Efficacy of galavit in patients with duodenal ulcer

The aim of the study was to investigate clinical efficacy of the medical complex Galavit in patients with acute phase of duodenal ulcer (DU) in. The subjects were 60 DU patients aged 32 +/- 2 years with ulcerous defects of 0.4 to 1.3 cm in diameter. In patients receiving Galavit, pain was coped with by Mann-Whitney method in 2.5 +/- 0.2 days, p < 0.001; in the control group--in 5.7 +/- 0.1 days. In the Galavit group the ulcers healed in 11.3 +/- 0.2 days, p < 0.001; in the control group--17.8 +/- 0.3 days; in 4 cases (13.3%) the ulcerous defects healed with forming of rough scars. Galavit elevated T-lymphocyte rate from 53.1 +/- 0.6% to 65.1 +/- 0.2%, p < 0.001; T-helper inductor level--from 27.8 +/- 0.2% to 38.5 +/- 0.3%, p < 0.001; cytotoxic T-lymphocyte level--from 18.5 +/- 0.5% to 27.3 +/- 0.3%, p < 0.001; B-lymphocyte level--from 12.3 +/- 0.2% to 19.1 +/- 0.1%, p < 0.001. The therapy significantly lowered malonic aldehyde level by 23.5%, trienoic conjugate level--by 61.6%; superoxide dismutase level rose 1.6 times, catalase level--1.4 times, glutathion reductase level--from 19.03 +/- 1.17 to 27.01 +/- 1.24 optical density units/mg, p < 0.001. The study did not find any significant changes in the immune status and lipid peroxidative/antioxidative system of patients receiving basic therapy. The results show that Galavit has anti-inflammatory effect, improves immune status and anti-oxidative protection. It is appropriate to administer Galavit as a component of DU basic therapy. The results show that Galavit has anti-inflammatory effect, improves immune status and anti-oxidative protection. It is appropriate to administer Galavit as a component of DU basic therapy.     

Experience in the use of immunomodulator likopid in ulcer disease

We studied the effect of immunomodulator likopid on leukocytic immunity and duodenal ulcer (DU) course in 92 DU patients (70 males, 22 females; mean age 32 +/- 1.2 years) having positive tests for Helicobacter pylori. The diameter of ulcer defects in the duodenal bulb ranged from 0.2 to 1.3 cm, mean size of ulcer was 0.8 +/- 0.1 cm. We measured lymphocyte population with rosette formation test, T-lymphocyte subpopulation by determination of sensitivity to teophylline, humoral immunity--with Manchini. The addition of likopid to present-day antiulcer therapy with antisecretory and antihelicobacter drugs shortens ulcer healing by 3-4 days, raised H. pylori eradication to 100%. In the course of the treatment lymphocyte and monocytes count increased, neutrophil count reduced. The course treatment normalized cellular immunity: count of T-lymphocytes rose to 1.27 x 10(9) +/- 0.01 to 1.78 x 10(9) +/- 0.04 g/l (p < 0.05), T-suppressors--from 11.36 +/- 0.56 to 14.05 +/- 0.52% (p < 0.05), count of B-lymphocytes fell from 32.44 +/- 0.31 to 28.7 +/- 0.28%. A positive trend in the number of T-lymphocytes was accompanied with normalization of T-helpers/T-suppressors which increased from 2.51 +/- 0.21 to 3.52 +/- 0.18 (p < 0.01). CIC tended to lowering from 118.1 +/- 0.43 to 110.6 +/- 0.27 U (p < 0.05). Complement concentration in the serum rose from 30.1 +/- 0.3 to 32.6 +/- 0.2 (p < 0.001). This improved DU course. Thus, inclusion of likopid improves immune status of the patients, free radical oxidation of lipids and, consequently shortens ulcer healing.     

Treatment of gastroduodenal ulcer by plasmapheresis and transfusion of thawed-out autologous plasma

Curative plasmapheresis was performed in 21 patients with duodenal ulcer (DU) and in 3 patients with gastric ulcer (12 DU patients and 3 patients with gastric ulcer were taken as controls). The controls were treated by common pharmaceuticals (except Tagamet). Altogether 117 sessions of plasmapheresis were performed (an average of 5 sessions for each patient 2-3 times a week). Fibrogastroscopy was performed before and after a series of plasmapheresis (2-3 weeks after the start of therapy). In the DU patients treated by plasmapheresis ulcer cicatrization occurred in 18 days, in the controls in 27 days (p less than 0.001). In 3 patients with gastric ulcer treated by plasmapheresis cicatrization occurred on the 24th day, in the controls on the 41st day (p greater than 0.2). This method was proposed for patients with severe conditions due to the fact that a positive effect was also obtained in persons with persistently recurrent ulcers.     

Efficacy of different laser treatments in combined therapy of patients with gastroduodenal ulcer

AIM: To investigate efficacy of different methods of low-intensity laser treatment (LILT) in therapy of exacerbated gastroduodenal ulcer. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 111 gastroduodenal ulcer (GDU) patients were divided into two groups: the study group (81 patients) and control group (30 patients). Patients from the study group received combined treatment with anti-ulcer drugs and LILT performed by three methods: intravenous laser radiation of blood (ILRB), epicutaneous radiation (ER) and combination ILRB+ER. Control patients received medication alone. The efficacy of the treatment was assessed by the time of ulcer defect heeling, duration of hospital stay, clinical symptoms of the disease exacerbation manifesting with three syndromes: pain, dyspepsia, asthenovegetative syndrome. RESULTS: The shortest heeling of ulcer defect was achieved in the patients treated with ILRB+ER combination: 17.8 +/- 0.8 and 19.3 +/- 3.4 days for gastric and duodenal ulcer, respectively (p < 0.05 and p < 0.01 vs control). CONCLUSION: Combined treatment of gastric and duodenal ulcer with inclusion of laser radiation (ILRB, ER, ILRB+ER) is effective in therapy of ulcer.     

Quality of life in patients with duodenal ulcer

AIM: To examine influence of duodenal ulcer (DU) on quality of life (QL) and changes in QL after different DU treatments. MATERIAL AND METHODS: QL in DU was assessed with Russian version of SF-36 questionnaire in 66 DUpatients with Helicobacter pylori (HP) aged 16-80 years (mean age 44.6 +/- 17.3 years). RESULTS: DU healing was achieved after 2 weeks of therapy with ranitidine (300 mg/day), amoxicilline (2000 mg/day), metronidasole (1000 mg/day), and famotidin (40 mg/day), amoxicilline (2000 mg/day, clarithromycin (1000 mg/day) in 69.2 and 94.9% cases (p = 0.04), after 4 weeks--88.2 and 96.8%, rrespectively (p = 0.52). Hospital stay was 16.1 +/- 2.1 and 22.2 +/- 3.4 (p < 0.05), respectively. Exacerbation of DU leads to deterioration of QL according to all the SF-36 scales. Four weeks of therapy produced a statistically significant (p < 0.05) improvement of QL by all the scales. In failure of HP eradication QL worsened. CONCLUSION: QL is low in exacerbation of DU associated with HP. Antihelicobacter therapy improves QL of DUpatients. QL investigations help to select most effective therapy.     

Treatment for dyslipidemias in patients with arterial hypertension

AIM: To evaluate a combination of the effects of non-drug measures and rozuvastatin on the lipid spectrum and blood pressure (BP) in patients with treated arterial hypertension (AH) concurrent with dyslipidemia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The multicenter open-labeled prospective program included 299 patients from 19 cities and towns of Russia. Two hundred and eighty-eight patients completed phase 1 of the program; out of them 279 patients (149 males and 130 females) aged 58-80 years (56.7 +/- 8.7 years) with a mean AH history of 10.3 +/- 8.4 years. Phase 1 of the program involved 3 visits and it was over 12 weeks after rozuvastatin therapy. Phase 2 (including a visit 12 weeks following the termination of Phase 1) is being continued. RESULTS: Rozuvastatin therapy resulted in a reduction in the levels of total cholesterol (TC) by 2.5 +/- 0.8 mmol/l (p < 0.001), low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol by 2.2 +/- 0.8 mmol/l (p < 0.001), triglycerides (TG) by 0.8 +/- 0.9 mmol/l (p < 0.001), and atherogenicity index (AI) by 2.8 +/- 1.4 (p < 0.001) and an increase in the content of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol by 0.2 +/- 0.2 mmol/l (p < 0.001), which produced the target levels of LDL cholesterol in 61% of the patients, HDL cholesterol in 70%, and TG in 73%. During unaltered antihypertensive therapy there were also decreases in body mass by 1.5 +/- 2.8 mmol/l (p < 0.001), body mass index by 0.5 +/- 1.0 kg/ m2 (p < 0.001), waist circumference by 1.0 +/- 3.2 cm (p < 0.001), and BP by 72 +/- 14.2/4.1 +/- 8.6 mm Hg (p < 0.001). There was an increase in the activity of aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase, and creatine phosphokinase; however, this was clinically significant in none patients. CONCLUSION: Rozuvastatin significantly lowers the levels of TC, LDL cholesterol, TG, and AI and elevates the concentration of HDL cholesterol. In the majority (83%) of the patients, rozuvastatin used in a dose of 10 mg/day was sufficient to normalize the lipid profile, which makes it possible to recommend that rozuvastatin therapy should be started from this dose.     

Effect of acarbose on insulin sensitivity in elderly patients with diabetes

OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of acarbose, an alpha-glucosidase inhibitor, on insulin release and insulin sensitivity in elderly patients with type 2 diabetes. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Elderly patients with type 2 diabetes were randomly treated in a double-blind fashion with placebo (n = 23) or acarbose (n = 22) for 12 months. Before and after randomization, subjects underwent a meal tolerance test and a hyperglycemic glucose clamp study designed to measure insulin release and sensitivity. RESULTS: After 12 months of therapy there was a significant difference in the change in fasting plasma glucose levels (0.2 +/- 0.3 vs. -0.5 +/- 0.2 mmol/l, placebo vs. acarbose group, respectively; P < 0.05) and in incremental postprandial glucose values (-0.4 +/- 0.6 vs. -3.5 +/- 0.6 mmol/l, placebo vs. acarbose group, P < 0.001) between groups. There was a significant difference in the change in HbA(1c) values in response to treatment (0.4 +/- 0.2 vs. -0.4 +/- 0.1%, placebo vs. acarbose group, P < 0.01). The change in fasting insulin in response to treatment (-2 +/- 2 vs. -13 +/- 4 pmol/l, placebo vs. acarbose group, P < 0.05) and incremental postprandial insulin responses (-89 +/- 26 vs. -271 +/- 59 pmol/l, placebo vs. acarbose group, P < 0.01) was also significantly different between groups. During the hyperglycemic clamps, glucose and insulin values were similar in both groups before and after therapy However, there was a significant difference in the change in insulin sensitivity in response to treatment between the placebo and the acarbose groups (0.001 +/- 0.001 vs. 0.004 +/- 0.001 mg/kg x min(-1) [pmol/l](-1), respectively, P < 0.05) CONCLUSIONS: Acarbose increases insulin sensitivity but not insulin release in elderly patients with diabetes.     

Esomeprazole in treating duodenal ulcer in various modes of anti-Helicobacter therapy

AIM: To assess efficiency of esomeprazole in the treatment of duodenal ulcer (DU) associated with H. pylori in various eradication regimens. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 80 patients with duodenal ulcer at least 0.5 cm in diameter were randomized into three groups. 23 patients of group 1, 28 patients of group 2 received esomeprazole for 7 days in a dose 20 mg twice a day, in a single morning dose 40 mg, respectively. 29 patients of group 3 received omeprazole 20 mg twice a day for 7 days and further 3 weeks 20 mg twice a day. All the patients were also given amoxicillin 1000 mg twice a day and clarithromycin 500 mg twice a day for a week. RESULTS: An antisecretory effect of esomeprazole as shown by 24-h monitoring of gastric secretion was longer and more stable than that of omeprazole: a latent period averaged 1.5 +/- 0.6 h in a pharmacological test with 20 mg esomeprazole, 1.2 +/- 0.4 h in intake of 40 mg esomeprazole and 2.1 +/- 0.3 h in intake of 20 mg omeprazole. Overall duration of the antisecretory effect averaged 16.8 +/- 1.9, 20.3 +/- 1.7 and 12.5 +/- 1.9 h, respectively. The time of intragastric pH > 4 was 13.1 +/- 1.6, 17.2 +/- 1.6 and 9.8 +/- 1.5 hours, respectively. Eradication of H. pylori in group 1, 2 and 3 was 91.3, 89.3 and 89.6%, respectively. Complete epithelization of ulcer occurred in 95.6, 92.8 and 93.1% cases, respectively. In 77 patients who finished the treatment according to the protocol the treatment resulted in eradication in 95.6, 92.5 and 92.8%, respectively; in epithelization--in 100, 96.3 and 96.4% patients of groups 1, 2 and 3, respectively. Side effects were mild or moderate but not causing changes of the regimen or treatment discontinuation. CONCLUSION: Esomeprazole in three-component treatment was highly effective in eradication of H. pylori and epithelisation of duodenal ulcer defects in various regimens of administration. Esomeprazole in combination with amoxicillin and clarithromycin reduces the time of treatment of DU associated with H. pylori to 1 week without further monotherapy with antisecretory drugs.     

Integrated backscatter and intima-media thickness of the thoracic aorta evaluated by transesophageal echocardiography in hypercholesterolemic patients: effect of pitavastatin therapy

The effect of a strong, lipophilic statin (pitavastatin) on the thoracic aorta has not yet been elucidated. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effects of pitavastatin (P) therapy on plaque components and morphology in the thoracic aorta by transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) and clarify the impact of the therapy on media and intima in patients with hypercholesterolemia. Sixty-four media and 64 intima of the thoracic aorta were investigated in 32 patients with hypercholesterolemia. The corrected integrated backscatter (c-IBS) values in the thoracic aortic wall and intima-media thickness (IMT) at the same site were measured before and after P therapy or diet (D) for 7 mo. Moreover, c-IBS values in media were measured in 168 patients without hypercholesterolemia to estimate age-dependent changes. C-IBS values in media were correlated with age (r = 0.84, p < 0.001). C-IBS and IMT of media in the P group significantly decreased from -17.8 +/- 2.4 to -20.1 +/- 3.7 dB and from 1.7 +/- 0.3 to 1.5 +/- 0.3 mm, respectively (p < 0.001), whereas those in the D group significantly increased from -18.3 +/- 2.0 to -16.7 +/- 2.1 dB and from 1.6 +/- 0.3 to 1.7 +/- 0.2 mm, respectively (p < 0.001). IMT in intima in the P group significantly decreased from 3.7 +/- 0.4 to 3.3 +/- 0.4 mm (p < 0.001). C-IBS in intima in the P group significantly increased from -10.2 +/- 2.2 to -6.9 +/- 1.7 dB, which indicated plaque stabilization. Pitavastatin improved the atherosis measured by IMT and sclerosis measured by c-IBS values in the media and induced stabilization and regression of plaques in the intima of the thoracic aorta.     

Effects of insulin lispro and chronic vitamin C therapy on postprandial lipaemia,oxidative stress and endothelial function in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

BACKGROUND: Insulin therapy may influence cardiovascular disease (CVD) and lipid metabolism in type 2 diabetes (T2D). Exaggerated postprandial lipaemia (PPL) is a feature of diabetic dyslipidaemia affecting CVD via enhanced oxidative stress (OS) and endothelial dysfunction. We assessed endothelial function and OS during PPL following insulin and vitamin C. Twenty (17 M) T2D patients were studied (mean Hba1c 8.4%) at baseline, following 6 weeks of insulin lispro (0.2 Iu kg-1) and vitamin C 1-g daily. Eight-h lipid and glucose profiles were measured following a fatty meal. Endothelial function (flow-mediated vasodilatation: FMD) and OS were measured at fasting, 4 h and 8 h. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Glucose, body mass index, and total and LDL cholesterol remained unchanged. FMD improved. Placebo group: fasting, 1.1 +/- 1.2 to 4.2 +/- 1.1% (P < 0.001); 4-h, 0.3 +/- 1.2 to 3.1 +/- 0.9% (P < 0.01); 8-h, 0.7 +/- 1.1 to 3.76 +/- 1.1% (P < 0.001). Vitamin C group: fasting, 0.9 +/- 1.1 to 6.1 +/- 1.3% (P < 0.001); 4-h, 0.7 +/- 1.5 to 4.9 +/- 2.1% (P < 0.001); 8-h, 0.8 +/- 0.9 to 5.8 +/- 0.6% (P < 0.01). Post-prandial lipaemia was attenuated: TG area-under-curve (mmol L-1 8 h-1), 52.6 +/- 11 to 39.1 +/- 12.5 (placebo group), P < 0.02; and 56.9 +/- 8 to 40.1 +/- 10.3 (vitamin C group), P < 0.02. Oxidative stress was reduced, with greater changes in the vitamin C group. CONCLUSION: Insulin may thus exert vascular benefits in T2D, by modifying fasting and postprandial lipid metabolism resulting in reduced OS and improved EF. Vitamin C therapy may augment the vascular benefits of insulin in T2D through additional effects on OS and EF.     

Urinary transforming growth factor-beta1 and alpha1-microglobulin in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes

OBJECTIVE: Transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta1 is an important mediator in the pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy. Urinary TGF-beta1 reflects TGF-beta1 production in the kidney, and alpha1-microglobulin tubular dysfunction. These 2 markers were studied in the early phases of type 1 diabetes. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: There were 113 type 1 diabetic children and adolescents (mean +/- SD: age 14.1 +/- 2.9 years, and diabetes duration 7.4 +/- 2.9 years, HbA1c 9.3 +/- 1.5%) and 39 healthy subjects (age 13.8 +/- 2.8 years) who participated in the study. Of the diabetic patients, 105 were normoalbuminuric (2-3 consecutive overnight urinary albumin excretion rates [AERs] <20 microg/min) and 8 had microalbuminuria (at least 2 AERs 20-200 microg/min). Overnight urinary TGF-beta1 and alpha1-microglobulin levels were measured and the results expressed as the ratio to urinary creatinine concentration. RESULTS: Data are medians (range). Diabetic patients had higher urinary TGF-beta1 levels than those of control subjects: 0.9 ng/mg (0.05-122.3) vs. 0.3 ng/mg (0.05-2.2) creatinine, respectively (P = 0.003). Urinary TGF-beta1 levels correlated with urinary glucose (r = 0.2, P = 0.03) and alpha1-microglobulin (r = 0.2, P = 0.02) levels, but not with HbA1c, AER, age, or duration of diabetes. In 43 patients with urinary TGF-beta1 above the control levels, urinary TGF-beta1 levels correlated with urinary glucose (r = 0.6, P < 0.001) and alpha1-microglobulin (r = 0.6, P < 0.001) levels. Diabetic patients had higher urinary alpha1-microglobulin levels than those of control subjects: 4.8 microg/mg (0.6-48.8) vs. 2.7 microg/mg (0.8-11.6) creatinine, respectively (P < 0.001). Alpha1-microglobulin levels correlated with AER (r = 0.2, P = 0.02), HbA1c (r = 0.3, P = 0.001), urinary glucose (r = 0.5, P < 0.001), and urinary TGF-beta1 levels. CONCLUSIONS: An early rise in urinary TGF-beta1 levels was observed in young type 1 diabetic patients. Urinary TGF-beta1 is associated with 2 interrelated tubular markers, alpha1-microglobulin and urinary glucose.     

Course of duodenal ulcer disease depending on personality type and effectiveness of differential psychotropic therapy

AIM: To determine features of duodenal ulcer (DU) course as regards personality traits and to validate a differentiated approach to psychopharmacological correction of such patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The personality type was determined in 102 DU patients using an experimental psychological examination. RESULTS: Among the examinees, submissive and excitable personalities predominated (56.9 vs 43.1%, respectively). Submissive personalities were anxiously accentuated, moderately psychically rigid and moderately neurotic. Morphologically, they had diffuse fundal and antral gastritis with moderate H. pylori dissemination, intact acid production, ulcer size > 1 cm. Excitable personalities had antral gastritis with moderate H. pylori dissemination, high acid production, ulcer defect 0.6-0.9 cm. CONCLUSION: Anti-acid and eradication therapy in combination with individual psychotropic therapy (amitriptilin in submissive and nozepam in excitable personalities) reduced the time of DU healing and prevent recurrence for one year.     

Is ranitidine therapy sufficient for healing peptic ulcers associated with non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drug use?

Long-term use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) increases the risk of serious gastroduodenal events. To minimise these risks, patients often require concomitant acid-suppressive therapy. We conducted a literature review of clinical trials examining use of ranitidine 150 mg twice daily to heal gastroduodenal ulcers (GU) in NSAID recipients. Seven studies were identified. After 8 weeks' treatment with ranitidine, GU healing rates ranged from 50% to 74% and rates of duodenal ulcer (DU) healing ranged from 81% to 84%. Ranitidine was more effective when NSAIDs were discontinued (healing rates reaching 95% and 100%, respectively). The ulcer healing rate with sucralfate was similar to that of ranitidine. However, proton pump inhibitor (PPI) therapy was associated with significantly greater rates of both GU and DU healing than ranitidine; 8-week GU rates were 92% and 88% with esomeprazole 40 mg and 20 mg, respectively (vs. 74% with ranitidine, p < 0.01). For omeprazole, 8-week healing rates were 87% with omeprazole 40 mg and 84% with omeprazole 20 mg (vs. 64% for ranitidine, p < 0.001), and for lansoprazole the corresponding values were 73-74% and 66-69% for the 30 mg and 15 mg doses, respectively (vs. 50-53% for ranitidine, p < 0.05). In the PPI study reporting DU healing the values were 92% for omeprazole 20 mg (vs. 81% for ranitidine, p < 0.05) and 88% for omeprazole 40 mg (p = 0.17 vs. ranitidine). NSAID-associated GU are more likely to heal when patients receive concomitant treatment with a PPI rather than ranitidine.     

Basal TSH levels compared with TRH-stimulated TSH levels to diagnose different degrees of TSH suppression: diagnostic and therapeutic impact of assay performance

BACKGROUND: The estimated prevalence of endogenous subclinical hyperthyroidism varies from 4% to 6% and a basal thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) level < 0.5 mU L-1 may be associated with increased mortality in subjects over 60 years of age who are not on thyroid medication. Exogenous TSH suppression is a mainstay in the treatment of thyroid cancer. Because of recent concerns about potential adverse effects, especially of endogenous TSH suppression on bone, the cardiovascular system and cognitive functions, subclinical hyperthyroidism obtained new clinical importance. We therefore re-evaluated the diagnostic value of basal and thyrotrop in TRH-stimulated serum TSH measurements using TSH assays with different sensitivities. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 805 oral and nasal TRH stimulation tests were performed on 409 ambulatory subjects with low basal serum TSH concentrations of less than 0.1 mIU L-1. Basal serum TSH was measured either using a second generation assay (functional sensitivity > 0.03 mIU L-1) or two third generation assays (functional sensitivity 0.01 mIU L-1 and 0.007 mU L-1, respectively). Serum TSH concentration was determined before and 3 h after oral administration of 40 mg of TRH and before and 30 min after nasal administration of 2 mg of TRH. RESULTS: In the oral testing group, the basal TSH levels measured by the different TSH assays were 0.06 +/- 0.03, 0.04 +/- 0.02 and 0.03 +/- 0.02, respectively, whereas the peak TSH levels were 0.4 +/- 0.6, 0.4 +/- 0.6 and 0.3 +/- 0.5 in the patients with subclinical hyperthyroidism. In overt hyperthyroidism, the basal TSH levels were 0.06 +/- 0.02, 0.03 +/- 0.02 and 0.03 +/- 0.02, whereas the peak TSH levels were 0.19 +/- 0.3, 0.16 +/- 0.3 and 0.15 +/- 0.2, respectively. Basal TSH values could discriminate between different degrees of TSH suppression if measured with a third generation assay (P < 0.001), but not with a second generation assay. There was only a weak correlation between basal TSH and peak TSH when measured by a second generation assay (n = 126; r = 0.3; P < 0.001) in contrast to the strong correlation found using the third generation assays (n = 128; r = 0.7; P < 0.001 and n = 69; r = 0.8; P < 0.001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: In view of the recent concerns about potential adverse effects in TSH suppression and based on our data, it is mandatory to select a TSH assay with a functional sensitivity of < or = 0.01 mIU L-1 for optimal titration of L-T4 suppressive therapy, especially in patients with thyroid cancer. If, however, only a second generation TSH assay is available, additional TRH testing allows a more careful titration of suppressive thyroxine therapy.     

Medical, social, and economic effectiveness of treatment of day-case patients with peptic ulcer

The purpose of the study was to evaluate medical, social, and economic effectiveness of treatment of day-case patients with peptic ulcer (PU). The subjects of the study were 60 day-case patients with duodenal ulcer aged 18 to 60, who underwent clinical and instrumental examination including esophagogastroduodenoscopy with biopsy and Helicobacter pylori (HP) detection. The patients received 7-day eradication therapy, which included omeprazol in a dose of 20 mg twice a day, clarithromycin--500 mg twice a day, and metronidazole--500 mg twice a day. There was a control group, which included 60 inpatients treated in Gastroenterology Division of the hospital. The use of the three-component medication in the day-case patients and the inpatients led to disappearance of pain syndrome 7.4 +/- 0.3 and 8.6 +/- 0.2 days after the beginning of the treatment, respectively; dyspepsia disappeared in the day-case patients and the inpatients 7.6 +/- 0.2 and 8.8 +/- 0.3 days after the beginning of the treatment, respectively. HP eradication was effective in 86.7% of the day-case patients, and in 88.3% of the inpatients. The course of the disease was recurrence-free during two years in 80% of the day-case patients, and in 76.4% of the inpatients; the cost of the treatment was 2.1 times higher in the group of inpatients. The results show that high effectiveness of the three-component medication, judging by the results of HP eradication, terms of disappearance of pain syndrome and ulcer healing, allows recommending this regimen for wide clinical application in day-case patients with PU.     

Rhythmical massage therapy in chronic disease: a 4-year prospective cohort study

OBJECTIVE: Rhythmical massage therapy is used in 24 countries but has not yet been studied in outpatient settings. The objective was to study clinical outcomes in patients receiving rhythmical massage therapy for chronic diseases. DESIGN: Prospective 4-year cohort study. SETTING: Thirty-six (36) medical practices in Germany. PARTICIPANTS: Eighty-five (85) outpatients referred to rhythmical massage therapy. OUTCOME MEASURES: Disease and Symptom Scores (physicians' and patients' assessment, respectively, 0-10) and SF-36. Disease Score was measured after 6 and 12 months, and other outcomes after 3, 6, 12, 18, 24, and 48 months. RESULTS: Most common indications were musculoskeletal diseases (45% of patients; primarily back and neck pain) and mental disorders (18%, primarily depression and fatigue). Median disease duration at baseline was 2.0 years (interquartile range 0.5-6.0). Median number of rhythmical massage therapy sessions was 12 (interquartile range 9-12), and median therapy duration was 84 (49-119) days. All outcomes improved significantly between baseline and all subsequent follow-ups. From baseline to 12 months, Disease Score improved from (mean +/- standard deviation) 6.30 +/- 2.01 to 2.77 +/- 1.97 (p < 0.001), Symptom Score improved from 5.76 +/- 1.81 to 3.13 +/- 2.20 (p < 0.001), SF-36 Physical Component score improved from 39.55 +/- 9.91 to 45.17 +/- 9.88 (p < 0.001), and SF-36 Mental Component score improved from 39.27 +/- 13.61 to 43.78 +/- 12.32 (p = 0.028). All these improvements were maintained until the last follow-up. Adverse reactions to rhythmical massage therapy occurred in 4 (5%) patients; 2 patients stopped therapy because of adverse reactions. CONCLUSIONS: Patients receiving rhythmical massage therapy had long-term reduction of chronic disease symptoms and improvement of quality of life.     

Immunogenetic aspects of duodenal ulcer in Helicobacter pylori positive Europeans in Western Siberia

AIM: To study HLA associations with HP-positive duodenal ulcer (DU). MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 47 Europeoid DU and 680 healthy subjects were examined for class I and II HLA antigens. Typing of class I antigens was conducted in the microlymphocytotoxicity test, of class 2 antigens--by polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: The study has found associations of duodenal ulcer with HLA-A10, -B41 and different combinations of these alleles whereas HLA-A9 was protective. A relative risk of peptic ulcer was 3.03 in HLA-A10 (pcor < 0.05) and 7.78 in HLA-B41 (p < 0.001). The allele A9 occurred more frequently in healthy controls (30.15%) than in Helicobacter pylori-positive patients with DU (10.64%, RR = 3.50, pcor < 0.05). Frequencies of alleles HLA-DR7 and HLA-A1/B12 were higher in HP-positive DU patients with family history of peptic ulcer (RR = 4.00 and RR = 11.92, respectively, p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: These data suggest that HLA may influence duodenal ulcer susceptibility and resistance. The relationships help prognosticate not only development of the disease in HP infection but also the age of the infection manifestation.     

Clinicopathogenetic features of coronary heart disease combined with chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases and efficiency of therapy with trimetazidin

Based on retrospective analysis of 2446 in-patient cards, autopsy protocols, outpatient medical documentation, prevalence and features of clinical manifestation of cardiorespiratory pathology (CRP): coronary heart disease (CHD) combined with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)--1 stage of study, and also (after randomization and forming of main and control groups), efficiency of myocardial cytoprotector trimetazidin (TMZ) at its long-term use (1 year) in combined therapy (2 stage of study): 135 CHD patients (stable exertional angina functional class II-III: 92 and 43 persons respectively) with COPD of medium severe (111 persons) and severe course (24 persons), were studied. It is shown that CRP is prevailed in elder age groups (after 45 years) and noticed in 56.7% CHD patients. More sevenre course with great risk of myocardial infarction with Q wave (twice, p < 0.001), prolongation of painless ischemia (62.4+/-11.5 min/day vs. 22.8+/-11.1 min/day), inclination to complicated rhythm disturbances (38 vs. 21.9, p < 0.05) and earlier clinical manifestations of heart failure (4.3+/-0.6 years earlier, p < 0.001) is typical for CHD with COPD vs. patients without pulmonary pathology. In one year after beginning of treatment with TMZ (35 mg) number of weekly pain attacks was decreased in patients of 1st group vs. 2nd group (at the average -50.8% -29.3% vs. +12.5% +16.6% respectively); significant (p < 0.05) decrease in duration of painless myocardial ischemia was registered. Decrease in number of supraventricular and ventricular extrasystoles (42.7+/-1.48 vs. 20.5+/-1.07 cases in a day, a < 0.0001), significant (p < 0.05) increase in ejection fraction and decrease in left ventricle end-diastolic volume (12.2+/-0.4% E 12.2+/-0.3% respectively), in dimensions of left (10.9+/-0.03%) and right (8.8+/-0.9%) atrium, in risk of development of acute coronary syndrome were noticed in the patients of main group received TMZ. Thus, long-term (not less then 1 year) use of TMZ (35 mg) in combined treatment assists to normalization of cardiovascular indices, decreases cardiovascular complication occurrence, improves disease prognosis and do not has negative side-effects.     

The pathophysiology of acid-base changes in chronically phosphate-depleted rats: bone-kidney interactions.

Acid-base disturbances may develop secondary to the changes in renal tubular function and bone dynamics which attend phosphate depletion (PD). This work characterizes the acid-base status of rats fed a low phosphate diet. After 18 days, PD rats had marked calciuria (pair-fed controls: 0.3 +/- 0.2; PD 32.2 +/- 2.5 mueq/h; P less than 0.001), severe bicarbonaturia (controls: 0; PD 17.6 +/- 0.2 meq/h; P less than 0.001), and negative net acid excretion (controls: 44.5 +/- 2.9; PD: --6.6 +/- 2.5 meq/h; P less than 0.001), but plasma pH, HCO3, and PCO2 were equal in both groups. After 45 days, plasma HCO3 fell to 21.1 +/- 0.9 meq/liter in PD (controls: 23.6 +/- 0.5 meq/liter; P less than 0.05), while bicarbonaturia (controls: 0.4 +/- 0.2; PD: 3.8 +/- 1 mueq/h; P less than 0.02) and calciuria were present but diminished. These data suggested the coexistence of bone HCO3 mobilization and renal HCO3 wasting in PD. To test this thesis, bicarbonaturia was eliminated by nephrectomy. 24 h later plasma HCO3 was higher in PD rats (controls: 19.3 +/- 0.02; PD: 22.6 +/- 0.8 meq/liter; P less than 0.05), consistend with the presence of extrarenal HCO3 production. After inhibition of bone resorption with colchicine (1 mg/kg), plasma HCO3 decreased to 16.8 +/- 0.6 meq/liter in PD rats (controls): 26.4 +/- 1 meq/liter; P less than 0.001) while bicarbonaturia persisted. These data indicate that the plasma HCO3 in PD is the net result of renal HCO3 wasting and bone HCO3 mobilization. These combined effects maintain normal blood HCO3 initially (18 days) but with time (45 days), bone resorption diminishes and the acidifying renal tubular defect predominates.