The role of varied therapies in the rehabilitation of the retarded child; occupational therapy, music therapy, speech therapy and remedial reading.
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Child↗
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Factors associated with delay in giving thrombolytic therapy after arrival at hospital.
OBJECTIVE: To identify factors associated with delay in administration of thrombolytic therapy for acute myocardial infarction. DESIGN: Retrospective case note review of a six-month period in 1995. Data were obtained on age, sex, hospital arrival time, triage priority, assessment process in the emergency department, grade of emergency doctor, patient history, timing of and findings on electrocardiogram (ECG), type of infarct, timing and site of administration of thrombolytic therapy, and type of thrombolysis given. SETTING: Tertiary referral hospital in Newcastle, New South Wales. PARTICIPANTS: Eighty-five patients given thrombolytic therapy for acute myocardial infarction. OUTCOME MEASURE: Time between hospital arrival and initiation of thrombolytic therapy. RESULTS: The median time from hospital arrival to administration of thrombolytic therapy was 80 minutes (interquartile range [IR], 50-133). Only 26% of patients were triaged to Priority 1 or 2 (to be seen by a doctor within 10 minutes). Patients initially assessed by a specialist emergency physician received thrombolytic therapy a median of 38 (IR, 33-50) minutes after hospital arrival, compared with 65 (IR, 50-107) minutes if initially assessed by a medical registrar, and 148 (IR, 89-185) and 160 (IR, 95-163) minutes, respectively, if initially assessed by an intern or a resident medical officer (P < 0.001). Factors associated with increased delay in receiving thrombolytic therapy (after adjustment for possible confounders) were low triage priority, initial assessment by a junior doctor, atypical presenting history of myocardial infarction, and lesser degrees of ST-segment elevation on the presenting ECG (all P < or = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Delay in administration of thrombolytic therapy in hospital results from a combination of hospital and patient factors. Changes in emergency department protocol may reduce these delays in some patients.
Aged↗
A randomized, postremission comparison of four courses of standard-dose consolidation therapy without maintenance therapy versus three courses of standard-dose consolidation with maintenance therapy in adults with acute myeloid leukemia: the Japan Adult Leukemia Study Group AML 97 Study.
BACKGROUND: A major concern in the treatment of patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is how to prevent disease recurrences. Although intensive consolidation therapy has proven useful, the effectiveness of maintenance therapy remains controversial. METHODS: Seven hundred eighty-nine patients ages 15-64 (median: 45 yrs) with de novo AML received induction therapy, which consisted of cytosine arabinoside (at a dose of 100 mg/m(2) on Days 1-7) and idarubicin (at a dose of 12 mg/m(2) on Days 1-3). The patients who achieved complete remission (CR) were then randomized into groups that received either four courses of standard-dose consolidation therapy without maintenance (Arm A) or three courses of standard-dose consolidation and six courses of maintenance therapy (Arm B). RESULTS: In total, 78.7% of patients achieved CR. The 5-year overall survival (OS) rate for the 789 eligible patients was 46.9%, and the disease-free survival (DFS) rate for the 621 patients who achieved CR was 32.9%. The 5-year OS rate for Arm A was 52.4%, and 58.4% for Arm B (P = 0.599). The 5-year DFS rate for the patients who achieved CR was 35.8% in Arm A and 30.4% in Arm B (P = 0.543). In analyzing the data according to the risk groups, no statistical difference was observed either in the 5-year OS rate or in the 5-year DFS rate between the 2 arms. CONCLUSIONS: In the current study, the Japan Adult Leukemia Study Group's conventional postremission therapy (three courses of standard-dose consolidation and six courses of maintenance therapy) was replaced successfully by a shorter duration of four courses of standard-dose consolidation therapy without the need for additional maintenance therapy.
Adolescent↗
[Study on the therapy of multiple myelomas--initial induction therapy (MP, IFN alpha, steroid pulse) and maintenance therapy (VMP, MP continuous, VEP, MCNU)].
Untreated twenty patients of multiple myeloma were treated with the chemotherapy protocol as follows: Initial induction therapy;MP continuous or MP intermittent----IFN alpha----steroid pulse. Maintenance therapy;alkylating agents which have no cross resistance were used ((V) MP----(MP)----(V) EP----MCNU). Remission rate (CR+PR) after the initial MP therapy was 45%, and that after including IFN alpha and steroid pulse therapy was 50%, Fifty percent survival rate was almost as same as those reported previously (34M). Our protocol presented here was based on the idea that, initially, myeloma cells with proliferative activity could be affected by MP therapy, and subsequent IFN alpha therapy would have effect even on the residual myeloma cells. Serial checks of 3H-TdR uptake of myeloma cells during the therapy supported this idea. During the maintenance therapy, clinical responses to the initial induction therapy were not aggravated in the responded cases when evaluated by the variation of serum M-protein level. We propose that considering from a point of proliferative activity of myeloma cells is important for designing therapeutic protocols for multiple myeloma.
Adult↗
[Clinical studies on endocrine therapy of prostatic carcinoma (2): Prognosis of patients with prostatic carcinoma given endocrine therapy, and analyses of causes of death and side effects of endocrine therapy].
Of 572 patients with prostatic carcinoma, 497 received endocrine therapy as the initial treatment. These patients were surveyed in a cooperative research study by members from five universities. Prognosis, causes of death and side effects of estrogen therapy were studied. The prognosis of patients who had received endocrine therapy became worse, as the stage progressed. The prognosis of those who had received a combination of estrogen therapy with castration tended to be better than that of those who had received estrogen therapy alone. Similarly, the prognosis of those who had received a combination of progesterone therapy with castration tended to be better than that of those who had had progesterone therapy alone. No relationship was found between estrogen doses (low, medium and high) and prognosis, although a precise comparison among the three could not be made because of the smaller number of patents with low doses. A high dose of estrogen may not always be the indication, rather a medium dose such as 300 mg diethylstilbestrol diphosphate may be clinically appropriate. The cause of death could be identified in 303 patients who had received endocrine therapy. Cancer-related death was the most frequent (63.7%), and cardio- or cerebrovascular death accounted for only 14.2% of the cases. When this analysis was confined to the patients who had received estrogen therapy, estrogen administration seemed to be the cause of cardio- or cerebrovascular death of 16.1% of the patients. Daily dosing of estrogen was not definitely related to the incidence, or the interval to cardio- or cerebrovascular death. However, among the patients who had died of cardio- or cerebrovascular disease, 50% of the patients who had received a medium or high dose of estrogen tended to die within two years after treatment, while 50% of those who had received a low dose died within three years.
Cause of Death↗
Vitamin D therapy of osteoporosis: plain vitamin D therapy versus active vitamin D analog (D-hormone) therapy.
Normal intestinal calcium (Ca) absorption is an essential feature of bone homeostasis. As with many other organ systems, intestinal Ca absorption declines with aging, and this is one pathological factor that has been identified as a cause of senile osteoporosis in the elderly. This abnormality leads to secondary hyperparathyroidism, which is characterized by high serum parathyroid hormone (PTH) and an increase in bone resorption. Secondary hyperparathyroidism due to poor intestinal Ca absorption has been implicated not only in senile osteoporosis but also in age-related bone loss. Accordingly, in population-based studies, there is a gradual increase in serum PTH from about 20 years of age onward, which constitutes a maximum increase at 80 years of age of 50% of the basal value seen at 30 years of age. The cause of the increase in PTH is thought to be partly due to impaired intestinal Ca absorption that is associated with aging, a cause that is not entirely clear but at least in some instances is related to some form of vitamin D deficiency. There are three types of vitamin D deficiency: (1) primary vitamin D deficiency, which is due to a deficiency of vitamin D, the parent compound; (2) a deficiency of 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) resulting from decreased renal production of 1,25(OH)(2)D(3); and (3) resistance to 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) action owing to decreased responsiveness to 1, 25(OH)(2)D(3) of target tissues. The cause for the resistance to 1, 25(OH)(2)D(3) could be related to the finding that the vitamin D receptor level in the intestine tends to decrease with age. All three types of deficiencies can occur with aging, and each has been implicated as a potential cause of intestinal Ca malabsorption, secondary hyperparathyroidism, and senile osteoporosis. There are two forms of vitamin D replacement therapies: plain vitamin D therapy and active vitamin D analog (or D-hormone) therapy. Primary vitamin D deficiency can be corrected by vitamin supplements of 1000 U a day of plain vitamin D whereas 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) deficiency/resistance requires active vitamin D analog therapy [1, 25(OH)(2)D(3) or 1alpha(OH)D(3)] to correct the high serum PTH and the Ca malabsorption. In addition, in the elderly, there are patients with decreased intestinal Ca absorption but with apparently normal vitamin D metabolism. Although the cause of poor intestinal Ca absorption in these patients is unclear, these patients, as well as all other patients with secondary hyperparathyroidism (not due to decreased renal function), show a decrease in serum PTH and an increase in Ca absorption in response to therapy with 1, 25(OH)(2)D(3) or 1alpha(OH)D(3). In short, it is clear that some form of vitamin D therapy, either plain vitamin D or 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) or 1alpha(OH)D(3), can be used to correct all types of age-dependent impairments in intestinal Ca absorption and secondary hyperparathyroidism during aging. However, from a clinical standpoint, it is important to recognize the type of vitamin D deficiency in patients with senile osteoporosis so that primary vitamin D deficiency can be appropriately treated with plain vitamin D therapy, whereas 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) deficiency/resistance will be properly treated with 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) or 1alpha(OH)D(3) therapy. With respect to postmenopausal osteoporosis, there is strong evidence that active vitamin D analogs (but not plain vitamin D) may have bone-sparing actions. However, these effects appear to be results of their pharmacologic actions on bone formation and resorption rather than through replenishing a deficiency.
Aging↗
Corticosteroid therapy for nephrotic syndrome in children.
BACKGROUND: In nephrotic syndrome protein leaks from the blood to the urine through the glomeruli resulting in hypoproteinaemia and generalised oedema. About 70% of children experience a relapsing course with recurrent episodes of oedema and proteinuria. Children with untreated nephrotic syndrome frequently die from infections. The majority of children with nephrotic syndrome respond to corticosteroids. Corticosteroid usage has reduced the mortality rate in childhood nephrotic syndrome to around 3%, with infection remaining the most important cause of death. However corticosteroids have known adverse effects such as obesity, poor growth, hypertension, diabetes mellitus and osteoporosis. The original treatment schedules for childhood nephrotic syndrome were developed in an ad hoc manner. The optimal doses and durations of corticosteroid therapy that are most beneficial and least harmful have not been clarified. The aim of this systematic review is to assess the benefits and harms of corticosteroid therapy in treating children with nephrotic syndrome. OBJECTIVES: To determine the benefits and harms of different corticosteroid regimes in preventing relapse in children with steroid responsive nephrotic syndrome (SRNS). SEARCH STRATEGY: Published and unpublished randomised controlled trials were identified from the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register, Medline, Embase, reference lists of articles, abstracts from proceedings and contact with known investigators in the area. SELECTION CRITERIA: Randomised trials were included if they were carried out in children (aged three months to 18 years) in their initial or subsequent episode of SRNS, if they compared different durations, total doses or other dose strategies using prednisone or other corticosteroid agent and if they had outcome data at six months or more. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two reviewers independently reviewed all eligible studies for inclusion, assessed study quality and extracted data. The principle outcome measure was the number of children with and without relapse after six and 12-24 months. Secondary outcomes sought included the number of children who developed frequently relapsing nephrotic syndrome and adverse events. A random effects model was used to estimate summary effect measures (relative risk RR, risk difference RD) after testing for heterogeneity. Meta-regression was used to explore potential between-study differences due to the baseline risk of relapse, study quality and types of interventions used. MAIN RESULTS: Twelve trials were identified. A meta-analysis of five trials, which compared two months of prednisone with three months or more in the first episode, showed that the longer duration significantly reduced the risk of relapse at 12 - 24 months (relative risk 0.73; 95% CI 0.60,0.89) without an increase in adverse events. There was an inverse linear relationship (RR = 1.382 (SE 0.215) - 0.133 duration (SE 0.048); r2 = 0.66; p = 0.05) between the duration of treatment and risk of relapse. The number of children who became frequent relapsers and the mean relapse rate/patient/year were also significantly reduced without increase in serious adverse events. In children with frequently relapsing nephrotic syndrome, deflazacort was significantly more effective in maintaining remission than prednisone (RR 0.44; 95% CI 0.25, 0.78). REVIEWER'S CONCLUSIONS: From this meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials it can be concluded that children in their first episode of nephrotic syndrome should be treated for at least three months with an increase in benefit being demonstrated for up to seven months of treatment. In a population with a baseline risk for relapse following the first episode of 60% with two months of prednisone, daily prednisone for four weeks followed by alternate day therapy for six months would be expected to reduce the number of children experiencing a relapse by about 40%. In children who relapse frequently, deflazacort deserves further study.
Adolescent↗
High-dose therapy and autologous hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation does not increase the risk of second neoplasms for patients with Hodgkin's lymphoma: a comparison of conventional therapy alone versus conventional therapy followed by autologous hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation.
PURPOSE: To determine the incidence of second malignancies among patients with Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL) treated with autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (AHSCT) compared with patients receiving conventional therapy alone and to identify potential risk factors for their occurrence. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We analyzed data on 1,732 consecutive patients with HL treated at the British Columbia Cancer Agency from 1976 to 2001, including 202 patients undergoing AHSCT. The median follow-up duration was 9.8 years for the whole cohort, 9.7 years for those patients treated with conventional therapy, and 7.8 years from AHSCT. RESULTS: The cumulative incidence of developing any second malignancy 15 years after therapy for HL was 9% (risk ratio = 3.5; P < .001); however, the incidence did not differ between those patients receiving conventional therapy alone compared with those undergoing AHSCT (10% and 8%, respectively; P = .48). In multivariate analysis, the only factor significantly associated with an increased risk of developing any second neoplasm or solid tumor was age > or = 35 years (P < .0001). An increased risk of therapy-induced acute myeloid leukemia and therapy-induced myelodysplastic syndrome was seen for patients aged > or = 35 years (P = .03) and stage III/IV (P = .04). CONCLUSION: Patients with HL are at increased risk of developing a second neoplasm. However, those patients undergoing AHSCT do not seem to be at greater risk compared with those patients receiving conventional therapy alone, at least during the first decade after therapy.
Adolescent↗
Long-term oxygen therapy at home. Compliance with medical prescription and effective use of therapy. ANTADIR Working Group on Oxygen Therapy. Association Nationale de Traitement à Domicile des Insuffisants Respiratories.
STUDY OBJECTIVE: Daily duration of oxygen administration is an important factor in the effectiveness of long-term oxygen therapy (LTOT) for hypoxic chronic pulmonary disease. We have assessed the daily use of oxygen therapy in 930 patients with COPD and examined factors associated with the effective use of this treatment. METHODS: Objective daily duration of oxygen use over a 3-month period was prospectively measured using the counter clock of the oxygen concentrators or by weighing the liquid oxygen container at each delivery. A questionnaire was filled in by an independent investigator asking about home situation, lifestyle, and whether oxygen therapy was used during all domestic and outside activities. In addition, prescribing physicians were asked about the duration and modalities of oxygen prescribed in each case. RESULTS: The patients had been receiving LTOT for 36 +/- 24 months and had hypoxemia (PaO2 = 56 +/- 9 mm Hg), hypercapnia (PaCO2 = 47 +/- 8 mm Hg), and severe airflow obstruction (FEV1/VC = 42 +/- 14%). The mean duration of oxygen treatment prescribed was 16 +/- 3 h/d. The mean duration of oxygen therapy achieved was 14.5 +/- 5 h, but only 45% of the patients achieved oxygen therapy for 15 h or more per day. Patients with effective use of LTOT, ie receiving oxygen therapy for at least 15 h/d, were significantly more hypoxic (PaO2 = 54 +/- 9 vs 57 +/- 9 mm Hg; p < 0.001), more hypercapnic (PaCO2 = 48 +/- 8 vs 46 +/- 7 mm Hg; p < 0.005), and also more obstructed (FEV1/VC = 39.5 +/- 13 vs 45 +/- 14%; p < 0.001) than the rest of the patients under treatment. Other factors associated with effective use of oxygen were (1) initial prescription for 15 h or more per day, (2) supplementary education on oxygen therapy by a nurse or physiotherapist, (3) cessation of smoking, (4) use of oxygen in all domestic situations (toilet, meals, leisure, etc.), and (5) absence of side effects from oxygen treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Attention by the prescribing physicians to such factors could optimize oxygen prescription and constitute goals for education of patients.
Adult↗
[Efficacy of combination of intravenous cyclosporin A and steroid therapy versus prolonged intravenous steroid therapy alone in patients with severe ulcerative colitis refractory to initial intravenous steroid therapy].
BACKGROUND/AIMS: Maximal duration of intravenous (IV) corticosteroid (CS) treatment and efficacy of cyclosporin A (CsA) have not been clarified for patients with severe ulcerative colitis. We aimed to evaluate and compare the effectiveness of CS and CsA combination therapy with prolonged CS therapy alone in patients with severe UC refractory to initial CS therapy. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 84 episodes of severe UC in 59 patients between April 1999 and May 2005. RESULTS: Among 84 episodes with IV CS therapy, 45 (53.6%) experienced an early response, while 39 (46.4%) did not respond within 2 weeks. The remaining 36 episodes excluding 3 which underwent colectomy were assigned to either combination therapy of IV CS and CsA or prolonged IV CS treatment alone for additional 2 weeks. Twelve of 16 episodes (75.0%) responded to therapy with combinations of IV CsA and CS, and 16 of 20 episodes (80.0%) to prolonged IV CS treatment alone. There was no statistical difference in response and colectomy rate after 4 weeks between CsA-use group and CsA-non-use group (p=1.00). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that CS and CsA combination has no additional benefit over prolonged CS therapy alone in terms of short-term response and that CS can be safely prolonged even after the first 14 days of treatment for severe UC.
Adult↗
High-dose therapy and autologous stem-cell transplantation versus conventional-dose consolidation/maintenance therapy as postremission therapy for adult patients with lymphoblastic lymphoma: results of a randomized trial of the European Group for Blood and Marrow Transplantation and the United Kingdom Lymphoma Group.
PURPOSE: To determine whether a combination of high-dose therapy and autologous stem-cell transplantation (ASCT) is superior to conventional-dose consolidation and maintenance chemotherapy as postremission therapy in adults with lymphoblastic lymphoma. PATIENTS AND METHODS: One hundred nineteen patients were entered onto this prospective randomized trial from 37 centers. Patients received standard remission induction therapy, and responding patients were randomized either to continue with a conventional consolidation/maintenance protocol (CC) or to receive high-dose therapy and ASCT. In some centers, patients with HLA-identical sibling donors were registered on the trial but proceeded to allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (BMT) without randomization. RESULTS: Of the 119 patients entered, 111 were assessable for response to induction therapy. The overall response rate was 82% (56% complete response, 26% partial response). Of the 98 patients eligible for randomization, 65 were randomized, 31 to ASCT and 34 to CC. Reasons for failure to randomize included patient refusal (12 patients), early progression or death on induction therapy (eight patients), excessive toxicity of induction regimen (six patients), and elective allogeneic BMT (12 patients). With a median follow-up of 37 months, the actuarial 3-year relapse-free survival rate is 24% for the CC arm and 55% for the ASCT arm (hazards ratio = 0.55 in favor of the ASCT arm; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.29 to 1.04; P =.065). The corresponding figures for overall survival are 45% and 56%, respectively (hazards ratio = 0.87 in favor of the ASCT arm; 95% CI, 0.42 to 1.81; P =.71). CONCLUSION: The use of ASCT in adults with lymphoblastic lymphoma in first remission produced a trend for improved relapse-free survival but did not improve overall survival compared with conventional-dose therapy in this small randomized trial.
Adolescent↗
Art therapy, psychodrama, and verbal therapy. An integrative model of group therapy in the treatment of adolescents with anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa.
Anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa typically afflict individuals in adolescence. Given the intractability of these diseases in combination with the natural recalcitrance of adolescence, treatment with this population presents a daunting challenge. Traditional group therapy that focuses on verbal therapy is often not effective with this population, particularly in the acute stages of the diseases. A group therapy approach that integrates art therapy, psychodrama, and verbal therapy offers an innovative alternative to traditional group therapy.
Adolescent↗
Failure of double protease inhibitor therapy as a salvage therapy for HIV-infected patients resistant to conventional triple therapy.
A therapeutic dilemma arises once HIV-infected patients develop a break-through of HIV-replication under potent antiretroviral therapy. Therefore, we studied whether patients (n = 12) who failed double nucleoside reverse transcriptase (NRTI) plus indinavir or ritonavir triple therapy can be rescued when therapy is switched to double protease inhibitor (PI) treatment (nelfinavir and hard gel saquinavir) and stavudine. With the rescue regimen HIV-RNA levels initially dropped from 148,571 +/- 45,258 copies/ml to 9,310 +/- 6, 965 copies/ml at week 4 (p = 0.0117). However, virus load subsequently increased to almost baseline levels (131,230 +/- 37,743 copies/ml) at week 12. Likewise, CD4-cell counts could only be stabilized initially (baseline 267 +/- 51; week 4 296 +/- 65 cells/microl), but gradually declined thereafter (216 +/- 34 cells/microl week 12). Before therapy was switched, the viral protease gene from 5 analyzed patients showed 3-5 amino acid substitutions. Moreover, 4 of these patients had one amino acid substitution associated with resistance to nelfinavir. Our data suggest that HIV-infected patients resistant to indinavir or ritonavir and double NRTI combination therapy respond to double PI nelfinavir/saquinavir and D4T rescue therapy only initially but have no sustained benefit.
Anti-HIV Agents↗
Rotational 3D-conformal radiation therapy (conformation therapy) combined with hormone therapy for the treatment of stage B2/C prostate cancer in Japanese men.
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: In our institution, rotational 3D-conformal radiation therapy (also called conformation therapy) has been applied since the late 1970s to conform the target volume of high-dose radiation to the cancerous tissue while minimizing radiation to the surrounding normal tissues. This technique has been used most commonly to treat prostate cancers in combination with hormonal therapy. The results of Stage B2/C prostate cancer treated with this method were analyzed. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between 1987 and 1997, 33 cases of prostate cancer were definitively treated with this method: 9 Stage B2 tumors and 24 Stage C tumors. Of these 33 tumors, 3 were well differentiated, 18 were moderately differentiated, and 12 were poorly differentiated. The average patient age was 75.6 years. The median pretreatment PSA value was 23.8 ng/ml. The total radiation dose ranged from 60 Gy to 70 Gy (average: 63.5 Gy) with conventional fractionation. Hormone therapy was administered permanently; the primary hormonal agent was diethylstilbestrol phosphate. RESULTS: The overall survival rate after 5 years was 58.2% and that after 10 years was 29.6%. The biochemical relapse-free rate after 5 years was 87.0% and that after 10 years was still 87.0%. There were 4 cases of biochemical failure, but no cases of death from prostate cancer. Stage, differentiation, and pretreatment PSA value were not prognostic factors. One of the 2 cases with delayed complications was a case of RTOG Grade 3 gastrointestinal complication. CONCLUSIONS: Rotational 3D-conformal radiation therapy combined with hormone therapy might be promising for the treatment of prostate cancer.
Adenocarcinoma↗
Chronic lateral epicondylitis of the elbow: A prospective study of low-energy shockwave therapy and low-energy shockwave therapy plus manual therapy of the cervical spine.
OBJECTIVE: To compare the effects of extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) alone with a combination of ESWT and manual therapy of the cervical spine in treating chronic tennis elbow. DESIGN: Prospective, matched single-blind control trial. SETTING: University hospital clinic. PATIENTS: Thirty patients with unilateral chronic tennis elbow, an unsuccessful conservative therapy during the 6 months before referral, and clinical signs of cervical dysfunction (eg, pressure pain at the C4-5 and/or C5-6 level, protraction of the head). INTERVENTIONS: Three times at weekly intervals all patients received 1000 shockwave impulses of an energy flux density of.16mJ/mm(2) at the lateral elbow. Additionally, they underwent manual therapy of the cervical spine and the cervicothoracic junction 10 times (group I). For each patient, a control matched by age (3-yr range) and gender at first conservative treatment was drawn at random from 127 patients who had undergone low-energy shockwave therapy in the same unit in the past 3 years (group II). Follow-up examinations took place at 12 weeks and at 12 months. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The Roles and Maudsley outcome score at 12 months, defining an excellent or good result with no or only occasional discomfort without limitation of activity and range of motion. RESULTS: Neither group differed statistically before the study, with a poor rating for all patients (p >.05). At 12 months, there was still no significant difference, with the outcome being excellent or good in 56% in group I, and in 60% in group II (p >.05). Each group showed significant improvement compared with the respective prestudy evaluation (p <.0001). CONCLUSION: ESWT may be an effective conservative treatment method for unilateral chronic tennis elbow. The efficacy of additional cervical manual therapy for lateral epicondylitis remains questionable.
Adult↗
Strategy of following voriconazole versus amphotericin B therapy with other licensed antifungal therapy for primary treatment of invasive aspergillosis: impact of other therapies on outcome.
BACKGROUND: In a previous randomized trial of voriconazole versus amphotericin B deoxycholate for primary therapy of invasive aspergillosis, voriconazole demonstrated superior efficacy and better survival. In that trial, treatment with voriconazole or amphotericin B deoxycholate could be followed with other licensed antifungal therapies (OLAT). Here, we report the impact of OLAT on the outcome of patients with invasive aspergillosis. METHODS: Data on dose, duration, and the reason for switching to the first OLAT were analyzed, and outcome at week 12 was assessed. RESULTS: Fewer patients in the voriconazole group (52 [36%] of 144) switched to OLAT, compared with patients in the amphotericin B deoxycholate group (107 [80%] of 133). Lipid formulations of amphotericin B were the most common OLAT (38% of patients). Switches were made because of intolerance or insufficient response in 70% for patients in the amphotericin B deoxycholate group, compared with 24% of patients in the voriconazole group. Favorable responses to OLAT in the amphotericin B deoxycholate group occurred in only 19% of patients with initial insufficient response and 38% of patients with intolerance. Salvage therapy with a lipid formulation of amphotericin B after initial treatment with amphotericin B deoxycholate was successful for only 30% of patients (14 of 47). Treatment success among patients randomized to receive amphotericin B, including those whose treatment was switched to OLAT, was 32%, compared with 55% among patients who received voriconazole alone (P<.001). CONCLUSIONS: This study highlights the limited efficacy of salvage antifungal therapy, including therapy with lipid formulations of amphotericin B, and demonstrates the importance of effective initial therapy in invasive aspergillosis.
Amphotericin B↗
[A case report--Efficacy of combination therapy to unresectable advanced gall bladder carcinoma--palliative operation, hepatic arterial infusion therapy, and radiation therapy].
A patient of advanced gall bladder carcinoma with liver metastases and direct invasions to the duodenum and liver underwent a palliative operation, 3 hepatic arterial infusion (HAI) therapies, and radiation therapy at the obstructive common biliary duct. (Palliative operation was a partial resection of duodenum and transverse colon, HAI therapy with 5-FU (1 g/day) was given as a continuous infusion for 6 days, radiation therapy was given 2 Gy/day for 20 times) After the combination therapy, the main tumor of gall bladder and hepatic metastases were decreased and tumor markers were normalized. (CEA 15.1 ng/ml, CA19-9 93 U/ml to CEA 4.4 ng/ml, CA19-9 29 U/ml) Then, an expandable metallic stent (EMS) could be inserted to the stenotic common biliary duct after radiation therapy. Although para-aotic lymph nodes were existent, systemic chemotherapy (UFT 300 mg/day p.o., MMC 2 mg/week div) has been performed as an outpatient with a good quality of life.
Aged↗
Epidermoid carcinoma of the floor of the mouth: surgical therapy vs combined therapy vs radiation therapy.
A retrospective analysis of 103 selected patients with floor-of-mouth epidermoid carcinoma compared the effectiveness of surgical therapy alone vs planned preoperative radiation combined therapy vs irradiation therapy. All three treatment methods appeared equally effective in irradicating stage I and II disease. Stage III floor-of-mouth epidermoid carcinoma was similarly controlled by either surgical therapy or combined therapy. Irradiation therapy alone was markedly inferior in treatment of stage III disease. Stage IV disease was poorly handled by any of the treatment methods. Histologic factors, tumor characteristics, tumor spread, nodal status, and staging did not appear in the majority of cases to significantly influence treatment selection or survival or both.
Adult↗