ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of two ophthalmic solutions in patients with mild to moderate dry eye. METHODS: We performed a prospective, 2-month-long, randomized, double-blind, single-center, parallel clinical trial to compare the efficacy and safety of two ophthalmic solutions for dry eye treatment. Patients were randomly assigned to one of the two treatment groups, study group or active-control group, and received one drop four times a day. The primary efficacy endpoint was to extend the tear film break-up time (TBUT) after 2 months of treatment. The Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) was also evaluated. Safety measures were assessed by the presence of adverse events. RESULTS: A total of 28 patients with mild to moderate dry eye were included in the per protocol analysis. TBUT was similar between groups at baseline (chondroitin sulfate and xanthan gum [CS/XG] group, 5.2 ± 2.3; Systane(®) group, 4.7 ± 2.6; P = 0.488), after 2 months of treatment, TBUT was still similar in both groups (CS/XG group, 6.1 ± 2.5; Systane(®) group, 7.3 ± 2.5; P = 0.088). Baseline OSDI was similar between the groups (CS/XG group, 18.8 ± 5.3; Systane(®) group, 19.8 ± 7.1; P = 0.810), but after 2 months of treatment, the OSDI was significantly lower in the CS/XG group (6.7 ± 5.7 versus 10.8 ± 6.4; P = 0.049). An adverse event was present in the CS/XG group, but it was not related to the treatment. CONCLUSIONS: In this population of patients with mild to moderate dry eye, treatment with CS/XG was as effective as treatment with Systane(®) with regard to TBUT; nevertheless, treatment in the CS/XG group was more effective at diminishing OSDI.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of two fixed combinations, ie, timolol 0.5% + brimonidine 0.2% + dorzolamide 2% (TBD) versus timolol 0.5% + brimonidine 0.2% (TB) in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension. METHODS: We performed a 3-month, randomized, double-blind study in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension and an intraocular pressure of 21-30 mmHg. Patients were randomly assigned to receive one drop of TBD or TB twice a day. The primary efficacy endpoint was change in intraocular pressure after 3 months of treatment. Safety measures were assessed by the presence of adverse events. RESULTS: Mean baseline intraocular pressure was similar at 8 am and 4 pm in the treatment groups (TBD 22.3 ± 0.9 mmHg, TB 22.4 ± 1.8 mmHg, P = 0.558; TBD 19.02 ± 1.3, TB 19.08 ± 1.2, P = 0.536, respectively). At the end of the study, the mean intraocular pressure was significantly lower in the TBD group at both 8 am (16.19 ± 2.0 mmHg versus 18.35 ± 1.4 mmHg, P = 0.000) and 4 pm (14.74 ± 2.4 mmHg versus 16.77 ± 1.4 mmHg, P = 0.000). CONCLUSION: Fixed-combination TBD was more effective than fixed-combination TB for reducing IOP in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma.
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: The adipocyte has recently begun to be considered not just as a fat deposition tissue, but also as a true endocrine organ. Adipose tissue produces a wide variety of adipocytokines, of which visfatin is one. OBJECTIVE: Since visfatin has recently been described as a mimic of insulin action, the authors evaluate visfatin behavior in women undergoing liposuction. MATERIALS: Nineteen nonobese women underwent liposuction of abdominal fat. Patient visfatin levels and a lipid profile were obtained preoperatively, and the results were compared with the results of the same tests immediately postoperatively and one month postoperatively. RESULTS: The mean age of the 19 study participants was 33 years; mean body mass index was 24.7±2.2 kg/m2. The amount of subcutaneous fat obtained was an average of 4468±1403 kg. Visfatin increased from 51.8±24.4 ng/mL preoperatively to 76.3±39.8 ng/mL (P=.02). Pre- and postoperative lipid profiles reflected, respectively, the following: total cholesterol, 159.1±37.1 vs 164.6±31.7 mg/dL (P=.420); high-density cholesterol, 41.4±8.6 vs 39.3±9.9 mg/dL (P=.421); low-density cholesterol, 97.1±25.4 vs 100±19.2 mg/dL (P=.507); and triglycerides, 92.3±57.1 vs 126.3±72.5 mg/dL (P=.058). CONCLUSIONS: Visfatin levels were shown to increase after liposuction of subcutaneous fat. The authors conclude that this adipocyte may play an important role as a regulatory reciprocal mechanism.
