Neuroendocrine Parathyroid Tumors: Quality of Life in Patients with Primary Hyperparathyroidism.

Tumors of the parathyroid glands, when associated with PTH (parathyroid hormone) excess, display a large area of complications; in addition to the classical clinical picture of primary hyperparathyroidism (PHP), a complex panel of other symptoms/signs can be identified, including memory and cognitive impairment, chronic asthenia/fatigue, reduced muscle functionality, depressive mood, non-specific bone pain, and loss of sleep quality. The perception of quality of life (QoL) can be supplementarily enhanced by their progressive onset, which makes many patients not be fully aware of them. Their improvement was reported very early after parathyroidectomy (PTx), yet the level of statistical evidence does not qualify these non-classical elements as standalone indications for PTx. Our objective is introducing an up-to-date on QoL scores with regards to the patients diagnosed with PHP, particularly taking into consideration PHP management from baseline to post-operatory outcome, including in cases with multiple endocrine neoplasia. This is a narrative review of literature. We revised full-length papers published in English through PubMed research conducted between January 2018 and May 2023 by using the key words "quality of life" and "primary hyperparathyroidism". We particularly looked at data on self-reported QoL (through questionnaires). We excluded from the search the studies focused on non-PTH related hypercalcemia, secondary, and/or renal/tertiary hyperparathyroidism, and vitamin D supplementation. Overall, we identified 76 papers and selected for the final analysis 16 original studies on QoL and PHP (a total of 1327 subjects diagnosed with syndromic and non-syndromic PHP). The studies with the largest number of individuals were of 92, 104, 110, 134, 159, as well as 191. A few cohorts (n = 5) were of small size (between 20 and 40 patients in each of them). Concerning the study design, except for 2 papers, all the mentioned studies provided longitudinal information, particularly the timeframe from baseline (before PTx) and after surgery. The post-operatory follow-up was of 3-6 months, but mostly between 1 and 3 years (maximum a decade of surveillance). The age of the patients varies between medians of 56, 62, 64, and 68 years. Most frequent questionnaires were SF-36, PHPQoL, and PAS. Despite not being unanimously similar, an overall reduced score of QoL in patients with PHP versus controls was registered, as well as general improvement following PTx. Variations of QoL results might have a multifactorial background from different comorbidities, studied populations, technical aspects of collecting the data, etc. QoL scores in PHP represents a complex heterogeneous picture, from their correlation with clinical features and lab assays (e.g., the level of serum calcium), the associated comorbidities (such as multiple endocrine neoplasia syndromes), up to the assessment of the QoL improvement after parathyroidectomy (PTx). While current studies do not unanimously agree on each QoL domain, the assessment of QoL might represent a supplementary argument to consider when deciding for PTx, especially in asymptomatic cases and in patients who do not fit into well-known categories of surgery candidates, according to current guidelines, thus assessing QoL in PHP is part of a current research gap. QoL evaluation in PHP remains an open issue, towards which awareness should be cultivated by both endocrinologists and surgeons. The introduction of a routine evaluation of the QoL scores in patients, as well as the selection of the most appropriate questionnaire(s), represents an open chapter thus awareness in mandatory.

Ophthalmic herpes zoster with severe complications in an immunocompromised patient: A case report and review of the literature.

The increasing incidence for herpes zoster, including its ophthalmic form, is based on physiological (senescence) and acquired immunosuppression, particularly under oncologic treatment. The immunocompromised status of the patient favors the appearance of severe complications. The patient, aged 54, with chronic lymphocytic leukemia, presented 1 week from the onset with an erythematous, vesicular-bullous rash on the right trigeminal nerve's ophthalmic dermatome, marked edema, intense pain and large submandibular ganglion masses. There were cutaneous (necrotic ulcerations superinfected with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus), ocular (keratoconjunctivitis, total ophthalmoplegia, lagophthalmia, anterior hemorrhagic uveitis with hyphema and right eye blindness) and neurological (postherpetic neuralgia) complications. Systemic therapy was performed with acyclovir, antibiotics, supportive, rebalancing and symptomatics. With regards to treatment for skin ulcers, disinfection and necrectomy were performed, and epithelialization agents were subsequently administrated. At the ocular level, the ophthalmologist carefully monitored the patient and administered antivirals, antibiotics, epithelialization agents and autologous serum. The evolution of the case recorded severe, disabling complications, with extensive eyelid necrosis and definitive blindness. In this case, the severity of the ophthalmic herpes zoster (OHZ) was favored by the synergistic action of four factors: Acquired immunosuppression (chronic lymphocytic leukemia), delayed consultation, superinfectious lesions and patient non-compliance regarding the chronic lymphocytic leukemia treatment.

Eltrombopag in chronic hepatitis C.

Chronic hepatitis C is a public health problem worldwide. Unfortunately, not all patients may benefit from antiviral therapy due to thrombocytopenia. Its causes are represented by portal hypertension and platelet sequestration in the spleen, decreased serum levels or activity of thrombopoietin, the bone marrow suppression induced by hepatitis C virus and a possible adverse effect of interferon. Thrombopoietin receptor analogs may contribute to increase platelet counts in these patients. Eltrombopag binds to another region of the thrombopoietin receptor compared to endogenous thrombopoietin and stimulates the proliferation and maturation of megakaryocytes and the platelet production in a dose-dependent manner. Eltrombopag has proven its effectiveness for the treatment of patients with primary immune thrombocytopenia. Its indication for other hemopathies or situations (like thrombocytopenia secondary to chemo- or radiotherapy, acute leukemia, myelodysplastic syndroms, acquired and hereditary bone marrow failure, and platelet donors) is under study. Eltrombopag may be particularly useful in patients with advanced chronic hepatitis or liver cirrhosis who require antiviral treatment. We present a minireview on the results of treatment with eltrombopag in patients chronically infected with hepatitis C virus, highlighting the benefits and mentioning possible adverse effects. In some studies eltrombopag increased the number of virological responses after clasical antiviral treatment of patients with chronic hepatitis C and reduced the transfusional requirements of those who had to be subjected to invasive surgery. Eltrombopag is a solution for many of these patients, which allows them receiving antiviral therapy and sometimes getting a sustained virological response, but they must be well monitored to prevent possible thromboembolic or bone marrow complications or liver failure occurrence.

Effects of simvastatin in patients with viral chronic hepatitis C.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: A geranyl-geranylated protein is synthesized during chronic hepatitis C virus replication; statins can inhibit this synthesis. We aimed at studying the effects of administrating simvastatin to patients who finished the standard antiviral therapy and who did not have hepatic cytolysis. METHODOLOGY: A total of 101 patients were divided into 3 groups. Those without liver cytolysis were divided as follows: In group A1 patients were treated with simvastatin for 3 months and in group A2 the patients were non-treated controls. Those patients with hepatic cytolysis were placed in group B and treated for 3 months with simvastatin. The patients were biologically monitored monthly and the initial viremia was compared with the final one. The results were then statistically analysed. RESULTS: Significant changes of viremia were not observed in the patients from groups A1 and A2. In 24 patients in group B (58.54%) the viremia was significantly reduced (p=0.018), and in 6 patients (39.02%) it increased insignificantly. After 1 and 2 months of treatment, the cholesterolemy and the serum alkaline phosphatase significantly decreased to the patients from group B. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, more than half of the patients chronically infected with the hepatitis C virus, who had hepatic cytolysis and were treated with simvastatin, showed a significant reduction in the level of viremia.