Comparative study on the efficacy of non-steroidal, steroid and non-use of anti-inflammatory in the treatment of acute epidemic conjunctivitis

Abstract Purpose To evaluate the effects of prednisolone against sodium diclofenac both with ciprofloxacin compared to artificial tears on the symptoms and signs of acute viral conjunctivitis. Methods Study included 37 patients diagnosed with acute conjunctivitis and distributed by three groups: A (1% prednisolone acetate + ciprofloxacin (0.3%); B (Sodium diclofenac (0.1%) + ciprofloxacin (0.3%) and C (artificial tears + ciprofloxacin (0.3%). Patients received medication 6/6 hours daily. Signs and symptoms (e.g. lacrimation, burning, photophobia, etc.) were scored at baseline and on the first, third, fifth and seventh days and in the end of treatment using a standardized questionnaire and slit lamp anterior segment examination. Results All three groups demonstrated an improvement in the signs and symptoms of conjunctivitis in their follow-up visits. There was no significant difference in symptom and sign scores between Group A and B and B and C in the study visits ( p >0.05). However, the comparison between groups A and C showed a clinical trend (p=0.05) on third evaluation suggesting better clinical action using the corticosteroids. Conclusion The prednisolone acetate was not superior to the use of sodium diclofenac or artificial tears in relieving the signs and symptoms of viral conjunctivitis.

Preoperative glutamine infusion improves glycemia in heart surgery patients / Infusão pré-operatória de glutamina melhora a glicemia em pacientes submetidos à cirurgia cardíaca

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effects of pre-operative L-alanyl-glutamine (L-Ala-Gln) on blood glucose control in patients with coronary obstruction, selected for myocardial revascularization. METHODS: Twenty-two patients (63±8 years) were randomly assigned to receive 250ml of L-Ala-Gln 20 percent plus saline 750 ml (Group L- Ala-Gln, n=11) or saline 1000 ml (Group Saline, n=11) over 3 hours before operation. Pre-operative blood samples were collected 3h before (T-1) and at the beginning of the surgical procedure (T-2). Intra-operative samples were collected immediately before the start (T-3) and the end of extra-corporeal perfusion (T- 4). Post-operative samples were collected 12h (T-12) and 24h later (T-24). RESULTS: Glycemia decreased significantly in L-Ala-Gln treated patients during the intraoperative period. The same effect did not occur in saline patients. As the rate of insulin infusion, administered routinely to patients undergoing surgery with extracorporeal circulation was constant in both groups during surgery, the reduction of blood glucose in group L-Ala-Gln does not seem to be related to exogenous insulin. CONCLUSION: Pre-operative use of L-Ala-Gln improves glycemic control in patients with coronary artery occlusion, submitted to myocardial revascularization.

OBJETIVO: Avaliar os efeitos do uso pré-operatório da L-alanil-glutamina (L-Ala-Gln) no controle glicêmico em pacientes, selecionados para a revascularização do miocárdio. MÉTODOS: Vinte e dois pacientes cardiopatas (63±8 anos) foram randomizados para receber 250 ml de L-Ala-Gln 20 por cento em 750 ml de solução salina (Grupo L-Ala-Gln, n=11) ou soro fisiológico 1000 ml (Grupo Salina, n=11). Amostras de sangue foram coletadas no pré-operatório, três horas antes (T-1: basal) e no início do procedimento cirúrgico (T-2); imediatamente antes do início (T-3) e no final da perfusão extra-corpórea (T-4); 12h (T-12) e 24h após a conclusão do procedimento. As infusões, com duração de 3 horas, foram iniciadas 3 h antes do procedimento operatório. RESULTADOS: Houve redução significativa da glicemia nos pacientes tratados com L-Ala-Gln durante o período intra-operatório (T-3 e T-4). O mesmo efeito não ocorreu nos pacientes do grupo salina. Como a taxa de infusão de insulina, administrada rotineiramente aos pacientes submetidos à cirurgia com circulação extracorpórea, foi constante em ambos os grupos durante o período intra-operatório, a redução da glicemia no grupo L-Ala-Gln não parece estar relacionada à insulina exógena. CONCLUSÃO: O uso pré-operatório de L-Ala-Gln melhora o controle glicêmico em pacientes com obstrução coronariana, submetidos à revascularização miocárdica.