Long-term Treatment Success Research Articles

Do we still need a diverticuloscope for the flexible endoscopic septotomy of Zenker's diverticulum?

Zenker's diverticulum (ZD) is the most common type of diverticulum in the esophagus. The endoscopic septotomy of the diverticular wall has become a widely accepted treatment modality, but the recurrence rate is unclear. Our aim was to assess short-term and long-term success rates after flexible endoscopic septotomy for the treatment of ZD. All consecutive patients treated at our department for a ZD between November 2014 and September 2018 were included. Endoscopic septotomy was conducted using a diverticuloscope or a distal attachment cap. Data were retrospectively analyzed from a prospectively collected database. We collected data concerning patients, endoscopic procedures, and short-term clinical outcomes. All patients were reached by phone between October and December 2018 to assess long-term results. Seventy-seven patients were referred to our department for a ZD. Sixty patients were treated using a diverticuloscope and 17 patients with a distal attachment cap. For all 77 patients, the myotomy was technically successful. Three patients treated with a diverticuloscope reported complications. Initial treatment success was 93%. After a mean (±SEM) follow up of 23±2months, 66% of patients had persistent clinical remission. The rate of long-term treatment success was 72% in treatment-naïve and 50% in previously treated patients (P=0.13). Treatment success was 68% in patients treated with the diverticuloscope versus 60% in the group treated with a cap (P=0.75). The flexible endoscopic septotomy for the treatment of ZD is a safe and effective treatment of ZD, with or without a diverticuloscope.

Endoscopic necrosectomy under fluoroscopic guidance during transmural drainage of walled-off pancreatic necrosis (WOPN).

The endoscopic treatment of walled-off pancreatic necrosis (WOPN) as well as other minimally invasive methods have been evolving since last years. The aim of this study is evaluation of efficiency and safety of endoscopic necrosectomy under fluoroscopy done during the transmural drainage in patients with symptomatic WOPN. The retrospective analysis 114 consecutive patients with symptomatic WOPN were treated endoscopically in our medical center between 2011 and 2016. The retrospective analysis 114 consecutive patients with symptomatic WOPN were treated endoscopically in our medical center between 2011 and 2016. Endoscopic necrosectomy was performed under fluoroscopic guidance during transmural drainage in 24/114 (21.05%) patients. The mean amount of endoscopic procedures in each patient was 8.88 (3-27). The active drainage was continued averagely for 40.1 (11-96) days. The avarage number of necrosectomy procedures during continued drainage was 6.54 (1-24) per patient. Additional percutaneous drainage was applied in just two patients. The complications of endotherapy were present in 9/24 (37.5%) patients. The therapeutic success was reached in 23/24 (95.83%) patients. The mean time of observation was 35 [18-78] months. The recurrence of pancreatic fluid collection was stated in 4 patients during the observation time. The mean time between the end of endotherapy and recurrence of fluid collection was 19 [16-22] months. In three patients recurrent fluid collections were treated endoscopically and in one patient were treated surgically. Long-term success of endoscopic treatment of WOPN was reached in 22/24 (91.67%) patients. Endoscopic necrosectomy under fluoroscopic guidance during transmural drainage is successful and safe method of minimally invasive treatment in selected patients with walled-off pancreatic necrosis.

Results of the long-term observational noninterventional prospective study BODYGUARD in psoriasis patients

Introduction. Currently there is insufficient data regarding routine use of various topical treatments for plaque psoriasis outside from randomized clinical trials, their efficacy, cost-effectiveness and perception by dermatologists and patients. The primary rationale for this study was local data generation for the long-term (up to 52 weeks) treatment of body psoriasis in Russian patients’ population with fixed-dose combination of calcipotriol and betamethasone dipropionate in the formulation of gel to evaluate patient’s adherence to the therapy and their satisfaction level.Materials and methods. Primary study objectives were evaluation of the long-term (up to 52 weeks) treatment success of body psoriasis with fixed-dose combination of calcipotriol and betamethasone dipropionate gel by Physician (Physician Psoriasis Global Assessment (PsGA, 5-point scale)) and by patient (Patient’s Global Psoriasis Assessment (PaGA, 5-point scale) and overall patient’s satisfaction using 4-point scale), patient’s satisfaction with the treatment via Patient Preference Questionnaire (PPQ), patients’ adherence to the treatment using Questionnaire of Adherence, impact of treatment on patients’ quality of life using DLQI questionnaire, and patients’ readiness to buy topical therapy product out of pocket based on consumption of the study medication during follow up period. Patients received treatment with topical calcipotriol/betamethasone gel which was prescribed as a routine medication without connection to the study purposes for up to 8 weeks. After the treatment patients were followed up for up to 52 weeks; during this period they were allowed to continue treatment with either maintenance or intermittent schedule. 128 dermatologists participated in the study, 612 patients with body plaque psoriasis (mean age 42.0 ± 13.30 years) were included; from this sample 544 (88.7 %) patients underwent follow up.Results. All 612 included patients received initial therapy with calcipotriol/betamethasone gel; during follow-up period 410 (76.1 %) patients received treatment by any schedule (out of 539 assessed). Overall treatment success based on average PsGA score: initially 3.0 ± 0.54, after appr.8 weeks — 1.3 ± 0.80 and after appr.52 week 1.1 ± 0.96; based on average PaGA score — initially 3.0 ± 0.54, after appr.8 weeks — 1.5 ± 0.88 and after appr.52 week 1.1 ± 0.99. The proportion of patients which described their overall satisfaction with the treatment as “satisfied” or “absolutely satisfied” equaled 92.3 % at visit at the end of active treatment and 93.1 % at visit up to 52 weeks afterwards. Also at visit at the end of active treatment 93.8 % of patients considered their current treatment as “more effective” than previous topical treatment they received. Patients’ adherence to the therapy was satisfactory — average application rate of calcipotriol/betamethasone (should be applied daily) gel at the last 7 days of treatment at visit at the end of active treatment comprised 5.6 ± 2.6 days, which means that 6 out of 7 days of the treatment were not missed. Initial DLQI score was 13.6 ± 5.95 and it reduced down to 3.89 ± 5.95 at visit at the end of active treatment (p < 0.001) reflecting positive impact of successful therapy on patients’ psychosocial wellbeing.Discussion. Results of this study provides additional information regarding routine topical therapy in patients with plaque psoriasis. These findings demonstrate that the therapy of body plaque psoriasis with calcipotriol/betamethasone gel is effective both in short and long term according to the evaluation by dermatologists and by patients themselves. This therapy provides good rate of adherence and patients’ satisfaction as well as affects positively at patients’ psychosocial wellbeing assessed by DLQI score.

Endovascular therapy of direct dural carotid cavernous fistulas - A therapy assessment study including long-term follow-up patient interviews.

PurposeEndovascular embolization nowadays is a well-established treatment option for direct carotid cavernous fistulas (dCCF, Barrow Type A). There are many publications on the complication and success rates of this method. However, little is known on the patients´ opinion on the treatment result after several years. We report on this issue also including the “pioneer patients” treated almost two decades ago.MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed the records of all patient (n = 25) with a more than 24 months follow-up interval after endovascular treatment of a dCCF at our institution from 01/1999 to 08/2018. We determined primary therapy success, complication rate, state of the fistula in the last imaging follow-up and quoted the patient’s subjective perception of the long-term treatment success using a standardized interview form.ResultsOcclusion rate in the last imaging follow up was 96% (24/25) with a complication rate of 8% (2/25). The response rate on our interview request was 96% (24/25) with a rate of considered feedback of 84% (21/25 patients). Duration of our observation interval for the patient reported outcome was 143 months / 11 years (median, range: 35–226 m / 2–18 y). Most of them (21/25, 84%) felt they benefited from the treatment.ConclusionsEndovascular supply of dCCF is a highly effective treatment method leading to a sustainable therapy success with long-lasting stable subjective benefit even to our “pioneer patients” treated almost two decades ago.

Insights into the pathogenesis of nicotine addiction. Could a salivary biosensor be useful in Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT)?

Nicotine has gained the attention of the medical community due to its insidious addictive mechanisms which lead to chronic consumption. The multitude of compounds derived from tobacco smoke have local and systemic negative impacts, resulting in a large number of smoking-related pathologies. The present review offers insights into nicotine addiction physiopathology, as well as social and medical implications, with emphasis on its correlation with Advanced Glycation End Products (AGEs). Therapeutic strategies and new approaches to nicotine assessment and cessation treatment are discussed, noting that such strategies could take into account the possibility of slow and gradual nicotine release from a device attached to a prosthetic piece, based on salivary nicotine-concentration feedback. This approach could offer real-time and home-based self-therapy monitoring by the physician and the patient for follow-up and improve long-term cessation treatment success- Graphical abstract.

Immunomodulation in Oncolytic Measles Virotherapy.

With the recognition of oncolytic virotherapy as an immunotherapy, the distinct interactions between oncolytic agents and the immune system have come into focus. The role of the immune system in oncolytic virotherapy is somewhat ambiguous: While preexisting or arising immunity directed against viral antigens may preclude efficient viral replication and spread, immunity directed against tumor antigens is considered essential for long-term treatment success. Aside from the antiviral and antitumor immune status of the patient, the specific immunological microenvironment in a given tumor adds an additional layer of complexity.In this review we focus on the case of measles virus, which has long been known for its multifaceted interplay with the immune system. The high prevalence of measles-neutralizing antibodies in the general population may pose additional challenges. The oncolytic measles virus vector platform offers manifold opportunities for tumor-targeted immunomodulation. This review provides a survey of immunomodulation in the context of measles virotherapy including strategies to suppress or circumvent antiviral immunity as well as enhance antitumor immunity that have been pursued in preclinical and clinical studies. Understanding and selective manipulation of the intricate balance between antiviral and antitumor immunity will be crucial to develop the full potential of oncolytic virotherapy.

Predictors for outcome in acute lateral epicondylitis

BackgroundLateral epicondylitis or tennis elbow is a frequent condition with long-lasting symptoms. In order to identify predictors for treatment success and pain in lateral epicondylitis, we used data from a randomized controlled trial. This trial investigated the efficacy of physiotherapy alone or combined with corticosteroid injection for acute lateral epicondylitis in general practice.MethodsThe outcomes treatment success and pain score on VAS were assessed at 6, 12, 26 and 52 weeks. We ran a univariate binary logistic regression with generalized estimating equations (GEE) and subsequently an adjusted multilevel logistic regression to analyze the association between potential prognostic indicators and the outcome success/ no success. To assess the changes in pain score we used a two-level multilevel linear regression (MLR) followed by an adjusted MLR model with random effects.ResultsThe most consistent predictor for reduced treatment success at all time points was a high Pain Free Function Index score signifying more pain on everyday activities. Being on paid sick-leave and having a recurring complaint increased short term treatment success but gave decreased long-term treatment success. The patients reporting symptoms after engaging in probable overuse in an unusual activity, tended towards increased treatment success at all time-points, but significant only at 12 weeks. The most consistent predictor of increased pain at all time points was a higher overall complaints score at baseline.Conclusions: Our results suggest that in treating acute lateral epicondylitis, a consideration of baseline pain, a registration of the patient’s overall complaint on a VAS scale and an assessment of the patient’s perceived performance in everyday activities with the Pain Free Function Index can be useful in identifying patients that will have a more protracted and serious condition.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00826462. Date of registration January 22, 2009. The Trial was prospectively registrated.

Long-term Success Durability of Transobturator Male Sling

To determine the long-term outcome of transobturator sling for male stress urinary incontinence (SUI) clustered according to preoperative SUI severity, and to identify predictors of treatment success durability and failure occurrence in long-term follow-up. A nonconcurrent study was conducted on all transobturator male sling cases performed from August 2006 to June 2012 by a single surgeon. Preoperative SUI severity was clustered into mild (≤2 ppd), moderate (3-4 ppd) or severe (≥5 ppd). Success was defined as complete dryness with 0 pads used (cured), and a patient with ≥50% improvement, satisfied without further procedures needed. Otherwise it was considered a treatment failure. Clinical variables significantly associated with long-term treatment success were determined. Time-to-event (Kaplan-Meier) and Multiple-Cox regression analysis were performed to determine predictors of long-term treatment outcome. A total of 215 patients (mild-59, moderate-94, and severe-62) with a mean follow-up of 56.4 ± 41.6 months were included. On long-term follow-up, 150 (69.8%) patients-maintained treatment success and 96 (44.7%) were dry. The long-term outcome success clustered according to SUI severity as mild, moderate, and severe was 84.7%, 72.3%, and 51.6%, respectively. Kaplan-Meier with Log-rank test and Multiple Cox-regression determined that both concomitant urge incontinence and preoperative SUI severity were independent predictors of long-term durability of treatment success and failure occurrence. Preoperative SUI severity was the only predictor of long-term cure sustainability. The time to event analysis with an average of ∼5 years postoperative follow-up has determined that the preoperative severity and presence of concomitant urge incontinence were independent predictors for long-term outcome.

Opposing roles for amygdala and vmPFC in the return of appetitive conditioned responses in humans

Learning accounts of addiction and obesity emphasize the persistent power of Pavlovian reward cues to trigger craving and increase relapse risk. While extinction can reduce conditioned responding, Pavlovian relapse phenomena—the return of conditioned responding following successful extinction—challenge the long-term success of extinction-based treatments. Translational laboratory models of Pavlovian relapse could therefore represent a valuable tool to investigate the mechanisms mediating relapse, although so far human research has mostly focused on return of fear phenomena. To this end we developed an appetitive conditioning paradigm with liquid food rewards in combination with a 3-day design to investigate the return of appetitive Pavlovian responses and the involved neural structures in healthy subjects. Pavlovian conditioning (day 1) was assessed in 62 participants, and a subsample (n = 33) further completed extinction (day 2) and a reinstatement test (day 3). Conditioned responding was assessed on explicit (pleasantness ratings) and implicit measures (reaction time, skin conductance, heart rate, startle response) and reinstatement effects were further evaluated using fMRI. We observed a return of conditioned responding during the reinstatement test, evident by enhanced skin conductance responses, accompanied by enhanced BOLD responses in the amygdala. On an individual level, psychophysiological reinstatement intensity was significantly anticorrelated with ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) activation, and marginally anticorrelated with enhanced amygdala-vmPFC connectivity during late reinstatement. Our results extend evidence from return of fear phenomena to the appetitive domain, and highlight the role of the vmPFC and its functional connection with the amygdala in regulating appetitive Pavlovian relapse.

13: Short-, mid-, and long-term incontinence outcomes in women undergoing mid-urethral sling procedures

The primary aim was to compare short-, mid-, and long-term subjective treatment success in women undergoing MUS for stress urinary incontinence (SUI). Women undergoing a primary MUS between 2001 and 2009 were identified by CPT code. Eligible patients were mailed the Urinary Distress Inventory (UDI-6), Pelvic Floor Impact Questionnaire (PFIQ-7), Patient Global Impression of Improvement (PGI-I), and Patient Satisfaction Questionnaire (PSQ). Patients in the long-term cohort were asked whether to undergo a MUS procedure again. Follow-up intervals were categorized as short-term (≤ 36 months), mid-term (36-70 months), and long-term (119 -200 months). Treatment success was defined as responses of “not at all” or “somewhat” to both SUI subscales on the UDI-6. Chi-squared tests for categorical variables, and analysis of variance (ANOVA) or Kruskal-Wallis for continuous variables were utilized. Logistic regression was used to examine the association between follow-up group and subjective treatment success, between short- and combined mid- and long-term follow-up groups after adjustment for covariates. Of N=896 respondents, 361 were assessed short-term (mean: 23.3±7.2 months), 251 mid-term (49.8±9.1 months), and 284 in long-term (147.9±20.6 months) follow-up. Differences were significant for age (short: 60.9±11.6, mid: 60.3 ± 12.5, long: 58.4±10.5, p=0.03), smoking status, prior prolapse surgery, and perioperative vaginal estrogen use (all p<0.05). Treatment success differed among groups: 75.4% in the short-, 62.3% mid-, and 67.0% long-term groups, p<0.01. Logistic regression showed that women with mid- or long-term follow up were nearly half as likely as their short-term counterparts to report subjective treatment success, adjusted Odds Ratio OR 0.51, 95% Confidence Interval CI, 0.36, 0.74. Median UDI-6 and PFIQ-7 scores revealed significant differences among short-, mid- and long-term follow-up, all p<0.01 (Table). Findings were similar for the PGI-I, p<0.01. Patient satisfaction was similar: “completely” and “somewhat satisfied” in 83.3% short-, 76.6% mid-, 78.2% long-term (p = 0.09) follow-up. In the long-term group, 73.1% reported they would undergo a MUS again. Subjective treatment success, post-operative symptom severity, and condition-specific QOL differed among short-, mid-, and long-term groups, with higher success and improved symptoms in the short-term group in women undergoing MUS. There is a drop to mid- and long-term success which is stable and sustained to 12 years; high satisfaction was sustained across the follow-up groups. Given the paucity of data on long-term outcomes of MUS, this information is valuable and informs to patient expectations.

If You Build It, Will They Use It? Preferences for Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) Adherence Monitoring Among People Who Inject Drugs (PWID) in Kazakhstan.

Adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) is an important predictor of long-term treatment success and is associated with optimal individual and public health outcomes. Novel technologies, such as electronic monitoring devices (EMDs) or pharmacokinetic testing, provide more objective measures of ART adherence than traditional measures of adherence (e.g., self-report) and may facilitate improved adherence through the provision of patient feedback. This study examines preferences for ART adherence monitoring among people who inject drugs (PWID) in Kazakhstan. In-depth interviews were conducted with 20 HIV-positive PWID, 18 of their intimate partners, and 7 AIDS Center healthcare providers in Almaty, Kazakhstan. Results indicated that patients varied in their preferences of which strategies would be most effective and acceptable to use in monitoring their adherence. Overall, patients were highly enthusiastic about the potential use of pharmacokinetic testing. Many participants supported the use of EMDs, though some were concerned about having their adherence tracked. Other participants thought reminders through text messaging or smart phone applications would be helpful, though several had concerns about confidentiality and others worried about technological difficulties operating a smart phone. Future studies should evaluate the feasibility and impact of providing quantitative drug levels as feedback for ART adherence using biomarkers of longer-term ART exposure, (i.e., hair sampling or dried blood spot testing).

Early percutaneous cholecystostomy versus antibiotic treatment for mild and moderate acute cholecystitis: A retrospective cohort study

Percutaneous cholecystostomy (PC) is an effective treatment for severe acute cholecystitis (AC). Guidelines recommend PC as rescue therapy for patients with mild or moderate AC who do not receive emergent cholecystectomy. This study aims to investigate whether PC could be a first-line treatment for these patients. Adult patients admitted through the emergency department between October 2004 and December 2013 were retrospectively reviewed. Patients with mild or moderate AC who did not undergo emergent cholecystectomy were included. Early PC was defined as a PC tube inserted within 24h of diagnosis. The outcomes were compared between patients who received antibiotics plus early PC (early PC group) and those who received antibiotic treatment alone (antibiotic group). A total of 698 patients were included. The mean age was 63.4 years. There were 171 patients in the early PC group and 527 patients in the antibiotic group. Multivariable logistic regression analyses indicated that early PC was significantly associated with a decreased rate of prolonged fever (odds ratio [OR], 0.31; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.16-0.57; p<0.001). Early PC also correlated with both increased short-term (OR, 15.95; 95% CI, 5.73-44.38; p<0.001) and long-term treatment success (OR, 4.27; 95% CI, 2.55-7.15; p<0.001). For patients with mild/moderate AC without emergent cholecystectomy, early PC might expedite sepsis resolution and improve the treatment success rate compared with antibiotic treatment alone. This result should be deemed as hypothesis-generating and should be examined in a randomized controlled trial.

Interactions between neural decision-making circuits predict long-term dietary treatment success in obesity

Although dietary decision-making is regulated by multiple interacting neural controllers, their impact on dietary treatment success in obesity has only been investigated individually. Here, we used fMRI to test how well interactions between the Pavlovian system (automatically triggering urges of consumption after food cue exposure) and the goal-directed system (considering long-term consequences of food decisions) predict future dietary success achieved in 39 months. Activity of the Pavlovian system was measured with a cue-reactivity task by comparing perception of food versus control pictures, activity of the goal-directed system with a food-specific delay discounting paradigm. Both tasks were applied in 30 individuals with obesity up to five times: Before a 12-week diet, immediately thereafter, and at three annual follow-up visits. Brain activity was analyzed in two steps. In the first, we searched for areas involved in Pavlovian processes and goal-directed control across the 39-month study period with voxel-wise linear mixed-effects (LME) analyses. In the second, we computed network parameters reflecting the covariation of longitudinal voxel activity (i.e. principal components) in the regions identified in the first step and used them to predict body mass changes across the 39 months with LME models. Network analyses testing the link of dietary success with activity of the individual systems as reference found a moderate negative link to Pavlovian activity primarily in left hippocampus and a moderate positive association to goal-directed activity primarily in right inferior parietal gyrus. A cross-paradigm network analysis that integrated activity measured in both tasks revealed a strong positive link for interactions between visual Pavlovian areas and goal-directed decision-making regions mainly located in right insular cortex. We conclude that adaptation of food cue processing resources to goal-directed control activity is an important prerequisite of sustained dietary weight loss, presumably since the latter activity can modulate Pavlovian urges triggered by frequent cue exposure in everyday life.

Initial tissue repair predicts long-term clinical success of knee joint distraction as treatment for knee osteoarthritis

Knee joint distraction (KJD), a joint-preserving surgery for severe osteoarthritis (OA), provides clinical and structural improvement and postpones the need for total knee arthroplasty (TKA). This study evaluates 9-year treatment outcome and identifies characteristics predicting long-term treatment success. Patients with severe tibiofemoral OA (n=20; age<60 years) indicated for TKA were treated with KJD. Questionnaires, radiographs, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were used for evaluation. Survival after treatment was analyzed, where 'failure' was defined by TKA over time. 9-year survival was 48%, and 72% for men (compared to 14% for women; P=0.035) and 73% for those with a first-year minimum joint space width (JSW) increase of >0.5mm (compared to 0% for <0.05mm; P=0.002). Survivors still reported clinical improvement compared to baseline (ΔWOMAC+29.9 points (95%CI 16.9-42.9; P=0.001), ΔVAS-46.8mm (-31.6-61.9; P<0.001)). Surprisingly, patients getting TKA years after KJD still reported clinical improvement although less pronounced (ΔWOMAC+20.5 points (-1.8-42.8; P=0.067), ΔVAS-25.4mm (-3.2-47.7; P=0.030)). Survivors showed long-lasting minimum JSW increase (baseline 0.3mm (IQR 1.9), follow-up 1.3mm (2.5); P=0.017) while 'failures' did not (baseline 0.4mm (1.8), follow-up 0.2mm (1.5); P=0.161). First-year minimum JSW on radiographs and cartilage thickness increase on MRI predict 9-year survival (HR 0.05 and 0.12, respectively; both P<0.026). Male gender was associated with survival (HR 0.24; P=0.050). KJD shows long-lasting clinical and structural improvement. In addition to a greater survival rate for males (>two out of three), the initial cartilage repair activity appears to be important for long-term clinical success.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging Parameters at 1 Year Correlate With Clinical Outcomes Up to 17 Years After Autologous Chondrocyte Implantation.

Background:The ability to predict the long-term success of surgical treatment in orthopaedics is invaluable, particularly in clinical trials. The quality of repair tissue formed 1 year after autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI) in the knee was analyzed and compared with clinical outcomes over time.Hypothesis:Better quality repair tissue and a better appearance on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) 1 year after ACI lead to improved longer-term clinical outcomes.Study Design:Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3.Methods:Repair tissue quality was assessed using either MRI (11.5 ± 1.4 [n = 91] or 39.2 ± 18.5 [n = 76] months after ACI) or histology (16.3 ± 11.0 months [n = 102] after ACI). MRI scans were scored using the whole-organ magnetic resonance imaging score (WORMS) and the magnetic resonance observation of cartilage repair tissue (MOCART) score, with additional assessments of subchondral bone marrow and cysts. Histology of repair tissue was performed using the Oswestry cartilage score (OsScore) and the International Cartilage Repair Society (ICRS) II score. Clinical outcomes were assessed using the modified Lysholm score preoperatively, at the time of MRI or biopsy, and at a mean 8.4 ± 3.7 years (maximum, 17.8 years) after ACI.Results:At 12 months, the total MOCART score and some of its individual parameters correlated significantly with clinical outcomes. The degree of defect fill, overall signal intensity, and surface of repair tissue at 12 months also significantly correlated with longer-term outcomes. The presence of cysts or effusion (WORMS) significantly correlated with clinical outcomes at 12 months, while the presence of synovial cysts/bursae preoperatively or the absence of loose bodies at 12 months correlated significantly with long-term clinical outcomes. Thirty percent of repair tissue biopsies contained hyaline cartilage, 65% contained fibrocartilage, and 5% contained fibrous tissue. Despite no correlation between the histological scores and clinical outcomes at the time of biopsy, a lack of hyaline cartilage or poor basal integration was associated with increased pain; adhesions visible on MRI also correlated with significantly better histological scores.Conclusion:These results demonstrate that MRI at 12 months can predict longer-term clinical outcomes after ACI. Further investigation regarding the presence of cysts, effusion, and adhesions and their relationship with histological and clinical outcomes may yield new insights into the mechanisms of cartilage repair and potential sources of pain.

Antiretroviral implants for treatment and prevention of HIV infection.

Poor adherence to oral antiretroviral formulations remains the major barrier to the success of long-term treatment and prevention strategies. Although a number of approaches have been developed for long-acting parenteral delivery of antiretroviral drugs, subcutaneous implants are a particularly promising technology as they may be able to provide protective drugs concentrations for a year or longer following a single implant. This review addresses the current status of preclinical and clinical development of antiretroviral implants. Subcutaneous implants have been widely used for hormonal contraception and the treatment of hormonally driven malignancies for more than 3 decades. These implants are economical to manufacture and deliver, but require special procedures for insertion and removal. They are generally well tolerated and can remain in place for as long as 5 years. A small number of investigational implants are under development for the delivery of antiretroviral drugs. The most advanced of these, containing the investigational antiretroviral MK-8591 (4'-ethynyl-2-fluoro-2'-deoxyadenosine), a potent nucleoside analog reverse transcriptase translocation inhibitor that demonstrates particular promise for subcutaneous implantation, is closest to testing in human subjects. Investigational implants containing tenofovir alafenamide and nevirapine have also been developed and tested in animal models. Long-acting antiretroviral implants are a promising new technology, but are in very early stages of development. Potential advantages of these systems include more consistent and predictable drug release than intramuscular injections, and the fact that implants can be removed in the case of adverse events or the desire to stop treatment.

The role of endoscopic treatment of pancreatic duct disruption in patients with walled-off pancreatic necrosis.

The place of endoscopic techniques in the treatment of main pancreatic duct (MPD) disruption arising in the course of acute necrotizing pancreatitis (ANP) remains unclear. The aim of this study was to describe the findings of endoscopic retrograde pancreatography (ERP) in patients with walled-off necrosis (WON). It was attempted to evaluate the role of endoscopic treatment of pancreatic duct disruption in patients with WON. The retrospective analysis of results and complications with particular emphasis to all ERP procedures in the group of 226 patients was conducted, which underwent endoscopic treatment of symptomatic WON between years 2001 and 2016 in the Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology of Medical University of Gdańsk. ERP was performed in 204/226 (90.27%) patients. Partial and complete disruption of the MPD were identified in 103 (50.49%) and 63 (30.89%) out of 204 patients, respectively. Endoscopic treatment was used in all 166 patients with MPD disruption. The success of endoscopic treatment of MPD disruption was achieved in 138/161 (85.71%) patients with WON. The therapeutic success of WON endotherapy was achieved in 214/226 (94.69%) patients. The mean follow-up duration was 56 (SD = 37.06) [range 14-158] months. Long-term success of treatment of WON was achieved in 182/226 (80.53%) patients. MPD disruption occurs in the majority of patients with WON. Partial disruption of the MPD is more frequent than complete disruption of the duct. This study conducted on a large group of patients demonstrated that prosthesis insertion into the MPD in patients with disruption of the MPD in the course of ANP is one of the key elements in endoscopic treatment of WON. Passive transpapillary drainage is an effective method of treating MPD disruptions, which improves long-term outcomes of endoscopic treatment in patients with WON.

SOP beim akuten Koronarsyndrom – Update 2018

ZusammenfassungIn den Leitlinien zum akuten Koronarsyndrom (ACS) sind die Behandlungsoptionen, aber auch die Notwendigkeit der Netzwerkbildung zwischen den Bereichen der Versorgung festgeschrieben. Wir beschäftigen uns in diesem Beitrag mit der Umsetzung der Leitlinien in krankenhausbezogene SOP am Beispiel des ST-Hebungsinfarkts (STEMI).

Non-interventional study to collect data for the application of lidocaine gel 2% during scaling and root planing and professional mechanical plaque removal

ObjectivesEvaluation of the safety and efficacy of a topical lidocaine gel 2% (LG) during scaling and root planing (SRP) and professional mechanical plaque removal (PMPR).Materials and methodsThe anesthetic effects as well as unwanted effects of LG prior to or during SRP and PMPR were evaluated in an observational, non-randomized, non-interventional study design. A total of 385 treatments were recorded in 68 study centers all over Germany. Rating of the anesthetic effect of LG by treating personnel and patients using a four-item verbal rating scale (VRS), tolerability, safety (adverse effects), and need for additional local injection anesthesia (ALI).ResultsIn SRP as well as in PMPR, application of LG allowed a sufficiently pain-free therapy in more than 90% of the patients as stated on the VRS (SRP: 97.8%, PMPR: 93.75%). Overall, ALI was needed in only 4.23% of the patients treated (SRP: 5.3%, PMPR: 2.62%). One adverse effect occurred within the observation.ConclusionsApplication of LG may offer a safe and effective way to achieve pain-free therapy in periodontal patients.Clinical relevancePatient compliance is key to the success of periodontal maintenance therapy. Effective and safe pain control during various kinds of periodontal therapy might increase patient compliance and therefore contribute to the long-term treatment success, among other factors. With regard to the patients observed in this study, 47% had previously received periodontal maintenance therapy and were therefore familiar with the treatment and the associated pain.

Le cyclophosphamide dans le syndrome néphrotique idiopathique : résultats et perspectives

IntroductionCyclophosphamide (CYP) has been used for over 40 years in patients with steroid-sensitive nephrotic syndrome (NSSS) presenting frequent relapses (NSRF) or steroid dependence (NSSD). However, the long-term success of treatment with cyclophosphamide is difficult to predict. The objectives of this study are to determine long-term outcomes of cyclophosphamide and identify the factors associated with sustained remission. MethodsWe retrospectively studied the data from 50 patients with idiopathic nephrotic syndrome, treated by oral cyclophosphamide and followed at service of pediatric for more than 8 years for idiopathic nephrotic syndrome and related factors for survival without relapse were evaluated by univariate analysis. ResultsThe median age at the time of diagnosis was 4.3 years, and median follow-up time was 1.7 years with the median of 8 years at the first use of CYC. Patients had received a median cumulative dose of 168mg/kg. At the end of follow-up, 38% of patients entered into remission after using CYC while 62% failed to respond and further relapses then occur. The median time of stopping corticosteroid therapy was three month. The survival without relapse was respectively 56% (28 patients), 52% (26 patients), 48% (24 patients), and 38% (19 patients), at 6 months, one year, two years and more than two years. In univariate analysis, the survival without relapse was related to the age at the moment of starting the therapy par CYC (the median was 5 months for an age < 8 years and 41 months for an age≥8 years; P=0.049), the type of nephrotic syndrome [36 months for SNRF, 4 months for NSSD and nephrothic syndrome steroid resistant (NSSR); P=0.068], and the histological lesion (6 months for diffuse mesangial proliferation, 2 months for segmental glomerulosclerosis; P=0.009). The age at the moment of diagnosis, the sex and the cumulative dose of CYC did not have significant influence. ConclusionThe results presented in this study suggest the use of oral cyclophosphamide for short period remain second line effective therapy. Further well-designed trials are required to evaluate the efficacy of other steroid-sparing agents.