A DOUBLE-BLIND,COMPARATIVE STUDY OF DOTHIEPIN AND CLOMIPRAMINE IN THE TREATMENT OF MAJOR DEPRESSIVE ILLNESS

Dothiepin, a well-established antidepressant, has been compared with clomipramine in a single-blind study which demonstrated that dothiepin was better tolerated but there was no difference in efficacy. The present study was performed to recent European guidelines on good clinical practice using a randomised, double-blind, parallel-group methodology. One hundred and one patients suffering from major depressive disorder as defined by DSM-III-R were randomised to receive either clomipramine (25-150 mg daily) or dothiepin (75-150 mg daily) for up to six weeks. The clomipramine group comprised 51 patients, the dothiepin group 50 patients. At baseline, both groups had a mean age of 41-43 years and gave similar mean scores on the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (23.5 for clomipramine, 23.6 for dothiepin). At endpoint it was reduced in both groups but there were no significant differences between the groups (mean change from baseline for the clomipramine and dothiepin groups was -14.6 and -14.1 respectively). Thirty-one clomipramine patients and 41 dothiepin patients completed six weeks' treatment. Withdrawal from treatment (20 patients for clomipramine, nine for dothiepin) was significantly different (p=0.0105). When reasons for withdrawal were analysed, 13 clomipramine patients and two dothiepin patients withdrew because of adverse events, this difference being significant (p=0.002). Thus both treatments were effective in treating patients suffering from major depressive disorder, but patients receiving dothiepin suffered fewer adverse events and were more likely to complete their treatment.     

Comparison of two- and three-dimensional transvaginal ultrasound in the visualisation of intrauterine devices

The aims of the study were to evaluate whether three-dimensional transvaginal ultrasound (3D TV US) is superior to two-dimensional transvaginal ultrasound (2D TV US) at visualising intrauterine devices and determining their position. This prospective study included 52 participants with an intrauterine device fitted, who underwent 2D TV US and 3D TV US. 2D TV US and 3D-reconstructed coronal images were reviewed by two gynaecological radiologists to assess ease of visualisation and position of the intrauterine devices. Statistical analysis was performed using Wilcoxon signed-rank, McNemar and Chi-squared tests. The inter-observer agreement was measured using Cohen’s Kappa. Intrauterine device visualisation scores were significantly higher with 2D TV US compared with 3D TV US (Radiologist 1 p = <0.001, Radiologist 2 p = 0.007). A significant number of T-arms appeared to perforate into the adjacent myometrium on the 3D-reconstructed coronal image, but were normal on the 2D images (Radiologist 1 p = <0.001, Radiologist 2 p = 0.008). Radiologist 1 found 19 perforated T-arms on 3D TV US compared with four on 2D TV US. Radiologist 2 found 13 perforated T-arms on 3D TV US compared with five on 2D TV US. Both radiologists agreed on the positions of the intrauterine devices substantially with 3D TV US (Kappa = 0.69) and moderately with 2D TV US (Kappa = 0.55). The 3D TV US did not visualise an intrauterine device better than 2D TV US. The 3D-reconstructed coronal image of the uterus can reliably display cases of T-arm perforation into the adjacent myometrium, which could be missed on 2D TV US images. The 3D TV US should be used in addition to 2D TV US in all cases where an intrauterine device is under evaluation.     

Role of Molecular Typing in Live Related Donor Renal Transplantation

In renal transplantation, a good HLA-DR match is associated with higher success rate of graft outcome. It is particularly so In high risk recipients. Serological HLA-DR typing is not always easy due to a number of technical problems. In view of this, a comparison of serological and molecular typing was done in our institutions. A total of 64 live related donor patients of renal transplantation were studied. Serological typing was done by conventional methods. Molecular HLA class II typing was done by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) based sequence specific oligonucleotide probe (SSOP) hybridization technique. An overall discrepancy of 19.5% was observed in the DR typing obtained by serology and PCR-SSOP of all the recipients and donors. 14.5% of cases showed discrepancy in the results of only one DR antigen. Serological typing failure was seen in 10.9% of total cases. In 19.5% cases, only one DR antigen was assigned by PCR-SSOP as compared to two antigens by serological methods. Maximum number of discrepancies were seen in DR 2 antigens. There was no appreciable difference of graft survival shown in the patients typed by both methods. However, higher incidence of acute graft rejection episodes were seen in patients with 1 antigen mismatch as compared to zero mismatch. It is concluded that HLA-DR typing should be carried out by molecular methods as these have been found to be more specific and accurate.Key Words: HLA-DR, Molecular typing     

CLINICAL COURSE and RELAPSE RATE IN INTESTINAL BEHCET'S DISEASE

Behçet's disease is a multisystemic recurrent inflammatory disease. Gastrointestinal tract involvement in Behçet's disease has been identified throughout the alimentary tract and causes diverse symptoms. Various treatment have been utilized to induce or maintain remission. However, little is known about clinical course and prognosis in Behçet's disease with intestinal involvement. The aims of this study were to evaluate the clinical course and relapse rate in intestinal Behçet's disease and to investigate factors that may affect relapse.
Methods  Clinical course and characteristics, including demographic parameters, gastrointestinal symptoms as well as systemic manifestations, laboratory data, endoscopic findings, and treatment strategies for the induction of remission, of 97 patients (49 male, 48 female) with intestinal Behçet's disease were retrospectively reviewed. Cumulative relapse free rate and factors related with relapse were analysed by Kaplan–Meier method and log–rank test, respectively.
Results  The median duration of the relapse free period was 7 months (ranges from 1 to 171 months). One, two, and five year relapse free rates were 41.2, 29.7 and 10.2%, respectively. Sex, clinical subtype of Behçet's disease, symptom and laboratory data at onset, colonoscopic findings, such as distribution of lesions as well as number, size, depth, and shape of ulcer, and initial treatment (medical vs. surgical) did not affect relapse rate. However, large ulcers (> 20 mm) and young age at onset (< 37 years old) were factors significantly related with higher relapse rate ( P  < 0.05, log–rank test).
Conclusion  High relapse rate in intestinal Behçet's disease was identified. Age at onset and size of the ulcer are factors related with long-term prognosis of intestinal Behçet's disease.     

Distraction Osteogenesis for Management of Severe OSA in Pierre Robin Sequence: An Approach to Elude Tracheostomy in Infants

Background

Severe obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is a life threatening condition associated with Pierre Robin sequence (PRS) due to mandibular micrognathia and glossoptosis. Often these patients require tracheostomy at an early age which has high morbidity. Distraction osteogenesis (DO) is an accepted method of treatment for patients with hypoplastic mandible to achieve mandibular lengthening without need for a bone graft. It has also been used in respiratory distressed neonates and infants to avoid tracheostomy.

Case report

An eight month old baby, a diagnosed case of PRS with severe OSA and recurrent episodes of aspiration pneumonia and on nasogastric tube feeding since birth was referred to us for evaluation and possibility of therapeutic augmentation of the mandible by DO. After a thorough clinico-radiological assessment the child was operated for bilateral extraoral placement of horizontal corpus distractor. A total distraction of 12 mm was carried out and consolidation of callus was monitored by USG. Postoperatively the patient was followed up for 12 months. Presently she has normal respiratory and feeding function without any episode of aspiration pneumonia.

Conclusion

Mandibular corpus DO is a safe and effective technique that can be applied to predictably relieve severe upper airway obstruction in selected PRS cases. In order to avoid the limitations of alternative surgical procedures and the tracheostomy-associated morbidity, DO should be considered among the routine treatment modalities.