ABSTRACT
Variants of the opioid receptors are the obvious candidates underlying addiction. The kappa opioid receptor (KOR) system seems to play a role in stress responsivity, opiate withdrawal and responses to psycho-stimulants, inhibiting mesolimbic dopamine. KOR gene polymorphisms have been reported to contribute to predisposition to voluntary alcohol-drinking behavior in experimental animals. In humans, the 36G > T single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) on KOR gene, that was recently identified, has been found associate with substance dependence, with inconclusive findings. In the present study, 106 heroin addicts (West European, Caucasians) and 70 healthy control subjects matched for race and gender, with no history of substance use disorder, have been genotyped. The frequency of KOR 36G > T SNP was significantly higher among heroin-dependent individuals compared with control subjects (Fisher's exact = 0.044; Pearson chi(2) = 4.2734, P = 0.039; likelihood ratio chi(2) tests = 4.6156, P = 0.032). Although KOR silent polymorphisms may apparently have no consequences on mRNA transcription, post-transcriptional mechanisms, such as mRNA stability, translation efficiency, and regulability may impair the function of kappa receptors system, with increased risk for substance use disorders. In specific, the neurobiological changes induced by mu-kappa opioid imbalance could underlie vulnerable personality traits and risk behavior.
Subject(s)
Opioid-Related Disorders/genetics , Receptors, Opioid, kappa/genetics , Adult , Alleles , Animals , Base Sequence , Case-Control Studies , DNA Primers/genetics , Exons , Female , Gene Frequency , Genotype , Humans , Male , Polymorphism, Single NucleotideABSTRACT
To evaluate the admission criteria and to select indicators that identify patients for whom hospitalization is not necessary, we studied 75 patients with community acquired pneumonia (CAP) who were admitted to a clinical service. According to Appropriateness Evaluation Protocol (AEP) only 60% of our patients justified their hospitalization (Group A) while 40% did not (Group B). The most frequent hospitalization criteria found in Group A were tachypnea (> 30x min.) (40%), respiratory failure (38%) and encefalopathy (18%). The average age in Group A was 62 versus 47 in Group B (p < 0.001). Comorbid conditions were present in 100% of Group A and 71% had two or more while only 33% of patients in Group B had two or more (p < 0.01). During the evolution, Group A had more organ failure than B (53 vs. 17%) (p < 0.001) and a longer period of hospitalization (14 vs. 9 days) (p < 0.01). The differences between groups A and B is best visualized in the incidence of sepsis (4 vs. 0%), and mortality rates (15% vs. 0%) (p < 0.05). Using the Fine risk criteria for a complicated course, we selected 14 patients from Group B, with one or more criteria (Group C) that were compared with 16 patients without them (Group D). The presence of a poor clinical status at admission was the only difference between Group D and C (79 vs. 0%) (p < 0.001). When three or more risk factors were present the differences were significant (79 vs. 6%) (p < 0.001). We conclude that the utilization of hospitalization criteria together with the risk factors for a complicated course, specifically when two or more factors per patient are present, permit the identification of a population with CAP that needs hospitalization with 71.4% sensitivity and 100% specificity. The presence of two or less risk factors in patients without admission criteria has a highly predictable negative value (100%) and anticipates an uneventful evolution without complications.
Subject(s)
Patient Admission , Patient Selection , Pneumonia/complications , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Community-Acquired Infections/complications , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Pneumonia/mortality , Risk FactorsABSTRACT
To evaluate the admission criteria and to select indicators that identify patients for whom hospitalization is not necessary, we studied 75 patients with community acquired pneumonia (CAP) who were admitted to a clinical service. According to Appropriateness Evaluation Protocol (AEP) only 60
of our patients justified their hospitalization (Group A) while 40
did not (Group B). The most frequent hospitalization criteria found in Group A were tachypnea (> 30x min.) (40
), respiratory failure (38
) and encefalopathy (18
). The average age in Group A was 62 versus 47 in Group B (p < 0.001). Comorbid conditions were present in 100
of Group A and 71
had two or more while only 33
of patients in Group B had two or more (p < 0.01). During the evolution, Group A had more organ failure than B (53 vs. 17
) (p < 0.001) and a longer period of hospitalization (14 vs. 9 days) (p < 0.01). The differences between groups A and B is best visualized in the incidence of sepsis (4 vs. 0
), and mortality rates (15
vs. 0
) (p < 0.05). Using the Fine risk criteria for a complicated course, we selected 14 patients from Group B, with one or more criteria (Group C) that were compared with 16 patients without them (Group D). The presence of a poor clinical status at admission was the only difference between Group D and C (79 vs. 0
) (p < 0.001). When three or more risk factors were present the differences were significant (79 vs. 6
) (p < 0.001). We conclude that the utilization of hospitalization criteria together with the risk factors for a complicated course, specifically when two or more factors per patient are present, permit the identification of a population with CAP that needs hospitalization with 71.4
sensitivity and 100
specificity. The presence of two or less risk factors in patients without admission criteria has a highly predictable negative value (100
) and anticipates an uneventful evolution without complications.
ABSTRACT
A case of rhabdomyolysis associated with an iodinated contrast medium (sodium diatrizoate) in a patient with chronic renal failure is presented for the purpose of discussing this association. Clinical manifestations were: diffuse myalgias, proximal muscular weakness and an acute reversible deterioration of the renal function. Muscle biopsy showed the typical pattern found in rhabdomyolysis, that is, cellular necrosis with no inflammation signs and myolytic areas. The temporal association between the rhabdomyolysis and the use of the contrast medium suggests a causal relationship. The present case allows us to postulate that the skeletal muscle injury was secondary to direct toxicity and/or the compromise of muscle blood perfusion by the contrast medium in a susceptible muscle due to previous renal failure. It is suggested that this group of substances should be incorporated to the list of agents capable of causing non traumatic rhabdomyolysis.
Subject(s)
Diatrizoate/adverse effects , Kidney Failure, Chronic/complications , Rhabdomyolysis/etiology , Adult , Aortic Coarctation/diagnostic imaging , Aortography , Humans , MaleABSTRACT
Se presenta un caso de rabdomiolisis asociado al uso de medio de contraste iodado (diatrizoato de sodio) en un paciente con insuficiencia renal crónica con el propósito de comunicar esta asociación. Sus manifestaciones clínicas fueron mialgias difusas, debilidad muscular y deterioro agudo y reversible de la función renal. La biopsia mostró anormalidades típicas de rabdomiolisis. Se presume que, en este caso, el daño muscular fue secundario a toxicidad directa y/o compromiso crítico del flujo sanguínio muscular por el medio de contraste iodado en un músculo susceptible a la injuria por efecto de la insuficiencia renal. Los medios de contraste iodados deben ser adicionados a la lista de fármacos capaces de provocar rabdomiolisis no traumática, la cual puede ser una complicación más común que lo apreciado
Subject(s)
Adult , Humans , Male , Diatrizoate/adverse effects , Rhabdomyolysis/etiology , Aortography , Aortic Coarctation , Renal Insufficiency, Chronic/complicationsABSTRACT
Se presenta un caso de rabdomiolisis asociado al uso de medio de contraste iodado (diatrizoato de sodio) en un paciente con insuficiencia renal crónica con el propósito de comunicar esta asociación. Sus manifestaciones clínicas fueron mialgias difusas, debilidad muscular y deterioro agudo y reversible de la función renal. La biopsia mostró anormalidades típicas de rabdomiolisis. Se presume que, en este caso, el daño muscular fue secundario a toxicidad directa y/o compromiso crítico del flujo sanguínio muscular por el medio de contraste iodado en un músculo susceptible a la injuria por efecto de la insuficiencia renal. Los medios de contraste iodados deben ser adicionados a la lista de fármacos capaces de provocar rabdomiolisis no traumática, la cual puede ser una complicación más común que lo apreciado (AU)
Subject(s)
Adult , Humans , Male , Rhabdomyolysis/etiology , Diatrizoate/adverse effects , Renal Insufficiency, Chronic/complications , Aortography , Aortic Coarctation/diagnostic imagingABSTRACT
A case of rhabdomyolysis associated with an iodinated contrast medium (sodium diatrizoate) in a patient with chronic renal failure is presented for the purpose of discussing this association. Clinical manifestations were: diffuse myalgias, proximal muscular weakness and an acute reversible deterioration of the renal function. Muscle biopsy showed the typical pattern found in rhabdomyolysis, that is, cellular necrosis with no inflammation signs and myolytic areas. The temporal association between the rhabdomyolysis and the use of the contrast medium suggests a causal relationship. The present case allows us to postulate that the skeletal muscle injury was secondary to direct toxicity and/or the compromise of muscle blood perfusion by the contrast medium in a susceptible muscle due to previous renal failure. It is suggested that this group of substances should be incorporated to the list of agents capable of causing non traumatic rhabdomyolysis.
