Biomedical subjects

G Bernhard

Publications and source records attributed to G Bernhard.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed1997

[Prospective observational study of surgical therapy of renal hyperparathyroidism].

A prospective long-term follow-up study in patients who had had surgical therapy for renal hyperparathyroidism was launched to investigate the results of surgical treatment and to evaluate possible correlations between preoperative laboratory values and the course of symptoms. From August 1987 to December 1995, 79 patients underwent surgery for renal hyperparathyroidism. It was the first neck exploration for 72 patients. Total parathyroidectomy with autotransplantation to a forearm was our preferred procedure (n = 67). The postoperative course of all patients is know. We carried out one to nine reexaminations (median 4) in 74 of 79 patients. The follow-up period ranged from 1 month to 5 years with a median of 18 months. After the operation transient hypocalcaemia occurred in 84.4% of patients. Postoperative hypocalcaemia correlated negatively with the preoperative levels of alkaline phosphatase and intact parathyroid hormone. Within the first month after surgery 60% of the preoperatively affected patients completely recovered from pruritus, whereas the skeletal syndrome took longer to disappear. One year after surgery 75% of the patients with pruritus and 79% of those with skeletal syndrome had became asymptomatic. After total parathyroidectomy with autotransplantation, patients with preoperatively elevated concentrations of alkaline phosphatase (> 200 U/I) experienced faster relief from joint pain than patients with preoperatively normal concentrations (P = 0.0297). To date 4.5% of the patients developed recurrent hyperparathyroidism after total parathyroidectomy with autotransplantation. Morbidity of surgery for renal hyperparathyroidism is influenced by patients' risk factors. Postoperative hypocalcaemia correlates negatively with the grade of renal osteopathy at the time of operation. Preoperative concentrations of alkaline phosphatase influence the rapidity of the relief from joint pain.

Adult↗

PubMed1997

Anal ultra slow waves: a smooth muscle phenomenon associated with dyschezia.

Anal ultra slow waves (USWs) have been described in a variety of anorectal disorders, all of which may be associated with constipation. We investigated whether they represent a marker for dyschezia and whether their occurrence can be modified. Manometric and endosonographic studies were performed in 25 patients with dyschezia, in 25 age- and sex-matched controls, and in an equal number of patients with hemorrhoids. Patients exhibiting ultra slow waves were repeatedly studied with and without local administration of isosorbide dinitrate. In addition, we determined whether stimulatory maneuvers modify the occurrence of USWs. Anal USWs were persistently found in 56% of patients with dyschezia, in 8% of patients with hemorrhoids, and in none of the healthy controls. They were stimulated by anal squeeze and completely abolished by local administration of isosorbide dinitrate. Ultra slow waves always occurred in conjunction with an increase in anal resting pressure and were tightly associated with a fluctuation in slow wave amplitude. Anal sphincter morphology was similar in patients with dyschezia and in controls. We conclude that anal USWs occur most frequently in patients with dyschezia and indicate smooth muscle dysfunction. Treatment directed at abolishing this motor phenomenon may represent a novel approach to the management of patients with dyschezia.

Adult↗

PubMed1996

Anorectal function and morphology in patients with sporadic proctalgia fugax.

PURPOSE: The pathophysiology of sporadic proctalgia fugax remains unknown. This study investigates whether patients with this syndrome exhibit alterations in anal function and morphology. METHODS: Eighteen patients with sporadic proctalgia fugax and 18 sex-matched and age-matched healthy controls were studied. Manometric studies investigated anal resting and squeeze pressures, the rectoanal inhibitory reflex, rectal compliance, and smooth muscle response to edrophonium chloride administration. External and internal sphincter thickness was measured endosonographically. RESULTS: Patients had slightly higher (P = 0.0291) anal resting pressures (65.5 +/- 11.4 mmHg) than controls (56 +/- 9.9 mmHg). However, anal squeeze pressure, sphincter relaxation during rectal distention, and rectal compliance were similar in both groups, and no alterations were detected in external and internal anal sphincter thickness. Edrophonium chloride administration was followed by sharp postrelaxation contractions in two patients, whereas anal function remained unaltered in controls. Acute episodes of proctalgia, which occurred in two patients while under study, were associated with a rise in anal resting tone and an increase in slow wave amplitude. CONCLUSIONS: In the resting state, patients with proctalgia fugax have normal anorectal function and morphology. However, they may exhibit a motor abnormality of the anal smooth muscle during an acute attack.

Adult↗

PubMed1996

[Morbidity in concomitant interventions in neck exploration for primary hyperparathyroidism. Results of a prospective study].

A prospective follow-up study was undertaken in patients undergoing surgical therapy for primary hyperparathyroidism to establish the frequency of concomitant surgical procedures and their influence on the morbidity of cervical exploration. From 1 August 1987 to October 1995, 231 patients underwent cervical exploration for primary hyperparathyroidism. In 16 patients 18 (7.8%) concomitant abdominal and thoracic surgical procedures as well as surgical interventions for soft-tissue tumors were performed. A total of 133 patients (57.6%) underwent thyroid resections of varying extent; 4.8% had carcinoma of the thyroid. Catamnestic data were obtained on the basis of a standardized follow-up in 94.4% of all patients (1-9 follow-up examinations in 216 patients). Hematoma occurred after adrenalectomy in a patient undergoing a concomitant extracervical procedure. In patients with a first manifestation of primary hyperparathyroidism due to a solitary parathyroid adenoma (n = 189), an increase in the morbidity of parathyroid surgery performed in combination with a thyroid resection was observed. Furthermore, a relationship was established between the number of intraoperatively identified parathyroid glands and the incidence of permanent hypoparathyroidism (permanent hypoparathyroidism: initial cervical intervention with parathyroid exploration alone, 2.2%; with concomitant thyroid resection, 6.5%; after secondary thyroid resection and parathyroid exploration alone, 0%; after concomitant thyroid resection, 28.6%; four parathyroid glands identified intraoperatively, 3.1%; fewer than four parathyroid glands identified, 8.2%). The increase in the morbidity of parathyroid surgery in combination with thyroid resection is justifiable, because unsuspected thyroid carcinomas can potentially be treated curatively.

Abdominal Neoplasms↗

PubMed1996

Colonoscopy without premedication versus barium enema: a comparison of patient discomfort.

BACKGROUND: Colonoscopy is considered a painful procedure requiring routine intravenous sedation. We investigated whether unsedated colonoscopy causes more discomfort than barium enema. METHODS: Procedure-related discomfort was determined in 100 consecutive patients undergoing colonoscopy without premedication and in an equal number of patients referred for sigmoidoscopy and barium enema. All patients underwent such examinations for the first time and had no history of previous bowel surgery. During colonoscopy, sedation was offered if significant pain or discomfort occurred. RESULTS: In patients without stenosis and with satisfactory preparation, the completion rate of colonoscopy was 95%. Five percent of all patients undergoing endoscopy required sedation. On an analog scale ranging from 1 to 9, patients undergoing colonoscopy and barium enema reported similar ratings for procedure related discomfort (3.2 +/- 1.7 and 3.1 +/- 1.9) and for discomfort caused by bowel preparation (3.2 +/- 2.1 and 3.1 +/- 1.8). Eighty-seven percent of all patients undergoing colonoscopy stated that they would prefer no premedication in the event of repeated examinations. CONCLUSIONS: Colonoscopy with sedation on demand does not cause more discomfort than barium enema and will be accepted by the vast majority of patients undergoing this procedure.

Barium Sulfate↗

PubMed1996

Weekly high-dose leucovorin versus low-dose leucovorin combined with fluorouracil in advanced colorectal cancer: results of a randomized multicenter trial. Study Group for Palliative Treatment of Metastatic Colorectal Cancer Study Protocol 1.

PURPOSE: To determine the most effective dose of leucovorin (folinic acid [FA]) within a weekly bolus fluorouracil (FU) schedule, we conducted a randomized multicenter trial to compare therapeutic effects and toxicity of high-dose FA versus low-dose FA combined with FU at equal doses in both treatment groups. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with measurable inoperable or metastatic colorectal cancer were randomized to receive weekly FU 500 mg/m2 by intravenous (IV) bolus combined with high-dose FA 500 mg/m2 (group A) or low-dose FA 20 mg/m2 (group B) by 2-hour infusion. RESULTS: Of 291 assessable patients (group A, n = 148; group B, n = 143), we observed, in group A, complete response (CR)/partial response (PR) in 32 (21.6%), no change (NC) in 64 (43.2%), and progressive disease (PD) in 52 (35.1%); and in group B, CR/PR in 25 (17.5%), NC in 63 (44.1%), and PD in 55 (38.5%). The median response duration was 24.8 weeks in group A and 23.1 weeks in group B. Median progression-free intervals were 29.3 weeks (group A) and 30 weeks (group B). The median survival time was 55.1 weeks in group A and 54.1 weeks in group B. Overall toxicity was moderate. Mild nausea and vomiting, and stomatitis were common side effects in both groups. The incidence of World Health Organization (WHO) grade III/IV diarrhea was significantly higher in group A (40 v 23 patients). Severe side effects were observed only in a minority of patients in both arms. WHO grade IV diarrhea was observed in seven patients: four in group A and three in group B. The rate of toxicity-related adjustments of dose and schedule was comparable in both groups. CONCLUSION: High-dose FA/FU is not superior to low-dose FA/FU within a weekly treatment schedule. Response rates and survival were comparable in both treatment arms. Treatment-related toxicity was higher in group A (high-dose FA). Therefore, low-dose FA combined with weekly FU may be considered the preferred treatment for metastatic colorectal cancer.

Adult↗

PubMed1996

Treatment of proctalgia fugax with salbutamol inhalation.

OBJECTIVES: Although no generally effective treatment for proctalgia fugax is known, inhalation of salbutamol has been reported to shorten pain attacks in isolated cases. METHODS: We conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover trial of inhaled salbutamol in 18 patients with proctalgia fugax. The clinical effect was evaluated by recording the duration of severe pain and discomfort during acute attacks. In addition, anorectal motility recordings were analyzed for possible changes in anal resting tone, sphincter relaxation during rectal distension and in rectal compliance prior to and following administration of the two test substances. RESULTS: Sixteen patients completed all investigations. Compared to placebo, salbutamol inhalation shortened the duration of severe pain (p = 0.019). The effect was most marked in patients having prolonged attacks. In the asymptomatic state, neither salbutamol nor placebo led to a significant change in anal resting pressure, anal relaxation during rectal distension, or rectal compliance. Salbutamol also did not alter the threshold for rectal sensation. CONCLUSIONS: Salbutamol inhalation shortens attacks of severe pain in patients with proctalgia fugax. The mechanism of this effect remains unexplained.

Administration, Inhalation↗

PubMed1995

Access to medical care among persons with musculoskeletal conditions. A study using a random sample of households in San Mateo County, California.

OBJECTIVE: To study access to medical care services, including subspecialty care, among persons with musculoskeletal conditions. METHODS: In early 1993, a random sample of households in San Mateo County, California, was screened for the presence of household members with musculoskeletal conditions, and a member of each household so identified was administered a structured survey about access to medical care and other related subjects. RESULTS: Eighty-six percent of all persons with a musculoskeletal condition had ever seen at least one physician for the condition, but only 6.5% had ever seen a rheumatologist. Those without health insurance were only 82% as likely as those with health insurance to have ever seen a physician. CONCLUSION: Most persons with a musculoskeletal condition have seen a physician for the condition, but lack of health insurance significantly reduces the proportion who have done so.

Adult↗

PubMed1995

Treatment of advanced pancreatic cancer with 5-fluorouracil, folinic acid and interferon alpha-2A: results of a phase II trial.

Interferon alpha-2a (IFN-alpha) and folinic acid (FA) have been shown to modulate the cytotoxic effects of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) in the treatment of cancer. A phase II study was initiated to evaluate the effect of a combination of 5-FU/FA/IFN-alpha in patients with advanced pancreatic cancer. Sixty previously untreated patients with advanced adenocarcinoma of the pancreas were treated with 500 mg m-2 FU via an intravenous bolus 1 h after the initiation of a 2 h infusion of 500 mg m-2 FA. Before starting the FA infusion, 6 million units (MU) of IFN-alpha was administered subcutaneously. The treatment was repeated once a week. Of 57 evaluable patients, eight (14%) had a partial response (PR), eight (14%) a minor response (MR) and 28 (49%) no change of disease (NC). Thirteen patients (23%) had progressive disease (PD). The median survival time was 10 months for all patients, 22 months for patients with partial remission and 5 months for patients with progressive disease. Many patients with tumour-related pain whose tumours were affected in terms of PR, MR, NC were free of pain during treatment with this regimen (22/36 patients). The common toxicities observed were fever (56%), nausea (37%) and diarrhoea (33%). These data suggest that biochemical modulation of 5-FU with FA and IFN-alpha has some positive effects in the treatment of pancreatic cancer of moderate toxicity.

Adenocarcinoma↗

PubMed1995

Autonomic dysfunction in patients with achalasia.

It has been previously shown that patients with achalasia may have motor abnormalities of the stomach, small bowel and biliary system. This study investigates whether a disturbance of extraintestinal autonomic function occurs. Autonomic function studies were performed in 15 patients with achalasia and 15 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. Pupillograms were obtained during darkness, light exposure and after pilocarpine administration. Cardiovascular function studies included determinations of heart rate variation during deep breathing and orthostasis. In addition, we determined blood pressure changes in response to sustained handgrip, cold exposure and orthostasis. Neurohormonal function was investigated by measuring serum pancreatic polypeptide (PP) levels prior to and following sham feeding. Pupillary function did not differ in patients as compared with controls. However, 9 of 15 patients (95% CI: 32-84%) and none of the controls showed at least one abnormal autonomic cardiovascular response. A significant difference between the two groups was observed in sympathetic function (P = 0.023). More patients than controls did not respond to sham feeding with a PP increase. It is concluded that some patients with achalasia exhibit an abnormality of the autonomic nervous system that extends beyond the gastrointestinal tract. These abnormalities mainly concern cardiovascular function but may also involve neurohormonal responses.

Adult↗

PubMed1995

Education program for general practitioners on breast and cervical cancer screening: a randomized trial. PRE.SA.GF Collaborative Group.

This study was aimed at evaluating the effects of an education program for general practitioners on their prescribing behaviour for cervical and breast cancer screening tests, and assessing the feasibility of general practitioners participation in screening programs. All three cytology laboratories and 19 of the 20 radiologists in one administrative region ("Haute-Savoie") in France agreed to participate. The 278 general practices in this region were randomly assigned to either the intervention group (a one-day seminar on screening for breast cancer and cervical cancer) or the control group (n for both = 139). The prescriptions of tests for the following year were noted from the laboratories' and radiologists' records. No significant differences were observed between the intervention group and the control group for the number of mammographies prescribed with a mean of 19.3 and 15.2 per practice, respectively. However, significantly more mammographies were prescribed in women aged over 50 by the intervention group (p = 0.038). Inversely, fewer smear tests were prescribed in the intervention group (mean per practice: 40.5 and 46.1, respectively). A significantly higher number of practices in the intervention group did not prescribe any smear tests (p = 0.007). This study suggests that it is possible to influence general practitioners' participation in screening programs, but that the messages should be carefully presented, since negative effects are possible.

Adult↗

PubMed1994

Corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) is a respiratory stimulant in humans: a comparative study of human and ovine CRH.

Previous experimental and clinical studies clearly demonstrated that exogenously administered CRH possesses respiratory properties. Until now, these effects were investigated using human (h) CRH in both healthy volunteers and patients under long-term respiration. We now compared the effects of hCRH with those of ovine (o) CRH in ten healthy young males. In particular it should be evaluated whether oCRH with its longer plasma half-life induces a more profound respiratory stimulation. On two separate days within two weeks, ventilation and cardiac performance were measured during steady state conditions by using a computerized cardio-pulmonary exercise testing system. In this placebo controlled double-blind-crossover study h- and oCRH (100 ug i.v. each) both augmented minute volume significantly during the observation period. Heart rate also increased after both analogues. All effects were comparable without a significant difference between both substances. There were no major side effects observable. Our data thus demonstrate that both analogues might be suitable for both diagnostic (i.e., testing of respiratory and autonomic responses) and therapeutic purposes.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone↗

PubMed1994

A rapid algorithm and a computer program for multiple test procedures using logical structures of hypotheses.

It is demonstrated how improvements of general multiple test procedures can be obtained using information about the logical structures among the hypotheses. Based on a procedure of Bergmann and Hommel (B. Bergmann and G. Hommel, Improvements of general multiple test procedures for redundant systems of hypotheses, in Multiple Hypothesenprüfung--Multiple Hypotheses Testing, Eds. P. Bauer, G. Hommel and E. Sonnemann, pp. 100-115 (Springer-Verlag, Berlin, 1988)), a computer program was written by Bernhard (G. Bernhard, Computerunterstützte Durchführung von multiplen Testprozeduren--Algorithmen und Powervergleich, Doctoral thesis (Mainz, 1992)) using this information. It is applicable for a general class of systems of hypotheses which can be expressed in a linear way. By means of a simulation study it is shown that the proposed procedure is often substantially more powerful than other usual multiple test procedures.

Algorithms↗

PubMed1994

Improved survival after colorectal cancer in patients complying with a postoperative endoscopic surveillance program.

This study investigates whether compliance with a postoperative surveillance program in patients with surgically treated colorectal cancer leads to prolongation of life. The clinical course of 212 patients who had undergone curative resections for colorectal cancer was monitored for at least five years. Eighty-eight patients adhered strictly to a rigid endoscopic surveillance program, and 124 did not. Tumor recurrences occurred in 10% of compliant and 14% of noncompliant patients. Patients with asymptomatic tumor recurrences survived significantly longer (p < 0.05; five-year actuarial survival: 42%) than those who were symptomatic (five-year actuarial survival: 8%). The overall survival rate was significantly higher (p < 0.0002) in compliant patients (five-year actuarial survival: 80%) than in noncompliant patients (five-year actuarial survival: 59%). Noncompliance increased the risk of early death by a factor of 2.5 (95% CI = 1.5; 4.2). It is concluded that postoperative endoscopic surveillance leads to early tumor detection, and is associated with an improvement in survival in patients with colorectal cancer.

Aged↗

PubMed1994

Disability and health care use in patients with Crohn's disease: a spouse control study.

OBJECTIVES: Studies reported from tertiary referral centers suggest that patients with Crohn's disease (CD) have a high rate of long-term disability. This study investigated whether this is true for less selected patient groups. METHODS: 106 outpatients who were diagnosed to have had CD between 1974 and 1985 were invited with their partners (n = 83) for a structured interview that addressed issues of lifestyle and quality of life. In addition, patient and insurance records were reviewed to compare the use of health care services and work disability of patients with CD with those of their partners. RESULTS: Twenty percent of patients and 8% of their partners believed that illness had affected their partnership, 17% versus 11% thought it had compromised their professional career, and 28% versus 10% believed it affected the overall quality of life. A significant impact of illness on these parameters (p < 0.001) occurred only if they were evaluated with the use of an analog scale. Differences between patients and their partners in the use of health care services and in work disability became insignificant after 6 yr of observation (p = 0.1415 and p = 0.4341). CONCLUSIONS: Most patients with CD and their partners experience a similar satisfaction with life. As time progresses, a decline in disability often can be observed.

Adult↗

PubMed1992

Treatment of soft tissue sarcoma in childhood and adolescence. A report of the German Cooperative Soft Tissue Sarcoma Study.

BACKGROUND: In the first German soft tissue sarcoma (STS) study, CWS-81, 344 patients younger than 19 years of age who had previously untreated soft tissue sarcoma were studied. For this analysis, there were 218 patients with chemosensitive STS (Group A: rhabdomyosarcoma [RMS], synovial sarcoma, extraosseous Ewing sarcoma, leiomyosarcoma, undifferentiated sarcoma, and malignant peripheral neuroectodermal tumor) who could be studied for a minimum potential follow-up time of 6 years. METHODS: A staging system based on the postoperative extent of the disease was used. The chemotherapy for Stage I-III disease consisted of vincristine, dactinomycin, cyclophosphamide, and doxorubicin (VACA). Patients with metastatic disease and patients with Stage III disease who failed to respond to VACA were given ifosfamide instead of cyclophosphamide. The definitive procedure for local tumor control (either no radiation exposure, 40 Gy, or 50 Gy) for patients with Stage II-III disease depended on the tumor status at second-look surgery after 16 weeks of chemotherapy. RESULTS: The rates of disease-free survival (DFS) and survival after 5 years was 61% +/- 4% and 57% +/- 4%, respectively, in group A; for patients with nonmetastatic tumors (Stages I-III), the rates were 69% +/- 4% and 72% +/- 4, respectively. Patients with nonmetastatic rhabdomyosarcoma had a similar prognosis: the survival rate was 73% +/- 4%, and the DFS rate was 68% +/- 4%. There was no difference in prognosis between patients with Stage I and and those with Stage II disease (DFS rate, 88% +/- 5% and 88% +/- 6%, respectively). The DFS rate for patients with Stage III disease was 54% +/- 5% and for those with Stage IV, 11% +/- 5%. Lack of local tumor control was the primary cause of therapy failure: 10% of patients with localized disease did not achieve complete remission, whereas 18% who were in complete remission experienced local relapse. The most important prognostic factors were tumor size (P = 0.005) and the degree of tumor regression after primary chemotherapy (P = 0.007). The prognosis also differed according to primary site: paratesticular tumors had the best prognosis, whereas tumors located in the parameningeal regions of the head and neck had the worst prognosis (DFS rate, 96% +/- 4% versus 49% +/- 7%, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The following conclusions were drawn from the CWS-81 study: (1) intensive chemotherapy (VACA for 35 weeks) provides long-term control for most patients with Stage I-II disease; (2) patients with primary unresectable tumors (i.e., Stage III) who achieve complete remission with chemotherapy alone have the same prognosis as patients with postoperative disease of Stages I and II; (3) tumor size and the degree of tumor regression after primary chemotherapy influence outcome and thus can be used as a basis for risk-adapted therapy.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1992

Dityrosine formation is impaired by tyrosine phosphorylation.

Using pure tyrosine and phosphotyrosine we have recently shown that phosphotyrosine is unable to form peroxidase catalyzed dimers (1989, FEBS Lett. 255, 395-397). In the present report, the effect of phosphotyrosine residues within a protein structure on dityrosine formation was studied using casein as a model protein. Dephosphorylation of casein resulted in a dose and time dependent increased synthesis of dityrosines following treatment with peroxidase/H2O2. The extent of crosslink formation was inversely related to the amount of phosphorylated tyrosine residues as quantitated by immunoblotting. Thus, phosphorylation of tyrosine residues could play a regulatory role in protein-crosslinking where dityrosine bonds are involved.

Alkaline Phosphatase↗

PubMed1992

[Perforation of gastroduodenal ulcer: a risk analysis].

In 90 patients who, between 1.1.1986 and 31.12.1991, underwent surgery for a perforated gastric/duodenal ulcer, the importance of age, sex, ulcer history, ulcer site, free/covered perforation, extent of peritonitis, duration of history and the pre-operative risk assessment (ASA classification) was analysed with respect to the risk of dying of the perforated ulcer. The univariate analysis showed the following to be prognostically relevant factors: time interval between onset of acute symptoms and surgery (less than or equal to 24 hours: mortality rate 12%, greater than 24 hours: mortality rate 21%; p = 0.006); physical status of the patient as reflected in the ASA category prior to surgery (mortality: ASA II 0%, ASA III 8%, ASA IV 32%; p = 0.009), and the presence of a spontaneous pneumoperitoneum (free perforation 21% mortality, covered perforation 5% mortality; p = 0.049). Investigation of the overall influence of the univariate relevant factors in the logistic model showed a relative risk of 4.9 for duration of history, and of 5.4 for the ASA classification. The mortality risk for a patient who is operated on more than 24 hours after onset of the acute symptoms is 4.9 times that of a patient operated on within 24 hours. In the ASA classification, the mortality risk increases by 5.4 from one category to the next higher one.

Adult↗