Tetrahydrocannabinol and cannabidiol as an oromucosal spray in a 1:1 ratio: a therapeutic option for patients with central post-stroke pain syndrome?

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (7) ◽  
pp. e243072
Author(s):  
Ulrich Moser

Central pain after stroke due to brainstem infarction is very rare. Treatment is difficult and specific guidelines are lacking. This is the report of a 61-year-old female patient who, after a posterolateral left medulla oblongata insult with incomplete Wallenberg syndrome, subsequently developed a burning and tingling pain in the contralateral leg and a burning and shooting pain in the ipsilateral face in trigeminal branches 1 and 2. More than 3 years of therapy with amitriptyline, gabapentin, pregabalin and various grade II and III opioids was ineffective or showed intolerable side effects. The administration of tetrahydrocannabinol and cannabidiol as an oromucosal spray in a 1:1 ratio improved the pain situation and quality of life quickly and permanently. The encouraging results in the present case may suggest that treatment with medical cannabis should be considered in similar cases when standard therapies are insufficient.

Cancers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. 1387
Author(s):  
Radouane El Ayachy ◽  
Roger Sun ◽  
Kanta Ka ◽  
Adrien Laville ◽  
Anne-Sophie Duhamel ◽  
...  

Purpose: Lip carcinoma represents one of the most common types of head and neck cancer. Brachytherapy is a highly effective therapeutic option for all stages of lip cancers. We report our experience of pulsed dose rate brachytherapy (PDR) as treatment of lip carcinoma. Methods and Materials: this retrospective single center study included all consecutive patients treated for a lip PDR brachytherapy in our institution from 2010 to 2019. The toxicities and outcomes of the patients were reported, and a retrospective quality of life assessment was conducted by phone interviews (FACT H&N). Results: From October 2010 to December 2019, 38 patients were treated in our institution for a lip carcinoma by PDR brachytherapy. The median age was 73, and the majority of patients presented T1-T2 tumors (79%). The median total dose was 70.14 Gy (range: 60–85 Gy). With a mean follow-up of 35.4 months, two patients (5.6%) presented local failure, and seven patients (19%) had lymph node progression. The Kaplan–Meier estimated probability of local failure was 7.2% (95% CI: 0.84–1) at two and four years. All patients encountered radiomucitis grade II or higher. The rate of late toxicities was low: three patients (8.3%) had grade II fibrosis, and one patient had grade II chronic pain. All patients would highly recommend the treatment. The median FACT H&N total score was 127 out of 148, and the median FACT H&N Trial Outcome Index was 84. Conclusions: This study confirms that an excellent local control rate is achieved with PDR brachytherapy as treatment of lip carcinoma, with very limited late side effects and satisfactory functional outcomes. A multimodal approach should help to improve regional control.


2019 ◽  
Vol 65 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Agnieszka Licow ◽  
Sylwester Ciećwież ◽  
Magdalena Ptak ◽  
Dariusz Kotlęga ◽  
Andrzej Starczewski ◽  
...  

Overactive bladder affects 12–17% of the population, and mainly women, and its incidence increases with age. Diagnosis of this condition is based mainly on the patients’ complaints. These symptoms significantly affect the quality of life of millions of patients, involving considerable social, psychological, professional, physical and sexual problems. The wide incidence of this condition makes it necessary to find new medical substances in order to effectively eliminate the symptoms. Neurotoxins are a group of medical drugs that hold great promise for the future. Botulinum toxin is currently being used to treat  symptoms related to overactive bladder. It can constitute an appropriate therapeutic option, in  particular with regard to patients for whom the use of standard anti-cholinergic drugs is unsatisfactory or leads to severe side effects. Numerous research studies confirm that botulinum toxin can be  efficiently used in the treatment of overactive bladder. The properties of this neurotoxin allow selective  deactivation of overactive muscles. The use of botulinum toxin can be a method of treatment that significantly improves patient quality of life.Keywords: botulinum toxin; overactive bladder; urinary incontinence; quality of life.


2019 ◽  
Vol 90 (4) ◽  
pp. 260-264 ◽  
Author(s):  
Angela Maurizi ◽  
Francesco De Luca ◽  
Antonino Zanghi ◽  
Emy Manzi ◽  
Costantino Leonardo ◽  
...  

Introduction: Chronic prostatitis (CP)/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CPPS) represents a challenge for the urologist, since the therapeutic efficacy does not always result in a satisfactory quality of life for the patients. Often the side effects of the medications used (antiinflammatories, antibiotics, alpha blockers) far outweighs the benefits gained with their admission. The choice of nutraceutical medications is preferred for their effectiveness, that has been accepted and proven by the scientific community, and for the low incidence of side effects. The objective of this study to compare the therapeutic efficacy of the flower pollen extracts (Deprox®) versus Bioflavonoids in terms of reduction of symptoms, and in the average waiting time of the variation of the National Institute of Health Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index (NIH-CPSI), and to evaluate the quality of life improvement of the patients affected by CP/CPPS. Methods: Among the 68 patients presented with prostatic symptoms to the Hospital “Umberto I” in Rome, Italy between March 2016 and June 2016, 54 patients met the clinical diagnosis of CP/CPPS (class IIIa or IIIb according to the NIH classification). The patients were assigned to either treatment with Deprox® or quercetin based on a randomization scheme previously determined.The NIH- CPSI, IPSS, QoL questionnaires were administered. Every patient underwent bacterial cultures and trans-rectal ultrasound. Results: There was a statistically significant improvement of the NIH-CPSI score and QoL in the Deprox® group (p = < 0.0001 and p = 0.003 respectively). The average waiting time of the variation of the National Institute of Health Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index (NIH-CPSI) was statistically significant (p = 0.0019). In the absence of efficacy of the “conventional” medications, which also carries significant side effects, the dietary supplements may represent a valid alternative. Conclusions: DEPROX® has demonstrated a significant improvement of the symptoms and quality of life of patients diagnosed with by CP/CPPS. Furthermore, there was a statistical difference in the average waiting time of the variation of the NIH-CPSI) score without side effects as compared to the bioflavonoids complex with quercetin.


Cancers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. 1479
Author(s):  
Marianna Noale ◽  
Alessio Bruni ◽  
Luca Triggiani ◽  
Michela Buglione ◽  
Filippo Bertoni ◽  
...  

Radiotherapy (RT) represents an important therapeutic option for the treatment of localized prostate cancer. The aim of the current study is to examine trajectories in patients’ reported quality of life (QoL) aspects related to bowel function and bother, considering data from the PROState cancer monitoring in ITaly from the National Research Council (Pros-IT CNR) study, analyzed with growth mixture models. Data for patients who underwent RT, either associated or not associated with androgen deprivation therapy, were considered. QoL outcomes were assessed over a 2-year period from the diagnosis, using the Italian version of the University of California Los Angeles-Prostate Cancer Index (Italian-UCLA-PCI). Three trajectories were identified for the bowel function; having three or more comorbidities and the use of 3D-CRT technique for RT were associated with the worst trajectory (OR = 3.80, 95% CI 2.04–7.08; OR = 2.17, 95% CI 1.22–3.87, respectively). Two trajectories were identified for the bowel bother scores; diabetes and the non-Image guided RT method were associated with being in the worst bowel bother trajectory group (OR = 1.69, 95% CI 1.06–2.67; OR = 2.57, 95% CI 1.70–3.86, respectively). The findings from this study suggest that the absence of comorbidities and the use of intensity modulated RT techniques with image guidance are related with a better tolerance to RT in terms of bowel side effects.


Neurology ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 91 (23 Supplement 1) ◽  
pp. S18.3-S19 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer McVige ◽  
Vincent Harry Bargnes ◽  
Said Shukri ◽  
Laszlo Mechtler

ObjectiveTo examine medical cannabis (MC) as treatment for concussion-related chronic pain.Design/methodsIndividuals with concussion often experience chronic discomfort from headaches. MC treatment was approved for use in chronic pain by New York State in March 2017. DENT has treated 4,123 patients with MC, including 2,792 for chronic pain and 142 with concussion symptoms. Sixty-six charts were reviewed, with a total of 100 expected by presentation.Preliminary results(1) The Patient Global Impression of Improvement (PGI-I) scale revealed 80% of patients experienced significant improvement in activity level and symptoms. (2) Five common concussion symptoms (headache, mood, sleep, attention, and dizziness) were evaluated via modified-Likert scale (0 rated as “Much Worse” and 10 as “Much Better”). Moderate improvement (MI) was defined as 7–8 and significant improvement (SI) 9–10. Improvement was greatest in mood (63% MI, 20% SI), sleep (53% MI, 23% SI), and headache (60% MI, 14% SI). (3) Quality of Life after Brain Injury Score (QOLIBRI) scores were obtained on patients who had started MC (46) and those who had not yet (19). Comparison of the groups showed a significant improvement (p = 0.0035) in quality of life in individuals on MC. (4) The routes of administration that produced optimal benefit were 1:1 (THC:CBD) oral tincture at an average dose of 1.5 mL TID for prophylaxis and 20:1 vapor pen for acute pain. Together these products cost an average of $242 per month. (5) 15% of patients reported side effects, all minimal, with 63% related to administration route (poor taste, cough). No patients discontinued MC due to side effects.ConclusionsThese results support MC as an option for treatment of concussion-related chronic pain. While prospective studies are required, these preliminary results lay the foundation for investigating MC as a valid treatment for concussion and chronic pain.


2007 ◽  
Vol 177 (4S) ◽  
pp. 31-31
Author(s):  
J. Curtis Nickel ◽  
Dean Tripp ◽  
Shannon Chuai ◽  
Mark S. Litwin ◽  
Mary McNaughton-Collins

Author(s):  
Yu. V. Antonova ◽  
A. M. Iskandarov ◽  
I. B. Mizonova

Introduction.Coccygodynia is a multidisciplinary disease which is diffi cult to treat. It seriously limits the ability to work and signifi cantly affects the quality of life of patients. The study of somatic dysfunctions in patients with coccygodynia and the analysis of the results of osteopathic treatment of such patients makes it possible to justify the necessity of osteopathic correction of coccygodynia.Goal of the study— to determine the structure of the leading somatic dysfunctions in patients with coccygodynia and to study the effectiveness of osteopathic treatment of this pathology.Materials and methods.The study involved 44 patients from 25 to 65 years old, randomly divided into two groups. The main group of 24 people (20 women and 4 men) received osteopathic treatment, in accordance with the identifi ed leading somatic dysfunctions. Patients of the control group (16 women and 4 men) were treated locally with soft manual techniques (the treatment area was limited by the pelvic region). In order to assess the results of the treatment, we examined the intensity of the pain syndrome and the psycho-emotional state of patients. The severity of the pain syndrome was assessed in accordance with the visual analogue scale (VAS). The psycho-emotional state (with physical and mental components) was assessed with the help of the SF-36 quality of life questionnaire.Results.Somatic dysfunctions typical for patients with coccygodynia have been identifi ed. Osteopathic treatment has proven to be more effective in comparison with local manual therapy of coccygodynia both in early periods and in 3 months after the end of the treatment course.Conclusion.Osteopathic treatment of post-traumatic coccygodynia is effective, and can be recommended for treatment of such patients.


Author(s):  
М.Р. Оразов ◽  
В.Е. Радзинский ◽  
М.Б. Хамошина ◽  
Е.Н. Носенко ◽  
Э.С. Токаева ◽  
...  

Цель исследования - изучение особенностей обмена гистамина при хронической тазовой боли у пациенток с наружным генитальным эндометриозом. Методика. В сыворотке крови 100 пациенток методом высокоточного (в нг/мл) иммуноферментного твердофазного анализа определяли концентрацию гистамина. Использованы реактивы «Histamine ЕLISA», аппарат BAE-1000 Гистамин (Labor Diagnostika Nord - LDN, Германия). Оценка выраженности болевого синдрома осуществлялась по шкале ВАШ, оценка качества жизни - на основании опросника для оценки качества жизни при эндометриозе (EHR-30), оценка тревожности - опросника Спилбергера-Ханина. Результаты. Показано статистически значимое повышение уровня гистамина у пациенток с высокой интенсивностью болевого синдрома. Женщины с наружным генитальным эндометриозом, сопровождающимся интенсивным болевым синдромом в 100% случаев обнаруживали высокие уровни ситуативной и личностной тревожности, тогда как, лишь у 40% женщин (n = 16) контрольной группы выявлен умеренный уровень тревожности. Депрессивные расстройства выявлены у 58,3% женщин с хронической тазовой болью (n = 35), из них основную часть (n = 20) составили женщины с выраженной степенью болевого синдрома по ВАШ. Заключение. Психоэмоциональное состояние женщин с тазовой болью, ассоциированной с наружным генитальным эндометриозом, характеризуется высокими уровнями депрессивных и тревожных расстройств, значительным снижением уровня качества жизни. Выявлена прямая связь между интенсивностью болевого синдрома и уровнем гистамина в периферической крови пациенток с наружным генитальным эндометриозом. Objective. To study features of histamine metabolism in patients with chronic pelvic pain associated with external genital endometriosis. Methods. For quantitative assessment of histamine level in peripheral blood was taken from 100 patients which than was centrifuged. In blood serum histamine concentration was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method with reagents «Histamine ЕLISA» on the machine BAE-1000 Histamine (Labor Diagnostika Nord - LDN, Hermany). A pain syndrome was assessed by Visual Analog Scale (VAS), quality of life assessment - by Endometriosis Health Profile Questionnaire (EHR-30), level of anxiety was determined by Spielberger-Khanin questionnaire. The results. Showed statistically higher histamine level in patients with severe pain according to VAS. After assessment of results obtained from Spielberger-Khanin questionnaire 100% experimental group’s women with external genital endometriosis (n = 60) were noted to be have high level of state and trait anxiety, then 40% women of control group (n = 16) have moderate level of anxiety. The incidence of depression in women with chronic pelvic pain was 58.3% (n = 35) and the main part (n = 20) were women with severe stage of pelvic pain according to VAS. Conclusions. Psycho emotional condition of women with external genital endometriosis associated pelvic pain characterized by higher depression and anxiety levels, with significant decrease quality of life. Direct relationship also was found between pain syndrome intensity and histamine level in peripheral blood in patients with external genital endometriosis.


Author(s):  
Joshua A. Sloan ◽  
Philip O. Katz

The medical and lay literature has exploded with reports of adverse events associated with proton pump inhibitors over the last 10 to 15 years. The dissemination of these reports to patients and clinicians have created substantial concerns regarding what has been an exceptionally valuable drug class, dramatically improving patient quality of life, and in many cases preventing life threatening side effects of other medication. Patients are more frequently seeking to avoid these medications, and practitioners are reducing or discontinuing them to the patient’s detriment due to a misunderstanding of the data. This review will discuss the data regarding the most commonly publicized adverse events and attempt to put them in perspective.


2021 ◽  
Vol 38 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mira Sonneborn-Papakostopoulos ◽  
Clara Dubois ◽  
Viktoria Mathies ◽  
Mara Heß ◽  
Nicole Erickson ◽  
...  

AbstractCancer-related malnutrition has a high prevalence, reduces survival and increases side effects. The aim of this study was to assess oncology outpatients and risk of malnutrition. Reported symptoms and quality of life (QoL) in patients found to be at risk of malnutrition or malnourished were compared to patients without malnutrition. Using a standardized questionnaire, the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Questionnaire for Quality of Life and the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA), patients in an outpatient cancer clinic undergoing chemotherapy treatment at a German University Hospital were assessed for nutrition, risk of malnutrition and quality of life. Based on the MNA, 39 (45.9%) patients were categorized as malnourished or at risk for malnutrition. Loss of appetite (n = 37.6%, p < 0.001) and altered taste sensation (n = 30,3%, p < 0.001) were the symptoms most frequently associated with reduced food intake. Patients with risk of malnutrition scored lower on the global health status (n = 48.15%, p = 0.001). Side effects of cancer treatments lead to a higher risk of malnutrition and as a consequence lower QoL. These side effects should be addressed more efficiently in cancer care.


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