[Policies for the use of antibiotic in 99 Southwestern French hospitals in 2002]. / Politique d'utilisation des antibiotiques: état des lieux dans 99 établissements de santé de l'interrégion Sud-Ouest.

OBJECTIVE: Increasing antimicrobial resistance in bacteria is a major health problem and requires the implementation of stringent policies to optimize the use of antibiotics. DESIGN: In 2003 the authors conducted a study in southwestern French hospitals, using a questionnaire to assess the implementation of antibiotic policies according to national guidelines issued by the French government in 2002. RESULTS: The most frequent actions quoted by the 99 respondents were: issuing of a list of available antibiotics, issuing of information regarding antibiotic consumption and bacterial resistance, and control of antibiotics dispensation. Local guidelines were available in 45% of hospitals for curative treatment and in 87% for antibioprophylaxis in surgery. The evaluation of antibiotic use and computer links between clinical settings, pharmacy and microbiology lab were the less widespread measures. The number and type of actions were related to hospital size and activity. CONCLUSIONS: These findings support that policies for an appropriate use of antimicrobials should be reinforced by issuing treatment guidelines and specific tools for dispensation and evaluation. This survey also emphasizes the need for appropriate policies relating to the size and medical activities of healthcare institutions.

Capsaicin and neurogenic detrusor hyperreflexia: a double-blind placebo-controlled study in 20 patients with spinal cord lesions.

The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy and tolerance of capsaicin, a neurotoxin for C-fiber afferents, applied intravesically in the treatment of detrusor hyperreflexia. Eleven male and nine female patients who had spinal cord lesions caused by multiple sclerosis (12) or trauma (eight) resulting in detrusor hyperreflexia with urge incontinence and pollakiuria were randomized to receive one intravesical instillation of either 30 mg capsaicin in 100 ml 30% ethanol or 100 ml 30% ethanol alone. The patients were evaluated clinically (voiding diary) and urodynamically (maximum cystometric capacity, maximum detrusor pressure, first and normal desire to void) before and 30 days after the instillation. On day 30, the 10 patients who received capsaicin had significant decreases in 24-h voiding frequency from 9.3+/-6.1 to 6.7+/-3.8 (P=0.016) and leakages from 3.9+/-1.6 to 0.6+/-0.8 (P=0.0008); their maximum cystometric capacity increased from 169+/-68 to 299+/-96 ml (P=0.01) and maximum detrusor pressure decreased from 77+/-24 to 53+/-27 cm H2O. There were no significant changes in the control group. In seven subjects in each group, instillation triggered immediate side effects (suprapubic pain, sensory urgency, flushes, hematuria, autonomic hyperreflexia) that resolved within 2 weeks. Intravesical capsaicin significantly improves clinical and urodynamic parameters of detrusor hyperreflexia in spinal cord-injured patients. Side effects are frequent, tolerable, and identical to those induced by 30% ethanol alone.

The effects of capsaicin on the neurogenic hyperreflexic detrusor. A double blind placebo controlled study in patients with spinal cord disease. Preliminary results.

PURPOSE: Several recent open studies have provided encouraging results as to the efficacy of intravesical installations of capsaicin for neurogenic hyperreflectivity. The present trial was performed to verify these results under controlled conditions. Intravesical installation of capsaicin represents a new therapeutic hope for the treatment of the neurogenic hyperrelfexic bladder. METHOD: This randomized, double-blind study compared the results of the intravesical installation of 30 mg capsaicin in 100 ml of 30% alcohol (experimental group) with those of installing 100 ml 30% alcohol alone (control group). On day 0 and day 30, urodynamic and biopsic examinations were performed in all subjects of each group. PATIENTS: All the subjects included in the study had a functionally disabling form of neurogenic hyperreflexic bladder resistant to the usual therapies. Cystoscopy and retrograde cystography were performed to exclude any patient who presented with a tumor-like lesion or had vesicoureteral reflux. RESULTS: Twelve paraplegic of tetraplegic subjects, seven women and five men whose average age was 46, were included. Eight had multiple sclerosis, and four had sustained a traumatic spinal cord injury. The patients were randomly separated into two groups of six. Initially, there was no clinical or urodynamic differences in these groups. Installation immediately triggered side effects and during the first 7 days (suprapubic burning sensation, sensory urgency, hot flushes, autonomic hyperreflexia, hematuria) in five of the six subjects in both groups. Bladder biopsy revealed no significant deterioration. On day 30, there was improvement in all of the experimental-group of patients with significant regression of leakage (P = 0.002) and of sensory urgency (P = 0.01). Only one control subject had amelioration. Urodynamic examination showed a rise in bladder capacity from 172.5 to 312.3 ml in the experimental group, significantly greater (P = 0.03) than the rise from 129 to 175.3 ml observed in the control group. CONCLUSION: This trial fully confirms the efficacy of intravesical installations of capsaicin, an efficacy obtained at the cost of nonnegligible side effects. An intermediate-term follow-up of this treatment will be necessary before considering more widespread use of this agent.

Could non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs be used to potentiate L.M.W.H activity in thrombosis? (Part I).

Heparin fractions are antithrombotic drugs prescribed for preventive treatment but their efficacy must be optimized to permit curative use without side effects. The present study was performed on 144 rats receiving a low molecular weight heparin (L.M.W.H), Fraxiparine, and a non steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (Phenylbutazone), which were injected simultaneously or separately. Neither Phenylbutazone nor L.M.W.H at their lowest dose (1 mg/kg) reduced thrombus size. However, administered together, they produced a significant limitation of thrombus growth. Variation in anti Xa activity limitation was only observed with the highest dose of Fraxiparine alone or in combination with Phenylbutazone (1 mg/kg) corresponding to its antithrombotic effect.