Number Of Recurrent Episodes Research Articles

A retrospective study of treatment, outcome, recurrence and concurrent diseases in 190 dogs with anal sacculitis.

Few studies report the treatment and recurrence rate in anal sacculitis (AS). Retrospective study reporting the management, recurrence and concurrent diseases in dogs with AS in a primary care practice. One hundred and ninety privately owned dogs in Sweden. Clinical records of dogs diagnosed with AS between 2018 and 2021 were reviewed, and management, time until clinical resolution, number of recurrent episodes and comorbidites were recorded. The 190 dogs developed 290 episodes of AS. The most common management, in 235 of 290 (81.0%) episodes, was flushing ± infusion of an antimicrobial product into the sacs ± prescription of a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), providing resolution in 213 of 235 (90.6%) episodes. Median time to resolution was one week (range 1-16 weeks), with resolution seen within one week in 205 of 290 (70.7%) episodes. A single episode of AS developed in 126 of 190 (66.3%) dogs. Dogs with concurrent cutaneous allergic disease were more likely (p < 0.001) to have recurrence of AS when compared to dogs with other comorbidities. Cutaneous allergic disease occurred more often (p < 0.001) in dogs with AS than in the practice population. Local treatment of the anal sacs ± systemic NSAID was the most common treatment, inducing clinical resolution in the majority of dogs. Cutaneous allergic disease was the most common concurrent diagnosis, with higher recurrence rate of AS compared to other diseases and occurring in higher prevalence than in the practice population. Further studies are needed to determine if management of cutaneous allergic disease would reduce the risk of AS.

Cervicovestibular rehabilitation in adult with mild traumatic brain injury: a randomised controlled trial protocol

BackgroundMild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) is an acknowledged public health problem. Up to 25% of adult with mTBI present persistent symptoms. Headache, dizziness, nausea and neck pain are the most commonly reported symptoms and are frequently associated with cervical spine and vestibular impairments. The most recent international consensus statement (2017 Berlin consensus) recommends the addition of an individualized rehabilitation approach for mTBI with persistent symptoms. The addition of an individualized rehabilitation approach including the evaluation and treatment of cervical and vestibular impairments leading to symptoms such as neck pain, headache and dizziness is, however, recommended based only on limited scientific evidence. The benefit of such intervention should therefore be further investigated.ObjectiveTo compare the addition of a 6-week individualized cervicovestibular rehabilitation program to a conventional approach of gradual sub-threshold physical activation (SPA) alone in adults with persistent headache, neck pain and/or dizziness-related following a mTBI on the severity of symptoms and on other indicators of clinical recovery. We hypothesize that such a program will improve all outcomes faster than a conventional approach (between-group differences at 6-week and 12-week).MethodsIn this single-blind, parallel-group randomized controlled trial, 46 adults with subacute (3 to12 weeks post-injury) persistent mTBI symptoms will be randomly assigned to: 1) a 6-week SPA program or 2) SPA combined with a cervicovestibular rehabilitation program. The cervicovestibular rehabilitation program will include education, cervical spine manual therapy and exercises, vestibular rehabilitation and home exercises. All participants will take part in 4 evaluation sessions (baseline, week 6, 12 and 26) performed by a blinded evaluator. The primary outcome will be the Post-Concussion Symptoms Scale. The secondary outcomes will be time to clearance to return to function, number of recurrent episodes, Global Rating of Change, Numerical Pain Rating Scale, Neck Disability Index, Headache Disability Inventory and Dizziness Handicap Inventory. A 2-way ANOVA and an intention-to-treat analysis will be used.DiscussionControlled trials are needed to determine the best rehabilitation approach for mTBI with persistent symptoms such as neck pain, headache and dizziness. This RCT will be crucial to guide future clinical management recommendations.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov Identifier - NCT03677661, Registered on September, 15th 2018.

Comorbid Symptoms Occurring During Acute Low-Tone Hearing Loss (AHLH) as Potential Predictors of Menière's Disease.

Acute low-tone sensorineural hearing loss (ALHL) is a type of idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss. ALHL is rarely a solitary condition but rather co-occurs with vertigo and tinnitus, being an element of contemporary diagnostic criteria for Menière's disease (MD). The goal of our present study was to determine the value of ALHL for the early diagnosis of MD in patients presenting in the emergency room with ALHL as a main complaint. The files of 106 patients with ALHL who were admitted to the emergency room over the period of 7 years and 104 patients with acute high- tone sensorineural hearing loss (AHHL) from the same period were included in this retrospective study. Forty ALHL patients presented with recurrent episode of hearing loss and 66 remaining patients presented with ALHL for the first time. Of the latter group, 25 patients gave consent for the follow-up. First, we analyzed the difference in the occurrence of tinnitus and vertigo between the ALHL and AHHL groups. In patients with ALHL, the incidence of vertigo with tinnitus and the number of recurrent episodes were statistically higher than in patients with AHHL. Next, we focused on the ALHL follow-up group (25 patients). In that group, two patients had all MD symptoms at presentation, 18 had ALHL and tinnitus and five ALHL only. Of 18 patients with ALHL and tinnitus at admission, five developed vertigo and thus the triad of Menière's disease. None of the five patients with AHLH as a sole symptom developed MD during the follow-up time but four of them have developed tinnitus. Patients with recurrent ALHL had significantly higher incidence of MD than the patients with first episode. We conclude that some patients who present with ALHL and concomitant tinnitus or have recurrent episodes of ALHL are more likely to develop Menière's disease than these patients, who present with ALHL as a sole symptom. Nonetheless, we recommend otological follow-up for all patients presenting with ALHL.

Rate of recurrence in Indian patients presenting with acute pancreatitis and identification of chronicity on follow up: Possible risk factors for progression.

To study the profile and long-term outcome of Indian patients presenting with acute pancreatitis and the possible risk factors for progression. Consecutive patients with acute or recurrent acute pancreatitis seen in our department during July 2013 to December 2014 were included. Details of past episodes were collected and patients were followed up till March 2015. In the 97 patients included (mean age 47.2 [SD 16.9] years; 74 men), gallstones (37 [38.1%]) and alcohol (19 [19.6%]) were the major identified etiologies; the idiopathic (31 [32%]) group constituted a third of patients. Recurrences were more common with idiopathic etiology (14 patients out of 30 had recurrences [46.7%]) as compared to alcoholic (5 out of 19 [26.3%]) and biliary (4 out of 37 [10.8%]) pancreatitis and with mild index episode. Following the episode of acute pancreatitis, identification of chronic pancreatitis was more common with alcoholic (6 out of 18 [33%]) and idiopathic (9 out of 30 [30%]) etiology as compared to other etiologies. Longer duration of follow up, but not number of recurrent episodes, was associated with identification of chronicity in patients presenting as acute pancreatitis. Out of 97 patients with acute pancreatitis, 27 (27.8%) developed recurrences with risk factors being idiopathic etiology and mild index episode. Eighteen of 97 (18.6%) patients had evidence of chronic pancreatitis on follow up, risk factors being the alcoholic and idiopathic varieties, and longer duration of follow up.

Efficacy of an orally administered combination of hyaluronic acid, chondroitin sulfate, curcumin and quercetin for the prevention of recurrent urinary tract infections in postmenopausal women

ObjectiveTo assess whether the orally administered combination of hyaluronic acid (HA), chondroitin sulfate (CS), curcumin and quercetin could be effective in preventing recurrent cystitis in postmenopausal women and whether its efficacy was conditioned by the concurrent use of local estrogen therapy. Study designThis was a prospective evaluation of 145 postmenopausal women consecutively recruited from the database of three different investigators. All women should have mild-to-moderate urogenital atrophy and a history of recurrent urinary tract infections (≥2 episodes within 6 months or ≥3 episodes within 12 months documented by positive urine cultures) during the last year. Patients were assigned to three different therapeutic regimens: the first group was treated only with vaginal estrogens, the second group only with HA, CS, curcumin and quercetin per os, and the third group was treated with HA, CS, curcumin and quercetin associated with local estrogens. We evaluated the number of patients with <2 infective episodes in the 6-month follow-up and <3 episodes in the 12-month follow-up (main aim definition) and the reduction of related symptoms through a Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and the Pelvic Pain and Urgency/Frequency (PUF) patient symptom scale. Student's t-test and chi-squared test were used for data analysis as appropriate. ResultsAt 6-month follow up, the main aim rate was 8%, 11.1% and 25% in the three groups, respectively (p<0.05 compared to baseline only in group 3). Although the reduction in the number of recurrent episodes became significant in all groups at 1 year follow-up, the main aim rate was almost double in women receiving both local estrogens and oral therapy (group 3) compared to those receiving single treatments. The improvement of related symptoms was significant in all groups at 12-month follow-up. ConclusionsIn postmenopausal women, the combination of HA, CS, curcumin and quercetin per os was effective in preventing recurrent urinary tract infections, especially if administered with vaginal estrogen therapy.

Diverticular disease - clinical patterns and treatment

Diverticulosis, diverticular disease and diverticulitis have come into focus again because new aspects concerning diagnosis, risk factors and treatment arose only recently which prompted a new Guideline released by the DGVS and DGAV summarising the current evidence. Along with the guideline's essentials for medical practice a diagnosis of diverticulitis is considered unsatisfactory unless a cross-sectional imaging method (either ultrasonography [US] or computed tomography [CT] ) has proven that the clinical findings and inflammation (CRP considered superior to WBC and temperature) are due to diverticular inflammation. For reasons of practicability and considering relevant legislation for radiation exposure protection, US is the primary - and usually effectual - diagnostic method of choice as it is equipotent to CT. While US offers better resolution and enables precise imaging exactly at the location of pain as well as reiterative application, the latter implies advantages in the case of a deep abscess or diverticulitis in difficult locations (e. g. the small pelvis). Clinical evidence and laboratory and imaging findings allow for distinguishing a large number of differential diagnoses and also form the basis of a new classification (classification of diverticular disease, CDD) which comprises all forms of diverticular disease, from diverticulosis to bleeding and to the different facettes of diverticulitis. This classification -which should be applied in any patient with the diagnosis of diverticular disease- is independent of specific diagnostic preferences and applicable both to conservative and operative treatment options. While the number of recurrent episodes is no longer a significant indicator for surgery in diverticulitis, severity and / or complications determine treatment options along with the patients preferences. According to first data, conservative treatment may waive antibiotics under certain circumstances, however they are indispensible in complicated disease or patients bearing risk factors. Spasmoanalgetics and supportive fluid supply are individually necessary, and avoidance of potentially aggravating medications (e. g. NSAIDS) appears advisable, but many suggestions (nil by mouth, bed rest, laxatives) come along without an adaequate body of evidence. Similarly medical advice concerning prevention and secondary prophylaxis relies mainly on epidemiological plausibility. Because minor perforations (CDD type 2 a) as well as recurrent episodes of uncomplicated diverticulitis and even some abscesses > 1 cm (CDD type 2 b) respond favourably to medical treatment, the timely indication for surgery in these cases requires precise classification along with a close surveillance in trustful cooperation between the gastroenterologist and the surgeon.

Comparison of foods with differing nutritional profiles for long-term management of acute nonobstructive idiopathic cystitis in cats.

To evaluate the effect of nutrition on recurrent clinical signs of lower urinary tract (LUT) disease in cats with idiopathic cystitis. Randomized, controlled, masked clinical trial. 31 cats with acute nonobstructive idiopathic cystitis. Cats were assigned to receive 1 of 2 foods (a cystitis prevention or control food) that differed in mineral (calcium, phosphorous, and magnesium), antioxidant, and fatty acid profiles. Owners documented LUT signs daily for up to 1 year. The primary endpoint was the number of recurrent episodes in which a cat had multiple (≥ 2 concurrent) LUT signs within a day (defined as multiple-sign day). Consecutive days in which a cat had multiple LUT signs were considered as a single episode. 4 cats fed prevention food and 2 cats fed control food were excluded from analysis because of noncompliance, gastrointestinal signs, food refusal, or owner voluntary withdrawal. The proportion of cats fed prevention food that had ≥ 1 recurrent episode of multiple-sign days (4/11) was not significantly lower than that of cats fed control food (9/14). However, cats fed prevention food had significantly lower mean incidence rates for recurrent episodes of multiple-sign days (0.7 episodes/1,000 cat-days) and episodes of hematuria (0.3 episodes/1,000 cat-days), dysuria (0.2 episodes/1,000 cat-days), and stranguria (0.2 episodes/1,000 cat-days) as single LUT signs, compared with cats fed control food (5.4, 3.4, 3.1, and 3.8 episodes/1,000 cat-days, respectively). Significantly fewer cats fed prevention food required analgesics (4/11), compared with cats fed control food (12/14). Foods with differing nutritional profiles appeared to impact mean incidence rates of recurrent feline idiopathic cystitis-associated signs.

Relationship between the number of cytomegalovirus in anterior chamber and severity of anterior segment inflammation

To characterize the cytomegalovirus-associated anterior segment inflammation and to determine whether the number of cytomegalovirus is significantly correlated with the disease characteristics. Retrospective consecutive case series. Seventy-three patients with refractory anterior segment inflammation due to iridocyclitis, corneal endotheliitis and keratouveitis were studied. All the patients were suspected to have cytomegalovirus infection and had undergone real-time PCR of the aqueous humor to determine the amount of cytomegalovirus DNA. Cytomegalovirus DNA was detected in 24 of the 73 cases. The cytomegalovirus copy number was significantly correlated with the number of recurrent episodes and glaucoma treatment levels, but was not significantly correlated with the disease type. A high cytomegalovirus copy number was a significant risk factor for IOP elevation [Odds ratio (OR) per logarithm CMV amount: 2.5 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.1-5.4), presence of coin-shaped lesions (2.3 (1.3-4.0)), recurrent inflammation (2.1 (1.3-3.5)), and reduction of endothelial cell densities (1.7 (1.2-2.5))]. An IOP elevation [OR 18.2 (95% CI 2.2-153.0)], reduction of endothelial cell densities [13.2 (2.9-60.0)], and recurrent inflammations [11.9 (2.5-56.6)], but not the disease type, were significant predictors of the presence of >10(3)copies/ml cytomegalovirus in the aqueous. Measurements of the cytomegalovirus DNA amount is useful for evaluating the severity of the anterior segment inflammation.

Lateral epicondylalgia: a structured programme better than corticosteroids and NSAID

Aim: To evaluate whether patients with lateral epicondylalgia had less pain or function loss two years following treatment by a structured programme and if the number of recurrent episodes and sick leave days differed compared with a control group. Subjects: All of the patients were diagnosed by a physician with the diagnosis code M77.1 (lateral epicondylitis). The intervention group (n = 103) was treated by a physiotherapist and an occupational therapist with a home training programme that included ergonomic advice. Wrist supports and/or night bandages were also available. Controls (n = 194) were diversely treated by different professionals. Major findings: In the total study group (n = 297), 54% of the patients experienced pain and 55% experienced function loss after two years. The intervention group had less pain than patients treated with corticosteroid injections (p < 0.0001) or NSAIDs (p = 0.048) and experienced better function than those treated with corticosteroid injections (p = 0.002). The intervention group had a lower recurrence (p < 0.0001) and fewer sick leave days at the time of the visit to the health care centre (p = 0.005). Principal conclusions: A structured treatment programme was more effective than corticosteroid injections and NSAIDs. Patients did not require additional treatment or sick leave and had learned self-treatment of the disorder.

Indications for Elective Sigmoid Resection in Diverticular Disease

To prevent an acute surgery, classic indications for elective sigmoid resections concerning diverticulitis have usually been based on the number of recurrent episodes. Since 2005 these indications have been challenged, primarily because the majority of patients first present themselves with acute complications at their first episode. Between 1990 and 2000, a cohort analysis was conducted involving all patients admitted to the VU University Medical Center with the diagnosis of diverticulitis, with a follow-up until January 2009. To identify those patients who might benefit from elective sigmoid resection, several risk factors were analyzed. Of 291 patients examined, 111 (38%) were treated conservatively and 180 (62%) underwent surgery, of which 108 acute and 72 elective. The conservatively treated episodes of diverticulitis showed a recurrence rate of 48% (88 patients). Indications for elective surgery were recurrent attacks of diverticulitis with persistent complaints (36%), complaints of stenosis (40%), fistula (14%), persistent abscesses (3%), and recurrent diverticular bleeding (7%). Of the 74% of the patients approached laparoscopically, the overall morbidity was 22% with no mortality. The main indication for an AO was perforation with general peritonitis, holding for 57% of the acutely operated patients. Other indications were abscesses (22%), stenosis with obstruction (11%), failure of conservative therapy (6%), or diverticular bleeding (4%). Hartmann's procedure was the most frequently performed procedure (58%). This acutely operated population was associated with high morbidity (56%) and mortality (13%), perforation leads to 10% mortality and other causes to 3%. Of those patients undergoing acute surgery, 20% had a history of diverticulitis. Moreover, risk factor analysis showed that those patients having one or more of the following indications: (1) using immunosuppression therapy, (2) having chronic renal failure, or (3) collagen-vascular diseases, had a significant 5-fold greater risk (36% vs. 7%) of a perforation in recurrent episodes of diverticulitis. In the treatment of diverticular disease, indications for an elective sigmoid resection should not be based on the number of episodes only. Clear indications for elective sigmoid resections are complaints of stenosis, fistulas, or recurrent diverticular bleeding. Furthermore, an elective sigmoid resection might be justified in high-risk patients, after a conservatively treated episode of diverticulitis, who use immunosuppression therapy and have chronic renal failure or collagen-vascular diseases.

Fetal growth restriction and the development of major depression

To test the association between fetal growth restriction and the lifetime risk of major depression and the number of recurrent episodes. Study subjects (n = 1101) were offspring of participants in the Providence, RI, site of the National Collaborative Perinatal Project. Cox regression was used to investigate the relation between measures of birth size and the lifetime risk of depression and the mean number of depressive episodes was compared across categories of birth size. There was no association between low birth weight, gestational age, ponderal index and small for gestational age and the lifetime risk of major depression, or the number of recurrent episodes. Fetal growth restriction, as reflected by multiple measures of birth size, is not associated with the risk of a major depression or the subsequent recurrence of depressive episodes. Results of this study do not support a 'fetal programming' effect in depression.

The Effects of a Graded Activity Intervention for Low Back Pain in Occupational Health on Sick Leave, Functional Status and Pain: 12-Month Results of a Randomized Controlled Trial

Behaviorally oriented graded activity interventions have been suggested for sick-listed workers with low back pain on return to work, but have not been extensively evaluated. One hundred and thirty-four workers were randomly assigned to either a graded activity intervention (n = 67) or usual care (n = 67) and followed-up for 12 months. The graded activity group returned back to work faster with a median of 54 days compared to 67 days in the usual care group. The graded activity intervention was more effective after approximately 50 days post-randomization (HRR = 1.9, CI = 1.2-3.1, p = 0.01). Differences between the groups in number of recurrent episodes, total number of days of sick leave due to low back pain, and total number of days of sick leave due to all diagnoses, were in favor of the graded activity group, although not statistically significant. No effects of the graded activity intervention were found for functional status or pain. Graded activity intervention is a valuable strategy to enhance short-term return to work outcomes.

Invasive pneumococcal disease in patients infected with HIV: still a threat in the era of highly active antiretroviral therapy.

We studied all human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients with invasive pneumococcal disease who received their diagnosis during 1996-2002 to investigate the incidence of this disease in the highly active antiretroviral therapy era and to study the influence of CD4 lymphocyte count on the clinical presentation and outcome of disease. The overall incidence of invasive pneumococcal disease was 11.3 cases per 100,000 person-years in adult patients without known HIV infection and 677 cases per 100,000 person-years in HIV-infected patients. This incidence remained stable over the study period. Clinical presentation, severity of illness, and number of recurrent episodes were similar in patients with CD4+ cell counts of >200 or < or =200 cells/ microL. Patients receiving trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMZ) were more likely to present with TMP-SMZ-resistant pneumococci than were those who were not receiving this agent (76.7% vs. 43.6%; P=.007). The mortality rate was high (21%).

A refined estimate of the average lifetime cost of pelvic inflammatory disease.

The major complications of pelvic inflammatory disease (infertility, ectopic pregnancy, and chronic pelvic pain) are the leading cause of non-HIV sexually transmitted disease morbidity in the United States. The goal of the study was to estimate a plausible range for the average lifetime cost of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) and its major complications in a cohort of U.S. women of reproductive age. We developed a state-transition computer-based model to simulate the natural history of PID, incorporating the severity of infection, number of recurrent episodes, treatment setting, and the risk over time of major complications. Clinical and cost data were from the published literature. Model outcomes included life expectancy, quality-adjusted life expectancy, and lifetime costs. In a cohort of 100,000 females acquiring PID between 20 and 24 years of age, 8550 ectopic pregnancies, 16,800 cases of infertility, and 18,600 cases of chronic pelvic pain were projected to occur. Assuming a 3% annual discount rate, we found the average per-person lifetime cost to be $2150. Average lifetime costs for women who developed major complications were $6350 for chronic pelvic pain, $6840 for ectopic pregnancy, and $1270 for infertility. The majority of costs (79%) were accrued within 5 years of upper genital tract infection. Results were most sensitive to assumptions about the timing of major complications and the discount rate. The average per-person lifetime cost of PID ranges between $1060 and $3180. Future cost-effectiveness analyses of STD screening programs can include this range as a reasonable upper and lower bound. These findings suggest successful PID prevention efforts may avert substantial costs for care providers such as managed care organizations while providing well documented clinical benefits for women in the United States.

多変量分散分析を用いた抗精神病薬の治療効果，副作用の予測に関する臨床薬理学的研究 Ｂｒｏｍｐｅｒｉｄｏｌについて

In this study, we attempted to identify significant baseline factors for the clinical efficacy and side effects of bromperidol (BPD) using multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA).Subjects for this study consisted of 61 psychiatric patients, almost all of whom were schizophrenic. BPD was administered to the patients for 6 weeks by a non-fixed open method (dose and duration not fixed).Psychiatric symptoms and side effects were assessed using the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS) and UKU Side Effects Rating Scale at the time of initiation and after 6 weeks of the therapy. The background baseline characteristics of the patients were also evaluated: sex, age, height, weight, hereditary disposition of psychiatric disorders, diagnosis, duration of illness, number of recurrent episodes, acute exacerbation, responses to previous antipsychotics, daily dosage of BPD, concomitant antiparkinson drugs, and the plasma levels of BPD and prolactin.For the statistical analysis, to identify these baseline factors closely associated with a good prognosis and/or side effects, a multivariate analysis of variance was applied, using the Statistical Analysis System (SAS).A higher improvement rate of BPRS total score was obtained in the group with good response to previous antipsychotics, low daily dosage, high plasma levels of BPD, and low initial score of “anergia”, and in those without an acute exacerbation (the chronic course).The chronic course was associated with a significantly higher improvement rate of “hostile-suspiciousness”. Good response to previous antipsychotics was related to “anergia”, “thought-disturbance”, “activation” and “hostile-suspiciousness”. Low daily dosage was found to contribute to the improved “anxiety-depression”, “thought-disturbance”, “activation”. Higher plasma levels of BPD were related to “anxiety-depression”. A higher “anergia” subscale score was especially associated with the lower improvement rate of each subscale except “anxiety-depression” of BPRS. Regarding side effects, there were no identifiable factors contributable to side effects.These methods of multivariate analysis seem to be quite useful in the field of clinical psychopharmacology for the analysis of the great volume of data consisting of qualitative and quantitative factors, and also to identify those factors contributing to the effcacy and side effects.

Antibody response to herpes simplex virus glycoprotein D: effects of acyclovir and relation to recurrence.

We developed an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for measuring the antibody response to herpes simplex virus (HSV) glycoprotein D (gD). The ELISA was specific and more sensitive than immunoblotting techniques. Antibody to HSV gD was detected in 10 of 12 sera (geometric mean titer, 36.3) obtained from HSV-2-infected guinea pigs 14 days after intravaginal inoculation, and the titer increased to greater than or equal to 5,120 on day 60. Therapy with acyclovir delayed and diminished the antibody response to gD, although by day 60 the titers of antibody to gD in acyclovir-treated animals were not significantly different from those in controls. An increased titer of antibody to gD seemed to be associated with a reduced number of recurrent episodes and to a reduced number of days with recurrent lesions.