益胃汤加味方对原发性干燥综合征疲劳症状的影响

目的:探讨益胃汤加味对改善原发性干燥综合征(primary sj?rgren's syndrome,pSS)气阴两虚、瘀血阻络证患者疲劳症状及免疫学指标的治疗效果。方法:将116例原发性干燥综合征患者按照随机、对照、单盲法分为治疗组与对照组,每组58例。治疗组给予益胃汤加味方,每日1剂,2次/d;对照组给予硫酸羟氯喹200 mg/次,2次/d,两组均连续治疗24周。比较治疗前后两组患者中医证候疗效、中医疲劳症状积分、疲劳症状视觉模拟评分(visual analogue scale,VAS)以及类风湿因子(rheumatoid factor,RF)与血清免疫球蛋白G(immunoglobulin G,IgG)水平。结果:治疗后治疗组患者中医证候疗效优于对照组(Z=3. 712,P0. 05);治疗组中医疲劳积分与疲劳症状视觉模拟评分改善均优于对照组(P0. 05)。治疗6个月后,治疗组IgG水平较本组治疗前明显下降(P0. 05),与对照组组间比较差异无统计学意义。治疗后两组类风湿因子与本组治疗前比较均无明显下降。治疗组不良反应率1. 75%(1/57),对照组不良反应发生率为25. 49%(13/51)。结论:与硫酸羟氯喹相比,益胃汤加味方治疗pSS,可明显改善患者疲劳及总体症状,两者均可降低血清IgG,益胃汤加味方组疗效较硫酸羟氯喹更明显。两组药物对pSS患者RF水平均无明显影响。长期用药,益胃汤加味方治疗pSS较硫酸羟氯喹更为安全。     

The opportunity costs of caring for people with dementia in Southern Spain

Objective

The aim of this paper is to study the opportunity costs (OC) that are involved in being a caregiver and to compare them with the direct costs assumed by the State and the families. We evaluate direct cost (those that imply a payment-out-of-pocket) and indirect cost (those that imply a dedication in time). We hypothesized that costs increase with the severity of the dementia, with the educational level and active occupational situation of caregiver. They are greater if the caregiver is male, but if the patient and caregiver cohabit they are reduced.

偏瘫性肩痛患者腋囊的MRI观测及临床意义

目的通过MRI技术观察偏瘫患者肩疼痛腋囊形态变化,为影像诊断提供依据。方法对47例偏瘫性肩疼痛患者(疼痛组)和47例正常肩部(对照组),运用MRI技术对肩关节腋囊进行测量,观察腋囊下肱盂韧带信号。结果偏瘫性肩疼痛的腋囊厚度(4.1±1.45)mm,高于对照组。腋囊腔高度(8.70±1.80)mm,腋囊腔宽度(4.31±0.56)mm,小于对照组。偏瘫性肩痛下肱盂韧带呈高信号出现率达21%,腋囊厚度与VAS呈正相关,与肩关节外展外旋呈负相关。结论脑中风中后期肩周炎是引起偏瘫性肩疼痛患者的常见原因,腋囊厚度是限制肩关节活动度的重要因素。     

Congenital high airway obstruction syndrome (CHAOS): Natural history,prenatal management strategies,and outcomes at a single comprehensive fetal center

PurposeCongenital high airway obstruction syndrome (CHAOS) is a devastating fetal condition of complete airway discontinuity resulting in significant hydrops and extreme lung hyperplasia. It is universally fatal with survival reported only in the rare spontaneous fistulization or EXIT intervention (Ex Utero Intrapartum Treatment). Even in these cases, mortality remains high, and current investigations are targeting prenatal interventions. This report describes our experience with management and fetal interventions for CHAOS, including laser laryngotomy.MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed all patients diagnosed with CHAOS at a single academic institution between 2006 and 2017.ResultsFifteen patients were identified. Eight had obstruction at the trachea and seven at the larynx. In the laryngeal obstructions, three expired shortly after birth, and one survived after spontaneous fistulization and subsequent EXIT to tracheostomy. The remaining three underwent in-utero treatment with laser laryngotomy. One had preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM), delivered 3 days post-operatively, and died. Two underwent EXIT to tracheostomy with one surviving to discharge and is currently 2 years old.ConclusionOur study demonstrates the outcomes of a large series of patients diagnosed with CHAOS. While mortality remains high, options for fetal intervention are being explored to allow alterations in the prenatal natural history and improve postnatal outcomes.Type of StudyRetrospective Treatment Study.Level of EvidenceLevel IV.     

Response to chemoradiotherapy and lymph node involvement in locally advanced rectal cancer

AIM: To establish the association between lymph node involvement and the response to neoadjuvant therapy in locally advanced rectal cancer.METHODS: Data of 130 patients with mid and low locally advanced rectal adenocarcinoma treated with neoadjuvant chemoradiation followed by radical surgery over a 5-year period were reviewed. Tumor staging was done by endorectal ultrasound and/or magnetic resonance imaging. Tumor response to neoadjuvant therapy was determined by T-downstaging and tumor regression grading (TRG). Pathologic complete response (pCR) is defined as the absence of tumor cells in the surgical specimen (ypT0N0). The varying degrees TRG were classified according to Mandard’s scoring system. The evaluation of the response is based on the comparison between previous clinico-radiological staging and the results of pathological evaluation. χ² and Spearman’s correlation tests were used for the comparison of variables.RESULTS: Pathologic complete response (pCR, ypT0N0, TRG1) was observed in 19 cases (14.6%), and other 18 (13.8%) had only very few residual malignant cells in the rectal wall (TRG2). T-downstaging was found in 63 (48.5%). Mean lymph node retrieval was 9.4 (range 0-38). In 37 cases (28.5%) more than 12 nodes were identified in the surgical specimen. Preoperative lymph node involvement was seen in 77 patients (59.2%), 71 N1 and 6 N2. Postoperative lymph node involvement was observed in 41 patients (31.5%), 29 N1 and 12 N2, while the remaining 89 were N0 (68.5%). In relation to ypT stage, we found nodal involvement of 9.4% in ypT0-1, 22.2% in ypT2 and 43.7% in ypT3-4. Of the 37 patients considered “responders” to neoadjuvant therapy (TRG1 and 2), there were only 4 N+ (10.8%) and the remainder N0 (89.2%). In the “non responders” group (TRG 3, 4 and 5), 37 cases were N+ (39.8%) and 56 (60.2%) were N0 (P < 0.001).CONCLUSION: Response to neoadjuvant chemoradiation in rectal cancer is associated with lymph node involvement.