scholarly journals Effect of Acupuncture on Premature Ovarian Failure: A Pilot Study

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yingru Chen ◽  
Yigong Fang ◽  
Jinsheng Yang ◽  
Fei Wang ◽  
Yingying Wang ◽  
...  

To investigate the effect of acupuncture on women with premature ovarian failure (POF), prospective consecutive case series study was applied. 31 women with POF were included; all patients were treated with acupuncture once every other day, three times a week for three months. Acupoints, GV 20, GV 24, GB 13, CV 3, CV 4, BL 23, BL 32, ST 25, ST 28, ST 29, ST 36, SP 6, KI 3, and LR 3, were selected. Serums FSH, E2, and LH level, Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS), and Kupperman score were measured at baseline and at the end of treatment; the menstrual cycle was recorded during one-month follow-up. Compared with baseline, patients’ serums FSH and LH were decreased, E2was increased, and SAS score and Kupperman score were decreased. Four patients resumed menstrual cycle after treatment and two resumed during follow-up. No serious adverse events were found in all patients. The results indicate that acupuncture may decrease serums FSH and LH level, raise serum E2level, relieve anxiety, reduce mental stress, and improve the menopausal symptoms.

Hand Therapy ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 175899832110078
Author(s):  
Laura Adamson ◽  
Anna Selby

Introduction For some people the appearance of their hands is as important as function. Upper limb scarring can cause some patients distress. Skin camouflage is an intervention that can be used to reduce the visual impact of a scar but there is limited published evidence for its use for hand scarring. Methods This is a case series study with a primary objective to determine whether skin camouflage reduces distress in patients with an upper limb scar and to evaluate this new service. Patients experiencing distress from an upper limb scar were recruited from a hand therapy outpatient clinic. The intervention delivered was a one hour skin camouflage session. Photographs of the upper limb pre and post skin camouflage intervention were taken. The patient-rated Michigan Hand Questionnaire (MHQ) and Derriford Appearance Scale (DAS24) were completed before treatment, at 1 week and 1 month after treatment. Results Six participants reporting distress from an upper limb scar received skin camouflage intervention. Only three out of six participants completed all follow-up. All three showed improvement in at least two domains of the MHQ (function and aesthetics) at one month post treatment. Increased confidence during functional and work-based activities was also reported on the DAS24. Participants reported increased engagement in daily activities as a result of being able to camouflage their scars. Conclusions This small case series shows that skin camouflage intervention may be beneficial for some patients who are experiencing distress related to an upper limb scar by increasing function and self-confidence.


2020 ◽  
pp. 219256822098044
Author(s):  
Sho Ishiwata ◽  
Yoichi Iizuka ◽  
Hitoshi Shitara ◽  
Tokue Mieda ◽  
Eiji Takasawa ◽  
...  

Study Design: Case series study. Objective: We aimed to clarify the prevalence of rotator cuff tear (RCT), and the association between RCT and the severity and prognosis in patients with proximal type cervical spondylotic amyotrophy (CSA). Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 35 proximal type CSA patients who were treated conservatively. The following data was collected: age, rotator cuff status on MRI, manual muscle test (MMT) score of shoulder abductor and biceps brachii muscles both at the first visit and final follow-up. We investigated the prevalence of RCT and the association between the rotator cuff status, and the severity and recovery of upper extremity weakness in patients with proximal type CSA. Results: Of the 35 patients, 21 had an RCT on MRI, indicating that the prevalence of RCT in patients with proximal type CSA was 60%. An age-adjusted analysis showed that the presence of RCT was significantly associated with the MMT score of the shoulder abductor muscles both at the first visit and at the final follow-up. The presence of RCT was significantly associated with the recovery of the shoulder abductor muscles. The size of the RCT was negatively correlated with the MMT score of the shoulder abductor muscles at the final follow-up. The size of the RCT was independently correlated with the change of the MMT score of the shoulder abductor muscles. Conclusion: RCT was detected in >50% in patients with proximal type CSA, and the presence and severity of RCT can be used as prognostic factors for proximal type CSA patients who are treated conservatively.


Author(s):  
Ilkka Rauma ◽  
Tiina Mustonen ◽  
Juha Matti Seppä ◽  
Maritta Ukkonen ◽  
Marianne Männikkö ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Alemtuzumab is an effective disease-modifying therapy (DMT) for highly active multiple sclerosis (MS). However, safety concerns limit its use in clinical practice. Objectives To evaluate the safety of alemtuzumab in a nationwide cohort of Finnish MS patients. Methods In this retrospective case series study, we analyzed the data of all but two MS patients who had received alemtuzumab in Finland until 2019. Data were systematically collected from patient files. Results Altogether 121 patients were identified, most of whom had received previous DMTs (82.6%). Median follow-up time after treatment initiation was 30.3 months and exceeded 24 months in 78 patients. Infusion-associated reactions (IARs) were observed in 84.3%, 57.3%, and 57.1% of patients during alemtuzumab courses 1–3, respectively. Serious adverse events (SAEs) were observed in 32.2% of patients, serious IARs in 12.4% of patients, and SAEs other than IARs in 23.1% of patients. Autoimmune adverse events were observed in 30.6% of patients. One patient died of hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis, and one patient died of pneumonia. A previously unreported case of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura was documented. Conclusions SAEs were more frequent in the present cohort than in previous studies. Even though alemtuzumab is a highly effective therapy for MS, vigorous monitoring with a long enough follow-up time is advised.


2011 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. R91 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katerina Laskari ◽  
Athanasios G Tzioufas ◽  
Haralampos M Moutsopoulos

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Hossam M. Moharram ◽  
Shaaban Abd-Elhamid Mehany Elwan ◽  
Mahmoud M. Nassar ◽  
Mohamed F. Abdelkader

Purpose. One of the most difficult refractory glaucomas is the neovascular type (NVG), and its association with dense cataract adds to this difficulty. This study aimed to provide results of the triple surgical procedure for such conditions. Methods. 12 eyes of 12 patients with NVG and dense cataract were included in this case series study. The mean age of patients was 57.25 ± 5.9 years. The mean preoperative intraocular pressure (IOP) was 47.25 ± 4.04 mmHg with maximum antiglaucoma therapy. The mean best corrected distant visual acuity (BCDVA) in LogMAR was 2.13 ± 0.38. All patients received intravitreal injection of 1.25 mg (0.05 ml) bevacizumab followed by phacoemulsification, pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) including panretinal photocoagulation (PRP), and trabeculectomy with mitomycin C (MMC). Mean IOP and BCDVA changes were the main outcome results of this study. Results. The follow-up period was 2 years. The mean BCDVA was improved to 1.22 ± 0.35, 1.13 ± 0.34, 1.12 ± 0.37, 1.06 ± 0.38, and 1.01 ± 0.37 at 1, 3, 6, 12, and 24 months, respectively, after this procedure. This improvement was statistically significant when compared with preoperative BCDVA (P<0.0001). The mean postoperative IOP was dropped to 20.08 ± 4.1, 17.08 ± 2.1, 17.17 ± 5, 15.75 ± 4.7, and 16.17 ± 6.1 mmHg, respectively. At the last follow-up, the mean IOP was statistically significantly lower than preoperative IOP (P<0.0001) at the previously mentioned time points. The success rate was complete in 90.9% of eyes and qualified in 100% of eyes. Iris and angle neovascularization had regressed significantly in all patients, and no serious complications occurred during the follow-up period. Conclusions. This triple surgery can safely improve patients with NVG and dense cataract regarding BCDVA and IOP control. This trial is registered with NCT04143620.


2020 ◽  
pp. 107110072096967
Author(s):  
Carlo Biz ◽  
Alberto Crimì ◽  
Ilaria Fantoni ◽  
Jacopo Tagliapietra ◽  
Pietro Ruggieri

Background: This study was aimed at assessing clinical and radiographic outcomes of the Minimally Invasive Intramedullary Nail Device (MIIND) to correct moderate to severe hallux valgus (HV) and the long-term persistence of its effects. Methods: This case series study involved 100 patients, 84 women and 16 men (mean age, 59 years), who underwent the MIIND procedure with a mean follow-up of 97 months. Assessment was performed preoperatively, postoperatively, at 6 and 12 months, and at last follow-up. Clinical outcomes were evaluated with American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) scores, visual analog scale (VAS), and patient satisfaction. Intermetatarsal angle (IMA), metatarsophalangeal hallux valgus angle (HVA), distal metatarsal articular angle (DMAA), and tibial sesamoid position were assessed. Statistical analysis was performed. Results: The mean AOFAS score improved from 57.9 to 90.5 points, VAS scale was 1.5 ± 2.0, and patients’ satisfaction was 8.7 ± 1.4. The mean correction of the HVA and IMA showed a significant correction; however, the effect of time was not statistically significant on DMAA. Sex ( P = .047), severity ( P = .050), associated procedures ( P = .000), and preoperative angle ( P = .000) showed significant association with HVA correction and its persistence over time. Age was not statistically significant. Complications were 9 cases of superficial wound infection and 6 recurrences. Conclusions: The MIIND technique proved a viable procedure to correct moderate to severe HV with a low rate of complications and recurrence, producing significant correction of most radiographic parameters assessed and their persistence, even at long term. Level of Evidence: Level IV, case series study.


2014 ◽  
Vol 34 (1) ◽  
pp. 11-18 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tomaso Vercellotti ◽  
Claudio Stacchi ◽  
Crescenzo Russo ◽  
Alberto Rebaudi ◽  
Giampaolo Vincenzi ◽  
...  

2014 ◽  
Vol 40 (9) ◽  
pp. 957-960 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Citlak ◽  
U. Akgun ◽  
T. Bulut ◽  
M. Tahta ◽  
B. Dirim Mete ◽  
...  

The purpose of this study was to report our experience of partial capitate shortening in seven patients with a median 38 months follow-up. Staging was made by the Lichtman classification system and stage II and III-A patients were included in the study. The mean age was 34 years (range 22–52). Patients were assessed for pain, range of motion, grip and pinch strength, and satisfaction was recorded using a scale between 0 and 4. All these parameters showed improvement after surgery. The Lichtman stage, lunate height index and carpal height index were determined radiographically. Magnetic resonance images of the wrist were studied for lunate revascularization at the final follow-up and occurred in all patients. According to our study, partial capitate shortening seems an effective treatment for Lichtman stage II and III-A patients. Level IV case series study.


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