Risk of Developing Hypertension in Atopic Dermatitis Patients Receiving Long-term and Low-dose Cyclosporine: A Nationwide Population-based Cohort Study

BACKGROUND

Cyclosporine (CS) is a first-line immunosuppressive agent used to manage moderate to severe atopic dermatitis (AD). To date, the risk of developing hypertension associated with the long-term use of low-dose CS in AD patients is understudied.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the cumulative dose-dependent effect of CS on the risk of developing hypertension in patients with AD.

METHODS

A nationwide population-based retrospective cohort with 1,844,009 AD patients was built from the Korean National Health Insurance System database from 2005 to 2009. A Cox proportional-hazard regression analysis was performed according to patients' CS treatment history adjusted for potential confounders.

RESULTS

Current use of CS was associated with an increased risk of developing hypertension (adjusted hazard ratio, 4.442; 95% confidence interval, 3.761-5.247). Among the current CS users, a higher cumulative dose of CS (≥39,725 mg) or longer cumulative use of CS (≥182 days), was significantly associated with an increased risk of developing hypertension.

CONCLUSION

The incidence of CS-associated hypertension is very low when using low-dose treatment regimens for AD. However, the current use or a high cumulative dose of CS for treating patients with AD increases the risk of developing hypertension. Precaution is needed when prescribing CS for long-term treatment of AD.

[The quantitative EEG in electroencephalogram-based brain monitoring during general anesthesia]

The electroencephalogram (EEG) is increasingly being used in the clinical routine of anesthesia in German-speaking countries. In over 90% of patients the frontal EEG changes somewhat predictably in response to administration of the normally used anesthetic agents (propofol and volatile gasses). An adequate depth of anesthesia and appropriate concentrations of anesthetics in the brain generate mostly frontal oscillations between 8 and 12 Hz as well as slow delta waves between 0.5 and 4 Hz. The frontal EEG channel is well-suited for avoidance of insufficient depth of anesthesia and excessive administration of anesthetics. This article explains the clinical interpretation of the most important EEG patterns and the biophysical background. Also discussed are important limitations and pitfalls for the clinical routine, which the anesthetist should know in order to utilize the EEG as an admittedly incomplete but clinically extremely important parameter for the level of consciousness.

[Effect of perioperative multi-day low dose ketamine infusion on prevention of postmastectomy pain syndrome]

Objective: To investigate the effects of multi-day low dose ketamine infusion for postmastectomy pain syndrome (PMPS) after breast cancer surgery. Methods: This study was a prospective randomized controlled trial. From June 2015 to May 2016 in Affiliated Yiwu Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, 66 patients with breast cancer surgery were randomly divided into control group (group C) and ketamine group (group K). Patients in group K were infused with 0.5 mg/kg of ketamine mixed in 250 ml of 0.9% normal saline in 1 h daily for 7 days. Patients in group C were infused the same dose of 0.9% normal saline. Anesthesia induction in both groups were given intravenous midazolam, sufentanil, propofol, vecuronium and intermittent positive pressure ventilation after tracheal intubation, anesthesia was maintained with propofol and remifentanil. After awakening, all patients were monitored in postanesthesia care unit (PACU) and given patient-controlled intravenous analgesia(PCIA). Pain scores were assessed using visual analogue scales (VAS) during PACU, 4 h, 24 h and 2-5 d after surgery, simultaneously analgesic requirement were recorded. Patients were evaluated Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) 5 d after surgery . The patients were followed up for 6 months. At 3 m, 6 m after surgery, the incidence of PMPS, the level of pain, pain site and HADS scale were assessed. Results: The VAS score uring PACU, 4 h, 24 h and 2-5 d after surgery in group K( (2.5±0.8), (2.4±0.5), (2.4±0.5), (2.0±0.4), (1.5±0.5), (1.0±0.4), 1(1), respectively) was lower than those in group C ((2.9±1.0), (2.9±0.6), (2.6±0.5), (2.3±0.5), (1.8±0.6), (1.5±0.5), 1(0), respectively). There was statistically difference between the two groups (all P<0.05). The consumption of analgesics required at each time postoperation in group K were also lower than that of group C(all P<0.05). Followed up for 6 months, 2 lost in group C, 1 lost in group K. The incidence of PMPS in group K at 3 months and 6 months after surgery was significantly lower(25% and 22%) than that in group C(52% and 45%)(χ(2)=4.729, 3.842, all P<0.05). There were no significant difference in pain level and site between two groups of PMPS patients (all P>0.05). There were no significant difference of HADS scale preoperative and 5 d after surgery between two groups (all P>0.05); and HADS scale in group K at 3 m and 6 m after surgery was significantly lower than that in group C(all P<0.05). Conclusion: Perioperative continuous multi-day low dose ketamine infusion can effectively reduce the incidence of PMPS after breast cancer surgery.

Dose-effect analysis of treatment by modified Zhibaidihuang decoction on polycystic ovary syndrome hyperandrogenism

OBJECTIVE

To observe the efficacy and safety of different dosages of modified Zhibaidihuang decoction (MZBDD) on polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) hyperandrogenism (HA) patients.

METHODS

Ninety PCOS HA patients and 30 infertile patients due to tubal factor were selected. Ninety PCOS HA patients were randomly divided into three groups: low dosage group (LDG), medium dosage group (MDG) and high dosage group (HDG) and infertile patients were selected as normal control group (NCG). PCOS HA patients were treated with different dosage of MZBDD for 4 weeks. For HA patients, serum total testosterone (T), estrodial (E2), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), prolatin (PRL), alanine aminotransferase (AST), aspartate amino transferase (AST) were determined before and after treatment, while acne scores (Rosenfield) were signed. Basal body temperatures (BBT) were asked to be measured every day. And for the else, T, E2, FSH, LH, PRL, AST, and AST were determined before treatment.

RESULTS

Totally 111 patients completed the clinical research. There were no differences among the four groups on serum T before treatment (P = 0.221). Serum T concentration of both MDG and HDG after treatment significantly were lower than that of before treatment (P = 0.039, P = 0.000), while there was no obvious difference in LDG (P = 0.829). Serum T concentration of both MDG and HDG were significantly lower than that of LDG after treatment (P = 0.048, P = 0.006). To compared with before treatment, there were no differences in Serum FSH, LH, E2, P and PRL among the three groups (LDG, MDG, HDG) (as for FSH, P = 0.136, P = 0.503, P = 0.062; as for LH, P = 0.473, P = 0.513, P = 0.096; as for E2, P = 0.206, P = 0.927, P = 0.076; as for PRL, P = 0.120, P = 0.903, P = 0.407, as for P, P = 0.308, P = 0.866, P = 0480). Acne scores of all the three groups were obviously lower than that of before treatment (P = 0.031; P = 0.033; P = 0.002). 39.5% of the patients had biphasic BBT, but there were no differences among the three groups (P = 0.510). There were no differences with ALT and AST between after and before treatment among the three groups (LDG, MDG, HDG) (as for ALT, P = 0.742, P = 0.383, P = 0.053; as for AST, P = 0.732, P = 0.519, P = 0.120).

CONCLUSION

Different dosage of MZBDD has dose-effect relationship in treating PCOS HA.

Do patient characteristics predict which patients with overactive bladder benefit from a higher fesoterodine dose?

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS

We sought to determine whether baseline characteristics predict which overactive bladder (OAB) patients benefit from fesoterodine 8 mg versus 4 mg.

METHODS

In double-blind, placebo-controlled, flexible-dose trials, baseline characteristics of OAB patients with ≥ 1 urgency urinary incontinence (UUI) episodes/24 h who escalated from fesoterodine 4 mg to 8 mg were evaluated. Possible dose-escalation predictors (age; sex; previous antimuscarinic use; UUI, micturitions, and urgency episodes/24 h; race; body mass index; time to dose escalation; OAB duration) were compared in escalators versus non-escalators. Patients from fixed-dose trials with dose-escalator characteristics were identified (matched dose-escalator sample) to assess changes from baseline with fesoterodine 4 mg, 8 mg, and placebo.

RESULTS

In flexible-dose trials, significant predictors of fesoterodine dose escalation were younger age (≤ 65.8 years), greater number of baseline micturitions (≥ 13.1) and urgency episodes/24 h (≥ 10.9), greater OAB duration (≥ 9.1 years), and more frequent previous antimuscarinic use (58.3%), but not baseline UUI episodes/24 h. In the matched dose-escalator sample (fesoterodine 4 mg: n = 215; 8 mg: n = 198; placebo: n = 217), change from baseline in UUI episodes significantly improved with fesoterodine 8 mg versus 4 mg (P = 0.043) and with both doses versus placebo (P < 0.001). Dry mouth and constipation rates were higher with fesoterodine 8 mg.

CONCLUSIONS

Dose-escalator patients had a significantly greater UUI response with fesoterodine 8 mg versus 4 mg. Given the potential for adverse events, fesoterodine 4 mg is recommended to start; however, patients with UUI and identified predictors may benefit from initial treatment with fesoterodine 8 mg or rapid dose escalation.

[The application of combining low dose naloxone with ropivacaine in supraclavicular brachial plexus block]

Objective: To observe the effect of low dose naloxone combinewith ropivacaine for supraclavicular brachial plexus block. Methods: Seventy patients undergoing elective upper limb surgery were randomly divided into two groups, ropivacaine group (Group R, n=35) and naloxone group (Group N, n=35). An ultrasound guided technique was used in both two groups.The onset and duration time of sensory and motor blockade, visual analog score(VAS)of 3, 6, 12, 18, 24 h postoperatively, time of first request fordezocine, total amount of dezocine needed, incidence of nausea and vomiting postoperatively(PONV) and patients' satisfaction score for analgesia in 24 h after surgery were measured.At the same time, blood samples were taken before anesthesia, 6 h, 24 h after operation for inspecting the concentration of β-endorphin(β-EP)in plasma. Results: The duration of sensory and motor blockade, time of first request for dezocine in Group N were 736.0(713.5, 836.5), 514.5(491.3, 572.8), 708.5(683.2, 877.0)min, which were all prolonged compared to Group R(522.0(469.5, 606.5), 401.0(370.0, 458.5), 570.0(435.0, 618.5)min)(Z=-6.844, -6.758, -6.700, all P<0.01). The 6, 12, 18 h postoperatively VAS of Group N were 0, 5.0(3.0, 5.8), 5.0(5.0, 6.0)point. Among which the 6, 12 h postoperatively VAS of Group N were lower than that of Group R(1.0(1.0, 3.5), 6.0(6.0, 7.0)point)(Z=-6.596, -4.864, all P<0.01), while the 18 h postoperatively VAS was higher than that of Group R (5.0(4.0, 5.0)point)(Z=-2.603, P<0.01). Total amount of dezocine needed in Group N in 24 h after surgery was 7.5(5.0, 10.0)mg, which was lower than that of Group R(10.0(10.0, 15.0)mg)(Z=-3.449, P<0.01). The incidence of PONV after surgery in Group N was 21.9%, which was lower than that of Group R(45.5%)(χ(2)=4.034, P<0.05). Ptients' satisfaction score for analgesia in 24 h after surgery in Group N was 8.0(7.0, 8.0)point, which was higher than that of Group R(7.0(6.0, 7.0)point)(Z=-3.509, P<0.01). At 6 h postoperatively , the concentration of plasma β-EP in Group N was(113.34±12.36)μg/L, lower than that of Group R((147.14±11.65)μg/L)(t=-7.694, P<0.01). Conclusion: Low dose naloxone combine with ropivacaine for supraclavicular brachial plexus block, prolong the duration of sensory and motor blockade without affecting the onset time.

[Dose-response relationship of ropivacaine for epidural block in early herpes zoster guided by CT]

Objective: To determine the dose-response relationship of ropivacaine for epidural block in early herpes zoster by CT guided. Methods: From January 2015 to February 2017, according to the principle of completely random digital table, 80 patients with early herpes zoster who were prepared for epidural block were divided into 4 groups(each group 20 patients): in group A the concentration of ropivacaine was 0.08%, in group B was 0.10%, in group C was 0.12% and in group D was 0.14%.Under CT guidance, epidural puncture was performed in the relevant section, mixing liquid 5.0 ml (with 10% iodohydrin)were injected into epidural gap.CT scan showed that the mixing liquid covered the relevant spinal nerve segmental.The numeric rating scale(NRS) values before treatment and at 30 minutes, the incidence of adverse reactions were recorded, and the treatment were evaluated. The response to ropivacaine for epidural block in early herpes zoster was defined as positive when the NRS values was less than or equal to one.The ED(50), ED(95) and 95% confidence interval (CI) of ropivacaine for epidural block in early herpes zoster guided by CT were calculated by probit analysis. Results: The NRS values before treatment were 5.00(4.00, 6.00), 5.00(4.25, 6.00), 5.50(5.00, 6.00) and 5.00(4.00, 6.00), the difference was no significant(Z=2.576, P=0.462). The NRS values at 30 minutes decreased and the effective rate of the treatment increased(χ(2)=8.371, P=0.004), following ropivacaine dose gradient increasing, they were 1.50(1.00, 2.00), 1.00(1.00, 2.00), 0.50(0.00, 1.00) and 0.00(0.00, 1.00), the difference was statistically significant (Z=17.421, P=0.001). There was one case in group C and four cases in group D were hypoesthesia, others were no significant adverse reactions occurred. The ED(50) and ED(95) (95%CI) of ropivacaine for epidural block in early herpes zoster guided by CT were 0.078%(0.015%-0.095%)and 0.157%(0.133%-0.271%), respectively. Conclusion: Ropivacaine for epidural block in early herpes zoster guided by CT is effective for neuropathic pain, with no significant adverse reactions.

Eficiency of different doses of rituximab in rheumatoid arthritis

OBJECTIVE

Evaluate the effectiveness, cost and safety of rituximab in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) depending on the dose used.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Retrospective observational study conducted on 52 patients with RA treated with at least one dose of rituximab for 135.3 patient-years were included. Three treatment groups were obtained: (G1) First course and following two 1g infusions separated by 15 days; (G2) First course 2 infusions of 1g followed by 2 infusions of 500mg; (G3) First course and followed by 2 infusions of 500mg separated by 15 days. Re-treatments were administered on-demand according to the clinical activity. The retention time (Log-Rank), retreats and adverse events rates (incidence rate ratio) and treatment costs per patient-month of rituximab were analysed by groups.

RESULTS

Group 2 showed a better cost-effectiveness ratio than group 1, as it was associated with a longer retention of rituximab (mean [95% CI] 65.7 [60.8 to 70.7] months vs 33.5 [22.7 to 44.3]; P<.001) and a lower rate of severe adverse events with only a slight increase in the rate of retreatment (courses/patient-year [95% CI] 1.66 [1.39 to 1.93] vs. 1.01 [0.69 to 1.34]; P=.005), and in the costs (median/patient-month, €484.89 vs. €473.45). Although group 3 was €41.20/patient-month cheaper than group 2, it was associated with a higher rate of re-treatments and shorter retention of rituximab (P<.001).

CONCLUSIONS

The use of full-dose rituximab at onset, followed by reduced doses in successive courses administered on-demand retreatment may be the most cost-effective option.