Long term (five-year) survival following radical surgical treatment plus adjuvant chemotherapy (FAM) in advanced gastric cancer: a controlled study

Several drugs and their associations are being used for adjuvant or complementary chemotherapy with the aim of improving results of gastric cancer treatment. The objective of this study was to verify the impact of these drugs on nutrition and on survival rate after radical treatment of 53 patients with gastric cancer in stage III of the TNM classification. A control group including 28 patients who had only undergone radical resection was compared to a group of 25 patients who underwent the same operative technique followed by adjuvant polychemotherapy with FAM (5-fluorouracil, Adriamycin, and mitomycin C). In this latter group, chemotherapy toxicity in relation to hepatic, renal, cardiologic, neurological, hematologic, gastrointestinal, and dermatological functions was also studied. There was no significant difference on admission between both groups in relation to gender, race, macroscopic tumoral type of tumor according to the Borrmann classification, location of the tumor in the stomach, length of the gastric resection, or response to cutaneous tests on delayed sensitivity. Chemotherapy was started on average, 2.3 months following surgical treatment. Clinical and laboratory follow-up of all patients continued for 5 years. The following conclusions were reached: 1) The nutritional status and incidence of gastrointestinal manifestation were similar in both groups; 2) There was no occurrence of cardiac, renal, neurological, or hepatic toxicity or death due to the chemotherapeutic method per se; 3) Dermatological alterations and hematological toxicity occurred exclusively in patients who underwent polychemotherapy; 4) There was no significant difference between the rate and site of tumoral recurrence, the disease-free interval, or the survival rate of both study groups; 5) Therefore, we concluded, after a 5-year follow-up, chemotherapy with the FAM regimen did not increase the survival rate.

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Impact of failed ab-interno trabeculectomy (trabectome) on subsequent XEN45 gel stent implantation in pseudophakic eyes

International Ophthalmology ◽

10.1007/s10792-021-01977-w ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

D. Kiessling ◽

C. Rennings ◽

M. Hild ◽

A. Lappas ◽

T. S. Dietlein ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Stent Implantation ◽

Open Angle Glaucoma ◽

Control Group ◽

Repeat Surgery ◽

Medication Score ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Ab Interno Trabeculectomy ◽

The Impact ◽

Ab Interno

Abstract Purpose To determine the impact of failed ab-interno trabeculectomy on the postoperative outcome of subsequent XEN45 gel stent (Allergan, CA, USA) implantation in pseudophakic eyes. Methods In this retrospective single-center study, we included 60 pseudophakic eyes from 60 participants who underwent XEN45 gel stent implantation. Thirty eyes each underwent primary stent implantation (control group) or had previously undergone a failed ab-interno trabeculectomy (trabectome group). The groups were matched at a 1:1 ratio based on the following criteria: preoperative and maximum Intraocular pressure (IOP), preoperative medication score, cup/disk-ratio, follow-up time, best-corrected visual acuity at baseline, age, and the proportion of patients classified as primary open angle glaucoma or exfoliation glaucoma. We defined a successful surgery by the following three scores: an IOP reduction > 20% and IOP at the longest follow-up < 21 mmHg (Score A) or < 18 mmHg (Score B) or IOP ≤ 15 mmHg and an IOP reduction ≥ 40% (Score C). One open conjunctival revision was allowed in all scores, and a repeat surgery was considered a failure. Results Following an average follow-up period of 22 ± 12 months, we observed a mean IOP reduction of 38%, from 23.5 ± 5.2–14.5 ± 5.0 mmHg. Comparative analyses between the groups did not reveal a significant difference in the postoperative IOP, postoperative medication score, side effects, revision rate, repeat surgery rate, or success rate. Conclusions Trabectome is a viable first-line procedure for medically uncontrolled glaucoma before filtering ab-interno microstent surgery is considered.

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The impact of pharmacist telephone calls after discharge on satisfaction of oncology patients: A randomized controlled study

Journal of Oncology Pharmacy Practice ◽

10.1177/1078155217709616 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 24 (5) ◽

pp. 359-364 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Sewar S Salmany ◽

Lujeen Ratrout ◽

Abdallah Amireh ◽

Randa Agha ◽

Noor Nassar ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Emergency Room ◽

Hospital Readmissions ◽

Randomized Controlled Study ◽

Controlled Study ◽

Emergency Room Visits ◽

Oncology Patients ◽

Randomized Controlled ◽

Significant Difference ◽

The Impact

Purpose The aim of the study was to determine the impact of telephone follow-up calls on satisfaction in oncology patients after hospital discharge. Method A randomized controlled study, in which patients were randomized into two groups: The experimental group with the telephone follow-up (TFU) calls (intervention) and the control group (no intervention). The telephone follow-up call was conducted within 72 h after discharge. During the call, patients were asked about their medications, namely, whether they received them, understood how to take them, and whether they developed any medication-related adverse effect. Both groups were contacted by phone two weeks later to assess their satisfaction with the discharge medication instructions and the provided pharmaceutical services, using the 5-point Likert scale. In addition, hospital records were reviewed for emergency room visits and hospital readmissions within 30 days after discharge. Results There was no difference in the percentage of patients who reported being very satisfied between both the intervention and the control groups (45% intervention vs. 48% control, P = 0.68). The mean time of the intervention phone call was 3 ± 1.7 (SD) min. During the telephone follow-up call, medication-related problems were identified in 20% of the patients. There was no significant difference in emergency room visits and hospital readmissions in the intervention group vs. control (44% vs. 53%, P = 0.123) and (37% vs. 43%, P = 0.317), respectively. Conclusion Telephone follow-up calls conducted by a pharmacist to discharged oncology patients did not improve patients' satisfaction, emergency room visits or hospital readmissions; however, they helped to identify medication-related adverse effects in the oncology patients.

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Music intervention affects the quality of life on Alzheimer’s disease: a meta-analysis

10.37766/inplasy2021.12.0055 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Lingyan Zuo ◽

Fengting Zhu ◽

Rui Wang ◽

Hongyan Shuai ◽

Xin Yu

Keyword(s):

Meta Analysis ◽

Intervention Group ◽

Original Data ◽

Controlled Study ◽

Control Group ◽

Music Intervention ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Review Question ◽

Intervention Modality ◽

The Impact

Review question / Objective: Inclusion criteria: population: 1) A randomized controlled study on the impact of music intervention on the QOL of patients with AD; 2) The participants in this study is patients with AD; 3) There is no significant difference among age, gender and education background in sorted groups before analysis which make these groups comparable; intervention: 1)Intervention Modality Music-based intervention; comparison: 1) All data were sorted into two groups: the music intervention group and the control group without any music intervention; outcome: 1) The indicators evaluated in the literature included the score of QOL-AD or WHOQOL-BERF scale, at least one of the two scales summarized in selected publications; language: 1) Only articles published in English and Chinese were considered. Exclusion criteria: 1) The participants were not diagnosed with AD; 2) Non-musical intervention;3) Non-RCTs; 4) No specific values for outcome variables; 5) Articles lacking original data; 6) Repeat published reports; 7) Full text could not be obtained.

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Allogeneic platelet-derived growth factors local injection in treatment of tennis elbow: a prospective randomized controlled study

International Orthopaedics ◽

10.1007/s00264-022-05300-9 ◽

2022 ◽

Author(s):

Mahmoud Ibrahim Kandil ◽

Abdel-Salam Abdel-Aleem Ahmed ◽

Rasha Shaker Eldesouky ◽

Sherif Eltregy

Keyword(s):

Growth Factors ◽

Treatment Group ◽

Tennis Elbow ◽

Local Injection ◽

Controlled Study ◽

Saline Control ◽

Control Group ◽

Patient’S Satisfaction ◽

Significant Difference

Abstract Purpose The purpose of this study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of local injection of allogeneic platelet-derived growth factors in treatment of patients with tennis elbow. Patients and methods This study included 120 tennis elbow patients randomly divided into two groups. The patients were locally injected with allogeneic growth factors (treatment group) or with normal saline (control group). The outcomes were assessed using Patient-Related Tennis Elbow Evaluation (PRTEE) and quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (qDASH) scales. The clinical outcomes were accordingly classified as excellent, good and poor. The patient’s satisfaction and adverse effects were also recorded. Results There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups regarding the age, gender, dominant arm or the pre-injection scores. At three month follow-up, the reductions in the mean PRTEE and qDASH scores were 88.7% and 70.6% in the treatment group versus 21.8% and 14.9% in the control group, respectively. At the last follow-up, the outcomes in the treatment group were excellent in 85% of patients and good in 15%, versus 8% and 32% in the control group. Overall, 95% were satisfied in the treatment group compared to 25% in control group. Forty patients in the treatment group experienced mild transient post-injection pain. Conclusion This study strongly suggests that local injection of allogeneic platelet-derived growth factors could be a promising safe treatment option for tennis elbow with significant pain relief, functional improvement and patient’s satisfaction. Yet, additional larger studies are needed to assess the durability of these outcomes.

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Carpal tunnel syndrome: assessment of the need for rehabilitation and recovery treatment after endoscopic decompression of the median nerve in the late and long-term postoperative periods

Neuromuscular Diseases ◽

10.17650/2222-8721-2019-9-4-34-43 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 9 (4) ◽

pp. 34-43

Author(s):

D. G. Yusupova ◽

A. A. Zimin ◽

D. A. Grishina ◽

N. V. Belova ◽

A. V. Vershinin ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Surgical Treatment ◽

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome ◽

Median Nerve ◽

Carpal Tunnel ◽

Controlled Study ◽

Control Group ◽

Clear Understanding ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Tunnel Syndrome

Background. Carpal tunnel syndrome is the most common tunnel neuropathy in which the median nerve is compressed at the level of the wrist in the carpal canal. Treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome can be conservative and surgical. Surgical treatment is indicated in case of ineffective conservative treatment. However, the strategy of managing patients with carpal tunnel syndrome in the postoperative period has not yet been determined; there is no clear understanding of the effectiveness and necessity of rehabilitation in the early and long-term postoperative periods.Aim. Follow-up the patients after decompression of the median nerve in the late (up to 3 weeks after surgery) and long-term (3 weeks after surgery) postoperative periods to assess the effectiveness of different methods of rehabilitation.Materials and methods. A randomized controlled study included 108 cases of idiopathic carpal tunnel syndrome (unilateral and bilateral). After surgery, the patients were divided into three groups: the restorative treatment group using magnetic therapy, the kinesiotherapy group, and the control group. Clinical, neurophysiological and ultrasound monitoring was carried out for six months.Results. Patients of all the groups showed similar improvement in the most of the analyzed parameters, without any significant difference.Conclusion. Thus, according to the results of a comprehensive study, it is evident that early diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome and a high-quality surgical decompression of the median nerve with a complete dissection of the flexor retinaculum of the hand guarantee improvement within six months or later after surgical treatment without additional rehabilitation measures.

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The Impact ofClostridium difficileInfection on Future Outcomes of Solid Organ Transplant Recipients

Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology ◽

10.1017/ice.2018.48 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 39 (5) ◽

pp. 563-570 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Ruihong Luo ◽

Janice M. Weinberg ◽

Tamar F. Barlam

Keyword(s):

Organ Transplant ◽

Solid Organ Transplant ◽

Control Group ◽

Solid Organ ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Significant Difference ◽

First Occurrence ◽

Future Outcomes ◽

The Impact

OBJECTIVEClostridium difficileinfection (CDI) is common in solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients, but few studies have examined long-term outcomes. We studied the impact of CDI after SOT on mortality and transplant organ complication-related hospitalizations (TOH).METHODSSOT recipients ≥18 years of age with at least 1 year of posttransplant data were analyzed using the MarketScan database for 2007–2014. Patients who died within one year of transplant were followed until death. Patients were grouped as early CDI (ie, first occurrence ≤90 days posttransplant), late CDI (ie, first occurrence >90 days posttransplant) and controls (ie, no CDI occurrence during follow-up). The risk of mortality or TOH after CDI was evaluated using Cox and logistic regressions, respectively.RESULTSOverall, 96 patients had early CDI, 97 patients had late CDI, and 5,913 patients were used as controls. The risk for death was significantly higher in the early CDI group than the control group (hazard ratio [HR],1.92; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.12–3.29;P=.018); there was no significant difference between the late CDI group and the control group (HR, 0.86; 95% CI, 0.38–1.94;P=.717). Both the early CDI group (odds ratio [OR], 2.19; 95% CI, 1.45–3.31;P<.001) and the late CDI group (OR, 4.36; 95% CI, 2.84–6.71;P<.001) had higher risk for TOH than the control group. For those patients who survived >90 days posttransplant, both the early CDI group (n=89) and the late CDI group (n=97) had increased risk for death or TOH during follow-up than the control group (n=5,734).CONCLUSIONThough our study could not prove causality, both early and late CDI occurrence in SOT recipients were associated with worse future outcomes than for SOT recipients without CDI.Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol2018;39:563–570

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The Efficacy and Safety of Transcutaneous Acupoint Interferential Current Stimulation for Cancer Pain Patients With Opioid-Induced Constipation: A Prospective Randomized Controlled Study

Integrative Cancer Therapies ◽

10.1177/1534735417734910 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 17 (2) ◽

pp. 437-443 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Hua-dong Zhu ◽

Zhen Gong ◽

Bing-wei Hu ◽

Qiao-ling Wei ◽

Jun Kong ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Cancer Pain ◽

Controlled Study ◽

Control Group ◽

Efficacy And Safety ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Interferential Current ◽

Pain Patients

Introduction. Opioid-induced constipation (OIC) is a principal complication secondary to analgesic therapy for cancer pain patients who suffer moderate to severe pain. In this study, we observe the efficacy and safety of transcutaneous acupoint interferential current (IFC) stimulation in those patients with OIC. Methods. A total of 198 patients were randomly allocated to the IFC group and control group in a 1:1 ratio. Finally, 98 patients in the IFC group received 14 sessions administered over 2 weeks, whereas 100 patients in the control group took lactulose orally during the same period. Observation items were documented at management stage and at follow-up stage according to Cleveland Constipation Scales (CCS), pain Numeric Rating Scales (NRS) and Patient Assessment of Constipation Quality of Life (PAC-QoL). Results. The total curative effects of the IFC group and the control group were indistinguishable (76.5% vs 70.0%, P = .299). Regarding CCS and PAC-QoL scores, no significant difference was observed between the 2 groups during the management time and at the follow-up stage of week 3 ( P > .05, respectively), but groups were distinguished at the follow-up stage of week 4 ( P < .001 and P = .031, respectively). The pain NRS decreased significantly at management stage week 2 and follow-up stage week 3 and week 4 ( P = .013, P = .041, P = .011, respectively). Conclusions. Transcutaneous acupoint IFC therapy over acupoints of Tianshu (ST25) and Zhongwan (RN12) may improve constipation and quality of life in cancer patients receiving opiates; further studies are worthwhile.

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Does caffeine reduce methotrexate intolerance in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: a randomized controlled study

Egyptian Rheumatology and Rehabilitation ◽

10.1186/s43166-020-00028-z ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 47 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Fatma H. EL Nouby ◽

Nihal Ahmed Fathi ◽

Amal Abdelaziz Fehr ◽

Abdel-Azim Assi ◽

Reem Mahmoud Lotfy ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Biological Effects ◽

Control Treatment ◽

Controlled Study ◽

Caffeine Intake ◽

Control Group ◽

Complete Relief ◽

Long Term Treatment ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Group A

Abstract Background Intolerance to MTX is the most common cause of non-compliance that leads to poor disease control. Treatment is usually discontinued due to intolerance which interferes with compliance of the patient to long-term treatment. Caffeine causes most of its biological effects via antagonizing all types of adenosine receptors (ARs). Our aim was to investigate the effect of caffeine intake on reducing symptoms of MTX intolerance in patients with RA. Methods Ninety patients were diagnosed as RA with MTX intolerance divided into 2 groups. Sixty patients were prescribed caffeine or dark chocolate. Control group included 30 patients who will continue MTX regimen without addition of any extra caffeine. Results Group A (caffeine group): There was no statistically significant difference between patients and controls at the start of the study. There was statistically significant decrease in methotrexate intolerance severity score (MISS) all over the study period (P = 0.001), and also MISS was statistically significantly lower in each follow-up time when compared with time 0 (P = 0.001). Group B (control group): There was statistically significant increase in MISS all over the study period (P = 0.017); also, MISS was statistically significantly higher in follow-up time 2 and time 3 when compared with time 0 (P = 0.033). We found that after 3 months, 80% of group A patients showed complete relief, 6.7% showed partial relief, 10% showed minimal relief, and 3.3% got worse. Conclusion Adding caffeine to management regimen can reduce the symptoms of MTX intolerance in RA patients. Caffeine relieved the symptoms of MTX intolerance in 80% of RA patients after 3 months of adding caffeine to management regimen.

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Impact of a nutrition consultation on the rate of high output stoma-related readmission: an ambispective cohort study

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-021-96136-7 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Manuela Moreno Santamaría ◽

José Javier Arenas Villafranca ◽

Jimena Abilés ◽

Francisco Rivas Ruiz ◽

Pilar Utrilla Navarro ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cohort Study ◽

Nutritional Status ◽

Statistical Significance ◽

Intestinal Resection ◽

Control Group ◽

Stoma Creation ◽

Significant Difference ◽

The Impact ◽

High Output

AbstractThe aims of this study were to assess the impact of a follow-up nutrition consultation for ostomy patients on the rate of high output stoma (HOS)-related readmissions, as well as on the detection of poor nutritional status and their management, and to determine the associated economic impact. A single-centre ambispective cohort study was conducted in which all adult patients undergoing intestinal resection and stoma creation were recruited. Two nutrition consultations were established for early follow-up after hospital discharge and patients were prospectively included. Additionally, a retrospective search was carried out to include a control group. In both groups, a 12-month follow-up was conducted to record readmissions associated with high output stoma. A multivariate logistic regression was performed. Statistical significance level was established at p < 0.05. 170 patients were recruited, 85 patients in each cohort. Demographic data and clinical characteristics were recorded. A significant difference was observed in HOS-related readmissions, with readmission rates of 28.6% vs 10.3% in the retrospective and prospective cohort, respectively. At the first follow-up consultation, 50.5% of patients presented some degree of protein-calorie malnutrition. A statistically significant improvement in nutritional status was observed in the second evaluation. The intervention carried out resulted in a total saving of €24,175. Early follow-up of patients after discharge resulted in a significant reduction in the rate of HOS-related readmissions and allowed to identify a high percentage of patients with malnutrition. The cost analysis showed the process to be a cost-effective improvement.

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Modified completely intrafascial radical cysprostatectomy for bladder cancer: a single-center, blinded, controlled study

BMC Cancer ◽

10.1186/s12885-021-08568-z ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Xiao Wang ◽

Jia Guo ◽

Lei Wang ◽

Min Wang ◽

Xiaodong Weng ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Bladder Cancer ◽

Erectile Function ◽

Functional Outcomes ◽

Cancer Control ◽

Controlled Study ◽

Control Group ◽

Single Center ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Urinary Control

Abstract Background We have proposed a modified, completely intrafascial radical cysprostatectomy (RC) to treat bladder cancer patients with the aim of preserving the patients’ post-surgical urinary control and erectile function. This study aimed to evaluate the oncological and functional outcomes of this innovation relatively to that with the conventional technique. Methods A retrospective, single-center, blinded, and controlled study was conducted using the medical data of patients since the past 5 years from the hospital database. A total of 44 patients were included, including 20 who received complete intrafascial cysprostatectomy and 24 who received conventional interfascial surgeries. The patients’ continent and sexual information of 1-year follow-up after the surgery were extracted. The oncological and functional outcomes of the 2 groups were compared and analyzed. Results The demographics parameters of the 2 groups showed no significant difference. The results of follow-up of the oncological outcomes did not reveal any significant difference between the completely intrafascial group and the conventional interfascial group in terms of the positive surgical margins, local recurrences, and distant metastasis. Patients following neobladder diversion in the intrafascial group showed a faster recovery of the urinary control, with a 76.9% (10/13) daytime continent rate at 3-month, as well as 46.2% (6/13) and 58.3% (7/12) nighttime continent rates at 3-month and 6-month, respectively. Regarding the sexual functions, our results revealed significant advantages in favor of completely intrafascial technique on the post-surgical International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF)-5 score at 3-, 9-, and 12-month follow-up relative to that with the conventional interfascial process. Thus, the IIEF score of patients in the intrafascial group was 11.4 ± 3.5 at 3-month, 14.1 ± 3.6 at 9-month, and 15.2 ± 3.8 at 12-month follow-up after the cystectomy, which was significantly greater than that of the patients in the control group. Conclusions Our novel data illustrated that the modified completely intrafascial technique could result in a better sexual function and faster continence recovery for patients following RC, without any compromise in the cancer control. Thus, this technique could be considered as an alternative extirpative technique for bladder cancer treatment in a clinical setting.

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