Mirtazapine versus Megestrol in the Treatment of Anorexia-Cachexia Syndrome in Patients with Advanced Cancer: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Controlled Phase II Clinical Trial.

This study compared mirtazapine with megestrol in the management of cancer-related anorexia-cachexia syndrome in patients with advanced cancer. A randomized, double-blind, controlled clinical trial involving patients with advanced cancer and anorexia-cachexia syndrome was performed. Participants received mirtazapine 30 mg/day or megestrol 320 mg/day for eight weeks. The primary endpoint was the effect of mirtazapine on weight gain and the secondary endpoints were its effect on appetite, muscle strength, physical performance, body composition, adverse events, and medication adherence. Linear regression model with mixed effects was applied and a significance level of 5% was adopted. Fifty-two patients were randomized. Mean age was 65.8 ± 8.4 years. There was weight gain in 52% of the participants in the megestrol group and in 38% in the mirtazapine group after four weeks (p = 0.040). Appetite improved in 92% of the participants in the megestrol group and in 56% in the mirtazapine group after eight weeks (p = 0.007). In the sub-analysis by sex, women showed improvement in appetite (p < 0.001) and weight gain (p < 0.005) in the mirtazapine group, which was not observed in men. Mirtazapine appears to be inferior to megestrol in weight and appetite improvement. However, there may be a difference in the therapeutic response between sexes.

Assessment of intrinsic capacity in the Brazilian older population and the psychometric properties of the WHO/ ICOPE screening tool: a multicenter cohort study protocol / Avaliação da capacidade intrínseca da população idosa brasileira e das propriedades psicométricas do instrumento de triagem do ICOPE/OMS: protocolo de estudo de coorte multicêntrico

Introduction: The World Health Organization (WHO) has proposed to monitor intrinsic capacity (IC) in the older population as a public health strategy through the Integrated Care for Older People (ICOPE) program. Although the program has been developed based on solid concepts, scientific evidence on its practical applicability is still scarce. Objectives: To evaluate IC in Brazilian older adults, its progress over time, and its association with sociodemographic and health factors and outcomes. To evaluate the psychometric properties of the WHO/ICOPE screening tool. Methods: This is a prospective multicenter cohort study with a 36-month follow-up. We will recruit 3838 people aged ≥60 years, registered in the health care units included in the study by the participating centers. We will collect sociodemographic and health data and will administer tools to assess IC domains, both those provided for in the ICOPE screening tool and the sequence of confirmatory assessments provided for in the program. Participants will be reassessed every 6 months for 36 months. Expected results: To establish the profile of IC in the study population and to understand its progress and the variables associated with the clinical outcomes of interest. To reveal the diagnostic and psychometric properties of the WHO/ICOPE screening tool. The project is funded by the Brazilian National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq). Relevance: Understanding the potential use of the ICOPE public health strategy proposed by the WHO within the scope of the Brazilian Unified Health System (SUS) by integrating several research centers in the field of Geriatrics and Gerontology throughout Brazil. (AU)

Introdução: A Organização Mundial da Saúde (OMS) propõe o monitoramento da capacidade intrínseca (CI) da população idosa como estratégia de saúde pública por meio do Programa ICOPE (Integrated Care for Older People). Embora construído com base em conceitos sólidos, a evidência científica sobre a aplicabilidade prática da proposta ainda é escassa. Objetivo: Avaliar a capacidade intrínseca da população idosa brasileira, sua trajetória e sua associação com variáveis sociodemográficas, de saúde e desfechos. Avaliar as propriedades psicométricas da ferramenta de triagem da estratégia ICOPE da OMS. Metodologia: Coorte multicêntrica prospectiva com seguimento de 36 meses. Serão recrutadas 3.838 pessoas com 60 anos ou mais, cadastradas nas unidades de saúde incluídas no estudo pelos centros participantes. Serão coletados dados sociodemográficos e de saúde e aplicados instrumentos para avaliação dos domínios da CI, tanto aqueles previstos no instrumento de triagem do ICOPE quanto a sequência de avaliações confirmatórias previstas no programa. Os participantes serão acompanhados semestralmente ao longo de 36 meses. Resultados esperados: Estabelecer o perfil da CI na população estudada, entender a sua trajetória e as variáveis associadas aos desfechos clínicos avaliados. Revelar as propriedades diagnósticas e o perfil psicométrico da ferramenta de triagem do ICOPE da OMS. O projeto tem financiamento do Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq). Relevância: Compreensão sobre o potencial de utilização da estratégia ICOPE de saúde pública proposta pela OMS no âmbito do Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS) pela integração de diversos centros de pesquisa científica na área de Geriatria e Gerontologia de todo o Brasil. (AU)

Advances in the treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis in the new world in the last ten years: a systematic literature review.

INTRODUCTION: The therapeutic arsenal against cutaneous leishmaniasis is very limited. Pentavalent antimonial compounds have been the drugs of choice for treatment of this disease for over 50 years. Despite their effectiveness, these drugs require daily injections, have many side effects and present prolonged healing time. OBJECTIVE: To carry out a systematic literature review on the advances in the treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis in the new world in the last ten years. METHODS: We conducted an electronic search on the Pubmed and LILACS database as well as on the SciELO electronic library in June 2009. The search words in English were: "cutaneous", "leishmaniasis" and "treatment". We included only randomized, double-blind and placebo controlled trials. We used the Jadad scale to assess the quality of the selected studies. RESULTS: According to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, only eight articles were selected. The drugs evaluated in the selected studies were glucantime®, miltefosine, immunotherapy, imiquimod, rhGM-CSF and pentoxifylline, and paromomycin. CONCLUSION: Although cutaneous leishmaniasis is a major public health issue, the published data on the use of new drugs for the treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Brazil are still quite limited.

Efficacy of topical combination of benzoyl peroxide 5% and clindamycin 1% for the treatment of progressive macular hypomelanosis: a randomized, doubleblind, placebo-controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Progressive macular hypomelanosis is a dermatosis without definite etiology. There is no consensus or first-line therapy in the treatment of progressive macular hypomelanosis, and the treatment options used are very little effective. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of the topical combination of benzoyl peroxide 5% and clindamycin 1% associated with sun exposure for the treatment of progressive macular hypomelanosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study in which patients were divided into two groups. Group A used the topical combination of benzoyl peroxide 5% and clindamycin 1% and Group B used gel cream as a placebo. Patients were advised to expose themselves to the sun on a daily basis and were systematically evaluated and photographed. The collected data were entered and analyzed using Epi Info. A p value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Out of the 23 patients included in the study, 13 were in group A and 10 in group B. Eleven patients (85%) in group A had significant clinical improvement and only two patients (20%) in group B showed an equivalent clinical improvement (p = 0.003). Side effects were more frequent in group A (p = 0.003). CONCLUSION: The topical combination of benzoyl peroxide 5% and clindamycin 1% is effective in the treatment of progressive macular hypomelanosis.

Avanços no tratamento da leishmaniose tegumentar do novo mundo nos últimos dez anos: uma revisão sistemática da literatura / Advances in the treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis in the new world in the last ten years: a systematic literature review

INTRODUÇÃO: O arsenal terapêutico contra a leishmaniose tegumentar é muito restrito. Os antimoniais pentavalentes permanecem como as drogas de escolha para seu tratamento há mais de 50 anos. Apesar da sua eficácia, necessita de injeções diárias, apresenta muitos efeitos colaterais e tempo de cura prolongado.

INTRODUCTION: The therapeutic arsenal against cutaneous leishmaniasis is very limited. Pentavalent antimonial compounds have been the drugs of choice for treatment of this disease for over 50 years. Despite their effectiveness, these drugs require daily injections, have many side effects and present prolonged healing time.

Eficácia da combinação tópica de peróxido de benzoíla 5 por cento e clindamicina 1 por cento para o tratamento da hipomelanose macular progressiva: um estudo randomizado, duplo-cego, placebo-controlado / Efficacy of topical combination of benzoyl peroxide 5 percent and clindamycin 1 percent for the treatment of progressive macular hypomelanosis: a randomized, doubleblind, placebo-controlled trial

FUNDAMENTOS: A hipomelanose macular progressiva é uma dermatose sem etiologia definida. Não há consenso ou medicação de primeira linha para o seu tratamento e os tratamentos utilizados são pouco eficazes. OBJETIVO: Avaliar a eficácia terapêutica da combinação tópica de peróxido de benzoíla 5 por cento e clindamicina 1 por cento associada à exposição solar para o tratamento da hipomelanose macular progressiva. MATERIAIS E MÉTODOS: Trata-se de um estudo randomizado, duplo-cego, placebo-controlado, no qual os pacientes foram divididos em dois grupos: o Grupo A utilizou a combinação tópica de peróxido de benzoíla 5 por cento e clindamicina 1 por cento e o Grupo B usou um creme gel como placebo. Os pacientes foram orientados à exposição solar diária, avaliados e fotografados sistematicamente. Os dados coletados foram inseridos e analisados pelo software Epi Info. Definiu-se a significância estatística por valor de p<0,05. RESULTADOS: Dos 23 pacientes incluídos, 13 foram do Grupo A e 10, do Grupo B. Onze pacientes do primeiro grupo (85 por cento) obtiveram melhora clínica importante e apenas dois (20 por cento) do segundo grupo obtiveram uma melhora clínica equivalente (p=0,003). Os efeitos colaterais foram mais frequentes nos pacientes do Grupo A (p=0,003). CONCLUSÃO: A combinação tópica de peróxido de benzoíla 5 por cento e clindamicina 1 por cento é eficaz no tratamento da hipomelanose macular progressiva.

BACKGROUND: Progressive macular hypomelanosis is a dermatosis without definite etiology. There is no consensus or first-line therapy in the treatment of progressive macular hypomelanosis, and the treatment options used are very little effective. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of the topical combination of benzoyl peroxide 5 percent and clindamycin 1 percent associated with sun exposure for the treatment of progressive macular hypomelanosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study in which patients were divided into two groups. Group A used the topical combination of benzoyl peroxide 5 percent and clindamycin 1 percent and Group B used gel cream as a placebo. Patients were advised to expose themselves to the sun on a daily basis and were systematically evaluated and photographed. The collected data were entered and analyzed using Epi Info. A p value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Out of the 23 patients included in the study, 13 were in group A and 10 in group B. Eleven patients (85 percent) in group A had significant clinical improvement and only two patients (20 percent) in group B showed an equivalent clinical improvement (p = 0.003). Side effects were more frequent in group A (p = 0.003). CONCLUSION: The topical combination of benzoyl peroxide 5 percent and clindamycin 1 percent is effective in the treatment of progressive macular hypomelanosis.