Self-reported time-to-relapse following smoking cessation: Comparison by operationalization of initial abstinence classification

Aims: Relapse rates among cigarette smokers are high. Few studies have examined time-to-relapse using survival analysis in racially/ethnically diverse smokers and initial abstinence criteria have been inconsistent or unspecified. This study compared survival curves using two common definitions of initial abstinence. We hypothesized greater relapse rates among participants abstinent for only 24 hours (h) at the end-of-therapy (EOT) compared with 7 days. Methods: Adult smokers (59% Black, 22% Hispanic and 17% White) received 8-sessions of group cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) plus transdermal nicotine patches and were assessed monthly up to 12 months post-EOT. Participants reporting abstinence (7-day point prevalence abstinence [ppa] or 24-h ppa) at the EOT were included in Kaplan–Meier curves. Results: Of 301 participants, 120 (40%) reported 7-day ppa at the EOT and an additional 29 (10%) reported 24-h ppa only. Over the 12-month follow-up period, nearly 50% remained abstinent. Of those who resumed smoking, most relapses occurred within the first three months. Survival curves indicated that median survival was 207 and 225 days for 7-day and 24-h definitions of abstinence, respectively. The difference in time-to-relapse between participants abstinent for 24?h at the EOT versus 7-days was not significant (p?=?0.14). Conclusions: Operationalization of initial abstinence is important for relapse analyses and comparisons of survival curves across samples. Participants reported high rates of abstinence and relapse rates were relatively low. Contrary to expectations, 24-h ppa at the EOT was not associated with greater relapse than 7-day abstinence. This suggests either measure may be utilized in relapse prevention research in racially/ethnically diverse treatment-seekers.     

Craving-induced effects of different drug cues on persons abstaining from heroin

Background: The key factors of inducing drug cravings in persons abstaining from drug use remain a focus of addictions research. Given the accumulating evidences, the scope of cues investigated in the cue-reactivity paradigm has increased considerably. Yet, few studies have examined the effects of the intensity and endurance of different types of cues on their ability to induce craving. This study investigated differences among drug-cue words, negative physiological-cue words, and negative social-cue words in the induction of drug cravings among persons abstaining from heroin.

Methods: The sample consisted of 149 male abstinent heroin abusers from four addiction rehabilitation centers in China. Based on their abstinence lengths, they were labeled as short-term, medium-term, and long-term abstainer participants respectively. All participants completed a stress-imagery task and rated craving by visual analog scale.

Results: There was a significant interaction of cue type and abstinence length. There was no difference on the craving induced by three types of cue words in the short-term group. In the medium-term group, craving induced by negative social-cue words was significantly stronger than that by negative physiological-cue words, but not that by drug-cue words. In the long-term group, the craving induced by negative social-cue words remained the strongest, significantly stronger than that by both drug-cue words and negative physiological-cue words.

Conclusion: Negative social-cue words presented in the current study retain the ability to induce craving in heroin abstainers; this finding suggests that negative social cues encountered under more general circumstances could be a risk factor for relapse.     

Molecular profiling of Chinese R-CHOP treated DLBCL patients: Identifying a high-risk subgroup

Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is a clinically aggressive and heterogenous disease. Although most patients can be cured by immunochemotherapy, 30% to 40% patient will ultimately develop relapsed or refractory disease. Here, we investigated the molecular landscapes of patients with diverse responses to R-CHOP. We performed capture-based targeted sequencing on baseline samples of 105 DLBCL patients using a panel consisting of 112 lymphoma-related genes. Subsequently, 81 treatment-naïve patients with measurable disease and followed for over 1 year were included for survival analysis. Collectively, the most commonly seen mutations included IGH fusion (69%), PIM1(33%), MYD88 (29%), BCL2 (29%), TP53 (29%), CD79B (25%) and KMT2D (24%). Patients with TP53 mutations were more likely to have primary refractory disease (87.0% vs 50.0%, P = .009). For those with TP53 disruptive mutations, 91.7% patients were in the primary refractory group. Interestingly, BCL-2 somatic hypermutation was only seen in patients without primary refractory disease (P = .014). In multivariate analysis, BCL-2 amplification (hazard ratio [HR] = 2.94, P = .022), B2M mutation (HR = 2.99, P = .017) and TP53 mutation (HR = 3.19, P < .001) were independently associated with shorter time to progression (TTP). Furthermore, TP53 mutations was correlated with worse overall survival (P = .049). Next, we investigated mutation landscape in patients with wild-type (WT) TP53 (n = 58) and found that patients harboring MYD88 L265P had significantly inferior TTP than those with WT or non-265P (P = .046). Our study reveals the mutation spectrum of treatment-naive Chinese DLBCL patients. It also confirms the clinical significance of TP53 mutations and indicates the prognostic value of MYD88 L265P in TP53 WT patients.     

102例海洛因依赖患者者戒毒出院后复吸原因分析

对１０２例海洛因依赖患者戒毒出院后操守时间及复吸原因进行分析，发现复吸原因主要与精神依赖及对精神依赖的错误认识等有关，用药维持治疗可明显操守时间．提出在戒毒出院后应采用象治疗神经症或精神病那样的方法来长期维持治疗。     

Quality of ulcer healing influences the relapse of gastric ulcers in humans

The usefulness of dye-contrast endoscopy for the evaluation of the quality of gastric ulcer healing and the prediction of relapse was investigated. Sixty consenting patients whose ulcers healed during 3 months of treatment underwent endoscopy for the identification of the pattern of mucosal regeneration. Patients were monitored for relapses for up to 18 months after antiulcer therapy had ended. The pattern of regeneration was flat in 24 patients, nodular in 25 and intermediate in 11. Internal hypoechoic areas seen by endoscopic ultrasonography were less common and histological maturity was better in the patient group with the flat pattern compared with the patient group with the nodular pattern of mucosal regeneration. Prostaglandin E, synthesis was highest in the group with the flat pattern of mucosal regeneration and the relapse rate was lowest in this group. We conclude that the evaluation of the quality of ulcer healing is possible and that findings in individuals may aid the prediction of relapse for particular patients.     

Investigation of Direct Causes of Drug Relapse and Abstainers’ Demands in a Compulsive Detoxification Center in Wuhan City of China

Objective To identify the direct causes of drug relapse and abstainers’ demand, and to develop programs for the prevention of drug relapse. Methods Abstainers in a Compulsive Detoxification Center in Wuhan City, capital of Hubei Province were randomly selected. An investigation on the direct causes of drug relapse and abstainers’ demands was conducted with multiple-choice questionnaires and face to face interviews. Data were analyzed with SPSS 12.0. Results The direct causes leading to drug relapse included: temptation to use drug again by themselves or by their drug mates, seeking pleasure and ecstasy from drug use, relatively well off living, mental stress, irritation, demoralization, family conflicts, unemployment, feeling distrusted by the family, lack of care and love from the family, and discrimination by others. abstainers’ demands after detoxification and returning to the society included: care and support from the family, employment assistance, changing living environment, understanding by others, support from the society, and keeping far away from drugs. Conclusions Environmental factors are the direct causes of drug relapse, and negative irritation is its predisposing causes. Leaving former residence, more care and help given by both the family and the society and raising their overall quality of life are the demands of abstainers.     

溃疡散预防消化性溃疡复发临床观察

目的 :观察溃疡散对消化性溃疡的抗复发治疗的临床效果。方法 :随机将 80例患者分成溃疡散治疗组 (4 2例 )和雷尼替丁对照组 (38例 )并同时观察两组患者治疗前后溃疡复发情况。结果 :治疗后治疗组溃疡复发率明显低于对照组 ,P <0 .0 1,两组对比有非常显著性差异。结论 :治疗组能明显的改善患者临床症状和降低消化性溃疡复发率。     

Effectiveness of electroconvulsive therapy in community settings.

BACKGROUND: Clinical trials indicate that electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is the most effective treatment for major depression, but its effectiveness in community settings has not been examined. METHODS: In a prospective, naturalistic study involving 347 patients at seven hospitals, clinical outcomes immediately after ECT and over a 24-week follow-up period were examined in relation to patient characteristics and treatment variables. RESULTS: The sites differed markedly in patient features and ECT administration but did not differ in clinical outcomes. In contrast to the 70%-90% remission rates expected with ECT, remission rates, depending on criteria, were 30.3%-46.7%. Longer episode duration, comorbid personality disorder, and schizoaffective disorder were associated with poorer outcome. Among remitters, the relapse rate during follow-up was 64.3%. Relapse was more frequent in patients with psychotic depression or comorbid Axis I or Axis II disorders. Only 23.4% of ECT nonremitters had sustained remission during follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: The remission rate with ECT in community settings is substantially less than that in clinical trials. Providers frequently end the ECT course with the view that patients have benefited fully, yet formal assessment shows significant residual symptoms. Patients who do not remit with ECT have a poor prognosis; this underscores the need to achieve maximal improvement with this modality.