Research progress on non-pharmacological therapies for post-stroke depression / 四川精神卫生

This article aims to review the clinical efficacy of existing non-pharmacological therapies for post-stroke depression （PSD）， in order to provide references for the comprehensive treatment of PSD. As a common complication of stroke， PSD seriously affects patients' rehabilitation and daily life， and brings a heavy burden to patients and their families. Non-pharmacological therapy is an important intervention approach for PSD. Therefore， this article gives a review on the non-pharmacological therapies for PSD including psychotherapy and physical therapy.

Uso de la ivrabadina para el tratamiento de la taquicardia ectópica de la unión congénita / Use of ivabradine for the treatment of congenital junctional ectopic tachycardia

Resumen La taquicardia ectópica de la unión en su variante congénita es una taquiarritmia pediátrica poco frecuente, que por su naturaleza incesante y su refractariedad a los agentes farmacológicos tradicio nales lleva asociada una alta morbimortalidad. Se presentan los casos clínicos de dos pacientes pediátricos con diagnóstico de taquicardia ectópica de la unión congénita, que mostraron respuesta inadecuada a las alternativas de tratamiento habituales y que, en consecuencia, desarrollaron miocardiopatía dilatada y disfunción ventricular secundaria a la taquicardia sostenida. En ambos se utilizó ivabradina como alternativa farmacológica innovadora pare el control de ésta con excelente respuesta clínica.

Abstract The congenial form of junctional ectopic tachycardia is a rare variant of pediatric tachyarrhythmia that due to its incessant nature and its refractoriness to the traditionally used antiarrhythmic agents has a high morbimortality The clinical cases of two patients with a diagnosis of congenital junctional ectopic tachycardia with inadequate response to the regular pharmacological options, who developed dilated cardiomyopathy and ventricular dysfunc tion secondary to sustained tachycardia, are presented. In both ivrabadine, a new innovative option was used with excellent clinical response.

New progress of amblyopia treatment / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

@#Amblyopia is defined as a decrease in visual acuity that results from abnormal binocular interaction or visual deprivation during critical period of the visual cortex, which cause a variety of visual functions damage. With the development of science and technology, amblyopia treatment has new concept. The new method of amblyopia treatment is occlusion therapy based on corrected refraction, followed by visual function training and pharamacological therapy, instead of traditional treatment which contians only refraction correction and patching therapy. Correction of refractive error is no longer limited to use spectacles, also provided with contact lenses, corneal refractive surgery and intraocular refractive surgery. In addition to using patching, occlusion therapy can use Bangerter filters, contact lenses and LED liquid crystal glasses. The training of visual function aimed to improve three-level visual function and restore visual cortical plasticity, which is especially important in the adult amblyopia. Levodopa and citicoline drugs can be added to occlusion therapy in order to reach a better outcome. We should design the fittest treatment plan according to the individual situation of the patients within varied of methods, adopting diversified combination, personalized therapy.

Fatores associados ao uso de medicamentos potencialmente inapropriados em idosos urbanos e rurais / Factors associated with the use of medicines potentially inadequate for urban and rural elderly people

Este estudo objetivou verificar a associação entre uso de medicamentos potencialmente inapropriados e zona de moradia, condições de saúde, hábitos de vida e capacidade funcional de idosos urbanos e rurais. Trata-se de um estudo transversal, recorte de um estudo de base populacional sobre condições de vida e saúde de idosos residentes nas zonas urbana e rural do município de Estação (RS). Por meio de inquérito domiciliar, os 313 idosos entrevistados autorreferiram informações pessoais e familiares, condições de saúde e hábitos de vida e avaliação funcional. As informações coletadas foram codificadas e armazenadas em um banco de dados. Os dados foram analisados e as medicações utilizadas e sua classificação quanto aos Critérios de Beers, versão 2012 foram identificadas. O estudo evidenciou uma prevalência elevada quanto ao uso de medicamentos potencialmente inapropriados em idosos. As classes terapêuticas de medicamentos mais utilizadas foram drogas antiarrítmicas, benzodiazepínicos e anti-inflamatórios não esteroidais. Identificou-se associação positiva entre o uso de medicamentos potencialmente inapropriados e dor, quedas, atividade física, diabetes, problemas no sono, nervosismo, problemas cardíacos, depressão e atividades básicas da vida diária. Tal evidência reforça a necessidade de capacitação e sensibilização dos profissionais de saúde para a avaliação da terapia medicamentosa.

The association between the use of potentially inadequate medicines and living sites, health conditions, habits and functional capacity of urban and rural elderly people is analyzed. Current transversal study is a section of a population-based investigation on health and life conditions of elderly people living in the urban and rural zones of the municipality of Estação RS Brazil. A home survey was conducted with 313 elderly people who provided their personal and family data, health conditions, habits and functional evaluation. Information was codified and stored in a data base. Data on medicines used and their classification were analyzed according to Beer´s Criteria v. 2012. Investigation revealed high prevalence of medicine which was potentially inadequate for the elderly. Antiarrhythmic, benzodiazepines and non -steroid anti-inflammatory drugs were the most employed drug therapeutic classes. A positive association between the use of potentially inadequate medicines and pain, falls, physical activity, diabetes, insomnia, nervousness, heart condition, depression and daily basic activities was identified. Results reinforce the need for capacitation and sensitiveness of health professionals to assess medicinal therapy.

Pharmacological Treatment for Peptic Ulcer Bleeding

Peptic ulcer bleeding (PUB) is the most common cause of non-variceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding, and its frequency has been declining over the past decades. However, mortality from PUB persists, and it is still a serious challenge in clinical practice. Although endoscopic intervention is the basic treatment modality for PUB, pharmacological therapy is an important adjunct. The emergence of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) enables maintenance of intragastric pH >6, which greatly helps in the treatment of PUB. Continuous intravenous infusion of high-dose PPI reduces the re-bleeding rate, thereby helping avoid additional surgery in patients with high-risk stigmata. Moreover, administration of PPIs prior to endoscopy may reduce the need for additional endoscopic intervention. Recently introduced gastric acid suppressants, such as potassium-competitive acid blockers, have shown promising results in further treatment of PUB.

Ejercicios físicos en la prevención de hipertensión arterial / Physical exercises in the prevention of hypertension

Se efectuó una investigación en el Centro Fisiokinesio e Hidroterapia de Manta, en Manabí, Ecuador, a fin de desarrollar un programa de ejercicios aeróbicos leves, moderados y de resistencia, para prevenir la hipertensión arterial y disminuir la presión arterial en personas hipertensas. En este estudio no experimental de 4 semanas, se incluyeron 10 pacientes hipertensos, cuya mayoría correspondió al sexo masculino (70,0 %) y al grupo etario de 41-50 años (30,0 %), y en quienes se observó que la presión arterial diastólica mínima fue de 80 mm de Hg y la máxima de 105 mm de Hg, mientras que la presión sistólica inferior fue de 120 mm de Hg y la superior de 160 mm de Hg. De igual manera, 80,0 % presentaba el hábito de fumar y 90,0 % no controlaba los alimentos que consumía.

An investigation was carried out in the Physiokynesis and Hydrotherapy Center of Manta, in Manabí, Ecuador, in order to develop a program of light to moderate aerobic and resistance exercises, to prevent hypertension and to decrease the arterial pressure in hypertensive people. In this non experimental study of 4 weeks, 10 hypertensive patients were included whose majority corresponded to the male sex (70.0%) and to the 41-50 age group (30.0%), and in whom it was observed that the minimum diastolic pressure was of 80 mm Hg and the highest 105 mm Hg, while the lower systolic pressure was 120 mm Hg and the higher was 160 mm Hg. In the same way, 80.0% had smoking habit and 90.0% didn't control the foods they consumed.

THE FAILING HEART: NEW MODALITIES OF TREATMENT

In the last 40 years, pharmacological therapy for chronic heart failure has rapidly expanded beyond diuretics and digoxin. Standard pharmacological therapy includes beta blockers and renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system antagonists. Even with existing contemporary pharmacological therapy, which has substantially improved outcomes, prognosis is fairly poor. The treatment of heart failure continues to evolve with the integration of the results from landmark clinical trials into contemporary therapy. Development of novel therapeutic strategies for the treatment of this disease is crucial. Some of these new approaches will be briefly discussed.

Analysis of factors influencing short-term effect of presurgical pharmacological therapy and transsphenoidal microsurgery for somatotropinomas / 实用医学杂志

Objective To analyze factors influencing short-term effect of presurgical pharmacological thera-py and transsphenoidal microsurgery for somatotropinomas. Methods The clinical data of 53 patients underwent presurgical pharmacological therapy and transsphenoidal surgery for somatotropinomas were retrospectively analyzed in order to search for factors influencing effect of presurgical pharmacological therapy and transsphenoidal surgery for somatotropinomas. Results Serum GH inhibition rates decreased<50.00%from baseline in 62.26%of patients receiving presurgical pharmacological therapy. Statistical analysis concerning the influence of sex , neuropathological evaluation, tumor size and presence of invasion on presurgical pharmacological therapy effect were performed using a chi-squared test, no significant correlation was found among these factors and presurgical pharmacological therapy effect. Total remission rates were 43.40%, Statistical analysis concerning the influence of sex , neuropathological e valuation, tumor size, presence of invasion and presurgical pharmacological therapy effect on remission rate were performed using a chi-squared test, a significant correlation was found among tumor size, presence of invasion, presurgical pharmacological therapy effect and remission rate , while no significant correlation was found among the rest of the factors. Further Logistic regression analysis demonstrated a significant correlation among tumor size , presence of invasion and remission rate , while no significant correlation was found between presurgical pharmacolog-ical therapy effect and remission rate. Conclusions Presurgical pharmacological therapy effect revealed no signifi-cant correlation with sex, neuropathological evaluation, tumor size or presence of invasion. Total remission rate cor-related with tumor size and presence of invasion. A better presurgical pharmacological therapy effect may indicated a better outcome, while postoperative remission rate revealed no significant correlation with presurgical pharmacologi-cal therapy in our series.

Nuevos retos en el tratamiento del juego patológico / New challenges in the treatment of disordered gambling

En este artículo se señalan los avances y retos de futuro en el tratamiento del juego patológico. El objetivo terapéutico (abstinencia o juego moderado) es actualmente objeto de controversia. Los tratamientos para la ludopatía incluyen la terapia hospitalaria, los tratamientos cognitivo-conductuales individuales o grupales, Jugadores Anónimos y la farmacoterapia, así como la prevención de recaídas. La terapia cognitivo-conductual presenta unas tasas de éxito del 50 por ciento al 80 por ciento de los casos tratados en un seguimiento a largo plazo. La farmacoterapia es un complemento cuando los pacientes tienen un estado de ánimo deprimido o un elevado nivel de impulsividad. El juego controlado puede ser una alternativa terapéutica para los jugadores jóvenes o que no presentan aún una dependencia severa. Se requiere más información sobre el tratamiento del juego on-line y de poblaciones específicas (mujeres y jóvenes). Se comentan las implicaciones de esta revisión para la práctica clínica y para las investigaciones futuras.

This paper deals with the new developments in the treatment of disordered gambling, as well as with the challenges for further research. Abstinence versus moderated gambling is an issue that raises many concerns and that needs to be addressed. Current treatment for disordered gambling involves a number of different options, including inpatient treatments, individual and group cognitive-behavioral options, Gamblers Anonymous and pharmacotherapy, as well as an intervention in relapse prevention. Cognitive-behavioral therapy may have asuccess rate ranging from 50 percent to 80 percent of treated patients in a long-term follow-up. Psychopharmacological therapy may have incremental benefit when patients have comorbid depression or high impulsivity. Responsible gambling may be a therapeutic option for young gamblers or people without a severe dependence. Further information is required about treatment for online gambling addictions and for dealing with specific populations (women and young people). Unanswered questions for future research in this field are commented upon.

Use of Various Treatment Modalities for Autism Spectrum Disorder and Mental Retardation

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to investigate the use of various treatment modalities including pharmacotherapy, education-behavior therapy, and complementary alternative treatment for children with mental retardation (MR) or autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in Korea. METHODS: The sample consisted of 50 parents who have children with MR (N=28) or ASD (N=22), 38 boys, 12 girls ; mean age 14.06 (4.14) years old. A questionnaire was composed of the experienced modality, duration, cost, satisfaction etc. RESULTS: According to the results, 56.0%, 100.0%, and 36.0% of children with MR or ASD have experienced pharmacological treatment, educational-behavioral therapy and complementary alternative medicine (CAM), respectively. Children who experienced education-behavioral therapy and CAM experienced 3.52 kinds of education-behavioral therapy and 2.78 kinds of CAM, respectively. Monthly cost of pharmacological treatment was lowest among three modality categories. Regarding treatment satisfaction by parental report, the lowest score was recorded fir CAM. CONCLUSION: Parents who have a child with MR or ASD are trying many treatment modalities and feeling the burden of their treatment.

Comportamiento de la depresión en el adulto mayor del policlínico "Cristóbal Labra" / Behaviour of depression in the elderly at \"Cristobal Labra\" Polyclinic

Introducción: la depresión en el anciano constituye un problema de salud. Los cambios biológicos, psicológicos, económicos y sociales que se observan en el proceso de envejecimiento, asociados a las numerosas patologías que aparecen en esta etapa de la vida, conllevan a pensar que irremediablemente los ancianos tengan todas las condiciones creadas para deprimirse.Objetivo: caracterizar la depresión en los adultos mayores y los tratamientos empleados para la misma, en la consulta de psicogeriatría y demencia de un policlínico.Métodos: se realizó un estudio descriptivo, retrospectivo de corte transversal a 112 ancianos, remitidos por los médicos de familia a la consulta de Psicogeriatría y Demencia del Policlínico "Cristóbal Labra", durante el período de julio a diciembre de 2011. Los datos se recogieron de las historias clínicas. Para el diagnóstico de la patología se aplicó el test de Yesavage y el Mini mental de Folstein.Resultados: la depresión se diagnosticó al 25 por ciento de los ancianos remitidos a consulta; la misma se incrementó con la edad, el bajo nivel educacional y la presencia de enfermedades como osteoartritis y alteraciones sensoriales. Los síntomas principales fueron los trastornos del sueño en el hombre y la tristeza y llanto en la mujer. Se usó la Medicina Natural Tradicional con éxito en un 42,9 por ciento de los ancianos.Conclusiones: la depresión es una entidad frecuente y poco diagnosticada, el uso de la Medicina Natural y Tradicional constituye una alternativa de tratamiento para la misma

Background: depression in the elderly is a health problem. The biological, psychological, economic and social changes seen in the aging process, associated to some pathologies appearing in this stage of life, inevitably lead to think that the elderly have created all the conditions to be depressed.Objective: to characterize depression in the elderly and the treatments followed for this condition in the Psychogeriatric and Dementia consultation at a polyclinic.Methods: a retrospective descriptive cross-sectional study was performed in 112 elderly who were referred by their family doctors to the Psychogeriatric and Dementia consultation of "Cristobal Labra" Polyclinic from July to December 2011. The data were collected from medical records. For the diagnosis of the pathology, the Yesavage and the Folstein Mini Mental tests were applied.Results: depression was diagnosed in a 25 per cent of the elderly who were referred to the consultation. This condition increased with age, low educational levels and the presence of diseases such as osteoarthritis and sensory changes. The principal symptoms were sleep disturbances in men and sadness and crying in women. Traditional Herbal Medicine was used which reported good results in a 42.9 per cent of the patients.Conclusions: depression is a frequent entity which is sometimes misdiagnosed. The use of Traditional Herbal Medicine constitutes an alternative treatment for it

Autistic spectrum disorders: Diagnostic and therapeutic challenges in Mexico / Trastornos del espectro autista: retos diagnósticos y terapéuticos en el contexto de México

Autistic Spectrum Disorders (ASD) are developmental disorders with impairments in three broad domains: social interaction, communication and stereotypic movements and repetitive behavior. Their symptoms are complex, bizarre and most of them persistent, causing maladaptive and poor psychosocial adjustment. Early detection and diagnosis is a priority in ASD, parents are the first to notice early autism symptoms: 50% observe signs in the first 12 months of age. Despite initial observations of atypical development, there are significant delays in seeking proper medical attention and correct diagnosis; less than 38% of families receive their diagnosis through health services. Educational and health primary care providers need training in developmental milestones with focus on language and socio-communicative domains. Health policy planners should facilitate rationale referral when key symptoms such as language alterations are detected. The use of valid instruments and surveillance approaches versus awareness through red flag symptoms is discussed. Psychosocial interventions are the most important treatment, with ABA and TEACHH techniques recommended; pharmacological treatment (atypical antipsychotics, antidepressants, drugs for hyperactivity, sleep problems and anxiety) must be directed to treat comorbid conditions and combined with behavioral interventions.

Los trastornos del espectro autista (TEA) son trastornos del desarrollo con alteración en tres dominios: interacción social, comunicación y conductas repetitivas o movimientos estereotipados. Los síntomas son complejos, bizarros y la mayoría persistentes y causan un pobre ajuste psicosocial. La detección y diagnóstico tempranos son prioridad en los TEA; los padres son los primeros en advertir los síntomas tempranos del autismo: 50% observan manifestaciones en los primeros doce meses de edad. A pesar de las observaciones tempranas del desarrollo atípico, existen atrasos en la búsqueda de atención médica apropiada. Los proveedores de servicios educativos y cuidados primarios en salud necesitan adiestramiento en los hitos del desarrollo enfocados en el lenguaje y dominios sociocomunicativos. Se discute el uso de instrumentos y protocolos de abordaje frente a programas sobre advertencia de los síntomas de alarma. Las intervenciones médicas y psicosociales se describen de acuerdo con un abordaje de manejo integral. Las intervenciones psicosociales son las más importantes, en particular el empleo de los programas conocidos como ABA y TEACHH. El tratamiento farmacológico debe combinarse con intervenciones conductuales y utilizarse para el manejo de la comorbilidad.

Indicação e adesão de medidas não farmacológicas no tratamento da hipertensão arterial / Directions and adherence to non-pharmacological measures for the hypertension treatment

Introdução: A hipertensão arterial é o principal fator de risco de morte entre as doenças não transmissíveis, mostrando relação direta e positiva com o risco cardiovascular. Entretanto, apesar dos progressos na prevenção, no diagnóstico e no tratamento ainda é um importante problema de saúde pública. Objetivo: Verificar as medidas não farmacológicas conhecidas e utilizadas no tratamento da hipertensão arterial sistêmica (HAS) entre os pacientes atendidos no Hospital Independência Porto Alegre/RS. Metodologia: Realizado estudo transversal em que a amostra totalizou 100 pacientes hipertensos. A coleta dos dados foi através da realização de entrevistas, no Hospital Independência, Porto Alegre/RS, por meio de roteiro de perguntas abertas. Resultados: As medidas não farmacológicas para o controle de hipertensão arterial mais citadas pelos pacientes pesquisados foram: restrição salina (88,0 por cento), realização de exercícios (87,0 por cento) e restrição de gordura/dieta (85,0 por cento). Conclusão: Dos pacientes que conheciam medidas não farmacológicas para o controle da HAS, a maioria citou o exercício físico e a restrição de salina. Dividindo a amostra por gênero, verificou-se que o exercício físico foi a medida mais citada pelos homens e a restrição salina pelas mulheres.

Introduction: Hypertension is the main factor of death risk among the non-transmissible diseases, showing a direct and positive connection with cardiovascular risk. However, despite the improvements in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of hypertension, it remains as a major problem of public health. Aim: To assess the non-pharmacological measures that are known and used in the treatment of hypertension among the patients cared for at the Independência Hospital, Porto Alegre/RS. Methods: A transversal study was performed with a sample of 100 hypertensive patients. Data were collected through interviews at the Independência Hospital using a set of open questions. Results: The non-pharmacological measures for the control of arterial hypertension that were most cited by these patients were: salt restriction (88.0 percent), physical exercises (87.0 percent), and fat restriction/dieting (85.0 percent). Conclusion: Among the patients that were familiar with non-pharmacological measures for the control of hypertension, physical exercise and salt restriction were the most cited. A gender analysis showed that physical exercise was the most cited by the males and salt restriction by the females.

Cefalea en urgencias: diagnóstico y tratamiento de las cefaleas primarias / Headache emergencies: diagnosis and treatment of primary cephaleas

La mayoría de los pacientes que llegan a los servicios de urgencias presentan cefalea primaria, migraña, cefalea tensional, o cefalea en salvas. Sin embargo, hasta la tercera parte de las consultas son por una enfermedad que puede ser invalidante o potencialmente mortal; por esa razón el médico en urgencias debe conocer e identificar los signos de alarma. Es fundamental hacer un buen diagnóstico a través de una historia clínica y un examen físico y neurológico completo, aliviar el dolor y los síntomas asociados, e investigar la causa y tratarla. En el presente artículo se hace una revisión de los signos y síntomas de los diferentes tipos de cefalea, y los aspectos diagnósticos y terapéuticos.

Most patients visiting the emergency services have a primary headache such as tension-type headache, or cluster headache. However, about 30 percent of the consultations are due of a disease that can be disabling or life-threathening. For this reason, the physician in the emergency deparment should recognize the signs of alarm. It is essential to make a good diagnosis through a clinical history and a complete physical and neurological examination, to relieve the pain and associated symptoms, and to investigate the cause and treat it. This review describes the signs and symptoms of different types of headaches and the therapeutic and diagnostic aspects.

Development of Therapy for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy / 中国修复重建外科杂志

Objective To review and summarize the latest development of the therapy for the Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). Methods The recently-published articles related to the therapies for DMD were extensively reviewed and briefly summarized. Results The therapeutic approaches for DMD included the gene therapy, the cell therapy, and the pharmacological therapy.The gene therapy and the cell therapy were focused on the treatment for the cause of DMD by the delivery of the missing gene, the modification of the mutated gene, and the transfer of the normal cells including the stem cells, while the pharmacological therapy dealt with the downstream events caused by the dystrophin gene defect, slowed down the pathologic progress of DMD, and improved the DMD patient's life quality and life span, by medication and other factor treatments. Conclusion There is still no cure for DMD because of various difficulties in replacing or repairing the defected gene and of the multifaceted nature of the severe symptoms. Therefore, it is imperative for us to find out a more effective treatment that can solve these problems.

Overactive Bladder / 대한비뇨기과학회지

Overactive bladder(OAB) is a symptom syndrome including urinary urgency with or without urinary incontinence, usually with frequency and nocturia. Urgency, defined as the compelling feeling of impending incontinence that is difficult to defer, is the cornerstone symptom of OAB. The diagnosis is based on symptoms alone and assumes no underlying pathology. Approximately 12.2% of the adult population experience OAB in Korea. The syndrome is now recognized as a chronic debilitating condition that negatively affects the quality of life. Often the patients have a restricted social life and an increased risk for depression. Despite increased awareness in recent years, OAB remains an underreported condition. Continued evolution of our understanding of the pathophysiology of OAB has identified contributory mechanisms, which has in turn established structured evidence-based managements. Treatment of OAB is aimed at relief of symptoms and improving quality of life. Conservative treatments combined with antimuscarinic drugs are the main treatment for OAB. There are many antimuscarinics available, with several under development, which have different specificities for the muscarinic receptors. Other drugs have also been tried but with limited success. Behavioral therapy combined with pharmacological therapy often will bring about acceptable outcomes for patients with OAB. Modalities such as botulinum toxin injections, neuromodulation, and various surgical interventions also are showing encouraging results in more refractory patients. Further research into the basic science of the condition is required to identify the true cause of OAB, allowing new targeted treatments to be established.

Pharmacological therapy in age-related macular degeneration (AMD) / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

· Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of legal blindness in individuals aged over 65 in the United States and other industrialized nations. Till now, we have limited choices of treatment for this kind of disease. Treatment available can be grouped into two major categories: physical and pharmacological therapies. The former received extensive attention with little success whereas the latter attract new attention with great hope of success. The pharmacological therapies indude photodynamic therapy (PDT), steroids, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) inhibitors, extracellular matrix (ECM) modifiers, gene therapy, nutrition supplements, choroidal blood flow facilitators and the like. PDT treatment is the only available effective treatment for certain forms of neovascular AMD. Anecortave acetate,as a synthetic derivative of cortisol, might stabilize vision in patients with predominantly classic subfoveal choroidal neovascularization (CNV) for up to 6mo through subtenon juxtascleral depot application. Intravitreous injection of VEGF aptamer stabilized or improved vision in 87.5% of patients with subfoveal CNV 3mo after treatment. Malfunction of choroidal blood flow is found in early stage of AMD. Elevation of intravascular pressure is the crucial hemodynamic factor in age-related macular degeneration, resulting in a decrease of the blood flow of choriocapillaries. Chain reactions are triggered which lead to retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) degeneration,Bruch's membrane breakdown, CNV formation, AMD and blindness in the end. Therefore, specific drugs that can increase the choroidal blood flow could be very useful to prevent the AMD from developing and worsening. Although most of them are still in the experimental stage,it is hopeful to find a way to treat AMD at the early stage and to prevent the disease to be triggered and developed.

Pharmacological Therapy of Portal Hypertension: Focused on Korean Data / 대한소화기학회지

Portal hypertension as a consequence of liver cirrhosis is responsible for serious complications such as variceal bleeding, ascites and hepatic encephalopathy. Successful pharmacological treatment of portal hypertension can prevent the risk of the variceal bleeding, and contribute to reduce the morbidity and mortality in patients with liver cirrhosis. To identify the effect of drugs on portal hypertension, portal pressure was evaluated accurately before and after the drug administration. The hepatic venous pressure gradient has been accepted as the gold-standard method for assessing the severity of portal hypertension and the response to drug treatment. The mean hepatic venous pressure gradient was 15.1+/-5.4 mmHg in Korean cirrhotic patients who had experienced variceal bleeding. Non-selective beta blockers are the treatment of choice for primary and secondary prevention of variceal bleeding. The dose of propranolol should be subsequently adjusted until the resting heart rate had been reduced by 25% or less than 55 beats per minute. It has been reported that the optimal dose of propranolol is variable due to racial differences in cardiovascular receptor sensitivity. In Korean patients with portal hypertension and liver cirrhosis, the mean required dose of propranolol to reach target heart rate was 165 mg (range; 80-280 mg). This review covers mainly the results of the pharmacological therapy of portal hypertension in Korean cirrhotic patients.

An Economic Evaluation of Pharmacological Therapy and Transurethral Resection of the Prostate for the Treatment of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia / 대한비뇨기과학회지

PURPOSE: An economic analysis of pharmacological therapy and transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) for patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) was conducted. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty six patients had undergone TURP from January to June 2000 were enrolled in this study. The costs associated with this group of patients were compared with those of 7 patients treated with medication (doxazosin, terazosin, tamsulosin, and finasteride only and alpha-blocker with finasteride). RESULTS: The mean cost for TURP was 1,900,000 won. The most expensive medical therapy was finasteride, which was followed by tamsulosin, terazosin, and doxazosin, with an estimated 12-month cost of 817,000won, 695,000won, 396,000won, and 372,000won respectively. The costs associated with doxazosin remained lower than those associated with TURP for approximately 5.3 years (the corresponding break-even point was 2.4 years for finasteride vs. TURP). CONCLUSIONS: Among the pharmacological therapies, doxazosin is the most cost effective. TURP was more cost effective than doxazosin therapy after 5.3 years. In view of the cost-effectiveness, TURP may be considered as the mode of primary therapy for the patients with severe symptoms of BPH.

Efficacy of empirical pharmacological therapy in clinically suspected Gastroesophageal Reflux (GER) in Extremely Low Birth Weight (ELBW) infants.

Prokinetic drugs and H2-receptor blocking agents are being used for suspected GER in ELBW (<1,000 grams) infants with apnea and bradycardia (unresponsive to methylxanthines) or feeding intolerance. Purpose: To evaluate whether anti-reflux therapy is effective in ELBW infants in improving the clinical signs for which the therapy was instituted. Methods: Clinical data of all ELBW infants admitted to NICU at Georgetown University Hospital in 1996, who received prokinetic drugs (cisapride or metoclopramide) and/or an H2 receptor blocking agent (ranitidine) were reviewed. The number of episodes and the frequency of intervention for apnea/bradycardia (As&Bs), and the number of trancutaneous oxygen desaturation episodes (O2 desats) were recorded for 72 hours before and after the institution of anti-GER therapy. Feeding intolerance was assessed by the ability to tolerate enteral feeding without significant gastric residue. The data (mean ฑ SD) were analyzed by paired t-test. Results: Twenty out of 68 infants received prokinetic drugs and/or ranitidine. Eighteen infants received anti-reflux therapy for apnea and/or bradycardia unresponsive to methylxanthines, and two infants for slow gastric emptying noted during a milk scan. The mean postnatal age and body weight at the time of therapy were 63 ฑ 37 days and 1,365 ฑ 486 grams respectively. Feeding tolerance did not change after anti-reflux therapy. There was no significant improvement in the number of apnea/bradycardia, desaturation episodes or the need for intervention after the medications was given. Conclusion: Pharmacological therapy for clinically suspected GER is prescribed frequently and appears to be of questionable efficacy in ELBW infants. As anti-reflux therapy may have serious side effects, its routine use in ELBW infants needs to be reassessed.