PubMed Health⌕ Search

SEARCH · PubMed Health

Results for “Relapse”

Explore indexed PubMed citations for clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health research. Read source abstracts and follow each citation to its original PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 1,171 records · Page 65Linked to original sources

Factors predicting relapse during maintenance treatment with famotidine in patients with healed reflux esophagitis. Dutch Esophagitis Study Group.

Little is known about possible predictive factors influencing the relapse rate in patients with healed reflux esophagitis during maintenance therapy with histamine2 (H2)-receptor antagonists. Therefore, the efficacy of famotidine 20 mg twice daily was evaluated in an open-label prospective study in 317 patients who had experienced healing of erosive reflux esophagitis after treatment with famotidine; 259 patients completed the study and were assessable according to study protocol. The cumulative endoscopic relapse rates at 4, 8, and 12 months were 20%, 30%, and 36%, respectively, according to the per-protocol analysis. The most predictive determinant of relapse was the duration of acute treatment required to achieve healing: Relapse occurred significantly less often in patients who experienced healing with 6 weeks of acute treatment than in those who experienced healing with 12 and 24 weeks of treatment. The second most important determinant was the initial endoscopic severity of the disease. Patients with initial grade I esophagitis had significantly fewer relapses. Relapse rate appeared to be unrelated to initial severity and duration of symptoms, smoking habits, or strength of acute treatment. The results showed that maintenance therapy with famotidine 20 mg twice daily is effective in a large proportion of patients with healed reflux esophagitis, with few adverse effects reported.

Adolescent↗

Neurobiology of relapse to alcohol in rats.

Relapse to alcohol use after prolonged withdrawal periods is the major problem in the treatment of alcohol dependence in humans. However, until recently, relatively few preclinical studies concentrated on the elucidation of the neurochemical events underlying relapse to alcohol. In this article we will review recent data from studies in which alcohol-deprivation and reinstatement models were used to determine the mechanisms underlying relapse to alcohol in rats. In the alcohol-deprivation model, the intake of alcohol is determined after prolonged periods of forced abstinence in drug-experienced rats. In the reinstatement model, the ability of acute non-contingent exposure to drug or non-drug stimuli to reinstate drug seeking is determined following training for drug self-administration and subsequent extinction of the drug-reinforced behavior. We will review studies, which used these preclinical models, on the effect of specific pharmacological agents on relapse to alcohol seeking induced by re-exposure to alcohol and to alcohol-associated cues and by exposure to stress. Subsequently, we will describe potential neuronal circuits that may underlie relapse to alcohol. Finally, future directions and clinical implications of the study of relapse to alcohol in laboratory animals will be discussed briefly.

Alcohol Drinking↗

Dietary beliefs of people with ulcerative colitis and their effect on relapse and nutrient intake.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Ulcerative colitis usually follows a relapsing and remitting course. Patients believe that dietary factors are important. We wished to determine the nature of and reasons for patients' dietary beliefs and their effect on relapse and nutrient intake. METHODS: In a 1-year prospective cohort study, patients' nutrient intake and disease activity were measured with a validated food frequency questionnaire and disease activity index. Food beliefs, demographics and disease characteristics were recorded. The influence of beliefs on the risk of relapse and nutrient intake were examined using chi-squared and Mann-Whitney U-tests. RESULTS: One hundred and eighty-three patients were studied and 52% relapsed. Sixty-eight per cent held dietary beliefs and reported modifying their intake accordingly. The most common reported behaviour was the avoidance of milk and dairy products. Food beliefs were more common amongst those who had received dietary advice. No reported behaviour reduced the risk of relapse, but patients who avoided dairy products had a significantly lower intake of calcium. Folate intake was below UK recommended levels in 13% of patients. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with ulcerative colitis believe that many foods are harmful or helpful to their disease activity. Commonly held beliefs do not modify the risk of relapse, but do adversely affect nutrient intake.

Adult↗

Preliminary observations on biochemical relapse-free survival rates after short-course intensity-modulated radiotherapy (70 Gy at 2.5 Gy/fraction) for localized prostate cancer.

PURPOSE: To compare the preliminary biochemical relapse-free survival rates between short-course intensity-modulated radiotherapy (SCIM-RT) delivering 70 Gy in 28 fractions and three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3D-CRT) delivering 78 Gy in 39 fractions. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Between January 1998 and December 1999, 166 patients were treated with SCIM-RT and 116 with 3D-CRT. The SCIM-RT cases were treated to 70 Gy (2.5 Gy/fraction) using 5 intensity-modulated fields using a dynamic multileaf collimator. The BAT transabdominal ultrasound system was used for localization of the prostate gland in all SCIM-RT cases. The 116 3D-CRT cases were treated to 78.0 Gy (2.0 Gy/fraction). The study sample therefore comprised 282 cases; 70 Gy in 28 fractions is equivalent to 78 Gy in 39 fractions for late-reacting tissues, according to the linear-quadratic model. The median follow-up for all cases was 25 months (range 3-42). The median follow-up was 21 months for the SCIM-RT cases (range 3-31) and 32 months for the 3D-CRT cases (range 3-42). The follow-up period was shorter for the SCIM-RT cases, because SCIM-RT was started only in October 1998. Biochemical relapse was defined as 3 consecutive rising prostate-specific antigen levels after reaching a nadir. The analysis was then repeated with a more stringent definition of biochemical control: reaching and maintaining a prostate-specific antigen level of < or =0.5 ng/mL. Radiation Therapy Oncology Group toxicity scores were used to assess complications. RESULTS: For the 282 patients, the biochemical relapse-free survival rate at 30 months was 91% (95% confidence interval 88-95%). The biochemical relapse-free survival rate at 30 months for 3D-CRT vs. SCIM-RT was 88% (95% confidence interval 82-94%) vs. 94% (95% confidence interval 91-98%), respectively. The difference was not statistically significant between the two treatment arms (p = 0.084). The multivariate time-to-failure analysis using the Cox proportional hazards model for clinical parameters showed the pretreatment prostate-specific antigen level (p <0.001) and biopsy Gleason score (p <0.001) to be the only independent predictors of biochemical relapse. Clinical T stage (p = 0.66), age (p = 0.15), race (p = 0.25), and neoadjuvant androgen deprivation (p = 0.66) were not independent predictors of biochemical failure. SCIM-RT showed only a trend toward a better outcome on multivariate analysis (p = 0.058). Late rectal toxicity was limited; the actuarial combined Grade 2 and 3 late rectal toxicity rate at 30 months was 5% for SCIM-RT vs. 12% for 3D-CRT (p = 0.24). Grade 3 late rectal toxicity (rectal bleeding requiring cauterization) occurred in a total of 10 patients. The actuarial Grade 3 late rectal toxicity rate at 30 months was 2% for the SCIM-RT cases and 8% for the 3D-CRT cases (p = 0.059). Late urinary toxicity was rare in both groups. CONCLUSION: With the currently available follow-up period (< or =30 months), the hypofractionated intensity-modulated radiotherapy schedule of 70.0 Gy delivered at 2.5 Gy/fraction had a comparable biochemical relapse profile with the prior 3D-CRT schedule delivering 78.0 at 2.0 Gy/fraction. The late rectal toxicity profile has been extremely favorable. If longer follow-up confirms the favorable biochemical failure and low late toxicity rates, SCIM-RT will be an alternative and more convenient way of providing dose escalation in the treatment of localized prostate cancer.

Aged↗

Family history of prostate cancer and relapse after definitive external beam radiation therapy.

PURPOSE: The influence of family history on outcome after definitive therapy for prostate cancer has been disputed. One series reported increased relapse rates in men with a positive family history of prostate cancer treated with radical prostatectomy or radiation therapy, whereas others have reported no difference in outcome. We examined our series of patients treated with definitive external beam radiation therapy to determine if a positive family history for prostate cancer is associated with better or worse outcome. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Family history information was available for 538 patients treated with radiation therapy for prostate cancer between 1983 and 2001. Prostate cancer in one or more first-degree relatives (father, brother, or son) was considered a positive family history. The endpoint of interest was time to prostate-specific antigen failure or initiation of hormonal therapy after radiation therapy. RESULTS: Ninety-seven of 538 patients (18%) had a positive family history. There were no significant differences between the positive and negative family history groups. Family history had no effect on relapse-free survival rates in the entire cohort (p = 0.94) or in any subgroup. African American patients with a positive family history had significantly worse 5-year relapse-free survival rates, although there were few patients in this subgroup. Neither family history nor race was a statistically significant predictor of relapse in multivariate analysis; however, combined African American race and positive family history was associated with worse relapse-free survival rates. CONCLUSIONS: In this large study of patients receiving definitive radiation therapy for localized prostate cancer, no relationship was found between positive first-degree family history of prostate cancer and relapse. The influence of family history on clinical outcome may be more understandable once the gene or genes responsible for hereditary prostate cancer are identified.

Aged↗

Reirradiation and lomustine in patients with relapsed high-grade gliomas.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the toxicity, response, and survival of patients with relapsed high-grade gliomas after radiation therapy (RT) combined with lomustine (CCNU). METHODS AND MATERIALS: Thirty-one patients with relapsed gliomas at least 6 months after completion of RT were reirradiated. Twenty-four patients had a pathological diagnosis of high-grade gliomas, whereas 7 had a radiological diagnosis of relapsed malignant gliomas. The study focused on patients with high-grade relapsed gliomas. A total dose of 34.5 Gy was delivered in 23 fractions over 4.5 weeks. Oral administration of CCNU (130 mg/m2) was begun at the same time as RT, and was repeated every 6 weeks until disease progression, or up to 12 courses. RESULTS: Twelve of 24 patients had surgery before RT plus CCNU treatment. Median interval between RT courses was 14 months (range 6-73). All patients received a complete course of RT, and 22 of 24 patients received at least one course of CCNU. Objective responses were seen in 14 evaluable patients: 3 with partial response, 5 with stable disease, and 6 with progressive disease. Duration of partial response was 20, 9, and 8 months. Median time to progression and overall survival from the onset of retreatment were 8.4 months (range 1-22) and 13.7 months (range 1-63+), respectively. One case of G4 thrombocytopenia was observed. Five patients had G1 or G2 leucopenia and 3 patients had G3 leucopenia. Moderate nausea and vomiting were reported in 4 patients. One patient, after one course of CCNU, refused further chemotherapy. No significant difference in survival from relapse was found between patients who underwent surgery before RT plus CCNU and those who received only RT plus CCNU (p = 0.74). CONCLUSION: Overall, the acute toxicity was moderate, and patient compliance was good. Reirradiation of high-grade glioma was associated with modest subjective and objective response rates. It is remarkable that median overall survival from relapse was 13.7 months.

Adult↗

Changes in dopamine receptor responsivity during alcohol detoxification may predict relapse.

In the search for clinical and biological variables that may predict relapse of alcohol dependent patients after detoxification, we followed up for 1 year male patients that had undergone successful detoxification. The patients had been tested earlier during their usual alcohol consumption and immediately after detoxification for the responsivity of D2 dopamine receptors (as measured by the increases in prolactin plasma levels caused by intramuscular administration of 5 mg of the dopamine receptor blocker haloperidol). Of the 18 patients, eight had not consumed alcohol for more than 6 months, and ten had relapsed within 6 months. Comparison of the clinical and neuroendocrine data for the two subgroups revealed no significant differences in age, amount of alcohol consumed during alcohol abuse, score in the Beck Depression Inventory, score in the Brief Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test, or prolactin responses to haloperidol before detoxification. In patients who relapsed, the duration of alcoholism was marginally shorter (P=0.055). Patients who did not relapse had significantly higher (P=0.003) prolactin responses to haloperidol in the test performed after detoxification as compared with patients who did relapse, and their responses were similar to those of a group of healthy male subjects. The results show that the increase in dopamine receptor responsivity that occurs after detoxification is a favourable factor for non-relapse; it may reflect recovery from down-regulation of the dopaminergic reward system caused by alcohol consumption.

Adult↗

Assessing efficacy of chronic therapy when disease is characterized by frequent relapses: the example of schizophrenia.

In assessing the efficacy of therapy for schizophrenia, the effect of medication on relapse needs to be distinguished from the influence of relapse on medication. Typically, effective medication prevents relapse, but relapse generally induces medication. Conventional analyses using either treatment or disease as outcome do not separate these two effects. We propose an alternate approach that uses both treatment and schizophrenic relapse as random variables. Data from 58 schizophrenic patients, with up to 60 consecutive monthly determinations of antipsychotic medication and schizophrenic events, were analyzed using a bivariate transition model with random effects. This analysis revealed that the risk of current schizophrenic relapse is reduced by continuous medication (previous month and current month) but not necessarily by discontinuous medication.

Adult↗

Relapse prevention in schizophrenia: attitudes of neurologists-psychiatrists.

The overall high relapse rates observed in schizophrenia are attributed to several causes. One important factor influencing satisfactory prevention of relapse is the lack of consistent treatment strategies among medical doctors, especially neurologists-psychiatrists. Nearly one-third of the members of the Hellenic Society of Neurology and Psychiatry were asked to fill in anonymously a structured questionnaire on their treatment attitudes and prescribing tactics regarding schizophrenic patients both after the first schizophrenic episode and after multiple episodes. The majority of Greek neurologists-psychiatrists seem to adopt prescribing habits that approximate the current international standards for prevention of schizophrenic relapse. Their attitudes regarding the treatment and prevention of relapse for the first schizophrenic episode and first relapse are determined from multiple factors. These are: the expected relapse rates after the first episode, the expected prevalence of extrapyramidal side effects following a long-term neuroleptic treatment, the patient's expected treatment compliance after the first episode, the doctor's experience with treating schizophrenics, and lastly the knowledge of current literature on the topic. These results point to the need for continuing education, especially of the younger mental health professionals and those working in the private sector, addressing the issue of the actual risk of developing side effects from the treatment. In due course, benefits could result for everyday psychiatric practice and the patients' compliance with treatment.

Adult↗

Early detection of relapse after treatment for metastatic germ cell tumour of the testis: an exercise in medical audit.

The relapse patterns of 29 patients who recurred following treatment for metastatic germ cell tumours of the testis (seminoma n = 7, non-seminomatous germ cell tumour n = 22) have been analysed and the relative effectiveness of clinical follow-up and routine investigations in detecting relapse at an early stage have been examined. The analysis shows that routine estimation of the serum tumour markers human chorionic gonadotrophin and alpha-foetoprotein (HCG and AFP) is the single most important follow-up procedure. This is so, even in patients who were previously marker negative; it was the first indicator of relapse in 55% of the patients. Regular clinical examination and chest radiograph in asymptomatic patients was of little value. Chest radiograph gave the first evidence of relapse in only 2 cases (7%). The optimum frequency for follow-up computed tomographic scanning of the chest and abdomen remains debatable. In this series, it was the first abnormal investigation in 7 patients (24%) and proved to be particularly important in patients who had residual radiological abnormalities at the end of initial therapy. Cost analysis shows that intensive follow-up produces a total expenditure on investigations of approximately 4,500 pounds per relapse detected. Regular computed tomographic scanning is especially demanding on resources and costs approximately 12,880 pounds per relapse detected if the recommended protocol is followed.

Adult↗

Inter-relations between relapses, drug regimens and compliance with treatment in tuberculosis.

The inter-relationships between relapse, treatment regimen and compliance in 1009 patients treated for tuberculosis between 1978 and 1987 are reported. Multiple linear logistic regression using relapse as the dependent variable was used because of the complex relationships between treatment, compliance, age and calendar year of treatment. Compliance (P less than 0.0001) was the major determinant of relapse, but age (P = 0.047) was also significantly associated. Relapse was not related to sex, site of disease, ethnic group or the presence of multiple disease sites. Although the regimen given, the total duration of treatment and treatment with or without pyrazinamide were not statistically associated with relapse, pyrazinamide containing regimens were associated with better compliance. Compliance was best in those aged 60 years and over and worst in those aged 15-29 years. Some of the non-compliance leading to relapse was only uncovered by close Health Visitor surveillance and not by the physician supervising treatment, emphasizing the important role of field staff in patient follow-up.

Adolescent↗

Stage I non-seminomatous germ-cell tumours of the testis: identification of a subgroup of patients with a very low risk of relapse.

There is no consensus about a reproducible prognostic model capable of distinguishing between clinical stage I non-seminomatous germ cell tumour (NSGCT) carrying a high and low risk of relapse. The aim of this study was to assess the prognostic value of histological parameters in patients with stage I NSGCT undergoing surveillance after orchiectomy. We retrospectively evaluated tumour specimens from 88 consecutive stage I NSGCT patients undergoing surveillance in our institution between 1984 and 1996. 24 patients relapsed (27%). Multivariate analysis singled out vessel invasion (VI) (relative risk (RR)=3.8; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.4-10.4) and the presence of mature teratoma (RR= 0.2; 95% CI 0.1-0.6) as independently correlated with relapse-free survival (RFS). Patients can be classified accordingly into three prognostic groups with a low (27 patients with mature teratoma but without VI), intermediate (34 patients with both VI and mature teratoma or with neither VI or mature teratoma) and a high risk (23 patients with VI, but without mature teratoma) of relapse. Relapse rates in these three groups were 0%, 29% (95% CI: 23-35%) and 61% (95% CI: 55-67%), respectively. This prognostic index, based on two standard pathological parameters, identified a subgroup with a very low risk of relapse that represents approximately one third of stage I patients. Patients who belong to this subgroup should be managed by surveillance only, instead of retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (RPLND) or adjuvant chemotherapy.

Adolescent↗

Lymphatic relapse in women with early breast cancer: a difficult management problem.

The aim of this study was to review the ability to control symptoms of regional lymphatic relapse in women with early breast cancer. A retrospective study was made of 759 consecutive women presenting with stage 1 or 2 breast cancer treated by breast conserving surgery and radiotherapy between June 1984 and December 1994, 291 (38.3%) of whom were managed by a policy of observation on the lymphatic pathways. Patterns of lymphatic relapse, relapse management and morbidity caused by recurrent malignancy were reviewed from the case notes. The overall rate of relapse in the ipsilateral axilla and/or supraclavicular fossa was 76/759 (10%) at any time prior to death or last follow-up. 34 of 65 patients who relapsed in the axilla did so despite prior axillary surgery and/or radiotherapy. 41 of 76 patients with regional recurrence presented with symptoms, including lymphoedema, arm pain or sensory motor changes. These symptoms were poorly controlled by palliative surgery, radiotherapy or systemic therapy in 23 cases, including 12 who progressed to arm paralysis. Symptomatic control of patients with regional lymphatic relapse can be very difficult, even in women under regular surveillance in a multidisciplinary breast cancer clinic.

Adult↗

Long-Term follow-up of recipients of CD8-depleted donor lymphocyte infusions for the treatment of chronic myelogenous leukemia relapsing after allogeneic progenitor cell transplantation.

Donor lymphocyte infusions (DLIs) are an effective treatment for relapsed Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) after allogeneic transplantation but are limited by the occurrence of GVHD. CD8+ T lymphocytes are involved in the pathogenesis of GVHD but may not be essential for the graft-versus-leukemia (GVL) effect in CML. We have treated 26 CML patients with posttransplantation relapse with CD8-depleted DLI. Thirteen of 15 patients (87%) who relapsed in early-phase CML achieved complete cytogenetic response, but only 1 of 11 who relapsed in advanced-phase disease achieved complete response. Acute GVHD occurred in 2 patients (8%), and extensive chronic GVHD occurred in 2 patients (11%). Treatment-related mortality was 11.5%. Responses were durable; with a median follow-up of 4.2 years (1-7.5 years), only 1 responding patient relapsed (7%). CD8-depleted DLI was equally effective and safe after unrelated donor transplants and sibling transplants. Cytogenetic clonal evolution at the time of DLI was not predictive of treatment failure unless associated with hematologic criteria for disease acceleration. CD8 depletion is an effective method to separate GVL from GVHD for posttransplantation relapsed CML. This strategy is associated with durable complete remissions and a low rate of complications and therefore merits further investigation in larger-scale comparative trials.

Adult↗

Life events, depressive relapse and maintenance treatment.

Occurrence of life events was recorded in 30 recovered depressed women undergoing clinical relapse in a controlled trial of maintenance treatment with amitriptyline and psychotherapy, and in 30 matched patients who did not relapse. Overall, patients who relapsed experienced significantly more life events in the three months before relapse, and especially in the month immediately preceding it. Undesirable events were particularly implicated. Event rates prior to relapse were closely comparable in treatment subgroups, giving no evidence that differential stress was required to produce relapse. The findings reinforce previous studies indicating an overall relationship between life events of certain types and depression, but do not suggest that the beneficial effects of maintenance treatment are specifically protective against life stress.

Adjustment Disorders↗

Remission and relapse in major depression: a two-year prospective follow-up study.

This paper reports the course with respect to remission and relapse of a cohort of predominantly in-patient RDC major depressive subjects, who were followed at 3-monthly intervals to remission and for up to 15 months thereafter. Remission was comparatively rapid with 70% of subjects remitting within 6 months. Only 6% failed to do so by 15 months. However, 40% relapsed over the subsequent 15 months, with all the relapses occurring in the first 10 months. Greater severity of the depression and longer duration of the illness predicted a longer time to remission. Greater initial severity of depression also predicted relapse. Subjects with a worse outcome had not received less adequate treatment than the remainder. Our results confirm the comparatively poor outcome subsequent to remission that has been reported in recent literature, in spite of the availability of modern methods of treatment. The clustering of relapses in the first 10 months gives some support to the distinction between relapse and later recurrence.

Adolescent↗

Treatment, expressed emotion and relapse in recent onset schizophrenic disorders.

The effect of in-patient and individual orientated psychosocial intervention (IPI) and in-patient and individual and family orientated intervention (IPFI) across levels of expressed emotion (EE) on relapse was compared in a group of patients with recent onset schizophrenic disorders. Patients were randomly assigned to an individual orientated psychosocial intervention programme or to an identical psychosocial programme plus a behavioural family intervention. Seventy-six patients were studied during a 12 month out-patient treatment period after an in-patient treatment programme in which parents followed a psychoeducational programme. Overall relapse rates during the out-patient interventions were low (16%). Adding family intervention to the psychosocial intervention did not affect the relapse rate. Patients in low EE families relapsed slightly more often during the psychosocial plus family intervention. In-patient treatment with psychoeducation for parents, followed by an out-patient psychosocial intervention programme, has a favourable impact on relapse. Additional family intervention may increase stress in low EE families, thus affecting relapse in their children.

Adolescent↗

Relapses of childhood anaplastic large-cell lymphoma: treatment results in a series of 41 children--a report from the French Society of Pediatric Oncology.

PURPOSE: To study response to chemotherapy and the outcome of children treated for a relapsed anaplastic large-cell lymphoma (ALCL) and to evaluate the role of bone marrow transplantation (BMT) in these patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Clinical data concerning the 41 relapses that occurred in 119 patients with ALCL enrolled in 3 consecutive studies since 1975 were analysed. First-line treatment consisted of intensive chemotherapy according to the COPAD protocol for the first series of 12 patients treated between 1975 and 1989 and to the SFOP (French Society of Pediatric Oncology) HM protocols for the 30 patients treated between 1989 and 1997. Twenty-eight patients were treated with CV(B)A (CCNU, vinblastine, ara-C with or without bleomycin), and the others with miscellaneous protocols for recurrent disease. Fifteen patients underwent autologous BMT and 1 allogeneic BMT while in CR2. RESULTS: Thirty-six of forty-one (88%) patients achieved CR2. With a median follow-up of 5 years, 12 patients died, 9 of their disease and 29 patients are alive in CR2 (20 patients), CR3 (5 patients), CR4 (2 patients), CR5 (1 patient) or CR6 (1 patient). Overall and disease-free survival are respectively 69% (53%-82%) and 44% (29%-61%) at three years. In univariate analysis, patients treated with ABMT while in CR2 did not appear to have a better outcome than the other. Remarkably, a long-lasting remission was obtained in 8 of 13 patients treated with weekly vinblastine for a relapse including 6 relapses occurring after ABMT. CONCLUSIONS: Relapsed ALCL are highly chemosensitive but over 40% of the patients experience several relapses. Prolonged conventional chemotherapy based on vinblastine might, in some cases, be as efficient as short intensive treatment with ABMT.

Adolescent↗