Do oral antiviral drugs used in the treatment of chronic hepatitis B cause erectile dysfunction?

OBJECTIVE

The effect of antiviral drugs on the erectile dysfunction (ED) problem expressed by some patients using antiviral drugs due to chronic hepatitis B infection (HBV) was investigated.

METHODS

A total of 102 male patients receiving antiviral therapy for HBVinfection without any known non-cirrhotic and comorbid disease that may cause ED and whodon't use any drugs with an ED formation potential were analyzed through the InternationalIndex of Erectile Function test.

RESULTS

Among the patients admitted to the study, anxiety disorder was detected as 24.5% (n = 25) and depression as 46.1% (n = 47). 70.6% (n = 72) of the patients suffered ED. Severe ED was only detected in 3 (n = 2.9%) patients. ED was detected in 70.6% of the entecavir, 64.2% of tenofovir, and 80% of Tenofovir alafenamide users ( P  = 0.287). On the other hand, the logistics regression analysis revealed that the most important factors that increase the risk of ED are age (>55 age; RR: 2.66; P  < 0.001), and anxiety disorder (RR: 2.30; P  < 0.0001). The cumulative effect of antiviral drugs on ED was 5.7% (RR: 0.8; P  = 0.156).

CONCLUSION

We could not find any mounting evidence relating to the effect ofcommonly used antiviral drugs for hepatitis B causing ED. The incidence rate of ED on ourpatients was at a similar rate with population studies in the literature based on society. It is notappropriate to terminate antiviral therapy in hepatitis B for this reason.

Ectopic Opening of Common Bile Duct into Duodenal Bulb and Gastric Antrum and Its Importance

BACKGROUND

Ectopic opening of the common bile duct (CBD) is extremely rare, and its importance has not been adequately defined. The aim of our study is to present the characteristics of patients with this abnormality.

METHODS

This retrospective study was conducted in a tertiary center in Dicle University Hospital, Diyarbakır, Turkey, between October 2008 and December 2020. We present clinical, laboratory, endoscopic and cholangiographic features as well as the success rate of therapeutic interventions of consecutive patients with this abnormality undergoing endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP).

RESULTS

Ectopic opening of the CBD was identified in 29 (21 men; mean age 62) out of 3872 (0.74%) patients. There was a history of cholecystectomy in 14 (48%) and recurrent acute cholangitis in 20 (69%) patients. We found peptic ulcer in 13 (45%) and duodenal deformity associated with apical stenosis in 21 (72%) patients. Opening site was seen as abnormal in all patients, and it opened into the antrum in 2 (6.8%) and into the first part of the duodenum in 27 (93%) patients. Copious amount of bile and/ or bile sediment in the stomach were seen in all patients. We observed dilatation in both intrahepatic and extrahepatic bile ducts together with tapered narrowing and a hook-shaped distal end of CBD in all patients. There was bile stone in 26 (89%) and sludge in 3 (10%) patients. Sphincterotomy was not performed in any patients because there was not enough incision distance. Balloon dilatation was performed for extraction of stone and sludge in all patients. Complete stone extraction was achieved in only 7 out of 26 (27%) patients.

CONCLUSION

Ectopic opening of CBD is usually associated with gastroduodenal and bile ducts disease. Endoscopic treatment is unsatisfactory in most patients with this abnormality.

Burden on Caregivers of Patients with Schizophrenia and Related Factors

INTRODUCTION

Caregivers of patients with schizophrenia are under the burden of continuous and difficult processes. Determination of the factors related to caregiver burden in schizophrenia may help find strategies to decrease the burden. This study aimed at investigating the factors associated with caregiver burden among relatives of patients with schizophrenia.

METHODS

Eighty-eight caregivers of patients under treatment for schizophrenia for at least 1 year were included in the study. The Zarit Caregiver Burden Interview was used for the assessment of caregiver burden. Sociodemographical data, the level of knowledge about schizophrenia, clinical impression scale, and global assessment of functioning were used to evaluate the related factors.

RESULTS

Caregiver burden was negatively correlated with income level and functionality of the patient and was positively correlated with the age of the caregiver, the daily time spent with the patient, and the number of hospitalizations of the patient (p<0.05). There was no significant correlation between the caregivers' knowledge about schizophrenia and caregiver burden (p<0.05). Living in the same house with the patient was a positive predictor, whereas functionality and income level of the patient and education level of the caregiver were negative predictors (p<0.05).

CONCLUSION

This study highlighted the importance of setting targets for improving the functionality of patients in the design and implementation of rehabilitation and support programs for patients with schizophrenia. Additionally, providing higher income for patients, creating conditions for an independent life, and increasing incentives for younger caregivers with a higher educational level may help decrease caregiver burden.

Is the red cell distribution width strong predictor for treatment response in primary glomerulonephritides?

BACKGROUND

Novel biomarkers are needed to predict the response to treatment in patients with nephrotic syndrome (NS) due to primary glomerulonephritides (PGN). We aimed to test the predictive value of red blood cell distribution width (RDW) for estimation of response to therapy in adult patients with NS. Study design, setting & participants, and intervention: We performed a prospective study including 176 patients with NS due to PGN. Patients were divided into three groups according to their response to the treatment. Group 1 was composed of patients with complete remission whereas group 2 was composed of patients with partial remission and group 3 was composed of patients who were resistant to the treatment.

RESULTS

The highest baseline mean RDW value was found in group 3 patients (17.8 ± 1.8) whereas the lowest in group 1 (13.4 ± 0.7) before treatment (p<0.05). We found a significant decrease in RDW value after an effective treatment in groups 1 and group 2 (p<0.05). However, there was no significant change in RDW values after treatment in group 3 (p>0.05). Most of the patient with complete remission had base-line RDW level ≤ 14% (n=45, 90%) (p<0.001, Kendal Tau: -0.86), and most of the patients who were resistant to the treatment had base-line RDW level p>15% (n=68, 86.1%) (p<0.001, Kendal Tau: -0.87).

CONCLUSION

Our results suggest that pre-treatment RDW value is a promising novel biomarker for predicting response to the treatment in adult patients with NS due to PGN.