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Biomedical subjects

G Perpignano

Publications and source records attributed to G Perpignano.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Somatostatin 14 and joint inflammation: evidence for intraarticular efficacy of prolonged administration in rheumatoid arthritis.

Previous studies with intraarticular administration of somatostatin (SST14) in rheumatoid arthritis showed an antiinflammatory and analgesic effect. The aim of the present study was to demonstrate the efficacy and tolerability of SST14 in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients for a longer period of treatment than previously scheduled. Forty-one patients with RA of the knee were treated with a cycle of intraarticular injection of 750 micrograms of SST14, every 15 days. The efficacy of SST14 was evaluated by determining acute phase parameters (erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein [CRP]) and by clinical assessment (pain at rest and on movement, joint tenderness, morning stiffness, spontaneous pain). Additionally, telethermography was performed to evaluate the intensity of the joint inflammation. The tolerability of the treatment was also assessed both by patients and physicians. SST14 produced a reduction in all parameters; this was already statistically significant after the second injection in terms of pain at rest and on movement, and after the third injection for all other symptoms. The treatment showed an excellent tolerability, both local and systemic. Our results indicate the analgesic property of SST14 and demonstrate its capacity to reduce progressively joint inflammation confirmed by thermography and by reduction of pain, after a month of therapy.

Acute-Phase Proteins

[RS3PE syndrome. A new rheumatic inflammatory syndrome in advanced age].

RS3PE syndrome (Remitting Seronegative Symmetrical Synovitis with Pitting Edema) is a new form of arthritis in the elderly, characterized by symmetrical polysynovitis of acute onset associated with distal pitting edema. Tests for serum IgM rheumatoid factor are typically negative. RS3PE syndrome affects Caucasians aged over 60, predominantly males. It has a benign course and remits completely without residua.

Aged

Double-blind comparison of the efficacy and safety of etodolac SR 600 mg u.i.d. and of tenoxicam 20 mg u.i.d. in elderly patients with osteoarthritis of the hip and of the knee.

Etodolac SR is the sustained-release formulation of etodolac, an effective anti-inflammatory drug used in the treatment of various rheumatic diseases. The efficacy and safety of etodolac SR were compared with those of tenoxicam in 120 elderly patients with radiographic and clinical evidence of active osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee and/or the hip. This was a double-blind, double-dummy, randomized, parallel-group, multicentre study conducted at 4 Italian rheumatic-disease units. Sixty patients received 600 mg of etodolac SR once daily (u.i.d.) for 8 weeks; the remaining 60 patients received 20 mg of tenoxicam u.i.d. Significant improvements in all 6 efficacy parameters (viso-analogic scale of the global pain, pain at active movements, night pain, joint tenderness, joint motility, and Lequesne's algofunctional index) were observed within each of the treatment groups even after the first 2 weeks of therapy. There were no significant differences in the therapeutic response between the two groups for any efficacy parameters. Adverse reactions, mostly regarding the G-I tract, were significantly more frequent in the tenoxicam group than in the etodolac group: 23.3% vs 8.3% respectively, albeit in the majority of the cases they were not considered to be so severe as to cause the interruption of the study. There were no clinically important changes from baseline in laboratory tests performed during the study. Endoscopy of the upper G-I tract was performed both at baseline and after 8 weeks of therapy in 30 patients per treatment group in order to obtain a reliable comparative evaluation of the G-I safety of the two drugs. Both drugs were found to be well tolerated; only 2 ulcers were observed after therapy in both groups, but minor lesions were more frequently detected in the mucosa of the stomach in the patients who received tenoxicam. The cumulative endoscopic index that reflected both the erosive and the haemorrhagic lesions found in the stomach taken as a whole was significantly (p < 0.03) higher after therapy in the tenoxicam group. These results indicate that 600 mg of etodolac SR u.i.d. for 8 weeks is as effective as 20 mg of tenoxicam u.i.d. in the treatment of OA of the knee and/or of the hip. Both the overall and the G-I specific safety profiles were found to be more favourable in patients treated with etodolac SR. Renal function was not substantially affected in either treatment group.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Aged

[Acromegalic arthropathy].

Six acromegalic patients, three males (aged 28 to 48 years) and three females (aged 57 to 75 years), with GH-producing pituitary adenoma, were studied through clinical examination, laboratory and instrumental tests. In all the patients frequent involvement of large joints, with crepitus and provoked pain, was found; while articular mobility was normal especially in the dorso-lumbar spine, a frequent seat of pain. Radiology showed typical features of an osteoarthritic process with characteristic widening of articular spaces, especially in weight-bearing large joints in symptomatic patients. The evolution of this arthropathy lead to anatomo-clinical pictures almost indistinguishable from osteoarthritis; however, in the early stages, the marked cartilaginous hypertrophy is responsible for peculiar anatomo-radiological pictures, principally represented by widening of articular spaces and intervertebral discal spaces, especially in the dorso-lumbar spine. As far as bone metabolism is concerned, neoproduction and reabsorption, both increased, proceed simultaneously; bone mass reduction is described in some segments. In our study, the two patients with active acromegaly showed bone mass reduction in the lumbar spine.

Acromegaly

[Clinical experience with the use of piroxicam in fast-dissolving sublingual capsules in acute recurrent osteoarthritis].

Open, non comparative study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of piroxicam Fast Dissolving Dosage Form (FDDF) for sublingual administration in treatment of reacutized osteoarthritis. Fifty-four patients with flare-ups of osteoarthritis involving various joints were enrolled in the study. They were treated with 20 mg/die piroxicam sublingual tablets for a total of 4 weeks. Drug efficacy was evaluated on the basis of the variation of spontaneous pain, pain on passive motion, functional limitation and capacity of performing a specific activity. Intensity of spontaneous pain on the first day showed a statistically significant improvement (p < 0.0001) only 15 minutes after the drug administration. This improvement in pain intensity increased until day 3. All other efficacy parameters showed a statistically significant improvement (p < 0.0001) 7 days after the beginning of treatment. Local and systemic tolerability was good. No patient showed local side effects; only 6 patients experienced systemic side effects. In conclusion, piroxicam sublingual tablets for treatment of osteoarthritis flare-ups showed analgesic efficacy already 15 minutes after drug administration, and good anti-inflammatory efficacy with good local and systemic tolerability.

Acute Disease

[Ocular involvement in rheumatoid arthritis].

The authors evaluated ocular involvement in 23 patients affected by rheumatoid arthritis (RA) according to ARA criteria. Slit-lamp biomicroscopic examination showed signs of keratoconjunctivitis sicca in one patient (4%), while a positive bilateral Schirmer test was found in six subjects (26%). Fluorescein angiography, carried out in 11 of the 23 RA patients, showed retinal vasculitis in 18% of the patients examined, even if no clinical and ophthalmoscopic signs of retinal vessel inflammation were present. The authors suggest that fluorescein angiography should be performed in patients affected by particularly active RA, with recent onset of the disease (< 12 months), high titres of classical IgM rheumatoid factor and raised concentrations of circulating immune complexes. The study confirmed moreover the uncommon ocular toxicity related to the drugs frequently employed in RA treatment (antimalarials, gold salts, glucocorticoids). Indeed, only one case (4%) of posterior subcapsular cataract clearly related to steroid therapy was found.

Adult

[Physical activity and osteoporosis].

The aim of the present research was to underline the importance of physical activity in the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis. Therefore the authors considered age-related bone loss and the value of weight-bearing exercise on bone-remodeling. Moreover the authors examined current world literature on physical exercise in post-menopausal age and bone mineral content in athletes, reporting their study's results.

Adult

[Fangotherapy and diacerein in the treatment of osteoarthrosis of the hip and knee].

The clinical efficacy and safety of thermal mud and diacetylrhein (DAR) was evaluated in 135 patients suffering from osteoarthritis of the hip and e knee. Pain at rest, during movement, on pressure, and functional impairment of the affected joints were evaluated in base-line conditions and after six months and twelve months of treatment. These clinical parameters showed a significant improvement after thermal mud and DAR; tolerance of both treatments was excellent in all patients.

Adult

[Spinal cord and cauda equina compression in 2 patients with beta-thalassemia intermedia].

Spinal cord compression as a consequence of mass lesions due to extramedullary hematopoiesis is a well described but rare syndrome occurring in thalassemia and some other hematologic conditions. The authors report two cases of patients with a genetic variant of beta-thalassemia, who suffered from a progressive compression of the spinal cord in one case, of the cauda equina in the other caused by epidural hematopoietic tissue. The first patient recovered after partial surgical removal of this tissue and subsequent radiotherapy. The second one recovered after only radiotherapy.

Adolescent

Peripheral red blood cell survival invariance during pefloxacin treatment in subjects with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency.

In order to evaluate the possible damaging effect of pefloxacin on erythrocytes in subjects with G-6-PD deficiency, a trial on red-cell survival was carried out using a 51Cr-labelled peripheral red blood cell technique. Eight men, aged 52 to 64 years, with osteoarthrosis and G-6-PD deficiency (Mediterranean type) were treated with 800 mg/day pefloxacin. Pefloxacin did not modify red cell survival in the subjects under study. In all subjects erythrocyte GSH levels were investigated in baseline conditions and also after incubation with increasing doses of pefloxacin. No significant change in erythrocyte GSH levels was observed after incubation with therapeutic doses of pefloxacin.

Aged

A 12-week double-blind study of the efficacy, safety and tolerance of pirazolac b.i.d. compared with indomethacin t.i.d. in patients with ankylosing spondylitis.

A 12-week trial was carried out to compare the efficacy of pirazolac (300-600 mg b.i.d.) with that of indomethacin (25-50 mg t.i.d.) in patients with ankylosing spondylitis. A total of 119 patients completed the treatment period, with 32 drop-outs. Both therapies showed significant improvements in clinical symptoms.

Administration, Oral

Tolerability of tiaprofenic acid in patients with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency.

Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency is an X-linked genetic disorder which can lead to acute haemolytic anaemia following ingestion of fava beans and the administration of certain drugs, mainly in subjects with bacterial or viral infections. It is common in the Mediterranean region and many variants are found in Sardinia. The aim of this study was to evaluate in vivo if treatment with tiaprofenic acid 600 mg daily for 15 days would reduce erythrocyte GSH (reduced glutathione) concentrations and thus produce erythrocytolysis (assessed by evaluation of 51Cr-labelled erythrocyte survival) in subjects with G6PD deficiency. GSH concentrations were also evaluated in vitro after incubation of G6PD-deficient erythrocytes with increasing doses of tiaprofenic acid (20, 50, 100, 150 and 200 mg/L) and with acetylphenylhydrazine 5 mg. The results obtained both in vitro and in vivo confirmed the absence of any oxidative action of tiaprofenic acid on the erythrocytes of G6PD-deficient subjects.

Aged

[Collateral effects of 9-alpha-fluor-prednisolone acetate and kanamycin, administered by nasal spray. Clinical experience and experimental data].

Iatrogenic pathology due to treatment with steroid drugs used by systemic route is well known. On the contrary iatrogenic pathology due to topical use of these drugs is rarely reported. Two cases of abuse of 9-alpha- fluor-prednisolone and kanamycin administered by endonasal route are reported. The same treatment has been carried out in patients and rabbits. Clinical and bio-humoral data in patients and anatomo-pathological findings in rabbits are reported. The risks, sometimes underestimated, of an overdose of corticosteroid and antibiotic drugs used by endonasal route are pointed out.

Administration, Inhalation

[Double-blind cross-over comparison of flurbiprofen and indomethacin in osteoarthritis of the knee and hip].

A randomised double blind cross-over study was conducted in order to compare the therapeutic efficacy and tolerability of flurbiprofen and indomethacin in 16 patients with osteoarthrosis of the knee or hip. 300 mg per diem flurbiprofen and 150 mg per diem indomethacin were given for 14 days. Both treatment were very effective against pain whether spontaneous, under pressure or in movement and against functional limitations, joint mobility and on ESR. Undesirable side effects were noted in 4 flurbiprofen and 5 indomethacin cases.

Adolescent

[Familial Mediterranean fever. Description of a case observed by us].

Familial mediterranean fever (FMF) is an hereditary disorder characterized by attacks of febrile serosal inflammation involving pleura or peritoneum and synovium, followed usually by insidious onset of amyloidosis. In other patients amyloidosis of AA-type is the only finding of the disease. This disorder is common in Jews of Sephardi and Ashkenazi ancestry, Arabs, Armenians and Turks. In this work the clinico-biological features and the therapeutical aspects of a patient, suffering from FMF, of Italian ancestry are presented.

Adolescent

Iron overload and lysosomal stability in beta zero-thalassaemia intermedia and trait: correlation between serum ferritin and serum N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase levels.

Increased iron storage represents a characteristic condition in patients with beta zero-thalassaemia intermedia. Iron overload is an important factor in cellular damage. Recent studies have shown an enhanced lysosomal fragility due to increased iron storage. 13 patients with beta-thalassaemia intermedia, aged 17-44 years, were studied. Both serum ferritin and serum N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase levels were evaluated in all subjects studied. A significant linear correlation (P less than 0.05) between serum ferritin and serum N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase levels were found.

Acetylglucosaminidase

Safety of flurbiprofen in subjects with G-6-PD deficiency. In vivo and in vitro results.

The safety of flurbiprofen, a new non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug was tested in individuals with G-6-PD deficiency. The study was carried out in vitro evaluating the erythrocyte levels of reduced glutathione under basal conditions and after incubation with the drug or acetylphenyl-hydrazine. In the red cells marked with 51Cr, survival was evaluated in vivo before and during flurbiprofen administration. The study shows that flurbiprofen has no oxidating activity in carriers of the G-6-PD Mediterranean variant.

Adolescent