scholarly journals Effect of N-Acetylcysteine on Inflammatory and Biochemical Markers of Hemodialysis Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rozina Abasi Larki ◽  
Alireza Panahi ◽  
Leila Manzouri ◽  
Moslem Sedaghattalab
Keyword(s):  
Interleukin 6 ◽  
Biochemical Markers ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Hemodialysis Patients ◽  
C Reactive Protein ◽  
Double Blind ◽  
Reactive Protein ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
And Control

Abstract- The oxidative stress results in atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases in patients receiving hemodialysis. N-acetylcysteine is a well-known antioxidant agent. There are little studies about the effect of N-acetylcysteine on patients receiving hemodialysis, and, if any, their results are inconsistent. This study, as a double-blind, randomized clinical trial, was conducted on 44 hemodialysis patients in Shahid Beheshti Hospital, Yasuj, Iran in 2015. Patients were randomly allocated into two groups, in the intervention group, N-acetylcysteine 600 mg every 12 hours for eight weeks was administered and the second group received placebo during this period every 12 hours. Blood samples were taken to measure C-reactive protein, interleukin-6 and other biochemical markers such as ferritin, albumin, and creatinine at baseline and at the end of treatment. 40 patients completed the study (21 on N-acetylcysteine, 19 on placebo), with a mean age of 60.72±17.60. There was not any significant difference between intervention and control groups in interleukin-6 (8.85±6.9 vs. 10.32±8.68, 95% CI, -3.52 to 6.46; P=0.55) and C - reactive protein (0.85±0.29 vs. 0.9±0.31, 95% CI, -.14 to .24; P=0.60). In addition, there was no significant relationship between the two groups in other biochemical markers. In this study, administering N-acetylcysteine was safe and caused a reduction in some inflammatory markers, but these changes were not significant in comparison with placebo.

scholarly journals Efficacy of a herbal toothpaste on patients with established gingivitis: a randomized controlled trial

2006 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 172-177 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fabiana Ozaki ◽  
Claudio Mendes Pannuti ◽  
Ana Vitória Imbronito ◽  
Wellington Pessotti ◽  
Luciana Saraiva ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Adverse Reactions ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Test Group ◽  
Experimental Period ◽  
Positive Control ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Control Groups ◽  
Double Blind ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
And Control

The aim of this randomised, double blind controlled trial was to verify the efficacy of a herbal dentifrice on the reduction of plaque and gingivitis. Forty eight volunteers with established gingivitis were randomly assigned to either a test group (herbal dentifrice) or positive control group (dentifrice with triclosan and fluoride). The dentifrices were distributed in plain white tubes by an independent pharmacy, which revealed the contents of each tube only after the experimental period. Plaque and gingivitis assessments were carried out on baseline and after 28 days of product use. All examinations were conducted by the same calibrated investigator. Subjects were instructed to brush their teeth three times daily using their assigned dentifrice for 28 days. There was a significant reduction in plaque levels in both the test and control groups. However, there was no significant difference between the groups. A significant reduction in gingivitis was observed in both groups, although there was no significant difference between them. No adverse reactions were reported. The authors concluded that both dentifrices were effective in reducing plaque and gingivitis in subjects with established gingivitis.

scholarly journals Ganji Formulation for Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma Who Have Undergone Surgery: A Multicenter, Randomized, Double-Blind, Controlled Trial

2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Jing-Hao Zhang ◽  
Chao Zheng ◽  
Xiao-Jun Zhu ◽  
Xin Zhang ◽  
Zhi-Jun Hou ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hepatocellular Carcinoma ◽  
Treatment Group ◽  
Liver Resection ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Disease Free Survival ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Double Blind ◽  
Local Ablation ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
And Control

Objective. To ascertain the efficacy and safety of Ganji Formulation (GF) for patients with Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who had undergone surgery. Materials and Methods. A total of 262 HCC patients who had undergone liver resection, local ablation, or transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) were divided randomly into the treatment group and control group. The former was treated with GF and the later with placebo, both for 6 months. The primary endpoint was overall survival (OS). Second endpoints were disease-free survival (DFS) or time to disease progression (TTP). Results. OS of the treatment group was significantly longer than that of the control group (P < 0.05). Subgroup analysis showed that, for patients who received TACE, the TTP was significantly longer in the treatment group than in the control group (P < 0.05). However, for patients who underwent liver resection or local ablation, there was no significant difference in DFS between the two groups (P > 0.05). Conclusion. GF could improve postoperative cumulative survival and prolong the TTP. This clinical trial number is registered with ChiCTR-IOR-15007349.

scholarly journals Educational nurse-led telephone intervention shortly before colonoscopy as a salvage strategy after previous bowel preparation failure: a multicenter randomized trial

Endoscopy ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 52 (11) ◽  
pp. 1026-1035 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marco Antonio Alvarez-Gonzalez ◽  
Miguel Ángel Pantaleón Sánchez ◽  
Belén Bernad Cabredo ◽  
Ana García-Rodríguez ◽  
Santiago Frago Larramona ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bowel Preparation ◽  
Protocol Analysis ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Telephone Intervention ◽  
Intention To Treat ◽  
Bowel Cleansing ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Inadequate Bowel Preparation ◽  
And Control

Background The most important predictor of unsuccessful bowel preparation is previous failure. For those patients with previous failure, we hypothesized that a nurse-led educational intervention by telephone shortly before the colonoscopy appointment could improve cleansing efficacy. Methods We performed a multicenter, endoscopist-blinded, randomized controlled trial. Consecutive outpatients with previous inadequate bowel preparation were enrolled. Both groups received the same standard bowel preparation protocol. The intervention group also received reinforced education by telephone within 48 hours before the colonoscopy. The primary outcome was effective bowel preparation according to the Boston Bowel Preparation Scale. Intention-to-treat (ITT) analysis included all randomized patients. Per-protocol analysis included patients who could be contacted by telephone and the control cases. Results 657 participants were recruited by 11 Spanish hospitals. In the ITT analysis, there was no significant difference between the intervention and control groups in the rate of successful bowel preparation (77.3 % vs. 72 %; P = 0.12). In the intervention group, 267 patients (82.9 %) were contacted by telephone. Per-protocol analysis revealed significantly improved bowel preparation in the intervention group (83.5 % vs. 72.0 %; P = 0.001). Conclusion Among all patients with previous inadequate bowel preparation, nurse-led telephone education did not result in a significant improvement in bowel cleansing. However, in the 83 % of patients who could be contacted, bowel preparation was substantially improved. Phone education may therefore be a useful tool for improving the quality of bowel preparation in those cases.

Does Single, Low-Dose Preoperative Dexamethasone Improve Outcomes after Colorectal Surgery Based on an Enhanced Recovery Protocol? Double-Blind, Randomized Clinical Trial

2008 ◽  
Vol 74 (2) ◽  
pp. 160-167 ◽  
Author(s):  
Turkay Kirdak ◽  
Aysun Yilmazlar ◽  
Sinan Cavun ◽  
Ilker Ercan ◽  
Tuncay Yilmazlar
Keyword(s):  
Colorectal Surgery ◽  
Hospital Stay ◽  
Interleukin 6 ◽  
Low Dose ◽  
Postoperative Outcomes ◽  
High Dose ◽  
C Reactive Protein ◽  
Double Blind ◽  
Reactive Protein ◽  
Pain Scores

Preoperative single, high-dose methylprednisolone administration improves postoperative outcomes after colonic surgery. Several randomized studies, including major surgeries, assessed various high-dose steroid regimens; however, evidence about the effect of administration of lower doses on postoperative outcomes in colorectal surgery is not available. The aim of the present study is to determine whether the administration of a single, low dose of dexamethasone before surgery would confer an outcome advantage after colorectal surgery. Thirty patients undergoing colorectal surgery were included in this randomized, double-blind study. Patients received 8 mg dexamethasone or serum physiologic preoperatively. Levels of Interleukin-6 and C-reactive protein, pain scores, postoperative nausea and vomiting, mobilization, complications, hospital stay, and readmissions were compared. Age, sex, indications, and operations were similar in both groups ( P > 0.05). C-reactive protein and Interleukin-6 levels increased significantly postoperatively in each group ( P < 0.05), but there were no differences between groups when compared ( P > 0.05). There were also no significant differences between pain scores, bowel functions, mobilization, hospital stay, complication rates, and readmission rates between the two groups ( P > 0.05). Preoperative 8 mg dexamethasone administration has no significant effect on reducing postoperative inflammatory response and also does not improve outcomes of colorectal surgery.

scholarly journals A Pilot Study on Controlling Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Inflammation Using Melatonin Supplement

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zahra Alizadeh ◽  
Nastaran Keyhanian ◽  
Sara Ghaderkhani ◽  
Simin Dashti-Khavidaki ◽  
Raheleh Shokouhi Shoormasti ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Symptoms ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Low Light ◽  
Reactive Protein ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Before And After ◽  
And Control ◽  
To Receive ◽  
Chest Ct Scan

No effective antiviral drugs and vaccines are available for the treatment of patients with severe coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19). Therefore, available, safe, and inexpensive drugs and supplements such as melatonin are among the proposed options for controlling inflammation. We did a randomized, single-blind study in Imam Khomeini Hospital between June 30, 2020, and August 5, 2020. Mild to moderate COVID-19 patients aged 25-65 years were eligible to enter the study based on chest CT scan, clinical symptoms, and physician diagnosis. The intervention group was prescribed 6 mg of oral melatonin for 2 weeks, which consumed half an hour before bedtime every night in low light conditions. Clinical symptoms and C-reactive protein (CRP) were measured before and after treatment in the melatonin received and control (regular medications) groups. Among screened patients with COVID-19, 14 patients were assigned to receive melatonin, and 17 patients were considered as controls. A significant difference (p=0.005) between CRP 1 and CRP 2 levels (before and after using melatonin) was found in the melatonin group while this difference (p=0.069) was not significant in the control group. Also, the percentage of recovery (based on symptoms) in patients who took melatonin was higher than that of patients in the control group (85.7% VS 47.1%).  The result of this study confirmed the effectiveness of melatonin in mild to moderate outpatients with COVID-19. More clinical trials on elderly, diabetic, obese patients and severe cases are suggested in future studies.   

scholarly journals Facebook as a Novel Tool for Continuous Professional Education on Dementia: Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial

10.2196/16772 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (6) ◽  
pp. e16772 ◽  
Author(s):  
Windy SY Chan ◽  
Angela YM Leung
Keyword(s):  
Professional Education ◽  
Retention Rate ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Multiple Choice Questions ◽  
Participant Engagement ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
The Mean ◽  
And Control

Background Social network sites (SNSs) are widely exploited in health education and communication by the general public, including patients with various conditions. Nevertheless, there is an absence of evidence evaluating SNSs in connecting health professionals for professional purposes. Objective This pilot randomized controlled trial was designed to evaluate the feasibility of an intervention aiming to investigate the effects of a continuous professional education program utilizing Facebook to obtain knowledge on dementia and care for patients with dementia. Methods Eighty health professionals from Hong Kong were recruited for participation in the study and randomized at a 1:1 ratio by a block randomization method to the intervention group (n=40) and control group (n=40). The intervention was an 8-week educational program developed to deliver updated knowledge on dementia care from a multidisciplinary perspective, either by Facebook (intervention group) or by email (control group) from October 2018 to January 2019. The primary outcomes were the effects of the intervention, measured by differences in the means of changes in pre- and postintervention scores of knowledge assessments from the 25-item Dementia Knowledge Assessment Scale (DKAS) and formative evaluation of 20 multiple choice questions. Other outcome measurements included participant compliance, participant engagement in Facebook, satisfaction, and self-perceived uses of Facebook for continuing professional education programs. Results Significantly more intervention group participants (n=35) completed the study than the control group (n=25) (P<.001). The overall retention rate was 75% (60/80). The mean of changes in scores in the intervention group were significant in all assessments (P<.001). A significant difference in the mean of changes in scores between the two groups was identified in the DKAS subscale Communication and Behavior (95% CI 0.4-3.3, P=.02). There was no significant difference in the total DKAS scores, scores of other DKAS subscales, and multiple choice questions. Participant compliance was significantly higher in the intervention group than in the control group (P<.001). The mean numbers of participants accessing the learning materials were 31.5 (SD 3.9) and 17.6 (SD 5.2) in the intervention and control group, respectively. Polls attracted the highest level of participant engagement, followed by videos. Intervention group participants scored significantly higher in favoring the use of Facebook for the continuing education program (P=.03). Overall, participants were satisfied with the interventions (mean score 4 of a total of 5, SD 0.6). Conclusions The significantly higher retention rate, together with the high levels of participant compliance and engagement, demonstrate that Facebook is a promising tool for professional education. Education delivered through Facebook was significantly more effective at improving participants’ knowledge of how people with dementia communicate and behave. Participants demonstrated positive attitudes toward utilizing Facebook for professional learning. These findings provide evidence for the feasibility of using Facebook as an intervention delivery tool in a manner that can be rolled out into practical settings.

scholarly journals A Comparative Study on the Effects of Acupressure at SP6 and ST36 Acupoints on the Pain Caused by Fistula Needle Placement in Hemodialysis Patients

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 354-367
Author(s):  
Tahereh Baloochi Beydokhti ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Arteriovenous Fistula ◽  
Hemodialysis Patients ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Needle Placement ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Double Blind ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Chi Square Test ◽  
Vas Scores ◽  
And Control

Objective: Hemodialysis is one of the most common treatment methods in kidney patients. To do this, repeated insertion of the needle into the vessel is necessary. Patients treated with hemodialysis are exposed to stress and pain caused by perforation of their arteriovenous fistula about 300 times a year. More than 1/5 of hemodialysis patients express this pain as unbearable. This study aims to evaluate the effect of acupressure at SP6 and ST36 acupoints on the pain caused by fistula needle placement in hemodialysis patients. Methods: This study is a double-blind randomized clinical trial conducted in 2016 on 90 hemodialysis patients with arteriovenous fistula in Mashhad, Iran. They were randomly divided into three groups of SP6, ST36, and control. Data were collected after obtaining a written informed consent by a demographic form and the Visual Analog Scale (VAS). Data analysis was performed in SPSS v.16 software by using Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, Kruskal-Wallis test, one-way ANOVA, paired t-test, and Chi-square test. Results: There was a statistically significant difference between VAS scores after the intervention in all three group (P<0.001). The Mean±SD VAS scores before the intervention in SP6, ST36, control groups were 54.47±18.93, 51.5±22.83, 46.6±17.73, respectively which changed to 45.63±20.53, 40.2±20.01, and 51.87±19.05 after the intervention, indicating that acupressure at SP6 and ST36 acupoints reduced pain in patients, while the pain increased in the control group. Conclusion: Acupressure at SP6 and ST36 acupoints is an effective method in relieving pain caused by the insertion of a needle into the arteriovenous fistula in hemodialysis patients.

scholarly journals Cold spray for reducing venopuncture pain in hemodialysis patients; a randomized double-blinded controlled trial

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. e01-e01
Author(s):  
Zahra Shafii ◽  
Neshiman Abdi Bastami ◽  
Amir Ahmad Nasiri
Keyword(s):  
Cold Spray ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Needle Insertion ◽  
Hemodialysis Patients ◽  
Chronic Hemodialysis ◽  
Pain Severity ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Double Blinded ◽  
And Control

Introduction: The pain due to cannulation and needle insertion into blood vessels becomes problematic among patients suffering hemodialysis. Objectives: The present study aimed to assess the pain relieving effects of cooling sprays among patients undergoing hemodialysis. Patients and Methods: Eighty patients aged higher than 18 years who were on chronic hemodialysis were randomly assigned into two groups including the group received cooling spray for relieving pain (n = 40) and the group received stilled water as placebo (n = 40). In the intervention group and in a hemodialysis session, 2 puffs of the Cramer Cold Spray were sprayed 30 seconds before the cannulation. The pain severity was assessed by the visual analogue scale (VAS) method. Results: The mean of pain severity score was not different between the intervention and control group before intervention, however after intervention, the patients in the intervention group experienced milder pain due to cannulation as compared to control group (3.28 ± 1.13 versus 5.30 ± 1.76; P < 0.001). Interviewing with the patients receiving cooling spray showed willingness to the use of spray in 87.5% of cases. The local complication due to the use of cold spray was revealed only in 5% of patients. Conclusion: The use of cooling spray in hemodialysis patients can reduce the pain caused by needle insertion. This method can be routinely used as a non-pharmacological pain relief method to reduce pain in hemodialysis patients

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