Exploring Disease Remission and Bowel Urgency Severity Among Adults with Moderate to Severe Ulcerative Colitis: A Qualitative Study.

Purpose: Achieving and maintaining symptom control is a key treatment goal in ulcerative colitis (UC). Bowel urgency is an important symptom of UC, thus measurement of urgency is critical. This research explored the patient experience of UC and "remission" in UC, with a focus on urgency, and cognitively debriefed the Urgency Numeric Rating Scale (NRS), including score interpretation and examination of meaningful improvement. Patients and Methods: Semi-structured hybrid concept elicitation and cognitive debriefing interviews with adults with moderately-severely active UC were conducted to explore experiences of UC and urgency, as well as examine meaningful improvement and score interpretation of the Urgency NRS. Purposive sampling was used to identify 20 eligible adult participants with UC. Concept elicitation data were analyzed using thematic analysis, and a deductive approach was used to analyze cognitive debriefing data. Thematic analysis was also applied to meaningful change-related data. Results: Twenty participants were interviewed (average age = 42.6 years old, 50% male); 14 with moderately active (70.0%) and 6 with severely active UC (30.0%). Disease remission was not consistently defined by participants and description varied in terms of definition (absence vs not complete absence of symptoms), duration (months vs days) and key symptoms to consider. Urgency was a prominent symptom for all participants, with 8 (40.0%) identifying it as the most bothersome aspect of UC. No issues were identified with the Urgency NRS. Participants were able to define different levels of urgency severity, describe how they relate to daily life impacts, and score them differently on the Urgency NRS. Participants were also able to reflect urgency improvement on the NRS and discuss how small changes in numeric ratings of urgency can reflect meaningful change in the symptom burden of their UC. Conclusion: The Urgency NRS is a content valid and interpretable measure to assess bowel urgency severity.

Pazopanib may reduce bleeding in hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia.

Pazopanib (Votrient) is an orally administered tyrosine kinase inhibitor that blocks VEGF receptors potentially serving as anti-angiogenic treatment for hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT). We report a prospective, multi-center, open-label, dose-escalating study [50 mg, 100 mg, 200 mg, and 400 mg], designed as a proof-of-concept study to demonstrate efficacy of pazopanib on HHT-related bleeding, and to measure safety. Patients, recruited at 5 HHT Centers, required ≥ 2 Curacao criteria AND [anemia OR severe epistaxis with iron deficiency]. Co-primary outcomes, hemoglobin (Hgb) and epistaxis severity, were measured during and after treatment, and compared to baseline. Safety monitoring occurred every 1.5 weeks. Seven patients were treated with 50 mg pazopanib daily. Six/seven showed at least 50% decrease in epistaxis duration relative to baseline at some point during study; 3 showed at least 50% decrease in duration during Weeks 11 and 12. Six patients showed a decrease in ESS of > 0.71 (MID) relative to baseline at some point during study; 3/6 showed a sustained improvement. Four patients showed > 2 gm improvement in Hgb relative to baseline at one or more points during study. Health-related QOL scores improved on all SF-36 domains at Week 6 and/or Week 12, except general health (unchanged). There were 19 adverse events (AE) including one severe AE (elevated LFTs, withdrawn from dosing at 43 days); with no serious AE. In conclusion, we observed an improvement in Hgb and/or epistaxis in all treated patients. This occurred at a dose much lower than typically used for oncologic indications, with no serious AE. Further studies of pazopanib efficacy are warranted.

Cardiovascular safety of albiglutide in the Harmony programme: a meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Albiglutide is a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist, a new class of drugs used to treat type 2 diabetes. We did a prospective meta-analysis of the cardiovascular safety of albiglutide as stipulated by the US Food and Drug Administration recommendations for the assessment of new treatments for diabetes. METHODS: We did a meta-analysis of eight phase 3 trials and one phase 2b trial in which patients were randomly assigned to albiglutide, placebo, or active comparators (glimepiride, insulin glargine, insulin lispro, liraglutide, pioglitazone, or sitagliptin). The safety population included 5107 patients, of whom 2524 took albiglutide (4870 person-years) and 2583 took comparators (5213 person-years). Possible major cardiovascular events were recorded prospectively and adjudicated by an independent endpoint committee masked to treatment allocation. The primary endpoint was a composite of first occurrence of major adverse cardiovascular events (ie, cardiovascular death, non-fatal myocardial infarction, or non-fatal stroke) or hospital admission for unstable angina. Secondary endpoints were major adverse cardiovascular events alone, all-cause mortality, silent myocardial infarction, hospital admission for heart failure, chest pain, other angina, and subdural or extradural haemorrhage. The occurrence of all other adverse events classified by the investigators as cardiovascular events were documented, but these were not adjudicated. FINDINGS: The primary endpoint was not significantly different between albiglutide and all comparators (58 events vs 58 events; hazard ratio [HR] 1·00, 95% CI 0·68-1·49, p=0·0019 for non-inferiority). Major adverse cardiovascular event alone was also not significantly different (52 events vs 53; HR, 0·99; 95% CI, 0·65-1·49). When albiglutide was compared separately with placebo or active comparators, we noted no significant differences. We detected no significant differences in the other secondary endpoints. More patients had atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter in the albiglutide group (35 [1·4%] of 2524 patients; 8·6 events per 1000 patient-years) than in the all-comparators group (16 [0·6%] of 2583 patients; 3·4 events per 1000 patient-years). INTERPRETATION: Cardiovascular events were not significantly more likely to occur with albiglutide than with all comparators. Because the upper bound of the 95% CI for major adverse cardiovascular event plus hospital admission for unstable angina was greater than 1·3, a dedicated study with a cardiovascular endpoint is underway to confirm the safety of albiglutide. FUNDING: GlaxoSmithKline.

Venous thromboembolism knowledge among older post-hip fracture patients and their caregivers.

Patient education about venous thromboembolism (VTE) prevention is needed to prevent complications and costly re-hospitalization. Nurses are uniquely positioned to provide vital education as patients transition from the inpatient setting to after discharge. Still, little is known about patient knowledge deficits and those of their caregivers. The purpose of this study was to explore VTE prevention knowledge in a sample of older hip fracture patients and family caregivers. At the time of hospital discharge, surveys were completed by hip fracture surgery patients (≥65; n=30) and family caregivers (n=30). Participants reported needs for more prophylactic anticoagulation and side effects education. Mean education satisfaction was 3.49 out of 5 among patients and 3.83 among caregivers. Focused patient education regarding the wisdom of VTE prevention, potential risks involved, and patient and caregiver roles in advocating for better prevention measures is needed for these patients at risk for hospital readmission secondary to VTE.

Rosiglitazone reduces office and diastolic ambulatory blood pressure following 1-year treatment in non-diabetic subjects with insulin resistance.

OBJECTIVE: Rosiglitazone (RSG) has been reported to reduce blood pressure (BP) in patients with type-2 diabetes, but similar effects in non-diabetic people with insulin resistance is less clear. Our aim was to test the long-term BP-lowering effects of RSG compared with placebo. METHODS: We recruited participants for BP evaluation of RSG treatment from a larger intervention trial. Office BP was recorded in 355 non-diabetic subjects with insulin resistance randomized to receive either RSG or placebo for 52 weeks. Ambulatory BP monitoring (ABPM; Spacelab 90207) was performed in a subgroup of 24 subjects (RSG: n = 11; placebo n = 13). RESULTS: After 1 year, the office BP decreased by -3.1 mmHg systolic (p<0.05) and -3.8 mmHg diastolic (p<0.001) in the RSG group versus placebo. In patients treated with RSG, at 1 year there was a trend for a reduction from baseline for mean 24-h diastolic BP (DBP), daytime DBP and night-time DBP (-4.39, -5.26 and -2.93 mmHg, respectively). However, only daytime DBP was significantly lower in the RSG group compared with control (adjusted mean difference: -4.41 mmHg, p = 0.007). There was also a non-significant trend for a reduction in mean 24-h systolic BP (SBP), daytime SBP and night-time SBP (-2.70, -2.51 and -3.35 mmHg, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: RSG treatment for 1 year was associated with a small but significant decrease in diastolic 24-h ambulatory diastolic BP, and both systolic and diastolic office BPs in non-diabetic people with insulin resistance.

Rosiglitazone/metformin fixed-dose combination compared with uptitrated metformin alone in type 2 diabetes mellitus: a 24-week, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, parallel-group study.

BACKGROUND: Management of type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) that involves uptitration of monotherapy to the maximum dose has been associated with delays in achieving glycemic control and an increased number of adverse events (AEs). Studies have reported the benefits of adding a thiazolidinedione to metformin (MET), but none has compared the effect of adding a thiazolidinedione to MET versus increasing the daily dose of MET to 3 g. OBJECTIVE: The goal of this study was to investigate the benefits of fixed-dose combination rosiglitazone and MET (RSG/MET) compared with high-dose MET monotherapy in patients with type 2 DM. METHODS: This was a 24-week, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, parallel-group study. Patients previously treated with MET entered a 4-week, single-blind, run-in period with MET 2 g/d and were then randomized to RSG/MET 4 mg/2 g per day or MET 2.5 g/d. At week 8, medication was escalated to RSG/MET 8 mg/2 g per day or MET 3 g/d. The primary efficacy end point was change in glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) at week 24. Tolerability was assessed, including the frequency and severity of AEs. RESULTS: A total of 568 patients comprised the safety population (MET, 280; RSG/MET, 288) and 551 formed the intent-to-treat group (MET, 272; RSG/MET, 279). Baseline characteristics of the safety population were comparable in the 2 groups; body mass index (mean [SD]) was 32.2 (4.8) kg/m(2) and 32.1 (4.9) kg/m(2) in the RSG/MET and MET groups, respectively. RSG/MET reduced HbA(1c) (mean [SD]) from 7.4% (1.0%) to 7.1% (1.1%) at week 24, compared with a reduction from 7.5% (1.0%) to 7.4% (1.1%) with MET (treatment difference, -0.22%; P = 0.001). Fasting plasma glucose (mean [SD]) was reduced from 166.2 (29) to 144.1 (33) mg/dL with RSG/MET and from 169.3 (33) to 164.0 (37) mg/dL with MET (treatment difference, -18.3 mg/dL; P < 0.001). In addition, 54% of patients treated with RSG/MET achieved HbA(1c) levels <7.0%, compared with 36% with MET (odds ratio, 2.42; P < 0.001). RSG/MET increased homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) estimates of insulin sensitivity by 34.4% versus 6.5% with MET (treatment difference, 24.8%; P < 0.001). HOMA beta-cell function increased by 15.9% with RSG/MET versus 2.5% with MET (treatment difference, 14.0%; P < 0.001). RSG/MET decreased C-reactive protein by a mean of 39.4% versus 16.0% with MET (treatment difference, -33.8%; P < 0.001). RSG/MET was generally well tolerated, with the majority of AEs mild to moderate in nature. Serious AEs were reported in 3% of patients receiving RSG/MET and 2% with MET. Overall rates of gastrointestinal AEs were 23% with RSG/MET and 26% with MET; however, there was an increased incidence of diarrhea (14% vs 6%) and abdominal pain (9% vs 6%) with MET. There was a mean (SE) increase in weight with RSG/MET (1.3 [0.22] kg) and a mean decrease (-0.9 [0.26] kg) with MET. Patients receiving RSG/MET reported improvements in treatment satisfaction compared with MET. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, the RSG/MET fixed-dose combination (8 mg/2 g per day) was an effective and well-tolerated treatment for type 2 DM and enabled more patients to reach glycemic targets than high-dose MET (3 g/d).

Administration of the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor NG-methyl-L-arginine hydrochloride (546C88) by intravenous infusion for up to 72 hours can promote the resolution of shock in patients with severe sepsis: results of a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled multicenter study (study no. 144-002).

OBJECTIVE: To assess the safety and efficacy of the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor 546C88 in patients with septic shock. The predefined primary efficacy objective was resolution of shock, defined as a mean arterial pressure > or =70 mm Hg in the absence of both conventional vasopressors and study drug, determined at the end of the 72-hr treatment period. DESIGN: Multicentered, randomized, placebo-controlled, safety and efficacy study. SETTING: Forty-eight intensive care units in Europe, North America, and Australia. PATIENTS: A total of 312 patients with septic shock diagnosed within 24 hr before randomization. INTERVENTIONS: Patients were randomly allocated to receive either 546C88 or placebo (5% dextrose) by intravenous infusion for up to 72 hrs. Conventional vasoactive therapy was restricted to norepinephrine, dopamine, and dobutamine. Study drug was initiated at 0.1 mL/kg/hr (5 mg/kg/hr 546C88) and titrated according to response up to a maximum rate of 0.4 mL/kg/hr with the objective to maintain mean arterial pressure at 70 mm Hg while attempting to withdraw any concurrent vasopressor(s). MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Requirement for vasopressors, systemic hemodynamics, indices of organ function and safety (including survival up to day 28) were assessed. The median mean arterial pressure for both groups was maintained >70 mm Hg. Administration of 546C88 was associated with a decrease in cardiac index while stroke index was maintained. Resolution of shock at 72 hr was achieved by 40% and 24% of the patients in the 546C88 and placebo cohorts, respectively (p =.004). There was no evidence that treatment with 546C88 had any major adverse effect on pulmonary, hepatic, or renal function. Day 28 survival was similar for both groups. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, treatment with the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor 546C88 promoted the resolution of shock in patients with severe sepsis. This was associated with an acceptable overall safety profile.

Cardiovascular effects of the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor NG-methyl-L-arginine hydrochloride (546C88) in patients with septic shock: results of a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled multicenter study (study no. 144-002).

OBJECTIVE: To assess the hemodynamic effects of the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor 546C88 in patients with septic shock, although this was not a stated aim of the protocol. The predefined primary efficacy objective of the protocol was resolution of shock determined at the end of a 72-hr treatment period. DESIGN: Multicentered, randomized, placebo-controlled, safety and efficacy study. SETTING: Forty-eight intensive care units in Europe, North America, and Australia. PATIENTS: A total of 312 patients with septic shock diagnosed within 24 hr before randomization. INTERVENTIONS: Patients were randomly allocated to receive either 546C88 or placebo (5% dextrose) by intravenous infusion for up to 72 hrs. Conventional vasoactive therapy was restricted to norepinephrine, dopamine, and dobutamine. Study drug was initiated at 0.1 mL/kg/hr (5 mg/kg/hr 546C88) and titrated according to response up to a maximum rate of 0.4 mL/kg/hr with the objective to maintain mean arterial pressure at 70 mm Hg while attempting to withdraw any concurrent vasopressor(s). MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Requirement for vasopressors, systemic and pulmonary hemodynamics, indices of oxygen transport, and plasma concentrations of arginine and nitrate were assessed over time. The median mean arterial pressure for both groups was maintained > or =70 mm Hg. There was an early increase in systemic and pulmonary vascular tone and oxygen extraction, whereas both cardiac index and oxygen delivery decreased for patients in the 546C88 cohort. Although these parameters subsequently returned toward baseline values, the observed differences between the treatment groups, except for pulmonary vascular resistance and oxygen extraction, persisted throughout the treatment period, despite a reduced requirement for vasopressors in the 546C88 cohort. These changes were associated with a reduction in plasma nitrate concentrations, which were elevated in both groups before the start of therapy. CONCLUSIONS: The nitric oxide synthase inhibitor 546C88 can reduce the elevated plasma nitrate concentrations observed in patients with septic shock. In this study, treatment with 546C88 for up to 72 hrs was associated with an increase in vascular tone and a reduction in both cardiac index and oxygen delivery. The successful maintenance of a target mean arterial blood pressure > or =70 mm Hg was achieved with a reduction in the requirement for, or withdrawal of, conventional inotropic vasoconstrictor agents (i.e., dopamine and norepinephrine). There were no substantive untoward consequences accompanying these hemodynamic effects. An international, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase III study has since been conducted in patients with septic shock. Recruitment into the study was discontinued due to the emergence of increased mortality in the 546C88-treated group.

Multiple-center, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study of the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor 546C88: effect on survival in patients with septic shock.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the safety and efficacy of the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor 546C88 in patients with septic shock. The predefined primary efficacy objective was survival at day 28. DESIGN: Multiple-center, randomized, two-stage, double-blind, placebo-controlled, safety and efficacy study. SETTING: A total of 124 intensive care units in Europe, North America, South America, South Africa, and Australasia. PATIENTS: A total of 797 patients with septic shock diagnosed for <24 hrs. INTERVENTIONS: Patients with septic shock were allocated to receive 546C88 or placebo (5% dextrose) for up to 7 days (stage 1) or 14 days (stage 2) in addition to conventional therapy. Study drug was initiated at 0.05 mL.kg(-1).hr(-1) (2.5 mg.kg(-1).hr(-1) 546C88) and titrated up to a maximum rate of 0.4 mL.kg(-1).hr(-1) to maintain mean arterial pressure between 70 and 90 mm Hg while attempting to withdraw concurrent vasopressors. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Hemodynamic variables, organ function data, microbiological data, concomitant therapy, and adverse event data were recorded at baseline, throughout treatment, and at follow-up. The primary end point was day-28 survival. The trial was stopped early after review by the independent data safety monitoring board. Day-28 mortality was 59% (259/439) in the 546C88 group and 49% (174/358) in the placebo group (p <.001). The overall incidence of adverse events was similar in both groups, although a higher proportion of the events was considered possibly attributable to study drug in the 546C88 group. Most of the events accounting for the disparity between the groups were associated with the cardiovascular system (e.g., decreased cardiac output, pulmonary hypertension, systemic arterial hypertension, heart failure). The causes of death in the study were consistent with those expected in patients with septic shock, although there was a higher proportion of cardiovascular deaths and a lower incidence of deaths caused by multiple organ failure in the 546C88 group. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, the nonselective nitric oxide synthase inhibitor 546C88 increased mortality in patients with septic shock.

Treatment of acute intracranial vertebrobasilar dissection with angioplasty and stent placement: report of two cases.

Acute vertebrobasilar dissection may cause subarachnoid hemorrhage by rupturing through the adventia or cerebral infarct by progressive occlusion of the true lumen. Recent reports on the endovascular management of this condition have focused on treatment of pseudoaneurysms. We report two cases where angioplasty or stent placement was successfully used to improve compromised blood flow secondary to vertebrobasilar dissection.

Anterior cervical discectomy without interbody fusion.

BACKGROUND: The use of an interbody bone graft during anterior cervical discectomy remains a controversial topic. This study presents the outcome of 64 consecutive patients who underwent anterior cervical discectomy without an interbody fusion. METHODS: Sixty-four consecutive patients underwent anterior cervical discectomy without interbody fusion by one surgeon at Indiana University School of Medicine between April 1994 and February 1998. A retrospective analysis of these cases was performed to evaluate outcome of this procedure. Outcome was determined using the criteria of Odom and Finney. RESULTS: In our series of patients, the mean age was 49.4 years, and the mean time of follow-up was 8.5 months. The presentation was as follows: 69% radiculopathy alone, 23% combined myelopathy and radiculopathy, and 8% myelopathy. Although 31% of the patients had symptoms for more than 1 year, the mean duration of symptoms of the remainder of patients was 3.2 months. The majority of patients had single-level disease (77%); however, 25% underwent 2 level discectomies, and 2% underwent 3 level discectomies. Twenty-four patients (38%) had soft disc herniation, and 40 patients (62%) had hard disc herniation. Of the 64 patients, 91% had either good or excellent outcomes, 9% had satisfactory outcomes, and none had a poor result. Ninety-six percent of the patients with soft disc herniation had good or excellent outcomes, whereas 88% of the patients with hard disc had good or excellent outcomes (p = 0.217). Ninety-one percent of the patients who worked before surgery returned to work after their operation. None of the patients required reoperation at the operative level or exhibited instability at the operative level. Postoperative complications included transient intrascapular pain (13%), kyphotic deformity (3%), transient vocal cord paralysis (2%), and temporary dysphagia (2%). No significant difference in age or outcome existed when comparing males to females. CONCLUSION: Satisfactory results can be attained by discectomy without an interbody fusion in the surgical management of cervical disc disease.

Polyethylene glycol rapidly restores physiological functions in damaged sciatic nerves of guinea pigs.

OBJECTIVE: We have studied the ability of the hydrophilic polymer polyethylene glycol (PEG) to anatomically and physiologically reconnect damaged axons of the adult guinea pig spinal cord. Here we have extended this approach to test whether completely severed guinea pig sciatic nerves in isolation could be fused and whether PEG was able to repair severe standardized crush injuries to sciatic nerves in vivo. METHODS: The fusion test was performed with isolated sciatic nerves maintained in a double-sucrose gap recording chamber. For in vivo experiments, the sciatic nerve was surgically exposed in the hind leg of deeply anesthetized adult guinea pigs and was crushed proximal to its insertion in the gastrocnemius muscle. PEG was injected just beneath the epineurium with a 29-gauge needle, allowed to remain in the damaged axon region for 2 minutes, and removed. Sham-treated guinea pigs received an injection of water or Krebs' solution. Three indices of recovery were simultaneously monitored in response to electrical stimulation of the proximal nerve, i.e., 1) recovery of compound muscle action potentials (in millivolts), 2) contraction force of the muscle (in dynes), and 3) displacement of the muscle (in millimeters). RESULTS: When isolated sciatic nerves were severed within the double-sucrose gap chamber, compound action potential propagation through the transection plane was eliminated. After abutment of the two segments and 2-minute PEG application to this site, variable compound action potential recovery was measured in all four cases. The crush injuries to the sciatic nerve in vivo eliminated the three functional responses to sciatic nerve stimulation in all animals. Within the first 30 minutes after treatment, only 1 of 12 control animals exhibited spontaneous recovery in any of these measures, compared with six of eight PEG-treated animals. By 45 minutes, two more sham-treated animals and one more PEG-treated animal had recovered at least one functional response. This difference in proportions between PEG-treated and sham-treated animals was statistically significant (P < or =0.02). CONCLUSION: We conclude that these preliminary data suggest that PEG application may be a way to interfere with the steady dissolution of peripheral nerve fibers after mechanical damage and to even functionally fuse or reconnect severed proximal and distal segments.