Exhaled nitric oxide after a single dose of intramuscular triamcinolone in children with difficult to control asthma

In a previous study, we reported that intramuscular (IM) triamcinolone improves symptoms in children with difficult asthma. In 2005, we revised our difficult asthma protocol to include assessment of airway inflammation, both directly using sputum induction and indirectly by measurement of exhaled nitric oxide (eNO). In this retrospective review, we aimed to describe (i) the changes in eNO and symptoms after a single 60 mg dose of IM triamcinolone and (ii) the changes in inflammatory markers in the subgroup with non-eosinophilic asthma (i.e., an induced sputum eosinophil differential count <2.0%). Seven children received IM triamcinolone during the study period. In all children, symptom scores fell in the week following the IM injection (P < 0.01 vs. the pre-treatment week), and remained reduced for up to 6 weeks. eNO also fell within a week after IM therapy (P < 0.01), and remained reduced for up to 4 weeks. Non-eosinophilic asthma was definitively identified in three children, and in this group, eNO and symptoms fell after the IM injection. We conclude that IM triamcinolone therapy reduces both eNO and symptoms for up to 4 weeks in children with difficult asthma. Our data provide preliminary evidence that IM triamcinolone is an effective anti-inflammatory therapy in children with induced sputum non-eosinophilic asthma.     

反相高效液相色谱法测定曲安奈德氯霉素溶液中曲安奈德和氯霉素的含量

目的建立RP-HPLC法同时测定曲安奈德氯霉素溶液中醋酸曲安奈德和氯霉素含量的方法。方法色谱柱：Hypersil BDS C18（4.6 mm×200 mm,5μm）柱,流动相：甲醇-水-乙醚（62∶38∶4）,检测波长：240 nm,流速：1 mL.min-1,柱温：25℃,进样量：5μL。结果醋酸曲安奈德和氯霉素分别在8.0～72、0.120～1.08mg.mL-1呈现良好的线性关系,方法平均回收率分别为100.0%、100.6%,RSD分别为：2.16%、1.47%。结论本方法简便,快速,测定结果准确可靠,可用于该制剂的含量测定。     

曲安奈德联合甲氨喋呤关节腔注射治疗类风湿关节炎

目的探讨联合使用甲氨喋呤(MTX)和曲安奈德(TA)关节腔注射治疗类风湿关节炎(RA)的疗效。方法选择2006年1月-2007年4月我院门诊对称性腕或膝关节炎的RA患者37例。选择一对炎症程度相当的膝或腕关节,随机确定一侧,以曲安奈德针(TA)1mL:40mg溶解MTX针(MTX)5mg混匀后关节腔注射(TM组)。对侧作为对照,以相同剂量曲安奈德针关节腔注射(TA组),整体治疗不变,继续按原来方法服用NSAIDs及DMARDs治疗。分别于注射后第1个月、3个月、6个月末观察注射关节的肿胀数、疼痛数、压痛数及相应指数。结果TM组与TA组关节腔注射后,肿胀关节明显减少,而不同时间点两组间差异均有统计学意义(P<0.01)。随访6个月,两组均未发现明显不良反应。结论曲安奈德针联合MTX针关节腔注射治疗类风湿关节炎,其消炎、止痛、消肿和改善患者关节功能的疗效优于单用曲安奈德针关节腔注射,可显著减少复发机会,延迟复发时间,是类风湿关节炎有效的控制方法之一。     

曲安奈德注射加针刀松解治疗肩周炎

目的:探索治疗肩周炎的重要方法.方法:应用曲安奈德40 mg、2%利多卡因5ml行痛点注射,再利用针刀松解后手法活动肩关节.1～2周后可重复.结果:本组治疗157例,治愈126例(80.25%),显效27例(17.20%),好转4例(2.55%),无效0例(0),总有效率达到100.00%.结论:曲安奈德注射加针刀松解治疗肩周炎是一种特别有效的重要方法.安全可靠,临床操作方便.     

Health Effects of Exposure to High Concentrations of Automotive Emissions

On-site and remote health evaluations were performed on 550 employees of the Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority in New York City. Extremely high ambient air pollution was observed. Carbon monoxide averaged 63 ppm over a 30-day period with a maximum hourly concentration of 217 ppm in one facility. Eighty-five percent of the smoking and 47% of the nonsmoking tunnel workers had carboxyhemoglobin saturations in excess of 3%. A high percentage of the group had symptoms suggestive of chronic bronchitis; airway resistance was elevated in one third and almost all bridge and tunnel workers had an increase in closing volume, suggesting small airway disease.     

The use of intraocular corticosteroids

Background: Diabetic macular edema (DME), cystoid macular edema (CME), age-related macular degeneration (AMD), retinal vascular occlusion (RVO) and uveitis are responsible for severe visual impairment worldwide. In some patients with these conditions, treatment with intraocular corticosteroids may be beneficial. Although off-label use of these agents has occurred for many years, novel agents including preservative-free and sustained-release intravitreal implants are currently being studied in clinical trials (CTs). Objective: To review the use of intraocular corticosteroids. Methods: Literature review. Results: Used alone, intravitreal corticosteroids may benefit disorders such as DME, RVO and uveitis compared with standard therapy or observation. Patients with AMD may benefit more from combination treatment with photodynamic therapy, intravitreal corticosteroid and intravitreal anti-VEGF injections. Intraoperative use of these agents may assist in visualization and manipulation of fine retinal structures. Sustained-release intraocular implants have been approved for severe posterior uveitis, and have shown benefits in ongoing CTs. Conclusion: Although intraocular corticosteroid injections have a limited duration of action requiring frequent re-treatment, and significant side effects including cataract and glaucoma development, intraocular injections may be of benefit in certain ocular disorders. Corticosteroid implants are emerging as potential treatments for macular edema due to uveitis, DME or RVO.     

Nocardia asteroides Necrotizing Scleritis Associated with Subtenon Triamcinolone Acetonide Injection

Purpose: To report a case of Nocardia asteroides infection after subtenon triamcinolone acetonide injection. Design: Case report. Results: An 80-year old female received a subtenon triamcinolone acetonide injection for postcataract surgery cystoid macular edema. Shortly after, the patient developed a chronic red eye that progressed to a fulminant necrotizing scleritis. Eventual scleral biopsy revealed Nocardia asteroides infection, which improved after 5 months of systemic antibiotic therapy. Conclusions: Subtenon triamcinolone acetonide injection should be recognized as a cause of serious infectious scleritis.     

Clinical behaviour and long‐term therapeutic response in orofacial granulomatosis patients treated with intralesional triamcinolone acetonide injections alone or in combination with topical pimecrolimus 1%

Background: Orofacial granulomatosis (OFG) is a relapsing inflammatory disorder of unknown aetiology and non‐standardized treatment protocols. The aim of this study was to assess the clinical behaviour and long‐term therapeutic response in OFG patients treated with intralesional triamcinolone acetonide (TA) injections alone or in combination with topical pimecrolimus 1%, as adjuvant, in those patients partially responders to TA. Methods: We analysed data from 19 OFG patients followed‐up for 7 years. Demographic characteristics, clinical behaviour and long‐term therapeutic response were investigated. Results: Eleven (57.9%) OFG patients treated with intralesional TA injections therapy reached first complete clinical remission in a mean time of 10 ± 2.2 (95% CI, 8.5–11.5) weeks, while eight (42.1%) patients, partially responders to intralesional TA injections, were treated with TA injections plus topical pimecrolimus 1%, as adjuvant, achieving complete clinical remission in a mean time of 29.8 ± 7.8 (95% CI, 23.2–36.3) weeks. Relapses occurred in four TA responder patients with a disease‐free time of 35.8 ± 8.7 (95% CI, 21.9–46.4) weeks and in five patients treated with TA and topical pimecrolimus 1% with a disease‐free time of 55.8 ± 18.5 (95% CI, 32.8–78.8) weeks. Patients were followed‐up for a mean time of 56.3 ± 18.2 (95% CI, 47.6–65.1) months. At last control, all 19 patients were in complete clinical remission. Conclusion: These preliminary data suggest that intralesional TA injections still represent a mainstay in the treatment of OFG. It is unclear the role of topical pimecrolimus, as adjuvant, in leading OFG patients, partly responders to intralesional TA injections, to a complete clinical remission.     

Long-Term Safety of a Non-Chlorofluorocarbon- Containing Triamcinolone Acetonide Inhalation Aerosol in Patients with Asthma

In response to environmental concerns regarding chlorofluorocarbon (CFC), two new triamcinolone acetonide (TAA) inhalation aerosol (Azmacort Inhalation Aerosol) formulations have been developed using a more environmentally favorable propellant, HFA-134a (1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane). This multicenter, open-label study evaluated the safety of switching asthma patients from TAA-CFC to one of two TAA-HFA formulations. After a 2- or 4-week baseline period during which patients received only CFC-containing TAA Inhaler, 552 patients were randomized to receive TAA-HFA 75 or 225 μg for 6 or 12 months. A total of 493 patients completed treatment. Seven patients discontinued because of adverse events and two because of ineffective asthma control. The incidence of adverse events was similar in the two treatment groups, and most events were mild to moderate in severity and were not considered related to study medication. No clinically relevant suppression of the hypophyseal-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis was observed. Pulmonary function tests were not adversely affected by use of either study medication, and improvements were noted in forced expiratory volume in 1 sec (FEV₁) and forced expiratory flow between 25% and 75% of forced vital capacity (FEF_25%-75%) throughout the course of treatment. This study confirms that TAA-HFA provides effective, long-term asthma control and can safely be substituted for the currently marketed CFC-containing TAA product.     

Topical formulations of fluocinolone acetonide

The study was done in healthy volunteers to investigate the vasoconstrictor activity of three commercially available formulations of fluocinolone acetonide (Synalar gel, cream and ointment) and to determine whether they were bioequivalent. The influence of dilution of the cream formulation on activity was also examined.Twenty mg of each topical formulation was applied, followed by occlusion for 6 h, and the potency was evaluated by measuring the vasoconstrictor effect using tristimulus colour analysis.The cream formulation was more potent than the ointment, with the gel having intermediate strength. Dilution did not significantly reduce activity.While choice of an appropriate topical corticosteroid formulation largely depends on the nature of the lesions, this study has shown that different formulations of nominally the same concentration have different potencies; dilution up to 1 in 10 produced no significant reduction in potency. The potency classification in the British National Formulary for formulations of Synalar may need revision.