Current Therapeutic Research-clinical and Experimental最新文献

Background

Complementary and alternative medications (CAM) are common among patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) for physical and psychological support. However, there is insufficient data regarding the application of CAM in the different cultures and beliefs of each community as well as patient's status.

Objective

To evaluate the prevalence and modalities of the use of CAM among patients with central nervous system idiopathic inflammatory demyelinating diseases (CNS-IIDD) in a tertiary care hospital

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted at Siriraj Hospital from June to December 2021 involving patients with MS, neuromyelitis optic spectrum disorders (NMOSD), myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody-associated disease (MOGAD), idiopathic transverse myelitis (iTM), and optic neuritis (ON) to examine the prevalence and mode of CAM use and its correlation with patient characteristics.

Results

There were 107 patients. The diagnoses were MS (38), NMOSD (55), MOGAD (5), iTM (7), and ON (2). Most of the patients were female (89.7%), and 61.7% were diagnosed over 5 years. The mean Expanded Disability Status Scale was 2.63 (S.D., 2.38), and the median ambulation index was 0 (range 0–8.5). There were 68 patients (63.6%) with a history of CAM use for at least 3 months, while those with current use decreased to 62 (58.5%). Vitamins and minerals were the most commonly used, particularly vitamin D (97.1%) and calcium (47.7%). Both treatments were primarily prescribed (95.3%) rather than self-administered (24.3%). The main reasons for the use of CAM were to strengthen their health (48.6%) and relieve existing symptoms (28.0%).

Conclusions

The use of CAM is common among patients with Thai CNS-IIDD. Further exploration of patient perspectives and preferences regarding CAM usage may contribute to a more comprehensive management approach for patients with CNS-IIDD.

Managing pediatric Crohn's disease (PCD) presents challenges due to severe complications and higher biologic therapy needs. Transitioning from anti–tumor necrosis factor agents to off-label therapies adds complexity. Although upadacitinib has demonstrated efficacy and tolerability in adult inflammatory bowel disease and pediatric atopic dermatitis, there are limited data for its application in PCD. This case report delineates successful remission with upadacitinib in a child with CD refractory to infliximab, ustekinumab, adalimumab, thalidomide, and prednisone. Notably, the patient carried an ataxia telangiectasia mutated (ATM) gene mutation. These findings provide valuable evidence for PCD management and highlight the potential benefits of upadacitinib in this population.

Background

The Kingdom of Bahrain has reported more than 696,000 cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and 1548 associated deaths as of December 26, 2022.

Objectives

To better inform responses to future public health threats, this narrative review documents the challenges and responses to the COVID-19 pandemic in the Kingdom of Bahrain.

Methods

A PubMed search was conducted focusing on severe acute respiratory syndrome or COVID-19 in Bahrain. Additional relevant references were also included from the authors’ personal reference collections.

Results

The search indicated that Bahrain achieved well-established control of the pandemic through robust public health measures, including an early, comprehensive vaccination program. Bahrain was among the first countries to grant emergency authorization for COVID-19 vaccines; as of December 2022, nearly 73% of the eligible population has been fully vaccinated, and approximately 60% has been boosted. Low case rates in recent months highlight Bahrain's successful response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Conclusions

Early organization, robust and systematic protective measures, and a comprehensive vaccination program were key components of the Kingdom's response to the pandemic; traveler quarantines and attempts to combat misinformation were of little or no benefit. These lessons provide guidance for future preparedness to minimize the public health impacts of another pandemic. (Curr Ther Res Clin Exp. 2024; XX:XXX–XXX).

Background

Understanding the rate of polypharmacy in cardiovascular patients is crucial because of its increasing occurrence and its association with potentially inappropriate prescribing practices and negative health outcomes, particularly among elderly individuals with cardiovascular conditions. According to the best of the literature search knowledge, the magnitude of polypharmacy and associated factors were not known among older cardiovascular patients in eastern Ethiopia.

Objective

The aim of this study was to assess the rate of polypharmacy and its determinants among older adult cardiovascular patients at Hiwot Fana Comprehensive Specialized Hospital in eastern Ethiopia.

Methods

A cross-sectional study design was undertaken, involving a cohort of 364 individuals aged 65 years and older who were receiving follow-up care for cardiovascular disease. A data abstraction sheet was used to gather the data. The convenience sampling technique was employed. To identify factors related to the rate of polypharmacy, multivariable logistic regression analysis was employed.

Results

The analysis included the medical records of 325 patients, revealing a polypharmacy prevalence rate of 20.7%. Individuals who were 77 years of age or older had a 1.12 times higher likelihood of having polypharmacy than individuals who were 65 to 70 years old. The presence of comorbidities along with cardiovascular diseases was a significant factor related to polypharmacy. Polypharmacy was prevalent among individuals with a larger number of comorbidities.

Conclusions

This study reported that 1 in 5 cardiovascular patients at a chronic care clinic experienced polypharmacy. Age (≥77 years), having comorbidities, number of comorbid diseases (≥3), duration of cardiovascular disease (≥5 years), and number of years taking cardiovascular drugs (≥5) were associated with higher odds of polypharmacy. Health care providers should be cautious about prescribing multiple medications to this population. Training in the prevention of inappropriate polypharmacy is crucial to reducing the trend of polypharmacy and its associated burden.

Ustekinumab is a first-line drug for Crohn's disease. However, little is known about its potential adverse effects on renal function. We present the case of a 42-year-old man with Crohn's disease who developed chronic renal dysfunction during ustekinumab treatment, which resolved after discontinuing ustekinumab. The findings underscore the importance of close monitoring of renal function in patients receiving ustekinumab, particularly those with preexisting kidney disease or risk factors for renal dysfunction.

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Background

Intravenous (IV) infusion therapy is commonly used in health care settings. However, IV therapy at home can be challenging because it relies on the patient's ability to manage multiple medications correctly, which may lead to decreased treatment adherence.

Objective

We aimed to assess the usability and accuracy of the IVsight monitor in capturing IV infusion data compared to manual recording.

Methods

A prospective, single-center, usability study involving patients receiving IV infusion therapy at one of the BJC's Home Infusion suites was conducted to evaluate the accuracy, performance, and acceptability of the device IVsight as a monitor for IV infusions.

Results

Of the 15 participants, the median (IQR) age was 46 years (36–55), 8 (53%) were female, and 13 (87%) were non-Hispanic white. Each participant received a median (IQR) of 4 (4–5) infusions during the study, and 68 infusions were observed overall. The intraclass correlation coefficient between the IVsight measurement and manual recording of infusion duration in seconds was excellent (ICC 0.97, 95% confidence interval 0.96–0.98). The Bland–Altman plot visually showed an acceptable limit of agreement for the 2 measurements, and the linear regression analysis revealed no significant proportional bias between the 2 methods for measuring the IV infusion time. None of the participants thought that IVsight was difficult to hold, use, clean, or store. Only one participant was concerned that the device could interfere with the IV infusion, and all participants felt comfortable with the device transmitting data to their health care providers.

Conclusions

The IVsight infusion monitoring device showed near-perfect agreement on the recorded IV infusion duration compared with manual recording, and good acceptability among the study participants.

Background

Potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs) use often cause to poor health outcomes in older patients. There is a dearth of information on PIMS use in this population of patients seeking treatment at Hiwot Fana Comprehensive Specialized Hospital.

Objective

To assess PIMs use and associated factors among older patients receiving follow-up treatment at the chronic care clinic of Hiwot Fana Comprehensive Specialized Hospital in eastern Ethiopia.

Methods

A retrospective cross-sectional study using medical records of 419 older patients was conducted. older patients, aged 65 years or older, treated in the ambulatory care clinic were included. Simple random sampling technique was used. PIMs use was identified by using the 2023 American Geriatrics Society Beers Criteria (AGS Beers Criteria) and Screening Tool of Older People's Potentially Inappropriate Prescriptions Criteria and Screening Tool to Alert Doctors to Right Treatment (STOPP/START) version 2 criteria. The multivariable logistic regression analysis was employed to identify factors associated with PIMs use. The strength of statistical association was measured by adjusted odds ratio (aOR) and 95% CI. P values < 0.05 were considered statistically significant.

Results

A total of 419 patients’ medical records were reviewed. Of these, 411 patients’ medical records fulfilled the inclusion criteria and were considered for final analysis. About 56.9% (n= 234) of the study population was women. The prevalence of PIMs use was 28.5% and 18.5%, according to 2023 AGS Beers Criteria and STOPP/START version 2 criteria, respectively. In accordance with 2023 AGS Beers Criteria, male sex (aOR = 1.78; 95% CI, 1.10–2.87), diabetes mellitus (aOR = 0.35; 95% CI, 0.19–0.62), and chronic kidney disease (aOR = 6.68; 95% CI, 2.55–9.32) were found to be the determining factors for PIMs use. According to STOPP/START version 2 criteria, deep vein thrombosis, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and advanced age were the primary factors influencing PIMs use.

Conclusions

Compared with other study findings from across the world, the prevalence of PIMs use was low. Based on 2023 AGS Beers Criteria, male sex, diabetes mellitus, and chronic kidney disease were found to be the determinant factors for PIMs use. Deep vein thrombosis, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and advanced age were significant factor of PIMs use according STOPP/START version 2 criteria.

Background

Moxifloxacin is a bactericidal methoxyquinolone used for the treatment of conjunctivitis and prophylactic therapy in cataract and refractive surgeries. Chloramphenicol is a bacteriostatic organochlorine introduced into clinical practice in 1948 and used mainly in topical preparations because of its known toxicity.

Objectives

The study aimed to evaluate the in vitro antibacterial effect and the ocular cytotoxicity of these broad-spectrum antibiotics.

Methods

Antimicrobic activity was tested on 4 bacteria strains (Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, and Staphylococcus epidermidis), and determined through calculation of MIC and half inhibitory concentration for each microorganism. Antibacterial activity was determined by microdilution method after 24 hours’ incubation with 2-fold serial dilutions (2.5 mg/mL to 4.883 µg/mL) of moxifloxacin and chloramphenicol. Disk diffusion test were performed according to European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing methodology. Biofilm formation inhibition and biofilm eradication concentration assay were conducted for P aeruginosa and S epidermidis using the microdilution method. Cytotoxicity of antibiotics was evaluated by MTT (3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5 diphenyl tetrazolium bromide) colorimetric assay on human corneal cell.

Results

Cytotoxicity of antibiotics was evaluated on human epithelial corneal cells after 4 hours treatment by viability assay. Results showed that corneal cell viability was significantly higher after moxifloxacin treatment compared with chloramphenicol (P < 0.01). Moxifloxacin is characterized by a significantly lower MIC and half inhibitory concentration values and a larger inhibition zone for all the strain tested, with high performance in controlling gram-negative growth, compared with chloramphenicol. Moreover, moxifloxacin showed higher activity compared with chloramphenicol in the inhibition of biofilm formation and in the disruption of biofilm, especially against S epidermidis biofilm.

Conclusions

The lower corneal cell toxicity and the broader spectrum of antibacterial activity observed with moxifloxacin suggests its use in ophthalmic solution for the treatment of bacterial eye infections.

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