Tincture of opium for treating opioid dependence: a systematic review of safety and efficacy.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Recently, there has been a growing interest in using opium tincture (OT) for treating opioid dependence in certain regions. We aimed to assess the evidence on its safety and efficacy for this indication. METHODS: We searched several databases (CENTRAL, Medline, EMBASE, Web of Science, PsychINFO, ProQuest Dissertation and Theses Database, Iran Medex, clinicaltrials.gov and who.int/trialsearch) with no language or publication date limitations. Two reviewers selected randomized controlled trials (RCT), cohort/case-control/cross-sectional studies and case-series on safety or efficacy of OT for treating opioid dependence and then extracted reported measures of mentioned outcomes from selected studies. We used the Effective Public Health Practice Project (EPHPP) Quality Assessment tool for appraisal. RESULTS: From nine selected studies; in three RCTs and one cohort analytical analysis on detoxification, 110 patients were treated with 15-140 morphine equivalents/day (mEq/d) of OT; in four prospective and one retrospective uncontrolled case-series on long-term/maintenance treatment, 570 patients were treated with 100-400 mEq/d of OT. Only two studies on detoxification included a comparison: one concluded equal efficacy of OT and methadone in suppressing withdrawal symptoms (P = 0.32) and the other concluded OT to be less efficacious than buprenorphine/naloxone in suppressing withdrawal [OT = 12.20, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 11.00, 13.40]; control: 5.20 (95% CI = 4.69, 5.71) and craving (OT = 303.0, 95% CI = -144.664, 750.664; control: 0.0) but not significantly different (P = 0.26) in retaining participants in treatment. No major adverse events were reported. CONCLUSIONS: Conclusive recommendations about the safety and efficacy of opium tincture for treating opioid dependence are not possible at this time.

Effect of different dosages of nitroglycerin infusion on arterial blood gas tensions in patients undergoing on- pump coronary artery bypass graft surgery.

BACKGROUND: On-pump coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery impairs gas exchange in the early postoperative period. The main object on this study was evaluation of changes in arterial blood gas values in patients underwent on pump CABG surgery receiving different dose of intravenous nitroglycerin (NTG). MATERIALS AND METHODS: sixty-seven consecutive patients undergoing elective on-pump CABG randomly enrolled into three groups receiving NTG 50 µg/min (Group N1, n =67), 100 µg/min (Group N2, n = 67), and 150 µg/min (Group N3, n = 67). Arterial blood gas (ABG) tensions were evaluated just before induction of anesthesia, during anesthesia, at the end of warming up period, and 6 h after admission to the intensive care unit. RESULTS: Pao2 and PH had the highest value during surgery in Group N1, Group N2, and Group N3. No significant difference was noted in mean values of Pao2 and PH during surgery between three groups (P > 0.05). There was no significant difference in HCO3 values in different time intervals among three groups (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: our results showed that infusing three different dosage of NTG (50, 100, and 150 µg/min) had no significant effect on ABG tensions in patients underwent on-pump CABG surgery.

Gender Role in Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Comparison of Irritable Bowel Syndrome Module (ROME III) Between Male and Female Patients.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a widespread chronic health condition which is significantly more prevalent in women. We conducted a gender difference analysis by comparing findings of men and women to determine whether any significant differences exist or not. METHODS: This single-center study was conducted in Tehran, Iran during 2009-2010. IBS was diagnosed on the basis of Rome III criteria. A simple "10 point" objective questionnaire was used. RESULTS: A total number of 144 IBS patients including 44 (30.6%) males and 100 (69.4%) females with the mean age of 37.50 ± 11.50 years, were assessed. The only differently observed symptom was nausea which was significantly more prevalent in females (49% vs 18.2%, P < 0.001). The commonest subtype of IBS in male patients was diarrhea predominant IBS (38.6%); while, constipation predominant IBS was the most frequent type among females (38%). Moreover, the frequency of loose, mushy or watery stools within the last 3 months was significantly higher among males (2.11 ± 1.67 vs 1.37 ± 1.50, P = 0.009). CONCLUSIONS: We report that gender is important in IBS. Although qualitative comparison of different subtypes of IBS between male and female failed to meet the statistically significant level, the answers to the corresponding questions of ROME III IBS module suggest the higher prevalence of bowel movements and looser stool in males. Moreover, nausea was reported more often by females.

Hemodynamic response to tracheal intubation via direct laryngoscopy and intubating laryngeal mask airway (ILMA) in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft (CABG).

BACKGROUND: A marked stress response including hypertension, tachycardia, arrhythmias and an increase in intracranial pressure often follows direct laryngoscopy. This response can be harmful specially in patients with underlying cardiac disease. The intubating laryngeal mask airway (ILMA)--a new modified laryngeal mask airway--has been introduced that facilitates tracheal intubation without using laryngoscopy. Oropharyngeal stimulation-proposed as the probable cause of stress response--have been shown to be attenuated in ILMA. We conducted this study to evaluate the stress response following two techniques in patients undergoing coronary artery surgery which are most likely to benefit from decreased hemodynamic changes during intubation. METHODS: In this trial, eighty patients, forty in ILMA group and forty in DL group were involved. To determine hemodynamic response during these manipulations, blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR) were recorded before and after anesthetic induction (one minute before and one, two and five minutes after successful intubation via either method). RESULTS: A significant increase in heart rate and blood pressure was detected in both groups after intubation. Despite existence of noted changes in both groups; quantity of these changes was similar in both groups, however quality of changes was not completely similar. CONCLUSION: Finally we could hardly ascertain if intubation with ILMA is a prefered method in patients with high cardiac risk or not. But it seems that ILMA does not have much greater benefit over conventional DL in patients undergoing coronary artery by-pass grafting.

Evaluating hemodynamic outcomes of different dosages of intravenous nitroglycerin after coronary artery bypass graft surgery.

BACKGROUND: Hemodynamic deterioration is a common postoperative problem. Intravenous nitroglycerin (NTG) is used for prevention of this complication. Nitroglycerin has different doses and is primarily a vasodilator. Applying different doses of intravenous NTG can induce different effects on post-operative cardiac instability, so we aimed to investigate whether there was a difference need for administration of inotrope drugs in patients undergoing CABG as indicators of cardiac instability. METHODS: Sixty seven consecutive patients enrolled in this double-blind clinical trial performed in Shahid Rajaee hospital, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran. RESULTS: The decrease in blood pressure and the need for administration of epinephrine was more prevalent in warming up period in all three groups. No need for administration of epinephrine was detected before and during anesthesia in groups receiving 100 and 150 µg/min intravenous nitroglycerin, but 6.6 percent (1 patient) of patients receiving 50 µg/min epinephrine, demonstrated a decrease in blood pressure which necessitated the use of epinephrine. CONCLUSIONS: It seemed that application of different doses of intravenous nitroglycerin did not exert a significant influence on cardiac instability and the need for use of inotrope drugs.