Đánh giá bước đầu ứng dụng tia plasma lạnh trong điều trị hỗ trợ làm lành vết thương phần mềm trên bệnh nhân Covid-19 nặng

TÓM TẮT Đặt vấn đề: Plasma là môi trường chứa các vật chất không còn giữ được cấu trúc phân tử của mình mà bị ion hóa. Thể plasma lạnh được ứng dụng rộng rãi trong Y học với tính an toàn và hiệu quả được khẳng định trong nhiều nghiên cứu. Nghiên cứu này thực hiện tại Trung tâm Hồi sức Tích cực điều trị bệnh nhân COVID-19 của Bệnh viện Trung Ương Huế tại TP.Hồ Chí Minh nhằm mục đích (1) nhận định đặc điểm chung, đặc điểm lâm sàng của bệnh nhân COVID-19 nặng có sang thương phần mềm và (2) đánh giá bước đầu tác dụng tia plasma lạnh trong điều trị hỗ trợ làm lành vết thương phần mềm đối với bệnh nhân COVID-19 nặng Đối tượng, phương pháp: Khảo sát nhanh trong 45 ngày các bệnh nhân bị COVID-19 nặng có sang thương phần mềm đang điều trị tại Trung tâm Hồi sức Tích cực điều trị bệnh nhân COVID-19 trực thuộc Bệnh viện Trung Ương Huế tại TP.Hồ Chí Minh, nghiên cứu mô tả cắt ngang. Kết quả: Trong 915 bệnh nhân bị COVID-19 nặng, có 20 trường hợp bị thương tổn phần mềm được điều trị bằng chiếu tia Plasma lạnh, tỷ lệ nam, nữ 1 : 1, 70% nguyên nhân do loét ép độ I, II, III, 60% tổn thương vùng lưng, mông, cùng cụt. 55,0% thương tổn trước khi chuyển viện đến trung tâm. Sau 14 ngày điều trị 70% vết thương biểu mô hóa hoàn toàn, 90% hết rỉ dịch, sau 3 tuần tất cả vết thương hết đau, hết nổi mẫn hoàn toàn. Kết luận: Tia Plasma lạnh có vai trò tích cực trong hỗ trợ điều trị vết thương phần mềm đối với bệnh nhân COVID-19 mức độ nặng. ABSTRACT COLD PLASMA IRRADIATION AS AN ADJUVANT TREATMENT DIGITAL LESIONS FOR PATIENTS WITH SEVERE COVID-19: INITIAL EVALUATION Background: Plasma is a medium containing substances that no longer retain their molecular structure but are ionized. Cold plasma is widely used in medicine, with safety and effectiveness confirmed in many studies. This study was conducted at the Intensive Care Center for COVID-19 patients of Hue Central Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City to evaluate the general and clinical characteristics in severe COVID-19 patients with digital lesions, to evaluate the effect of cold plasma in the adjuvant treatment of soft tissue wound healing in patients with severe COVID-19 disease initially. Methods: This cross-section descriptive study was conducted on severe COVID-19 patients who undergo digital lesions treated at the COVID-19 Intensive Care Center operated by Hue Central Hospital in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam, a quick 45 - day survey. Results: In 915 patients with severe COVID-19, 20 cases of digital lesions were experienced with cold plasma irradiation. The male - to - female ratio was 1: 1, 70% of wounds caused by pressure ulcers. 60% of lesions were located on the dorsum, gluteal and sacral region. 55.0% of lesions were discovered before transfer to our center. After 14 days of treatment, 70% of the wounds were completely epithelialized, 90% had no fluid oozing. After three weeks, all the lesions were pain-free, and the redness was completely terminated. Conclusion: Cold plasma Irradiation effectively supports the treatment of digital ulcers in patients with severe COVID-19 disease. Keywords: Cold plasma, COVID-19, pressure ulcers, dermatology, intensive care unit.

Management of Endothelial Dysfunction in Systemic Sclerosis: Current and Developing Strategies

Systemic Sclerosis (SSc) is an autoimmune disease marked by dysregulation of the immune system, tissue fibrosis and dysfunction of the vasculature. Vascular damage, remodeling and inadequate endothelial repair are hallmarks of the disease. Since early stages of SSc, damage and apoptosis of endothelial cells (ECs) can lead to perivascular inflammation, oxidative stress and tissue hypoxia, resulting in multiple clinical manifestations. Raynaud's phenomenon, edematous puffy hands, digital ulcers, pulmonary artery hypertension, erectile dysfunction, scleroderma renal crisis and heart involvement severely affect quality of life and survival. Understanding pathogenic aspects and biomarkers that reflect endothelial damage in SSc is essential to guide therapeutic interventions. Treatment approaches described for SSc-associated vasculopathy include pharmacological options to improve blood flow and tissue perfusion and, more recently, cellular therapy to enhance endothelial repair, promote angiogenesis and heal injuries. This mini-review examines the current knowledge on cellular and molecular aspects of SSc vasculopathy, as well as established and developing therapeutic approaches for improving the vascular compartment.

Functionally Active Antibodies to the Angiotensin II Type 1-Receptor Measured by a Luminometric Bioassay Do Not Correlate With Clinical Manifestations in Systemic Sclerosis: A Comparison With Antibodies to Vascular Receptors and Topoisomerase I Detected by ELISA

Objectives1) To detect functionally active antibodies(abs) to the angiotensin II type-1-receptor (AT1R) by a novel luminometric assay. 2) To assess their prevalence in systemic sclerosis (SSc), other collagen disorders, as well as in further chronic inflammatory disorders including autoimmune, toxic and chronic viral diseases. 3) To compare these abs with anti-AT1R antibodies by ELISA as well as with antibodies to endothelin-type-A receptors (ETA1) and to topoisomerase I (topo-I) with respect to their specificity and clinical relevance.MethodsSera from 98 SSc-patients, 110 patients with other chronic inflammatory rheumatic disorders, 97 patients with autoimmune liver diseases, 57 patients with toxic or chronic viral liver diseases and 36 healthy controls were analyzed. A luminometric bioassay was established with Huh-7-cells constitutively expressing the AT1R. Patients’ sera were also tested by commercially available ELISA for anti-AT1R, -ETA1- and by an in-house ELISA for anti–topo-I-abs.ResultsFifty-two percent of the SSc-patients had functionally active anti-AT1R-abs with stimulatory (34%) or inhibitory capacity (18%). They were present also in up to 59% of patients with other rheumatic diseases but only 22% of healthy individuals (sensitivity 52%, specificity 53%). The functionally active antibodies detected by the luminometric assay did not correlate with anti-AT1R-, -ETA1- or -topo-I-abs measured by ELISA, but there was a strong correlation between anti-topo-I-, AT1R-, and -ETA1-ab reactivity measured by ELISA. Sensitivities of 55%, 28% and 47% and specificities of 66%, 87%, and 99% were calculated for these anti-AT1R-, -ETA1-, and anti-topo-I-abs, respectively. Functionally active abs did not correlate with disease severity or any organ manifestation. In contrast, abs to topo-I, AT1R, and ETA1 were associated with digital ulcers, pulmonary- and esophageal manifestation.ConclusionsFunctionally active anti-AT1R-abs can be detected in SSc-patients but do not correlate with disease activity. They are not specific for this disease and occur also in other autoimmune disorders and even viral or toxic diseases. Also, the vascular antibodies detected by ELISA are not SSc-specific but correlated with disease manifestations. In contrast, anti-topo-I-abs were confirmed to be a highly specific biomarker for both, diagnosis and organ manifestations of SSc.

Efficacy of Local Oxygen-Ozone Therapy for the Treatment of Digital Ulcers Refractory to Medical Therapy in Systemic Sclerosis: A Randomized Controlled Study

Background This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of local oxygen-ozone therapy in systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients with digital ulcers (DUs) who were resistant to medical therapy and had impairment in activities of daily living. Methods Participants’ demographic data, medical treatment, and clinical parameters (duration and number of Reynaud’s Phenomenon (RP) attacks, ulcer pain, grade, and diameter) were recorded. Twenty-five SSc patients with DUs were randomized to the ozone group (I) (n = 13) to receive medical treatment plus local oxygen-ozone therapy and the control group (II) (n = 12) to receive medical treatment only. Hand functions were assessed using the Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) and Modified Hand Mobility in Scleroderma (HAMISm) test. Ulcer grade, clinical parameters, HAQ, mHAMIS scores were re-evaluated in all participants 4 weeks after the initiation of treatment. Results Demographic and clinical characteristics of the two groups showed no significant differences. At 4 weeks after the initial treatment, the efficacy rate was significantly higher in the ozone group than in the control group (92% versus 42%, p = 0.010). Clinical parameters, HAQ, and HAMISm scores were significantly improved in the treatment group compared to the control group (p < 0.05). Conclusion Local oxygen-ozone therapy was effective in the treatment of SSc patients with resistant DUs and improved clinical parameters and functional disability.

Gender-related Differences in Systemic Sclerosis: A Multicenter Cross-sectional Study from the National Registry of the Italian Society Of Rheumatology

Objective There is still a great deal to learn about the influence of gender in systemic sclerosis (SSc). In this respect, national registries provide large and homogeneous patient cohorts for analytical studies. We therefore investigated a wide-ranging and well-characterized SSc series with the aim of identifying gender differences in disease expressions, with a special focus on demographic, clinical and serological characteristics. Methods A multicenter SSc cohort of 2,281 patients, 247 men, was recruited in the Italian SPRING (Systemic Sclerosis PRogression INvestiGation) registry. Demographic data, disease manifestations, serological profile and internal organ involvement were compared. Results The overall female/male ratio was 8.2/1. Female/male ratios for limited SSc, diffuse SSc and sine SSc subsets were 8.7/1, 4.9/1, and 10.7/1 respectively. A shorter Raynaud's onset to SSc diagnosis, an increased prevalence of diffuse cutaneous subset, renal crisis, and digital ulcers were found in males, while a significant higher percentage of sicca syndrome, serum ANA, anti-ENA, anti-La/SSB, and anti-CENP-1 was detected in the female group. Males exhibited lower left ventricular ejection fraction, higher prevalence of conduction blocks, arrhythmias, ground glass and honeycombing. Moreover, forced vital capacity and total lung capacity were medially lower in men than in women. Finally, males were more frequently treated with immunosuppressive drugs. Conclusion Our study further supports the presence of several gender-related differences in SSc patients. These differences were pronounced as regards the severity of cutaneous, peripheral vascular and cardiopulmonary involvement for male patients, whereas an increased prevalence of sicca syndrome and a specific autoantibody profile characterize the female gender.

Clinical and serological characteristics of systemic sclerosis: Experience of a tertiary care center in Pakistan

Objectives: This study aims to evaluate the clinical and serological characteristics of systemic sclerosis (SSc) in Pakistani population. Patients and methods: This prospective, cross-sectional study included a total of 38 patients (6 males, 32 females; mean age: 34.5±1.5 years; range, 16 to 60 years) with SSc who were admitted to our rheumatology clinic between November 2019 and January 2020. We evaluated the clinical, serological, and radiological features of SSc patients. Results: Thirty-four (89.5%) patients developed Raynaud phenomenon at the time of disease onset, while sclerodactyly was found in 34 (89.5%), digital ulcers in 25 (65.8%), and tendon friction rub in 12 (31.6%) patients. Interstitial lung disease was present in 30 (78.9%) patients with a higher prevalence in diffuse scleroderma (100%) than in limited scleroderma (70%) (p=0.01). Pulmonary hypertension was present in 18 patients with a significantly higher prevalence in diffuse disease (57.1%) than limited disease (11.8%) (p<0.01). Thirty (78.9%) patients had impaired pulmonary function tests. Fibromyalgia was present in seven (18.4%) patients, and depression was present in 10 (26.3%) patients. Antinuclear antibody (ANA) was positive in 30 (78.9%) patients. Anti-Scl-70 antibodies were present in 24 (63.2%) patients with a significant association with diffuse disease (85% vs. 35.3%, respectively; p<0.01). The anti-centromere antibodies (ACA) were present in 20 (52.6%) patients with a significantly higher rate in limited disease (94.2% vs. 19.0%, respectively; p<0.01). Conclusion: Scleroderma has a female preponderance. Raynaud phenomenon is the most initial clinical feature followed by other manifestations of a variable course and disease severity.

Infections of scleroderma digital ulcers: a single center cohort retrospective study

BACKGROUNDS: Systemic Sclerosis (SSc) is a complex autoimmune and up to fifty percent of patients develop digital ulcers. AIMS: Understand how much infections influence scleroderma digital ulcers’ healing. METHODS: We revised fifty consecutive patients with SSc-related DUs who referred to our Scleroderma Unit. Thirty-five of them who showed clear signs of DUs infection underwent to cutaneous swab and microbiological data collection. We performed 87 cutaneous swabs overall. RESULTS: DUs were recurrent in 58% of the patients and multiple in 60% of patients. Fourty-four swabs (53%) were positive for Staphylococcus Aureus (13% Methicillin-Resistant), 9 were positive for Pseudomonas Aeruginosa (Pseudomonas A.) (10%), and then the others less frequently isolated. Twenty-fifth percent of patients needed hospitalization. CONCLUSIONS: Our data support a patient-tailored approached to DUs, particularly those infected. Self-hygiene and asepsis during dressing procedures are mandatory. Patient must be trained to avoid dangerous behaviors and reduce the risk of infection.

Evaluation of sweating responses in patients with collagen disease using the quantitative sudomotor axon reflex test (QSART): a study protocol for an investigator-initiated, prospective, observational clinical study

IntroductionSweat secretion is controlled by the sympathetic nervous system and is less active during winter than in the summer. Raynaud’s phenomenon is affected by an excessive strain of the sympathetic nerves after exposure to a cold environment, thus reducing the quality of life of patients with collagen disease. Herein, we focus on the eccrine sweat glands that receive both adrenergic and cholinergic innervation. Our hypothesis is that excessive activation of sympathetic nerve in Raynaud’s phenomenon can affect sweating, especially in winter. This study is designed to evaluate the neuroactive sweating responses in patients with collagen disease and to assess its association with skin findings in peripheral circulatory disorders.Methods and analysisThe study will be conducted at a single centre in Japan. Patients with systemic sclerosis, Sjogren’s syndrome, systemic lupus erythematosus, mixed connective tissue disease, and dermatomyositis will be assessed using the quantitative sudomotor axon reflex test. The primary outcomes will be sweat volume and reaction time due to axon reflex and the Raynaud’s condition score. The secondary outcomes will include patient background, skin symptoms (digital ulcers, pernio-like eruptions, subcutaneous calcifications, telangiectasia, nailfold capillary dilatation/bleeding and degree of skin sclerosis) and skin surface temperature. Evaluation will be done two times, during the summer and winter, allowing for the assessment of seasonal differences in sweating responses.Ethics and disseminationEthical approval of this study was certified by the clinical research review board of Nagasaki University Hospital (Reference number: CRB19-001). We will disseminate the findings of this study through peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations.Trial registration numberjRCTs072190009; pre-results.