[Alpha-methyl-paratyrosine in the treatment of malignant pheochromocytoma]. / L'alpha-méthyl-paratyrosine dans le traitement des phéochromocytomes malins.

Alpha-methyl-paratyrosine (Demser) is a specific inhibitor of tyrosine hydroxylation to dopa. It is administered orally and may be given in combination with symptomatic treatments to reduce the hypersecretion of catecholamines. We report two cases of malignant phaeochromocytoma in which this drug was used. A pharmacological study of the compound is presented, and the literature on its long-term use in the treatment of malignant phaeochromocytoma is reviewed. In our second patient, who received alpha-methyl-paratyrosine for 9 months, a study of changes in differential catecholamine excretion showed that the urinary catecholamines were redistributed, with an increase in the dopamine/norepinephrine ratio. An HPLC study of urinary excretion of catecholamines demonstrated that their levels cannot be significantly increased by excretion of alpha-methyl-paratyrosine or its metabolites.

[Alcohol consumption patterns and behaviour among people using the health care system in Lower-Normandy]. / Les conduites de consommation d'alcool chez les personnes ayant recours au système de soins en Basse-Normandie.

A national study on the prevalence of excessive alcohol consumption behaviour was undertaken throughout France. The results presented in this paper are those from Lower-Normandy. Two surveys were carried out: one among patients of general practitioners, and another among those in hospitals. The following data were specifically examined: the CAGE test score, the use of alcohol, the level of dependence, the conclusion of the care provider and the patient's profile. The results show that the frequency of excessive alcohol consumption in Lower-Normandy remains slightly higher than the national average. However, a significant reduction, which has been confirmed by the decrease in mortality rates, has been obtained within the last two decades. But nevertheless, the fight must continue and with on-going determination, and this aspect must rely more heavily upon general practitioners.

[Regional evaluation of long-term care facilities for the elderly]. / Evaluation régionale de structures d'hébergement pour les personnes âgées.

The increase in the total number of very elderly people demands the precision and specification of the needs of long-term care structures in the coming years. A survey conducted in Lower-Normandy is presented and described. Questionnaires were sent to directors of residence homes and nursing homes in order to investigate their operations and their problems. The increase in the number of spaces to foresee seems moderate if the progressive trend remains unchanged (+1% per year until the year 2010), but within the same timeframe, the demographic decline in the number of potential family helpers and home health workers to take care of the elderly in their homes, coupled with the establishment of a new state allowance for dependent people, could alter the situation. Furthermore, more than 50% of nursing homes and residence homes for the elderly are in need of significant improvements: a reduction in the number of shared rooms (52.5% of nursing homes) and the development of equipment to meet the needs of the handicapped and disabled. The means in personnel and staff qualifications are particularly heterogeneous and difficulties in coping with dependency are reported most everywhere. The application of the 1999 decree stipulating the approval of these structures based upon thorough evaluations of available services is urgently needed.

[Sensitivity of bone to parathyroid hormone in type I pseudohypoparathyroidism. 6 cases]. / Sensibilité de l'os à la parathormone dans les pseudohypoparathyroïdies de type I. Six observations.

The sensitivity of bone to parathormone in pseudoparathyroidism is not well known. Six patients with Type I pseudohypoparathyroidism (4 with Albright's osteodystrophy) had increased alkaline phosphatase levels (5 patients) and radiological signs of periosteal resorption in the hand in one case. All patients had histological signs of increased surfaces of resorption and periosteocytic lacunae, increased osteoid surfaces and relative osteoid volume with no change of the index of osteoid thickness. These changes are identical to those observed in hyperparathyroidism which leads on to the discussion of the role of the increased parathormone secretion induced by the lack of calcium on the remodeling of bone. Our six cases show that there is no bone resistance to parathormone. The diversity of bone changes in hyperparathyroidism, similar to that of primary hyperparathyroidism, is without doubt dependent on the degree of renal insensitivity to PTH through the inactivation of vitamin D.

[Histomorphometric data in 5 cases of pseudohypoparathyroidism: discussion on bone sensitivity to parathyroid hormone]. / Données histomorphométriques dans cinq cas de pseudohypoparathyroïdies: discussion sur la sensibilité osseuse à l'hormone parathyroïdienne.

We studied 5 patients (aged 8 to 18) presenting chronic calcipenia with hyperphosphatemia and an increase in C terminal-specific immunoreactive parathyroid hormone. Systematic radiography of the hands revealed 2 cases with signs of subperiosteal resorption characteristic of hyperparathyroidism and 2 cases of cortical fibrillation. These cases were monitored by measuring phosphate levels in the urine after injection of parathyroid hormone (Ellsworth-Howard test), by determining urinary elimination of cyclic AMP after injection of parathyroid hormone (Chase-Aurbach test) and by assaying cyclic AMP levels in the plasma after intravenous administration of parathyroid hormone (Tomlinson-Hendy test). These 3 measurements revealed no changes upon injection of parathyroid hormone, even after administration of vitamin D, thus suggesting renal resistance to parathyroid hormone. The absence of cyclic AMP secretion is suggestive of perturbation of the membrane receptor. Histomorphometric study of the bones showed an increase in resorption and osteoid areas and in the relative osteoid volume without modification of osteoid thickness, which is very suggestive of an effect of parathyroid hormone on the bone. Pseudohypoparathyroidism was, then, characterized by renal resistance to parathyroid hormone and an effect of the latter on bone cells.