scholarly journals The Effect of Isotonic Saline Nasal Lavages in Improving Symptoms in SARS-CoV-2 Infection: A Case-Control Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giacomo Spinato ◽  
Cristoforo Fabbris ◽  
Giulio Costantini ◽  
Federica Conte ◽  
Pier Giorgio Scotton ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Treatment Group ◽  
Ad Hoc ◽  
Isotonic Saline ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Base Line ◽  
Upper Airways ◽  
Runny Nose ◽  
Historical Series ◽  
Significant Efficacy ◽  
Control Study

Background: Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) mainly colonizes nasopharynx. In upper airways acute infections, e.g., the common cold, saline nasal irrigations have a significant efficacy in reducing symptoms. The present study aimed to test the efficacy of nasal lavages in upper airways symptoms of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19).Methods: A series of consecutive adult subjects who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 from December 2020 to February 2021 performed daily nasal lavages with saline solution (Lavonase®—Purling, Lugo di Romagna, Italy) for 12 days, starting on the day after the SARS-CoV-2 positive swab. A control group included a historical series of patients who were infected in February-March 2020 and who did not perform lavages. An ad hoc questionnaire regarding symptoms was administered to each subjects at base-line and 10 days after diagnosis (i.e., on the same day of the control swab) in both cases and controls.Results: A total of 140 subjects were enrolled. 68 participants in the treatment group and 72 in the control group were included. 90% of respondents declared the lavages were simple to use and 70% declared they were satisfied. Symptoms of blocked nose, runny nose, or sneezing decreased by an average of 24.7% after the treatment. Blocked nose and sneezing increased in the same period of time in the control group. Ears and eyes symptoms, anosmia/ageusia symptoms, and infection duration (10.53 days in the treatment group and 10.48 days in the control group) didn't vary significantly among the two groups.Conclusion: Nasal lavages resulted to significantly decrease nasal symptoms in newly diagnosed SARS-CoV-2 patients. These devices proved to be well-tolerated and easy to be used. Further studies on a larger number of subjects are needed in order to possibly confirm these preliminary results.

Efficacy of corticosteroid therapy in the treatment of long- lasting olfactory disorders in COVID-19 patients

2020 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
pp. 0-0
Author(s):  
L.A. Vaira ◽  
C. Hopkins ◽  
M. Petrocelli ◽  
J.R. Lechien ◽  
S. Cutrupi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Treatment Group ◽  
Case Control Study ◽  
Spontaneous Recovery ◽  
Olfactory Function ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Initial Control ◽  
Group A ◽  
Control Study

BACKGROUND: The growing number of COVID-19 patients with long-lasting olfactory disorders makes it necessary to identify effective treatments that enhance the spontaneous recovery of olfactory function. METHODS: Multicentre randomised case-control study that involved 18 patients with COVID-19 related anosmia or severe hyposmia for more than 30 days. Nine patients were prescribed systemic prednisone and nasal irrigation with betamethasone, ambroxol and rinazine for 15 days. The other 9, untreated, patients were used as controls. The olfactory function was evaluated with CCCRC test at 20 and 40 days from the first evaluation. RESULTS: In the control group, a median olfactory score of 20 (IQR 30) was detected at baseline. At the 20-day control there was no significant improvement in olfactory function. The improvement in olfactory performance became significant at the 40-day follow-up compared to baseline scores [60 (IQR 60) versus 20 (IQR 30)]. In the treatment group, patients had a mean olfactory score of 10 (IQR 15) at initial control. At the 20-day control, a significant im-provement in the olfactory scores, compared to the baseline, was detected [70 (IQR 40) versus 10 (IQR 15)]. Olfactory function further improved at 40 days [median score 90 (IQR 50)]. Patients in the treatment group reported significantly higher improvements of the olfactory scores than the controls at both the 20-day [40 (IQR 45) versus 10 (IQR 15)] and 40-day [60 (IQR 40) versus 30 (IQR 25)] evaluations. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the results of this study, the mix of drugs including steroids could represent a useful specific therapy to reduce the prevalence of this long-term morbidity.

scholarly journals Effect of Allopurinol on Inflammatory Markers in Chronic Kidney Disease Patients with Asymptomatic Hyperuricaemia

2017 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 12-24
Author(s):  
ASM Tanim Anwar ◽  
Md Nizamuddin Chowdhury ◽  
Md Nazrul Islam ◽  
Parvez Iftekher Ahmed ◽  
Sohely Ahmed Sweety ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Chronic Kidney Disease ◽  
Uric Acid ◽  
Treatment Group ◽  
Kidney Disease ◽  
Serum Uric Acid ◽  
Chronic Kidney Disease Stage ◽  
Disease Stage ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Base Line

This was a hospital based prospective, interventional study which included CKD stage 3- 5 patients with higher level of uric acid (male>7mg/dl, female>6mg/dl). The objective of the study was to evaluate the effect of allopurinol on inflammatory markers in patients with chronic kidney disease (stage 3-5) with asymptomatic hyperuricaemia. One hundred and twenty patients were distributed in two groups. Sixty patients were placed in treatment group and sixty in control group. Purposive sampling technique was followed. In the study mean age was 49 (±9) years in treatment group and 45 (±11) years in control groups. Male were predominant in both groups. There were no significant difference in baseline characteristics between treatment group and control group (p>0.05). Sixty patients of treatment group were administered a dose of 100 mg/d of allopurinol. Follow up assessment was done at basally, at 4 months and at 8 month after starting treatment. No significant differences were seen between baseline SBP, DBP, Hb and HbA1c with 4th month and 8th month follow up in both treatment group and control group, but mean Hb was significantly decreased in control group from the baseline after 8 month. No significant change was found in case of mean ESR at 4th and 8th month in any group. But base line mean CRP was significantly reduced in treatment group and increased in control group at 4th and 8th month of follow up. Serum uric acid was decreased in treatment group while it was significantly raised from the base line at 4th month and 8th month in control group. While comparing between two groups results showed means of serum uric acid and CRP were significantly decreased in treatment group compared to control group after 8th month. There was a positive correlation between Uric Acid with CRP level after 8 month of allopurinol treatment although this finding was not statistically significant. So, allopurinol may have a protective role in CKD by decreasing serum uric acid level and reduction of inflammatory response in patients with chronic kidney disease stage 3 - 5 with asymptomatic hyperuricaemia.J Dhaka Medical College, Vol. 26, No.1, April, 2017, Page 12-24

scholarly journals Efficacy of Vitamin E in Methotrexate-Induced Hepatotoxicity in Rheumatoid Arthritis: An Open-Label Case-Control Study

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Binit Vaidya ◽  
Manisha Bhochhibhoya ◽  
Shweta Nakarmi
Keyword(s):  
Rheumatoid Arthritis ◽  
Vitamin E ◽  
Treatment Group ◽  
Case Control Study ◽  
Study Groups ◽  
Case Control ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Open Label ◽  
Control Study

Objective. To examine the efficacy of vitamin E in methotrexate- (MTX-) induced transaminitis in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Methods. A case-control study was conducted at a tertiary rheumatology center for 12 months. Patients with RA on MTX and deranged aminotransferases were included. Patients with previous liver diseases, baseline transaminitis before methotrexate initiation, alcohol intake, muscle diseases, under hepatotoxic drugs, and aminotransferases>3 times the upper normal limit were excluded. The patients were divided into treatment (vitamin E 400 mg bid for 3 months) and control groups (no vitamin E) using a random number table. The dose of MTX was unaltered. Follow-up was done after 3 and 6 months. Independent t-test was done to compare means of two groups. Paired t-test was done to compare differences in mean. Results. Among 230 patients, 86.5% were female with a mean BMI of 25.9±4.5 kg/m2. In the treatment group, SGPT and SGOT at baseline were 73.1±20.4 and 60.2±24.5 IU/L, respectively; at 3-month follow-up 44.6±34.2 and 38.3±20.8 IU/L, respectively; and at 6-month follow-up 40.4±35.7 and 34.2±21.9 IU/L, respectively. In the control group, SGPT and SGOT at baseline were 63.4±15.1 and 46.8±13.7 IU/L, respectively, and at 3-month follow-up 55.8±45.9 and 45.5±30.9 IU/L, respectively. Significant decrease in the level of aminotransferases was seen in the treatment group (p value < 0.001) and not in the control group (p values 0.161 and 0.728, respectively). The change in levels of SGPT and SGOT from baseline to 3 months of follow-up was statistically significant in between two study groups (p values 0.007 and <0.001, respectively). From the control group, 29 patients were crossed over to vitamin E for the next 3 months. SGPT and SGOT decreased from 97.6±44.1 to 46.1±40.9 and 69.3±34.9 to 29.1±11.6 IU/L, respectively (p values 0.031 and 0.017, respectively). Conclusion. Vitamin E significantly attenuates MTX-induced transaminitis.

scholarly journals Effectiveness of Pentoxifylline in the treatment of oral submucous fibrosis patients: a case-control study

2019 ◽  
Vol 39 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Annette M. Bhambal ◽  
Ajay Bhambal ◽  
U. S. Shukla ◽  
Aashna Dhingra
Keyword(s):  
Case Control Study ◽  
Oral Submucous Fibrosis ◽  
Mouth Opening ◽  
Case Control ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Study Group ◽  
Base Line ◽  
Submucous Fibrosis ◽  
U Value ◽  
Control Study

Abstract Background Oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF) is a potentially malignant disorder largely seen in the South-Asian countries where areca nut is found to be the main predisposing factor. Pentoxifylline, a methylxanthine derivative, has vasodilating properties and is believed to increase the vascularity of the mucosal layer. This study was designed to determine the effect of pentoxifylline (Trental) on the clinical progression of oral submucous fibrosis. Aim: The present study was aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of drug pentoxifylline in the management of OSMF and to correlate the clinical parameters evaluated before and after treatment. Methods Study Design: This investigation was conducted as a case-control study incorporating a Control Group in comparison to a Study Group where pentoxifylline 400 mg was administered 3 times daily, as coated, sustained-release tablets for prescribed for 3 months. The stipulated period for the study was 8 months and a total of 80 cases of oral submucous fibrosis (40 test subjects and 40 controls) were included in this study and 100% acquiescence was reported at the end of the test period. Results Mild dizziness and gastric irritation were the only untoward symptoms reported in 2 of the volunteers in the study group during this trial. These were managed by diet protocols. A review of the patients and controls was done at an interval of every 4 weeks for 3 months. The subjective and objective measurements were recorded. The follow-up data at each visit concerning each other and to base-line values were calibrated using nonparametric tests of the Chi-Square test and Mann-Whitney. Significant comparisons with regard to improvement were recorded as objective criteria of mouth opening (u value =1.137, p = 0.260), tongue protrusion (u value = 0.262, p = 0.794 and cheek flexibility (u value =0.990, p = 0.326). Subjective symptoms of burning sensation of mouth (U value = 2.673, p = 0.008), pain on opening the mouth (U value = 4.320, p < 0.0001), difficulty in swallowing and difficulty in the speech were also recorded. Conclusion This study showed the effectiveness of pentoxifylline as an additional therapy in the routine management of oral submucous fibrosis.

scholarly journals USE OF INTRAOPERATORY VANCOMYCIN IN SPINAL SURGERIES

2019 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 134-137
Author(s):  
Eduardo Teston Bondan ◽  
Xavier Soler I Graells ◽  
Álynson Larocca Kulcheski ◽  
Pedro Grein del Santoro ◽  
Marcel Luiz Benato
Keyword(s):  
Treatment Group ◽  
Antibiotic Prophylaxis ◽  
Spinal Surgery ◽  
Postoperative Infection ◽  
Case Control Study ◽  
Case Control ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Systemic Antibiotic ◽  
Control Study ◽  
Systemic Antibiotic Prophylaxis

ABSTRACT Objectives: Despite the use of systemic antibiotic prophylaxis, infection is still a challenge for spine surgeons, with high morbidity and mortality, long hospitalization, delayed rehabilitation, and a greater number of interventions. The purpose of this cross-sectional retrospective case-control study was to compare the incidence of postoperative infection in individuals who received a systemic antibiotic as the sole prophylactic method with those who received vancomycin in the operative wound in association with systemic antibiotic prophylaxis in spinal surgery. Methods: We evaluated 2694 medical records of individuals submitted to posterior spinal surgery in the thoracolumbar segment in the period from January 2012 to June 2017, 1360 in the treatment group and 1334 in the control group. Results: Nineteen (1.39%) of the treatment group progressed with surgical site infection, compared to 42 (3.14%) of the control group. Conclusions: There was a significant reduction in the postoperative infection rate with the use of vancomycin (p=0.0379). Level of Evidence III; Case-Control Study.

Cilostazol May Improve Maturation Rates and Durability of Vascular Access for Hemodialysis

2017 ◽  
Vol 51 (3) ◽  
pp. 120-124 ◽  
Author(s):  
Todd E. Russell ◽  
Gregory C. Kasper ◽  
Andrew J. Seiwert ◽  
Anthony J. Comerota ◽  
Fedor Lurie
Keyword(s):  
Treatment Group ◽  
Vascular Access ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Study Group ◽  
Dialysis Access ◽  
Time To Failure ◽  
Beneficial Impact ◽  
Arteriovenous Access ◽  
Fistula Maturation ◽  
Control Study

Cilostazol is effective in controlling pathophysiological pathways similar or identical to those involved in nonmaturation and failure of the arteriovenous access. This case–control study examined whether cilostazol would improve maturation rates and durability of vascular access for hemodialysis. The treatment group included 33 patients who received cilostazol for ≥30 days prior to creation of a dialysis access and continued with cilostazol therapy for ≥60 days after surgery. The matched (gender, age, race, diabetes, and the year of surgery) control group included 116 patients who underwent the same procedure but did not receive cilostazol prior to and at least 3 months after surgery. Primary outcomes were maturation and, for those that matured, time of functioning access, defined as the time from the first use to irreparable failure of the access. Secondary outcomes were time to maturation, complications, and time to first complication. Study group patients were 3.8 times more likely to experience fistula maturation compared to the controls (88% vs 66%, RR = 3.8, 95% confidence interval: 1.3-11.6, P = .016). Fewer patients in the study group had complications (76% vs 92%, P = .025), and the time from construction of the fistula to the first complication was longer (345.6 ± 441 days vs 198.3 ± 185.0 days, P = .025). Time to maturation was similar in both groups (119.3 ± 62.9 days vs 100.2 ± 61.7 days, P = .2). However, once matured, time to failure was significantly longer in the treatment group (903.7 ± 543.6 vs 381.6 ± 317.2 days, P = .001). Multivariate analysis confirmed that the likelihood of maturation was significantly higher in the treatment group patients. These results suggest that dialysis access patients may benefit from preoperative and postoperative cilostazol therapy. If confirmed by a randomized trial, this treatment will have a major beneficial impact on patients dependent on a well-functioning access for their hemodialysis.

scholarly journals Adverse effects of endometriosis on pregnancy: a case-control study

2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mayo Miura ◽  
Takafumi Ushida ◽  
Kenji Imai ◽  
Jingwen Wang ◽  
Yoshinori Moriyama ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Surgical Treatment ◽  
Treatment Group ◽  
Placenta Previa ◽  
Perinatal Outcomes ◽  
Neonatal Outcomes ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Maternal And Neonatal Outcomes ◽  
Non Surgical Treatment ◽  
Control Study

Abstract Background Endometriosis is a common disease occurring in 1–2% of all women of reproductive age. Although there is increasing evidence on the association between endometriosis and adverse perinatal outcomes, little is known about the effect of pre-pregnancy treatments for endometriosis on subsequent perinatal outcomes. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate maternal and neonatal outcomes in pregnant women with endometriosis and to investigate whether pre-pregnancy surgical treatment would affect these outcomes. Methods This case-control study included 2769 patients who gave birth at Nagoya University Hospital located in Japan between 2010 and 2017. Maternal and neonatal outcomes were compared between the endometriosis group (n = 80) and the control group (n = 2689). The endometriosis group was further divided into two groups: patients with a history of surgical treatment such as cystectomy for ovarian endometriosis, ablation or excision of endometriotic implants, or adhesiolysis (surgical treatment group, n = 49) and those treated with only medications or without any treatment (non-surgical treatment group, n = 31). Results In the univariate analysis, placenta previa and postpartum hemorrhage were significantly increased in the endometriosis group compared to the control group (12.5% vs. 4.1%, p <  0.01 and 27.5% vs. 18.2%, p = 0.04, respectively). In the multivariate analysis, endometriosis significantly increased the odds ratio (OR) for placenta previa (adjusted OR, 3.19; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.56–6.50, p <  0.01) but not for postpartum hemorrhage (adjusted OR, 1.14; 95% CI, 0.66–1.98, p = 0.64). Other maternal and neonatal outcomes were similar between the two groups. In patients with endometriosis, patients in the surgical treatment group were significantly associated with an increased risk of placenta previa (OR. 4.62; 95% CI, 2.11–10.10, p <  0.01); however, patients in the non-surgical treatment group were not associated with a high risk (OR, 1.63; 95% CI, 0.19–6.59, p = 0.36). Additionally, other maternal and neonatal outcomes were similar between the two groups. Conclusion Women who have had surgical treatment for their endometriosis appear to have a higher risk for placenta previa. This may be due to the more severe stage of endometriosis often found in these patients. However, clinicians should be alert to this potential increased risk and manage these patients accordingly.

The impact of uterine curettage postpartum on maternal sFlt-1 concentration

2016 ◽  
Vol 44 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Victoria Ossada ◽  
Alexander Jank ◽  
Holger Stepan
Keyword(s):  
Treatment Group ◽  
Case Control Study ◽  
Post Partum ◽  
Case Control ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Relative Decrease ◽  
Open Case ◽  
Uterine Curettage ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Control Study

AbstractOur purpose was to investigate the influence of a uterine curettage on the immediate maternal sFlt-1 concentration post partum. Forty-six patients booked for delivery via primary caesarean section were included in a prospective open, case control study. Eighteen of them achieved an intraoperative curettage and formed the treatment group, 28 patients without curettage were enrolled in the control group. Maternal sFlt-1 serum values were measured immediately before and 24 h after delivery. Patients who underwent a uterine curettage showed a relative decrease of 70% (median 3670±1110 pg/mL–1143±270 pg/mL) in comparison to the control group with 65% (median 3132±636 pg/mL–1098±611 pg/mL; P=0.558). Additionally, three patients with preeclampsia and curettage were included, who showed a relative decrease of 76%. A uterine curettage may slightly accelerate the fall of the postpartal sFlt-1 concentration. The previously described benefit of curettage in patients with preeclampsia regarding faster recovery or treatment of postpartum seizures may be partly explained as mediated by anti-angiogenic factors.

Rorschach Characteristics in Adolescents with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

2006 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 100-118 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Santoantonio ◽  
L. Yazigi ◽  
E. I. Sato
Keyword(s):  
Lupus Erythematosus ◽  
Case Control Study ◽  
Activity Index ◽  
Disease Activity Index ◽  
Female Adolescents ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Intelligence Scale ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Experimental Group ◽  
Control Study

The purpose of this study was to investigate the personality characteristics in adolescents with SLE. The research design is a case-control study by means of the Rorschach Method and the Wechsler Intelligence Scale. Study group: 30 female adolescents with lupus, 12–17 years of age. The SLE Disease Activity Index was administered during the period of psychological evaluation. Control group: 32 nonpatient adolescents were matched for age, sex, and socioeconomic level. In the Wechsler Intelligence Scale the mean IQ of the experimental group was significantly lower than that of the control group (77 and 98, respectively, p < .001). In the Rorschach, the lupus patients showed greater difficulty in interpersonal interactions, although they displayed the resources to process affect and to cope with stressful situations. A positive moderate correlation (p = .069) between the activity index of the disease and the affect constriction proportion of the Rorschach was observed: the higher the SLEDAI score, the lower the capacity to process affect. There is a negative correlation between the activity index of the disease and the IQ (p = .001): with a higher activity index of the disease, less intellectual resources are available.

A Newspaper’s Effect on the Strength of Automatic Associations in Memory

2012 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Florian Arendt
Keyword(s):  
Treatment Group ◽  
Term Effect ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Implicit Measure ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Short Term Treatment ◽  
Short Term Effect ◽  
Automatic Associations ◽  
Foreign Nationality ◽  
The Impact

A test was done to see if reading a newspaper which consistently overrepresents foreigners as criminals strengthens the automatic association between foreign country and criminal in memory (i.e., implicit cultivation). Further, an investigation was done to find out if reading articles from the same newspaper produces a short-term effect on the same measure and if (1) emotionalization of the newspaper texts, (2) emotional reactions of the reader (indicated by arousal), and (3) attributed text credibility moderate the short-term treatment effect. Eighty-five participants were assigned to one of three experimental conditions. Participants in the control group received short factual crime texts, where the nationality of the offender was not mentioned. Participants in the factual treatment group received the same texts, but the foreign nationality was mentioned. Participants in the emotionalized treatment group received emotionalized articles (i.e., texts which are high in vividness and frequency) covering the same crimes, with the foreign nationality mentioned. Supporting empirical evidence for implicit cultivation and a short-term effect was found. However, only emotionalized articles produced a short-term effect on the strength of the automatic association, indicating that newspaper texts must have a minimum of stimulus intensity to overcome an effect threshold. There were no moderating effects of arousal or credibility pertaining to the impact on the implicit measure. However, credibility moderated the short-term effect on a first-order judgment (i.e., estimated frequency of foreigners of all criminals). This indicates that a newspaper’s effect on the strength of automatic associations is relatively independent from processes of propositional reasoning.

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