[The consistency of skeletal muscle mass measured by CT at L1 and L3 levels and the correlation of skeletal muscle density at L1 level with prognosis in dialysis patients].

Objective: To investigate the consistency of skeletal muscle mass by CT at 1st lumbar vertebrae (L1) and 3rd lumbar vertebrae (L3) levels and the correlation of skeletal muscle density (SMD) at L1 level with prognosis in dialysis patients. Methods: A total of 1 020 patients who underwent initial dialysis and had CT examination data in four centers (Zhongda Hospital Affiliated to Southeast University, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Taizhou People's Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University and the Affiliated Hospital of Yangzhou University) from January 2014 to December 2019 were retrospectively collected. The skeletal muscle index (SMI) and SMD at L1 and L3 CT images were measured and calculated in patients with both L1 and L3 level CT images. The consistency of SMI and SMD at L1 and L3 levels was analyzed, and the cut-off value of SMI and SMD at L1 level for predicting all-cause mortality and their correlation with the prognosis of dialysis patients were studied. Cox regression model was used to analyze the risk factors for all-cause death and cardiac death. Results: A total of 383 patients had both L1 and L3 level images, including 233 males and 150 females. The average SMD value of 16 samples (4.2%) exceeded the 95% consistency limit range (-8.71 to 7.75 HU), and the average SMI value of 15 samples (3.9%) exceeded the 95% consistency limit range (-20.45 to 9.53 HU). The optimal cut-off value of SMD at L1 level for predicting all-cause mortality was 36.46 HU and the area under curve (AUC) of receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was 0.658 (95%CI: 0.596-0.721, P<0.001), with the sensitivity and specificity of 83.8% and 57.5%, respectively. SMI at L1 level was not significantly associated with all-cause mortality (P=0.299). Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that low SMD at L1 level was associated with all-cause mortality (HR=2.861, 95%CI: 1.576-5.193, P=0.001) and cardiac death (HR=3.771, 95%CI:1.462-9.724, P=0.006). Conclusions: SMD at L1 levelis consistent with SMD at L3 level and can be used to evaluate muscle mass. Low SMD is a risk factor for mortality in dialysis patients.

The safety of tranexamic acid administration in total knee arthroplasty: a population-based study from Taiwan.

Tranexamic acid is an effective treatment to reduce blood loss. We performed a retrospective observational study to evaluate safety in unilateral total knee arthroplasty. We utilised Taiwan's national health insurance database to identify relevant patients and to retrieve information on peri-operative blood transfusions and tranexamic acid administration within 60 days of follow-up. We examined changes in the rate of transfusions and adverse events with respect to tranexamic acid administration using logistic regression. We observed a total of 226,719 knee arthroplasty cases during 2010-2019. Transfusion and tranexamic acid administration rates were 38.9% (88,258) and 42.9% (97,237), respectively. Tranexamic acid was associated with a 50% decrease in blood transfusions (RR: 0.50, 95%CI: 0.48-0.51). After propensity-score matching, tranexamic acid was not associated with pulmonary embolism; deep vein thromboembolism; artery vein thromboembolism; acute myocardial infarction; ischaemic stroke; or in-hospital mortality, but was significantly associated with acute kidney injury. Patients with existing chronic kidney disease suffered a high absolute risk of kidney injury irrespective of tranexamic acid administration (832 per 10,000, 95%CI 797-869). Tranexamic acid was also associated with surgical site infection. There was strong interaction between blood transfusion; tranexamic aid administration; and development of surgical site infection. In conclusion, tranexamic acid use was associated with decreased blood transfusion and was not associated with thromboembolic events. However, careful consideration is required before use in patients with pre-existing renal disease. Further, our observed interaction between patients given tranexamic acid who subsequently require transfusion requires careful consideration with respect to enhanced prophylaxis against surgical site infection.

Adaptation and external validation of the European randomised study of screening for prostate cancer risk calculator for the Chinese population.

BACKGROUND: To adapt the well-performing European Randomized Study of Screening for Prostate Cancer (ERSPC) risk calculator to the Chinese setting and perform an external validation. METHODS: The original ERSPC risk calculator 3 (RC3) for prostate cancer (PCa) and high-grade PCa (HGPCa) was applied to a development cohort of 3006 previously unscreened Hong Kong Chinese men with initial transrectal biopsies performed from 1997 to 2015, age 50-80 years, PSA 0.4-50 ng ml-1 and prostate volume 10-150 ml. A simple adaptation to RC3 was performed and externally validated in a cohort of 2214 Chinese men from another Hong Kong hospital. The performance of the models were presented in calibration plots, area under curve (AUC) of receiver operating characteristics (ROCs) and decision curve analyses. RESULTS: PCa and HGPCa was diagnosed in 16.7% (503/3006) and 7.8% (234/3006) men in the development cohort, and 20.2% (447/2204) and 9.7% (214/2204) men in the validation cohort, respectively. The AUCs using the original RC3 model in the development cohort were 0.75 and 0.84 for PCa and HGPCa, respectively, but the calibration plots showed considerable overestimation. In the external validation of the recalibrated RC3 model, excellent calibration was observed, and discrimination was good with AUCs of 0.76 and 0.85 for PCa and HGPCa, respectively. Decision curve analyses in the validation cohort showed net clinical benefit of the recalibrated RC3 model over PSA. CONCLUSIONS: A recalibrated ERSPC risk calculator for the Chinese population was developed, and it showed excellent discrimination, calibration and net clinical benefit in an external validation cohort.

Current management practice for bladder cancer in Hong Kong: a hospital-based cross-sectional survey.

OBJECTIVES: To examine current practice in the management of bladder cancer in Hong Kong government and private hospitals. DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey. SETTING: All government hospitals and the major private institutions in Hong Kong, which provide urological services. PARTICIPANTS: Urologists responding to an anonymous, self-administered, web-based questionnaire regarding practices in smoking cessation, treatment of non-muscle invasive bladder cancer and muscle invasive bladder cancer, and research into bladder cancer. RESULTS: Of the 29 urologists from 11 government hospitals and eight private institutions who were invited, 18 from 11 (100%) government hospitals and seven from six (75%) private institutions responded, which amounted to an 86% response rate. In all, 88% of the respondents seldom or never referred their bladder cancer patients to smoking cessation programmes. Hong Kong urologists showed good compliance in the management of non-muscle invasive bladder cancer according to international guidelines. There was great variation with regard to regimens for maintenance of intravesical immunotherapy. There was underuse of perioperative systemic chemotherapy, despite wide acceptance of this practice; fewer than 10% of the patients received neo-adjuvant and adjuvant systemic chemotherapy for the treatment of muscle invasive bladder cancer. Of the surveyed urologists, 80% expressed an inadequacy of resources for bladder cancer research and 96% agreed that a local inter-hospital bladder cancer database was needed. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated great diversity in the use of intravesical immunotherapy, perioperative systemic chemotherapy, and surgical treatment of bladder cancer among urology service providers. There is a need for clear recommendations in these areas.

Evaluation on a Streptococcus suis vaccine using recombinant sao-l protein manufactured by bioreactors as the antigen in pigs.

Streptococcus suis (S. suis) can be classified into 33 serotypes based on the structure of capsular polysaccharides. Recent research indicated that a new surface protein designated as Sao (surface antigen one) reacts with 30 serotypes of convalescent-phase sera during S. suis infections, which makes Sao a good potential antigen for developing S. suis vaccines. The objectives of this study were to produce recombinant Sao-L protein (rSao-L) from a strain of S. suis serotype 2 by a prokaryotic expression system in bioreactors and to use rSao-L as the antigen for a S. suis vaccine in mouse and swine models. The antibody titres in mice and pigs immunized with rSao-L were significantly (P < 0.05) increased. After challenge with live S. suis serotype 1 bacteria, the anatomical lesions in pigs immunized with rSao-L were reduced by 60%. These data indicated that immunization with rSao-L can confer cross-serotype protection against S. suis. Moreover, percentages of CD8(+) and CD4(+) /CD8(+) double-positive T cells in immunized pigs were significantly higher than those of the control group (P < 0.01). Using bioreactors to produce rSao-L as the antigen for S. suis vaccines may broaden protective efficacy and reduce production costs.

Age, tumour stage, and preoperative serum albumin level are independent predictors of mortality after radical cystectomy for treatment of bladder cancer in Hong Kong Chinese.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the association between patient age, other clinical factors and mortality following radical cystectomy for treatment of bladder cancer. DESIGN: Historical cohort study. SETTING: A urology unit in Hong Kong. PATIENTS: The outcomes of 117 patients who had radical cystectomies performed in one urological unit from 2003 to 2011 were reviewed. Demographic and perioperative data, including tumour stage, Charlson Comorbidity Index, and preoperative serum albumin levels were retrieved from computerised medical records. Risk factors for 30-day mortality, and cancer-specific, other-cause, and overall death rates at 5 years were calculated. The data were subsequently stratified and analysed according to age. RESULTS: Of the 117 patients, 83 (71%) were aged 75 years or below. The mean follow-up duration was 31 (standard deviation, 29) months. Age, tumour stage, and preoperative serum albumin level, but not the Charlson Comorbidity Index, were found to be predictors of survival following radical cystectomy. The overall 30-day mortality rate was 3% in the full sample, 1% in patients aged 75 years or below, and 10% in patients aged over 75 years. There was no significant difference in 5-year cancer-caused mortalities between patients aged 75 years or below and those aged over 75 years (33% vs 33%, P=0.956). In patients older than 75 years, the 5-year other-cause and overall mortality rates were 47% and 80%, respectively; such rates were higher than those for younger patients (13% and 46%, respectively). CONCLUSION: Age, tumour stage, and preoperative serum albumin level were predictors of survival after radical cystectomy. Non-cancer-related death played a crucial role in the overall mortality rate in elderly patients having radical cystectomy for bladder cancer.

Reliability and validity of the overactive bladder symptom score in Hong Kong Chinese.

OBJECTIVE: To validate the Hong Kong Chinese translation of the Overactive Bladder Symptom Score questionnaire (OABSS-HKC). DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: Five urology clinics of different regional hospitals in Hong Kong. PARTICIPANTS: The Overactive Bladder Symptom Score questionnaire was translated and culturally adapted for Hong Kong Chinese, according to the Principles of Good Practice for the Translation and Cultural Adaptation Process for Patient-Reported Outcomes Measures. Chinese-speaking patients with overactive bladder symptoms were recruited from five urology clinics. The patients completed the OABSS-HKC, a 3-day micturition diary, International Prostate Symptom Scores, and the Patient Perception of Bladder Condition questionnaires (visit 1), and again after a 2-week interval (visit 2). Test-retest reliability was evaluated by the intraclass correlation coefficient and weighted Kappa coefficient. The relationship between OABSS-HKC total scores and items in the comparison measures was evaluated using Spearman's correlation coefficients. RESULTS: The OABSS-HKC was successfully translated and culturally adapted. Fifty-one patients completed the validation study. A high level of reliability was observed between the OABSS-HKC total score answered at visit 1 and 2 for all subjects (intraclass correlation coefficient, 0.82) and among the four items answered (weighted Kappa coefficients, 0.57-0.75). The OABSS-HKC total score correlated significantly with numbers of micturitions, incontinence and urgency episodes recorded in the 3-day micturition diary, as well as the total International Prostate Symptom Scores and the Patient Perception of Bladder Condition score. However, the OABSS-HKC total score was not significantly associated with nocturia episodes, total voided volume, or number of pads used. CONCLUSIONS: The OABSS-HKC total scores are reliable and moderately valid for the quantitative evaluation of overactive bladder symptoms in Hong Kong Chinese-speaking adults.

The innervation of canine hip joint capsule: an anatomic study.

To clarify the contributions of the nerves supplying the canine hip joint capsule for clinical application, cadaver study of six healthy mongrel dogs was performed. The pelvises and hindlimbs of cadavers were dissected and fixed in formaldehyde. Innervation of the joint capsule was investigated with the aid of an operative microscope. As a result, the canine hip joint capsule receives multiple innervations from articular branches of four nerves. They are articular nerve fibres of femoral, obturator, cranial gluteal and sciatic nerves from the cranioventral, caudoventral, craniolateral and dorsolateral directions of the joint, respectively. No branch originating from the caudal gluteal nerve was observed innervating the hip joint capsule. Our data provides useful information for research on the canine hip joint, including pain analysis with hip disorders and surgical nerve blockade to relieve pain.

Survival benefits of metabolic syndrome among older men aged 75 years and over in Taiwan.

BACKGROUND: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) was common in the elderly, but its prognostic significance in older old population remained unclear. The main purpose of this study was to evaluate the survival impact of MetS among older men aged 75 and over in Taiwan. METHODS: From 2008, residents aged 75 years and older of Banciao Veterans Home were invited for study and were followed for 3 years. All participants received history taking, physical examinations, and laboratory tests. Mortality was determined by Veteran Affairs Death Registry, which was linked to the National Death Registry. RESULTS: Overall, 680 men (mean age: 82.5±4.7 years) were enrolled for study and the prevalence of MetS was 31.6%. During the follow-up period, 140 (20.6%) participants died, and the causes of death included infectious diseases (62, 9.1%), cardiovascular disease (37, 5.4%), cancer (20, 2.9%), and others (21, 3.1%). MetS subjects had a significantly higher prevalence of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and having higher body mass index, waist circumferences, systolic blood pressure, fasting blood glucose, serum triglyceride and lower HDL-C level than non-MetS subjects. However, MetS subjects were less likely to die during study period (16.3% vs. 22.6%, P=0.059). Multivariate logistic regression showed that older age (OR:1.04, 95% C.I.: 1.00-1.08, P=0.04), diabetes mellitus (OR: 2.10, 95% CI: 1.34-3.30, P=0.001) were independent risk factors for mortality; and serum total cholesterol and triglyceride were protective factors (OR: 0.99, 95% CI: 0.99-1.00, P=0.037 for cholesterol; OR: 0.99, 95% CI: 0.99-1.00, P=0.013 for triglyceride). Adjusted for age, diabetes mellitus, serum levels of total cholesterol, and triglyceride, MetS played a potential trend of survival benefits among study subjects (HR: 0.71, 95% CI: 0.45-1.12, P=0.144). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of MetS among men aged 75 years and over was 31.6%, and the 3-year mortality rate was 20.6%. Older age, diabetes mellitus, lower serum cholesterol and lower serum triglyceride were independent risk factors for mortality. Further investigation is needed to clarify the prognostic impact of MetS in older adults.

Effects of the surface characteristics of nano-crystalline and micro-particle calcium phosphate/chitosan composite films on the behavior of human mesenchymal stem cells in vitro.

Calcium phosphate (CaP) compounds, the main inorganic constituent of mammalian bone tissues, are believed to support bone precursor cell growth and osteogenic differentiation. Chitosan, a deacetylated derivative of chitin, is a versatile biopolymer to offer broad possibilities for cell-based tissue engineering. In the present study, different scales of CaP crystals on chitosan membranes were prepared for culture of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) in vitro. A series of aqueous CaP suspensions with different concentrations were mixed with chitosan solution and chitosan/calcium phosphate (C/CaP) films were fabricated by the solvent-casting method. With different weight ratios of CaP in chitosan solution, the various surface characteristics of nano-amorphous (C/CaP 0.1), nano-crystalline (C/CaP 0.5) and micro-particle (C/CaP 2) CaP compounds were examined by scanning electron microscopy and electron dispersion spectroscopy. X-ray diffraction on micro-particles of CaP indicated the formation of crystalline hydroxyapatite. The behavior of hMSCs, including proliferation, cell spreading and osteogenic differentiation, was studied on the C/CaP films. In basal culture medium, the incorporation of CaP into chitosan films could promote the proliferation of hMSCs. The C/CaP 0.5 film with connected CaP nano-crystals had better cellular viability. The fluorescence microscope images at 14 days of culture revealed extensive networks of F-actin filaments of hMSCs on chitosan, C/CaP 0.1 and C/CaP 0.5 films. The cellular morphology on C/CaP 2 film with discrete CaP micro-particles was partly restrained. In osteogenic medium, the alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity of hMSCs increased and showed the process of osteogenic differentiation. The ALP levels on C/CaP 2 film were higher than those on C/CaP 0.1 and C/CaP 0.5 films. These results demonstrated that the crystallinity and topography of CaP on chitosan membranes could modulate the behaviors of cultured hMSCs in vitro.

Late recurrent seminoma: 18 years after bilateral orchidectomy in patient with bilateral stage one testicular seminoma.

Late recurrence of stage I seminoma is an uncommon event. We reported a patient with seminoma recurred 18 years after the initial bilateral orchidectomy for bilateral stage I seminoma. He was on surveillance after the initial treatment and remained disease free for 18 years. He then presented with liver mass and diagnosed as recurrent seminoma. Systemic chemotherapy and subsequent hepatectomy for residual hepatic tumour mass were performed and the disease was cleared. The incidence and management of the late recurrence of seminoma would be discussed.

Risk factors for hip fracture in older adults: a case-control study in Taiwan.

UNLABELLED: We conducted a matched case-control study of hip fracture in older adults. Our findings suggest that hip fracture risk was determined by multiple factors. Older women characterized by low consumption of milk, peak flow rate, grip strength, and bone mineral density (BMD) had increased risk of hip fracture. Older men with impaired cognitive function and low BMD were also at higher risk of hip fracture. INTRODUCTION: Multiple factors contribute to low-trauma hip fracture in older adults. The aim of this study was to determine important characteristics of hip fracture in older population. METHODS: A total of 228 patients with first low-trauma hip fracture were matched with 497 controls. All 77 potential risk factors of hip fracture organized into 13 groups were analyzed using conditional logistic regression. RESULTS: Low milk intake, peak flow rate, hand grip strength, and bone mineral density in women and low mini-mental state examination score and bone mineral density in men were further identified to be independently associated with elevated hip fracture risk. CONCLUSIONS: The factors found in our study may help understand the etiology of hip fracture and be further adopted to evaluate the risk of hip fracture in community and clinical setting.

Long-term outcome of patients with a successful trial without catheter, after treatment with an alpha-adrenergic receptor blocker for acute urinary retention caused by benign prostatic hyperplasia.

OBJECTIVE: To perform a retrospective review of long-term outcome for patients with a first episode of acute urinary retention (AUR) who could void successfully after the initial trial without catheter (TWOC) after treatment with an alpha-adrenergic receptor blocker (AR blocker). METHODS: The records of 248 patients who presented with a first episode of AUR secondary to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and who could void successfully after the initial TWOC following treatment with an AR blocker were reviewed during the period January 1998 to December 2001. The characteristics of the patients and the subsequent outcomes were recorded. The primary outcome assessed was failed medical treatment within the five-year follow-up period. Factors correlated with the primary outcome were also assessed. RESULTS: For these 248 patients, the median follow-up time was 33.0 months (range 0-96 months). The percentage of patients with failed medical treatment at 6, 12, 24, and 60 months was 11.6, 14.3, 28.4, and 50.5%, respectively. Multivariate analysis indicated that only a prostate size >50 ml and serum prostate specific antigen (PSA) level during AUR >10 ng/dl were significant predictors of subsequent requirement for surgical intervention after a successful TWOC. CONCLUSIONS: Although AR blockers increased the success rate of TWOC, approximately half of the patients in this study still required additional intervention within five years. By using appropriate selection criteria, such as a large prostate size (>50 ml) or high serum PSA level during AUR (>10 microg/l), patients who are at greater risk of TWOC failure can be identified, and earlier surgical intervention can be offered to them.

Skin and soft tissue infection caused by non-tuberculous mycobacteria.

SETTING: A medical centre in Taipei, Taiwan. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the trend and characteristics of patients with non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) related skin and soft tissue infection. DESIGN: A total of 63 patients with culture-proven diseases were identified from January 1997 to December 2004. The medical records of all patients were reviewed. RESULTS: Twenty-seven patients were infected with rapidly growing mycobacteria (RGM), 19 with Mycobacterium marinum, six with M. avium complex (MAC), five with M. kansasii and six with other species. Most patients presented with a protracted cutaneous lesion without systemic symptoms, and two thirds of the patients had a history of exposure. Seventy-three per cent of the lesions involved the extremities. Underlying illness with suppressed immunity was documented in 30.2% of the patients, and was most prevalent in patients with MAC (100%) and M. kansasii (60%). Of the patients, 62% underwent at least one surgical intervention, and 77.8% received treatment with different antimicrobial combinations. Most patients (86%) recovered completely. Granulomatous inflammation was found in 88.9% of biopsied tissue associated with M. marinum infection, 31.8% with RGM and 25.0% with MAC. CONCLUSION: A combination of surgery and antimicrobials cured most patients with microbiologically proven localised NTM skin and soft tissue infection.

High molecular weight hyaluronic acid down-regulates the gene expression of osteoarthritis-associated cytokines and enzymes in fibroblast-like synoviocytes from patients with early osteoarthritis.

OBJECTIVE: Activated synoviocytes play important roles in the progression of human osteoarthritis (OA). Intra-articular injection of high molecular weight hyaluronic acid (HMW-HA) has been used as viscosupplementation for knee OA but its effect on synoviocytes remains undisclosed. This study aims to investigate the effects of HMW-HA on the gene expression of 16 OA-associated cytokines and enzymes, including interleukin (IL)-1beta, IL-6, IL-8, leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF), tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, TNF-alpha converting enzyme (TACE), matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-1, MMP-2, MMP-3, MMP-9, MMP-13, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP)-1, TIMP-2, aggrecanase-1, aggrecanase-2, and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), in fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS) from patients with early stage OA. METHOD: Synovial fluid-derived FLS were obtained from the knees of 15 patients with early stage OA. IL-1-stimulated or unstimulated FLS were cultured with or without the treatment of 600-800kDa HMW-HA. Moreover, blocking experiments with anti-CD44 monoclonal antibodies (mAb) were used to examine the involvement of CD44 in HMW-HA effects. We designed and validated the real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Q-PCR) assays with SYBR Green dyes for simultaneous quantification of the expression of the 16 genes. RESULTS: HMW-HA down-regulated IL-8 and iNOS gene expression in unstimulated FLS and down-regulated aggrecanase-2 and TNF-alpha gene expression in IL-1-stimulated FLS. CD44 blocking inhibited the down-regulatory effects of HMW-HA on gene expression. CONCLUSION: HMW-HA may have a structure-modifying effect for OA by down-regulation of aggrecanase-2 in FLS. HMW-HA also has an anti-inflammatory effect by down-regulation of TNF-alpha, IL-8, and iNOS in FLS. These effects may be mediated through the interaction of CD44 and HMW-HA.

Hospital-based allogenic bone bank--10-year experience.

Bone banking in a hospital provides resources of allogenic bone grafts. However, they may transmit infection from donor to recipient. We found few reports discussing the infection rate and monitoring processes associated with bone banks. The discard rate using the screening test was 18.5% (309/1674) in this series. The leading cause was hepatitis B antigen (HBsAg) positive donor serum (67%), followed by Venereal Disease Research Laboratory (VDRL) positive donor serum (15%), and anti-hepatitis C virus (HCV) positive donor serum (12%). The overall infection rate in the recipients was 1.3% (17/1365). Among 1353 implanted allografts, 22 cases (1.6%) had a positive swab culture result after thawing. Only four out of these 22 cases (18.2%) developed infection. However, the wound cultures of the infected recipients were different from the swab culture of thawing allografts except in one case. Among the 1331 recipients with sterile allograft bones, 13 (1%) were found to have infection. In conclusion, our bone bank operates under a strict monitoring system which results in a low infection rate. The recipient's status, the aseptic technique and environment during operation is likely to be more critical in prevention of allograft-related infection.

A comparison of the therapeutic efficacy and tolerability of etoricoxib and diclofenac in patients with osteoarthritis.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate and compare the efficacy and tolerability of etoricoxib and diclofenac in patients with osteoarthritis of the knee or hip. METHODS: In this 6-week double-blind, active comparator controlled, parallel-group study eligible osteoarthritis patients were randomised to receive either etoricoxib 60 mg once daily (n = 256) or diclofenac 50 mg three times daily (n = 260). The primary study endpoint was the Western Ontario McMaster osteoarthritis index (WOMAC) pain subscale. Other endpoints included were the WOMAC stiffness and physical function subscales, and the Patient's Global Assessment of Response to Therapy (PGART) questionnaire. Early efficacy was evaluated using WOMAC first question (pain walking on a flat surface) and PGART 4 h after the morning dose of each drug on days 1 and 2. Rescue medication (paracetamol) used was also recorded. The study was designed to show comparable efficacy between etoricoxib 60 mg once daily and diclofenac 50 mg three times daily with respect to the primary endpoint and was conducted outside the United States at 67 centres in 29 countries. RESULTS: Etoricoxib (60 mg once daily) was comparable in efficacy to diclofenac (150 mg daily) on all the above parameters. The one exception was in the assessment of early efficacy where etoricoxib demonstrated significantly greater benefit within 4 h of taking the first dose on the first day of therapy (p = 0.007) as evaluated by the percentage of patients with good or excellent (PGART) responses. The treatment effects of both drugs were similar by the time day 2 was reached and were sustained throughout the 6 weeks of therapy. Both treatments were generally well tolerated. CONCLUSIONS: Etoricoxib is clinically effective in the therapy of osteoarthritis providing a magnitude of effect comparable to that of the maximum recommended daily dose of diclofenac. The onset of clinical benefit with etoricoxib on day one is more rapid than that of diclofenac. Both drugs were generally well tolerated.

Embolisation of a renal artery pseudoaneurysm in a patient with renal malrotation and chronic aortic dissection.

INTRODUCTION: Renal artery pseudoaneurysms may arise as a complication of percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL). Prompt recognition and treatment is essential to arrest haemorrhage which may be life threatening. CLINICAL PICTURE: A patient with chronic aortic dissection and malrotated right kidney underwent PCNL for right renal calculus. He developed delayed gross haematuria. TREATMENT: Angiography showed a pseudoaneurysm arising from one of two right renal arteries, which in turn arose from the false lumen of the aortic dissection. The supplying artery was successfully embolised. CONCLUSION: Renal artery pseudoaneurysms can be successfully treated with prompt angiography and embolisation, even in the presence of renal malrotation and aortic dissection.