High Incidence of New-Onset Joint Pain in Patients on Fluoroquinolones as Antituberculous Treatment

BACKGROUND

Joint pain is frequently observed in patients on antituberculous treatment, and pyrazinamide is known to be associated with joint pain in patients receiving antituberculous treatment. Fluoroquinolone-associated joint pain and tendon injury have been reported in long-term corticosteroid and transplant recipients, but data are lacking in patients with tuberculosis.

OBJECTIVES

The objective of this study was to examine the incidence of joint pain manifested during administration of antituberculous therapy and their association with fluoroquinolones.

METHODS

Patients diagnosed with tuberculosis attending the outpatient clinic over a period of 1 year were reviewed and divided into 3 groups: group A receiving pyrazinamide, group B receiving a fluoroquinolone, and group C receiving both pyrazinamide and a fluoroquinolone. Latency to onset of joint pain was noted in all 3 groups. Joint pain was initially managed with analgesics, and associated hyperuricemia was treated with allopurinol/febuxostat. Causative drugs were stopped in case of intolerable joint pain.

RESULTS

260 patients (47% females, aged 38 ± 18 years; mean ± SD) were included [group A (n = 140), group B (n = 81), and group C (n = 39)]. Overall, 76/260 (29%) patients developed joint pain: group A - 24/140 patients (17%), group B - 32/81 patients (40%), and group C - 20/39 patients (51%). The median latency to the onset of joint pain was 83 days (interquartile range, IQR 40-167): 55 days (IQR 32-66) in group A, 138 days (IQR 74-278) in group B, and 88 days (IQR 34-183) in group C. Hyperuricemia was present in 12/24 (50%) patients in group A and 11/20 (55%) patients in group C. Pyrazinamide was stopped in 7/140 (5%) patients in group A, fluoroquinolones in 6/81 (7%) patients in group B, and both pyrazinamide and fluoroquinolones were stopped in 5/39 (13%) patients in group C because of intolerable joint pain. Major joints affected were knees and ankles.

CONCLUSION

There is a high incidence of joint pain in patients receiving antituberculous treatment, which is higher when fluoroquinolones or the pyrazinamide-fluoroquinolone combination are administered as compared to pyrazinamide alone.

Toxic effects of levofloxacin on rat annulus fibrosus cells: an in-vitro study

BACKGROUND

Fluoroquinolones are in wide clinical use as safe and effective antibiotics. Articular cartilage, tendons, and epiphyseal growth plates have been recognized as targets of fluoroquinolone-induced connective tissue toxicity. However, the effects of fluoroquinolones on annulus fibrosus (AF) cells are still unknown.

MATERIAL/METHODS

The main objective of this study was to investigate the effects of levofloxacin, a typical fluoroquinolone antibiotic drug, on rat AF cells in vitro. Rat annulus fibrosus (RAF) cells were treated with levofloxacin at different concentrations (0, 10, 20, 30, 40, 60, 80, and 90 μg/ml) and were assessed to determine the possible cytotoxic effects of levofloxacin. Inverted phase-contrast microscopy was used to accomplish the morphological observation of apoptosis of treated cells. Western blot and real-time quantitative RT-PCR (qPCR) was used to explore the expression of active caspase-3 and MMP-3. Flow cytometry was used to measure the apoptotic incidences.

RESULTS

Our study showed that levofloxacin, with concentrations at 30, 60, and 90 μg/ml, induced dose-dependent RAF cell apoptosis and higher expression of caspase-3 and MMP-3. More apoptotic cells were observed by inverted phase-contrast microscopy. Moreover, levofloxacin increased the activity of caspase-3, and it also reduced cell viability with different concentrations ranging from 10 to 80 μg/ml.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study results suggest that levofloxacin has cytotoxic effects on RAF cells, characterized by enhancing apoptosis and reducing cell viability, and indicate a potential toxic effect of fluoroquinolones on RAF cells.

Fluoroquinolone use in a child associated with development of osteochondritis dissecans

Several aetiological theories have been proposed for the development of osteochondritis dissecans. Cartilage toxicity after fluoroquinolone use has been well documented in vitro. We present a case report of a 10-year-old child who underwent a prolonged 18-month course of ciprofloxacin therapy for chronic urinary tract infections. This patient later developed an osteochondritis dissecans lesion of the medial femoral condyle. We hypothesise that the fluoroquinolone therapy disrupted normal endochondral ossification, resulting in development of osteochondritis dissecans. The aetiology of osteochondritis dissecans is still unclear, and this case describes an association between fluoroquinolone use and osteochondritis dissecans development.

Musculoskeletal complications of fluoroquinolones: guidelines and precautions for usage in the athletic population

Fluoroquinolone antibiotics are associated with a wide spectrum of musculoskeletal complications that involve not only tendon but also cartilage, bone, and muscle. Insights into the pathoetiology of fluoroquinolone toxicity on musculoskeletal tissues have been evolving over recent years. Although the pathoetiology is certainly multifactorial, alterations in cell signaling proteins and direct toxic effects on musculoskeletal tissues have been strongly implicated. Increasing age and concomitant systemic corticosteroid use appear to significantly increase the risk of adverse events. The purpose of this article is to review the musculoskeletal complications associated with use of fluoroquinolone antibiotics by adults; identify risk factors associated with fluoroquinolone toxicity; explore the possible pathoetiology of fluoroquinolone toxicity on tendon, cartilage, bone, and muscle; and offer recommendations regarding evaluation and treatment of fluoroquinolone-associated musculoskeletal complications. In addition, this review will provide recommendations regarding fluoroquinolone use in athletes and return to play after fluoroquinolone exposure.

Medication-induced adverse effects: important concepts for the hand therapist

NARRATIVE REVIEW: Myopathy, fracture, tendon rupture, and neuropathy are severe physical adverse effects associated with commonly prescribed medications. Recognition of and exercise adjustment for these medication-induced effects by the therapist is essential to providing adequate care. The normal structure and function of muscle, tendon, cartilage, or bone may be altered by medications, leading to significant disability. The number of patients presenting to therapists with medication-induced physical complaints is rising with increases in medication utilization. Therapists should be involved in adverse effect risk reduction by 1) identification and reporting of potential adverse medication reactions, 2) adjustment of exercise regimen when the patient is on a medication with potential damaging effects on tendon, muscle, or cartilage, and 3) vigilant screening for medication-induced myopathies, fractures, neuropathies, and tendinopathies. Although many medications induce physical adverse effects, understanding the most serious musculoskeletal effects of commonly prescribed medications is critical for therapists.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

5.

Effect of pharmacist-led patient education on adherence to tuberculosis treatment

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of a clinical pharmacist-directed patient education program on the therapy adherence of first-time tuberculosis (TB) patients and to identify the major pharmaceutical care needs and issues of first-time TB and multidrug-resistant (MDR)-TB patients.

METHODS

In the first part of the study, first-time TB patients were randomized either to the No EDU group (n = 58) where patients received routine medical and nursing care or to the EDU group (n = 56) where patients were also provided with clinical pharmacist-directed patient education. The patient's adherence to treatment was evaluated by attendance at scheduled visits, medication counting, and urine analysis for the presence of isoniazid metabolites. In the second part of the study, the pharmaceutical care needs and issues were determined for first-time TB patients and for MDR-TB patients (n = 40).

RESULTS

The adherence of patients who received pharmacist-directed patient education was greater than that of patients who did not. The attendance at scheduled visits and urine analysis for the presence of isoniazid metabolites yielded better results in respect to adherence for the EDU group (p < 0.05), while medication counting did not differ between the two groups. The major pharmaceutical care needs of first-time TB patients were for pain control, nutrient replacement, appropriate prescribing, respiratory control, and diabetic control. Similar findings were recorded for MDR-TB patients.

CONCLUSION

Patients' adherence to TB treatment improved when a pharmacist provided patient education on medication use and addressed patients' pharmaceutical care issues.

[Medically induced myopathia]

Muscular side effects of various anesthetics, analgetics, antibiotics, antihistaminic drugs, antiretrovirals, cardiotropics, immunosuppressants, lipid-lowering drugs, psychotropic drugs, anticancer drugs, and other substances are more frequent than assumed and are easily overlooked. Clinically, muscular side effects manifest as fatigue, myalgias, persistent or transient weakness, stiffness, intolerance to exercise, psychomotor slowing, muscle cramps, wasting, dyspnea, dysphagia, fasciculations, reduced tendon reflexes, impaired consciousness, myoglobinuria, renal failure, or hyperthermia. Diagnosis of these drug-induced myopathies is based on history, clinical neurologic examination, blood work, urine analysis, repetitive stimulation, electromyography, and muscle biopsy. A drug which induces muscular side effects should never be given again. Particularly in patients suffering from primary myopathy, myotoxic drugs should be applied with caution. The drugs which most frequently induce muscular side effects are steroids, statins, fibrates, antiretrovirals, immunosuppressants, colchicine, amiodarone, and anticancer drugs. Many drugs exhibit their myotoxic potential only in combination with other drugs or premorbid pathologic myogenic conditions.

Bibliography. Current world literature. Nose and paranasal sinuses

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Patients with advanced head and neck cancer are being treated with chemo-radiotherapy, and life is being prolonged, with or without persistent disease, for longer than was previously. Hypercalcaemia may present in patients with advanced or disseminated head and neck cancer, and, as such, these patients may present to a larger variety of clinicians for advice concerning their symptoms and illness. Modes of presentation of hypercalcaemia and treatment strategies are reviewed.

RECENT FINDINGS

There were previously few large series of head and neck cancer patients diagnosed with hypercalcaemia, which may or may not have been related to their cancer being treated. Investigations, by way of blood/serum calcium level, may identify such patients. Patients with cancer-related hypercalcaemia have a poor prognosis, but many may respond temporarily to treatment when offered, with an improvement of their quality of life and death.

SUMMARY

Hypercalcaemia should and must be considered in all patients who have or possibly have a diagnosis of a head and neck cancer and who present unwell with symptoms of fatigue, lethargy and somnolence. Investigation must include serum calcium (corrected for serum albumin binding) and parathyroid hormone level. Patients may be treated by a combination of rehydration and bisulphonate therapy until the serum calcium is reduced to a level below 3 mmol/l. The majority of patients diagnosed with hypercalcaemia due to head and neck malignancy die of their diseases in the short term, but some may enjoy a prolongation of life with reasonable quality if diagnosed and treated aggressively.

The efficacy of cefdinir in acute bacterial rhinosinusitis

Acute bacterial rhinosinusitis is a common infection resulting in substantial morbidity. Cefdinir, an oral cephalosporin, has extended-spectrum, bactericidal activity against common acute bacterial rhinosinusitis pathogens, including Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae and Moraxella catarrhalis. Cefdinir shows rapid oral absorption and good respiratory tissue penetration, and may be administered once daily. In randomised clinical trials, cefdinir showed efficacy similar to that of other recommended regimens in the treatment of acute bacterial rhinosinusitis, namely amoxicillin/clavulanate and levofloxacin. Cefdinir is well tolerated and has shown a low propensity to suppress the normal commensal flora. Cefdinir oral suspension is rated highly by children in terms of its taste and smell. As the only once-daily beta-lactam currently recommended by acute bacterial rhinosinusitis guidelines (for first-line use in patients with mild acute bacterial rhinosinusitis and no recent antibacterial use), cefdinir offers a convenient and attractive treatment option.