lecture groups from pre- to post-assessment, but did not change for the control group. A 2-way repeated measures ANOVA analysis demonstrated no significant interaction of subject and group characteristics. The MDI technique evaluation scores for the Web and lecture groups were not significantly different (p = 0.50), and both were significantly different from the control group (p </= 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The Web-based MDI technique tutorial was as effective as the standard lecture format in pharmacy students acquiring knowledge of MDI technique and in evaluating a mock-patient exhibiting incorrect MDI technique. Further testing is required to assess the longitudinal effect of the program.

Curriculum↗

Management of acute, severe asthma in children.

OBJECTIVE: To briefly present the current options available for the treatment of acute, severe asthma in children, with a special focus on emergency department and inpatient treatment, and to describe newer therapies that may aid treatment in the future. DATA SOURCES AND STUDY SELECTION: A MEDLINE search (1966-May 2001) of the English-language literature pertaining to drug therapy of acute asthma was performed. Key word searches included acute asthma, albuterol, ipratropium, corticosteroids, magnesium, and theophylline. Additional articles from these sources and published national guidelines were identified. Relevant studies pertaining to current therapy of acute asthma in pediatric patients were selected; if there were minimal pediatric data, adult data were included. DATA SYNTHESIS: Asthma is a chronic, inflammatory disorder of the airways. Acute exacerbations can occur and are challenging to manage. Albuterol, ipratropium, and systemic corticosteroids have been shown to be effective in acute asthma exacerbations. Because some patients do not respond to maximal therapy, older therapies such as magnesium and theophylline are being reevaluated. Theophylline may have some therapeutic effect, but given its toxicity profile, it is unclear whether it offers any advantage over maximal beta(2)-agonist therapy. There are only minimal published data evaluating the use of magnesium in pediatrics, and most are small trials or case reports. Newer therapies such as ventilation strategies with heliox and intravenous leukotriene modifiers currently being evaluated may or may not prove to be beneficial in the future. CONCLUSIONS: beta(2)-agonists, ipratropium, and corticosteroids remain the most useful therapeutic agents for acute asthma exacerbations in pediatric patients. However, these agents are not ideal in all patients and, given the existing questions regarding safety and/or efficacy of available alternatives, more effective options are needed.

Acute Disease↗