Renal impairment after spontaneous bacterial peritonitis: incidence and prognosis.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) is an important complication in cirrhotic patients. The aim of the present study was to assess the incidence, predictive factors and prognosis for renal impairment (RI) after SBP in cirrhotic patients from southern Brazil. METHODS: Of the 1030 hospitalizations evaluated, 114 episodes of SBP were diagnosed in 94 patients (mean age 49 years; 76.59% men). SBP diagnosis was established when the ascitic fluid polymorphonuclear cell count was equal to or greater than 250 cells/mm3. Five cases were excluded. The variables assessed as possible predictors of steady or progressive RI were blood urea nitrogen and creatinine levels before the diagnosis of SBP; type of infection, antibiotic prophylaxis, first episode or recurrent SBP, presence of gastrointestinal bleeding and hepatic encephalopathy during hospitalization, SBP resolution, Child-Pugh classification, levels of blood pressure, ascitic fluid and blood polymorphonuclear cell count, bacteriological data (positive and negative ascitic fluid culture), albumin, bilirubin, sodium and prothrombin time at the moment of diagnosis. RESULTS: The incidence of SBP was 11.07%. In 61 (55.96%) episodes, SBP was associated with RI (transient in 57.37%; steady in 19.67%; and progressive in 22.95%). The mortality rate associated with progressive RI was 100%; 58.33% with steady RI; and 2.85% with transient RI. The mortality rate in patients with or without RI was 36.07% and 6.25%, respectively (P<0.001). The level of creatinine (greater than or equal to 1.3mg/dL) before the diagnosis of SBP and the rate of infection resolution were the only predictors of RI in the multivariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS: RI after SBP is a common complication, and indicates a poor prognosis for this infection. High levels of creatinine before infection and the rate of infection resolution are independent predictors of RI.     

Neuroendocrine and clinical effects of transdermal 17β-estradiol in postmenopausal women

The neuroendocrine and clinical effects of transdermal 17β-estradiol (rated at 50 μg/day; TTS 50) were studied in 40 postmenopausal women; ten additional postmenopausal women did not receive any drugs. The changes in LH and rectal temperature induced by the infusion of the opioid antagonist naloxone (10 mg i.v. bolus plus 10 mg/h for 4 h) were used to evaluate the central activity of endogenous opioid peptides. TTS 50 increased opioid activity, as evidenced by the restoration of the LH response (P < 0.01) and the enhancement of the hypothermic effect (P < 0.05) of naloxone. A greater reduction in hot flushes was observed in TTS 50-treated subjects than in untreated women, with the maximal effect of TTS 50 achieved after 3 months of therapy. TTS 50 did not modify the concentrations of circulating lipids, glucose or liver enzymes but reduced the biochemical parameters indicative of bone reabsorption. Bone density of the distal radius significantly increased during TTS 50 (P < 0.02), reaching its maximum value after 6 months of therapy. Thereafter bone density declined, but more slowly than in untreated women.

Our data suggest that TTS 50 has marked neuroendocrine effects, that it diminishes the incidence of hot flushes and reduces bone demineralization. By contrast, it has a very little, if any, metabolic impact on the liver or on glucose and lipid metabolism.     

Comparison of three computer scanning modes as an interface method for persons with cerebral palsy.

Occupational therapists are becoming increasingly involved with interface assessments. This involvement is improving the ability of persons with physical disabilities to interact with computers, augmentative communication aids, and other devices. The ability to use these devices facilitates participation in activities that would otherwise be much more difficult to pursue, such as communication, education, work, and recreation. The purpose of the present study was to systematically compare three basic modes of scanning--automatic, inverse, and step--with the use of a single-subject experimental design. Six subjects--3 with spastic and 3 with athetoid cerebral palsy--from a local school volunteered for the study. Results indicated that the 3 subjects with spastic cerebral palsy had the greatest difficulty using the automatic scanning mode. The 3 subjects with athetoid cerebral palsy had the most difficulty using the step scanning mode. The results of this study suggest that clients should attempt each scanning mode and that their performance with each mode be compared to ensure the most appropriate recommendations.