scholarly journals Short Practical Regimen of Acupuncture for Melasma: A Prospective Cohort Study in a Tertiary Hospital in Thailand

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thanan Supasiri ◽  
Nuntida Salakshna ◽  
Krit Pongpirul

Background: Acupuncture shows benefits for patients with melasma, although no optimal number of sessions have been determined.Methods: The prospective observational study was conducted in melasma patients who were treated with acupuncture procedures two times a week and were evaluated after the 5th and the 10th sessions of acupuncture, with a 1-week follow-up after the last session. Participants Groups A and B received five and 10 acupuncture sessions, respectively. Melasma was assessed by using the melanin index (MI), melasma area and severity index (MASI), patient-reported improvement scores, and acupuncture-related adverse events.Results: Out of 113 participants, 67 received five sessions of acupuncture treatment while 39 received 10 sessions. At 1 week after five sessions of acupuncture in Group A, the mean MI decreased by 28.7 (95% CI −38.5 to −18.8, p < 0.001), whereas the median MASI decreased by 3.4 (95% CI −6.9 to −1.2, p < 0.001) points. At 1 week after ten sessions of acupuncture in Group B, the mean MI decreased by 31.3 (95% CI −45 to −17.6, p < 0.001), whereas the median MASI decreased by 5.4 (95%CI −9.9 to −3, p < 0.001) points. The first five sessions of acupuncture had a higher incremental effect than the last five sessions, although there was no statistically significant difference. Twenty-nine participants reported minor side effects. Group B had a risk ratio (RR) of having adverse events 1.8 times (95% CI 1.0–3.4, p = 0.05) compared with Group A.Conclusion: Short acupuncture regimens of 5–10 sessions in melasma seem to be effective and practical with minor side effects.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thanan Supasiri ◽  
Krit Pongpirul

AbstractBackgroundMelasma is a common skin pigmentation disorder. Acupuncture shows benefits for patients with melasma, although no standardized method or optimal number of sessions have been determined.ObjectiveTo comparatively assess clinical outcomes of melasma between five vs ten standard acupuncture sessions.MethodsWe performed a prospective observational cohort study in all melasma patients at the Acupuncture Clinic, King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand. All patients were treated with standard acupuncture procedure twice a week and were evaluated after the fifth and the tenth sessions of acupuncture, with a follow-up one week after the last session. Participants were divided into two treatment groups: Groups A and B received five and ten acupuncture sessions respectively. Melasma outcomes were assessed by using the Melanin Index (MI), Melasma Area and Severity Index (MASI), patient-reported improvement scores and acupuncture-related adverse events.ResultsOf 113 participants, 67 received five sessions of acupuncture treatment while 39 received ten sessions. 7 participants did not finish treatment. After five sessions of acupuncture in Group A, the mean MI decreased by 28.7 (95%CI -38.5 to -18.8), whereas the median MASI decreased by 3.4 (−6.9, -1.2) points. After ten sessions of acupuncture in Group B, the mean MI decreased by 31.3 (95%CI -45.0 to -17.6), whereas the median MASI decreased by 5.4 (−9.9, - 3.0) points. The first five sessions of acupuncture had a higher effect on the change in magnitude than the last five sessions, although there was no statistically significant difference. However, ten-session of acupuncture, had not reached the peak benefit on melasma yet. Further studies should be done with a higher number of sessions to determine the optimal rounds of treatment. Twenty-nine participants reported minor side effects, mostly consisting of persistent pain and small hematoma. Group B had RR of having adverse events 1.8 times (95% CI 1.0-3.4) compared to group A.ConclusionAcupuncture has a potential dose-response effect on clinical and patient-reported melasma outcomes with minor side effects.


VASA ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 39 (3) ◽  
pp. 249-255 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pannier ◽  
Rabe ◽  
Maurins

Background: Major side effects after endovenous laser ablation (EVLA) are pain and bruising. Low temperature of the tumescence fluid might cause additional venous constriction and a cooling effect around the vein. The aim of this study was to show outcome and side effects after EVLA of incompetent great saphenous veins (GSV) with a 1470 nm Diode laser (Ceralas E, biolitec) using cold or warm tumescence fluid for anaesthesia. Patients and methods: Between August and November 2007, 85 consecutive patients (85 legs) with an incompetent GSV were treated by EVLA. The patients were randomized in two groups. In 42 patients (Group A) a warm (37 °C) and in 43 patients (Group B) a cold (5 °C) tumescence fluid (TF) was used for local anaesthesia in the track of GSV. All patients were re-examined after 1, 10 and 30 days clinically and by duplex for complications and occlusion in the treated vein segment. Patient’s satisfaction was assessed on a 0 to 4 points scale. Results: In each group one patient was lost to follow-up. There was no significant difference concerning gender, age, C of CEAP, BMI or diameter of the treated vein. In Group A a mean of 462 ml TF and in Group B a mean of 428 ml TF were used. In Group A the mean LEED (average linear endovenous energy density) was 114 J / cm and in Group B 115 J / cm. In both groups occlusion of the treated veins was achieved for all patients. The diameter of the GSV at 3 cm below the sapheno-femoral junction shrunk from 1.0 to 0.7 cm in both groups. The modified CEAP clinical score improved in Group A from 2.9 to 0.7 (mean value) and in Group B from 3.0 to 1.1. The mean pain score on a scale from 0 to 4 during day 2 to day 10 was 1.2 in Group A and 1.0 in Group B. At this time patients in Group A took a mean of 3.4 and in Group B 1.7 analgetic tablets. Ecchymoses were rare in both groups (4 in Group A, 7 in Group B). Conclusions: In this prospective randomized comparative study the temperature of the tumescence fluid did not influence the occlusion rate when a high LEED was used. In both groups pain and ecchymoses are less frequent in this study with a 1470 nm diode laser than reported in studies with 810-980 nm systems. Cold tumescence fluid reduced pain slightly and reduced the intake of analgetics significantly.


Author(s):  
Preet Kamal Bedi ◽  
Arunima Saini

Background: Mifepristone priming in second trimester abortions not only decreases the induction-abortion interval (IAI) but also lessens the total misoprostol dose required and hence reduces adverse effects. The present study aims to compare the role of mifepristone priming 12 hours before misoprostol administration so as to increase patient compliance and shorten the duration of hospital stay.Methods: This prospective study was conducted over a period of one year, on 50 patients requiring second trimester abortion, at Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Government Medical College, Amritsar. The patients were divided into two groups with 1:1 randomization. In Group A, 25 women were given tablet mifepristone 200 mg orally followed 12 hours later by tablet misoprostol 400 µg per vaginum followed by the same dose 3 hourly for a maximum of five doses per 24 hours. In group B, 25 women received only tablet misoprostol 400 µg vaginally in the posterior fornix followed by the same dose 3 hourly for a maximum of five doses per 24 hours. Primary outcome was to compare the completeness of expulsion of products of conception by pelvic ultrasound after 48 hours of the last dose administered. Secondary outcome was to compare the Induction abortion interval (IAI), mean dose of misoprostol required, side effects, effect of parity, gestational age and cervical dilatation on IAI with both the regimens used.Results: The success rate was 76% in group A and 64% in group B. The mean induction abortion interval in group A was 8.9±4.70 hours whereas in group B, it was 13.14±6.03 hours and this difference was statistically significant (p = 0.008). A statistically significant difference was also observed in mean dose of misoprostol required in group A and B being 1232.00±398.60 µg and 1584.00±423.94 µg respectively (p=0.004). The side effects were less in group A. Parity and cervical dilatation hold an inverse relation with the mean IAI whereas it has a direct relation with the gestational age.Conclusions: Regimen involving mifepristone priming 12 hours before misoprostol is better than misoprostol alone regimen with significant reduction in IAI, mean dose of misoprostol and less side effects. 


2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (5) ◽  
pp. 1716
Author(s):  
Anurag Bijalwan ◽  
Pradeep Singhal ◽  
Syed Altamash

Background: Post-operative adequate analgesia plays an important role in early mobilization, short hospital stay and patient satisfaction in laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The use of opioids for providing postoperative analgesia has been marked by side effects like vomiting, nausea, sedation, respiratory distress, etc. hence, alternate drugs like paracetamol (PCM) and diclofenac are commonly used. In this study, we have compared the analgesic efficacy and any associated side effects of the two commonly used non-opioid NSAIDS namely paracetamol and diclofenac.Methods: We compared 50 patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy in ASA I and II. They were randomly divided into two groups, Group A and Group B. Group A was administered intravenous PCM and Group B was administered injection diclofenac sodium. Postoperatively, these patients were assessed for pain, blood pressure, respiratory rate, and presence of any side effects like nausea, vomiting or any respiratory discomfort.Results: The mean DBP, MAP and VAS score was significantly (p-value <0.05) in Group A as compared to Group B patients at 4, 8, 12 and 24 hours postoperatively. There was no statistically significant difference in mean SBP and O2 saturation in both groups. The mean pulse rate was lower in Group A as compared to Group B at 8, 12 and 24 hours.Conclusions: This study concluded that postoperative PCM infusion provided better analgesia for a prolonged period of time with minimal side effects. 


2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (6) ◽  
pp. 1372-1375
Author(s):  
M. Sheikh ◽  
R. Majeed ◽  
W. Iqbal

Aim: To compare the efficacy and safety of oral tranexamic acid with topical kojic acid in treatment of melasma. Method: This study was an interventional, randomized control trial done in Department of Dermatology Akhtar Saeed Trust Hospital Lahore from January 2020 till June 2020. 40 patients with moderate to severe melasma were enrolled for this study. These were divided into two groups A and B. In group A 20 patients were given oral tranexamic acid along with topical treatment and in group B, 20 patients were treated only with topical treatment. Oral tranexamic acid was given in dosage of 250 mg twice a day for 3 months and then follow-up was done at 8th and 12th wks. The evaluation of effectiveness of treatment was done with MASI(Melasma Area Severity Index). Comparison was done in the mean of the MASI scores obtained in both groups. Result: In both groups female patients were more in number. The mean age of patients in group A was 29.75 years & in group B it was 32.55 years. MASI scoring was done in both groups at baseline and at 8th& 12th wks. There was a significant decrease in this score in group A patients with oral tranexamic acid (12.08±2.8 vs 9.1±2.2 at 8th wk. andvs 8.2±2.0 at 12thwk.; P <0.05for both). Whereas in group B patients the decrease in mean MASI score was significant at 8thwk.& insignificant at 12th wk. (12.6±2.9 vs 10.9±2.4at 8th wk. and vs 10.3±2.4at 12th wk.; p<0.05 for former but p>0.05 for later). Conclusion: Oral tranexamic acid is a safe and effective treatment modality for treating moderate to severe melasma. Keywords: Melasma, oral tranexamic acid


2017 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 2473011417S0002
Author(s):  
Hwa Jun Kang ◽  
Hong-Geun Jung ◽  
Jong-Soo Lee ◽  
Sungwook Kim ◽  
Mao Yuan Sun

Category: Bunion Introduction/Purpose: Kirschner-wires fixation, sometimes we have encountered pin irritation or pull-out. This is the reason why we consider additional fixation. Moreover, there are few reports according to comparison of fixation method, and Most of them focused on comparison K-wires or screw fixation only. Purpose of study is to compare clinical and radiographic outcome between Kirschner-wires only and combined screw fixation. Methods: The study included two different groups according to fixation methods. One with Kirschner-wires fixation (KW group) included 117 feet(of 98 patients), the other with combined screw fixation (KWS group) 56 feet (of 40 patients) with moderate to severe hallux valgus. Clinically, the preoperative and final follow-up visual analog scale (VAS) pain scores, the preoperative and final follow-up American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) hallux metatarsophalangeal (MTP)-interphalangeal (IP) scores, and patient satisfaction after the surgery were evaluated. Radiographically, the hallux valgus angle (HVA), intermetatarsal angle (IMA), medial sesamoid position (MSP), and first to fifth metatarsal width (1-5MTW) were analyzed before and after surgery. Results: The mean AOFAS score improved preoperative 65.5 to 95.3 at final follow up in group A, while preoperative 56.5 to 88.6 at final follow up. Pain VAS decreased from 5.7 to 0.5 in group A, whereas from 6.2 to 1.6 in group B. The mean HVA all improved from preoperative 38.5 to 9.3 at final follow up in group A and 34.7 to 9.1 in group B. The mean IMA and MSP also improved significantly at final follow up. In comparative analysis, the IMA did not show significant difference between postoperative and final state in group A, while showed significant increase in group B. Conclusion: We achieved favorable clinical and radiographic outcomes with minimal complications in patient with moderate to severe hallux valgus in both groups. However, this study shows no statistically significant difference in IMA during follow-up period and lower recurrence rate. Therefore we need to consider combined fixation method to provide better stability and can expect lower recurrence rate.


2021 ◽  
Vol 39 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. e16035-e16035
Author(s):  
Shuichi Hironaka ◽  
Ryo Sadachi ◽  
Nozomu Machida ◽  
Satoru Iwasa ◽  
Yasuhide Yamada ◽  
...  

e16035 Background: A phase III study, JCOG1013, did not show the superiority of docetaxel plus cisplatin plus S-1 (DCS) to cisplatin plus S-1 (CS) in overall survival (OS) (Yamada Y, Lancet GH 2019). It is known that cisplatin and gimeracil (an inhibitor of dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase contained in S-1) are excreted in urine. We previously reported (abstr 197, ASCO-GI 2021) exploratory analysis of JCOG1013 which showed creatinine clearance (CrCl) was associated with safety (Grade [G]4 hematological toxicity for CS, and G3-4 non-hematological toxicity for CS and DCS), but not with efficacy in either group. Here, we report the additional detail results of this exploratory analysis. Methods: Among 741 participants in JCOG1013, patients with serum creatinine level < 1.2 mg/dL were included in this analysis and categorized by CrCl and treatment into A1 (CrCl ≥ 80 mL/min, CS), A2 (60 < CrCl < 80, CS), A3 (CrCl < 60, CS), B1 (CrCl > 80, DCS), B2 (60 < CrCl < 80, DCS), and B3 (CrCl < 60, DCS). The dose (mg/m2) of C/S was 60/80 regardless renal function in group A (A1, A2 and A3), and that of D/C/S was adjusted in group B as follows: 40/60/80 in B1, 40/50/80 in B2, and 40/40/65 in B3. Adverse events, OS, progression-free survival (PFS), and objective response rate (ORR) were compared by CrCl in group A (A1 vs. A2 vs. A3) and group B (B1 vs B2 vs B3), respectively. Results: Of 723 pts (169/136/57 in A1/A2/A3 and 170/138/53 in B1/B2/B3), the median CrCl (mL/min) was 94.1/71.9/53.4 in A1/A2/A3 and 98.2/70.0/55.6 in B1/B2/B3. The relative dose intensity of C/S was 90.4/75.3%, 87.8/74.9% and 85.7/72.8% in A1, A2 and A3, and that of D/C/S was 87.5/77.7/74.9%, 85.8/61.2/72.7% and 87.8/49.4/58.3% in B1, B2 and B3. The incidence of G4 white blood cell decreased, G4 neutrophil count decreased, and G3-4 anorexia were 1.2/4.4/9.3% (P < 0.01), 4.8/11.1/18.5% (P < 0.01), 14.4/28.1/28.6% (P < 0.01) in A1/A2/A3, and 1.8/3.0/4.0% (P = 0.36), 27.3/24.8/20.0% (P = 0.28), 22.4/29.3/32.0% (P = 0.11) in B1/B2/B3, respectively. No significant association between CrCl and other adverse events was observed either in CS or in DCS group. The median OS was 15.4/15.5/15.4 months in A1/A2/A3 (P = 0.89) and 15.3/13.7/13.7 months in B1/B2/B3 (P = 0.72). The median PFS was comparable among A1/A2/A3 (7.1/6.8/6.2 months, P = 0.88) and B1/B2/B3 groups (7.5/7.2/7.8 months, P = 0.85). ORR showed no significant difference in A1/A2/A3 (58.9/57.8/46.9%, P = 0.31) and B1/B2/B3 groups (62.0/61.5/51.5%, P = 0.36). Conclusions: Dose modification according to renal function in the DCS arm could control the increase of severe toxicities, which were observed frequently in patients with low renal function in patients receiving fixed dose of CS. Clinical trial information: 000007652.


2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 321-325
Author(s):  
Dinesh Kumar Singh ◽  
B B Baj ◽  
Vipin Goyal

The aim of our study to determine the role of tolvaptan in prevention of hyponatremia in transurethral resection of prostate surgery. This is randomized double-blind study conducted in 60 ASA grade status 1 and 2 patients age group between 45-80 yrs undergoing TURP under spinal anaesthesia in urology operation theatre in Mahatma Gandhi hospital Jaipur after receiving permission from hospital ethical committee. A detailed history, complete physical examination and routine investigation were done for all patients followed by informed written consent was obtained. Patients are randomly divided into 2 groups. In group A -30 patients who received orally tab tolvaptan 15 mg and group B-30 patients who received orally tab multivitamin 2 hrs before surgery after doing electrolytes of the patients in the morning. In both groups age (in yrs), wt (in kg), ASA grade, volume of irrigating fluid (in litres), volume of prostate resected (in gm) and duration of surgery (in minutes) all demographic and surgical details data were compared. Electrolytes were compared in both groups pre and post-operatively and statistical analysis was done.There was significant difference in post-operative sodium level between the two groups (A and B). The mean level of sodium significantly reduced post-operatively in group –B (control grp). The mean level of sodium significantly increased post-operatively in group –A (tolvaptan grp). We conclude single dose of tolvaptan -15 mg found to effective in prevention of hyponatremia in patients undergoing TURP.


2021 ◽  
pp. 021849232110676
Author(s):  
Zied Chaari ◽  
Abdessalem Hentati ◽  
Aimen Ben Ayed ◽  
Walid Abid ◽  
Imed Frikha

Background Pulmonary surgery is often associated with postoperative prolonged parenchymal air-leak. The purpose of this study was to determine efficacy and safety of povidone iodine as treatment of prolonged parenchymal air-leak following all-types of lung surgery. Methods This prospective trial was conducted from June 2019 to December 2020, and designed under PanAfrican Clinical Trials Registry requirements. Patients having prolonged parenchymal air-leak were randomly allocated to povidone iodine protocol (Group A) or surveillance without povidone iodine (Group B). We collected the number of povidone iodine injections required before bubbling stopped, total drainage period, tolerance after injection, complications and side-effects. Comparative study was performed to evaluate povidone iodine efficacy. Results Following randomization, Group A included 19 patients, and Group B 21. Both groups were comparable. The mean drainage period was 9.21 days in Group A (6–14 days) and 15.62 days in Group B (7–31 days) ( p = 0.001). The mean hospitalization period was 11.05 days in Group A (7–16 days) and 18.9 days in Group B (9–38 days) ( p < 0.0001). The mean follow-up period was 6.8 months (3–18 months). No deaths were noted in either groups. Four side-effects were reported in Group A (21%) and four serious complications were noticed in Group B (19%). No recurrences were reported in Group A versus one recurrence of homolateral pneumothorax in Group B (4.76%). Conclusions Povidone iodine is an effective and safe solution for pleurodesis. It is associated with a low complication rate that remains acceptable, and could be proposed as treatment of prolonged parenchymal air-leak after lung resections.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Weiyang Zhong ◽  
Xinjie Liang ◽  
Xiaolin Wang ◽  
Ke Tang ◽  
Tianji Huang ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: A retrospective study investigated and compared the results of a lamina withspinous process (LSP) and an iliac graft (IG) as bone grafts in single-segment lumbar pyogenic discitis (LPD) through one-stage-posterior-only approach with radical debridement and internal instrumentation.Methods: Data from 37 patients were reviewed. A LSP was placed in 17 patients (group A), and an IG was implemented in 20 patients (group B). The surgery time, surgery hemorrhage, hospital stay, drainage, and follow-up (FU) were reviewed. The visual analogue scale (VAS), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP) level, segmental angle, intervertebral height and bony fusion time were compared preoperatively and at the final FU.Results: All patients were followed-up for a mean of 27.94±2.35 months in group A and 30.29±1.89 months in group B, without a difference. The mean age was younger in group A than in group B (P<0.05). The surgery time, surgery hemorrhage, and hospitalization cost were lower in group A than in group B (P<0.05), except for the hospital stay and drainage time. Fever occurred in 10 patients in group A and 12 patients in group B. The ESR, CRP level, and VAS and ODI scores were significantly decreased, and there were no significant differences between the groups at the final FU. The distribution of bacterial agents in blood culture was 1 case of Aerobacter cloacae, 2 of Staphylococcus aureus, 2 of Escherichia coli, and 1 of Streptococcus viridis in group A and 1 of S. aureus,1 of Staphylococcus warneri and 2 of Klebsiella pneumoniae in group B. Pyogenic infection was observed in the pathological findings of all patients. No significant difference was found in the mean segmental angle or mean intervertebral height preoperation and at the final FU between the groups.Conclusion: The use of LSP as a new bone graft is reliable, safe, and effective for surgical management for the LPD while surgery is proposed as a good management strategy for LPD in carefully selected patients.


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