Low-Concentration (0.66%) Povidone Iodine Treatment of a Corneal Ulcer in a Rheumatoid Arthritis Patient.

BACKGROUND Peripheral ulcerative keratitis is one of the ocular complications associated with chronic inflammatory immune-mediated diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, in which inflammatory reactions and infections can be recurrent. Suspected infections are treated with topical antibiotics that, in some cases, may promote selection of resistant microbes. Povidone iodine is known for its rapid broad-spectrum activity against all kinds of microbes and biofilms, lack of microbial resistance, ability to counteract excessive inflammation, and efficacy in wound healing, along with an optimum safety and tolerability profile. The purpose of this case report is to show the resolution of a peripheral ulcerative keratitis case by means of treatment with 0.66% povidone iodine. CASE REPORT An 89-year-old woman with rheumatoid arthritis, 1 eye, and a superior descemetic corneal ulcer was treated with amniotic membrane, topical antibiotics, and antiviral drugs without any control of clinical signs and symptoms. Therefore, all anti-infective treatments were replaced with 0.66% povidone iodine (3 times/day) given alone for 5 weeks and then associated with serum eyedrops. When a clear regression of the ulcer was observed, the patient was maintained with serum eyedrops only. CONCLUSIONS Unusual treatment with povidone iodine 0.66% (used for the first time in an autoimmune patient), alone and in association with serum eyedrops, probably contributed to alleviate the signs and symptoms of a case of peripheral ulcerative keratitis not responding to conventional treatments. Although its regular use warrants further investigation, povidone iodine seems a useful therapeutic tool for the treatment of corneal ulcers associated with chronic immune-mediated inflammatory diseases.

Gestational diabetes mellitus yesterday, today and tomorrow: A 13 year italian cohort study.

AIMS: To describe all cases of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) managed at the Italian Hospital of San Daniele del Friuli from 2006 to 2018, after the establishment of a dedicated multidisciplinary team. METHODS: Data on mothers, pregnancies, and newborns have been recorded since the team establishment. The associations of maternal, pregnancy, and delivery characteristics with complications of pregnancy and delivery and adverse birth outcomes were assessed. RESULTS: 894 cases of GDM were observed, representing 6.8% of all deliveries. More than 20% of women were non-Italian, 5.3% had a previous macrosomic child, 12.5% previous diabetes or GDM, 27.3% family history of diabetes. On average, women had 4 visits at the clinic; mean glycated hemoglobin was 5.3%; starting body mass index (BMI) 26.2 and weight gain 10.3 kg. Cesarean sections were 21.8%. Pre-eclampsia was the most common pregnancy complication (4.7%). 6.0% of newborns were macrosomic and there were 3 fetal deaths. Only 26.3% of women had a post-partum oral glucose tolerance test. Initial BMI, weight gain, nationality, family history of diabetes or previous diabetes-related pregnancy complications were associated with pregnancy complications or adverse outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: We identified factors to be targeted for preventing GDM complications. Further efforts should be directed at post-partum.

European, Multicenter, Prospective, Non-comparative Clinical Evaluation of an Extended Depth of Focus Intraocular Lens.

PURPOSE: To evaluate clinical and safety results obtained with an extended depth of focus (EDOF) intraocular lens (IOL). METHODS: In this European, multicenter, prospective, uncontrolled, interventional study, 77 patients were enrolled in the study, 71 patients received bilateral implantation of the Mini Well Ready EDOF IOL (SIFI S.p.A.), and 68 patients completed the study and were evaluated 2 to 4 months postoperatively. Each clinical examination recorded uncorrected (UDVA) and corrected (CDVA) distance visual acuity, uncorrected (UIVA) and distance-corrected (DCIVA) intermediate visual acuity, and uncorrected (UNVA), distance-corrected (DCNVA), and corrected (CNVA) near visual acuity. A defocus curve from +2.00 to -5.00 diopters (D) was obtained, contrast sensitivity and reading ability were assessed, and the perception of dysphotopsia was evaluated. RESULTS: Mean binocular visual results showed UDVA, UIVA, and UNVA values of -0.01 ± 0.15, 0.03 ± 0.10, and 0.10 ± 0.11 logMAR, respectively. Mean binocular defocus curve demonstrated a visual acuity of 0.30 logMAR or better from +2.00 to -3.00 D. Mean photopic contrast sensitivity values were 1.86, 2.18, 1,97, 1.51, and 1.17 at 1.5, 3.0, 6.0, 12.0, and 18.0 cycles per degree, respectively. A fluent reading speed of 80 words per minute was reached at 0.5 logRAD by 95.31% of patients without distance correction. The mean halo size was 33.06 ± 14.25, mean halo intensity was 38.00 ± 18.51, mean glare size was 23.85 ± 10.43, and mean glare intensity was 42.23 ± 13.22. One postoperative complication, a moderate photophobia, was observed and classified as related to the lens. CONCLUSIONS: The Mini Well Ready EDOF IOL provides good visual acuity across various distances and functional reading ability provided at a near range, and delivers an enhanced contrast sensitivity while causing a low incidence of photic phenomena. [J Refract Surg. 2020;36(7):426-434.].

Corneal Ulcer Treated with 0.66% Nanoemulsion Povidone-Iodine: A Case Report.

BACKGROUND Corneal ulceration is caused by various corneal diseases, including infection, inflammatory disease, neurotrophic keratitis, dry-eye, autoimmune disease, and blepharitis. Treatment should be based on the etiology. In cases of infection, corneal scraping and pathogen culture should be carried out before treatment. Bacterial pathogens are the most common etiology, but it can be caused also by viruses, fungi, and protozoa. Quinolones are the first-line drug for bacterial keratitis, but the treatment should be changed according to the culture and drug sensitivity test results. The purpose of this case report is to show the resolution of a corneal ulcer case unusually treated with 0.66% povidone-iodine (PVP-I). CASE REPORT A 61-year-old man showed signs of pain, redness, watering, and photophobia in the left eye (oculus sinister; OS) over a 5-month period, starting as conjunctivitis and degenerating into keratitis. Clinical examination revealed an ulcer in the inferior cornea and biomicroscopy analysis confirmed this diagnosis. Previous therapies, starting with antibiotics first and then antiviral medications, were unable to control the signs and symptoms. Therefore, treatment with 0.66% PVP-I, based on its antiseptic activity, was administered 3 times a day for 4 weeks. CONCLUSIONS PVP-I 0.66%, an antiseptic with broad-spectrum activity against bacteria, fungi, viruses, and protozoa, was found to be effective in treating the signs and symptoms of the ulcer until its complete closure and resolution. It could be a useful therapeutic tool when the pathogen is unknown, as in this case. Its use for treatment of corneal ulcers warrants further investigation.

Cardiovascular prevention in 50-year-old adults: an Italian intervention study.

AIMS: Cardio50 is a project of active risk identification and cardiovascular prevention implemented in an Italian cohort of healthy people aged 50. METHODS: A total of 3127 individuals were invited for a screening visit with lifestyle interview and registration of BMI, blood pressure (BP), glucose, cholesterol and classified into groups: A (normal), B (abnormal lifestyle, normal parameters), C (at least one abnormal parameter). People in group C were offered a free blood test and a specialistic medical visit to investigate the suspect of hypertension, dyslipidemia or dysglycemia. Those in groups B and C were scheduled for a follow-up visit after 4-6 months and finally readdressed to the general practitioner. RESULTS: A total of 2325 invited individuals attended the screening visit: 18% were classified in group A, 32% in B, 42% in C, 8% met exclusion criteria and were not classifiable. In group C, 86% attended to the cardiologist visit, 76% had dyslipidemia, 35% hypertension, 1% diabetes, 14% impaired fasting glycemia, 19% obesity, 21% metabolic syndrome; 21% were smokers, 11% at risk of alcoholism. At follow-up, we appreciated a decrease in BP in group C individuals. After lifestyle intervention, physical activity increased, whereas metabolic syndrome, impaired fasting glucose and risky drinking decreased. CONCLUSION: The current project is coherent with modern strategies based on multifactorial actions. After the intervention, we observed an early reduction in BP and some improvements in lifestyle. This simple and low-technology program allowed us to detect and treat large numbers of individuals at high risk for cardiovascular events.

Morbidity and mortality in 229 elderly patients with nonrheumatic atrial fibrillation. A five-year follow-up.

BACKGROUND: In the elderly the impact of atrial fibrillation on mortality and morbidity is substantial. Oral anticoagulant therapy reduces the risk of stroke by 70%; nevertheless, it remains largely underused. We evaluated, in a community prospective study, the factors associated with embolic events and death and the feasibility of oral anticoagulant therapy managed by general practitioners. METHODS: We enrolled at the Trieste Cardiovascular Center 229 patients aged > or = 65 years with non-rheumatic atrial fibrillation. At baseline, each patient underwent a transesophageal echocardiography and received instructions about oral anticoagulation. Patients were regularly followed by their general practitioner and finally evaluated at the Center. RESULTS: At baseline, the mean age was 73 years, 14% of patients were free of heart disease, 27% had had a previous embolic event, and 33% had an atrial thrombus. After a 5-year follow-up, 85% of the patients had been admitted to hospital, 17% had suffered an embolic event, and 35% were dead. Diabetes and the presence of a low flow in the left atrial appendage were predictive of embolic events. Heart failure, spontaneous echocontrast and aortic plaques were predictive of death. Anticoagulant therapy increased from 14 to 34% but the incidence of major bleeding did not change. The patients on anticoagulant therapy at follow-up constituted the group with the worst cardiovascular profile and embolic rate, but had a lower death rate (19%) compared with those on antiplatelet therapy (32%) and with those without antithrombotic therapy (67%). The hospitalization rates were respectively 78, 83 and 100%. CONCLUSIONS: In a group of elderly patients followed by their general practitioner with the support of a specialized cardiologic unit, oral anticoagulant therapy was well tolerated and associated with a significant decrease in mortality and hospitalization.