Involvement of alcohol in injury cases in rural Sri Lanka: prevalence and associated factors among in-patients in three primary care hospitals.

BACKGROUND: Injuries account for a major proportion of global morbidity and mortality related to alcohol use. Information on the prevalence of alcohol-related injury in rural Sri Lanka is limited. The aims of this study were to determine the burden of alcohol-related injury in a hospital-based sample in rural Sri Lanka and explore factors associated with an increased risk of alcohol-related injury. METHODS: Involvement of alcohol in injury amongst in-patients was assessed in three hospitals in the North Central Province of Sri Lanka over 6 months. Adult (≥ 18 years) patients were eligible. Patients were assessed for: injury characteristics, current alcohol use (in the past year) using the Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test (AUDIT), and acute intoxication. Patients with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) reading equivalent of 10 mg/dL (2.17 mmol/L) were considered as having an alcohol-related injury. Binary logistic regression was used to explore association between alcohol-related injury and demographic and injury characteristics. RESULTS: A total of 883 injured patients were eligible and consented to the study. No alcohol use was reported by 487 (55.2%) of patients (35.6% of men, 95.2% of women). Prevalence of alcohol-related injuries was 14.8% overall and 32.8% among current alcohol users. Almost all patients with an alcohol-related injury were male (122/123; 99.2%); 24 (18.8%) of these patients scored positive for possible alcohol dependence. Patients with an alcohol-related injury had significantly higher AUDIT scores (median = 15 vs 6, p < 0.001), were significantly more likely to be aged 26-40 (OR 2.29, 95% CI:1.11, 4.72) or 41-55 years (OR 2.76, 95% CI: 1.29, 5.90) (compared to 18-25 years), to have a transport-related injury (OR 5.14, 95% CI: 2.30, 11.49) (compared to animal/plant sting/bite), and have intentional injuries (OR 3.47, 95% CI: 1.01, 11.87). CONCLUSIONS: One in three injuries among people who drank alcohol in this sample were alcohol-related. In addition, problematic alcohol use was higher among those with alcohol-related injury. Further work is needed to explore whether this prevalence of alcohol-related injury is reflected in other rural settings in Sri Lanka.

The burden of COVID-19 infection in a rural Tamil Nadu community.

BACKGROUND: There have been over 30 million cases of COVID-19 in India and over 430,000 deaths. Transmission rates vary from region to region, and are influenced by many factors including population susceptibility, travel and uptake of preventive measures. To date there have been relatively few studies examining the impact of the pandemic in lower income, rural regions of India. We report on a study examining COVID-19 burden in a rural community in Tamil Nadu. METHODS: The study was undertaken in a population of approximately 130,000 people, served by the Rural Unit of Health and Social Affairs (RUHSA), a community health center of CMC, Vellore. We established and evaluated a COVID-19 PCR-testing programme for symptomatic patients-testing was offered to 350 individuals, and household members of test-positive cases were offered antibody testing. We also undertook two COVID-19 seroprevalence surveys in the same community, amongst 701 randomly-selected individuals. RESULTS: There were 182 positive tests in the symptomatic population (52.0%). Factors associated with test-positivity were older age, male gender, higher socioeconomic status (SES, as determined by occupation, education and housing), a history of diabetes, contact with a confirmed/suspected case and attending a gathering (such as a religious ceremony, festival or extended family gathering). Amongst test-positive cases, 3 (1.6%) died and 16 (8.8%) suffered a severe illness. Amongst 129 household contacts 40 (31.0%) tested positive. The two seroprevalence surveys showed positivity rates of 2.2% (July/Aug 2020) and 22.0% (Nov 2020). 40 tested positive (31.0%, 95% CI: 23.02 - 38.98). Our estimated infection-to-case ratio was 31.7. CONCLUSIONS: A simple approach using community health workers and a community-based testing clinic can readily identify significant numbers of COVID-19 infections in Indian rural population. There appear, however, to be low rates of death and severe illness, although vulnerable groups may be under-represented in our sample. It's vital these lower income, rural populations aren't overlooked in ongoing pandemic monitoring and vaccine roll-out in India.

Mesh inlay, mesh kit or native tissue repair for women having repeat anterior or posterior prolapse surgery: randomised controlled trial (PROSPECT).

OBJECTIVE: To compare standard (native tissue) repair with synthetic mesh inlays or mesh kits. DESIGN: Randomised controlled trial. SETTING: Thirty-three UK hospitals. POPULATION: Women having surgery for recurrent prolapse. METHODS: Women recruited using remote randomisation. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Prolapse symptoms, condition-specific quality-of-life and serious adverse effects. RESULTS: A Mean Pelvic Organ Prolapse Symptom Score at 1 year was similar for each comparison (standard 6.6 versus mesh inlay 6.1, mean difference [MD] -0.41, 95% CI -2.92 to 2.11: standard 6.6 versus mesh kit 5.9, MD -1.21 , 95% CI -4.13 to 1.72) but the confidence intervals did not exclude a minimally important clinical difference. There was no evidence of difference in any other outcome measure at 1 or 2 years. Serious adverse events, excluding mesh exposure, were similar at 1 year (standard 7/55 [13%] versus mesh inlay 5/52 [10%], risk ratio [RR] 1.05 [0.66-1.68]: standard 3/25 [12%] versus mesh kit 3/46 [7%], RR 0.49 [0.11-2.16]). Cumulative mesh exposure rates over 2 years were 7/52 (13%) in the mesh inlay arm, of whom four women required surgical revision; and 4/46 in the mesh kit arm (9%), of whom two required surgical revision. CONCLUSIONS: We did not find evidence of a difference in terms of prolapse symptoms from the use of mesh inlays or mesh kits in women undergoing repeat prolapse surgery. Although the sample size was too small to be conclusive, the results provide a substantive contribution to future meta-analysis. TWEETABLE ABSTRACT: There is not enough evidence to support use of synthetic mesh inlay or mesh kits for repeat prolapse surgery.

Randomized open-label phase II study comparing oxycodone-naloxone with oxycodone in early return of gastrointestinal function after laparoscopic colorectal surgery.

BACKGROUND: Combined oral modified-release oxycodone-naloxone may reduce opioid-induced postoperative gut dysfunction. This study examined the feasibility of a randomized trial of oxycodone-naloxone within the context of enhanced recovery for laparoscopic colorectal resection. METHODS: In a single-centre open-label phase II feasibility study, patients received analgesia based on either oxycodone-naloxone or oxycodone. Primary endpoints were recruitment, retention and protocol compliance. Secondary endpoints included a composite endpoint of gut function (tolerance of solid food, low nausea/vomiting score, passage of flatus or faeces). RESULTS: Eighty-two patients were screened and 62 randomized (76 per cent); the attrition rate was 19 per cent (12 of 62), leaving 50 patients who received the allocated intervention with 100 per cent follow-up and retention (modified intention-to-treat cohort). Protocol compliance was more than 90 per cent. Return of gut function by day 3 was similar in the two groups: 13 (48 per cent) of 27 in the oxycodone-naloxone group and 15 (65 per cent) of 23 in the control group (95 per cent c.i. for difference -10·0 to 40·7 per cent; P = 0·264). However, patients in the oxycodone-naloxone group had a shorter time to first bowel movement (mean(s.d.) 87(38) h versus 111(37) h in the control group; 95 per cent c.i. for difference 2·3 to 45·4 h, P = 0·031) and reduced total (oral plus parenteral) opioid consumption (mean(s.d.) 78(36) versus 94(56) mg respectively; 95 per cent c.i. for difference -10·2 to 42·8 mg, P = 0·222). CONCLUSION: High participation, retention and protocol compliance confirmed feasibility. Potential benefits of oxycodone-naloxone in reducing time to bowel movement and total opioid consumption could be tested in a randomized trial. Registration number: NCT02109640 (https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/).

Ciclosporin compared with prednisolone therapy for patients with pyoderma gangrenosum: cost-effectiveness analysis of the STOP GAP trial.

BACKGROUND: Pyoderma gangrenosum (PG) is a painful, ulcerating skin disease with poor evidence for management. Prednisolone and ciclosporin are the most commonly used treatments, although not previously compared within a randomized controlled trial (RCT). OBJECTIVES: To compare the cost-effectiveness of ciclosporin and prednisolone-initiated treatment for patients with PG. METHODS: Quality of life (QoL, EuroQoL five dimensions three level questionnaire, EQ-5D-3L) and resource data were collected as part of the STOP GAP trial: a multicentre, parallel-group, observer-blind RCT. Within-trial analysis used bivariate regression of costs and quality-adjusted life years (QALYs), with multiple imputation of missing data, informing a probabilistic assessment of incremental treatment cost-effectiveness from a health service perspective. RESULTS: In the base case analysis, when compared with prednisolone, ciclosporin was cost-effective due to a reduction in costs [net cost: -£1160; 95% confidence interval (CI) -2991 to 672] and improvement in QoL (net QALYs: 0·055; 95% CI 0·018-0·093). However, this finding appears driven by a minority of patients with large lesions (≥ 20 cm2 ) (net cost: -£5310; 95% CI -9729 to -891; net QALYs: 0·077; 95% CI 0·004-0·151). The incremental cost-effectiveness of ciclosporin for the majority of patients with smaller lesions was £23 374/QALY, although the estimate is imprecise: the probability of being cost-effective at a willingness-to-pay of £20 000/QALY was 43%. CONCLUSIONS: Consistent with the clinical findings of the STOP GAP trial, patients with small lesions should receive treatment guided by the side-effect profiles of the drugs and patient preference - neither strategy is clearly a preferred use of National Health Service resources. However, ciclosporin-initiated treatment may be more cost-effective for patients with large lesions.

Graduated Compression Stockings as an Adjunct to Low Dose Low Molecular Weight Heparin in Venous Thromboembolism Prevention in Surgery: A Multicentre Randomised Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: The evidence base upon which current global venous thromboembolism (VTE) prevention recommendations have been made is not optimal. The cost of purchasing and applying graduated compression stockings (GCS) in surgical patients is considerable and has been estimated at £63.1 million per year in England alone. OBJECTIVE: The aim was to determine whether low dose low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) alone is non-inferior to a combination of GCS and low dose LMWH for the prevention of VTE. METHODS: The randomised controlled Graduated compression as an Adjunct to Pharmacoprophylaxis in Surgery (GAPS) Trial (ISRCTN 13911492) will randomise adult elective surgical patients identified as being at moderate and high risk of VTE to receive either the current "standard" combined thromboprophylactic LMWH with GCS mechanical thromboprophylaxis, or thromboprophylactic LMWH pharmacoprophylaxis alone. To show non-inferiority (3.5% non-inferiority margin) for the primary endpoint of all VTE within 90 days, 2236 patients are required. Recruitment will be from seven UK centres. Secondary outcomes include quality of life, compliance with stockings and LMWH, overall mortality, and GCS or LMWH related complications (including bleeding). Recruitment commenced in April 2016 with the seven UK centres coming "on-line" in a staggered fashion. Recruitment will be over a total of 18 months. The GAPS trial is funded by the National Institute for Health Research Health Technology Assessment in the UK (14/140/61).

Cardiac surgery and heparin induced thrombocytopaenia (HIT): a case report and short review.

This patient presented for emergency cardiac surgery following two episodes of thrombocytopaenia, one before and one associated with exposure to unfractionated heparin in a seven-week period of intensive care management. Although the diagnosis of heparin induced thrombocytopaenia (HIT) was uncertain on clinical grounds when assessed by current criteria, the positive antibody status directed management in accordance with the internationally recognised guidelines published by the American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP) Evidence-based Clinical Practice Guidelines. An alternative anticoagulant to unfractionated heparin was indicated for cardiopulmonary bypass. Bivalirudin was selected because of recent literature supporting its safe use.

Long-term follow-up of patients with a painless inguinal hernia from a randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Up to one-third of patients with an inguinal hernia have no symptoms from the hernia. The aim of this study was to determine the long-term outcome of patients with a painless inguinal hernia randomized to observation or operation. METHODS: Some 160 men aged 55 years or more with a painless inguinal hernia were randomized to observation or operation between 2001 and 2003. All were invited to attend a research clinic at 6 and 12 months, and 5 years after randomization. Those unable to attend for clinical review were sent a questionnaire based on the clinical review pro forma. RESULTS: After a median follow-up of 7.5 (range 6.2-8.2) years, 42 men had died (19 in the observation and 23 in the operation group); 46 of the 80 men randomized to observation had conversion to operation. The estimated conversion rate (using the Kaplan-Meier method) for the observation group was 16 (95 per cent confidence interval 9 to 26) per cent at 1 year, 54 (42 to 66) per cent 5 years and 72 (59 to 84) per cent at 7.5 years. The main reason for conversion was pain in 33 men, and two presented with an acute hernia. Sixteen men developed a new primary contralateral inguinal hernia and three had recurrent hernias. There have been 90 inguinal hernia repairs in the 80 patients randomized to surgery compared with 56 in those randomized to observation. CONCLUSION: Most patients with a painless inguinal hernia develop symptoms over time. Surgical repair is recommended for medically fit patients with a painless inguinal hernia.

Female Urgency, Trial of Urodynamics as Routine Evaluation (FUTURE study): a superiority randomised clinical trial to evaluate the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of invasive urodynamic investigations in management of women with refractory overactive bladder symptoms.

BACKGROUND: Overactive bladder (OAB) syndrome is a symptom complex affecting 12-14% of the UK adult female population. Symptoms include urinary urgency, with or without urgency incontinence, increased daytime urinary frequency and nocturia. OAB has a negative impact on women's social, physical, and psychological wellbeing. Initial treatment includes lifestyle modifications, bladder retraining, pelvic floor exercises and pharmacological therapy. However, these measures are unsuccessful in 25-40% of women (refractory OAB). Before considering invasive treatments, such as Botulinum toxin injection or sacral neuromodulation, most guidelines recommend urodynamics to confirm diagnosis of detrusor overactivity (DO). However, urodynamics may fail to show evidence of DO in up to 45% of cases, hence the need to evaluate its effectiveness and cost-effectiveness. FUTURE (Female Urgency, Trial of Urodynamics as Routine Evaluation) aims to test the hypothesis that, in women with refractory OAB, urodynamics and comprehensive clinical assessment is associated with superior patient-reported outcomes following treatment and is more cost-effective, compared to comprehensive clinical assessment only. METHODS: FUTURE is a pragmatic, multi-centre, superiority randomised controlled trial. Women aged ≥ 18 years with refractory OAB or urgency predominant mixed urinary incontinence, and who have failed/not tolerated conservative and medical treatment, are considered for trial entry. We aim to recruit 1096 women from approximately 60 secondary/tertiary care hospitals across the UK. All consenting women will complete questionnaires at baseline, 3 months, 6 months and 15 months post-randomisation. The primary outcome is participant-reported success at 15 months post-randomisation measured using the Patient Global Impression of Improvement. The primary economic outcome is incremental cost per quality-adjusted life year gained at 15 months. The secondary outcomes include adverse events, impact on other urinary symptoms and health-related quality of life. Qualitative interviews with participants and clinicians and a health economic evaluation will also be conducted. The statistical analysis of the primary outcome will be by intention-to-treat. Results will be presented as estimates and 95% CIs. DISCUSSION: The FUTURE study will inform patients, clinicians and policy makers whether routine urodynamics improves treatment outcomes in women with refractory OAB and whether it is cost-effective. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ISRCTN63268739 . Registered on 14 September 2017.

The cost-effectiveness of outpatient (at home) cervical ripening with isosorbide mononitrate prior to induction of labour.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the cost-effectiveness of outpatient (at home) cervical ripening with isosorbide mononitrate (IMN) prior to induction of labour. DESIGN: Economic evaluation was conducted alongside a randomised placebo controlled trial (the IMOP trial). SETTING: Large UK maternity hospital. POPULATION: A total of 350 nulliparous women with a singleton pregnancy, cephalic presentation > or = 37 weeks gestation, requiring cervical ripening prior to induction of labour. INTERVENTIONS: Isosorbide mononitrate (n = 177) or placebo (n = 173) self-administered vaginally at home at 48, 32 and 16 hours prior to the scheduled time of admission for induction. RESULTS: Mean health service costs between the period of randomisation and discharge for mother and infant were 1254.86 pound sterling in the IMN group and 1242.88 pound sterling in the placebo group, generating a mean cost difference of 11.98 pound sterling (bootstrap mean cost difference 12.86 pound sterling; 95%CI: -106.79 pound sterling, 129.39 pound sterling) that was not statistically significant (P = 0.842). The incremental cost per hour prevented from hospital admission to delivery was 7.53 pound sterling. At the notional willingness to pay threshold of 100 pound sterling per hour prevented from hospital admission to delivery, the probability that IMN is cost-effective was estimated at 0.67. This translated into a mean net monetary benefit of 98.13 pound sterling for each woman given IMN. CONCLUSIONS: Although the probability that IMN is cost-effective approaches 0.7 at seemingly low willingness to pay thresholds for an hour prevented from hospital admission to delivery, our results should be viewed in the light of the clinical findings from the IMOP trial.

Randomised placebo-controlled trial of outpatient (at home) cervical ripening with isosorbide mononitrate (IMN) prior to induction of labour--clinical trial with analyses of efficacy and acceptability. The IMOP study.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether isosorbide mononitrate (IMN), self-administered vaginally by women at home, improves the process of induction of labour. DESIGN: Randomised double blind placebo-controlled trial. SETTING: Large UK maternity hospital. POPULATION OR SAMPLE: Nulliparous women with a singleton pregnancy, cephalic presentation > or = 37 weeks gestation, requiring cervical ripening prior to induction of labour. METHODS: IMN (n = 177) or placebo (n = 173) self-administered vaginally at home at 48, 32 and 16 hours prior to the scheduled time of admission for induction. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Admission to delivery interval and women's experience of induction of labour. RESULTS: IMN did not shorten the admission to delivery interval as compared with placebo [mean difference of -1.6 hours (95% CI -5.1,1.9, P = 0.37)], despite being more effective than placebo in inducing a change in Bishop score [mean difference of 0.65 (95% CI 0.14,1.17, P = 0.013)]. While both groups found the overall experience of home treatment to be positive, (mean score of 3.8/10 +/- 2.3/10 for the IMN group, where 1 = extremely good and 10 = not at all good) women in the placebo group found it marginally more positive than those in the IMN group (just over half a unit on a 10-point scale, P = 0.043). There were no differences between the groups in the pain or anxiety experienced or willingness to take the treatment in a subsequent pregnancy. CONCLUSIONS: IMN self-administered vaginally at home does not shorten admission to delivery interval despite a significant effect on cervical ripeness assessed using the Bishop score. However, women report positive views on cervical ripening at home, and the setting deserves further investigation.

Evaluation of a mobile phone-based, advanced symptom management system (ASyMS) in the management of chemotherapy-related toxicity.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the impact of a mobile phone-based, remote monitoring, advanced symptom management system (ASyMS) on the incidence, severity and distress of six chemotherapy-related symptoms (nausea, vomiting, fatigue, mucositis, hand-foot syndrome and diarrhoea) in patients with lung, breast or colorectal cancer. DESIGN: A two group (intervention and control) by five time points (baseline, pre-cycle 2, pre-cycle 3, pre-cycle 4 and pre-cycle 5) randomised controlled trial. SETTING: Seven clinical sites in the UK; five specialist cancer centres and two local district hospitals. PARTICIPANTS: One hundred and twelve people with breast, lung or colorectal cancer receiving outpatient chemotherapy. INTERVENTIONS: A mobile phone-based, remote monitoring, advanced symptom management system (ASyMS). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Chemotherapy-related morbidity of six common chemotherapy-related symptoms (nausea, vomiting, fatigue, mucositis, hand-foot syndrome and diarrhoea). RESULTS: There were significantly higher reports of fatigue in the control group compared to the intervention group (odds ratio = 2.29, 95%CI = 1.04 to 5.05, P = 0.040) and reports of hand-foot syndrome were on average lower in the control group (odds ratio control/intervention = 0.39, 95%CI = 0.17 to 0.92, P = 0.031). CONCLUSION: The study demonstrates that ASyMS can support the management of symptoms in patients with lung, breast and colorectal cancer receiving chemotherapy.

Reducing Asthma Attacks in Children using Exhaled Nitric Oxide as a biomarker to inform treatment strategy: a randomised trial (RAACENO).

BACKGROUND: Childhood asthma is a common condition. Currently there is no validated objective test which can be used to guide asthma treatment in children. This study tests the hypothesis that the addition of fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FENO) monitoring in addition to standard care reduces the number of exacerbations (or attacks) in children with asthma. METHODS: This is a multi-centre, randomised controlled study. Children will be included of age 6-16 years who have a diagnosis of asthma, currently use inhaled corticosteroids (ICSs) and have had an exacerbation in the previous 12 months. Exclusion criteria include being unable to provide FENO measurement at baseline assessment, having another chronic respiratory condition and being currently treated with maintenance oral steroids. Participants will be recruited in both primary and secondary care settings and will be randomised to either receive asthma treatment guided by FENO plus symptoms (FENO group) or asthma treatment guided by symptoms only (standard care group). Within the FENO group, different treatment decisions will be made dependent on changes in FENO. Participants will attend assessments 3, 6, 9 and 12 months post randomisation. The primary outcome is asthma exacerbation requiring prescription and/or use of an oral corticosteroid over 12 months as recorded by the participant/parent or in general practitioner records. Secondary outcomes include time to first attack, number of attacks, asthma control score and quality of life. Adherence to ICS treatment is objectively measured by an electronic logging device. Participants are invited to participate in a "phenotyping" assessment where skin prick reactivity and bronchodilator response are determined and a saliva sample is collected for DNA extraction. Qualitative interviews will be held with participants and research nurses. A health economic evaluation will take place. DISCUSSION: This study will evaluate whether FENO can provide an objective index to guide and stratify asthma treatment in children. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ISRCTN, ISRCTN67875351. Registered on 12 April 2017. Prospectively registered.

ELECtric Tibial nerve stimulation to Reduce Incontinence in Care homes: protocol for the ELECTRIC randomised trial.

BACKGROUND: Urinary incontinence (UI) is highly prevalent in nursing and residential care homes (CHs) and profoundly impacts on residents' dignity and quality of life. CHs predominantly use absorbent pads to contain UI rather than actively treat the condition. Transcutaneous posterior tibial nerve stimulation (TPTNS) is a non-invasive, safe and low-cost intervention with demonstrated effectiveness for reducing UI in adults. However, the effectiveness of TPTNS to treat UI in older adults living in CHs is not known. The ELECTRIC trial aims to establish if a programme of TPTNS is a clinically effective treatment for UI in CH residents and investigate the associated costs and consequences. METHODS: This is a pragmatic, multicentre, placebo-controlled, randomised parallel-group trial comparing the effectiveness of TPTNS (target n = 250) with sham stimulation (target n = 250) in reducing volume of UI in CH residents. CH residents (men and women) with self- or staff-reported UI of more than once per week are eligible to take part, including those with cognitive impairment. Outcomes will be measured at 6, 12 and 18 weeks post randomisation using the following measures: 24-h Pad Weight Tests, post void residual urine (bladder scans), Patient Perception of Bladder Condition, Minnesota Toileting Skills Questionnaire and Dementia Quality of Life. Economic evaluation based on a bespoke Resource Use Questionnaire will assess the costs of providing a programme of TPTNS. A concurrent process evaluation will investigate fidelity to the intervention and influencing factors, and qualitative interviews will explore the experiences of TPTNS from the perspective of CH residents, family members, CH staff and managers. DISCUSSION: TPTNS is a non-invasive intervention that has demonstrated effectiveness in reducing UI in adults. The ELECTRIC trial will involve CH staff delivering TPTNS to residents and establish whether TPTNS is more effective than sham stimulation for reducing the volume of UI in CH residents. Should TPTNS be shown to be an effective and acceptable treatment for UI in older adults in CHs, it will provide a safe, low-cost and dignified alternative to the current standard approach of containment and medication. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03248362. Registered on 14 August 2017. ISRCTN, ISRCTN98415244. Registered on 25 April 2018. https://www.isrctn.com/.

Genetic variation in the interleukin-10 gene promoter and risk of coronary and cerebrovascular events: the PROSPER study.

Proinflammatory cytokines, like interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), are implicated in the development of atherosclerosis. The role of anti-inflammatory cytokines, like IL-10, is largely unknown. We investigated the association of four single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the promoter region of the IL-10 gene (4259AG, -1082GA, -592CA, and -2849GA), with coronary and cerebrovascular disease in participants of the PROspective Study of Pravastatin in the Elderly at Risk (PROSPER) trial. All associations were assessed with Cox proportional hazards models adjusted for sex, age, pravastatin use, and country. Haplotype analysis of the four SNPs showed a significant association between haplotype 4 (containing the -592A variant allele) and risk of coronary events (P = 0.019). Moreover, analysis of separate SNPs found a significant association between -2849AA carriers with incident stroke (HR (95%CI) 1.50 (1.04-2.17), P value = 0.02). Our study suggests that not only proinflammatory processes contribute to atherosclerosis, but that also anti-inflammatory cytokines may play an important role.

Review of new regulations for the conduct of clinical trials of investigational medicinal products.

The EU Clinical Trials Directive came into force on 1 May 2004 and has changed the face of Clinical Trials of investigational medicinal products in the UK. An enthusiastic registrar or consultant who comes up with an idea for a therapeutic intervention now needs to comply with a complex and demanding set of legal, ethical and regulatory requirements, contravention of which may lead to criminal proceedings. The aim of this review was to detail the relevant procedures and regulations and to provide a 'user-friendly' guide to obstetricians and gynaecologists wishing to conduct a clinical trial of an investigational medicinal product. Sources of further information are listed.

The value of the electrocardiogram in risk assessment in primary prevention: experience from the West of Scotland Coronary Prevention Study.

Electrocardiograms (ECGs) were recorded at baseline, annually thereafter, and at run-out in the West of Scotland Coronary Prevention Study to which 6595 men aged from 45 to 65 years on entry were recruited. The baseline ECGs were analyzed with respect to (a) the primary end point of the study, namely, fatal or nonfatal myocardial infarction (MI) and (b) all-cause mortality. In addition, incident MIs were reviewed to determine those detected by ECG only. Heart rate, indexed left ventricular mass, frontal T axis, and T amplitude in lead I were all significantly predictive with respect to the primary end point in a multivariate analysis. With respect to all-cause mortality, minor ST-T changes, 10-second heart rate variability, and frontal T axis were similarly predictive. Of 355 incident MIs, 47.3% were silent or unrecognized and detected by ECG only. A simple ECG-based risk prediction equation for fatal and nonfatal MI is introduced.

Pravastatin and the development of diabetes mellitus: evidence for a protective treatment effect in the West of Scotland Coronary Prevention Study.

BACKGROUND: We examined the development of new diabetes mellitus in men aged 45 to 64 years during the West of Scotland Coronary Prevention Study. METHODS AND RESULTS: Our definition of diabetes mellitus was based on the American Diabetic Association threshold of a blood glucose level of >/=7.0 mmol/L. Subjects who self-reported diabetes at baseline or had a baseline glucose level of >/=7.0 mmol/L were excluded from the analyses. A total of 5974 of the 6595 randomized subjects were included in the analysis, and 139 subjects became diabetic during the study. The baseline predictors of the transition from normal glucose control to diabetes were studied. In the univariate model, body mass index, log triglyceride, log white blood cell count, systolic blood pressure, total and HDL cholesterol, glucose, and randomized treatment assignment to pravastatin were significant predictors. In a multivariate model, body mass index, log triglyceride, glucose, and pravastatin therapy were retained as predictors of diabetes in this cohort. CONCLUSIONS: We concluded that the assignment to pravastatin therapy resulted in a 30% reduction (P:=0.042) in the hazard of becoming diabetic. By lowering plasma triglyceride levels, pravastatin therapy may favorably influence the development of diabetes, but other explanations, such as the anti-inflammatory properties of this drug in combination with its endothelial effects, cannot be excluded with these analyses.

Attenuation of endothelin-1 induced vasoconstriction by 17beta estradiol is not sustained during long-term therapy in postmenopausal women with coronary heart disease.

OBJECTIVES: The goal of this study was to determine the long-term effects of estrogen replacement therapy on the response to endothelin-1 (ET-1) in postmenopausal women with coronary heart disease. BACKGROUND: It is thought that the vasoconstrictor ET-1 is involved in the development and progression of atherosclerosis. Estrogen replacement may slow the development of atherosclerosis in postmenopausal women. METHODS: Nineteen of 20 postmenopausal women randomized to either three months of 2 mg oral estradiol or placebo completed the double-blind placebo-controlled protocol. Change in forearm blood flow (FBF) in response to a 60 min brachial arterial infusion of ET-1 (5 pmol/min) was measured before randomization, after one month of randomized therapy and after three months of therapy using venous occlusion plethysmography. RESULTS: Estrogen treatment had no effect on baseline FBF. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure and heart rate did not change in response to estrogen therapy or ET-1. Before randomization, in response to ET-1, FBF was reduced by -21.9% (mean response over 60 min) in the placebo group and -19.0% in the estradiol group (p = 0.67). After one month of therapy, the response was attenuated in the estrogen group, -10.0%, compared with the placebo group, -23.6 (difference in means 13.6%, 95% confidence interval [0.7%, 26.6%], p = 0.041). After three months of therapy, there was no difference in response between the placebo group, -27.0%, and estrogen group, -30.2% (p = 0.65). CONCLUSIONS: In postmenopausal women with coronary heart disease, estrogen therapy inhibits the vasoconstrictor response to ET-1 after one month of therapy. This effect is lost after three months of therapy, suggesting that tachyphylaxis to one potentially beneficial action of estradiol develops during chronic treatment.