scholarly journals Syndrome of Supine Hypertension with Orthostatic Hypotension: Pathophysiology and Clinical Approach

2020 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 48-54
Author(s):  
Aamir Ahmed ◽  
Mohammed Ruzieh ◽  
Shaffi Kanjwal ◽  
Khalil Kanjwal

This article is intended to provide guidance and clinical considerations for physicians managing patients suffering from supine hypertension with orthostatic hypotension, referred to as “SH-OH”. We review the normal physiologic response to orthostasis, focusing on the appropriate changes to autonomic output in this state. Autonomic failure is discussed with a generalized overview of the disease and examination of specific syndromes that help shed light on the pathophysiology of SH-OH. The goal of this review is to provide a better framework for clinical evaluation of these patients, review treatment options, and ultimately work toward achieving a better quality of life for patients afflicted with this disease.

VASA ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 45 (3) ◽  
pp. 201-212 ◽  
Author(s):  
Birgit Linnemann ◽  
Matthias Erbe

Abstract. The primary goal of therapy is to reduce the frequency and intensity of Raynaud’s attacks and to minimize the related morbidity rather than to cure the underlying condition. Treatment strategies depend on whether Raynaud’s phenomenon (RP) is primary or secondary. All patients should be instructed about general measures to maintain body warmth and to avoid triggers of RP attacks. Pharmacologic intervention can be useful for patients with severe and frequent RP episodes that impair the patient’s quality of life. Calcium channel blockers are currently the most prescribed and studied medications for this purpose. There has been limited evidence for the efficacy of alpha-1-adrenergic receptor antagonists, angiotensin receptor blockers, topical nitrates or fluoxetine to treat RP. The intravenously administered prostacyclin analogue iloprost can reduce the frequency and severity of RP attacks and is considered a second-line therapy in patients with markedly impaired quality of life, critical digital ischaemia and skin ulcers who are at risk for substantial tissue loss and amputation. Phosphodiesterase inhibitors (e.g., sildenafil) can also improve RP symptoms and ulcer healing whereas endothelin-1 receptor antagonists (e.g., bosentan) are mainly considered treatment options in secondary prevention for patients with digital skin ulcers related to systemic sclerosis. However, their use in clinical practice has been limited by their high cost. Antiplatelet therapy with low-dose aspirin is recommended for all patients who suffer from secondary RP due to ischaemia caused by structural vessel damage. Anticoagulant therapy can be considered during the acute phase of digital ischaemia in patients with suspected vascular occlusive disease attributed to the occurrence of new thromboses. In patients with critical digital ischaemia, consideration should be given to hospitalisation, optimisation of medical treatment in accordance with the underlying disease and evaluation for a secondary, possibly reversible process that is causing or aggravating the clinical symptoms.


Author(s):  
Ludger Klimek ◽  
William E. Berger ◽  
Jean Bousquet ◽  
Paul K. Keith ◽  
Peter Smith ◽  
...  

Allergic rhinitis (AR) is prevalent, and many patients present with moderate-to-severe symptomatic disease. The majority of patients are not satisfied with their AR treatment, despite the use of concurrent medications. These gaps underscore the need for treatment with more effective options for moderate-to-severe AR. The authors’ objective was to review systematically the efficacy and safety of MP-AzeFlu for the treatment of AR. The primary outcomes studied were nasal, ocular, and total symptoms. Other outcomes included time to onset and of AR control, quality of life, and safety. Searches of PubMed and Cochrane databases were conducted on May 14, 2020, with no date restrictions, to identify publications reporting data on MP-AzeFlu. Clinical studies of any phase were included. Studies were excluded if they were not in English, were review articles, did not discuss the safety and efficacy of MP-AzeFlu for AR symptoms. Treatment of AR with MP-AzeFlu results in effective, sustained relief of nasal and ocular symptoms, and faster onset and time to control compared with intranasal azelastine or fluticasone propionate. Long-term use of MP-AzeFlu was safe, with benefits in children, adults, and adults aged ≥65 years. Other treatment options, including fluticasone propionate and azelastine alone or the combination of intranasal corticosteroids and oral antihistamine, do not provide the same level of efficacy as MP-AzeFlu in terms of rapid and sustained relief of the entire AR symptom complex. Furthermore, MP-AzeFlu significantly improves patient quality of life. MP-AzeFlu is a currently available combination that may satisfy all these patient needs and expectations.


Author(s):  
Juan P. Martínez ◽  
Inmaculada Méndez ◽  
Esther Secanilla ◽  
Ana Benavente ◽  
Julia García Sevilla

Starting from previous studies in professional caregivers of people with dementia and other diseases in institutionalized centers of different regions, the aim of this study was to compare burnout levels that workers present depending on the center, to create a caregiver profile with high professional accomplishment and to describe the quality of life that residents perceive Murcia and Barcelona. The instruments used were the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI), the Professional Caregiver Survey developed ad hoc and the Brief Questionnaire of Quality of Life (CUBRECAVI in Spanish) on residents. The results show, on the one hand, that levels of professional accomplishment may be paradoxically higher in the case of catastrophe and, on the other hand, the 98.2% of users are satisfied with the residence in which is located and 81.8% with the manner in which occupy the time. The conclusions that are extrapolated from the study shed light on the current situation of workers and residents and the influence that an earthquake can have on them.


2021 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Stephanie Paula Elisabeth Guillery ◽  
Rainer Hellweg ◽  
Golo Kronenberg ◽  
Ulrich Bohr ◽  
Hagen Kunte ◽  
...  

<b><i>Background:</i></b> Research on quality of life (QoL) of chronically ill patients provides an opportunity to evaluate the efficacy of long-term treatments. Although it is established that opioid replacement therapy is an effective treatment for opioid-dependent patients, there is little knowledge about physical and psychological functioning of QoL for different treatment options. <b><i>Objectives:</i></b> Altogether, 248 opioid-dependent patients receiving substitution treatment with either methadone/levomethadone (<i>n</i> = 126), diamorphine (<i>n</i> = 85), or buprenorphine (<i>n</i> = 37) were recruited in 6 German therapy centers. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> Sociodemographic data were collected. QoL – physical and psychological functioning – for different substitutes was assessed using the <i>Profile of the Quality of Life in the Chronically Ill</i> (PLC) questionnaire. <b><i>Results:</i></b> Patient groups were similar regarding age and duration of opioid dependence. Employment rate was significantly higher (<i>p</i> &#x3c; 0.005, φ = 0.22) in the buprenorphine group (46%) compared to methadone (18%). Dosage adjustments were more frequent (<i>p</i> &#x3c; 0.001, φ = 0.29) in diamorphine (55%) than in methadone (30%) or buprenorphine (19%) patients. Buprenorphine and diamorphine patients rated their physical functioning substantially higher than methadone patients (<i>p</i> &#x3c; 0.001, η<sup>2</sup> = 0.141). Diamorphine patients reported a higher psychological functioning (<i>p</i> &#x3c; 0.001, η<sup>2</sup> = 0.078) and overall life improvement (<i>p</i> &#x3c; 0.001, η<sup>2</sup> = 0.060) compared to methadone, but not compared to buprenorphine patients (both <i>p</i> &#x3e; 0.25). <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> Measurement of important QoL aspects indicates significant differences for physical and psychological functioning in patients receiving the substitutes methadone/levomethadone, diamorphine, and buprenorphine. This could be relevant for the differential therapy of opioid addiction.


Cancers ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (10) ◽  
pp. 1500 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rebecca V. Steenaard ◽  
Laura A. Michon ◽  
Harm R. Haak

Insight into the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) impact of adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is important. The disease and its treatment options potentially have an impact on HRQoL. For patients with limited survival, HRQoL research is of utmost importance. We will therefore provide an overview of HRQoL studies in patients with ACC. We found six studies that measured HRQoL in 323 patients with ACC (3 cross-sectional, 1 cohort, 2 trials), all indicating a reduced HRQoL compared to the general population. The FIRMACT trial found that HRQoL of patients with ACC was reduced compared to the general population, and that chemotherapy-mitotane further reduced HRQoL even though survival improved. Clinical aspects of the disease, including cortisol and aldosterone production and adrenal insufficiency have shown great impact on HRQoL in benign disease, even after the recovery of hormonal status. However, the impact of malignant adrenal disease and treatment options on HRQoL including adrenalectomy, radiotherapy, mitotane therapy, and chemotherapy have not been sufficiently studied in patients with ACC. Although the number of HRQoL studies in patients with ACC is limited, the existing literature does indicate that ACC has a large impact on patients’ HRQoL, with disease specific aspects. Further HRQoL research in patients with ACC is essential to improve patient-centered care, preferably by using an ACC-specific HRQoL questionnaire.


2008 ◽  
Vol 139 (2_suppl) ◽  
pp. P50-P50
Author(s):  
Richard Turley ◽  
Seth M Cohen

Objective 1) Evaluate the prevalence of and quality of life impact of voice and swallowing problems in the elderly. 2) Determine treatment trends and barriers to treatment. Methods Cross-sectional study of independent living residents in 2 retirement communities. Main outcome measures include prevalence of dysphonia and dysphagia, Voice Related Quality of Life (VRQOL), 7-point Likert scale of dysphagia severity, Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression (CES-D) scale, and barriers to treatment. Relationship between continuous variables were analyzed with Spearman correlation and between categorical and continuous variables with a t-test. Results 248 residents responded, with a mean age of 82.4 years. 19.8% had dysphonia, 13.7% dysphagia, and 6% both. Respondents with more severe swallowing difficulty had greater impairment on the VRQOL (p = 0.04, Spearman correlation = −0.4). Respondents with both dysphonia and dysphagia had greater depression scores than those with neither symptom (mean CES-D score 15.5 versus 9.9, p = 0.008, t-test). While 75% of respondents with dysphonia were interested in treatment, only 20.4% and 2.1% had sought treatment for dysphonia and dysphagia, respectively. Being unaware of treatment options, and viewing voice and swallowing trouble as a normal part of aging, were the two most common reasons for not seeking treatment. Conclusions Voice and swallowing problems are common in the elderly but they are not realizing potential treatment benefits. Improved health care services for voice and swallowing problems in the elderly are essential.


2012 ◽  
Vol 29 (7) ◽  
pp. 536-540 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hanna A. Zaghloul ◽  
Jose R. Murillo

Chemotherapy treatment options are limited for patients with castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). The purpose of this study is to report treatment use and adverse effects (AEs) within the last three months of life in patients with CRPC. Of the 88 patients identified, 32% received treatment within 3 months of death, and documented AEs occurred in 25% of patients. Of those, neutropenia (18.3%), nausea/vomiting (18.3%), and febrile neutropenia (13.6%) were the most frequent. Results of this study show high treatment utility towards the end-of-life in patients with CRPC, with one fourth of patients experiencing AEs. Attention to health-related quality of life becomes increasingly important as new treatments appear to have small impact on survival, and AEs of those treatments may significantly impact patient quality of life.


Author(s):  
Marek Prokopienko ◽  
Michał Sobstyl

AbstractCervical spine diskectomy is a commonly used procedure in degenerative disease of cervical spine surgery. However, it is difficult to assess the quality of life after this widely applied and variously modified procedure. This literature review presents cervical diskectomy results, according to various scales and measures in multidirectional surgical strategies. Using relevant databases, we tried to find the best treatment options for degenerative disk disease and the best method of quality-of-life assessment, searching for modalities that may influence the outcome.


2018 ◽  
Vol 34 (5) ◽  
pp. 368-373
Author(s):  
Stacey Hoya ◽  
Linda Wogeman ◽  
Sara Allstadt ◽  
Glen King

Sonography currently provides a variety of tools to support the diagnosis and treatment of osteosarcoma and, with the development of therapeutic ultrasound practices, could play an increasingly important role in the treatment of future patients with osteosarcoma. Currently, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and radiography are the preferred imaging modalities for bone lesions; treatment options for osteosarcoma primarily include highly toxic chemotherapies and surgeries that often result in limb loss. Unfortunately, osteosarcoma is rarely eliminated, and despite this, patients lose their lives after having a significant reduction in quality of life. Evolving therapies such as high-frequency focused ultrasound, ultrasound-enhanced delivery of photodynamic therapy, and low-intensity pulsed ultrasound may offer these patients an improved quality of life while also increasing efficacy of treatment. This canine case study illustrates the various ways in which sonography might contribute to the treatment plan for patients with osteosarcoma. It may provide a comparable model for the reimagining of treatment for future patients with osteosarcoma using a suite of therapeutic ultrasound applications.


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