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Biomedical subjects

T Svahn

Publications and source records attributed to T Svahn.

13 recordsLinked to original sources

Formoterol as needed with or without budesonide in patients with intermittent asthma and raised NO levels in exhaled air: A SOMA study.

Patients with mild intermittent asthma sometimes show signs of inflammation, and guidelines suggesting bronchodilator therapy alone as needed may be questioned. The current study compared as-needed use of a rapid-acting beta2-agonist with as-needed use of a beta2-agonist and corticosteroid combination as the only medication in asthma patients with intermittent symptoms. A total of 92 nonsmoking asthma patients (of 187 screened) using only an inhaled beta2-agonist as needed (28 males, 64 females; mean age 37 yrs; mean forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) 101% predicted, mean reversibility 6.5% pred and fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) > or =20 parts per billion (ppb)) were randomised to treatment with formoterol (Oxis Turbuhaler) 4.5 microg as needed (n = 47) or budesonide/formoterol (Symbicort Turbuhaler) 160/4.5 microg as needed (n = 45) in a double-blind, parallel-group 24-week study. The primary variable of efficacy was change in FeNO. Baseline FeNO was 60 ppb and 59 ppb in the budesonide/formoterol and formoterol groups, respectively. Mean reductions in FeNO in the budesonide/formoterol and formoterol groups were 18.2 ppb and 2.8 ppb, respectively (95% confidence interval (CI) 7.5-23.5 ppb). The reduction in the budesonide/formoterol group occurred during the first 4 weeks of treatment and remained at this low level. Mean FEV1 increased by 1.8% pred normal value in the budesonide/formoterol group and decreased by 0.9% pred normal value in the formoterol group (95% CI -4.7- -0.7). In the budesonide/formoterol group, use of > or =4 inhalations x day(-1) of study medication was seen on 21 treatment days compared with 74 in the formoterol group. In conclusion, as-needed use of an inhaled corticosteroid together with a rapid-acting bronchodilator may be more beneficial than a beta2-agonist alone in patients with intermittent asthma and signs of airway inflammation. The long-term benefits are unknown.

Adolescent↗

Comparison of high and low dose of the inhaled steroid, budesonide, as an initial treatment in newly detected asthma.

The importance of early initiation of inhaled steroids even in mild asthma has been documented in several studies. It is not, however, clear whether the treatment should be started with a high or a low dose of the inhaled steroid. We have compared the effects of high and low dose inhaled steroid, budesonide, in patients with newly detected asthma. We studied 101 adult patients with newly detected bronchial asthma who were without inhaled steroid or any regular pharmacological treatment for their asthma. The patients were randomly allocated to two treatment groups: one to receive 800 microg inhaled budesonide per day and the other to receive 200 microg inhaled budesonide per day. The drugs were given with a Turbuhaler dry powder inhaler. During the 3-month treatment period, no significant differences between the treatment groups were noted in morning or evening PEF values, in spirometric parameters, in asthmatic symptoms or in the use of rescue beta2-agonists. The decrease in bronchial hyperresponsiveness was, however, more marked in the high dose budesonide group, reaching a borderline significance (P=0.10 high vs. low dose budesonide). In addition, in serum markers of asthmatic inflammation significant differences were shown between the treatment groups. The decrease in the number of blood eosinophils during the treatment was more marked in the high dose budesonide group (P=0.02; high vs. low dose budesonide). In serum ECP no change was observed in the low dose budesonide group, but a marked decrease in the high-dose budesonide group (P=0.008; high vs. low dose budesonide). The change was even more marked with regard to serum EPX (P=0.005; high vs. low dose budesonide). Our results support the view that the treatment of newly detected asthma should be started with a high dose of inhaled steroid. The low dose may not be enough to suppress asthmatic inflammation despite good clinical primary response.

Administration, Inhalation↗

Randomised comparison of guided self management and traditional treatment of asthma over one year.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy of self management of asthma with traditional treatment. DESIGN: 12 month prospective randomised trial. SETTING: Outpatient clinics in Finland. SUBJECTS: 115 patients with mild to moderately severe asthma. INTERVENTIONS: Patient education and adjustment of anti-inflammatory therapy guided by peak flow measurements. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Unscheduled admissions to hospital and outpatient visits, days off work, courses of antibiotics and prednisolone, lung function, and quality of life. RESULTS: The mean number of unscheduled visits to ambulatory care facilities (0.5 v 1.0), days off work (2.8 v 4.8), and courses of antibiotics (0.4 v 0.9) and prednisolone (0.4 v 1.0) per patient were lower and the quality of life score (16.6 v 8.4 at 12 months) higher in the self management group than in the traditionally treated group. In both groups admissions for asthma were rare. CONCLUSIONS: Self management reduces incidents caused by asthma and improves quality of life.

Adult↗

Comparison of terbutaline Turbuhaler and albuterol chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) inhaler in middle-aged and elderly patients with obstructive lung disease.

The aim of the present study was to compare the effect of terbutaline Turbuhaler (0.5 mg qid) with that of albuterol chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) inhaler (0.2 mg qid) in middle-aged and elderly patients with obstructive lung disease. The study was performed as an open cross-over (2 x 2 weeks) and randomized study in 85 patients. A significant increase in PEF was seen after inhalation from both devices (P less than .001). Baseline PEF values before inhalation were higher with Turbuhaler than with the CFC inhaler both in the mornings and in the evenings. Fifty-six percent of the patients preferred terbutaline Turbuhaler and 26% albuterol CFC inhaler (P = .004).

Administration, Inhalation↗

Prospective evaluation of chronic cardiotoxicity due to high-dose epirubicin or combination chemotherapy with cyclophosphamide, methotrexate, and 5-fluorouracil.

In a prospective study the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), right ventricular ejection fraction (RVEF), systolic blood pressure, ECG, and heart rate were recorded at rest and during submaximal work to compare the cardiotoxic effect of epirubicin with a combination chemotherapy without known cardiotoxicity. A total of 14 females with advanced breast cancer were treated with epirubicin at a median cumulative dose of 827 mg/m2 (range, 550-1244). These patients had previously received cyclophosphamide, methotrexate, and 5-fluorouracil (CMF) or cyclophosphamide alone as adjuvant treatment, or CMF for advanced disease. The control group consisted of 11 females with advanced breast cancer given CMF only. The systolic blood pressure at rest as well as during submaximal work was significantly lower (P less than 0.05) after treatment in the epirubicin group than in the CMF controls. With regard to LVEF, the median value of 54% at rest was significantly lower after treatment in the epirubicin group than in the controls (59%). There was a significant fall in LVEF at rest and during exercise in the epirubicin group, whereas no such changes were found in the CMF controls after treatment. The RVEF was unaffected. In the epirubicin-treated group one patient developed fatal congestive heart failure, and in the remaining 13 patients treatment was discontinued due to progression of the cancer and not to cardiotoxicity. Thus, the cardiotoxicity of epirubicin changed the clinical outcome in only 1 of 14 patients with advanced breast cancer.

Adult↗

Twice-a-day regimen of erythromycin base is effective in the treatment of acute streptococcal tonsillitis.

A multicenter clinical trial on the efficacy and safety of a twice-a-day administration of erythromycin base was performed on 261 adolescent or adult patients with acute tonsillitis. The patients were randomized for each doctor separately into q.i.d. (4 x 250 mg) and b.i.d. (2 x 500 mg) groups. Throat swabs were cultured for group A beta-haemolytic streptococci before the treatment and, in positive cases (100 patients), 2-3 days after completing the treatment of at least 7 days. No significant difference in the efficacy between the two regimens was observed as judged by clinical evaluation or bacteriological examination. About 90% of patients were completely healed by both criteria in both treatment groups. Side-effects were reported in 40 and 44% respectively, in the treatment groups. However, only 9/244 (3.7%) had to stop the treatment because of side-effects. Six of these belonged to the b.i.d. group and 3 to the q.i.d. group. This difference is not statistically significant (p greater than or equal to 0.05). Our results suggest that twice-a-day regimen of erythromycin base is an effective and well-tolerated treatment of streptococcal tonsillitis.

Adolescent↗

Skeletal complications following renal transplantation.

The occurrence of skeletal complications was examined in a series of 204 renal graft recipients who had maintained graft function for more than 12 months. Osteonecrosis was observed in 22 of the patient (11 per cent) from 5 to 46 months after the transplant operation. The lesions were often multifocal, with as many as 40 joints affected. The most common site was the femoral head, necrosis of which was recorded in 24 instances. The lesions here present a major clinical problem, and total hip replacement was deemed necessary in 4 cases, in all of which an excellent result was achieved. Fractures had occurred after the transplantation in 53 patients (26 per cent), against only 6 before the operation. A total of 109 fractures had been sustained after periods ranging from 1 to 58 months, the most common site being the pelvic bones. The fractures were treated according to standard principles; no complications were encountered. The skeletal complications were equally common among the males and females; they tended to occur at advanced ages. They occurred to roughly the same extent whether the graft was from a related or a cadaveric donor and whether the patient had received one or more grafts.

Adolescent↗

Angiography and scintigraphy of human pancreatic allografts.

Serial graft angiographies and scintigraphies were obtained in 4 human pancreatic allograft recipients. Important information was obtained both of graft morphology and function. Graft rejection was accompanied by characteristic abnormalities, including arterial irregularities and prolonged contrast medium passage time. On scintigraphy, rejection was associated with reduced isotope uptake.

Angiography↗

Secondary hyperparathyroidism and its sequelae in renal transplant recipients. Long term findings in a series of conservatively managed patients.

The prevalence and duration of secondary hyperparathyroidism in 42 renal transplant recipients, and the sequelae of this condition, were studied. Immediately before transplantation, an elevated PTH-value was recorded in 76% of the patients, postoperatively there was a marked drop. Early after successful transplantation, 57% of the patients had hypercalcemia. At follow-up 3 years later, moderate hypercalcemia persisted in half of the patients but only 3 patients had significantly elevated PTH. The quality of renal graft function was not inferior in the hypercalcemic patients. Subperiosteal bone resorption and soft tissue calcifications were more common among the hypercalcemic patients. Our data suggest that secondary hyperparathyroidism can be managed conservatively in most renal transplant recipients. If progressive bone changes occur, surgical removal of parathyroid tissue should be considered.

Child↗

Peritoneography in spigelian hernias.

Twelve patients with a minor Spigelian hernia not involving the intestines have been examined by combined peritoneography and herniography. The particular pathology of this hernia does not lend itself to be detected by these procedures.

Abdominal Muscles↗

Avascular necrosis of the bone in 99 renal allograft recipients.

Avascular necrosis of bone is a serious complication associated with steroid therapy in high dose. Ninetynine patients with functioning renal allografts transplanted 1964-1973 and subjected to steroid therapy were examined with regard to this complication. Osteonecrosis developed in 8 patients afflicting 13 joints. The process was localized to the femoral head, the condyles of the femur, tibia and the head of the humerus. The symptoms became manifest 7-33 months after the first transplantation. The severity of the disorder in 3 patients did not allow rehabilitation by conservative means. The roentgenographic, scintigraphic and clinical findings are described and the orthopaedic treatment discussed.

Bone Diseases↗