Design of clinical trials for chronic diseases: implications for periodontal disease

In order to make effective use of the statistical theory of design of clinical trials for chronic diseases such as periodontal disease, certain issues must be considered. Any clinical trial requires that the disease definition be well-specified; that patient eligibility be explicit; that the observation times be explicit; that the duration and endpoint of therapy be specified; that the duration of subsequent followup observation be specified; and that the unit of observation (e.g., tooth, set of teeth, patient) be defined. In a chronic disease, the potential biases that can readily be introduced by self-selection of patients who enter the trial and/or who return for subsequent observation become more important, because subjects are required to remain on treatment and/or observation for prolonged periods. Further, the cyclical nature of some chronic diseases may require special attention to baseline definitions of active disease and disease outcome. These issues are illustrated with examples from clinical trials of hypertension, breast cancer screening, and Polycythemia Vera. Implications for periodontal disease are discussed.     

腔内激光治疗大隐静脉曲张192例报告

目的 探讨腔内激光治疗大隐静脉曲张的疗效。方法 2004年7月～2006年3月我院对192例238条肢体大隐静脉曲张行高位结扎、激光烧灼静脉主干和小腿曲张静脉。小腿局部严重曲张的静脉团,另做切口做局部切除或点状抽拨。结果 本组一次治愈率96.2%（229/238）。9例9条肢体术后因仍有少量曲张静脉存在,局麻下行切除或再次激光治愈。114例大隐静脉主干及小腿局部条索状硬结、疼痛;9例皮肤灼伤。术后住院时间4～8 d,平均5.6 d。158例随访1～18个月,平均11.6月,未见复发。结论 腔内激光治疗大隐静脉曲张效果确切,创伤小。     

Medical management of Crohn's disease: A guide for radiologists

The choice of therapies for Crohn's disease has expanded greatly over the past 30 years. Increasingly it is important that we attempt to identify subgroups of patients who will benefit most from each type of therapy. This article reviews the therapeutic options currently available, organized by the goal the practitioner hopes to achieve. Imaging is one critical way of aiding the classification of Crohn's disease by attempting to accurately determine the location, extent and, most importantly, the nature of the disease.     

Combination of low-dose mirtazapine and ibuprofen for prophylaxis of chronic tension-type headache

Chronic headaches are difficult to treat and represent the biggest challenge in headache centres. Mirtazapine has a prophylactic and ibuprofen an acute effect in tension-type headache. Combination therapy may increase efficacy and lower side effects. We aimed to evaluate the prophylactic effect of a combination of low-dose mirtazapine and ibuprofen in chronic tension-type headache. Ninety-three patients were included in the double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel trial. Following a 4-week run-in period they were randomized to four groups for treatment with a combination of mirtazapine 4.5 mg and ibuprofen 400 mg, placebo, mirtazapine 4.5 mg or ibuprofen 400 mg daily for 8 weeks. Eighty-four patients completed the study. The primary efficacy parameter, change in area under the headache curve from run-in to the last 4 weeks of treatment, did not differ between combination therapy (190) and placebo (219), P  = 0.85. Explanatory analyses revealed worsening of headache already in the third week of treatment with ibuprofen alone. In conclusion, the combination of low-dose mirtazapine and ibuprofen is not effective for the treatment of chronic tension-type headache. Moreover, the study suggests that daily intake of ibuprofen worsens headache already after few weeks in chronic tension-type headache.     

早期胰岛素强化序贯治疗在ICU中的临床应用

本文通过复习相关文献资料，就早期胰岛素强化序贯治疗在ICU病人治疗中应用的几个主要方面进行扼要的综述，以利临床医生的参考。     

肝移植术后并发胆道狭窄和胆泥淤积影像诊断及介入治疗

目的:评价肝移植术后胆道狭窄和胆泥淤积影像诊断及介入治疗的价值。方法:对39例肝移植术后并发胆道狭窄和胆泥淤积的影像诊断及介入治疗进行回顾性分析。结果:超声、T型管胆道造影、CT和MRI检查诊断胆道狭窄伴胆泥形成39例,38例介入治疗后胆道梗阻症状明显缓解;1例介入治疗后胆道梗阻症状未明显改善,后行外科胆管修补术。结论:T型管胆道造影或直接经皮胆道造影对肝移植术后胆道狭窄和胆泥淤积诊断特异性及敏感性最高,放射介入和内镜介入技术对其均发挥重要的治疗作用。     

Learning to Observe Relationships and Coping

Milieu relationships provide the critical background presence to staff's attempts to motivate, regulate, and teach patients how to cope with stress. Forging a connection with hospitalized children and adolescents demands attention to how they respond to adults and engage with staff around milieu expectations. Assessment guides that deal with these issues are presented. Important aspects of children's relatedness are presented in the context of their working models of adults and the influence of these representations on their response to staff. Coping skills are explained with particular emphasis on behavioral coping strategies. Tied to the assessment process are interventions that emphasize staff's role in helping patients manage strong affects and avoid the use of nonproductive behavior regulation strategies.