Post-transplantation diabetes is better controlled after conversion from prednisone to deflazacort: a prospective trial in renal transplants

It is well known that long-term use of steroids plays a decisive role in the development of glucose intolerance and diabetes mellitus (DM). Deflazacort, an oxazoline derivative of prednisolone, has been introduced as a potential substitute for conventional steroids in order to ameliorate glucose intolerance. We initiated a randomized study of conversion from prednisone to deflazacort in kidney transplantation (Tx) recipients presenting with pre-Tx or post-Tx DM to ascertain whether or not the switch to deflazacort would ameliorate the diabetic state. Forty-two recipients in the conversion group were compared with 40 patients on prednisone (the control group) in a prospective manner. The dose reduction of insulin or oral blood glucose-lowering agents, the adequacy of glucose control, and the development of side effects were the criteria for evaluating outcome. In the conversion group, patients were switched to deflazacort at a dose ratio of 6 mg deflazacort to 5 mg prednisone. During the mean follow-up period of 13.2 months, neither graft dysfunction nor acute rejection developed in the conversion group. Improvement in blood glucose control in the conversion group was noted. When the conversion group was stratified into pre- or post-Tx DM, promising effects were clearly evident in the post-Tx DM patients. More than 50 % dose reduction of blood glucose-lowering agents was possible in 42.3 % of post-Tx DM patients. In conclusion, it was readily possible to control blood glucose better in post-Tx DM recipients without seriously affecting the immunosuppressive activity after conversion to deflazacort. Received: 20 August 1996 Received after revision: 25 November 1996 Accepted: 6 December 1996     

Periodontal conditions among the middle-aged and the elderly in Hong Kong

Abstract The aim of this study was to describe the periodontal conditions in 372 35–44-yr-old and 537 noninstitutionalized 65–74-yr-old Hong Kong Chinese who were examined clinically for loss of attachment, recession, probing depth, calculus, and bleeding after probing. Community Periodontal Index (CPI) data and treatment need indications were compiled from index teeth or their substitutes. The prevalence of loss of attachment varied considerably in both cohorts according to the definition of the threshold (≥6, ≥9, and ≥12 mm, respectively). The mean numbers of teeth with loss of attachment at the ≥6-mm threshold and at higher thresholds were small. In both age cohorts, about one-fifth of subjects had probing depths ≥6-mm, while al the ≥9-mm threshold only 2–3% were so affected. Although recession was an important component of loss of attachment in the younger cohort, in the older cohort the prevalence and extent of recession were greater than for probing depths at thresholds ≥4 mm. All subjects had one or more teeth with calculus, bleeding, or both, most teeth being so affected. Eighty-four of the 537 65–74-yr-old subjects were excluded either because of edentulousness or because extractions indicated for the remaining teeth would have rendered the subjects edentulous. The distribution of subjects according to their highest CPI score was remarkably similar for the two cohorts. No subjects in either age group were assessed as “healthy” (CPI code 0) or had “bleeding only” (code 1) as their highest score. While most subjects scored CPI code 2 or 3 us their highest score, only 17% of the younger and 15% of the older cohort scored Community Periodontal Index of Treatment Needs (CPITN) code 4. Differences in the mean number of sextants affected by CPI codes between the two cohorts were mainly due to a greater number of excluded sextants in the older cohort. CPI findings for 35–44-yr-olds differed little from those reported in 1984.     

Umbilical vs peripheral vein catheterization for parenteral nutrition in sick premature neonates.

The efficacy and safety of using umbilical venous catheters vs. peripheral venous catheters for the delivery of parenteral nutrition was studied in 129 critically ill premature infants who were treated in a neonatal intensive care unit for the first 3 weeks of life. Infants who received parenteral nutrition by umbilical venous catheter had greater parenteral caloric intake, lower physiologic weight loss and greater weight gain during the study as compared to infants who received parenteral nutrition by peripheral vein. While the overall incidence of sepsis was comparable in both groups (19% vs 19.7%), benign and transient episodes of hyperglycemia were seen more commonly in infants receiving parenteral nutrition by umbilical catheters. None of the hyperglycemic infants, however, required insulin therapy. The incidence of other metabolic complication was comparable in both groups. At follow up, no evidence of portal hypertension was detected in any of the infants up to 66 months of age treated with umbilical venous catheters. We conclude that the use of umbilical venous catheter allows for a comparably safe and a more appropriate parenteral nutrition support than peripheral catheters in critically ill premature neonates.     

Are Continuity Clinic Patients Less Satisfied When the Resident Is Postcall?

Due to recent public debate and newly imposed resident work hour restrictions, we decided to investigate the relationship of resident call status to their ambulatory patients' satisfaction. Resident continuity clinic patients were asked to rate their level of satisfaction on a 10-point Likert-type scale. Using multiple regression approaches, these data were then assessed as a function of resident call status. We found that in 646 patient encounters, patient satisfaction scores were significantly less when the resident was postcall, 8.99 ± 1.8, than when not postcall, 9.31 ± 1.3. We herein discuss etiologies and implications of these findings for both patient care and medical education.     

Impact of automatic orders to discontinue vancomycin therapy on vancomycin use in an antimicrobial stewardship program.

We examined the possible unintended consequences of a 72-hour automatic order to discontinue vancomycin therapy in an antimicrobial stewardship program (ASP). Of 120 patients, 11 had vancomycin therapy discontinued at 72 hours without a call to the ASP, and 7 experienced a treatment interruption of 6-36 hours. All discontinuation of therapy was considered appropriate, and the 7 treatment interruptions did not have clear clinical consequences. Only one-third of patients had ASP stickers that warned of impending discontinuation of vancomycin therapy placed appropriately in the medical record.     

An approach to haemorrhoids

OBJECTIVE: Many patients with haemorrhoids are investigated because of the fear of missing colorectal cancer (CRC). The aim of this study was to determine whether a primarily clinical approach regarding the need for investigation was safe and did not miss patients with CRC. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Data was collected prospectively on 589 consecutive patients with the principle diagnosis of haemorrhoids at first clinic visit. All had clinical assessment including rigid sigmoidoscopy and were treated by phenol injection or banding. They were categorized for (1) no review unless symptoms persisted -'One Stop SOS' (2) outpatient review or (3) investigation. To check for the development of CRC they were contacted by postal questionnaire or telephone interview with a minimum of one year from diagnosis and treatment. All 589 patients were cross-referenced with the Pathology database and the Hospital Information Services System. RESULTS: Four hundred and sixty-nine (80%) answered the questionnaire; 352 patients (60% of the total group) fell in the 'one stop SOS' outpatient category; 95 (16%) patients were followed up to review response to treatment for large haemorrhoids; 105 (18%) were investigated with barium enema (12%), flexible sigmoidoscopy (4%), colonoscopy (1%) and miscellaneous (1%); 37 (6%) patients were either given a haemorrhoidectomy date or referred on with a different diagnosis. No patients selected for 'one-stop' treatment developed CRC. Five (0.8%) patients were diagnosed with CRC after appropriate investigation was instituted for suspicious symptoms. One patient with distal transverse colon cancer had a delayed diagnosis as she was investigated initially by flexible sigmoidoscopy. CONCLUSION: Most patients with the primary diagnosis of symptomatic haemorrhoids do not need investigation.