Intravenous immunoglobulin as short- and long-term therapy of multifocal motor neuropathy: a retrospective study of response to IVIg and of its predictive criteria in 40 patients

Multifocal motor neuropathy (MMN) is a rare, purely motor neuropathy. It is a progressive disorder, most patients eventually developing severe fatigue and weakness in the arm muscles that severely impair daily functioning and quality of life. Unlike other motor neuropathies such as motor neurone disease, MMN is treatable with regular infusions of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg). Four double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled studies have shown that in the short term, IVIg significantly improves muscle strength and disability in more than 70 % of patients. The 11 observational studies reviewed in this article confirm that long-term maintenance treatment with IVIg maintains clinical improvement compared to pre-treatment baseline in most patients. Infusions are generally well tolerated, but regular monitoring and re-evaluation of the IVIg maintenance regimen is essential, as most patients need progressive increases in dosage or reduced intervals between infusions to maintain their response to treatment. In the absence of accepted predictive markers, maintenance IVIg should be individualised, based on each patient’s initial response, disability and the interval between the first infusion and decline in muscle strength.

Download Full-text

Long-term therapy with sulphasalazine protects against colorectal cancer in ulcerative colitis: a retrospective study of colorectal cancer risk and compliance with treatment in Leicestershire

European Journal of Gastroenterology & Hepatology ◽

10.1097/00042737-199612000-00009 ◽

1996 ◽

Vol 8 (12) ◽

pp. 1179-1183 ◽

Cited By ~ 166

Author(s):

G A Moody ◽

V Jayanthi ◽

C S J Probert ◽

H Mac Kay ◽

J F Mayberry

Keyword(s):

Colorectal Cancer ◽

Ulcerative Colitis ◽

Retrospective Study ◽

Cancer Risk ◽

Colorectal Cancer Risk ◽

Term Therapy ◽

Long Term Therapy

Download Full-text

P272 Infliximab for moderate to severe ulcerative colitis: Short-and long-term therapy and predictors of response

Journal of Crohn s and Colitis ◽

10.1016/s1873-9946(12)60292-x ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 6 ◽

pp. S117-S118

Author(s):

Y. Ron ◽

H. Yanai ◽

M. Ben Yehoyada ◽

E. Meirovithz ◽

L. Yahav ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Ulcerative Colitis ◽

Term Therapy ◽

Severe Ulcerative Colitis ◽

Predictors Of Response ◽

Short And Long Term ◽

Long Term Therapy

Download Full-text

Pilot study with combined alfuzosin + finasteride in BPH treatment

Urologia Journal ◽

10.1177/039156039506200214 ◽

1995 ◽

Vol 62 (2) ◽

pp. 253-255

Author(s):

G. Morgia ◽

A. Saita ◽

L. Fondacaro ◽

B. Giammusso ◽

M. Motta

Keyword(s):

Pilot Study ◽

Optimal Solution ◽

Term Therapy ◽

Dynamic Phase ◽

Static Phase ◽

Short And Long Term ◽

Long Term Therapy

Today there are many types of therapies (medical and surgical) in BPH treatment. The Authors suggest dividing BPH into two components: a dynamic phase and a static phase. On the basis of this, they used an association of finasteride and alfuzosin in short and long-term therapy. Provided the rationale is correct, the results in terms of improved flow and symptomatology score suggest that this is an optimal solution.

Download Full-text