scholarly journals High Response Rate to Antidepressants in the Management of Paroxysmal Hypertension (Pseudopheochromocytoma)

Author(s):  
Samuel J. Mann ◽  
Kaushal V. Solanki

There is no widely recognized preventive treatment for patients with paroxysmal hypertension (“pseudopheochromocytoma”) who suffer recurrent and often severe paroxysmal elevation of blood pressure, repeated emergency room visits and hospitalizations. In this case series we assessed the effectiveness of treatment with an antidepressant in preventing recurrent paroxysms. A secondary exploratory objective was to examine the psychological profile of patients and its relationship to response to treatment. The charts of 52 patients who reported having experienced at least 3 symptomatic episodes were selected; and and for whom treatment data were included. Treatment with an antidepressant was offered to, and follow-up data were available in 37..Two patients refused treatment, 6 were unable to tolerate an effective dose, 3 were lost to follow-up, and 1 was non-compliant with the medication. Of the remaining 25 evaluable patients, 92% (23/25) responded, with 80% (21/25) achieving complete and persisting cessation of paroxysms, and 8% (2/25), a reduction in frequency. Importantly, an antidepressant was effective in nearly all patients who reported that they were not suffering from anxiety or depression. The data were insufficient to determine superiority of any one antidepressant versus another. We conclude that treatment with an antidepressant is effective in preventing hypertensive paroxysms in a high proportion of patients with paroxysmal hypertension. Given the absence of any other pharmacologic intervention capable of preventing recurrent paroxysms, the similarly high response rate observed in previous reports, and the relatively safe profile of antidepressant agents, the findings support more widespread use of an antidepressant in patients with this disorder to prevent years of continued hypertensive paroxysms and their consequences.

1988 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 137-137
Author(s):  
Henrik Toft Sørensen ◽  
Bo Christensen ◽  
Erling Kjærulff

Blood ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 122 (21) ◽  
pp. 5126-5126
Author(s):  
Sinziana Radesi-Sarghi ◽  
Flavie Arbion ◽  
Caroline Dartigeas ◽  
Martine Delain ◽  
Lotfi Benboubker ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Maintenance interferon-alpha (IFNa) immunotherapy after induction chemotherapy prolongs progression-free survival (PFS) in untreated follicular lymphoma (FL). Little information is available about IFNa use in relapsed FL. Objectives To evaluate the benefit of IFNa as treatment for low-burden FL relapse. Methods In this single-centre retrospective study, we analysed all patients with molecular or clinical relapsed low- burden FL who received 3MIU IFNa three times a week alone (16 times) or in combination with 4-weekly rituximab (R) (11 times), without chemotherapy, according to the institution’s policy. All responses were evaluated according to the IWG 1999 criteria, except for molecular relapses which are described separately. Results 20 patients (13 men, 7 women), treated for a total of 27 times with IFNa were identified, with a median follow-up of 85 months. At diagnosis, 17 patients had advanced III-IV stage and 5 of them a high tumour burden, according to GELA criteria. 5 patients were treated for molecular IGH-BCL2 relapses. The FLIPI score was intermediate or high risk in 37% of patients. The median age of patients at the first IFNa +/- R treatment was 51 years (range: 30-65). Patients had previously received a median of three lines of treatment (range: 1-6) and 59% had received anthracycline-based chemotherapy. In the 22 situations with measurable disease, the overall response rate (OR) was 70%, with 59% complete responses (CR). For patients with only detectable molecular disease (n=5), IFNa was used alone for a median duration of 15 months (range: 12- 21 months), MRD becoming negative in 4 patients. The only factor significantly correlated with maximum response was low FLIPI score calculated at study entry (p=0.02). Median PFS was 56.9 months, (95% CI: 0.8-113). The R-IFNa and IFNa subgroup outcomes did not statistically differ in response or PFS. The FLIPI score calculated at initiation of IFNa treatment was predictive of time to relapse (P=0.014). The overall survival at 5 years was 95 % (95%CI: 91-99): 100%  in the  IFNa group and 91% (95%CI: 82-100) in the R-IFNa group. Reported toxicity was low. Conclusion Interferon alpha with or without rituximab achieve high response rates in relapsed low burden follicular lymphoma. These results compare favorably with previous reports of the efficacy of R alone, and of R with IFNa in relapse. Further research is required to explore the role of IFNa in the management of FL. Disclosures: Gyan: Roche: Research Funding.


2018 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 38-41
Author(s):  
Leonard Salles De Almeida

Background: The degree of efficacy and duration of effect of Intragastric Balloons (IGBs) can be variable and unpredictable. The Spatz Adjustable Intragastric Balloon (AIGB) was developed to address these issues by extending implantation to 1 year, decreasing balloon volume for intolerance and increasing volume for decreased balloon effect.Aims: To determine the efficacy and response rate of the Spatz3 AIGB.Methods: Results of 379 consecutive patients (pts) implanted with the Spatz3 AIGB were retrospectively reviewed (3 lost to follow up). Mean BMI 35.5; mean weight (wt) 97.5 kg; mean excess wt 29.1 kg; mean balloon volume 600ml. Balloon volume adjustments were offered: Down adjustments for intolerance and up adjustments for decreased balloon effect.Results: The mean implantation time of 376 pts was 10.6 months yielding mean wt loss 14.9 kg; mean 15.1% Total Body Wt Loss (%TBL) and 58% Excess Wt Loss(%EWL). Response rate (> 25%EWL) was achieved in 79% (297/376) of pts. Down adjustments in 95 pts (mean 2.4 months; mean -152.4 ml) allowed 76/95 (80%) to continue IGB therapy for at least 6 months (mean 9.1 months). Up adjustments in 205/376 (54.5%) pts (mean 5.8 months; mean + 179.2 ml) yielded additional mean wt loss of 6.5 kg. There was 1 gastric ulcer (0.27%). One balloon deflated at 7.4 months and 4 others deflated after 1 year (13-23 months).Conclusions: In this retrospective review of 376 Spatz3 AIGB patients, up adjustments yielded a mean 6.5kg extra wt loss for those with wt loss plateau, and down adjustments alleviated early intolerance. These two adjustment functions may be instrumental in yielding a successful outcome (> 25% EWL) in 79% of pts.


2013 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 171-179
Author(s):  
Hanna Edebol ◽  
Lars Helldin ◽  
Torsten Norlander

Objective: Two measures of the response rate and the optimal treatment response for adult ADHD were evaluated using methylphenidate. The hypotheses were that Prediction of ADHD (PADHD) defines remission, the Weighed Core Symptom (WCS) scale registers direct effects of medication and that WCS may indicate the optimal dose level during titration. Design: PADHD and WCS were analyzed at baseline and after intake of low doses of either short-acting or modified-release formulations of methylphenidate, MPH (Study I), during titration with modified-release formulations of MPH (18/27, 36, 54, 72 mg) and at three months follow-up (Study II). Patients: Study I consisted of 63 participants (32 females) and Study II consisted of 10 participants (6 females) diagnosed with ADHD and who was to start with treatment. Outcome measures: Prediction of ADHD (PADHD) indicates the occurrence of ADHD (No, Yes) and the Weighed Core Symptom scale (WCS) quantifies ADHD from 0 to 100 (max-min). Results: The number of clinical cases of ADHD decreased after methylphenidate treatment according to PADHD. WCS increased (p < 0.001) from 9.75 (SD = 12.27) to 47.50 (SD = 29.75) with about 10 mg of methylphenidate (N = 63). During titration, symptoms improved after 18/27 mg and 36 mg of methylphenidate and baseline-follow up comparisons showed WCS increments (p = 0.005) from 31.00 (N = 10, SD = 26.85) to 69.00 (N = 10, SD = 22.34). Conclusions: PADHD defined remission and WCS measured therapeutic effects of methylphenidate in adult ADHD.


2018 ◽  
Vol 31 (3) ◽  
pp. 146 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luís Ramos dos Santos ◽  
Magna Alves-Correia ◽  
Margarida Câmara ◽  
Manuela Lélis ◽  
Carmo Caldeira ◽  
...  

Introduction: Carbon monoxide poisoning may occur in several contexts.Material and Methods: Retrospective of 37 carbon monoxide poisoning cases that underwent hyperbaric oxygen during wildfires in Funchal in August 2016.Results: The studied sample included 37 patients, mean age of 38 years, 78% males. Ten were firefighters, four children and two pregnant victims. Neurological symptoms were the most reported. Median carboxyhemoglobin level was 3.7% (IQR 2.7). All received high-flow oxygen from admission to delivery of hyperbaric oxygen. Persistence of symptoms was the main indication for hyperbaric oxygen. Median time to hyperbaric oxygen was 4.8 hours (IQR 9.5), at 2.5 ATA for 90 minutes, without major complications. Discharge in less than 24 hours occurred in 92% of the cases. Thirty days follow-up: five patients presented clinical symptoms of late neurological syndrome; twelve patients were lost to follow-up. Carboxyhemoglobin levels on admission and mean time to hyperbaric oxygen were no different between those who did and did not develop the syndrome at 30 days (p = 0.44 and p = 0.58, respectively).Discussion: Late neurological syndrome at 30 days occurred in 20% and no new cases were reported at 12 months.Conclusion: Use of hyperbaric oxygen appears to have reduced the incidence of the syndrome. This seems to be the first Portuguese series reporting use of hyperbaric oxygen in carbon monoxide poisoning due to wildfires. The authors intend to alert to the importance of referral of these patients because the indications and benefits of this treatment are well documented. This is especially important given the ever-growing issue of wildfires in Portugal.


2018 ◽  
Vol 29 ◽  
pp. viii447
Author(s):  
V. Franke ◽  
D.M.S. Berger ◽  
W.M.C. Klop ◽  
B. van der Hiel ◽  
B.A. van de Wiel ◽  
...  

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document