Current topical and systemic approaches to treatment of rosacea

Rosacea is a common, often overlooked, chronic facial dermatosis characterized by intermittent periods of exacerbation and remission. Clinical subtypes and grading of the disease have been defined in the literature. On the basis of a genetic predisposition, there are several intrinsic and extrinsic factors possibly correlating with the phenotypic expression of the disease. Although rosacea cannot be cured, there are several recommended treatment strategies appropriate to control the corresponding symptoms/signs. In addition to adequate skin care, these include topical and systemic medications particularly suitable for the papulopustular subtype of rosacea with moderate to severe intensity. The most commonly used and most established therapeutic regimens are topical metronidazole and topical azelaic acid as well as oral doxycycline. Conventionally, 100–200 mg per day have been used. Today also a controlled release formulation is available, delivering 40 mg per day using non-antibiotic, anti-inflammatory activities of the drug. Anti-inflammatory dose doxycycline in particular allows for a safe and effective short- and long-term therapy of rosacea. Topical metronidazole and topical azelaic acid also appear to be safe and effective for short-term use. There are indications that a combined therapy of anti-inflammatory dose doxycycline and topical metronidazole could possibly have synergy effects. Further interesting therapy options for the short- and long-term therapy of rosacea could be low-dose minocycline and isotretinoin; however, too little data are available with regard to the effectiveness, safety, optimal dosage and appropriate length of treatment for these medications to draw final conclusions.

Conflicts of interest

None declared.     

醋氨酚缓释包衣颗粒研究

包衣颗粒体外溶出试验证明在释放量达66%以前为零级恒速释放,此后释放速率降低为非零级释放。颗粒在室温下密闭贮存21个月后,释放速率增快,但仍为零级释放,也是在释放量达66%以后转变为非零级释放。用尿药排泄速率法研究了包衣颗粒的体内动力学并与常规片剂作比较,并测出两者的消除速率常数。常规片剂所得药物t 1/2=3.21h,而包衣颗粒剂所得半衰期约延长2.5倍。通过吸收百分率与体外溶出百分率在不同时间下数值的比较得到线性关系,相关系数r=0.9886。说明体外溶出数据可以作为控制吸收率的依据。按一级吸收一室模型公式计算了一定剂量下的血药浓度,在13h以内血药浓度都在治疗浓度范围(5～20μg/ml)以内。最高浓度为10.5μg/ml,达峰时间为3.27h。本品一次服1.1g可延效12h。     

Cross sectional study of use of alternative medicines in Chinese cancer patients

The aim of this study was to ascertain the prevalence of alternative medicine consumption in Chinese cancer patients on active conventional treatment. A cross sectional survey of 100 consecutive advanced cancer patients admitted to a cancer clinical trial referral unit were personally interviewed by their assigned oncology research nurse using a specially designed questionnaire. The results showed that 64% of our patients used indigenous Chinese medication. In all age groups except the over-70s (P = 0.043), > 50% took such medication, more female (76%) than male (57.6%) patients (P = 0.323). Patients of all educational levels (P = 0.062) and religious backgrounds (P = 0.08) consumed alternative medicines. Duration of alternative medication consumption was less than three months in 50% of patients, with costs between US$40 and 2000/month for 70% of patients. Reasons cited for alternative medication consumption was hope that it might be of some benefit to their well being or disease control, and maybe even result in a miracle cure. Sources of advice on medication were mostly from strangers (by word of mouth), family, friends, the media, and infrequently from qualified professional Chinese doctors. Reasons for discontinuing such treatment were mostly given as lack of positive effect. In conclusion, Chinese cancer patients, willingly, rampantly and non-selectively seek out and consume alternative medications, with almost total ignorance of the medication consumed, oblivious to any potential side effects, and with little subjective benefit.      

Maintenance of growth in cystic fibrosis despite reduction in pancreatic enzyme supplementation

Twenty one children with cystic fibrosis were advised to decrease their pancreatic enzyme supplement (PES) dose to less than 10,000 units lipase/kg/day. Mean PES dosage was significantly decreased in 15 patients from 18,380 to 8647 units lipase/kg/day. There were no significant changes in energy or fat intake, but there were significant increases in weight SD score, height SD score, and weight/height ratio.