Biomedical subjects

Michael H Kutner

Publications and source records attributed to Michael H Kutner.

5 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Distal splenorenal shunt versus transjugular intrahepatic portal systematic shunt for variceal bleeding: a randomized trial.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Variceal bleeding refractory to medical treatment with beta-blockers and endoscopic therapy can be managed by variceal decompression with either surgical shunts or transjugular intrahepatic portal systemic shunts (TIPS). This prospective randomized trial tested the hypothesis that patients receiving distal splenorenal shunts (DSRS) would have significantly lower rebleeding and encephalopathy rates than TIPS in management of refractory variceal bleeding. METHODS: A prospective randomized controlled clinical trial at 5 centers was conducted. One hundred forty patients with Child-Pugh class A and B cirrhosis and refractory variceal bleeding were randomized to DSRS or TIPS. Protocol and event follow-up for 2-8 years (mean, 46 +/- 26 months) for primary end points of variceal bleeding and encephalopathy and secondary end points of death, ascites, thrombosis and stenosis, liver function, need for transplant, quality of life, and cost were evaluated. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in rebleeding (DSRS, 5.5%; TIPS, 10.5%; P = .29) or first encephalopathy event (DSRS, 50%; TIPS, 50%). Survival at 2 and 5 years (DSRS, 81% and 62%; TIPS, 88% and 61%, respectively) were not significantly different (P = .87). Thrombosis, stenosis, and reintervention rates (DSRS, 11%; TIPS, 82%) were significantly (P < .001) higher in the TIPS group. Ascites, need for transplant, quality of life, and costs were not significantly different. CONCLUSIONS: DSRS and TIPS are similarly efficacious in the control of refractory variceal bleeding in Child-Pugh class A and B patients. Reintervention is significantly greater for TIPS compared with DSRS. Because both procedures have equivalent outcomes, the choice is dependent on available expertise and ability to monitor the shunt and reintervene when needed.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

Reduction in fear of falling through intense tai chi exercise training in older, transitionally frail adults.

OBJECTIVES: To determine whether an intense tai chi exercise program could reduce fear of falling better than a wellness education (WE) program in older adults who had fallen previously and meet criteria for transitioning to frailty. DESIGN: Cluster-randomized, controlled trial of 48 weeks' duration. SETTING: Ten matched pairs of congregate living facilities in the greater Atlanta area. PARTICIPANTS: Sample of 291 women and 20 men, aged 70 to 97. MEASUREMENTS: Activity-related fear of falling using the Activities-Specific Balance Confidence Scale (ABC) and the Fall Efficacy Scale at baseline and every 4 months for 1 year. Demographics, time to first fall and all subsequent falls, functional measures, Centers for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale, medication use, level of physical activity, comorbidities, and adherence to interventions. RESULTS: Mean ABC was similar in both cohort groups at the time of randomization but became significantly higher (decreased fear) in the tai chi cohort at 8 months (57.9 vs 49.0, P<.001) and at study end (59.2 vs 47.9, P<.001). After adjusting for covariates, the mean ABC after 12 months of intervention was significantly greater in the tai chi group than in the WE group, with the differences increasing with time (mean difference at 12 months=9.5 points, 95% confidence interval=4.8-14.2, P<.001). CONCLUSION: Tai chi led to a significantly greater reduction in fear of falling than a WE program in transitionally frail older adults. The mean percentage change in ABC scores widened between tai chi and WE participants over the trial period. Tai chi should be considered in any program designed to reduce falling and fear of falling in transitionally frail older adults.

Accidental Falls↗

PubMed2004

The Dialysis Outcomes and Practice Patterns Study (DOPPS): design, data elements, and methodology.

The Dialysis Outcomes and Practice Patterns Study (DOPPS) is a prospective, observational study designed to elucidate aspects of hemodialysis practice that are associated with the best outcomes for hemodialysis patients. In DOPPS I, 308 hemodialysis units from 7 countries participated, including 145 facilities from the United States (1996-2001), 62 facilities from Japan (1999-2001), and 101 facilities from France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom (all 1998-2000). DOPPS II (2002-2004) has included 320 hemodialysis units and more than 12,400 hemodialysis patients from the 7 DOPPS I countries as well as Australia, Belgium, Canada, New Zealand, and Sweden. Dialysis units are chosen via a stratified random selection procedure to provide proportional sampling by region and type of facility within each country. In DOPPS I and II, longitudinal data have been collected from both a prevalent (cross-sectional) patient sample and an incident patient sample. Data have also been collected on numerous facility practice patterns. Most DOPPS analyses incorporate both facility- and patient-level data in regression-based analyses to investigate predictors of survival, hospitalization, quality of life, vascular access type, and other outcomes. DOPPS longitudinal data also help identify trends in subject characteristics, practice indicators, medication use, and outcomes. The DOPPS remains a unique source of data on hemodialysis patients and facilities. It continues to refine its methods of data collection and analysis with the goal of improving hemodialysis practice and end-stage renal disease patient lives worldwide.

Humans↗

PubMed2004

Sleep-disordered breathing and nocturia in older adults.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the relationship between sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) and nocturia episodes in community-dwelling older adults. DESIGN: A cross-sectional study. SETTING: Community. PARTICIPANTS: Community-dwelling older adults (N=72) recruited from independent living facilities and adult learning centers in Atlanta, Georgia. MEASUREMENTS: Three-day voiding diary, ambulatory sleep recording, focused physical examination, Epworth Sleepiness Scale, and Geriatric Depression Scale. RESULTS: Fifty-eight of the 72 subjects completed the study. The mean age+/-standard deviation was 77.7+/-6.7; 44 (76%) were female. Of the 58 subjects, 26 (45%) had an apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) of less than 10 per hour of sleep, 21 (36%) had an AHI between 10 and 24 per hour sleep, and 11 (19%) had an AHI of 25 or higher per hour of sleep. The mean nocturia episodes were 1.7+/-1.1, 1.6+/-0.9, and 2.6+/-1.4 for subjects in these groups, respectively (F=3.82; P=.028). Those with an AHI of 25 or higher had more nocturia episodes, higher mean arterial blood pressure, and higher body mass index than those with a lower AHI. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that older adults with severe SDB have a greater number of nocturia episodes. These findings underscore the importance of considering SDB as a differential diagnosis in the evaluation of older patients with nocturia.

Aged↗

PubMed2003

Changes in nocturia from medical treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia: secondary analysis of the Department of Veterans Affairs Cooperative Study Trial.

PURPOSE: We evaluate the efficacy of medical therapy on nocturia in men with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a secondary analysis of data from the VA Cooperative Study Program Trial in which 1,229 men with BPH 45 to 80 years old were randomly assigned to receive terazosin, finasteride, combination or placebo. RESULTS: The 1,078 men who completed 12 months of the trial are included in this study. Of those men 1,040 (96.5%) had at least 1 episode of nocturia at baseline and 38 (3.5%) had less than 1 episode (baseline nocturia is an average of 2 measures). Of those 1,040 men 788 (75.8%) had 2 or more nocturia episodes. Overall, nocturia decreased from a baseline mean of 2.5 to 1.8, 2.1, 2.0 and 2.1 episodes in the terazosin, finasteride, combination and placebo groups, respectively. Of men with 2 or more episodes of nocturia 50% reduction in nocturia was seen in 39%, 25%, 32% and 22% in the terazosin, finasteride, combination and placebo groups, respectively. Changes in nocturia were correlated with changes in reported bother from nocturia (Pearson correlation 0.48), BPH impact index (0.32) and overall satisfaction with urinary symptoms (0.33). CONCLUSIONS: Terazosin and combination therapy reduced nocturia in men with BPH, yet the net advantage of terazosin over placebo was a net reduction of 0.3 nocturia episode. For a person to reach a 50% or greater reduction in nocturia, the advantage of terazosin over placebo was 17 percentage points. Changes in nocturia had a moderate impact on symptom specific quality of life measures.

Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists↗