Serum cytokine levels in patients with chronic low back pain due to herniated disc: analytical cross-sectional study.

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE: the role of immune response and proinflammatory cytokines in the pathogenesis of chronic pain has been of growing interest. In order to evaluate whether there is any association between disc herniation and elevated cytokine levels, we measured cytokine levels in patients with chronic low back pain and in healthy subjects. DESIGN AND SETTING: analytical cross-sectional study at the Pain Clinic of Universidade Federal da Bahia (UFBA). METHODS: cytokine levels were measured using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) technique on 23 patients with low back pain (G1) and on 10 healthy subjects (G2). RESULTS: the levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha [TNF-alpha] (G1 = 5.6 ± 2.3 pg/ml; G2 = 1.6 ± 0.5 pg/ml; P = 0.01) and interleukin-6 [IL-6] (G1 = 4.1 ± 3.0 pg/ml; G2 = 0.9 ± 0.4 pg/ml; P = 0.01) were higher in G1. There were no statistically significant differences in relation to interleukin-1 [IL-1] (G1 = 0.5 ± 0.3 pg/ml; G2 = 0.5 ± 0.1 pg/ml; P = 1) or soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor [sTNF-R] (G1 = 572 pg/ml ± 36; G2 = 581 ± 50 pg/ml; P = 0.87). CONCLUSION: The patients with chronic low back pain due to disc herniation presented higher levels of TNF-alpha and IL-6, but not of IL-1 or sTNF-R.

Serum cytokine levels in patients with chronic low back pain due to herniated disc: analytical cross-sectional study / Concentrações plasmáticas de citocinas em pacientes com lombalgia crônica por hérnia de disco: estudo transversal analítico

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE: The role of immune response and proinflammatory cytokines in the pathogenesis of chronic pain has been of growing interest. In order to evaluate whether there is any association between disc herniation and elevated cytokine levels, we measured cytokine levels in patients with chronic low back pain and in healthy subjects. DESIGN AND SETTING: Analytical cross-sectional study at the Pain Clinic of Universidade Federal da Bahia (UFBA). METHODS: Cytokine levels were measured using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) technique on 23 patients with low back pain (G1) and on 10 healthy subjects (G2). RESULTS: The levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha [TNF-alpha] (G1 = 5.6 ± 2.3 pg/ml; G2 = 1.6 ± 0.5 pg/ml; P = 0.01) and interleukin-6 [IL-6] (G1 = 4.1 ± 3.0 pg/ml; G2 = 0.9 ± 0.4 pg/ml; P = 0.01) were higher in G1. There were no statistically significant differences in relation to interleukin-1 [IL-1] (G1 = 0.5 ± 0.3 pg/ml; G2 = 0.5 ± 0.1 pg/ml; P = 1) or soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor [sTNF-R] (G1 = 572 pg/ml ± 36; G2 = 581 ± 50 pg/ml; P = 0.87). CONCLUSION: The patients with chronic low back pain due to disc herniation presented higher levels of TNF-alpha and IL-6, but not of IL-1 or sTNF-R.

CONTEXTO E OBJETIVO: A função da resposta imunológica e das citocinas pró-inflamatórias na patogênese da dor crônica tem tido interesse crescente. Para avaliar se há correlação entre hérnia de disco e aumento de citocinas, foi medida a concentração de citocinas em pacientes com lombalgia crônica e em indivíduos sadios. TIPO DE ESTUDO E LOCAL: Estudo transversal analítico realizado na Clínica de Dor da Universidade Federal da Bahia (UFBA). MÉTODO: As concentrações de citocinas foram medidas pela técnica de ELISA (enzyme linked immunosorbent assay) em 23 pacientes com lombalgia (G1) e 10 sadios (G2). RESULTADOS: As concentrações de fator-alfa de necrose tumoral [TNF-alpha] (G1 = 5.6 ± 2.3 pg/ml; G2 = 1.6 ± 0.5 pg/ml; P = 0,01) e interleucina-6 [IL-6] (G1 = 4.1 ± 3.0 pg/ml; G2 = 0.9 ± 0.4 pg/ml; P = 0,01) foram maiores no G1. Não houve diferença estatisticamente significante para interleucina-1 [IL-1] (G1 = 0.5 ± 0.3 pg/ml; G2 = 0.5 ± 0.1 pg/ml; P = 1) e receptor solúvel do factor de necrose tumoral [sTNF-R] (G1 = 572 pg/ml ± 36; G2 = 581 ± 50 pg/ml; P = 0,87). CONCLUSÃO: Os pacientes com lombalgia crônica por hérnia de disco apresentam concentrações maiores de TNF-alpha e IL-6, mas não de IL-1 ou sTNF-R.

Uso racional do ecocardiograma na avaliação da função diastólica do ventrículo esquerdo / Rational use of echocardiography for assessing left ventricular diastolic function

Fundamento e Objetivo: No estudo da função diastólica do ventrículo esquerdo (FDVE) com o ecocardiograma, analisa-se o fluxo mitral (FM) e o fluxo em veia pulmonar com o Doppler tecidual e a velocidade de programação do FM com o Doppler colorido modo-M (VPF). A análise conjunta dessas 5 modalidades ecocardiográficas proporciona a melhor análise da FDVE. Entretanto, nem sempre é possível utilizar todos esses métodos no mesmo paciente. O objetivo deste estudo foi verificar qual a forma de avaliação que apresenta a maior equivalência diagnóstica, com o resultado obtido pela análise em conjunto dos 5 métodos ecocardiográficos de avaliação da FDVE. Método: Estudo seccional em que foi avaliada a FDVE, nos pacientes encaminhados para a realização de ecocardiograma de rotina. Em todos eles, foram utilizadas as 5 formas de avaliação da FDVE. Resultados: Foram estudados 85 pacientes, com média etária 57 + - 14,7 anos de idade, 39 homens. Os pacientes foram distribuídos em 4 grupos, de acordo com a análise conjunta das 5 formas de avaliação da FDVE: G1 - padrão normal de FDVE (n=39); G2 - padrão de alteração do relaxamento do VE (n=22); G3 - padrão pseudonormal (n=11) e G4 - padrão restritivo (n=13). As taxas de concordância de cada método...

Obsessive-compulsive disorder: an open-label pilot trial of escitalopram.

INTRODUCTION: Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors are considered the most effective and well-established pharmacotherapy for the treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), a chronic and disabling condition. However, approximately 40% of patients do not have a significant improvement, suggesting that new medications are needed. This study was designed to investigate the treatment response to escitalopram in OCD patients. METHODS: This open-label study involved 11 adult OCD outpatients diagnosed with the Structured Clinical Interview for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition Axis I Disorders. Data were collected and the treatment response was assessed by an experienced psychiatrist by using the Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale. Subjects received escitalopram 30 mg/day for 12 weeks starting at 10 mg/day. Dosage adjustments were made within 2 weeks, depending on the tolerability of the patient. RESULTS: Six of the 11 patients (54.5%) presented a reduction of at least 40% in the baseline total Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale scores. CONCLUSION: Despite the small sample size and the open-label nature of this trial, these data suggest that escitalopram may be a useful option for patients with OCD.

Effect of amantadine on depressive symptoms in chronic hepatitis C patients treated with pegylated interferon: a randomized, controlled pilot study.

OBJECTIVE: Assess the effect of amantadine on depressive symptoms during interferon alfa therapy for hepatitis C virus infection. METHODS: We performed a randomized, controlled trial with 14 hepatitis C virus-infected patients, treated with pegylated interferon alfa-2a 180 microg/wk plus ribavirin 1.200 mg/d. Eight patients were randomized to receive amantadine 200 mg/d, and 6 other individuals were randomized to control group without amantadine. Severity of depression and anxiety was measured using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, before starting re-treatment, and 4, 12, and 24 weeks after immunotherapy with pegylated interferon alfa-2a. Evaluations were performed by psychiatrists blinded in reference to the state of amantadine treatment. Friedman chi(2) test for repeated measures and Mann-Whitney test for nonparametric data were used to assess significant differences. RESULTS: From baseline to follow-up, no significant increase in mean Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale scores of depressive symptoms were seen in amantadine group (P = 0.142), meanwhile there was a statistical increase of depression scores in the control group (P = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Our randomized pilot study, though small, clearly indicates that interferon alfa-induced depressive symptoms can be prevented by the use of amantadine. However, double-blind placebo-controlled trials with a higher sample size are required to confirm these preliminary findings.

[Obstructive sleep apnea and hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS): association with obesity, gender and age]. / Síndrome da apnéia e hipopnéia obstrutiva do sono: associação com obesidade, gênero e idade.

Obstructive sleep apnea and hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) has been the focus of extensive research because of its association with neurocognitive and cardiovascular complications. The aim of this study was to evaluate the frequency and association between OSAHS and the class of obesity, gender and age in outpatients referred to a sleep laboratory. We selected 1,595 patients, 71.7% male. Mean +/- SD age was 46.7 +/- 11.7 years, BMI was 28.1 +/- 5.1 kg/m2 and AIH was 13.9 +/- 15.5 events/ hour of sleep. The patients were considered apneic when the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) was > 5 events/hour of sleep; OSAHS was present in: (1) 71.1% of men and 50.3% of women (p < 0.001); (2) in 45.3% of patients with normal BMI, in 64.3% of those overweighed and in 80% of obese (p < 0.001). According to age, 61.2% with age < 55 were apneic, as well as 78% of those with age > 55 years old (p < 0.001). We concluded that OSAHS was directly and strongly associated to the male gender, obesity class and to aging.

Síndrome da apnéia e hipopnéia obstrutiva do sono: associação com obesidade, gênero e idade / Obstructive sleep apnea and hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS): association with obesity, gender and age

A síndrome da apnéia e hipopnéia obstrutiva do sono (SAHOS) tem grande importância devido às conseqüências neurocognitivas e cardiovasculares. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a freqüência e associação da SAHOS com a classe de obesidade, gênero e idade, em pacientes ambulatoriais referidos a um laboratório de sono. Foram selecionados 1.595 pacientes (71,7 por cento masculinos) com idade média ± DP de 46,7 ± 11,7 anos e IMC de 28,1 ± 5,1 kg/m². Foi considerado ter apnéia quando o índice de apnéia e hipopnéia (IAH) foi > 5 eventos/hora de sono. A freqüência de SAHOS foi de 71,1 por cento nos homens e de 50,3 por cento nas mulheres (p< 0,001); SAHOS esteve presente em 45,3 por cento dos indivíduos com IMC normal, 64,3 por cento daqueles com sobrepeso, e 80 por cento dos obesos (p< 0,001). Quanto à idade, 61,2 por cento dos pacientes com idade < 55 anos e 78 por cento daqueles com idade > 55 anos tinham SAHOS (p< 0,001). Concluímos que a SAHOS esteve direta e fortemente associada ao gênero masculino, à classe de obesidade e ao envelhecimento.

Clinical and histopathological features of NASH in workers exposed to chemicals with or without associated metabolic conditions.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) has been associated with exposure to chemicals among workers from an industrial complex in Brazil. We investigated the NASH profile of these individuals associated or not with metabolic conditions. METHODS: Eighty-four patients with NASH were classified into three groups: G1, 31 patients exposed to chemicals (benzene, xylene, vinyl chloride and others); G2, 30 exposed patients who also presented with obesity, hyperlipidemia and diabetes; and G3, 23 non-exposed patients who presented with metabolic conditions. RESULTS: G1 and G2 were similar in terms of gender (97% and 100% males) and age (37+/-5.4 and 39+/-6.5 years). In G3, 74% were males and the age was 48+/-3.4 years (P<0.05). In G2, obesity was present in 26.6%, hyperlipidemia in 66.6% and diabetes in 6.6%. In G3, obesity was observed in 43.4%, hyperlipidemia in 30.4% and diabetes in 26%. Macro- and microsteatosis were observed in 100% of cases. Perisinusoidal fibrosis was observed in 71% patients in G1, 80% in G2 and 52% in G3 (P<0.05). Histological evidence of cholestasis was present in 53% of cases in G1, 50% in G2 and 13% in G3 (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Exposure to chemicals appears to be an independent risk factor for NASH that presents a peculiar profile. It is more frequently seen in men younger than non-exposed ones. Steatosis, fibrosis and cholestasis were frequent histological findings. Co-existing metabolic factors did not seem to influence clinical or histopathological presentation.

Clinical, histologic and serologic evaluation of patients with acute non-A-E hepatitis in north-eastern Brazil: is it an infectious disease?

Non-A-E hepatitis and acute cryptogenic hepatitis are the names given to the disease of patients with clinical hepatitis, but in whom serologic evidence of A-E hepatitis has not been found. Over a period of 8 years, we evaluated in Brazil 32 patients who fulfilled the criteria for this diagnosis in order to determine patterns of the clinical illness, laboratory parameters, or histologic features. Each patient was subjected to virologic tests to exclude A-E hepatitis and cytomegalovirus/Epstein-Barr virus infection. Drug-induced hepatitis and autoimmune disease were also excluded. Wilson's disease was excluded in young patients. The course of the disease was clinical/biochemical recovery in 3 months in 25 patients and persistent alanine aminotransferase (ALT) elevation in 7 patients. Three of these had chronic hepatitis, and one had severe fibrosis on liver biopsy. During the acute illness, mean peak ALT was 1267 IU/L, bilirubin was 4.0 mg/dL, and ferritin was 1393 IU/mL. GB virus type C (GBV-C) was found in six patients, and TT virus (TTV) in five patients. We conclude that, in Brazil, non-A-E hepatitis probably originates from still unidentified viruses. The course of the disease and the histologic patterns are similar to those recorded for known viruses. Continuous survey for the specific etiologic agents is needed.

Relapse in patients with schizophrenia: a comparison between risperidone and haloperidol

OBJETIVOS: Comparar taxas de re-hospitalização e o tempo para a recaída entre pacientes esquizofrênicos tratados com risperidona ou haloperidol após alta hospitalar. MÉTODOS: Ensaio controlado, randomizado, comparando risperidona e haloperidol em relação à recaída em pacientes com esquizofrenia tratados com doses flexíveis, com duração de um ano. RESULTADOS: Vinte pacientes foram alocados para a risperidona e 13 para o haloperidol. Um paciente em cada grupo retirou o consentimento e um tomando risperidona foi perdido para o seguimento. Seis (30,0%) do grupo da risperidona e três (23,1%) do grupo do haloperidol recaíram (p=1.00). Contudo, o tempo até a re-hospitalização foi mais curto com o haloperidol (logrank =4,2; p=0,04). Quando re-hospitalizados, os pacientes no grupo da risperidona permaneceram 34,5 dias no hospital (mediana) quando comparados com o grupo do haloperidol (mediana =61 dias) (p=0,61). CONCLUSÃO: A proporção de pacientes esquizofrênicos que recaíram foi similar em ambos os grupos. Contudo, o tempo para a recaída foi mais curto nos pacientes tratados com haloperidol.

Extracting numerical data from published reports of pharmacokinetics investigations: method description and validation.

A method has been proposed for extracting numerical data when only graphical results are presented. Reports with both graphical and tabular data were identified and the graphs were electronically scanned. The coordinates of each point were read using the cross-hair facility of Adobe Photoshop 7.0. To improve the precision of these coordinates, each point was read at 1600% magnification. The agreement between the observers was almost perfect (R > 0.99). The proposed method makes possible use of data in meta-analyses that, would otherwise be discarded.

Doença hidática policística: análise secundária de dados / Polycystic hYdatid disease: secondary data analysis

OBJETIVO: Rever, usando a metodologia de análise secundária de dados, os casos descritos de doença hidática policística (DHP) pelo Echinococcus vogeli, quanto às características clínico-epidemiológicas, de evolução e procedimentos terapêuticos. MÉTODO: Foram usados cinco bancos eletrônicos; anais de eventos científicos da área de Medicina Tropical; livros textos; consultas aos índices remissivos de revistas não-indexadas e a especialistas. As 52 variáveis estudadas foram categorizadas para cada caso de DHP e registradas em ficha-padrão. Somente foram incluídos os casos com comprovação histológica e/ou parasitológica do E. vogeli. RESULTADOS: Foram recuperados 131 trabalhos publicados e uma comunicação pessoal, sendo grande parte com somente um caso descrito, e entre estes apenas 17 (12,9 por cento) tinham casos com comprovação do agente etiológico, com um total de 44 pacientes: 52,3 por cento do sexo masculino; média de idade de 45,0 (± 16,7) anos; e 50 por cento descritos no Brasil. A presença de massas e a dor abdominal foram registradas em 94,7 por cento (18/19) e 92,6 por cento (25/27), respectivamente. Não houve diferença estatística (p>0,20) entre os resultados do tratamento clínico (albendazol) e cirúrgico, mas as freqüências de "sem êxito" foram, respectivamente, de 0 por cento e 28,6 por cento, e as de óbitos de 0 por cento e 21,4 por cento. CONCLUSÕES: A maioria dos trabalhos sobre a DHP não tem pacientes com comprovação etiológica e, conseqüentemente, é possível que parte do conhecimento clínico atual sofra mudanças significativas por investigações futuras. De outra parte, os dados levantados indicam que a melhor opção terapêutica, nos casos irressecáveis, é o uso de albendazol.

BACKGROUND: We reviewed, using secondary analysis, the described cases of Polycystic Hydatid Disease (PHD) by Echinococcus vogeli, addressing epidemiological and clinical characteristics, therapeutical evolution and procedures. METHODS: Five electronic banks, annals of scientific events, textbooks, remissive index, non-indexed magazines and specialists were consulted. The 52 variables studied had been categorized for each case of PHD and registered in a standard file. Only the cases with histological and/or parasitological evidence of E. vogeli had been enclosed. RESULTS: One hundred and thirty-one published works had been recouped and a personal communication. The majority presents, only a described case, and between them only 17 (12.9 percent) had evidence of the etiologic agent. In a total of 44 patients, 52.3 percent were males, mean age of 45.0 (±16,7) years, and 50 percent were described in Brazil. The presence of masses and abdominal pain had been registered in 94.7 percent (18/19) and 92.6 percent (25/27), respectively, with no statistica difference (p>0.20) in the clinical outcome with the clinical treatment (albendazol) versus the surgical one, but the frequencies of no success had been, respectively, 0 percent and 28.6 percent, and deaths of 0 percent and 21.4 percent. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of studies on PHD does not include patients with etiologic evidence and consequently is possible that part of the current clinical knowledge suffers significant changes for future inquiries. Nevertheless, the raised data indicate that the best therapeutical option, in the non surgical approach, the use of albendazol.

Relapse in patients with schizophrenia: a comparison between risperidone and haloperidol.

OBJECTIVES: To compare rates of rehospitalization and time to relapse in risperidone vs. haloperidol-treated schizophrenic patients discharged from the hospital. METHODS: Randomized controlled trial comparing risperidone and haloperidol regarding relapse in patients with schizophrenia treated with flexible doses during one year. RESULTS: Twenty patients were assigned to risperidone and 13 to haloperidol. One patient from each group withdrew consent and one patient in the risperidone group was lost for follow-up. Six (30.0%) patients in the risperidone group and 3 (23.1%) in the haloperidol group relapsed (p=1.00). However, time to relapse was shorter in the later (logrank =4.2; p=.04). When rehospitalized, patients in the risperidone group stayed 34.5 days (median) at hospital as compared to the haloperidol group (median of 61 days) (p=.61). CONCLUSION: The proportion of schizophrenic patients who relapsed was similar in both groups; However, time to relapse was shorter in the haloperidol-treated patients.

Prevalence of depression in different groups of inpatients at the University Hospital of Bahia, Brazil

INTRODUCTION: According to several epidemiological studies 10 percent to 20 percent of patients with medical diseases have depressive symptoms. However, only one third of these patients receive a diagnosis and 10 percent to 30 percent are adequately treated. The objective of this study was to estimate the prevalence of depression in inpatients at the University Hospital of Bahia. METHOD: Adult inpatients admitted to the University Hospital of Bahia were randomly assigned in the different wards during the first semester of 2001, in order to answer the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). The sample was divided into patients with medical, surgical and neoplastic diseases. RESULTS: Among the 196 patients, with mean age of 46.3±14.9 years, from both genders, significantly higher BDI scores (p=0.03) were observed in patients with medical diseases compared with surgical patients and those with neoplastic diseases (16.4±11.7 vs. 12.2±6.5 and 11.8±8.0, respectively). After establishing cutoff scores for the BDI, the prevalence of depression was 51.5 percent (57.7 clinical vs. 42.9 surgical and 34.2 neoplastic) for scores ³14 and 24.5 percent (29.2 clinical vs. 9.5 surgical and 15.8 neoplastic) for scores ³21, being also more prevalent in clinical inpatients (p=0.03 and p=0.06). CONCLUSION: The high prevalence of depression in this study shows that more attention should be given to depressive symptoms observed in inpatients in general hospitals

Childhood pneumonia: clinical aspects associated with hospitalization or death.

OBJECTIVE: To determine which available information at an Emergency Room (ER) consultation is associated with hospitalization or death among children with pneumonia. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. SETTING: The ER of one university and one private hospital. MEASUREMENT: Using stepwise logistic regression we analyzed factors that showed a univariate association. MAIN RESULTS: Of 2,970 cases, the median age was 1.83 years (range 2 days to 14.5 yrs, mean 2.76 +/- 2.72 yrs); 25.8% were hospitalized and 0.8% died. Age (2-11 mos, OR 0.4 [0.2-0.6]; 12-59 mos, OR 0.2 [0.1-0.4]; > or = 5 yrs, OR 0.1 [0.08-0.3]), malnutrition (OR 2.0 [1.4-2.7]), underlying chronic illness (OR 1.4 [1.1-1.8]), tachypnea (OR 1.8 [1.4-2.4]), chest indrawing (OR 1.7 [1.4-2.2]), and somnolence (OR 1.8 [1.4-2.4]) were associated with hospitalization and age (2-11 mos, OR 0.3 [0.08-0.8]; > or = 12 mos, OR 0.06 [0.02-0.2]), malnutrition (OR 3.1 [1.2-7.7]) and underlying chronic illness (OR 4.3 [1.6-11.0]) were associated with death in the multivariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Several clinical aspects may be used in assessing need for hospitalization (i.e. young age, malnutrition, underlying chronic illness, tachypnea, chest indrawing and somnolence) for children with pneumonia seen at the ER. Individual intrinsic factors such as age, malnutrition and underlying chronic illness were independently associated with death. Pneumonia should be considered a treatable disease and complete recovery can be achieved in the majority of the cases.

Childhood pneumonia: clinical aspects associated with hospitalization or death

OBJECTIVE: To determine which available information at an Emergency Room (ER) consultation is associated with hospitalization or death among children with pneumonia. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. SETTING: The ER of one university and one private hospital. MEASUREMENT: Using stepwise logistic regression we analyzed factors that showed a univariate association. MAIN RESULTS: Of 2,970 cases, the median age was 1.83 years (range 2 days to 14.5 yrs, mean 2.76 +/- 2.72 yrs); 25.8 were hospitalized and 0.8 died. Age (2-11 mos, OR 0.4 [0.2-0.6]; 12-59 mos, OR 0.2 [0.1-0.4]; > or = 5 yrs, OR 0.1 [0.08-0.3]), malnutrition (OR 2.0 [1.4-2.7]), underlying chronic illness (OR 1.4 [1.1-1.8]), tachypnea (OR 1.8 [1.4-2.4]), chest indrawing (OR 1.7 [1.4-2.2]), and somnolence (OR 1.8 [1.4-2.4]) were associated with hospitalization and age (2-11 mos, OR 0.3 [0.08-0.8]; > or = 12 mos, OR 0.06 [0.02-0.2]), malnutrition (OR 3.1 [1.2-7.7]) and underlying chronic illness (OR 4.3 [1.6-11.0]) were associated with death in the multivariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Several clinical aspects may be used in assessing need for hospitalization (i.e. young age, malnutrition, underlying chronic illness, tachypnea, chest indrawing and somnolence) for children with pneumonia seen at the ER. Individual intrinsic factors such as age, malnutrition and underlying chronic illness were independently associated with death. Pneumonia should be considered a treatable disease and complete recovery can be achieved in the majority of the cases.

Nortriptyline blood levels and clinical outcome: metaanalysis of published studies

Introdução: Sugere-se a existência de uma faixa de concentração ótima para os níveis sanguíneos da nortriptilina, acima e abaixo da qual os pacientes não respondem ao tratamento ou o fazem pobremente. Métodos: Realizamos metanálise dos estudos publicados com o propósito de verificar a existência de uma faixa de concentração sanguínea ótima (janela terapêutica) para os pacientes deprimidos tratados com nortriptilina. A busca através do MEDLINE envolvendo os anos de 1970 a 1999 foi realizada com o objetivo de identificar artigos originais e de revisão. Dados sobre níveis sanguíneos e percentagem de melhora foram obtidos. Foram realizadas análises uni e multivariadas para a comparação dos dados. Avaliamos possíveis variáveis de confusão como: período de pré-tratamento, ambiente (hospitalar ou ambulatorial) e duração do tratamento. Resultados: Dos 22 estudos publicados que foram identificados, apenas seis que forneceram os dados individuais dos pacientes foram incluídos. Encontramos uma faixa de concentração ótima para a nortriptilina (OR=2,25, IC95 por cento=1,15 a 4,39, p=0,02). Conclusões: É possível que exista uma associação de tipo bifásico entre as concentrações de nortriptilina e a resposta clínica, com uma janela terapêutica entre 46 e 236 ng/ml

Niveis sanguineos de nortriptilina e resposta clinica: metanalise dos estudos publicados

Introducao: Sugere-se a existencia de uma faixa de concentracao otima para os niveis sanguineos da nortriptilina, acima e abaixo da qual os pacientes nao respondem ao tratamento ou o fazem probremente. Metodos: Realizamos metanalise dos estudos publicados com o proposito de verificar a existencia de uma faixa de concentracao sanguinea otima (janela terapeutica) para os pacientes deprimidos tratados com nortriptilina. A busca atraves do MEDLINE envolvendo os anos de 1970 a 1999 foi realizada com o objetivo de identificar artigos originais e de revisao. Dados sobre niveis sanguineos e percentagem de melhora foram obtidos. Foram realizadas analise uni e multivariadas para a comparacao dos dados. Avaliamos possiveis varaiaveis de confusao como: periodo de pre-tratamento, ambiente (hospitalar ou ambulatorial) e duracao do tratamento. Resultados: dos 22 estudos publicados que foram identificados, apenas seis que forneceram os dados individuais dos pacientes foram incluidos. Encontramos uma faixa de concentracao otima para a nortriptilina (OR=2,25, IC95=1,15 a 4,39, p=0,02). Conclusoes: E possivel que exista uma associacao de tipo bifasico entre as concentracoes de nortriptilina e a resposta clinica, com uma janela terapeutica entre 46 e 236 ng/ml.

Meta-análise para avaliar a eficácia e a segurança da olanzapina comparada ao haloperidol no tratamento da esquizofrenia: achados preliminares / Meta-analysis for evaluate the efficacy and safety of olanzpine compared to haloperidol in the treatment of schizophenia: preliminary findings

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar, através de meta-análise, a eficácia clínica a curto prazo (seis semanas) e a segurança da olanzapina em comparaçäo como haloperidol e placebo, a luz dos dados obtidos a partir dos ensaios clínicos controlados. A busca realizada através do MEDLINE em CD ROM, das referências bibliográficas tanto dos artigos de revisäo quanto dos estudos primários, bem como o contato com o fabricante, resultaram em três ensaios randomizados, controlados, duplo-cegos comparando a olanzapina com haloperidol/placebo e um envolvendo a comparaçäo com placebo isoladamente. Os resultados clinicamente relevantes foram extraídos, quais sejam, (I) a proporçäo de pacientes que deixaram de alcançar pelo menos 40 por cento de melhora da Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale, (II) a proporçäo de pacientes que abandonaram o tratamento devido a efeitos adversos e (IV) o número de pacientes que necessitaram de medicaçäo antiparkinsoniana em decorrência dos sintomas extrapiramidais. Insucesso terapêutico, definido como a incapacidade de alcançar pelo menos 40 por cento de melhora da psicopatologia, esteve presente em 48 por cento dos pacientes tratados com olanzapina, em comparaçäo com 64 por cento daqueles tratados com haloperidol. Seria necessário tratar 6 pacientes com olanzapina para prevenir um insucesso terapêutico previsto para ocorrer nos pacientes tratados com haloperidol (OR=0,53, IC 95 por cento = 0,44-0,64, p<0,00001). Ocorreram significantemente menos interrupçöes prematuras do tratamento por ineficácia nos pacientes tratados com olanzapina do que nos foram tratados com haloperidol, respectivamente 20,7 por cento e 30,5 por cento (OR=0,60, IC 95 por cento = 0,49-0,62, p<0,00001). A interrupçäo prematura do tratamento devida a efeitos adversos foi mais frequente nos pacientes tratados com haloperidol do que naqueles tratados com olanzapina, respctivamente, 7 por cento e 4 por cento (OR = 0,58, IC 95 por cento = 0,39-0,85, p = 0,005). O uso de anticolinérgicos foi necessário em apenas 15 por cento dos pacientes tratados com olanzapina, em comparaçäo com 49 por cento daqueles tratados com haloperidol (OR = 0,19, IC 95 por cento = 0,15-0,23, p<0,0001). Em conclusäo, a olanzapina parece ser mais eficaz como antipsicótico do que o haloperidol. Ademais, parece mais segura, uma vez que promoveu menos interrupçöes por efeitos adversos e exigiu significantemente menos medicaçöes antiparkinsonianas

Meta-analise para avaliar a eficacia e a seguranca da olanzapina comparada ao haloperidol no tratamento da esquizofrenia: achados preliminares

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar, atraves de meta-analise, a eficacia clinica a curto prazo (seis semanas) e a seguranca da olanzapina em comparacao como haloperidol e placebo, a luz dos dados obtidos a partir dos ensaios clinicos controlados. A busca realizada atraves do MEDLINE em CD ROM, das referencias bibliograficas tanto dos artigos de revisao quanto dos estudos primarios, bem como o contato com o fabricante, resultaram em tres ensaios randomizados, controlados, duplo-cegos comparando a olanzapina com haloperidol/placebo e um envolvendo a comparacao com pacebo isoladamente. Os resultados clinicamente relevantes foram extraidos, quais sejam, (I) a proporcao de pacientes que deixaram de alcancar pelo menos 40 por cento de melhora da Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale, (II) a proporcao de pacientes que interromperam o tratamento por falta de eficacia, (III) a proporcao de pacientes que abandonaram o tratamento devido a efeitos adversos e (IV) o numero de pacientes que necessitaram de medicacao antiparkinsoniana em decorrencia dos sintomas extrapiramidais. Insucesso terapeutico, definido como a incapacidade de alcancar pelo menos 40 por cento de melhora da psicopatologia, esteve presente em 48 por cento dos pacientes tratados com olanzapina, em comparacao com 64 por cento daqueles tratados com haloperidol. Seria necessario tratar em 6 pacientes com olanzapina para prevenir um insucesso terapeutico previsto para ocorrer nos pacientes tratados com haloperidol (OR igual 0,53, IC 95 por cento igual 0,440,64, p menor 0,00001). Ocorreram significantemente menos interrupcoes prematuras do tratamento por ineficacia nos pacientes tratados com olanzapina do que nos que foram tratados com haloperidol, respectivamente 20,7 por cento e 30,5 por cento (OR igual 0,60, IC 95 por cento igual 0,49-0,62, p menor 0,00001). A interrupcao prematura do tratamento devida a efeitos adversos foi mais frequente nos pacientes tratados haloperidol do que naqueles tratados com olanzapina, respectivamente, 7 por cento e 4 por cento (OR igual 0,58, IC 95 por cento igual 0, 39-0,85, p igual 0,005). O uso de anticolinergicos foi necessario em apenas 15 por cento dos pacientes tratados com olanzapina, em comparacao com 49 por cento daqueles tratados com haloperidol (OR igual 0,19, IC 95 por cento igual 0,15-0,23, p menor 0,0001). Em conclusao, a olanzapina parece mais segura, uma vez que promoveu menos interrupcoes por efeitos adversos e exigiu significantemente menos medicacoes antiparkinsonianas.