The role of topical retinoids in the treatment of pigmentary disorders: an evidence-based review.

Topical retinoids have been used in the treatment of pigmentary disorders such as melasma, actinic lentigines, and postinflammatory hyperpigmentation. This article evaluates the clinical efficacy and tolerability of retinoid treatment for pigmentary disorders through an evidence-based approach. We searched the MEDLINE and The Cochrane Library databases using the keywords 'retinoid' combined with 'melasma,' 'lentigines,' or 'postinflammatory hyperpigmentation.' For each study, the methodology and outcomes were assessed according to specific criteria. There is fair evidence to support the use of topical tretinoin as a monotherapy in the treatment of melasma as well as in the treatment of lentigines (grade B). Adverse effects of topical retinoids are quite frequent, and include local skin irritation, erythema, and peeling, and their severity is mild to moderate. There is evidence to support the use of topical tretinoin in a fixed, triple-combination therapy (hydroquinone 4%/tretinoin 0.05%/fluocinolone acetonide 0.01%) for the treatment of melasma (grade B). There is poor evidence (grade C) to support the use of combination formulations for the treatment of lentigines, and large, randomized, double-blind, controlled trials are needed to further evaluate their use for this indication. In conclusion, there is evidence to support the use of topical retinoids as monotherapy or in combination with other topical agents in the treatment of pigmentary disorders.

Isolated arthroscopic biceps tenotomy or tenodesis improves symptoms in patients with massive irreparable rotator cuff tears.

BACKGROUND: Lesions of the long head of the biceps tendon are often associated with massive rotator cuff tears and may be responsible for shoulder pain and dysfunction. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical and radiographic outcomes of isolated arthroscopic biceps tenotomy or tenodesis as treatment for persistent shoulder pain and dysfunction due to an irreparable rotator cuff tear associated with a biceps lesion. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study of sixty-eight consecutive patients (mean age [and standard deviation], 68 +/- 6 years) in whom a total of seventy-two irreparable rotator cuff tears had been treated arthroscopically with biceps tenotomy or tenodesis. A simple tenotomy was performed in thirty-nine cases, and a tenodesis was performed in thirty-three. No associated acromioplasty was performed. All patients were evaluated clinically and radiographically by an independent observer at a mean of thirty-five months postoperatively. RESULTS: Fifty-three patients (78%) were satisfied with the result. The mean Constant score improved from 46.3 +/- 11.9 points preoperatively to 66.5 +/- 16.3 points postoperatively (p < 0.001). A healthy-appearing teres minor on preoperative imaging was associated with significantly increased postoperative external rotation (40.4 degrees +/- 19.8 degrees compared with 18.1 degrees +/- 18.4 degrees ) and a significantly higher Constant score (p < 0.05 for both) compared with the values for the patients with an absent or atrophic teres minor preoperatively. Three patients with pseudoparalysis of the shoulder did not benefit from the procedure and did not regain active elevation above the horizontal level. In contrast, the fifteen patients with painful loss of active elevation recovered active elevation. The acromiohumeral distance decreased 1.1 +/- 1.9 mm on the average, and glenohumeral osteoarthritis developed in only one patient. The results did not differ between the tenotomy and tenodesis groups (mean Constant score, 61.2 +/- 18 points and 72.8 +/- 12 points, respectively). The "Popeye" sign was clinically apparent in twenty-four (62%) of the shoulders that had been treated with a tenotomy; of the sixteen patients who noticed it, none were bothered by it. CONCLUSIONS: Both arthroscopic biceps tenotomy and arthroscopic biceps tenodesis can effectively treat severe pain or dysfunction caused by an irreparable rotator cuff tear associated with a biceps lesion. Shoulder function is significantly inferior if the teres minor is atrophic or absent. Pseudoparalysis of the shoulder and severe rotator cuff arthropathy are contraindications to this procedure. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic Level III. See Instructions to Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

COPD in HIV-Infected Patients: CD4 Cell Count Highly Correlated.

BACKGROUND: COPD is a frequent and significant cause of respiratory morbidity in HIV-infected patients despite the control of HIV. We aimed to analyze the factors correlated with COPD in this population to evaluate the existence of specific indicators of vulnerability in this population. METHODS AND FINDINGS: 623 HIV-infected outpatients were enrolled during one year. This population was characterised by a dedicated questionnaire and electronic patient records. COPD screening was performed according to recommended spirometric criteria. The prevalence of COPD was 9.0%. Age and smoking were independently correlated with COPD (OR, 1.61 per 10 years increase, P = 0.007; OR, 1.28 per 10 pack-year increase, P = 0.003, respectively). Body mass index (BMI) and CD4 cell-count were independently and negatively correlated with COPD (OR, 0.78, P < 0.001; 0R, 0.77 per 100 cell/mm3 increase, P < 0.001, respectively). Among COPD patients, 77% did not know their diagnosis. Five COPD-patients never smoked and 44.2% did not have any respiratory symptoms and so were not eligible to perform a spirometry according to the guidelines. CONCLUSIONS: In addition to known risk factors, immune defect through CD4 cell count was independently and strongly correlated with COPD. COPD is largely underdiagnosed and thus unmanaged. However, early management and urgent smoking cessation are essential to improve prognosis. Clinicians' awareness on the particular vulnerability for COPD in HIV-infected patients is crucial. Moreover, indications to perform conventional spirometry to diagnose COPD may include more parameters than tobacco-smoking and respiratory complaints with a particular concern toward patients with a profound CD4 cell count defect.

Lopinavir/ritonavir combination and total/HDL cholesterol ratio.

OBJECTIVES: To describe the evolution of the lipidic profile among LPV/r treated patients in a 'real life' situation. METHODS: Lipids measurements at LPV/r initiation time and every 3 months, and pharmacological measurements at M3 and M6 were collected retrospectively in 142 patients attending our clinic. Dyslipidaemia was defined as total cholesterol > or =6.2 mmol/l, HDL-cholesterol > or =1 mmol/l, total/HDL-cholesterol ratio > or =6.5 and triglycerides > or =2.3 mmol/l. RESULTS: Eighty-nine percent of patients had previously received a regimen with protease inhibitors, 4% were treatment naive. At baseline, 17% of patients had high total cholesterol, 49% high triglycerides, 63% low HDL-cholesterol, 25% a high total/HDL-cholesterol ratio. At M12, the mean HDL-cholesterol increase per patient was 21%. Lipids levels significantly increased over the study period, as early as the 3rd month (6th month for ratio) and continuously until the 12th month. Among the patients with available LPV/r plasma determinations at M3, a higher lopinavir residual concentration was observed in those with high triglycerides (6.78 vs 3.02 mg/l, p = 0.05) as, at M6, in those with an elevated ratio (9.19 vs 0.96 mg/l, p = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Those results suggest that LPV/r may induce a significant rise in the total/HDL-cholesterol ratio, despite an increase in HDL-cholesterol levels. The association between triglycerides and total/HDL-cholesterol ratio elevated levels and high residual concentrations of lopinavir may also argue for systematic drug monitoring.

Comparison between monofilament and multifilament polypropylene tapes in urinary incontinence.

OBJECTIVE: We compare the efficacy and late complications between a polypropylene monofilament tape (TVT) and a polypropylene multifilament tape (IVS) in the surgical implant of sub-urethral, tension free tape for the treatment of stress urinary incontinence (SUI). METHODS: It is a non-randomised, monocentric retrospective study. Two questionnaires were sent to the patients. The first questionnaire determined the efficacy of the tape and the tolerance of the urinary process. The second questionnaire evaluated discomfort and consequences linked to urinary incontinence and associated urinary troubles. RESULTS: The study included 313 female patients and 256 (82%) responded to the questionnaire (137 TVT, 119 IVS). Patient satisfaction was 88.3% for the TVT tape and 73.5% for the IVS tape (p < 0.005). The improvement of the quality of life was also higher for the polypropylene monofilament tapes. "De novo" urge incontinence was more common in the TVT group. However, the rates of dysuria and infection of tapes were more common in the IVS group. CONCLUSION: The type of tape appears to influence efficacy and the emergence of late complications. Our results point at the greater efficacy of the polypropylene monofilament tape.

Etanercept compared to intraarticular corticosteroid injection in rheumatoid arthritis: double-blind, randomized pilot study.

OBJECTIVE: To compare etanercept (anti-tumor necrosis factor-α) with intraarticular (IA) corticosteroid injections to treat rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHODS: Patients with RA who had persistent monoarthritis received etanercept or IA corticosteroid injections. Efficacy was compared at Weeks 4 and 24. RESULTS: Thirty-four patients were included (8 dropped out). Mean age was 58.8 years. No difference between groups was found at Weeks 4 or 24, but both groups showed significant improvement at Weeks 4 and 24 compared to baseline. CONCLUSION: Etanercept and IA steroid injections resulted in significant improvement at Week 4 that persisted to Week 24. There was no significant difference in outcome between the groups.

Spatula-assisted deliveries: a large cohort of 1065 cases.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze neonatal and maternal complications of operative vaginal delivery using spatulas. STUDY DESIGN: We conducted a retrospective observational study of 1065 consecutive spatula-assisted deliveries at Nice University Hospital from 2003 through 2006, excluding stillbirths and breech deliveries. After univariate analysis, we performed logistic regression analysis to assess risk factors for severe perineal injuries and vaginal lacerations. RESULTS: The success rate was 98.2%. Vaginal tears occurred in 23.7% of patients. The rate of third and fourth degree perineal injuries was 6.2%. No severe neonatal complication directly related to extraction was noted. Nulliparity, shoulder dystocia and absence of episiotomy were independently associated with an elevated risk of anal sphincter damage. Nulliparity and absence of episiotomy were significantly and independently associated with an increased incidence of vaginal tears. CONCLUSION: Rates of perineal injuries, failure and neonatal complications observed with spatulas were similar to those reported in the literature with other instruments for operative vaginal delivery.

Hepatitis C virus coinfection does not influence the CD4 cell recovery in HIV-1-infected patients with maximum virologic suppression.

BACKGROUND: Conflicting data exist whether hepatitis C virus (HCV) affects the CD4 cell recovery in patients with HIV starting antiretroviral treatment. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the influence of HCV coinfection on the CD4 recovery in patients with maximum virologic suppression within the EuroSIDA cohort. METHODS: Patients tested for anti-HCV antibodies and with at least 2 consecutive HIV viral loads (VLs) <50 copies per milliliter after starting combination antiretroviral therapy were eligible for inclusion. For each pair of VL <50 copies per milliliter, the annual change in CD4 count was calculated and compared between (1) HCV-seronegative vs. HCV-seropositive patients, (2) HCV genotypes 1-4 in HCV-RNA+ patients, and (3) viremic vs. aviremic (HCV-RNA < 615 IU/mL) in HCV-seropositive patients. Results were adjusted for known confounders. RESULTS: Four thousand two hundred eight patients were included, representing 39,474 pairs of HIV VL measurements with VL <50 copies per milliliter and 12,492 person-years of follow-up. The unadjusted annual change in CD4 count for HCV-seropositive and HCV-seronegative patients was 35.5 cells per milliliter (95% confidence interval 27.2 to 43.9) and 38.3 cells per milliliter (95%confidence interval 34.8 to 41.9), respectively. After adjustment, there was no difference in CD4 change when comparing, according to HCV serostatus (P = 0.17), between genotypes (P = 0.23) or when comparing HCV viremic vs. aviremic patients (P = 0.57). Adjusting additionally for HCV treatment and HCV-RNA VL did not change the findings. CONCLUSIONS: HCV serostatus did not influence the CD4 recovery in patients with HIV with maximum virologic suppression after starting combination antiretroviral therapy. Furthermore, no difference in CD4 gain was found when comparing distinct HCV genotypes in HCV-RNA+ patients or when comparing HCV viremic vs. aviremic HCV-seropositive patients.

Detection of the TMPRSS2-ETS fusion gene in prostate carcinomas: retrospective analysis of 55 formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded samples with clinical data.

The recent identification of fusion genes involving ETS family members in human prostate adenocarcinoma has confirmed the hypothesis that recurrent specific aberrations such as fusion genes may be as frequent in epithelial tumors as they are in leukemias and sarcomas. However, reciprocal translocations with fusion genes are often not detectable in carcinomas by conventional karyotyping because of additional complex chromosomal abnormalities. We retrospectively analyzed a large series of formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded samples including 55 prostate carcinomas and 11 benign prostate tumors. We identified the fusion gene TMPRSS2-ERG by reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in 40/55 carcinomas (72%). Our study demonstrates that the detection of ETS fusion gene by RT-PCR is feasible on formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded samples. No significant association between the presence of the fusion gene and any clinical feature, such as preoperative serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level (PSA>20 or PSA< or =20), pTNM stage including capsule invasion, seminal vesicle invasion, and lymph nodes metastases, or recurrence was observed in our series.

Baseline CD4 cell count and outcome of pegylated interferon plus ribavirin therapy in HIV/hepatitis C virus-coinfected patients.

OBJECTIVE: When to start hepatitis C treatment in HIV/hepatitis C virus (HCV)-coinfected patients remains unresolved. Our objective was to determine if a baseline CD4 count >/=350 cells/mm predicts a sustained HCV response to pegylated interferon plus ribavirin. METHODS: We conducted a multicenter cohort study of HIV/HCV-coinfected patients treated for HIV in hospitals in Nice, Tourcoing, and Marseille (France). Sustained viral response (SVR) was defined as undetectable HCV RNA 24 weeks after treatment. The relation between CD4 cell count and SVR was examined separately for patients with HCV genotype 1 or non-1. RESULTS: One hundred seventy-five patients were included. In patients with HCV genotype 1, the rate of SVR was 13% and was not related to baseline CD4 cell count (odds ratio [OR] = 1.0, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.1 to 9.3). In patients with HCV genotype non-1, the rate of SVR was 46% and was not significantly increased by a baseline CD4 count >/=350 cells/mm (OR = 1.8, 95% CI: 0.6 to 5.9). CONCLUSIONS: Higher CD4 cell count at treatment initiation with pegylated interferon plus ribavirin did not improve treatment success probability, regardless of HCV genotype.

[Unexpected focal bowel 18-FDG uptake sites: should they be systematically investigated?]. / Hyperfixations intestinales focales de découverte fortuite sur la TEP au 18-FDG : faut-il proposer une exploration de façon systématique ?

The purpose of the present study was to retrospectively evaluate the nature and significance of unexpected focal 18-FDG uptake localized by PET/CT within the intestinal tract. Methods. The data of 4,033 PET/CT were retrospectively reviewed. One hundred and eighty PET/CT showed unexpected focal uptakes (patients with known intestinal neoplasia were excluded). Among them, 42 patients corresponding to 47 focal uptake sites were investigated by endoscopy or surgery. Results. Height endoscopy results were negative (17%). We found 25 adenomatous polyps (53.2%), 10 neoplasms (21.3%) and 4 inflammatory lesions (8.5%). 18-FDG uptake values were not statistically different between the 4 groups. Conclusion. Eighty-three percent of unexpected intestinal foci of hypermetabolism are either inflammatory, malignant or premalignant lesions. These results justify systematic investigation of these lesions.