Gold, nitritoid reactions and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors.
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Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to I Pande.
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BACKGROUND: Osteoporotic hip fractures have been extensively studied in women, but they have been relatively ignored in men. OBJECTIVE: To study the mortality, morbidity, and impact on health related quality of life of male hip fractures. METHODS: 100 consecutive men aged 50 years and over, with incident low trauma hip fracture, admitted to Royal Cornwall Hospital, UK during 1995-97, were studied. 100 controls were recruited from a nearby general practice. Mortality and morbidity, including health status assessed using the SF-36, were evaluated over a 2 year follow up period. RESULTS: Survival after 2 years was 37% in fracture cases compared with 88% in controls (log rank test 62.6, df = 1, p = 0.0001). In the first year 45 patients died but only one control. By 2 years 58 patients but only 8 controls had died. Patients with hip fracture died from various causes, the most common being bronchopneumonia (21 cases), heart failure (9 cases), and ischaemic heart disease (8 cases). Factors associated with increased mortality after hip fracture included older age, residence before fracture in a nursing or residential home, presence of comorbid diseases, and poor functional activity before fracture. Patients with fracture were often disabled with poor quality of life. By 24 months 7 patients could not walk, 12 required residential accommodation, and the mean SF-36 physical summary score was 1.7SD below the normal standards. CONCLUSIONS: Low trauma hip fracture in men is associated with a significant increase in mortality and morbidity. Impaired function before fracture is a key determinant of mortality after fracture.
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OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether hand bone mineral content (BMC) measurement is an outcome measure for RA and whether the early changes in hand BMC predict functional disability. METHODS: Tender and swollen joints in hands and body, HAQ score, Larsen score on hand radiographs, serum CRP, and hand BMC measurement by DXA were studied every six months for five years in 40 patients with early RA. At the final visit, patients completed the SF-36 and Duruoz hand function questionnaires. RESULTS: All patients completed two years and 29 completed five years' follow up. Hand BMC worsened over the first three years (percentage loss from baseline: mean (SD) -5.5 (7.2), -7.5 (8.4), -9.8 (9.4)) and stabilised over last two years (-9.9 (8.8), -10 (7.8)). Baseline disease activity and function correlated with hand BMC loss at five years (swollen joints in hands: r=-0.38, p=0.043; swollen joints in body: r=-0.47, p=0.01; HAQ: r=-0.52, p=0.004). Percentage change in hand BMC over five years correlated with SF-36 physical function (r=0.61, p<0.01), hand function (r=-0.64, p<0.01), HAQ score (r=-0.63, p<0.01) at five years. Relative risk of bad hand functional outcome at five years was significantly higher for patients with hand BMC loss of >/=1.17 g (smallest detectable difference) than for patients with less bone loss within the first six months (OR=6.9, 95% CI 1.3 to 34.5, p<0.02). CONCLUSION: Early loss of hand BMC in patients with RA is a composite marker of disease activity and functional status and can predict poor functional outcome.
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Osteoporosis is characterized by a reduction in bone density, associated with skeletal fragility and an increased risk of fracture after minimal trauma. Although osteoporosis is generally considered to be a condition affecting post-menopausal women, it is now clear that substantial bone loss occurs with advancing age in men, such that up to 20% of symptomatic vertebral fractures and 30% of hip fractures occur in men. This chapter highlights the incidence and prevalence of osteoporotic fractures in men and reviews the associated morbidity, excess mortality and health and social service expenditure. The determinants of peak bone mass and bone loss in men are discussed, as is the pathogenesis of osteoporosis and vertebral and hip fractures. The criteria for the diagnosis of osteoporosis in men are reviewed, together with the most appropriate investigations for secondary osteoporosis. The management of osteoporosis in men is also discussed, highlighting the most appropriate treatment options.
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Bone mineral density (BMD) and hip axis length (HAL) are important determinants of fracture risk in women. There are, however, few data concerning their predictive risk in men. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between BMD, HAL and the risk of hip fracture in men. A case-control design was used. Cases were men aged 50 years and over with a minimal-trauma hip fracture admitted to the Royal Cornwall Hospital, Truro, during 1995-1997. Controls were recruited from a large general practice within the catchment area of the hospital. Subjects were invited for assessment of BMD at the lumbar spine and proximal femur, using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. HAL was assessed using machine software. Data concerning BMD were available in 62 fracture cases and 100 controls. After adjusting for age, height and weight, a reduction in BMD was associated with a significant increase in the risk of hip fracture [odds ratio (OR) 1.8-4.0 per standard deviation (SD) reduction, depending on site]. HAL was similar in both fracture and control groups (12.0 cm vs 12.0 cm). After adjusting for height, there was no association between HAL and the risk of hip fracture (OR per 1 SD increase in HAL = 0.9; 95% confidence interval 0.6, 1.3). Compared with those with a cervical fracture (n = 31), those with an intertrochanteric fracture (n = 31) had lower BMD at all skeletal sites, though this was significant for the trochanteric site only. It is concluded that BMD though not hip axis length is a risk factor for low-trauma hip fracture in Caucasian men.
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OBJECTIVE: To define the effect of low dose amitriptyline on fatigue, pain, and stiffness in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). METHODS: One hundred consecutive patients with AS were randomized to receive low dose amitriptyline up to 30 mg nightly or placebo for 2 weeks. Patients were assessed by the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity (BASDAI) and Functional (BASFI) Indices pre and post-treatment. RESULTS: Eighty-eight patients (44 amitriptyline, 44 placebo) completed the study. Eight (5 amitriptyline, 3 placebo) stopped treatment because of side effects (e.g., drowsiness, dryness of mouth) and 4 provided insufficient data. Compared to placebo, the patients taking amitriptyline showed significantly greater improvement in restful sleep (66 vs 20%; p < 0.001) and their disease activity scores [BASDAI amitriptyline 1.18 (23%) vs placebo 0.52 (10%); p = 0.024]. All other variables showed a trend to greater improvement by amitriptyline, although the differences were not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: (1) In a 2 week study, low dose amitriptyline significantly improved sleep in AS and was well tolerated; (2) as defined by BASDAI, there was a significant reduction in disease activity with amitriptyline; (3) compared to placebo, there was a nonsignificant trend toward improvement in function; and (4) in spite of improvement in pain, fatigue, and sleep with amitriptyline, stiffness was not increased.
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Unclassifiable seronegative spondyloarthropathy (SSA) syndrome is primarily considered to be an affliction of males. In this report from northern India, 25 HLA-B27 antigen positive females with this condition are described and compared with 39 HLA-B27-positive males with the same disease. All these patients presented with typical features of spondyloarthropathy such as predominantly lower limb synovitis, enthesopathy and inflammatory spinal pain. The onset was insidious in 56% of the females and in 64% of the males. The mean age of onset as also the mean duration of symptoms prior to diagnosis were significantly higher in females (26.2 vs 19.4 yr and 8 vs 2 yr, respectively). A mono- or oligo-arthritis was seen in 52% of the females and in 53% of the males, but the average number of joints involved was less in females (4.8 vs 7.7). Lower limb joints alone were involved in 56% of the females and 49% of the males, with the knees, ankles and hips being most commonly involved, often asymmetrically. The mean degree of symmetry was significantly lower in females (62 vs 76). Ninety-two per cent of females and 74% of males had inflammatory spinal pain. Radiographic sacroiliitis was demonstrable in 56% females and 74% males. It is concluded that 'unclassifiable' SSA syndrome is not infrequent in females but is diagnosed late. Fewer joints tend to be involved and there is greater tendency towards asymmetry in females.
One thousand consecutive patients with systemic connective tissue diseases were screened clinically and serologically to determine the existence of mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD) in the Indian population. After completion only three patients could be diagnosed as having MCTD using the standard diagnostic criteria. The results of this study point to MCTD existing but it appears to be a rare entity in the Indian population.
The clinical and laboratory profile of 58 consecutive patients satisfying the ISG 1990 criteria for the diagnosis of Behçet's disease was analysed. It appears that Behçet's disease in India is predominantly 'mucocutaneous' and 'arthritic'; 'ocular' and 'neuro' Behçet's being uncommon. In comparison to published literature, the onset of disease in this part of the world is significantly delayed. The pathergy test is rarely positive. There is no significant difference in clinical presentation and laboratory investigations between children and adults with this disease; also, no sex difference was observed. A combination of oral steroids and colchicine gives good relief in most cases. Preliminary observations seem to reflect no definite association of any known class I antigen to disease in this part of the world. A detailed study on immunogenetics is underway.
134 patients testing positive for HIV antibody during the period 1986-1993 were included in the present study. An in-depth analysis of the subjects revealed that the adult males seemed to have the highest propensity for HIV infection in this part of the country. Marital status had no bearing on incidence and route of seropositivity. This was not so in females. Extramarital heterosexual contact was the mode of HIV acquisition in adults in contrast to blood transfusion in children. Clinically, most of these patients were still asymptomatic. At presentation, oral Candidiasis was common. Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP) was the leading cause of death.
To define the impact of HIV infection in India, the clinical and laboratory profile and the correlation of CD4 count to the likely opportunistic infection in a cohort of 134 HIV positive patients in Northern India was analysed. Majority of the patients, 72% and 67.8% (children and adults respectively) were asymptomatic, having been detected during routine screening and maintained that status for a median follow-up period of 3 years. Among the symptomatic patients, oropharyngeal candidiasis was the most common opportunistic infection followed closely by tuberculosis (both pulmonary and extra pulmonary) around 3.6-4.0 years from probable HIV infection with a median CD4 of 420-578 per cmm. Infection with Cryptococcosis, Cryptosporidiosis and cytomegalovirus occurred only after a significant fall in CD4 to < 100/cmm usually around 8-10 years from probable HIV infection. Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia was the terminal event among the 12 deaths at a mean CD4 count of 6/cmm. Non specific constitutional symptoms like fever, prolonged diarrhoea and significant weight loss were frequent. In general, the clinical profile of Indian patients with HIV bears much resemblance to African countries owing perhaps to the similar background of poverty, malnutrition and endemic infection.
Thirty-five patients with diffuse systemic sclerosis were studied in a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study. Seventeen patients received intravenous dexamethasone "pulse" therapy, while 18 patients received placebo. Each "pulse" consisted of 100 mg dexamethasone in 250 ml 5% dextrose infused intravenously over 1 h. Pulse therapy was repeated every month for 6 months. Assessment of disease status with various parameters was done at entry and at completion of trial, i.e. after 6 months. Significant improvement in skin involvement was seen in the study group, with the total skin score (TSS) decreasing from 28.5 +/- 12.2 to 25.8 +/- 12.8, while in the control group, TSS increased from 30.6 +/- 13.2 to 34.7 +/- 10. Similarly, significant improvement was noted in the flexion index. Other parametres that included extension index, maximum oral opening, range of movement of joints, functional disability score, Raynaud's phenomenon (frequency and duration), ESR, proteinuria, chest X-ray, ECG, lung function tests, barium swallow and antinuclear antibody were unchanged. Adverse effects of therapy were limited to an increased incidence of minor chest infections. It is concluded that intravenous pulse dexamethasone may be useful in the treatment of diffuse systemic sclerosis.
Data on the clinical and laboratory profile of 39 male lupus patients has been analysed. An attempt has been made to (1) delineate the pattern of SLE in Indian males, (2) compare it with that reported in the world literature, (3) find out differences, if any, between male children and adults with the disease, and (4) compare it with our previously published data on Indian females with SLE. Several important points were brought out in this study. First, SLE in Indian males has an earlier age of disease onset, a higher incidence of mucocutaneous and renal involvement and a lower incidence of neuropsychiatric, gastrointestinal and hematological disease in comparison to those published from the developed countries. Second, leucopenia and lymphopenia, a reflection of disease severity, occur significantly more in male children compared with adults. Thrombocytopenia is exclusively noted in adult males and virtually non-existent in children. Third, male patients overall have a less severe form of the disease in comparison with their female counterpart, as was evident by significantly less patients with hypocomplementemia, diffuse proliferative lupus nephritis and psychosis. Finally, a higher frequency of infection, particularly tuberculosis, was seen in male patients, which was the cause of death in some.