Pharmacotherapy of Primary Impulsive Aggression in Violent Criminal Offenders

Primary impulsive aggression (PIA) can be implicated as a common factor that results in an arrest, disciplinary, and restraint measures during confinement, and criminal recidivism after release. Evidence suggests that anti-impulsive aggression agents (AIAAs) can diminish or prevent impulsive aggression even when occurring with personality pathology such as borderline or antisocial personality disorder (ASPD), common conditions in offender populations. A previous review identified agents that have been subjected to controlled drug trials of sufficient quality, and subsequently, a decisional algorithm was developed for selecting an AIAA for individuals with IA. This selection process began with the five agents that showed efficacy in two or more quality studies from the earlier review. Today, 8 years after the quality review study, the present authors undertook this follow-up literature review. The aims of the present review were to survey the literature to identify and assess: (1) drug trials of comparable quality published since the 2013 review, including trials of the previously identified AIAAs as well as trials of agents not included in the earlier review; (2) severity of aggressive outbursts; (3) the materiality of risks or side-effects that are associated with individual AIAAs as well as antipsychotic agents commonly used to control clinical aggression; (4) efficacy of these agents in special populations (e.g., females); and (5) cost and convenience of each agent. Improved pharmacotherapy of PIA by addressing risks, side effects and practicality as well as the efficacy of AIAAs, should promote the rehabilitation and reintegration of some pathologically aggressive offenders back into the community.

Download Full-text

Endovenous radiofrequency powered segmental thermal ablation (Closure FAST) of great saphenous veins

Phlebologie ◽

10.1055/s-0037-1622301 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 39 (02) ◽

pp. 69-71 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

T. M. Proebstle ◽

Keyword(s):

Side Effects ◽

Thermal Ablation ◽

Clinical Success ◽

Clinical Success Rate ◽

Duplex Ultrasound ◽

Multicenter Trial ◽

Saphenous Veins ◽

Clinical Control ◽

Prospective Multicenter Trial

Summary Background: Radiofrequency powered segmental thermal ablation Closure FAST has become a globally engaged technology for ablation of incompetent great saphenous veins (GSVs). Mid-term results of slowly resolving side effects are still not described. Methods: RSTA-treated GSVs (n = 295) were followed for 24 months in a prospective multicenter trial. Clinical control visits included flow and reflux analysis by duplex-ultrasound and assessment of treatment related side effects at all times. Results: 280 of 295 treated GSVs (94.9%) were available for 24 months follow-up. According to the method of Kaplan and Meier at 24 months after the intervention 98.6% of treated legs remained free of clinically relevant axial reflux. The average VCSS score improved from 3.9 ± 2.1 at screening to 0.7 ± 1.2 at 24 months follow-up (p < 0.0001). While only 41.1% of patients were free of pain before treatment, at 24 months 99.3% reported no pain and 96.4% did not experience pain during the 12 months before. At 24 months n=3 legs showed pigmentation along the inner thigh and one leg showed study-treatment related paresthesia. Conclusion: Radiofrequency powered segmental thermal ablation Closure FAST showed a very moderate side-effect profile in conjunction with a high and durable clinical success rate.

Download Full-text

EFFICACY OF TENOFOVIR IN PATIENTS OF HBV-RELATED CIRRHOSIS

Journal of Medicine and Pharmacy ◽

10.34071/jmp.2016.2.4 ◽

2016 ◽

pp. 25-29

Author(s):

Van Huy Tran ◽

Thi Huyen Thuong Nguyen

Keyword(s):

Side Effects ◽

Serum Creatinine ◽

Key Words ◽

Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate ◽

Hbv Dna ◽

Treatment Side Effects ◽

Background Data ◽

Key Words Cirrhosis

Background: Data about efficacy of Tenofovir in patients of HBV –related cirrhosis in Vietnam was still limited. This study is aimed at: - evaluating the clinical, biochemical, virological and Child-Pugh score responses 3,6,9 months after Tenofovir therapy; - assessing possible side effects of tenofovir. Patients and methods: 40 patients with HBV-related cirrhosis were enrolled. All has received Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate 300mg/day. Follow-up after 3,6 and 9 months. Results: Anorexia, oedema and ascites were significantly improved after treatment. HBV DNA became undetectable in 92.5%, 94.55 and 100% after 3,6 and 9 months, respectively. Child- Pugh score was improved after treatment (5.94±0.22 after treatment vs 7.47±0.28 before treatment). Side effects were minors (nausea, vomiting). No case of increase in serum creatinine was found. Conclusion: Tenofovir showed effective and safe in patients of HBV-related cirrhosis. Key words: Cirrhosis, tenofovir, HBV. Key words: cirrhosis, tenofovir, HBV

Download Full-text

Efficacy and safety of oral dapsone in acne vulgaris – experience of a tertiary care teaching hospital in central Lahore

Journal of Fatima Jinnah Medical University ◽

10.37018/xqbw1463 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 14 (2) ◽

pp. 87-90

Author(s):

Sadaf Amin Chaudhry ◽

Nadia Ali Zafar ◽

Rabia Hayat ◽

Ayesha Noreen ◽

Gulnaz Ali ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Side Effects ◽

Therapeutic Option ◽

Acne Vulgaris ◽

Treatment Options ◽

Tertiary Care ◽

Poor Response ◽

Global Assessment Scale ◽

Severe Acne ◽

Hematologic Profile

Background: Acne is the eighth most prevalent disease affecting 9.4% of the population worldwide and its prevalence in our country is estimated to be around 5%. Severe inflammatory acne is most likely to leave scars and in order to prevent facial disfigurement due to acne scarring, early treatment is desirable. Various treatment options have been formulated for acne, and are tailored according to the severity of the disease. Numerous clinical trials have been conducted till now, to determine the usefulness and side effect profile of such therapies, making acne treatment a highly studied area in dermatology. Objective of this study is to highlight the fact that oral Dapsone could be used as a cheaper alternate to isotretinoin in recalcitrant severe acne, especially in females where retinoids are sometimes contraindicated. Patients and methods: 51 patients, suffering from severe nodulocystic acne, fulfilling the criteria, were enrolled from the Department of Dermatology, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, Lahore. All the study patients were given oral Dapsone 50mg for initial two weeks and then 100mg daily for the next 10 weeks along with oral cimetidine and topical clindamycin application twice daily. Investigator Global Assessment Scale (IGAS) was employed to measure effectiveness. The treatment was considered ʽeffectiveʹ if the patient achieves 2 or more than 2-grade improvement or almost clear or clear skin at the end of 12 weeks according to IGAS scale. The lesion counts were also done before the start of therapy (day 1) and at every two weeks follow up for 12 weeks. The change in lesion count observed between the baseline number and that seen at follow up visits was also used to evaluate the effectiveness of oral Dapsone. Safety was analyzed by fortnightly visits of the patients to look for any undesirable side effects and monitoring of the hematologic profile of the patients. Final follow up was done at the end of 16 weeks. Results: The study was conducted on 51 patients, with a ratio of 1:3 for males and females and a mean age of 25.2 years (SD ±5.81). At 12th week, patients had significant reduction in their acne lesions; with 7 patients (13.7%) showing completely clear skin, 17 patients (33.3%) had almost clear skin, 5 patients (9.8%) had 3-grade improvement. Twelve patients (23.5%) had 2-grade improvement from baseline score and only 2 patients (3.9%) had 1-grade improvement from baseline. Based on percentage reduction of lesions, excellent response was seen in 32 patients (62.7%), good response in 9 patients (17.6%), moderate response in 2 patients (3.9%), while no patient showed poor response. Dapsone was discontinued in 8 patients due to derangement of hematologic profile. Conclusion: Oral Dapsone, when given carefully, is a very effective therapeutic option in severe recalcitrant acne, with limited side effects.

Download Full-text

Chemo-prophylaxis of COVID-19 with hydroxychloroquine: a study of health care workers attitude, adherence to regime and toxicities/side effects (Preprint)

10.2196/preprints.20768 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Debajyoti Bhattacharyya ◽

Neeraj Raizada ◽

Bharathnag Nagappa ◽

Arvind Tomar ◽

Prateek Maurya ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Side Effects ◽

Health Care Workers ◽

Tertiary Care Hospital ◽

Tertiary Care ◽

Perceived Threat ◽

Care Hospital ◽

Care Workers ◽

Perceived Danger ◽

Structured Questionnaire

BACKGROUND There are apprehensions among healthcare worker (HCWs) about COVID-19. The HCWs have been given hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) chemo-prophylaxis for seven weeks as per Government of India guidelines. OBJECTIVE To assess the apprehensions among HCWs about COVID-19 and to document accessibility, adherence and side effects related to HCQ prophylaxis in HCWs. METHODS A longitudinal follow up study was conducted in a tertiary care hospital. HCQ was given in the dose of 400 mg twice on day one, and then 400 mg weekly for seven weeks. 391 HCWs were interviewed using semi structured questionnaire. RESULTS 62.2% HCWs expressed perceived danger posted by COVID-19 infection. Doctors (54%) showed least acceptance and paramedics (88%) showed highest acceptance to chemo-prophylaxis. 17.5% participants developed at least one of the side effects to HCQ. Females and nursing profession were significantly associated with adverse effects. Common side effects were gastro-intestinal symptoms, headache and abnormal mood change. Most of these were mild, not requiring any intervention. Gender, professions and perceived threat of COVID-19 were significantly associated with acceptance and adherence to HCQ prophylaxis. CONCLUSIONS Two third of HCWs had perceived danger due to COVID-19. Three fourth of the HCWs accepted chemo-prophylaxis and four out of five who accepted had complete adherence to prophylaxis schedule. One out of five had developed at least one of side effects; however, most of these were mild not requiring any intervention.

Download Full-text

Adenoid cystic carcinoma of the labium oris with rare metastasis to the pleural cavity

BMJ Case Reports ◽

10.1136/bcr-2020-237622 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 14 (1) ◽

pp. e237622

Author(s):

Osama Mosalem ◽

Anas Alsara ◽

Fawzi Abu Rous ◽

Borys Hrinczenko

Keyword(s):

Side Effects ◽

Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma ◽

Pleural Cavity ◽

Epigastric Pain ◽

Asian Woman ◽

Upper Lip ◽

Adenoid Cystic ◽

History Of ◽

The Right

A 57-year-old Southeast Asian woman with a remote history of adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) of the right labium superius oris (upper lip) presented to the hospital with vague epigastric pain. On workup, she was found to have multiple pleural nodules. Histopathology confirmed the diagnosis of metastatic ACC. After 8 months of active surveillance, evidence of disease progression was found and the patient was started on pembrolizumab. Follow-up after starting pembrolizumab showed stable disease with no significant side effects.

Download Full-text

Experience with protein A-immunoadsorption in treatment-resistant adult immune thrombocytopenic purpura

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood.v79.9.2237.2237 ◽

1992 ◽

Vol 79 (9) ◽

pp. 2237-2245 ◽

Cited By ~ 106

Author(s):

HW Snyder ◽

SK Cochran ◽

JP Balint ◽

JH Bertram ◽

A Mittelman ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Side Effects ◽

Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura ◽

Protein A ◽

Staphylococcal Protein A ◽

Treatment Resistant ◽

Thrombocytopenic Purpura ◽

Specific Serum ◽

Clinical Responses ◽

Acute Increase

Abstract Extracorporeal immunoadsorption of plasma to remove IgG and circulating immune complexes (CIC) was evaluated as a therapy for adults with treatment-resistant immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP). Seventy-two patients with initial platelet counts less than 50,000/microL who had failed at least two other therapies were studied. They received an average of six treatments of 0.25 to 2.0 L plasma per procedure over a 2- to 3-week period using columns of staphylococcal protein A-silica (PROSORBA immunoadsorption treatment columns; IMRE Corp, Seattle, WA). The treatments caused an acute increase in the platelet count to greater than 100,000/microL in 18 patients and to 50,000 to 100,000/microL in 15 patients. The median time to response was 2 weeks. Responses were transient (less than 1 month duration) in seven of those patients (10%), but no additional relapses were reported over a follow- up period of up to 26 months (mean of 8 months). Clinical responses were associated with significant decreases in specific serum platelet autoantibodies (including anti-glycoprotein IIb/IIIa), platelet- associated Ig, and CIC. Thirty percent of treatments were associated with transient mild to moderate side effects usually presenting as a hypersensitivity-type reaction. Continued administration of failed therapies for ITP, which always included low-dose corticosteroids (less than or equal to 30 mg/d), had no demonstrable influence on the effectiveness of immunoadsorption treatment but did depress the incidence and severity of side effects. The degree of effectiveness of protein A immunoadsorption therapy in patients with treatment-resistant ITP is promising and further controlled studies in this patient population are warranted.

Download Full-text

Long-Term Follow-Up of Early Cochlear Implant Device Activation

Audiology and Neurotology ◽

10.1159/000512760 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-11

Author(s):

Stefanie Bruschke ◽

Uwe Baumann ◽

Timo Stöver

Keyword(s):

Speech Recognition ◽

Side Effects ◽

Cochlear Implant ◽

Surgical Techniques ◽

Control Group ◽

First Year ◽

Safe Procedure ◽

Sound Processor

Background: The cochlear implant (CI) is a standard procedure for the treatment of patients with severe to profound hearing loss. In the past, a standard healing period of 3–6 weeks occurred after CI surgery before the sound processor was initially activated. Advancements of surgical techniques and instruments allow an earlier initial activation of the processor within 14 days after surgery. Objective: Evaluation of the early CI device activation after CI surgery within 14 days, comparison to the first activation after 4–6 weeks, and assessment of the feasibility and safety of the early fitting over a 12 month observation period were the objectives of this study. Method: In a prospective study, 127 patients scheduled for CI surgery were divided into early fitting group (EF, n = 67) and control group (CG, n = 60). Individual questionnaires were used to evaluate medical and technical outcomes of the EF. Medical side effects, speech recognition, and follow-up effort were compared with the CG within the first year after CI surgery. Results: The early fitting was feasible in 97% of the EF patients. In the EF, the processor was activated 25 days earlier than in the CG. No major complications were observed in either group. At the follow-up appointments, side effects such as pain and balance problems occurred with comparable frequency in both groups. At initial fitting, the EF showed a significantly higher incidence of medical minor complications (p < 0.05). When developing speech recognition within the first year of CI use, no difference was observed. Furthermore, the follow-up effort within the first year after CI surgery was comparable in both groups. Conclusions: Early fitting of the sound processor is a feasible and safe procedure with comparable follow-up effort. Although more early minor complications were observed in the EF, there were no long-term wound healing problems caused by the early fitting. Regular inspection of the magnet strength is recommended as part of the CI follow-up since postoperative wound swelling must be expected. The early fitting procedure enabled a clear reduction in the waiting time between CI surgery and initial sound processor activation.

Download Full-text

Rituximab-Containing Risk-Adapted Treatment Strategy in Nodular Lymphocyte Predominant Hodgkin Lymphoma: 7-Years Follow-Up

Cancers ◽

10.3390/cancers13081760 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (8) ◽

pp. 1760

Author(s):

Novella Pugliese ◽

Marco Picardi ◽

Roberta Della Pepa ◽

Claudia Giordano ◽

Francesco Muriano ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Side Effects ◽

Hodgkin Lymphoma ◽

Prognostic Score ◽

Single Agent ◽

Response To Therapy ◽

Baseline Risk ◽

Historical Cohort ◽

Treatment Groups

Background: Nodular lymphocyte predominant Hodgkin lymphoma (NLPHL) is a rare variant of HL that accounts for 5% of all HL cases. The expression of CD20 on neoplastic lymphocytes provides a suitable target for novel treatments based on Rituximab. Due to its rarity, consolidated and widely accepted treatment guidelines are still lacking for this disease. Methods: Between 1 December 2007 and 28 February 2018, sixteen consecutive newly diagnosed adult patients with NLPHL received Rituximab (induction ± maintenance)-based therapy, according to the baseline risk of German Hodgkin Study Group prognostic score system. The treatment efficacy and safety of the Rituximab-group were compared to those of a historical cohort of 12 patients with NLPHL who received Doxorubicin, Bleomycin, Vinblastine, Dacarbazine (ABVD) chemotherapy followed by radiotherapy (RT), if needed, according to a similar baseline risk. The primary outcome was progression-free survival (PFS) and secondary outcomes were overall survival (OS) and side-effects (according to the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events, v4.03). Results: After a 7-year follow-up (range, 1–11 years), PFS was 100% for patients treated with the Rituximab-containing regimen versus 66% for patients of the historical cohort (p = 0.036). Four patients in the latter group showed insufficient response to therapy. The PFS for early favorable and early unfavorable NLPHLs was similar between treatment groups, while a better PFS was recorded for advanced-stages treated with the Rituximab-containing regimen. The OS was similar for the two treatment groups. Short- and long-term side-effects were more frequently observed in the historical cohort. Grade ≥3 neutropenia was more frequent in the historical cohort compared with the Rituximab-group (58.3% vs. 18.7%, respectively; p = 0.03). Long-term non-hematological toxicities were observed more frequently in the historical cohort. Conclusion: Our results confirm the value of Rituximab in NLPHL therapy and show that Rituximab (single-agent) induction and maintenance in a limited-stage, or Rituximab with ABVD only in the presence of risk factors, give excellent results while sparing cytotoxic agent- and/or RT-related damage. Furthermore, Rituximab inclusion in advanced-stage therapeutic strategy seems to improve PFS compared to conventional chemo-radiotherapy.

Download Full-text

Physiological Pacing: A New Road to Future

Indian Journal of Clinical Cardiology ◽

10.1177/2632463620978045 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 263246362097804

Author(s):

Vanita Arora ◽

Pawan Suri

Keyword(s):

Side Effects ◽

Fibrous Tissue ◽

Cardiac Pacing ◽

His Bundle ◽

Anatomy And Physiology ◽

Long Term Follow Up ◽

Pacing Lead ◽

The Right

Anatomy and physiology are the basis of human body functioning and as we have progressed in management of various diseases, we have understood that physiological intervention is always better than an anatomical one. For more than 50 years, a standard approach to permanent cardiac pacing has been an anatomical placement of transvenous pacing lead at the right ventricular apex with a proven benefit of restoring the rhythm. However, the resultant ventricular dyssynchrony on the long-term follow-up in patients requiring more than 40% ventricular pacing led to untoward side effects in the form of heart failure and arrhythmias. To counter such adverse side effects, a need for physiological cardiac pacing wherein the electrical impulse be transmitted directly through the normal conduction system was sought. His bundle pacing (HBP) with an intriguing alternative of left bundle branch pacing (LBBP) is aimed at restoring such physiological activation of ventricles. HBP is safe, efficacious, and feasible; however, localization and placement of a pacing lead at the His bundle is challenging with existing transvenous systems due to its small anatomic size, surrounding fibrous tissue, long-learning curve, and the concern remains about lead dislodgement and progressive electrical block distal to the HBP lead. In this article, we aim to take the reader through the challenging journey of HBP with focus upon the hardware and technique, selective versus nonselective HBP, indications and potential disadvantages, and finally the future prospects.

Download Full-text

Baroreflex activation therapy for resistant hypertension: results from mid-term prospective ambulatory blood pressure registry

European Heart Journal ◽

10.1093/ehjci/ehaa946.2784 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 41 (Supplement_2) ◽

Author(s):

M Sindt ◽

T Madej ◽

S Grimm ◽

M Knaut

Keyword(s):

Blood Pressure ◽

Side Effects ◽

Pressure Drop ◽

Arterial Hypertension ◽

Antihypertensive Drugs ◽

Drug Resistant ◽

Baroreflex Activation Therapy ◽

Activation Therapy ◽

Resistant Arterial Hypertension

Abstract Objectives First generation baroreflex activation therapy (BAT) devices showed clinical efficacy in patients with drug-resistant arterial hypertension (AHT), but the safety profile was insufficient. Data regarding efficacy of second-generation devices were generated mostly from office blood pressure (BP) measurements or short-term 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure measurements (ABPM). We present a mid-term prospective registry to evaluate the efficacy and safety of recent BAT devices. Purpose The purpose of our study was to find a method that helps patients with drug-resistant arterial hypertension to control their blood pressure. Further we sought to reduce the overall amount of antihypertensive drugs to lessen side effects, as well as the effects of polypharmacy. Methods All patients receiving Barostim neo between November 2013 and June 2019 for resistant AHT were prospectively included into this observational study. ABPM was performed at baseline, in 3-month intervals in the first year after BAT implantation and in 6-month intervals afterwards for up to 42 months. Patients were assigned into two groups of responders and non-responders. Non-responders had a mean blood pressure drop (BPD) below 5mmHg. Responders in turn were categorized into 3 sub-groups (low-BPD between 5–9 mmHg, medium-BPD between 10–19 mmHg and high-BPD ≥20 mmHg). The primary efficacy end-points were changes in systolic and diastolic BP and number of antihypertensive medications. The primary safety end point was BAT-related major adverse events (MAE). Results 64 patients (mean age 63 years, 67% males) were included. Only patients who completed a 24-hour ABPM during a follow up were counted in the statistical analysis. We had an overall responder rate of 67.8%. Out of those 15.4% had low-BPD, 38.4% medium-BPD and 46.2% had a high-BPD. Systolic BP decreased over the 3.5-years period from 168±17 mmHg to 149±19 mmHg (n=19, mean change −18.8 mmHg; 95% confidence interval [CI]: −29.32 to −8.36; p<0.0007). Diastolic BP decreased from 97±16 to 85±12 mmHg (n=19, mean change −11.7 mmHg; 95% CI: −19.2 to −4.2; p<0.0021). The mean number of antihypertensive drugs was reduced from 6.9±1.3 to 5.2±1.5 (n=19, mean change −1.7; 95% CI: −0.8 to −0.27; p<0.0009). The time course of primary end-points is shown in Fig.1. Freedom from BAT-related MAE was 93.5%. 4 perioperative complications (1 pocket bleeding, 1 pocket infection, 1 N. hypoglossus palsy, 1 hoarseness) resolved without residual side effects. There were five non BAT related deaths (7,8%) in the follow up period. Conclusion Systolic and diastolic ABP, as well as number and dosage of antihypertensive drugs decreased significantly during 3.5-years follow-up after Barostim neo implantation in 64 consecutive patients (of whom 62 completed at least one follow-up). No MAE associated with BAT were observed after the perioperative period. However, further controlled trials are needed to confirm the long-term efficacy of BAT. Figure 1. Mean blood pressure drop Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: None

Download Full-text