Evaluation of effectiveness of combined use of COC and topical preparation containing azelaic acid for acne

The article presents the results of evaluating the effectiveness of the combined use of combined oral contraceptives (COC) and Skinoren cream in severe papular-pustular and moderate nodular-cystic acne.Material and methods. Patients of the first group (n = 11) used COC and an external antibacterial drug two times a day for the treatment of acne. Patients of the second group (n = 12) used COC and an external drug containing azelaic acid (Skinoren) for the treatment of acne two times a day. The duration of follow-up was 6 months. The efficiency assessment was carried out taking into account the dynamics of the indicators of the IGA (Investors Global Assessment) scale. The Manchester Scar Scale (MSS) was used to assess the effectiveness of post-acne correction. In addition, the effectiveness was evaluated based on the results of the mexametry.Results. When evaluating IGA in the comparison groups in patients with severe papulopustular acne and moderate nodular cystic acne, comparable efficacy was noted, but the best results were recorded in the COC + Skinoren group (p < 0.05). No effect and deterioration of the condition were observed in any group. When assessing MSS, the most pronounced changes were observed in patients of group 2, where the combination of COC + Skinoren was used. So, in group 1, the severity of scars decreased by 42.3 %, in group 2 by 48.2 % (p < 0.05). The evaluation of the results of the mexametry showed a more pronounced decrease in the amount of pigment in patients from group 2. When studying the results of the severity of erythema, the dynamics similar to the severity of the pigment was obtained. The best result was registered in group 2 (COC + Skinoren) (p < 0.05).Conclusions. The combined use of COC and Skinoren cream for severe papular-pustular and moderate nodular-cystic acne has proven to be an effective method both in relation to the number of inflammatory and retention elements, and in relation to hyperpigmentation.

Associations of CYP2D6, ABCB1 2677G>T/A and 3435C>T with effectiveness and safety of pharmacotherapy for acute psychotic episodes in adolescents over 28 days

Introduction. Pharmacokinetic genetic factors are prognostically relevant when prescribing antipsychotics to adult patients. Currently, there is a dearth of research on adolescents with an acute psychotic episode. Aim. To identify possible associations of CYP2D6, CYP3A4/5 and ABCB1 gene polymorphic variants with the efficacy and safety of pharmacotherapy in adolescents with an acute psychotic episode within 28 days. Materials and methods. The study included 68 adolescents with an established diagnosis of acute polymorphic psychotic disorder at the time of admission (F23.0-9 according to ICD- 10). All patients received an antipsychotic as their main therapy. Patients were monitored for 28 days. The effectiveness of antipsychotics was assessed using the Children’s Global Assessment Scale (CGAS), Positive and Negative Symptoms Scale (PANSS), Clinical Global Impression Severity (CGI-S) and Improvement (CGI-I). The safety of pharmacotherapy was assessed using the UKU Side Effects Rating Scale (UKU SERS), Sympson-Angus Scale (SAS), Barnes Akathisia rating scale (BARS). From each patient we obtained a buccal scraped epithelium, extracted DNA from it by sorbent method and detected carriage of genetic polymorphisms CYP3A4*22 (rs2740574), CYP3A5*3 (6986A>G, rs776746), CYP2D6*4, *9, *10 (rs3892097, rs4986774, rs1065852), ABCB1 1236C>T (rs1128503), 2677G>T/A (rs2032582), 3435C>T (rs1045642) by real-time PCR. Results. Carriers of ABCB1 2677G>T/A significantly less frequently demonstrated response to pharmacotherapy according to PANSS scale on day 14 compared to GG homozygotes (64.6 % vs. 94.7 %; p=0.014). Carriers of the ABCB1 3435C>T differed by a higher total UKU SERS score on day 14 compared to CC genotype carriers (9.21±5.95 vs. 5.1±4.48; p=0.037). Patients with «intermediate» CYP2D6 metabolism were more likely to have reduced sleep duration (13.6 % vs. 0 %; p=0.031). ABCB1 2677G>T/A (51 % vs. 15.8 %; p=0.012) and 3435C>T (46.6 % vs. 10 %; p=0.039) were more frequently associated with dry mouth. ABCB1 3435C>T carriers were also more likely to have orthostatic vertigo (34.5 % vs. 0 %; p=0.028). Conclusion. Carriage of the ABCB1 3435C>T was associated with greater efficacy of pharmacotherapy for acute psychotic episode in adolescents after 28 days, but also increases the risk of adverse reactions in the first 2 weeks of treatment. The ABCB1 2677G>T/A was associated with an increased risk of adverse reactions as well as less reduction of psychotic symptoms on day 14 of pharmacotherapy.

Multi-center nationwide study on pediatric psychiatric inpatients 2000–2018: length of stay, recurrent hospitalization, functioning level, suicidality, violence and diagnostic profiles

Inpatient treatment is an important part of child and adolescent psychiatric (CAP) care. This nationwide study explores the changes in length of stay, recurrent hospitalization, functioning level, suicidality, violence and diagnoses of CAP inpatients in Finland in 2000, 2011 and 2018. We obtained comprehensive questionnaire data on each study year from 93 to 95% of all CAP wards in Finland. We split the 1276 inpatients into two age groups in each study year: under 13 and 13–18. The median length of stay in inpatient treatment decreased from 82.0 days in 2000 to 20.5 days in 2018 (p < 0.001) and recurrent hospitalization increased from 38 to 46%. General functioning, which was evaluated by the Children’s Global Assessment Scale, deteriorated by an average of six points between 2000 and 2018. Violent threats decreased from 21.5 to 16.6% and violent acts decreased from 26.9 to 20.3%. Suicidal threats decreased from 42.6 to 23.3% in those aged under 13 and remained stable among those aged 13–18. In the 13–18 group, there was an increase in the diagnoses of ADHD, from 5.0 to 16.9% and depression, from 25.1 to 41.7%. However, psychosis decreased from 23.2 to 12.6% in the older age group. In the whole cohort, anxiety disorders increased from 7.6 to 15.6%. The overall picture does not show that CAP inpatients have become more disturbed. While the general functioning of CAP inpatients deteriorated somewhat over the 2000–2018 study period, symptoms of suicidality and violence remained stable or decreased. There was also a continuous increase in short-term treatment.

Effectiveness of Short-Term Psychodynamic Psychotherapy in Preadolescents and Adolescents Affected by Psychiatric Disorders

Objective Few studies have explored the effectiveness of short-term psychodynamic psychotherapy in children and adolescents. We aimed to investigate its efficacy in a heterogeneous group of young patients. We also wanted to check any relation between the improvement and patients’ age, sex, or diagnostic category.Methods We recruited a group of 123 patients (11 to 19 years old) with a diagnosis of psychiatric disorders confirmed by Kiddie Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia (KSADS). All participants received eight sessions of psychodynamic psychotherapy (“Brief Individuation Psychotherapy” by Senise). They were assessed using the Clinical Global Impression (Severity at baseline, Improvement after treatment), and the Children’s Global Assessment Scale (C-GAS).Results We found a clinically meaningful improvement in most patients (CGI-I 3 or lower; 79 out of 123, 64.2%) and a statistically significant improvement in the overall functioning (as measured by the C-GAS; p<0.001). We found no effect of age or sex of the patient on results obtained; patients with an externalizing disorder had significantly poorer results.Conclusion Our study, although lacking a control group, supports the possibility to use short-term psychodynamic psychotherapy in the treatment of psychiatric disorders in preadolescents and adolescents affected by psychiatric disorders.

Efficacy of Intense Pulse Light with Triple Combination Cream Versus Triple Combination Cream alone in the Treatment of Melasma

Introduction: Various studies explored the use of intense pulse light (IPL) therapy in treating melasma, but only a few randomized clinical trials have evaluated the combination of triple combination cream (TCC) with IPL so far. Objective: This study compared the efficacy and safety of the combination of IPL and triple combination cream with triple combination cream alone in treating melasma. Material and Methods: Sixty patients with melasma were enrolled in this assessor-blinded, parallel-group randomized controlled study. Thirty patients were treated with IPL (15J/cm2, two sessions at 2-week intervals) and TCC (Hydroquinone 2%, tretinoin 0.025%, fluocinolone acetonide 0.01%) at night and broad-spectrum sunscreen during day time whereas other groups received only TCC and broad-spectrum sunscreen. The median percentage reduction in melasma area and severity index (MASI) and physician’s global assessment scale was assessed at 12-week to determine the efficacy of the treatment. The incidence of adverse effects at each follow-up and relapse at 16-week were also noted during the study period as the secondary outcome measure. Results: The median reduction in MASI achieved at 12 weeks was 48% in the IPL+TCC group and 13.1% in the TCC group from the baseline. The incidence of relapse was seen in 7.14% and 13.04% patients in the IPL+TCC group and TCC alone group respectively at 16 weeks however, this difference was not statistically significant (p<0.05). Conclusion: Our study supports that IPL and TCC are more effective than TCC therapy alone in treating melasma.

Continuous Increase of Efficacy under Repetitive Injections of Botulinum Toxin Type/A beyond the First Treatment for Adult Spastic Foot Drop

The objective of this study was to quantify the increase in efficacy during the first four cycles of treatment with botulinum toxin type/A (BoNT/A) in 24 free-walking BoNT/A naïve adult patients with post-stroke hemispasticity and spastic foot drop. Patients were followed over 390 days and received five injections of 800 U aboBoNT/A every three months. Patients assessed the treatment effect at eight visits using a global assessment scale, physicians scored the muscle tone at the ankle joint, measured active and passive ranges of motion (aRoMs, pRoMs) at the knee and ankle joint and determined the distance patients succeeded to walk during a minute. Patients’ assessments significantly (p < 0.006) increased with time and significantly correlated with all parameters measured. The best correlation (r = 0.927; p < 0.0001) was found with the sum of the aRoMs of knee and ankle joint. After one year of treatment outcome measures were better than and significantly correlated with the peak effect of the first injection. This correlation was higher for pRoMs (r = 0.855; p < 0.00001) compared to aRoMs (r = 0.567; p < 0.009). When BoNT/A treatment of the spastic foot in chronic hemispasticity is performed regularly every three months for at least one year, patients will experience a significant increase of benefit beyond the first treatment, but have to learn how to adapt to and use the new degree of freedom induced by the injections.

Health of the Nation Outcome Scales for Infants field trial: concurrent validity

Background A review of Australian mental health services identified a gap in routine outcome measures addressing social, emotional and behavioural domains for pre-schoolers and infants. A Child and Adolescent Mental Health Information Development Expert Advisory Panel working group developed the Health of the Nation Outcome Scales for Infants (HoNOSI), a clinician-reported routine outcome measure for infants 0–47 months. Prior face validity testing showed that the HoNOSI was considered useful in measuring mental health outcomes. Aims To examine the concurrent validity of the HoNOSI. Method Mental health clinicians providing assessment and treatment to infants in routine clinical practice participated in the study. The mental health status of 108 infants were rated by a minimum of 26 clinicians with the HoNOSI, the Parent-Infant Relationship Global Assessment Scale (PIR-GAS) and measures of symptom severity and distress. Results The HoNOSI was statistically significantly correlated with the PIR–;GAS, rs = −0.73; Clinical Worry, rs = 0.77; and Severity Judgement ratings, rs = 0.85; P < 0.001. A good level of internal consistency was found. Using the COsensus-based Standards for the selection of health Measurement INstruments (COSMIN) criteria for judging instrument acceptability, the HoNOSI meets the standard for both concurrent validity and internal consistency. Conclusions There has been a clear need for a routine outcome measure for use with infants. This study provides positive evidence of aspects of validity. These findings, along with those from the prior face validity study, support a controlled release of the HoNOSI accompanied by further research and development.

Efficacy of autologous plasma microneedling with cells in patients with post-acne atrophic scars

Objective: to studythe effectiveness of autologous plasma-cell microneedling in patients with different phenotypes of post-acne atrophic scars. Group 1A (n = 32) included patients with post – acne atrophic scars: ice pick – 12 patients; boxcar – 11; rolling – 9 patients. Group 1B consisted of 34 patients with scars ice pick – 12; boxcar – 12; rolling – 10 patients. In group 1A, patients underwent a microneedling procedure. In group 1B, microneedling was performed with autologous plasma with cells. To evaluate the effectiveness of the therapy methods, we used the IGA (Investigators Global Assessment) scale modified for post-acne scars, adapted for post-acne scars by the Assessment of the Psychological and Social Effects of Acne (APSEA). Special methods included ultrasound examination using an ultrasound scanner IU 22. The end result for different post-acne scar phenotypes showed the advantages of the developed complex for boxcar and rolling AR and slightly lower for ice pick. The recommended course of therapy is three procedures performed once in 4 weeks.

A PROSPECTIVE, OPEN-LABEL, OBSERVATIONAL STUDY OF SULPHUR IN CLINICAL PRACTICE.

Sulphur is such a complete Homoeopathic medicine that it is somewhat difcult to tell where to begin. Sulphur seems to contain a likeness of all the sickness of men and a beginner on reading over the proving of Sulphur might naturally think that he would need no other remedy, as the image of all sicknesses seems to be contained in Sulphur. Aim: To study the symptoms of Sulphur in clinical practice and identifying its true totality after obtaining results. Objectives: Ÿ To verify the symptoms of Sulphur in clinical practice. Ÿ To restore the health of the sick individual. Study design : Ÿ Prospective Ÿ Observational Ÿ Open-label Inclusion criteria : Ÿ Patients in all age group Ÿ Both gender Material & Methods: In this study 30 cases were selected from the OPDs of Government Homoeopathic Medical College & Hospital, Bhopal. Case taking was done for each case as instructed by Dr. Hahnemann. Medicine was selected after analysis/evaluation of symptoms and forming the prescribing totality. Help of computer repertorization was also taken by using RADAR-synthesis repertory. Follow-up was done as per the need in each case; three consecutive follow-ups are studied for further observation. For outcome assessment 'Patient Global assessment Scale' was used to get the data for analysis. Results: The results have shown that maximum number of cases has shown moderate improvement with the treatment that is 60%, and 27% of cases has shown marked improvement, only 4 cases were recorded as mild improvement. There is no case which has shown no signicant improvement. Conclusion : A group of mental generals, physical generals and particular symptoms of Sulphur have been emerged in this study, based on repetition in many patients.

Suicidality, function and associated negative life events in an adolescent psychiatric population at 3-year follow-up

Background We aimed to examine psychosocial function, suicidality and school dropout in a clinical psychiatric population over a 3-year period from adolescence to young adulthood and explore associations with negative life events. Methods This study is part of the Health Survey in Department of Children and Youth, St. Olavs hospital, Norway. In the first study visit (T1), 717 (43.5% of eligible) participated, aged 13–18 years (2009–2011), and 3 years later (T2), 570 answered a questionnaire (school functioning and negative life events), and 549 completed Kiddie SADS as telephone interview assessing DSM-IV diagnoses, psychosocial functioning and suicidality. Results Suicidal ideation was more frequent among girls (17.9%) than among boys (5.4%) (risk difference; RD = 12.5%, CI (7.2 to 17.7), p < 0.001), as was suicidal behavior (25.0% vs. 9.5%, RD = 15.5%, CI (9.2 to 21.4), p < 0.001). Girls had lower psychosocial functioning than boys (Children’s Global Assessment Scale; Mean score 68.2 vs. 75.2, Mean difference = − 7.0, CI (− 9.4 to − 4.7), p < 0.001), and more school dropout (22.5% vs. 13.2%, RD = 9.3%, CI (2.8 to 15.5), p = 0.006). For those with a psychiatric disorder, 24.8% of girls had suicidal ideation and 30.0% suicidal behavior, which was larger than for boys (RD = 18.0%, CI (10.8 to 24.7), p < 0.001, and RD = 18.3%, CI (10.2 to 25.8), p < 0.001, respectively). Exposure to negative life events was frequent for both genders, but more girls had experienced sexually uncomfortable or abusive situations, the last 3 years (23.5% vs. 2.9%, RD = 20.6%, CI (15.4 to 25.7), p < 0.001), and ever (44.4% vs. 7.9%, RD = 36.5%, CI (29.9 to 42.7), p < 0.001). Suicidal behavior was associated with having been threatened, physically harassed or violently hurt (RD = 16.7%, CI (9.5 to 23.9), p < 0.001), and for girls been put into sexually uncomfortable or abusive situations (RD = 20.1%, CI (10.4 to 29.9), p < 0.001) and seen others violently hurt (RD = 14.6%, CI (3.4 to 25.8), p = 0.011). Conclusions The high frequency of suicidality and school dropout confirms the severity of adolescent psychiatric disorders, especially among girls. Specific life events were associated risk factors and should be target points for prevention and intervention.