Improve Symptoms In Patients Research Articles

Efficacy and Safety of Sarpogrelate on Symptom Improvement in Patients with Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) and/or Being at Risk of PAD: A Single Arm, Multi-Centered, Open-Label Trial.

To assess the efficacy and safety of sarpogrelate (300 mg) for symptom improvement in patients having peripheral arterial disease (PAD) and/or being at risk of PAD in clinical practice using the Peripheral Artery Questionnaire (PAQ). Symptomatic changes with antiplatelets in patients with PAD are limited. To determine the effect and safety of sarpogrelate on the PAQ at 24 weeks from baseline. A total of 1003 patients having PAD and/or being at risk of PAD from 17 tertiary hospitals in South Korea who were treated with sarpogrelate, were enrolled in this study. PAQs were collected at baseline and at 12 and 24 weeks, together with physical examination and vital signs measurements. Lifestyle pattern was also investigated. The average PAQ Summary Score in the efficacy evaluation analysis group significantly improved from 62.9 ± 23.7 at baseline to 68.9 ± 21.7 at 24 weeks (P<0.0001). Physical limitation items significantly improved from 69.5 ± 30.0 at baseline to 72.9 ± 28.3 after 24 weeks (P=0.0011). Symptom stability also significantly improved from 52.1 ± 21.6 at baseline to 63.6 ± 22.9 after 24 weeks (P<0.0001). Symptoms, treatment satisfaction, quality of life, and social limitation domains all improved after treatment. A total of 201 patients reported adverse events (20.0%), not directly associated with treatment. Treatment with 300 mg (orally) of sarpogrelate demonstrated statistically significant improvements in all domains and for the summary score of the PAQ at 24 weeks, it gave good results in terms of safety. Sarpogrelate may be helpful in reducing symptoms related to PAD.

Comparing anticoagulant therapy alone, anticoagulant therapy in combination with catheter-directed thrombolysis, and anticoagulant therapy in combination with pharmacomechanical catheter-directed thrombolysis in the patients with optional inferior vena cava filter-related thrombosis: A single-center retrospective study.

To analyze the treatment methods and efficacy of inferior vena cava filter thrombosis (IVCFT). In this retrospective study, the clinical data for 47 patients with IVCFT who underwent sequential treatment at the Department of Vascular Surgery, Tianjin Medical University Second Hospital, from January 2020 to January 2023 were analyzed. Patients were divided into three groups according to the treatment method: anticoagulant therapy (AC group), anticoagulation plus catheter-directed thrombolysis (CDT group), and anticoagulation plus AngioJet thrombectomy plus catheter-directed thrombolysis (PCDT group). The evaluation criteria for efficacy mainly included preoperative and postoperative clinical symptoms (Villalta score), thrombus diameter, thrombus clearance rate, filter retrieval rate, filter retention time, and urokinase dosage. This study included 47 patients, of whom 31 were males (65.9%) and 16 females (34.1%), with a mean age of 72.05 ± 8.32years. An Aegisy filter was used in seven patients, whereas an Illicium filter was used in forty patients. There were a total of nineteen patients in the anticoagulation-only group, with complete dissolution of the intraluminal thrombus in five patients, a residual thrombus with a maximum diameter ≤1cm in three patients, and a residual thrombus with a maximum diameter >1cm in eleven patients. The Villalta score was 7.16 ± 0.6 before treatment and decreased to 3.79 ± 0.59 after treatment. The thrombus diameter decreased from an average of 1.46 ± 0.2cm before treatment to an average of 0.85 ± 0.14cm after treatment. The retrieval rate for the filters was 42.11% (8/19), with an average dwell time of 27.4 ± 1.3days for the filters. The CDT group consisted of 17 patients. Among whom we observed, complete dissolution of the intraluminal thrombus was observed in six patients, residual thrombus with a maximum diameter ≤1cm in nine patients, and residual thrombus with a maximum diameter >1cm in two patients. The Villalta score decreased from 7.53 ± 0.83 before treatment to 2.06 ± 0.39 after treatment. The thrombus diameter also decreased from 1.46 ± 0.16cm before treatment to 0.35 ± 0.11cm after treatment. The retrieval rate of the filters was 88.24% (15/17), and the average filter indwelling time was 19.25 ± 4.5days. The PCDT group consisted of 11 patients. We observed complete dissolution of the intraluminal thrombus in four patients, residual thrombus with a maximum diameter ≤1cm in six patients, and residual thrombus with a maximum diameter >1cm in one patient. The Villalta score decreased from 7.45 ± 0.76 before treatment to 2.09 ± 0.55 after treatment. The thrombus diameter decreased from 1.50 ± 0.21cm before treatment to 0.33 ± 0.35cm after treatment, and the rate of filter retrieval was 90.91% (10/11). The three treatments of anticoagulation therapy, CDT, and PCDT were meaningful for preoperative and postoperative thrombolysis and symptom improvement in patients with IVCFT. The application of CDT and PCDT was superior to anticoagulation therapy, while there was no significant difference between the CDT and PCDT group. The retrieval rate of filters in the anticoagulation therapy group was the lowest, with no significant difference between the CDT and PCDT group.

Investigating inequalities in patient outcomes for first-episode psychosis.

Understanding inequalities in outcomes between demographic groups is a necessary step in addressing them in clinical care. Inequalities in treatment uptake between demographic groups may explain disparities in outcomes in people with first-episode psychosis (FEP). To investigate disparities between broad demographic groups in symptomatic improvement in patients with FEP and their relationship to treatment uptake. We used data from 6813 patients from the 2021-2022 National Clinical Audit of Psychosis data-set. Data were grouped by category type to obtain mean outcomes before adjustment to see whether disparities in outcomes remained after differences in treatment uptake had been accounted for. After matching, the average effect of each demographic variable in terms of outcome change was calculated. Moderator effects on specific treatments were investigated using interaction terms in a regression model. Observational results showed that patients aged 18-24 years were less likely to improve in outcome, unless adjusted for intervention uptake. Patients classified as Black and Black British were less likely to improve in outcome (moderation effect 0.04, 95% CI 0-0.07) after adjusting for treatment take-up and demographic factors. Regression analysis showed the general positive effect of supported employment interventions in improving outcomes (coefficient -0.13, 95% CI -0.07 to -0.18, P < 0.001), and moderator analysis suggested targeting particular groups for interventions. Inequalities in treatment uptake and psychotic symptom outcome of FEP by social and demographic factors require monitoring over time. Our analysis provides a framework for monitoring health inequalities across national clinical audits in the UK.

Long-Term Outcomes After Septal Reduction Therapies in Obstructive Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy: Insights From the SHARE Registry.

Septal reduction therapy (SRT) provides substantial symptomatic improvement in patients with obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). However, long-term disease course after SRT and predictors of adverse outcomes have not been systematically examined. Data from 13 high clinical volume HCM centers from the international SHARE (Sarcomeric Human Cardiomyopathy Registry) were analyzed. Patients were followed from the time of SRT until last follow-up or occurrence of heart failure (HF) composite outcome (cardiac transplantation, implantation of a left ventricular assist device, left ventricular ejection fraction <35%, development of New York Heart Association class III or IV symptoms), ventricular arrhythmias composite outcome (sudden cardiac death, resuscitated cardiac arrest, or appropriate implantable cardioverter defibrillator therapy), or HCM-related death. Cox proportional hazards models were used to identify predictors of outcome. Of the 10 225 patients in SHARE, 1832 (18%; 968 [53%] male) underwent SRT, including 455 (25%) with alcohol septal ablation and 1377 (75%) with septal myectomy. The periprocedural 30-day mortality rate was 0.4% (8 of 1832) and 1499 of 1565 (92%) had a maximal left ventricular outflow tract gradient <50 mm Hg at 1 year. After 6.8 years (range, 3.4-9.8 years; 12 565 person-years) from SRT, 77 (4%) experienced HCM-related death (0.6% per year), 236 (13%) a composite HF outcome (1.9% per year), and 87 (5%) a composite ventricular arrhythmia outcome (0.7% per year). Among adults, older age at SRT was associated with a higher incidence of HCM death (hazard ratio, 1.22 [95 CI, 1.1-1.3]; P<0.01) and the HF composite (hazard ratio, 1.14 [95 CI, 1.1-1.2] per 5-year increase; P<0.01) in a multivariable model. Female patients also had a higher risk of the HF composite after SRT (hazard ratio, 1.4 [95 CI, 1.1-1.8]; P<0.01). De novo atrial fibrillation occurred after SRT in 387 patients (21%). Among pediatric patients followed for a median of 13 years after SRT, 26 of 343 (16%) developed the HF composite outcome, despite 96% being free of recurrent left ventricular outflow tract obstruction. Successful short- and long-term relief of outflow tract obstruction was observed in experienced multidisciplinary HCM centers. A subset of patients progressed to develop HF, but event-free survival at 10 years was 83% and ventricular arrhythmias were rare. Older age, female sex, and SRT during childhood were associated with a greater risk of developing HF.

Predictors of symptom improvement in patients with chronic coronary syndrome after percutaneous coronary intervention.

Decreases in symptom load and improvements in quality of life are important goals in the invasive treatment of symptomatic chronic coronary syndrome (CCS). To date, it is not known which patients profit most from the invasive treatment. This sub-analysis of the prospective, multi-centre PLA-pCi-EBO trial includes 145 patients with symptomatic CCS and successful PCI. The prespecified endpoints angina pectoris and quality of life (Seattle Angina Questionnaire-SAQ) were assessed 1 and 6months after PCI. Predictors of symptom improvement were analyzed by logistic regression analysis. Quality of life, physical limitation, and angina frequency markedly improved 6months after PCI. Worse baseline health status (i.e., low SAQ subscales) was the best predictor of highly clinically relevant improvements (≥ 20 points in SAQ subscales) in symptom load and quality of life. Demographic factors (age, sex, body-mass index) and cardiovascular disease severity (number of involved vessels, ejection fraction) did not predict relevant improvements after PCI. The influence of psychologic traits has not previously been assessed. We found that neither optimism nor pessimism had a relevant effect on symptomatic outcome. However, patients who exercised more after PCI had a much larger improvement in quality of life despite no differences in physical limitation or angina frequency. PCI effectively reduces symptom load and improves quality of life in patients with symptomatic CCS. Reduced baseline health status (symptom load, quality of life) are the only relevant predictors for improvements after PCI. Physical activity after PCI is associated with greater benefits for quality of life. The German Clinical Trials Register registration number is DRKS0001752.

A preliminary comparison of the clinical efficacy of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation with facial feature point localization and navigated localization in the treatment of depression

ObjectiveTo compare the clinical efficacy of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) under facial feature point localization (FFP) localization versus neuro-navigated localization for depression. Methods42 depressed patients were randomly assigned to two groups, received 10 Hz rTMS twice daily for 10 consecutive days. Relevant symptom scale assessments were conducted by professionals at baseline, after 10 sessions, and at the end of treatment. The confidence interval was calculated at a 95 % confidence level. The significant level was set at p < 0.05. ResultsThe absolute change in HAMD total score from baseline to the end of therapy did not differ significantly between the groups. The generalized estimating equation showed the main effect of time was significant, which showed improvement of depressive symptoms in patients throughout treatment. Upon completion of the treatment, FFP group showed a response rate of 64.7 % and a remission rate of 29.4 %, whereas the navigated group exhibited a response rate of 61.1 % and a remission rate of 44.4 %. There was no serious adverse events occurred during the treatment process. Throughout the study, no intervention was made on the normal medication treatment, and some patients had concomitant antidepressants and benzodiazepines. ConclusionThere was no significant difference in clinical efficacy between FFP localization and navigation localization in the small-sample study. However, due to the limited sample size and lack of rigorous non-inferiority testing, the superiority of one over the other remains uncertain, necessitating rigorous experimental design to validate the efficacy difference between the two localization methods.

Borderline Hip Dysplasia - Best Treated with Hip Arthroscopy or Periacetabular Osteotomy?

As the field of hip preservation evolves, the diagnosis of borderline dysplasia (defined as a lateral center edge angle between 18°-25°) has shown itself to be one of the more challenging diagnoses to treat. As the nuances of acetabular coverage have come to light, the question of whether borderline hip dysplasia is best treated with isolated hip arthroscopy, periacetabular osteotomy, or whether a combined procedure is best, is now top of mind. The goal of these procedures is to not only improve patient symptoms, but to correct underlying pathology and ideally slow the development of hip osteoarthritis. The purpose of this review is to summarize the recent literature and clinical findings regarding both isolated hip arthroscopy and periacetabular osteotomy in the surgical management of borderline hip dysplasia. Current research demonstrates improved postoperative clinical outcome scores for both patients who had isolated hip arthroscopy in the setting of borderline hip dysplasia and for those patients who underwent periacetabular osteotomy. Mid-term outcomes for patients in both groups have showed low rates of conversion to total hip arthroplasty. No gold standard in the surgical management of borderline hip arthroscopy exists. Improved clinical outcomes have been seen postoperatively in patients who undergo hip arthroscopy and in patients who undergo periacetabular osteotomy. Successful clinical outcomes seem to rely on treatment of the underlying clinical pathology and are largely based on the appropriate surgical indications and appropriate surgical techniques. Surgical decision making in this patient population should be individualized based on a comprehensive evaluation of the patient.

Posterior Cranial Vault Distractor Osteogenesis for the Treatment of Chiari Malformation Type 1: A Systematic Review of the Literature.

Although posterior cranial vault distraction osteogenesis (PVDO) is utilized routinely now for the treatment of craniosynostosis, its use as a treatment option for Chiari type 1 malformation (CM1) is limited to case reports and small retrospective case series. The authors conducted a systematic review of the published literature for PVDO as a treatment for CM1. The primary outcomes were reported complications, symptom improvement, and reoperation rates in patients that had PVDO surgery for CM1. The authors further investigated differences between patients with CM1 with an associated genetic syndrome and craniosynostosis. In total, 42 patients with an average age of 41.1 months were used in our analysis. A total of 38.1% of the patients had a diagnosed syndrome, 78.6% of patients had associated craniosynostosis, and 26/42 (61.9%) total patients-reported symptom improvement. Of 26 patients that reported symptom improvement, 20 (76.9%) had associated syndromes and 6 (23.1%) did not (P=0.011). In addition, of these 26 symptom improved patients, 17 (65.4%) were associated with craniosynostosis while 9 (36.4%) did not have craniosynostosis (P=0.008). Posterior cranial vault distraction osteogenesis seems to be a promising new surgical intervention for treatment of CM1. Most patients saw symptom improvement after treatment (61.9%). There was a clinically and statistically significant difference in symptom improvement for patients with syndromic CM1 when compared with nonsyndromic CM1 patients.

Acute Respiratory Failure Requiring Invasive Ventilation in Adults With Congenital Syringomyelia/Arnold-Chiari Malformations: A Systematic Review.

Arnold-Chiari malformations (ACM) and congenital syringomyelia/syrinx are rare neurological phenomenons thatcan present as acute respiratory failure and contribute to multiple extubation failures despite surgical intervention. A systematic review was conducted to scrutinize the current literature, screening 65 papers and including 12 papers (13 patients). Sixty-one percent of patients had type 1 ACM and 70% had a congenital syringomyelia. Neurosurgical intervention occurred in seven patients, five patients had at least one extubation failure which was due to apnea or reoccurrence of respiratory failure, and eight patients needed tracheostomies. The neurosurgical intervention aims to improve patient symptoms, but our data and current literature suggestthat patients with these pathologies still undergo long ventilation weansand are not liberated from the ventilator due to ongoing respiratory failure.

EEG measures of brain arousal in relation to symptom improvement in patients with major depressive disorder: Results from a randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial

Hyperstable arousal regulation during a 15-min resting electroencephalogram (EEG) has been linked to a favorable response to antidepressants. The EMBARC study, a multicenter randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial, provides an opportunity to examine arousal stability as putative antidepressant response predictor in short EEG recordings. We tested the hypothesis that high arousal stability during a 2-min resting EEG at baseline is related to better outcome in the sertraline arm and explored the specificity of this effect. Outpatients with chronic/recurrent MDD were recruited from four university hospitals and randomized to treatment with sertraline (n = 100) or placebo (n = 104). The change in the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HRSD-17) was the main outcome. Patients were stratified into high and low arousal stability groups. In mixed-model repeated measures (MMRM) analysis HRSD-17 change differed significantly between arousal groups, with high arousal stability being associated with a better outcome in the sertraline arm, and worse outcome in the placebo arm at week 4, with moderate effect sizes. When considering both treatment arms, a significant arousal group x time x treatment interaction emerged, highlighting specificity to the sertraline arm. Although findings indicate that arousal stability is likely to be a treatment-specific marker of response, further out-of-sample validation is warranted.

Measurement of Patients' Acceptable Symptom Levels and Priorities for Symptom Improvement in Advanced Prostate Cancer.

Limited research has evaluated the success criteria and priorities for symptom improvement of patients with cancer to inform patient-centered care. In this study, we adapted and tested a measure of these constructs, the Patient-Centered Outcomes Questionnaire (PCOQ), for patients with advanced prostate cancer. We compared acceptable symptom severity levels following symptom treatment across 10 symptoms and identified patient subgroups based on symptom importance. Patients with advanced prostate cancer (N = 99) participated in a one-time survey, which included a modified version of the PCOQ, standard symptom measures, and additional clinical characteristics. The modified PCOQ demonstrated construct validity through its correlations with related theoretical constructs. There was a moderate correlation between symptom severity and importance. Acceptable symptom severity levels were generally low, with sexual dysfunction having a higher acceptable severity than most other symptoms. Three patient subgroups were identified: (1) those who rated all symptoms as low in importance (n = 43); (2) those who rated all symptoms as moderately important (n = 33); and (3) those who rated all symptoms as highly important (n= 18). Subgroups were associated with functional status, fatigue, sleep problems, pain, and emotional distress. The modified PCOQ demonstrated preliminary evidence of construct validity. Patients generally considered low symptom severity to be acceptable, with variations across symptoms. Results suggest that symptom severity and importance are related but distinct aspects of the symptom experience in advanced prostate cancer. Patients' diverse priorities for symptom improvement point to the need for individualized treatment plans.

Eating for Optimization: Unraveling the Dietary Patterns and Nutritional Strategies in Endometriosis Management.

Endometriosis is a chronic gynecological disorder affecting millions of women worldwide, causing chronic pelvic pain, dyspareunia, dysmenorrhea, and infertility, and severely impacting their quality of life. Treatment primarily involves hormonal therapies and surgical excision, but high recurrence rates and the economic burden are substantial. With these challenges, significant discussion surrounds the potential role of dietary patterns in managing endometriosis, making it necessary to bridge this critical gap. This review investigates the current scientific evidence on the dietary patterns (eg, Mediterranean, vegetarian, anti-inflammatory, low-fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols [low-FODMAP], and Western-style diets) associated with endometriosis and provides a concise, yet thorough, overview on the subject. In addition, antioxidants, microbiota, and artificial intelligence (AI) and their potential roles were also evaluated as future directions. An electronic-based search was performed in MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Library, CINAHL, ClinicalTrials.gov, Scopus, and Web of Science. The current data on the topic indicate that a diet based on the Mediterranean and anti-inflammatory diet pattern, rich in dietary fiber, omega-3 fatty acids, plant-based protein, and vitamins and minerals, has a positive influence on endometriosis, yielding a promising improvement in patient symptoms. Preclinical investigations and clinical trials indicate that dietary antioxidants and gut microbiota modulation present potential new approaches in managing endometriosis. Also, AI may offer a promising avenue to explore how dietary components interact with endometriosis. Ultimately, considering genetic and lifestyle factors, a healthy, balanced, personalized approach to diet may offer valuable insights on the role of diet as a means of symptom improvement, facilitating the utilization of nutrition for the management of endometriosis.

A randomized controlled trial of a novel home-based palliative care program: A report of a trial that could not be completed.

In response to a growing need for accessible, efficient, and effective palliative care services, we designed, implemented, and evaluated a novel palliative care at home (PC@H) model for people with serious illness that is centered around a community health worker, a registered nurse, and a social worker, with an advanced practice nurse and a physician for support. Our objectives were to measure the impact of receipt of PC@H on patient symptoms, quality of life, and healthcare utilization and costs. We enrolled 136 patients with serious illness in this parallel, randomized controlled trial. Our primary outcome was change in symptom burden at 6 weeks. Secondary outcomes included change in symptom burden at 3 months, change in quality of life at 6 weeks and 3 months, estimated using a group t-test. In an exploratory aim, we examined the impact of PC@H on healthcare utilization and cost using a generalized linear model. PC@H resulted in a greater improvement in patient symptoms at 6 weeks (1.30 score improvement, n = 37) and 3 months (3.14 score improvement, n = 21) compared with controls. There were no differences in healthcare utilization and costs between the two groups. Unfortunately, due to the COVID-19 pandemic and a loss of funding, the trial was not able to be completed as originally intended. A palliative care at home model that leverages community health workers, registered nurses, and social workers as the primary deliverers of care may result in improved patient symptoms and quality of life compared with standard care. We did not demonstrate significant differences in healthcare utilization and cost associated with receipt of PC@H, likely due to inability to reach the intended sample size and insufficient statistical power, due to elements beyond the investigators' control such as the COVID-19 public health emergency and changes in grant funding.

Manual Therapy Improves Fibromyalgia Symptoms by Downregulating SIK1.

Fibromyalgia (FM), classified by ICD-11 with code MG30.0, is a chronic debilitating disease characterized by widespread pain, fatigue, cognitive impairment, sleep, and intestinal alterations, among others. FM affects a large proportion of the worldwide population, with increased prevalence among women. The lack of understanding of its etiology and pathophysiology hampers the development of effective treatments. Our group had developed a manual therapy (MT) pressure-controlled custom manual protocol on FM showing hyperalgesia/allodynia, fatigue, and patient's quality of life benefits in a cohort of 38 FM cases (NCT04174300). With the aim of understanding the therapeutic molecular mechanisms triggered by MT, this study interrogated Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cell (PBMC) transcriptomes from FM participants in this clinical trial using whole RNA sequencing (RNAseq) and reverse transcription followed by quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-qPCR) technologies. The results show that the salt-induced kinase SIK1 gene was consistently downregulated by MT in FM, correlating with improvement of patient symptoms. In addition, this study compared the findings in a non-FM control cohort subjected to the same MT protocol, evidencing that those changes in SIK1 expression with MT only occurred in individuals with FM. This positions SIK1 as a potential biomarker to monitor response to MT and as a therapeutic target of FM, which will be further explored by continuation studies.

Healing the Whole: An International Review of the Collaborative Care Model between Primary Care and Psychiatry.

The collaborative care model (CCM) was created to improve the delivery of mental health care and is reported to improve access, enhance treatment outcomes, and reduce healthcare costs. To understand the impacts of the CCM on symptom management, diverse populations, and sustainability in healthcare systems, a systematic review was conducted. Several databases were searched for articles assessing the CCM. The inclusion criteria limited the studies to those (1) published between January 2008 and January 2024; (2) written in the English language; (3) analyzing adult patients; (4) analyzing symptom improvement in major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, or post-traumatic stress disorder; and (5) fitting the given definition of a CCM. We identified 9743 articles. Due to missing information or duplication, 4702 were excluded. The remaining articles were screened, yielding 468 articles for full-text analysis, of which 16 articles met the inclusion criteria. Of these articles, five primarily focused on individual patient outcomes, five focused on specific populations, and six reviewed system impacts; eleven articles studied US populations and five studied international populations. An analysis revealed that in 12 of the final articles, the CCM led to a statistically significant improvement in anxiety and depression symptoms with viable implementation and sustainability strategies. The CCM is an effective method for improving patient symptoms and can be potentially affordable in healthcare systems.

Evaluation of SLC6A2 and CYP2D6 polymorphisms' effects on atomoxetine treatment in attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder.

There is insufficient replicated data to establish a relationship between the polymorphisms of SLC6A2 and CYP2D6 and the treatment responses of atomoxetine (ATX) in ADHD. We focused on evaluating the effect of top-line single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in SLC6A2 and CYP2D6 on the ATX treatment response in attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Of 160 patient records, 34 patients who met the inclusion criteria were evaluated to determine the relationship between genotypes of ten SNPs (six of SLC6A2 and four of CYP2D6) and ATX treatment response. Additionally, the connection between SNPs of CYP2D6 and the severity of side effects associated with ATX was analyzed in 37 patients, including the 34 study patients, and three patients discontinued because of ATX-dependent side effects. All six polymorphisms we studied in SLC6A2 were associated with the treatment response of ATX. Clinical improvement in oppositional defiant disorder symptoms of patients with ADHD was only observed in carriers of the homozygous "C" allele of rs3785143 (podd = 0.026). We detected an association between higher CGI-side-effect severity scores and the "TT" genotype of rs1065852 polymorphism in CYP2D6 (p = 0.043). The findings of this study suggest that genotypes of polymorphisms within the SLC6A2 and CYP2D6 may play an influential role in treatment response or the severity of side effects associated with ATX in ADHD patients.

The Effect of Ondansetron on Improvement of Symptoms in Patients with Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Diarrhea Domination: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Diarrhea-dominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-D) is a deliberating and chronic condition that can impair social activities. Determining proper medication with satisfactory outcomes has been a challenge. The 5-hydroxytryptamine 3 receptor antagonist (5-HT3 RA) drugs have demonstrated favorable outcomes on IBS-D in the last 3 decades. Ondansetron, also a 5-HT3 RA is known as an antiemetic. Our aim was to evaluate the efficacy of ondansetron in IBS-D. In this single-center, double-blind, randomized controlled trial, patients with IBS-D were recruited. Patients were randomized on a 1:1 ratio and assigned into two groups: imipramine 25 mg/daily plus ondansetron 4 mg/3 times per day and imipramine 25 mg/daily plus placebo. The primary endpoint was the frequency of diarrhea per day after 8 weeks of treatment. The secondary endpoints consisted of changes in the frequency of defecation urgency per day, the number of days with gastrointestinal pain and bloating, and the patients' overall satisfaction regarding bowel habits after 8 weeks of the treatment. Data from 98 patients were analyzed. Ondansetron, compared to placebo, improved the primary outcome, and the stool consistency was increased significantly (3.29±1.19 vs 4.55±1.17, P<0.001). Moreover, the response rate for the diarrhea frequency was significantly higher in the ondansetron group compared to the placebo (77.5% vs 34.7%, P<0.001). In the ondansetron group, fewer urgencies were experienced, and pain severity and feeling of bloating declined as well (P<0.01). Ondansetron can mitigate almost all IBS-D-related symptoms, which may indicate it as a drug of choice; however, further evidence is required to ascertain its safety.

Trigeminal nerve hemangioblastoma in the setting of undiagnosed von Hippel-Lindau disease: illustrative case.

Von Hippel-Lindau disease (VHL) is an autosomal dominant tumor predisposition syndrome caused by mutations in the VHL gene. Patients with VHL are predisposed to developing numerous neoplasms, including central nervous system hemangioblastomas that typically arise within the cerebellum, brainstem, or spinal cord. The authors present the unusual case of a 69-year-old patient with a hemangioblastoma of the trigeminal nerve as his initial presentation of VHL. A 69-year-old male presented with progressive right-sided V3 paresthesias, gait disturbance, and diplopia. Magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated an enhancing 0.5-cm nodule within the right trigeminal nerve and an associated peritumoral cyst exerting mass effect on the cerebral peduncle. Neural axis imaging demonstrated pia-based enhancing lesions concerning for multiple spinal hemangioblastomas. The patient underwent an uncomplicated retrosigmoid craniotomy for trigeminal nerve hemangioblastoma resection. The patient had postoperative improvement in his gait, diplopia, and facial paresthesias. Genetic testing revealed that the patient was heterozygous for a pathological mutation in the VHL gene. Hemangioblastomas in adults over 50 years of age should prompt a workup for VHL. Recognizing that cranial nerves are a possible site of hemangioblastoma occurrence is important for neurosurgeons and radiologists alike. Resection of cranial nerve hemangioblastomas is technically challenging but can lead to symptom improvement for patients. https://thejns.org/doi/10.3171/CASE24149.

Combination of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation and Ketamine in Treatment-Resistant Depression: A Systematic Review.

Treatment-resistant depression (TRD) is a significant challenge in psychiatric practice, affecting a substantial proportion of patients with major depressive disorder (MDD). Traditional treatment modalities often fall short, necessitating the exploration of alternative therapies. This literature review examines the combined use of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) and ketamine in treating TRD. The objectiveof this study is toevaluate the efficacy, safety, and potential synergies of combining TMS and ketamine in the treatment of TRD. A comprehensive literature search was conducted using PubMed and Google Scholar databases from 2014 to 2024. The search terms included combinations of "Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation," "Ketamine," "Depression," "Major Depressive Disorder," "Treatment-Resistant Depression," and "Combination." After screening for relevance and applying inclusion and exclusion criteria, six studies were selected for review, including three case reports, a retrospective study, a pilot study, and a review study. The selected studies demonstrated that the combination of TMS and ketamine resulted in substantial and sustained improvement in depressive symptoms for patients with TRD. Case reports and retrospective studies highlighted significant reductions in depression severity and improvements in psychosocial functioning. The combination therapy showed a higher efficacy compared to monotherapies of either TMS or ketamine alone. Notably, adverse effects were generally mild and transient, with no severe adverse events reported in most studies. In conclusion, the combination of TMS and ketamine presents a promising treatment modality for patients with TRD, offering significant improvements in depressive symptoms and better outcomes compared to traditional monotherapies. However, the heterogeneity in study designs and small sample sizes underline the need for larger, randomized controlled trials to establish standardized protocols and further validate these findings.

Effects of Ellagic Acid Supplementation on Antioxidant Status and Symptom Improvement in Patients with Major Depressive Disorder: A Double-blind Randomized Clinical Trial

Background: Depression is one of the most common mood disorders and a major public health concern. Ellagic acid (EA), a type of polyphenol, acts as a strong hydrogen bond network as an electron receptor, enabling it to participate in various reactions. Objectives: Major depression is a critical medical condition that has emerged as a public health issue due to its high incidence, mortality, and suicide rates. One significant factor in the pathogenesis of depression is oxidative stress. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of ellagic acid supplementation on antioxidant status and symptom improvement in patients with major depressive disorder, considering the antioxidant capabilities of ellagic acid. Methods: A total of 40 patients diagnosed with major depressive disorder based on DSM-V criteria were assessed using the Beck Depression and Hamilton Depression Questionnaires. The dietary and caloric intake of the patients were monitored. Additionally, height and weight were measured, and patients with similar age, gender, and weight were matched. The individuals were randomly assigned to either the intervention group or the placebo group using a randomization table. The intervention group received a daily dose of 200 mg of ellagic acid in capsule form. The placebo group received a daily dose of one capsule containing 200 mg of wheat flour, identical in appearance to the intervention substance. The study period lasted for 8 weeks. Venous blood samples were collected before and after the study from all 40 individuals, and after serum separation, oxidative stress markers (malondialdehyde and total antioxidant capacity). were measured using a specific kit and ELISA method. Results: The study results showed a significant reduction in depression scores in the ellagic acid group during the study (P: 0.001)., with these alterations being significant when compared to the placebo group. In the ellagic acid group, a significant increase in total antioxidant capacity (P: 0.027). and a significant decrease in malondialdehyde levels (P: 0.014). were observed at the end of the study, and these changes were significant compared to the placebo group. In contrast, significant changes in total antioxidant capacity and malondialdehyde levels were not observed in the placebo group. Conclusions: The current study indicates that ellagic acid intervention may have a favorable effect on depression in patients with major depressive disorder. This is achieved by reducing BDI scores and serum levels of MDA, as well as increasing serum levels of TAC in these patients compared to the placebo group. However, further investigation is necessary to explore the mechanisms underlying the different alterations of ellagic acid in depression.