A randomized control trial to assess efficacy of Mifepristone in medical management of uterine fibroid.

BACKGROUND: Fibroids are the most common benign tumours of uterus. Heavy menstrual bleeding is the commonest concern for which medical attention is sought. Hysterectomies for leiomyoma constitute a third of all hysterectomies. Thus, healthcare cost to society due to uterine leiomyomas is of considerable importance. METHODS: A prospective study was conducted at tertiary care hospital of armed forces. 120 women in pre-menopausal age group with complaints of menorrhagia, Pictorial Bleeding Assessment Chart (PBAC) scoring ≥100 and at least one fibroid ≥2.5 cm in size were recruited in the study. Patients in Group 1 were given Tab Tranexemic acid (500 mg) and Tab Mefenemic acid (500 mg) three times a day during menstrual bleeding for a period of 6 months. Patients in Group 2 were given Tab Mifepristone 50 mg twice a week. They were followed up at 1, 3 and 6 months of starting the medicine. Results were statistically analysed using Microsoft Excel sheet and paired t-test. RESULTS: The average age was 40 years in the Group 2 and 45 years in Group 1. A size reduction of 36.99% in intramural and 39.39% in submucosal fibroids after six months of treatment with Mifepristone resulted in marked clinical improvement. 10% patients had side effects. In 30% of patients symptoms reappeared during the follow up period. CONCLUSION: Mifepristone when given in bi-weekly doses was found to be safe, efficacious, and cost effective as compared to treatment with tranexemic acid and mefenemic acid for management of fibroid uterus.

Non-motor symptoms burden in treated and untreated early Parkinson's disease patients: argument for non-motor subtypes.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Non-motor symptoms (NMSs) occurring at an early stage of Parkinson's disease (PD) may impair quality of life more than motor symptoms. This study aimed to evaluate the severity of overall NMS profile and burden of NMSs in early PD patients, treated (time since confirmed diagnosis of 5 years or less) or drug naive (DN). METHODS: Cross-sectional data from an ongoing multicentre study (16 sites) were obtained and specifically an NMS data set from validated scales was analysed in treated and DN PD patients. RESULTS: A full data set was available in 234 unique early PD patients. Of them, there were 170 treated (63.5% males, mean age 68.2 years) and 64DN patients (64.1% males, mean age 66.5 years). Compared to DN patients the time since confirmed diagnosis was significantly longer in treated PD patients (1.9 years vs. 3.7 years, P < 0.001). Fatigue (57.7%), urinary urgency (57.1%), nocturia (55.3%), memory difficulties (51.2%) and urinary frequency (48.8%) were the most prevalent NMSs amongst treated PD, whereas DN PD reported most frequently sadness (57.8%), fatigue (57.8%), lightheadedness (53.1%), memory difficulties (48.4%) and urinary urgency (46.9%). CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that NMSs are dominant in the untreated and early phase of PD causing a considerable burden. This warrants investigation of the issue of NMS subtyping within PD.

Classifying risk factors for dyskinesia in Parkinson's disease.

BACKGROUND: Currently there is no classification of risk factors applicable to an individual patient with Parkinson's disease for the development of dyskinesia. METHODS: We conducted literature search to identify and classifying risk factors into groups - (a) intrinsic vs extrinsic and (b) modifiable vs non-modifiable. RESULTS: Younger age, young age of onset and severity of PD are major intrinsic non-modifiable risk factors for dyskinesia, female gender is another factor but not independent of other factors. Genetic expression and plasticity may determine pre-disposition to age of onset of PD and dyskinesia, these are currently non-modifiable factors arising due to an interaction of intrinsic and extrinsic factors. Lower initial body weight and weight loss during the course of the disease increase the risk of dyskinesia. Levodopa dose per kilogram body weight is a more significant risk factor than absolute levodopa dose. Early use of longer acting non-levodopa (i.e. dopamine agonists) medications delays the onset of dyskinesia. Interaction between body weight, levodopa dose and mode and duration of drug delivery is a significant modifiable factor. CONCLUSION: Dyskinesia in PD arises as a consequence of the interaction of intrinsic versus extrinsic and modifiable versus non-modifiable factors. Identification and manipulation of modifiable factors for an individual patient may reduce the risk and burden of dyskinesia. Adjustment of levodopa dose according to body weight during the course of the disease seems to be a significant modifiable risk factor for dyskinesia.

Relationship between weight, levodopa and dyskinesia: the significance of levodopa dose per kilogram body weight.

PURPOSE: Levodopa dose per kilogram body weight is reported to be a significant factor for dyskinesia in Parkinson's disease. We have investigated this hypothesis in data from the studies comparing ropinirole versus levodopa as the initial therapy. METHODS: Data from the ropinirole versus levodopa studies 056 and REAL-PET in early Parkinson's disease were pooled and manipulated to calculate levodopa dose per kilogram body weight. Logistic regression analysis was performed to investigate significant variables for the development of dyskinesia. Only the patients on levodopa monotherapy or with ropinirole were analyzed. RESULTS: Analysis of levodopa therapy patients revealed that dyskinetic patients had received significantly higher absolute levodopa dose and levodopa dose per kilogram body weight. Logistic regression revealed that the most significant factor was the higher levodopa dose per kilogram body weight, P = 0.005, odds ratio 1.078, 95% CI 1.023-1.135; younger age was the second factor -P = 0.026. Variables of gender, absolute levodopa dose, weight, disease duration and initial motor Unified Parkinson's disease rating score were not significant. CONCLUSION: Higher levodopa dose per kilogram body weight is an independently significant factor for developing dyskinesia. This relationship should be considered in treatment of Parkinson's disease patients aiming to prevent and manage dyskinesia.

Diabetes prevention: is there more to it than lifestyle changes?

Over the past years, there has been an explosive increase in the prevalence of type 2 diabetes (T2DM) and this is expected to continue, entailing associated morbidity and mortality. An increasing number of studies explore the different ways T2DM could be prevented. On-going lifestyle modifications need to be addressed. High-risk patients should be given counselling on weight loss, possibly using a low glycaemic index diet, with a target of around 7-10% over 6-12 months, as well as instruction for increasing physical activity to around 150 min of physical exercise weekly (NNT = 4-8). Moderate alcohol consumption and coffee consumption may also be of benefit (NNT = 89 and 66, respectively). Metformin (NNT = 14), acarbose (NNT = 11) and troglitazone (NNT = 6) have been shown to prevent/delay T2DM and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and statins appear to have an adjunctive role (NNT = 42 and 112, respectively). Trials with orlistat and bariatric surgery have also prevented T2DM (NNT = 36 and 6, respectively), and forthcoming treatment with GLP1 mimetics appears promising. Diabetes prevention studies should help create well-defined strategies for screening and treating high-risk populations in the real world, as prevention is our only chance to alleviate the ever growing burden of diabetes mellitus in the world.

Diabetes mellitus and stroke.

The aim of this article was to describe (i) the epidemiology and outcomes of stroke relating to diabetes; (ii) the pathophysiology of diabetes as a risk factor for stroke; (iii) the management of acute stroke in patients with diabetes; (iv) the evidence of primary and secondary prevention of stroke in patients with diabetes; and (v) the risk of new-onset diabetes using older antihypertensive agents. The combination of diabetes and stroke disease is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Evidence from large clinical trials performed in patients with diabetes supports the need for aggressive and early intervention to target patients' cardiovascular (CV) risks in order to prevent the onset, recurrence and progression of acute stroke. Identification of at-risk patients with diabetes and metabolic syndrome has also allowed the delivery of early and effective intervention to reduce stroke risks, while active treatment during the acute phase of stroke will reduce long-term neurological and functional deficits. While the ongoing debate on the risk benefits of different antihypertensive, lipid-lowering and antiplatelet agents should not detract clinicians from pursuing aggressive CV risk reduction, the application of evidence-based medicine specifically in patients with diabetes will facilitate the use of appropriate agents to improve clinical outcomes. The overall management of patients with diabetes and acute stroke or at risk of secondary stroke should also include multifactorial intervention that not only targets patient's CV risk but also includes behavioural, lifestyle and, where appropriate, surgical intervention.

The relationship of falls to injury among hospital in-patients.

The need to reduce falls is driven by the need to reduce injury. If patients at risk of injury can be distinguished from the patients at risk of falls, there is the potential for a more effective fall risk management policy by targeting injury prevention measures. We conducted a prospective observational study, with blinded endpoint evaluation of 825 consecutive patients admitted to geriatric rehabilitation wards. We identified 150 fallers (18.2%) contributing 243 falls. Fifty-six patients sustained an injury contributing 73 (30.0%) injurious falls. Only five (6.8%) falls resulted in injury of major severity. We identified no significant differences in demographics between injurious and non-injurious falls. A logistic regression analyses of the independent risk factors of suffering an injurious fall were a history of falls (p=0.036), confusion (p=0.001) and an unsafe gait (p=0.03). However, we identified no significant differences in clinical characteristics between patients suffering injurious and non-injurious falls. None of the characteristics studied can identify patients prone to injury after a fall. Injury is largely unpredictable, and more research is needed to determine how injury can be prevented in patients at risk of falls.

Diagnostic and therapeutic value of apomorphine in Parkinsonian patients.

Apomorphine is a dopamine agonist administered subcutaneously for the management of motor symptoms of Parkinson's disease (PD). Patients with Parkinsonian syndrome underwent an apomorphine challenge for therapeutic efficacy, a positive response being a reduction of > 15% score on motor unified PD rating scale. Of the 42 patients, aged 37-81, disease duration 12 months to 20 years, 36 had a positive response. Six non-responders were later diagnosed as non-PD as compared with only two of the 36 responders. Tremor-predominant patients obtained higher motor response. Few patients demonstrated a delayed positive response. Seven (three idiopathic PD (iPD), four non-PD) suffered adverse reactions of nausea, vomiting or ill-sustained symptomatic fall in BP. Majority of the patients who continued with apomorphine therapy were able to reduce levodopa and achieved an improvement in dyskinesia and motor symptoms. Thirteen responding patients were managed by increasing dopamine agonists. Five patients, intolerant of oral dopamine agonists, were able to beneficially tolerate apomorphine. Age and disease duration did not influence tolerability or efficacy. The patients treated with apomorphine were able to significantly reduce the dose of levodopa, and there was a reduction in dyskinesia, hallucinations and fluctuations (all p < 0.05). In some patients, apomorphine prevented admission to institutions. We also describe the use of apomorphine in acutely ill patients unable to ingest oral medication. Apomorphine seems to have a diagnostic element for iPD. Its use leads to a reduction in dyskinesia, improvement in motor symptoms and prevention of institutional care. Apomorphine test also identifies patients likely to benefit with an increase in oral medication. Age and disease duration should not prevent the use of this valuable drug. Apomorphine also has a role in acutely ill PD patients.

Predictors of a nursing home placement from a non-acute geriatric hospital.

BACKGROUND: Identifying patients who need Nursing Home (NH) care following a hospital admission is important. OBJECTIVE: To identify the factors that predispose to an NH discharge. DESIGN: Prospective observational study with blinded end-point evaluation. SETTING: A non-acute geriatric hospital. SUBJECTS: Two hundred consecutive elderly patients who were admitted for rehabilitation following treatment for an acute illness. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Discharge to an NH or home. RESULTS: Thirty-five out of the 150 live discharges (23.3%) were to an NH. NH discharges had a longer length of stay (38.5 versus 19.8 days; p < 0001). They were more likely to have visual impairment (p = 0.0009), confusion (p < 0.0001), wandering behaviour (p = 0.003), incontinence (p < 0.0001 or unsafe gait (p = 0.0005), to be on tranquillizers (p = 0.003), to be at risk of falls (p = 0.02) and to have sustained a fall while in hospital (p = 0.001). Multiple logistic regression identified confusion (p = 0.001), incontinence (p = 0.02), falls in hospital (p = 0.01), gait abnormalities (p < 0.001), tranquillizers (p < 0.001), impaired distant vision (p = 0.01) and living alone (p < 0.001) as independently associated with the risk of an NH discharge. This risk proportionately increased with the number of risk factors present: 4.28% for 0-2 factors, 25.8% for 3-4 factors and 81.8% for 5-6 factors (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: These factors should be the target of specific rehabilitation in an attempt to reduce the risk of discharge to a nursing home and improve patient outcome.

Intra-individual difference between recumbent length and stature among growing children.

OBJECTIVE: Difference between recumbent length and stature in an individual has been observed by many researchers in the past in European and American populations. The present study explores the intra-individual differences between recumbent length and stature (R.L.-Stature). METHODS: A sample of 920 school-going children was considered in Chandigarh city. RESULT: These differences are found to be statistically significant and have definite relationship with age and weight of the children. The mean difference between recumbent length and stature is found to be greater in males than in females between 5 through 10 years and between 15 through 18 years of age. However, between 10 through 15 years, it was greater in females than in males. CONCLUSION: This was largely due to the fact that adolescent spurt in stature preceded by two to three years in girls than that of boys. This difference was also found to be significantly correlated with age, weight and stature in both the sexes. Two regression equations are derived separately for the two sexes, from which, one can convert recumbent length into stature and vice-versa.