Biomedical subjects

Sigbjørn Berentsen

Publications and source records attributed to Sigbjørn Berentsen.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Primary chronic cold agglutinin disease: a population based clinical study of 86 patients.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Our knowledge of primary chronic cold agglutinin disease (CAD) is incomplete. The aim of this study was to collect comprehensive and precise data the on epidemiology, clinical and pathological features, course, and therapy of CAD. DESIGN AND METHODS: We performed a population-based retrospective follow-up study of as many as possible of all CAD patients in Norway. Eighty-six patients were studied. RESULTS: The prevalence of primary CAD was 16 cases per million inhabitants. The incidence rate was 1 per million per year. The median age at onset was 67 years (range, 30-92) and the male to female ratio was 0.55. The median survival was 12.5 years from onset. Autoimmune diseases other than CAD were reported in 8% of patients, cold-induced circulatory symptoms in 91%, and exacerbation of hemolytic anemia during febrile illness in 74%. At least 51% had received red blood cell transfusions. The mean initial hemoglobin level was 9.2 g/dL (range, 4.5-15.6) and the median monoclonal immunoglobulin level 4.0 g/L (range, 0.0-47.3). Most laboratory findings did not change significantly during a median follow-up of 5 years. Monoclonal IgM was detected in 90%; IgG and IgA in 3.5% each; with kappa light chains in 94%. An abnormal kappa/lambda ratio in bone marrow was found in 90%, lymphoma in 76%, and lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma in 50%. Transformation to aggressive lymphoma occurred in 3.5% during 10 years. Rituximab therapy was the only treatment showing acceptable response rates (60%). INTERPRETATION AND CONCLUSIONS: Primary CAD represents a spectrum of clonal lymphoproliferative bone marrow disorders, in most cases with morphological signs of lymphoma. Despite a favorable prognosis for survival, the disease is not indolent in terms of clinical manifestations.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

[Lead poisoning].

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

History, 20th Century↗

PubMed2003

Rituximab for primary chronic cold agglutinin disease: a prospective study of 37 courses of therapy in 27 patients.

Conventional therapies for primary chronic cold agglutinin disease (CAD) are ineffective, but remissions after treatment with the anti-CD20 antibody rituximab have been described in a small, prospective trial and in some case reports. In this study we report on 37 courses of rituximab administered prospectively to 27 patients. Fourteen of 27 patients responded to their first course of rituximab, and 6 of 10 responded to re-treatment. In both groups combined, responses were achieved after 20 of 37 courses, giving an overall response rate of 54%. We observed 1 complete and 19 partial responses. Two nonresponders and 3 patients who experienced relapse received second-line therapy with interferon-alpha combined with a new course of rituximab, and 1 nonresponder and 2 patients who experienced relapse achieved partial responses. Responders achieved a median increase in hemoglobin levels of 40 g/L (4 g/dL). Median time to response was 1.5 months, and median observed response duration was 11 months. We conclude that rituximab is an effective and well-tolerated therapy for CAD. Histologic and flow cytometric findings suggest that some of the effect may be mediated by mechanisms other than the elimination of clonal lymphocytes. We were unable to predict responses from the hematologic, immunologic, or histologic parameters before therapy.

Anemia, Hemolytic, Autoimmune↗

PubMed2002

[Treatment of massive pulmonary embolism with local thrombolysis].

BACKGROUND: The diagnosis and therapy of pulmonary embolism may still be difficult. Patients with massive central emboli have an unacceptable risk of treatment failure and death when treated with conventional anticoagulants. PATIENTS AND RESULTS: Three patients with massive pulmonary embolism were treated with local catheter-directed thrombolysis and mechanical fragmentation. Nearly total thrombolysis was achieved, as estimated by angiography and spiral CT scan. Clinical improvement was confirmed by blood gas measurements, pulse oximetry, and echocardiographic assessment. INTERPRETATION: Based on data from the literature, thrombolytic therapy is more efficient than conventional anticoagulation in patients with massive central pulmonary embolism affecting the systemic circulation. Local, catheter-directed thrombolysis with mechanical fragmentation and direct infusion into the thrombus produced very good results in our patients. Other published data confirm that this method is feasible, safe and effective. In selected patients, this therapy is a good alternative to systemic thrombolysis, although it remains to be established which method is best.

Adult↗