Ulcers In High-risk Patients Research Articles

Aetiology, risk factors and treatment of typical and atypical pressure ulcers in patients with traumatic brain injury: A narrative review.

Pressure ulcers are one of the leading complications in bedridden patients that result in multiple burdens on healthcare systems and patients (11 billion dollars/year). The prevalence of pressure ulcers in traumatic brain injury patients is 1.5-fold compared with the other bedridden patients. Moreover, critical traumatic brain injury patients who are admitted to the intensive care unit experience severe pressure ulcers and further complications. The motor/sensory disabilities and low supplementation and oxygenation to the pressured side were the main mechanisms of the typical pressure ulcers. Intellectual evaluation is the first essential step to prevent the development of pressure ulcers in high-risk patients. Till now, different scales, including Injury Scale Score and Braden Scale Score, have been provided to assess the pressure ulcer. Since low stages of pressure ulcers heal rapidly, traumatic brain injury patients require a periodical assessment to prevent further developments timely. Alongside different procedures provided to prevent and treat any pressure ulcer, traumatic brain injury patients required additional specific protections. For the first line, fast and efficient rehabilitation repairs motor/sensory disabilities and decreases the chance of pressure ulcer. Our review indicated that pressure ulcer in traumatic brain injury had several complex mechanisms that demand special care. Therefore, further studies are required to address these mechanisms and prevent their progression to typical and atypical pressure ulcers.

Impact of hydrocolloid dressings in the prevention of pressure ulcers in high-risk patients: a randomized controlled trial (PENFUP)

It is uncertain whether hydrocolloid dressings, a more costly intervention than offering standard care with petrolatum, is superior to prevent pressure ulcers among hospitalized high-risk adults. Randomized, parallel-group, open-label, superiority trial with an active control group, blinded for investigators, event validators, and analysts (December 1, 2015 to December 12, 2017). Eligible patients were ≥ 18 years of age with intact skin judged as high-risk for skin ulcers (Braden scale), admitted to surgical or medical wards of two tertiary-level hospitals. Participants were randomized (1:1) to protection with hydrocolloid dressings or petrolatum. The primary outcome was the first occurrence of pressure ulcers (with post-injury photographs adjudicated by three judges) under intention-to-treat analysis. Based on prior cost analysis, and the available resources (assumed incidence of 6 ulcers/1000 patient-days in controls), inclusion of up to 1500 participants allowed to surpass a one-sided superiority threshold > 5% based on a target efficacy > 40% for dressings. We planned an economic analysis using a decision tree model based on the effectiveness of the study results from a perspective of the third payer of health care. After inclusion of 689 patients (69 events), the trial was stopped for futility after a planned interim analysis (conditional power < 0.1 for all scenarios if the trial was completed). Pressure ulcers had occurred in 34 (10.2%) patients in the intervention group [9.6 per 1000 patient-days] and 35 (9.9%) participants in the control group [7.9 per 1000 patient-days], HR = 1.07 [95% CI 0.67 to 1.71]. The estimated incremental cost for dressings (a dominated strategy) was USD 52.11 per patient. Using hydrocolloid dressings was found similar to petrolatum for preventing pressure ulcers among hospitalized high-risk patients. As it conveys additional costs, and in this study was unlikely to demonstrate enough superiority, this strategy did not overcome conventional skin care.Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier (NCT number): NCT02565745 registered on December 1, 2015.

A Systematic Review of Pressure Ulcers Prevention

Introduction: Pressure ulcers in high-risk patients are contributes to patient burden and cost financially. Identifying strategies on the prevention of high ulcers among those with high risk is necessity. Nevertheless, an intense study exploring those issues is scarce. The study aimed to analyze the prevention method and their effectiveness in pressure ulcer prevention. Method: This study used PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis) to guide the systematic review process. The article searches were conducted on Web of Science (WOS), ScienceDirect, Wiley Online Library, and Scopus using the keywords used Decubitus Ulcer, Pressure Ulcer, Management, and Prevention, and any possible combinations. Results: A total of 18 studies met the inclusion criteria for this review and show some different prevention for a pressure ulcer. The findings of the present study are foam dressings, support surfaces, repositioning, topical-based interventions, wearable patient sensors, and two distinct endotracheal tube fixations affect the incidence of pressure ulcers. Conclusions: This current review emphasized a bundle care consisted of two methods or more are effective to reduce the incidence of pressure ulcers rather than a single treatment. Nurses should consider intervention to prevent ulcers among high-risk patients by way analyses of each single treatment prior bundling. Further study investigating factors associated wound’s ulcer healing is necessary.

Use of Medical-Grade Honey to Treat Clinically Infected Heel Pressure Ulcers in High-Risk Patients: A Prospective Case Series.

Management of locally infected heel-pressure ulcers (HPUs) remains challenging, and given the increasing occurrence of infections resistant to antibiotic therapy and patients' unwillingness to surgery, innovative and effective approaches must be considered. Medical-grade honey (MGH) could be an alternative therapeutic approach due to its broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity and healing properties. This study aimed to present the high effectiveness and safety of MGH for the conservative treatment of clinically infected HPUs. In this case series, we have prospectively studied nine patients with local signs of infected HPUs. In all cases, HPUs persisted for more than 4 weeks, and previous treatments with topical antibiotics or antiseptic products were ineffective. All patients were at high-risk to develop HPU infection due to their advanced age (median age of 86 years), several comorbidities, and permanent immobility. All wounds were treated with MGH products (L-Mesitran), leading to infection resolution within 3-4 weeks and complete wound healing without complication. Considering the failure of previous treatments and the chronic nature of the wounds, MGH was an effective treatment. MGH-based products are clinically and cost-effective for treating hard-to-heal pressure ulcers such as HPUs. Thus, MGH can be recommended as an alternative or complementary therapy in wound healing.

Effects of soft silicone polyurethane foam dressings for the prevention of pressure ulcers in high-risk patients: Factors associated with pressure injury

Effects of soft silicone polyurethane foam dressings for the prevention of pressure ulcers in high-risk patients: Factors associated with pressure injury

Clopidogrel-Induced Gastric Injury in Rats is Attenuated by Stable Gastric Pentadecapeptide BPC 157.

AimAlthough Clopidogrel is safe in healthy volunteers, it can induce recurrence of gastric ulcers in high-risk patients. Here, we investigated the protective effect of the natural product, stable gastric pentadecapeptide 157 (BPC 157) on Clopidogrel-induced gastric injury.MethodsWe used acetic acid to induce gastric ulcer in Sprague Dawley rats. Clopidogrel alone or in combination with BPC 157 or L-NAME (nitric oxide system blockade) were administered after healing of acetic acid-induced ulcer. One percent methylcellulose solution was used as control. Ulcer recurrence rate and the ulcer index were compared between these groups. Gastric mucosal apoptosis rate, microscopic inflammation activity and angiogenesis markers vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A) and CD34 were examined by TUNEL, histological evaluations (HE) and immunohistochemistry (IHC). Pathways involved, expressions of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress apoptosis marker CHOP, angiogenic markers VEGF-A and its receptor VEGFR1, and endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) were all analyzed by Western blot.ResultsThis study indicated that Clopidogrel significantly induced the gastric ulcers recurrence, severe inflammation and ER stress related apoptosis of the gastric mucosa, suppressed the synthesis of angiogenic markers and eNOS. Furthermore, Clopidrogel intervention resulted in the activation of protein kinase B (AKT) and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38/MAPK). BPC 157 attenuated the gastric mucosal damage caused by Clopidogrel and reversed these molecular effects. However, NO blockade L-NAME weakened the protective effect and thus the molecular effects of BPC 157 on gastric mucosa.ConclusionIn conclusion, these results suggest that BPC 157 inhibited Clopidogrel-induced gastric mucosa injury partially by inhibition of gastric mucosa cell ER stress-mediated apoptosis and inflammation, and promoting gastric mucosa angiogenesis via VEGF-A/VEGFR1 mediated-AKT/p38/MAPK signaling pathways.

Effects of Multilayer Silicone Foam Dressings for the Prevention of Pressure Ulcers in High-Risk Patients: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Objective: To determine whether multilayer silicone foam dressings can prevent pressure ulcers arising in the sacrum and coccyx of patients with persistent severe diarrhea and/or fragile skin. Approach: This randomized, 14-day controlled trial included 600 hospitalized patients with persistent severe diarrhea and/or fragile skin who were at high risk of developing pressure ulcers. All participants were enrolled from three Japanese institutions. Participants meeting all inclusion and exclusion criteria were randomized using the Excel program to receive standard care (control; n = 300) recommended by Japanese guidelines or multilayer silicone foam dressings applied to the sacrum and coccyx (intervention; n = 300). Results: Significantly more participants in the control than the intervention group developed pressure ulcers (22 vs. 5, p = 0.001). Innovation: The incidence of pressure ulcers remains high in hospitalized patients at high risk of developing pressure ulcers. The present findings might contribute to novel preventive strategies for patients at high risk of developing pressure ulcers. Conclusion: Multilayer silicone foam dressings can prevent pressure ulcers of the sacrum and coccyx in patients with persistent severe diarrhea and/or fragile skin.

Use of Hydrocolloid Dressings in Preventing Pressure Ulcers in High-risk Patients: a Retrospective Cohort

This work sought to evaluate the association between using preventive hydrocolloid dressings and the onset of pressure ulcers in hospitalized patients. Retrospective cohort study that included adult patients with high risk of pressure ulcers (PU) evaluated according to the Braden scale and who had been admitted with preventive purposes to a skin care program. The preventive care prescribed by the nursing staff included using hydrocolloid dressing plus conventional care (HD+CC) or only conventional care (CC), in a tier IV hospital in Bogotá, Colombia. Information was obtained from the clinical records of the demographic variables, health, and complications during hospitalization. One-hundred seventy subjects were included in the study (23 in HD+CC and 147 in CC). In all, 30.4% of the patients in the HD+CC group and 17% in the CC group had PU during follow up (p=0.15). The ratio between the type of preventive treatment received and the development of PU obtained a raw Hazzard ratio (HR) of 1.35 (CI95%: 0.58-3.14; p=0.48) and HR adjusted for confounding variables of 1.06 (CI95%: 0.29-3.84 p=0.92). Our results showed no superiority of HD+CC against CC in preventing PU in adult patients with high risk according to the Braden scale. The cohort study did not reveal significant differences between both interventions. It is necessary to promote and develop clinical trials to evaluate the effectiveness of using dressings and other conventional care in high-risk patients for this type of event.

Risk Factors for Venous Ulcer Following ACUTE Venous Thromboembolism: Results from the Riete Registry

Background: Venous ulcer, the most serious consequence of chronic venous insufficiency (CVI), is associated with a high morbidity, impaired quality of life and high costs. To date, risk factors for venous ulcer after acute VTE have not been characterized.Objective: To identify independent predictors of venous ulcer development one year after an acute VTE event.Methods: Using data from the RIETE international registry, we analysed risk factors for venous ulcers in patients with an objectively confirmed symptomatic acute VTE (DVT and/or pulmonary embolism (PE)) and followed up for at least one year. During follow-up, signs and symptoms of CVI, occurrence of a venous ulcer in the leg ipsilateral to DVT or, in the absence of reported DVT, in any leg were reported by local investigators. Independent predictors of venous ulcers were assessed using a stepwise multivariable model.Results: Of the 34,144 patients included in the RIETE registry, 4,305 were recruited in centres participating in long-term (1 to 3 years) follow-up. Of these, 54% (n=2,337) underwent an assessment for CVI. After a mean (SD) follow-up of 383 (+/-575) days, 55% (n=1297) had signs or symptoms of CVI and 2.5% (n=59) had developed a venous ulcer. History of previous VTE (OR=4.4 [2.6 - 7.7], signs of venous insufficiency (i.e. leg varicosities) at time of VTE event (OR=2.3 [1.3 - 4.0]), diabetes (OR=2.0 [1.0 - 3.8]), obesity (OR=1.8 [1.1 - 3.2]) and male sex (OR=2.7 [1.5 - 4.9]) were independent predictors of an increased risk of venous ulcer. Conversely, older age, presence of an objectively confirmed DVT at study enrolment, anticoagulant duration (<1 vs. >1 year), anticoagulant type (extended low molecular weight heparin vs. vitamin K antagonist), or presence of vena cava filter had no significant impact on risk of venous ulcer.When restricting our analysis to the 1790 patients with objectively confirmed DVT only, results remained similar in magnitude. Proximal character of DVT was associated with a 30% non-significant increased risk of - unquestionable - post-thrombotic ulcer but the proportion of distal DVT was low in our population (11%).Conclusions: After an acute VTE event, history of VTE, pre-existing signs of CVI, male sex, diabetes and obesity independently influenced the risk of venous ulcer. VTE therapeutic management (neither duration nor drugs) did not appear to modify this risk. Our results suggest that clinicians should consider strategies aimed to prevent ulcers in high risk patients, such as preventing VTE recurrence, use of compression stockings in those with CVI and encouraging weight loss in obese patients. DisclosuresGalanaud:bayer: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Daichi: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding. Bertoletti:Daichi: Honoraria; bayer: Honoraria; BMS-Pfizer: Consultancy, Honoraria. Monreal:Bayer: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; sanofi: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; boehringer: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; daichii: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees.

A 6 month evaluation of a non-powered hybrid mattress replacement system.

In 2013, the Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust undertook a 6-week evaluation of the AtmosAir 4000 non-powered reactive pressure redistribution mattress replacement system to determine its suitability in supporting the prevention of pressure ulcers in high-risk patients (phase one). The results demonstrated that the AtmosAir 4000 mattress system, together with skin assessment and repositioning regimes, met the pressure ulcer preventative needs of patients at high and very high risk of developing pressure ulcers. It also resulted in a notable reduction in the use of dynamic air mattresses. Consequently, 50 AtmosAir 4000 mattresses were purchased for two acute medical wards in the evaluation site, where the majority of patients are elderly with an acute medical condition. This article discusses the second phase where an audit compares the number of hospital-acquired pressure ulcers reported over a 6-month period with the equivalent time period in 2014. Results show that the number of pressure ulcers reduced by 65% and 50% in the two wards. The number of dynamic mattresses used on the two wards reduced significantly from 28 to 7, which represents a 75% reduction in usage.

Cost-effectiveness and value of information analysis of nutritional support for preventing pressure ulcers in high-risk patients: implement now, research later.

Pressure ulcers are a major cause of mortality, morbidity, and increased healthcare cost. Nutritional support may reduce the incidence of pressure ulcers in hospitalised patients who are at risk of pressure ulcer and malnutrition. To evaluate the cost-effectiveness of nutritional support in preventing pressure ulcers in high-risk hospitalised patients, and to assess the value of further research to inform the decision to implement this intervention using value of information analysis (VOI). The analysis was from the perspective of Queensland Health, Australia using a decision model with evidence derived from a systematic review and meta-analysis. Resources were valued using 2014 prices and the time horizon of the analysis was one year. Monte Carlo simulation was used to estimate net monetary benefits (NB) and to calculate VOI measures. Compared with standard hospital diet, nutritional support was cost saving at AU$425 per patient, and more effective with an average 0.005 quality-adjusted life years (QALY) gained. At a willingness-to-pay of AU$50,000 per QALY, the incremental NB was AU$675 per patient, with a probability of 87% that nutritional support is cost-effective. The expected value of perfect information was AU$5 million and the expected value of perfect parameter information was highest for the relative risk of developing a pressure ulcer at AU$2.5 million. For a future trial investigating the relative effectiveness of the interventions, the expected net benefit of research would be maximised at AU$100,000 with 1,200 patients in each arm if nutritional support was perfectly implemented. The opportunity cost of withholding the decision to implement the intervention until the results of the future study are available would be AU$14 million. Nutritional support is cost-effective in preventing pressure ulcers in high-risk hospitalised patients compared with standard diet. Future research to reduce decision uncertainty is worthwhile; however, given the opportunity losses associated with delaying the implementation, "implement and research" is the approach recommended for this intervention.

Effects of a Short Educational Program for the Prevention of Foot Ulcers in High-Risk Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background. Patient education is capable of reducing the risk for diabetic foot ulcers. However, specific education on foot ulcer prevention was either included in broader programs addressing different parts of diabetes care or provided with time- and resource-consuming curricula. The aim of the study is to assess the feasibility and efficacy of a brief educational program for the prevention of diabetic foot ulcers in high-risk patients. Methods. The study was performed on type 2 diabetic patients, randomized in a 1 : 1 ratio either to intervention or to control group. The principal endpoint was the incidence of foot ulcers. The intervention was a two-hour program provided to groups of 5–7 patients, including a 30-minute face-to-face lesson on risk factors for foot ulcers, and a 90-minute interactive session with practical exercises on behaviors for reducing risk. Results. The study was prematurely terminated due to a highly significant difference in outcome between the two treatment groups. The final sample was therefore composed of 121 patients. Six patients, all in the control group, developed ulcers during the 6-month follow-up (10% versus 0%, p = 0.012). Conclusions. A brief, 2-hour, focused educational program is effective in preventing diabetic foot ulcers in high-risk patients.

Endoscopic evaluation of low-dose aspirin-induced gastric and duodenal ulcers during prophylaxis with lansoprazole.

To compare the endoscopic features of LDA-induced ulcers developing during secondary prophylaxis with lansoprazole (LPZ) and gefarnate (GFN). All ulcers that had developed during prophylaxis with LPZ (15mg once daily) and GFN (50mg twice daily) in a prospective, randomized, double-blind trial, were reviewed and compared by a panel of expert endoscopists, based on endoscopic images available from the trial, to provide evidence for efficacy of LPZ versus GFN in secondary prophylaxis in patients with endoscopically confirmed ulcer scars. A total of 6 and 53 patients had developed gastric or duodenal ulcers during prophylaxis with LPZ and GFN, respectively. Six gastric ulcers seen in those given LPZ were "small" and "shallow", while, of the 38 gastric ulcers seen those given GFN, 44.7% and 55.3% were "medium" or "large" and "small", respectively. Ulcers associated with blood coagula were seen only in those given GFN. Duodenal ulcers developed in 15 and 0 patients given GFN and LPZ, respectively. The ulcers developing during prophylaxis with GFN and LPZ varied in their features. The study findings may be useful when devising a strategy for prophylaxis of ulcers in high-risk patients receiving LDA therapy in a routine clinical setting.

Use of Pressure-Redistributing Support Surfaces Among Elderly Hip Fracture Patients Across the Continuum of Care: Adherence to Pressure Ulcer Prevention Guidelines

To estimate the frequency of use of pressure-redistributing support surfaces (PRSS) among hip fracture patients and to determine whether higher pressure ulcer risk is associated with greater PRSS use. Patients (n = 658) aged >or=65 years who had surgery for hip fracture were examined by research nurses at baseline and on alternating days for 21 days. Information on PRSS use and pressure ulcer risk factors was recorded at each assessment visit. Other information was obtained by interview and chart review. A PRSS was observed at 36.4% of the 5,940 study visits. The odds of PRSS use were lower in the rehabilitation setting (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 0.4, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.3-0.6), in the nursing home (adjusted OR 0.2, 95% CI 0.1-0.3), and during readmission to the acute setting (adjusted OR 0.6, 95% CI 0.4-0.9) than in the initial acute setting. There was wide variation in frequency of PRSS use by admission hospital, even after adjusting for pressure ulcer risk factors. The relationships between PRSS use and pressure ulcer risk factors were not strong. In this study of hip fracture patients, adherence to guidelines for PRSS use was low and was based more on facility-related factors than on patient risk. There is an urgent need for health care providers to improve strategies for the prevention of pressure ulcers in high-risk patients.

Embolization as Treatment of Choice for Bleeding Peptic Ulcers in High-Risk Patients

Background/Aim: Peptic ulcers are the most common cause of acute upper gastrointestinal bleedings in the digestive tract. Most patients are poor surgical candidates. The aim was to describe the efficacy of embolization as the treatment of choice for bleeding peptic ulcers in high-risk patients when endoscopic treatment failed. Methods: All patients who underwent a selective embolization of branches of the superior mesenteric artery and/or branches of the gastroduodenal artery for a bleeding peptic ulcer in the period January 2004 until December 2007 were included in this retrospective descriptive study. We examined the known risk factors for surgery and mortality in upper gastrointestinal bleeding due to peptic ulcers and describe the clinical course and outcome. Primary endpoints were the primary technical success and the clinical success rates. The secondary endpoint was the 30-day mortality. Results: 16 patients were included. All patients had at least two risk factors for surgery and mortality. The clinical success rate was 81% (13/16). The first embolization failed in 3 patients, 1 was successful re-embolized and 2 were operated upon without re-embolization. The primary technical success rate, i.e. bleedings controlled by radiologic intervention, was 88% (14/16). 6 patients died due to non-embolization-related problems; 5 of them developed upper gastrointestinal bleeding during a stay in the hospital. Conclusion: Embolization was a successful, minimal invasive alternative for surgical intervention in high-risk patients with upper gastrointestinal bleeding after failure of endoscopic treatment.

Skin Temperature Monitoring Reduces the Risk for Diabetic Foot Ulceration in High-risk Patients

Purpose To evaluate the effectiveness of home temperature monitoring to reduce the incidence of foot ulcers in high-risk patients with diabetes. Methods In this physician-blinded, 18-month randomized controlled trial, 225 subjects with diabetes at high risk for ulceration were assigned to standard therapy (Standard Therapy Group) or dermal thermometry (Dermal Thermometry Group) groups. Both groups received therapeutic footwear, diabetic foot education, regular foot care, and performed a structured foot inspection daily. Dermal Thermometry Group subjects used an infrared skin thermometer to measure temperatures on 6 foot sites twice daily. Temperature differences >4°F between left and right corresponding sites triggered patients to contact the study nurse and reduce activity until temperatures normalized. Results A total of 8.4% (n = 19) subjects ulcerated over the study period. Subjects were one third as likely to ulcerate in the Dermal Thermometry Group compared with the Standard Therapy Group (12.2% vs 4.7%, odds ratio 3.0, 95% confidence interval, 1.0 to 8.5, P = .038). Proportional hazards regression analysis suggested that thermometry intervention was associated with a significantly longer time to ulceration ( P = .04), adjusted for elevated foot ulcer classification (International Working Group Risk Factor 3), age, and minority status. Patients that ulcerated had a temperature difference that was 4.8 times greater at the site of ulceration in the week before ulceration than did a random 7 consecutive-day sample of 50 other subjects that did not ulcerate (3.50 ± 1.0 vs 0.74 ± 0.05, P = .001). Conclusions High temperature gradients between feet may predict the onset of neuropathic ulceration and self-monitoring may reduce the risk of ulceration.

Protective effects of proton pump inhibitors against indomethacin-induced lesions in the rat small intestine

Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) have been shown to be effective in preventing gastric and duodenal ulcers in high-risk patients taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs); by contrast, scarce information is available concerning the effects of PPIs on intestinal damage induced by NSAIDs in humans or in experimental animals. We examined the effects of lansoprazole and omeprazole on the intestinal injury induced by indomethacin in the conscious rat. PPIs were administered by the intragastric route at 30, 60 and 90 micromol/kg, 12 h and 30 min before and 6 h after indomethacin treatment. The effects of omeprazole and lansoprazole were evaluated on: (1) macroscopic and histologic damage; (2) mucosal polymorphonuclear cell infiltration; (3) oxidative tissue damage and (4) bacterial translocation from lumen into the intestinal mucosa. Lansoprazole and omeprazole (at 90 micromol/kg) significantly decreased (P<0.01) the macroscopic and histologic damage induced by indomethacin in the rat small intestine. Furthermore, both drugs greatly reduced (P<0.01) the associated increases in myeloperoxidase levels and lipid peroxidation induced by indomethacin, whereas they only moderately affected (P<0.05) the translocation of enterobacteria from lumen into the intestinal mucosa. These data demonstrate that omeprazole and lansoprazole can protect the small intestine from the damage induced by indomethacin in the conscious rat. The intestinal protection, possibly related to antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of these drugs, may suggest new therapeutic uses of PPIs in intestinal inflammatory diseases.

Long-Term Prevention of Pressure Ulcers in High-Risk Patients: A Single Case Study of the Use of Gluteal Neuromuscular Electric Stimulation

Bogie KM, Wang X, Triolo RJ. Long-term prevention of pressure ulcers in high-risk patients: a single case study of the use of gluteal neuromuscular electric stimulation. Objective To evaluate the efficacy of gluteal neuromuscular electric stimulation (NMES) using implanted percutaneous electrodes to improve regional tissue health and decrease the risk of pressure ulcer development. Design Case study of long-term use of gluteal NMES. Setting Community. Participant A patient with a C4-level American Spinal Injury Association grade A spinal cord injury, 22 years postinjury at study enrollment, and a clinical history of regular grade II and occasional IV ischial pressure ulcers. Intervention Gluteal NMES using an electric stimulation system comprising a combination of implanted percutaneous electrodes and an external stimulator (controller). Main Outcome Measures Objective measurements of tissue health comprising evaluation of gluteal muscle thickness, interface pressures, and regional blood flow. Subjective self-reported sitting tolerance. Results Increased gluteal muscle thickness and blood flow together with reduced regional interface pressures occurred. Weight-shifting because of alternating left and right gluteal NMES became more effective over time as the muscles strengthened. Sitting tolerance more than doubled. Conclusions A gluteal NMES system has been developed that provides both improved regional tissue health and dynamic weight shifting while seated in the wheelchair. In the current case, regular daily use had a positive impact on multiple indirect indicators of tissue health. Continued use was indicated as the positive effects were lost when stimulation was discontinued.

Celecoxib compared with lansoprazole and naproxen to prevent gastrointestinal ulcer complications

PurposeSelective cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitors cause significantly fewer peptic ulcers than conventional nonselective nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in patients at low risk or high risk for peptic ulcers. On the other hand, proton pump inhibitor co-therapy has also been shown to be effective in preventing relapse of peptic ulcers in high-risk patients using nonselective NSAIDs. We compared the efficacy of a selective COX-2 inhibitor with that of proton pump inhibitor co-therapy in the reduction in the incidence of ulcer relapse in patients with a history of NSAID-related peptic ulcers. Materials and methodsFor this study, we recruited 224 patients who developed ulcer complications after NSAID use. We excluded patients who required concomitant aspirin treatment and who had renal impairment. After healing of ulcers and eradication of Helicobacter pylori, patients were randomly assigned to treatment with celecoxib 200 mg daily (n = 120) or naproxen 750 mg daily and lansoprazole 30 mg daily (n = 122) for 24 weeks. The primary endpoint was recurrent ulcer complications. ResultsDuring a median follow-up of 24 weeks, 4 (3.7%, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.0%-7.3%) patients in the celecoxib group, compared with 7 patients (6.3%, 95% CI 1.6%-11.1%) in the lansoprazole group, developed recurrent ulcer complications (absolute difference −2.6%; 95% CI for the difference −9.1%-3.7%). Celecoxib was statistically non-inferior to lansoprazole co-therapy in the prevention of recurrent ulcer complications. Concomitant illness (hazard ratio 4.72, 95% CI 1.24-18.18) and age 65 years or more (hazard ratio 18.52, 95% CI 2.26-142.86) were independent risk factors for ulcer recurrences. Significantly more patients receiving celecoxib (15.0%, 95% CI 9.7-22.5) developed dyspepsia than patients receiving lansoprazole (5.7%, 95% CI 2.8-11.4. P = .02). ConclusionsCelecoxib was as effective as lansoprazole co-therapy in the prevention of recurrences of ulcer complications in subjects with a history of NSAID-related complicated peptic ulcers. However, celecoxib, similar to lansoprazole co-therapy, was still associated with a significant proportion of ulcer complication recurrences. In addition, more patients receiving celecoxib developed dyspepsia than patients receiving lansoprazole and naproxen.

Appropriate choice of proton pump inhibitor therapy in the prevention and management of NSAID-related gastrointestinal damage

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are associated with gastrointestinal adverse effects, ranging from dyspepsia and peptic ulcer disease to more serious complications such as haemorrhage or perforation. NSAID-induced gastrointestinal toxicity is a significant medical problem worldwide. Misoprostol is effective in reducing NSAID-induced mucosal damage, but patient compliance is limited by poor tolerance. Histamine receptor antagonists are relatively effective against duodenal ulcers but offer no significant protection against gastric ulcers. Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), such as pantoprazole, omeprazole and lansoprazole, have been shown to be effective in preventing the development of gastric and duodenal ulcers in high-risk patients taking NSAIDs. PPI therapy is also beneficial in healing NSAID-induced ulcers and preventing their recurrence in patients requiring ongoing NSAID therapy. PPIs have an excellent safety profile, and pantoprazole--with its low potential for drug-drug interactions--is particularly suitable for administration to elderly patients who often require concomitant treatment with other medications.