PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

G P Bootsma

Publications and source records attributed to G P Bootsma.

18 recordsLinked to original sources

[A young man with rapidly progressing dyspnoea and a mediastinal mass].

An 18-year-old male presented with a 2-week history of rapid progressive dyspnoea and dry cough due to a large mediastinal mass with compression of the trachea. Based on the raised serum values of the tumour markers chorionogonadotrophin and alphafoetoprotein the diagnosis of germ-cell tumour was made. Because of the severity of his symptoms chemotherapy with bleomycin, etoposide and cisplatin was begun on the same day and before the results of the histology investigations were known. The next day the symptoms were diminished and after completing four courses of chemotherapy there was complete remission. The differential diagnosis of a rapid progressive mediastinal mass is limited and mainly relates to malignant lymphoma and germ-cell tumours. In emergency situations if tumour markers are raised then anti-tumour therapy may be begun before any histological confirmation is available.

Adolescent↗

FDG-PET in staging lung cancer: how does it change the algorithm?

BACKGROUND: In patients with lung cancer, positron emission tomography (PET) using fluor-18-fluorodesoxyglucose (FDG) may be used both to detect extrathoracic metastases (ETM) and for mediastinal lymph node staging (MLS), potentially reducing the need for mediastinoscopy. We assessed the added value of FDG-PET in detecting ETM and focused on the reliability of FDG-PET and mediastinoscopy for MLS. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In 72 consecutive patients with non-small cell lung cancer, the impact of adding FDG-PET to full conventional clinical staging was prospectively analyzed. The predictive value of FDG-PET findings and tumor location for pathologic mediastinal lymph node status were assessed in a logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Unexpected extrathoracic metastases were detected by FDG-PET in 15% of patients. In MLS overall negative and positive predictive values were 71 and 83% for FDG-PET, and 92 and 100% for mediastinoscopy. However, the negative predictive value of FDG-PET was only 17% in case of FDG-PET positive N1 nodes and/or a centrally located primary tumor, whereas it was 96% in case of FDG-PET negative N1 nodes and a non-centrally located primary tumor. CONCLUSION: By incorporating FDG-PET in clinical staging, 15% of patients with lung cancer are upstaged due to unexpected extrathoracic metastases. In case of a negative mediastinal FDG-PET, mediastinoscopy can only be omitted in the presence of a non-centrally located primary tumor and without FDG-PET positive N1 nodes.

Adolescent↗

[Surgical treatment of tumor metastases in the lungs, brain or liver].

Metastases are generally an expression of widespread disease and therefore warrant systemic treatment. However, clinical observations have revealed that local surgical treatment might be beneficial in the case of organ-confined metastatic disease. Randomised studies have revealed that in the case of brain metastases, metastasectomy followed by radiotherapy, has a favourable outcome with respect to both the quality of life and overall survival. Retrospective non-randomised studies in selected patient groups show prolonged post-treatment survival in the case of both lung and liver metastasectomy. The most important prognostic factors for metastasectomy are: disease control elsewhere in the body, tumour species, the patient's general condition, and the possibility of a total resection of the metastasis. These factors form the basis of the separate decision-making process for each individual patient.

Brain Neoplasms↗

[Bupropion: an effective new aid for smoking cessation].

Smoking is responsible for a substantial percentage of the total morbidity and mortality in western society. In the Netherlands 34% of the population smoke. A considerable part of the smokers tried to stop smoking, but did not succeed. Since December 1999 a new type of anti-smoke therapy is available; bupropion chloride (Zyban). With this treatment an improvement in success ratio in comparison with placebo is described of 11-15% after a year in a healthy population. Combined with nicotine patches this percentage was 20%. These percentages are higher than those of nicotine replacement therapy alone (3-13%). It is very important that effects of bupropion are tested in high-risk patients with asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and cardiovascular diseases as these groups may benefit most from cessation of smoking. Especially in the COPD group cessation of smoking makes a more substantial contribution to improvement of the disease process than the medication now available. Therefore, it might be considered to prescribe bupropion under strict control in this group even now, before definitive research results are obtained.

Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation↗

Smoking cessation: which aids are worthwhile?

Smoking is a major preventable health risk in western society. In the Netherlands, it is held responsible for 86 and 36% of annual mortality from lung cancer and cardiovascular disease, respectively. Nevertheless about 33% of Dutch people smoke. Only 2% of smokers quit successfully after being advised to stop once by a physician. Although the medical profession should play a leading role in campaigns to stop smoking, general practitioners advise only 10% of their smokers to quit. An overview was made of the various aids that can be used to support attempts to quit smoking. Three aids: supportive schedules, nicotine replacement and bupropion chloride had proven long-term effectiveness in up to 5-10, 3-13 and 11-15% of the subjects, respectively. In conclusion, supportive counselling combined with nicotine substitutes or bupropion chloride is the most worthwhile intervention to support quitting attempts. Wider application of this strategy is expected to have major implications on morbidity (50% myocardial infarct risk reduction) and mortality in the Netherlands.

Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation↗

Effects of fluticasone propionate and beclomethasone dipropionate on parameters of inflammation in peripheral blood of patients with asthma.

Bronchial inflammation plays a central role in asthma. We investigated whether parameters of inflammation were increased in peripheral blood. Furthermore, we tested whether fluticasone propionate (FP), a new inhaled corticosteroid (ICS), and beclomethasone dipropionate (BDP) affected these parameters. FP 750 microg/day and BDP 1500 microg/day were compared in a randomized, crossover study consisting of two 6-week treatment periods, each preceded by a 3-week placebo period. Twenty-one patients with symptomatic asthma completed the study. The results were compared with those of six normal subjects (controls). Immunophenotyping of inflammatory cells was performed in whole blood, and serum eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) was measured. With regard to clinical efficacy, ICS increased PC20 histamine by more than 1.9 doubling doses and FEV1 by more than 0.34 l. The number of CD3/HLA-DR+ lymphocytes was significantly increased in asthmatics compared to the normal subjects, both after placebo (P<0.01) and after therapy (P<0.05). The CD3/HLA-DR+ lymphocytes decreased significantly after treatment with FP (P<0.05). Serum ECP was elevated in patients without ICS and decreased after treatment with BDP (P<0.001). In conclusion, the number of CD3/HLA-DR+ lymphocytes and serum ECP levels were raised in the peripheral blood of symptomatic asthmatics, and decreased by clinically effective doses of ICS. In this respect, FP 750 microg/day was at least as effective as BDP 1500 microg/day.

Administration, Inhalation↗

Effects of inhaled corticosteroids on bone.

Inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) are the most effective therapy for asthma currently available. The increasing use of ICS raises the issue of possible adverse systemic effects. Since one of the most important side-effects of oral corticosteroids (OCS) is osteoporosis, this article focuses on current knowledge of the effects of ICS on bone. Generally, doses higher than 1.0 mg/day cause a dose-dependent decrease in serum osteocalcin levels. Decreases in bone density have been suggested after treatment with ICS, but in most studies it is impossible to quantify the contribution of previous treatment with OCS and other confounding factors to bone loss. The clinical relevance of the observed changes in the long term is unknown. To date, no fracture data have been reported in patients. Beclomethasone dipropionate, budesonide and fluticasone propionate do not appear to be different per milligram ICS. In general, the lowest clinically efficacious dosage of ICS should be aimed at.

Administration, Inhalation↗

Sustained protection against distilled water provocation by a single dose of salmeterol in patients with asthma.

The long-acting beta2-agonist salmeterol inhibits in vitro the release of inflammatory mediators up to 20 h. These mediators are involved in ultrasonically nebulized distilled water (UNDW)-induced bronchoconstriction. We investigated whether salmeterol provides prolonged protection against UNDW provocation and whether this effect was paralleled by its bronchodilator effects. Nineteen asthmatic patients (mean forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) 84.8% predicted, mean provocative concentration of histamine producing a 20% decrease in FEV1 0.65 mg x mL(-1)) participated in this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial. After measuring baseline FEV1, patients inhaled 50 microg salmeterol or placebo by metered-dose inhaler. FEV1 was measured after 20 and 40 min, and UNDW provocations and FEV1 measurements were performed after 10, 20 and 34 h. Compared to placebo, salmeterol caused marked bronchodilatation from 20 min up to 20 h after inhalation. Salmeterol also provided more than 20 h of protection against UNDW provocation (still more than one doubling dose). Protection beyond the period of bronchodilatation did not occur. Eleven subjects had a significant reduction in provocative dose of UNDW causing a 20% fall in FEV1 (PD20,UNDW) values between 10 and 20 h, at a time when there was still persistent bronchodilation. No correlation existed between changes in FEV1 and changes in PD20,UNDW. From the equations of regression lines between FEV1 and corresponding PD20,UNDW values, it was calculated that only approximately 25% of the afforded protection was explained by bronchodilatation. In conclusion, a single dose of salmeterol induces both bronchodilatation and protection independently of this bronchodilation against a physiological bronchoconstrictor stimulus for more than 20 h.

Administration, Inhalation↗

Effects of single-dose zileuton on bronchial hyperresponsiveness in asthmatic patients treated with inhaled corticosteroids.

The aim of the study was to determine whether zileuton, an inhibitor of 5-lipoxygenase, attenuated bronchial hyperresponsiveness (BHR) in asthmatic subjects who had marked BHR during maintenance treatment with inhaled corticosteroids (ICS). In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over study, a challenge test with histamine (provocative concentration of histamine producing a 20% fall in forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) (PC20,Hist)) and with ultrasonically nebulized distilled water (UNDW) (provocative dose of UNDW producing a 20% fall in FEV1 (PD20,UNDW)) was performed in seven patients with asthma after intake of either 400 mg zileuton or placebo. All patients (mean age 33 yrs, mean FEV1 111% of predicted) had marked BHR, as indicated by a mean PD20,UNDW of 4.74 mL under treatment for at least 6 months with up to 800 microg ICS (mean 536 microg daily). On four different occasions, separated by at least 5 days, two UNDW and two histamine challenge tests were performed in random order 3 h after a morning dose of either zileuton or placebo. Neither zileuton nor placebo changed baseline airway calibre prior to provocation. Zileuton increased PC20,Hist from 0.99 to 5.64 mg x mL(-1) (2.1 doubling doses; p<0.03 compared to placebo), and increased PD20,UNDW from 3.10 to 9.31 mL (1.3 doubling doses; p<0.05 compared to placebo). In conclusion, a single dose of 400 mg zileuton attenuates bronchial hyperresponsiveness to histamine and ultrasonically nebulized distilled water in asthmatic patients with marked bronchial hyperresponsiveness during treatment with inhaled corticosteroids.

Administration, Inhalation↗

Fluticasone propionate does not influence bone metabolism in contrast to beclomethasone dipropionate.

Inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) in dosages above 1,000 micrograms/d may influence parameters of bone metabolism. Fluticasone propionate (FP) is a new ICS with a higher clinical potency than beclomethasone dipropionate (BDP) combined with negligible oral bioavailability. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of FP and BDP in clinically equipotent dosages on indices of bone metabolism and morning cortisol. FP 750 micrograms/d and BDP 1,500 micrograms/d were compared in a randomized, double-blind, crossover study consisting of two 6-wk treatment periods, each preceded by a 3-wk single-blind placebo period. Twenty-one nonsmoking asthmatic completed the study. FP had the same effect on FEV1 and peak expiratory flow as the double dose of BDP. Both treatments did not change morning cortisol. BDP decreased both osteocalcin and procollagen type 1 carboxyterminal propeptide, indices of bone formation, significantly by 18.5 and 21.9%, respectively. In contrast, FP did not change any variable of bone formation. FP and BDP did not increase type 1 collagen carboxyterminal telopeptide and deoxypyridinoline crosslinks, both markers of bone resorption. In changes in parameters of bone metabolism indicate adverse effects on bone quality in the long term, FP may offer an advantage over BDP.

Administration, Topical↗

Comparison of fluticasone propionate and beclomethasone dipropionate on direct and indirect measurements of bronchial hyperresponsiveness in patients with stable asthma.

BACKGROUND: Fluticasone propionate is a new inhaled corticosteroid with a 2:1 efficacy ratio compared with beclomethasone dipropionate with regard to lung function and symptom scores, without increased systemic activity. The aim of this study was to investigate whether this was also the case for bronchial hyperresponsiveness, assessed by both a direct (histamine) and an indirect (ultrasonically nebulised distilled water (UNDW)) provocation test. METHODS: Fluticasone propionate, 750 micrograms/day, and beclomethasone dipropionate, 1500 micrograms/day, were compared in a randomised, double blind, crossover study consisting of two six week treatment periods, each preceded by a three week single blind placebo period. Twenty one non-smoking asthmatics (mean forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) 74.7% predicted, mean PC20histamine 0.36 mg/ml) completed the study. RESULTS: Fluticasone propionate and beclomethasone dipropionate improved FEV1, peak flow rates, asthma symptoms, and bronchial hyperresponsiveness to the same extent. Both fluticasone propionate and beclomethasone dipropionate caused an increase in PC20histamine (mean 2.29 [95% confidence interval 1.45 to 3.13] and 1.95 [1.07 to 2.84] doubling doses, respectively) and in PD20UNDW (1.12 [0.55 to 1.70] and 1.28 [0.88 to 1.70] doubling doses, respectively). Neither treatment changed morning serum cortisol levels, but fluticasone propionate decreased the number of peripheral blood eosinophils less than beclomethasone dipropionate, indicating smaller systemic effects of fluticasone propionate. CONCLUSIONS: These findings show that fluticasone propionate is as effective as twice the dose of beclomethasone dipropionate on bronchial hyperresponsiveness, assessed by provocation with both histamine and UNDW, without increased systemic activity.

Adult↗

Respiratory syncytial virus pneumonia in an AIDS patient.

Pneumonia caused by respiratory syncytial virus in an AIDS patient is reported. A co-infection with cytomegalovirus was also demonstrated. Treatment with ribavirin and foscarnet produced good clinical response. The patient, known to have serious obstructive lung disease, suffered from bronchial hyperreactivity for some time afterwards. The dilemma of antiviral therapy is discussed.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗