scholarly journals Acupuncture and Moxibustion in the Treatment of Chronic Urticaria: A Case Control Study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ye Zhang ◽  
Shizhao Zhang ◽  
Xiangyu Ping ◽  
Zehua Zhang ◽  
Liheng Tang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Adverse Events ◽  
Chronic Urticaria ◽  
Quality Index ◽  
Acupuncture Treatment ◽  
Acupuncture Group ◽  
Symptom Duration ◽  
Hamilton Depression Scale ◽  
First Line

Abstract Background: Chronic urticaria is a clinically refractory skin disease with long symptom duration and high recurrence rate. The current research demonstrates that the first-line drugs treated by medicine are the second-generation non-sedation antihistamines. Although the effect is good In the treatment process, the first-line drugs often relapse within a week after withdrawal, which affects the quality of life of patients. Existing studies have shown that acupuncture is safe and effective in the treatment of chronic urticaria. This study is a randomized controlled clinical study designed to provide high-quality evidence for the international use of acupuncture in the treatment of chronic urticaria.Methods: This study is a randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled clinical trial. A total of 60 participants were selected and divided into an acupuncture group and a micro-acupuncture group, with equal numbers in the two groups. The acupuncture group received fixed-point acupuncture treatment, and the micro-acupuncture group received micro-acupuncture treatment (micro-acupuncture at non-acupoints). Patients will receive 4 weeks of treatment, three times per week for a total of 12 treatments. The primary measurement indicator is Urticaria Activity Score (UAS), and the secondary measurement indicators include Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI), Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD), Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), adverse events. UAS and VAS were assessed before treatment, during treatment, and 4 weeks, 8 weeks, and 12 weeks after treatment. DLQI was assessed before treatment, in the 4th week of treatment and 4 weeks, 8 weeks, and 12 weeks after treatment. Then HAMD, HAMA and PSQI were measured before treatment and in the 4th week of treatment. Adverse events will be summarized at 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th weeks after randomization.Discussion:This study is a pilot study, and its main purpose is to explore the feasibility and safety of acupuncture in the treatment of chronic urticaria. The research results will help confirm whether acupuncture can improve the quality of life of patients with chronic urticaria, provide evidence that acupuncture can effectively treat chronic urticaria, and provide basic data for further larger-scale experiments.

scholarly journals Effect of acupuncture on lung cancer-related fatigue: study protocol for a multi-center randomized controlled trial

Trials ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhaoqin Wang ◽  
Shanshan Li ◽  
Luyi Wu ◽  
Qin Qi ◽  
Huirong Liu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Lung Cancer ◽  
Primary Outcome ◽  
Acupuncture Treatment ◽  
Acupuncture Group ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Link Type ◽  
Cancer Related Fatigue ◽  
Secondary Outcomes

Abstract Background Fatigue is one of the primary symptoms in lung cancer, with a prevalence of 88.0% in survivors of cancer, and an even higher prevalence post resection surgery. Effective fatigue control after lung cancer surgery is important for patient recovery and quality of life. Some studies have shown that acupuncture might be effective in treating cancer-related fatigue; however, randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of suitable sample size are limited. Method/design This is a multi-center, patient-blinded RCT. A total of 320 eligible patients will be recruited in four centers and randomly assigned to either the acupuncture group or the sham acupuncture group in a 1:1 ratio. Treatment will be given twice per week for 12 sessions. Treatment will be given at acupoints GV20, GV29, CV12, CV6, CV4, and bilateral LI4, LR3, SP6, ST36. The primary outcome will be assessed using the Chinese version of The Brief Fatigue Inventory. The secondary outcomes will be measured using The European Organization for Research and The Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire, and the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression. The primary outcome will be assessed at all main points (baseline, the 3rd week, the 6th week, and at follow up time points) and the secondary outcomes will be assessed at baseline and the 6th week. Intention-to-treat analysis will be used in this RCT. Discussion This trial protocol provides an example of the clinical application acupuncture treatment in the management of lung cancer-related fatigue. If the acupuncture treatment protocol confirms that acupuncture is an effective and safe option for lung cancer-related fatigue, it can be adopted as a standardized treatment. Trial registration Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, ChiCTR1900022831. Registered on 27 April 2019. URL: http://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.aspx?proj=37823

scholarly journals Comparison of the efficacy and tolerability of an oral dosage form made from Fumaria vaillantii versus cetirizinein management of chronic urticaria: A single-blind, randomized, clinical trial

2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Fatemeh Eghbalian ◽  
Nafiseh Esmaili ◽  
Mehrdad Karimi ◽  
Fahimeh Mohajerani ◽  
Roja Rahimi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Clinical Trial ◽  
Adverse Events ◽  
Chronic Urticaria ◽  
Fumaric Acid ◽  
Oral Dosage ◽  
Inflammatory Factor ◽  
Life Questionnaire ◽  
Significant Difference

BACKGROUND: Chronic urticaria (CU) is one of the common allergic diseases whose conventional treatments have failed to desirably manage it. Fumariavaillantii is used in Persian medicine to treat CU. The anti-inflammatory and anti-histaminic effects of chemical components of Fumaria such as fumaric acid and caffeic acid were confirmed. Dimethyl fumarate reduces the pro- inflammatory contribution and monomethyl fumarate can increase IL-4, an antiinflammatory interleukin, or can decrease IFN- , an inflammatory factor. The current study assesses the efficacy and tolerability of Fumaria vaillantii versus cetirizine in the management of CU. METHODS: The formulation and standardization of Fumaria syrup were done in Tehran University of Medical Sciences. Patients were randomized to twice- daily treatment with Fumaria syrup or cetirizine syrup (n=39 in each group) for four weeks. The efficacy assessment included Urticaria Activity Score (UAS) and Chronic Urticaria Quality of Life Questionnaire (CUQ2oL) and the safety evaluations included Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events Questionnaire. RESULTS: The fumaric acid content in 5 ml of Fumaria syrup was calculated to be 0.12 mg. The results of clinical trial showed that UAS was significantly higher in the Fumaria group than in the cetirizine group, after the first week of follow-up (p<0.001), but no significant difference was demonstrated between the two groups on week 4 (p=0.57). One month after the research was finished, the UAS score of the cetirizine group was significantly higher than that of the Fumaria group (p<0.001). After finishing the interventions, difference of CU-Q2oL was not significant between the two groups; however, the QOL score was significantly lower in the Fumaria group (p<0.001) at 8th week. About adverse events, the incidence of somnolence in the Fumaria group was significantly lower than in the cetirizine group (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Fumaria vaillantii demonstrated its effects on CU later than cetirizine, but led to more permanent effects, better quality of life, and lower incidence of adverse events as compared to cetirizine. More clinical trials with higher populations are needed to achieve more conclusive results.

scholarly journals Lidocaine 700 mg medicated plaster for postherpetic neuralgia: real-world data from the German Pain e-Registry

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael A Überall ◽  
Mariëlle Eerdekens ◽  
Els Hollanders ◽  
Irmgard Bösl ◽  
Ingo Sabatschus
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Adverse Events ◽  
Medical Care ◽  
Real World ◽  
Postherpetic Neuralgia ◽  
First Line ◽  
Real World Data ◽  
World Data ◽  
Routine Medical Care

Aim: To provide real-world evidence for the effectiveness and tolerability of lidocaine 700 mg medicated plaster (LMP) compared with oral systemic first-line medications (OSM) in postherpetic neuralgia treatment. Patients & methods: Retrospective cohort study in patients refractory to at least one recommended OSM (single drug or a combination of drugs) using anonymized routine medical care data from the German Pain e-Registry. A matched pair approach using propensity score matching was employed. Results: A total of 1711 data sets of postherpetic neuralgia patients were identified per treatment group. The majority (>60%) had experienced pain for more than a year and reported a high burden of pain and reduced quality of life. Six months of LMP treatment provided significantly greater pain reductions, improvements in pain-related impairments and quality of life than OSM treatment (p < 0.001 for all parameters). Drug-related adverse events and treatment discontinuation due to drug-related adverse events also occurred less frequently under LMP treatment (p < 0.001). Conclusion: These real-world data confirm the effectiveness and good tolerability of LMP under routine medical care. The treatment was significantly more effective when compared with first-line oral systemic medications.

scholarly journals Prophylactic Acupuncture Treatment During Chemotherapy in Patients With Breast Cancer: Results of a Qualitative Study Nested in a Randomized Pragmatic Trial

2021 ◽  
Vol 20 ◽  
pp. 153473542110582
Author(s):  
Dr. med. Barbara Stöckigt ◽  
Barbara Kirschbaum ◽  
Dr. med. Martin Carstensen ◽  
Dr. med. Claudia M. Witt ◽  
Dr. med. Benno Brinkhaus
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Side Effects ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Coping Strategies ◽  
Acupuncture Treatment ◽  
Acupuncture Group ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Qualitative Part

Background: In a randomized controlled trial, compared with standard care alone in breast cancer, acupuncture as a prophylactic treatment did not show better quality of life or fewer side effects of chemotherapy (NCT01727362 [clinicaltrials.gov]). The aim of the qualitative part of this mixed methods study was to better understand the subjective perspectives of the patients regarding quality of life during chemotherapy and the perceived effects of acupuncture. Methods: In a nested retrospective qualitative study, semi-structured telephone interviews were conducted with 5 responders and 5 non-responders (defined by the outcome of the primary parameter FACT-B) who were randomly selected from both study arms. The interviews were digitally recorded, pseudonymized, transcribed, and then deductively and inductively analyzed according to Qualitative Content Analysis using MAXQDA® software. Results: A total of 20 patients were included in the qualitative part of the study. In both groups, most women stated that their quality of life was surprisingly better than what they had expected before starting the chemotherapy. All patients of the acupuncture group experienced the acupuncture treatments as relaxing and beneficial, mentioning a friendly setting, and empathic attitude of the therapist. Most of these patients stated that the acupuncture treatment reduced chemotherapy-induced side effects. The patients reported that acupuncture was supportive for coping with the disease in a salutogenic way. For all patients, finding strategies to cope with life-threatening cancer and the side effects of chemotherapy was essential, for example, keeping a positive attitude toward life, selecting social contacts, and staying active as much as possible. Conclusions: Patients in the acupuncture group reported positive effects on psychological and physical well-being after receiving the study intervention. For all patients, having coping strategies for cancer seemed to be more important than reducing side effects. Therefore, further studies should focus more on coping strategies and reducing acute side effects.

Effects of mindfulness-based interventions on quality of life of women with breast cancer: a systematic review

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (11) ◽  
pp. 829-840 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xinyan Zhang ◽  
Dongling Liu ◽  
Yuxiang Li ◽  
Ye Zhang ◽  
Bingyan Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Systematic Review ◽  
Adverse Events ◽  
Stress Reduction ◽  
Quality Index ◽  
Web Of Science ◽  
Cochrane Library ◽  
Good Effect

Aim: The systematic review assessed the effect of mindfulness-based interventions on the quality of life among women with breast cancer. Methods: PubMed, Cochrane library, EMBASE, Web of Science and CINAHL databases were searched for studies published. Our review assessed the effect of mindfulness-based interventions (Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction [MBSR] intervention and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy [MBCT]) on quality of life for women with breast cancer. Two authors independently assessed the quality of all included studies using the Downs and Black Quality Index. Results: The search finally identified 15 studies. The MBSR intervention showed a significant effect between groups. The MBCT intervention also showed good effect on quality of life. Adverse events were inadequately reported. Conclusion: The MBSR intervention on quality of life among women with breast cancer was effective and safe. The effect of MBCT intervention on quality of life still needs more research.

scholarly journals 1033. One year of Bictegravir in Mexico City: Differences in the Neuropsychiatric Adverse Events vs. Efavirenz

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S547-S547
Author(s):  
Victor Rodriguez
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Suicidal Ideation ◽  
Adverse Events ◽  
Sleep Quality ◽  
Mexico City ◽  
Sleep Disturbances ◽  
Short Form ◽  
Cognitive Symptoms ◽  
First Line

Abstract Background In Mexico, Efavirenz (EFV) was considered as first-line regimen for several years. However, the Non-Nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitor (NNRTI) had a history neuropsychiatric effects such as depression, suicidal thoughts, insomnia, hypersomnia, impairment cognition, impairment in quality of life, these adverse events cause poor adherence and abandon EFV regimens. Since June 2019, bictegravir (BIC) in a single tablet regimen was introduced in Mexico as a first-line treatment. Therefore, the objective of the study was to compare the presence of depressive and cognitive symptoms, suicidality, sleep disturbances, quality of life between BIC and EFV regimens. Methods Prospective cross-sectional study, non-probability sample, both groups BIC and EFV were matched according to age. Patients were recruited from June 2019 to May 2020 in Condesa Specialized Clinic in Mexico City. All the patients had 1 to 4 months from starting treatment. The evaluation test used were Medical Outcomes Study Short Form-36 (SF-36), Beck Depression Inventory (IDB-IA), Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression Suicidal Ideation subscale (CES-D IS), State Impulsivity Scale (SIS) and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Results One thousand six hundred patients, 800 in BIC group and 800 in EFV group. The mean age 37 years. Non-statistical difference was found in sociodemographic and HIV-related variables. Statistically significant differences were found between BIC and EFV groups (t = 1.91 - 15.28, p &lt; 0.03). The largest differences were seen in cognitive symptoms such as impulsivity, quality of life mental score and suicidal ideation (t &gt; 10.61). No differences were found in physical role and sleep disorders. BIC & EFV groups comparison Conclusion In this study we found BIC group have fewer neuropsychiatric events than EFV group. The principal differences were in cognitive symptoms, suicidality, functionality associated with central nervous system symptoms. We suggest having a long-term follow-up of the sleep quality variables, to observe patient’s adaptation to treatment for a period over to 12 months. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures

scholarly journals SWE and SMI ultrasound techniques for monitoring needling treatment of ankylosing spondylitis: study protocol for a single-blinded randomized controlled trial

Trials ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mengyu Wang ◽  
Wen Fu ◽  
Lingcui Meng ◽  
Jia Liu ◽  
Lihua Wu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Blood Flow ◽  
Ankylosing Spondylitis ◽  
Outcome Measures ◽  
Healthy Subjects ◽  
Acupuncture Group ◽  
Musculoskeletal Ultrasound ◽  
Sham Control ◽  
Post Intervention

Abstract Background Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a high-incidence disease in young men that interferes with patients’ physical and mental wellbeing and overall quality of life (QoL). It is often accompanied by arthralgia, stiffness, and limited lumbar flexibility. Acupuncture is safe and effective for reducing the symptoms of AS, but the underlying mechanisms by which it does so are not fully understood. Therefore, to objectively assess acupuncture efficacy, which is critical for patients making informed decisions about appropriate treatments, we will use shear-wave elastography (SWE) and superb microvascular imaging (SMI) ultrasound techniques to evaluate elasticity of lumbar paraspinal muscles and blood flow to the sacroiliac joint (SIJ) in AS. Methods We will recruit a total of 60 participants diagnosed with AS and 30 healthy subjects. Participants will be randomly allocated 1:1 to either an acupuncture group or a sham control acupuncture group. Primary-outcome measures will be musculoskeletal ultrasound, Ankylosing Spondylitis Quality of Life Scale (ASQoL), Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Metrology Index (BASMI), and the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for pain. Secondary outcome measures will be the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI), Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Function Index (BASFI), and Fatigue Scale-14 (FS-14). We will monitor the effect of acupuncture or sham acupuncture on blood flow and SIJ inflammation using SMI, lumbar-muscle stiffness using SWE and the lumbar paraspinal-muscle cross-sectional area (CSA) using a two-dimensional (2D) grayscale imaging. QoL, physical function, and fatigue will be assessed using an evaluation scale or questionnaire developed for this study, with outcomes measured by the ASQoL, BASMI, BASDAI, BASFI, and FS-14. Healthy subjects will not receive acupuncture but undergo only musculoskeletal ultrasound at baseline. Acupuncture and sham control acupuncture interventions will be conducted for 30 min, 2–3 times/week for 12 weeks. Musculoskeletal ultrasound will be conducted at baseline and post-intervention, while other outcomes will be measured at baseline, 6 weeks, and post-intervention. The statistician, outcome assessor, and participants will be blinded to treatment allocation. Discussion The results of this single-blinded, randomized trial with sham controls could help demonstrate the efficacy of acupuncture and clarify whether musculoskeletal ultrasound could be used to evaluate AS. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov ChiCTR2000031476. Registered 3 April 2020.

Proton Pump Inhibitors in 2021: Pros, Cons, and Everything in Between

2021 ◽  
pp. 263451612110217
Author(s):  
Joshua A. Sloan ◽  
Philip O. Katz
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Side Effects ◽  
Adverse Events ◽  
Proton Pump Inhibitors ◽  
Proton Pump ◽  
Drug Class ◽  
Life Threatening

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.

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