Psychological intervention improves quality of life in patients with early-stage cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials.

The effectiveness of psychological interventions (PI) for malignant diseases is controversial. We aimed to investigate the effect of PI on survival and quality of life (QoL) in patients with cancer. We performed a systematic search of MEDLINE, Cochrane, and Embase databases to identify randomized controlled trials comparing PI to standard care (PROSPERO registration number CRD42021282327). Outcomes were overall survival (OS), recurrence-free survival (RFS), and different domains of QoL. Subgroup analysis was performed based on the provider-, type-, environment-, duration of intervention; cancer stage, and type. Pooled hazard ratios (HR) and standardized mean difference (SMD) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated using a random-effects model. The OS and RFS did not differ significantly between the two groups (OS:HR = 0.97; CI 0.87-1.08; RFS:HR = 0.99; CI 0.84-1.16). However, there was significant improvement in the intervention group in all the analyzed domains of QoL; in the global (SMD = 0.65; CI 0.35-0.94), emotional (SMD = 0.64; CI 0.33-0.95), social (SMD = 0.32; CI 0.13-0.51) and physical (SMD = 0.33; CI 0.05-0.60) domains. The effect of PI on QoL was generally positive immediately, 12 and 24 weeks after intervention, but the effect decreased over time and was no longer found significant at 48 weeks. The results were better in the breast cancer group and early stages of cancer. PIs do not prolong survival, but they significantly improve the QoL of cancer patients. PI should be added as standard of care 3-4 times a year, at least for patients with early-stage cancer.

One third of cases of new-onset diabetic ketosis in adults are associated with ketosis-prone type 2 diabetes-A systematic review and meta-analysis.

AIMS: Ketosis-prone type 2 diabetes was defined by the World Health Organization in 2019. According to the literature, the diagnosis is based on the presence of ketosis, islet autoantibody negativity and preserved insulin secretion. Our meta-analysis assessed the prevalence and clinical characteristics of ketosis-prone type 2 diabetes among patients hospitalised with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) or ketosis. METHODS: The systematic search was performed in five main databases as of 15 October 2021 without restrictions. We calculated the pooled prevalence of ketosis-prone type 2 diabetes (exposed group) within the diabetic population under examination, patients with ketoacidosis or ketosis, to identify the clinical characteristics, and we compared it to type 1 diabetes (the comparator group). The random effects model provided pooled estimates as prevalence, odds ratio and mean difference (MD) with 95% confidence intervals. RESULTS: Eleven articles were eligible for meta-analysis, thus incorporating 2010 patients of various ethnic backgrounds. Among patients presenting with DKA or ketosis at the onset of diabetes, 35% (95% CI: 24%-49%) had ketosis-prone type 2 diabetes. These patients were older (MD = 11.55 years; 95% CI: 5.5-17.6) and had a significantly higher body mass index (BMI) (MD = 5.48 kg/m2 ; 95% CI: 3.25-7.72) than those with type 1 diabetes. CONCLUSIONS: Ketosis-prone type 2 diabetes accounts for one third of DKA or ketosis at the onset of diabetes in adults. These patients are characterised by islet autoantibody negativity and preserved insulin secretion. They are older and have a higher BMI compared with type 1 diabetes. C-peptide and diabetes-related autoantibody measurement is essential to identify this subgroup among patients with ketosis at the onset of diabetes.

One in four patients with gastrointestinal bleeding develops shock or hemodynamic instability: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Hemodynamic instability and shock are associated with untoward outcomes in gastrointestinal bleeding. However, there are no studies in the existing literature on the proportion of patients who developed these outcomes after gastrointestinal bleeding. AIM: To determine the pooled event rates in the available literature and specify them based on the bleeding source. METHODS: The protocol was registered on PROSPERO in advance (CRD42021283258). A systematic search was performed in three databases (PubMed, EMBASE, and CENTRAL) on 14th October 2021. Pooled proportions with 95%CI were calculated with a random-effects model. A subgroup analysis was carried out based on the time of assessment (on admission or during hospital stay). Heterogeneity was assessed by Higgins and Thompson's I2 statistics. The Joanna Briggs Institute Prevalence Critical Appraisal Tool was used for the risk of bias assessment. The Reference Citation Analysis (https://www.referencecitationanalysis.com/) tool was applied to obtain the latest highlight articles. RESULTS: We identified 11589 records, of which 220 studies were eligible for data extraction. The overall proportion of shock and hemodynamic instability in general gastrointestinal bleeding patients was 0.25 (95%CI: 0.17-0.36, I2 = 100%). In non-variceal bleeding, the proportion was 0.22 (95%CI: 0.14-0.31, I2 = 100%), whereas it was 0.25 (95%CI: 0.19-0.32, I2 = 100%) in variceal bleeding. The proportion of patients with colonic diverticular bleeding who developed shock or hemodynamic instability was 0.12 (95%CI: 0.06-0.22, I2 = 90%). The risk of bias was low, and heterogeneity was high in all analyses. CONCLUSION: One in five, one in four, and one in eight patients develops shock or hemodynamic instability on admission or during hospitalization in the case of non-variceal, variceal, and colonic diverticular bleeding, respectively.

Microscopic colitis is a risk factor for low bone density: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Microscopic colitis (MC) is a chronic inflammatory disease of the large bowel characterized by watery diarrhea, substantially decreasing the patient's quality of life. Scarce data suggest that MC is associated with low bone density (LBD). Objectives: We aimed to assess whether MC is a risk factor for LBD and the proportion of patients with MC having LBD. Design: A systematic review and meta-analysis of studies reporting bone density measurements in MC patients. Data Sources and Methods: We systematically searched five databases from inception to October 16, 2021 (Pubmed, Embase, Cochrane, Scopus, and Web of Science). We used the random-effect model to calculate pooled odds ratios (ORs) and pooled event rates with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). To ascertain the quality of evidence of our outcomes, we followed the recommendations of the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) Working Group. Results: The systematic search yielded a total of 3046 articles. Four articles were eligible for quantitative synthesis. All of them used age- and sex-matched controls to evaluate LBD occurrence among patients with MC. The odds of having LBD were twofold increased (OR = 2.13, CI: 1.42-3.20) in the presence of MC, the odds of osteopenia occurrence were 2.4 (OR = 2.45, CI: 1.11-5.41), and of osteoporosis 1.4 (OR = 1.42, CI: 0.65-3.12). The proportion of LBD was 0.68 (CI: 0.56-0.78), osteopenia was 0.51 (CI: 0.43-0.58), and osteoporosis was 0.11 (CI: 0.07-0.16) among the MC population. Our findings' certainty of the evidence was very low following the GRADEPro guideline. Conclusion: Our data demonstrate that MC is associated with a twofold risk for LBD. Based on our findings, we suggest screening patients for bone mineral density upon diagnosis of MC. Further prospective studies with higher patient numbers and longer follow-up periods on this topic are needed. Registration: Our protocol was prospectively registered with PROSPERO (CRD42021283392).

Investigating microscopic colitis as a risk factor for having low bone density in a literature overview and statistical approach Microscopic colitis (MC) is an underdiagnosed chronic inflammatory large bowel disease, characterized by watery diarrhea, which substantially impacts the patient's quality of life. The etiology of MC is still unclear but is suspected to be multifactorial. Moreover, low bone density (LBD) has been associated with the disease. Scarce data investigate the relationship of MC with LBD, although they share common risk factors, like advanced age and female sex. LBD has two forms; the mild is osteopenia and the severe form is osteoporosis. The most severe complications of osteoporosis are osteoporotic fractures, which can culminate in a life-threatening state and amplify the hospital expenses burden. Our primary aim was to assess if MC increases the risk of LBD. Furthermore, we estimated the proportions of bone mineral changes in the MC population. Following a rigorous methodology, our data suggest that MC doubles the odds of LBD. Furthermore, we have shown that two-thirds of the MC population suffers from bone density decrease, half of them have osteopenia, and one in 10 MC patients has osteoporosis. In conclusion, we highly suggest screening patients with MC for bone mineral density at the moment of diagnosis.

Ustekinumab versus adalimumab for induction and maintenance therapy in biologic-naive patients with moderately to severely active Crohn's disease: a multicentre, randomised, double-blind, parallel-group, phase 3b trial.

BACKGROUND: Active-comparator trials are important to inform patient and physician choice. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of monotherapy with either ustekinumab or adalimumab in biologic-naive patients with moderately to severely active Crohn's disease. METHODS: We conducted a randomised, double-blind, parallel-group, active-comparator, phase 3b trial (SEAVUE) at 121 hospitals or private practices in 18 countries. We included biologic-naive patients aged 18 years or older with moderately to severely active Crohn's disease and a Crohn's Disease Activity Index (CDAI) score of 220-450, who had not responded to or were intolerant to conventional therapy (or were corticosteroid dependent) and had at least one ulcer of any size at baseline endoscopic evaluation. Eligible patients were randomly assigned (1:1; via an interactive web response system) to receive ustekinumab (approximately 6 mg/kg intravenously on day 0, then 90 mg subcutaneously once every 8 weeks) or adalimumab (160 mg on day 0, 80 mg at 2 weeks, then 40 mg once every 2 weeks, subcutaneously) through week 56. Study treatments were administered as monotherapy and without dose modifications. Patients, investigators, and study site personnel were masked to treatment group assignment. The primary endpoint was the proportion of patients who were in clinical remission (CDAI score <150) at week 52 in the intention-to-treat population (ie, all patients who were randomly assigned to a treatment group). This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03464136, and EudraCT, 2017-004209-41. FINDINGS: Between June 28, 2018, and Dec 12, 2019, 633 patients were assessed for eligibility and 386 were enrolled and randomly assigned to receive ustekinumab (n=191) or adalimumab (n=195). 29 (15%) of 191 patients in the ustekinumab group and 46 (24%) of 195 in the adalimumab group discontinued study treatment before week 52. There was no significant difference between the ustekinumab and adalimumab groups in the occurrence of the primary endpoint; at week 52, 124 (65%) of 191 patients in the ustekinumab group versus 119 (61%) of 195 in the adalimumab group were in clinical remission (between-group difference 4%, 95% CI -6 to 14; p=0·42). Safety for both groups was consistent with previous reports. Serious infections were reported in four (2%) of 191 patients in the ustekinumab group and five (3%) of 195 in the adalimumab group. No deaths occurred through week 52 of the study. INTERPRETATION: Both ustekinumab and adalimumab monotherapies were highly effective in this population of biologic-naive patients, with no difference in the primary outcome between the drugs. FUNDING: Janssen Scientific Affairs.

Novel Budesonide Suppository and Standard Budesonide Rectal Foam Induce High Rates of Clinical Remission and Mucosal Healing in Active Ulcerative Proctitis: a Randomised, Controlled, Non-inferiority Trial.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Proctitis is the least extensive type of ulcerative colitis, for which rectal therapy is rarely studied and is underused. This study evaluated the efficacy, safety, and patient's preference of a novel formulation of budesonide suppository 4 mg, compared with a commercially available budesonide rectal foam 2 mg, for the treatment of mild to moderate ulcerative proctitis. METHODS: This was a randomised, double-blind, double-dummy, active-controlled trial. Patients were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to receive either budesonide 4 mg suppository or budesonide 2 mg foam once daily for 8 weeks. The co-primary endpoints were changes from baseline to Week 8 in clinical symptoms, for which clinical remission was defined as having a modified Ulcerative Colitis-Disease Activity Index [UC-DAI] subscore for stool frequency of 0 or 1 and a subscore for rectal bleeding of 0, and mucosal healing, defined as having a modified UC-DAI subscore for mucosal appearance of 0 or 1. Using a more stringent criterion, we additionally analysed deepened mucosal healing, which was defined as a mucosal appearance subscore of 0. Patient's preference, physician's global assessment, and quality of life were also assessed and analysed. RESULTS: Overall, 286 and 291 patients were included in the 4 mg suppository and 2 mg foam groups, respectively. Budesonide 4 mg suppository met the prespecified criterion for non-inferiority to the 2 mg foam in both co-primary endpoints of clinical remission and mucosal healing. Secondary endpoints consistently supported the non-inferiority of the suppository. Trends in favour of the suppository were observed in the subgroup of mesalazine non-responders. More patients reported a preference for the suppository over rectal foam. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with ulcerative proctitis, budesonide 4 mg suppository was non-inferior to budesonide 2 mg foam in efficacy, and both were safe and well tolerated.

Controversials of Microscopic Colitis.

Microscopic colitis (MC) has become a disease with increased awareness due to the availability of new data about the pathogenesis, diagnosis and therapy of this disease. The incidence of MC is increasing, reaching the incidence of the inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in some populations. However, some aspects of MC are still controversial. It is unknown whether the changes of microbiome play a role in the pathogenesis and what is in the background of the different subtypes of disease that can transform into each other. Is there a connection between MC and IBD or why the histological changes do not follow the clinical activity? We do not know what the etiology of the incomplete MC is, and what its natural course is. The association of MC with celiac disease is well-known- is there a common pathogenesis? The MC treatment is budesonide. Its effectiveness is high, but the relapse rate is high, as well. Why would biologics be effective in these cases when budesonide is not? This mini-review makes an attempt to summarize the data about MC and highlight that there are still unanswered questions in the pathogenesis, diagnosis and therapy of the disease, which can initiate further investigations in the future.

Budesonide as induction therapy for incomplete microscopic colitis: A randomised, placebo-controlled multicentre trial.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Incomplete microscopic colitis (MCi) is a subtype of microscopic colitis (MC). Budesonide is recommended as a first-line treatment for MC. However, randomised trials on efficacy of treatment in MCi are missing. We therefore performed a randomised, placebo-controlled trial to evaluate budesonide as induction therapy for MCi. METHODS: Patients with active MCi were randomly assigned to either budesonide 9 mg once daily or placebo for 8 weeks in a double-blind, double-dummy design. The primary endpoint was clinical remission, defined as a mean of <3 stools/day and a mean of <1 watery stool/day in the 7 days before week 8. RESULTS: Due to insufficient patient recruitment, the trial was discontinued prematurely. The intention-to-treat analysis included 44 patients (21 budesonide and 23 placebo). The primary endpoint of clinical remission at week 8 was obtained by 71.4% on budesonide and 43.5% on placebo (p = 0.0582). All clinical secondary endpoints were in favour of budesonide. Budesonide decreased the number of soft or watery stools (16.3 vs. 7.7, p = 0.0186) and improved health-related quality of life for all four dimensions of the short health scale. Adverse events with a suspected relation to study drug were reported in one patient in the budesonide group and two patients in the placebo group. Neither serious nor severe adverse events occurred during the double-blind phase. CONCLUSIONS: Budesonide decreased the frequency of soft or watery stools and improved the patients' quality of life significantly in MCi, but the primary endpoint was not met due to the low sample size (type 2 error). Budesonide was safe and well tolerated during the 8-weeks treatment course.

European guidelines on microscopic colitis: United European Gastroenterology and European Microscopic Colitis Group statements and recommendations.

INTRODUCTION: Microscopic colitis is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease characterised by normal or almost normal endoscopic appearance of the colon, chronic watery, nonbloody diarrhoea and distinct histological abnormalities, which identify three histological subtypes, the collagenous colitis, the lymphocytic colitis and the incomplete microscopic colitis. With ongoing uncertainties and new developments in the clinical management of microscopic colitis, there is a need for evidence-based guidelines to improve the medical care of patients suffering from this disorder. METHODS: Guidelines were developed by members from the European Microscopic Colitis Group and United European Gastroenterology in accordance with the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation II instrument. Following a systematic literature review, the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation methodology was used to assess the certainty of the evidence. Statements and recommendations were developed by working groups consisting of gastroenterologists, pathologists and basic scientists, and voted upon using the Delphi method. RESULTS: These guidelines provide information on epidemiology and risk factors of microscopic colitis, as well as evidence-based statements and recommendations on diagnostic criteria and treatment options, including oral budesonide, bile acid binders, immunomodulators and biologics. Recommendations on the clinical management of microscopic colitis are provided based on evidence, expert opinion and best clinical practice. CONCLUSION: These guidelines may support clinicians worldwide to improve the clinical management of patients with microscopic colitis.

Distribution of histopathological features along the colon in microscopic colitis.

PURPOSE: The diagnosis microscopic colitis (MC) consisting of collagenous colitis (CC) and lymphocytic colitis (LC) relies on histological assessment of mucosal biopsies from the colon. The optimal biopsy strategy for reliable diagnosis of MC is controversial. The aim of this study was to evaluate the distribution of histopathological features of MC throughout the colon. METHODS: Mucosal biopsies from multiple colonic segments of patients with MC who participated in one of the three prospective European multicenter trials were analyzed. Histological slides were stained with hematoxylin-and-eosin, a connective tissue stain, and CD3 in selected cases. RESULTS: In total, 255 patients were included, 199 and 56 patients with CC and LC, respectively. Both groups exhibited a gradient with more pronounced inflammation in the lamina propria in the proximal colon compared with the distal colon. Similarly, the thickness of the subepithelial collagenous band in CC showed a gradient with higher values in the proximal colon. The mean number of intraepithelial lymphocytes was > 20 in all colonic segments in patients within both subgroups. Biopsies from 86 to 94% of individual segments were diagnostic, rectum excluded. Biopsies from non-diagnostic segments often showed features of another subgroup of MC. CONCLUSION: Conclusively, although the severity of the histological changes in MC differed in the colonic mucosa, the minimum criteria required for the diagnosis were present in the random biopsies from the majority of segments. Thus, our findings show MC to be a pancolitis, rectum excluded, questioning previously proclaimed patchiness throughout the colon.

Microscopic Colitis: A Challenging Disorder.

BACKGROUND: The clinical importance of microscopic colitis (MC) is increasing. This is explained by both the increasing incidence and the challenges posed by the disease. However, recent MC data also reveal a number of doubts and uncertainties. SUMMARY: This review focuses on current knowledge of MC and highlights the various controversies and criticisms regarding the clinical data about definitions, subtypes, pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment of this condition. Key Messages: The diagnosis of MC is based on histology, which distinguishes 2 subtypes. However, transitional forms often cause misclassification, which calls into question the reality (specificity, meaning) of the distinction between the 2 forms. The location of the colon biopsy is not defined by international consensus. There is no credible, clear explanation for the incidence increase. The pathogenesis is unknown, probably multifactorial, but the importance of the immunological background is increasing. The natural history of the disease and the underlying cause of relapses are unclear. It is suggested that MC would be the prelude of IBD. Further data collection is needed to clarify these issues.

Efficacy and Safety of Budesonide, vs Mesalazine or Placebo, as Induction Therapy for Lymphocytic Colitis.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Lymphocytic colitis is a common cause of chronic, nonbloody diarrhea. However, the effects of treatment are unclear and randomized placebo-controlled trials were requested in a Cochrane review. We performed a randomized, placebo-controlled, multicenter study to evaluate budesonide and mesalazine as induction therapy for lymphocytic colitis. METHODS: Patients with active lymphocytic colitis were randomly assigned to groups given budesonide 9 mg once daily (Budenofalk granules), mesalazine 3 g once daily (Salofalk granules), or placebo for 8 weeks in a double-blind, double-dummy design. The primary endpoint was clinical remission, defined as ≤21 stools (including ≤6 watery stools), in the 7 days before week 8. RESULTS: The final analysis included 57 patients (19 per group). Most patients were female (72%) and the mean age was 59 years. The proportion of patients in clinical remission at week 8 was significantly higher in the budesonide group than in the placebo group (intention-to-treat analysis, 79% vs 42%; P = .01). The difference in proportions of patients in clinical remission at week 8 between the mesalazine (63%) and placebo groups was not significant (P = .09). The proportion of patients with histologic remission at week 8 was significantly higher in the budesonide group (68%) vs the mesalazine (26%; P = .02) or placebo (21%; P = .008) groups. The incidence of adverse events was 47.4% in the budesonide group, 68.4% in the mesalazine group, and 42.1% in the placebo group. CONCLUSIONS: In a randomized multicenter study, we found oral budesonide 9 mg once daily to be effective and safe for induction of clinical and histologic remission in patients with lymphocytic colitis, compared with placebo. Oral mesalazine 3 g once daily was not significantly better than placebo. ClinicalTrials.gov no: NCT01209208.

[Peptic ulcer disease and stress]. / A fekélybetegség és a stressz.

The discovery that Helicobacter pylori infection is the major cause of peptic ulcer disease revolutionised our views on the etiology and treatment of the disease. This discovery has tempted many experts to conclude that psychological factors and, specifically, stress are unimportant. However, Helicobacter pylori infection alone does not explain fully the incidence and prevalence of peptic ulcer disease. It has been demonstrated that stress can cause peptic ulcer disease even in the absence of Helicobacter pylori infection, supporting a multicausal model of peptic ulcer etiology. Psychological stress among other risk factors can function as a cofactor with Helicobacter pylori infection.

Myofibroblast-derived SFRP1 as potential inhibitor of colorectal carcinoma field effect.

Epigenetic changes of stromal-epithelial interactions are of key importance in the regulation of colorectal carcinoma (CRC) cells and morphologically normal, but genetically and epigenetically altered epithelium in normal adjacent tumor (NAT) areas. Here we demonstrated retained protein expression of well-known Wnt inhibitor, secreted frizzled-related protein 1 (SFRP1) in stromal myofibroblasts and decreasing epithelial expression from NAT tissues towards the tumor. SFRP1 was unmethylated in laser microdissected myofibroblasts and partially hypermethylated in epithelial cells in these areas. In contrast, we found epigenetically silenced myofibroblast-derived SFRP1 in CRC stroma. Our results suggest that the myofibroblast-derived SFRP1 protein might be a paracrine inhibitor of epithelial proliferation in NAT areas and loss of this signal may support tumor proliferation in CRC.

[Gastritis and gastropathy]. / Gastritisek és gastropathiák.

Alterations of the stomach mucosa in response to different adverse effects result in various morphological and clinical symptoms. Gastric mucosa alterations can be classified on the bases of diverse viewpoints. It makes this overview difficult, that identical toxic effects may cause different mucosal changes and different toxic agents may produce similar mucosal appearance. The more accurate understanding of the pathological processes which develop in the stomach mucosa needs reconsideration. The authors make an attempt to define gastritis and gastropathy in order to classify and present their features. Gastritis is a histological definition indicating mucosal inflammation. Acute gastritis is caused by infections. The two most important forms of chronic gastritis are metaplastic atrophic gastritis with an autoimmune origin and Helicobacter pylori inflammation. Gastropathy is the name of different structural alterations of the mucosa. Its most important feature is the paucity of inflammatory signs. Gastropathies can be divided into 4 categories based on the nature of the underlying pathological effect, on its morphological appearance and the way of the development. Differential diagnosis is an important pathological and clinical task because different treatment methods and prognosis.

[Somatostatin and the digestive system. Clinical experiences]. / A szomatosztatin és az emésztorendszer. Klinikai tapasztalatok.

The effect of somatostatin on the gastrointestinal tract is complex; it inhibits the release of gastrointestinal hormones, the exocrine function of the stomach, pancreas and bile, decreases motility and influences absorption as well. Based on these diverse effects there was an increased expectation towards the success of somatostatin therapy in various gastrointestinal disorders. The preconditions for somatostatin treatment was created by the development of long acting somatostatin analogues (octreotide, lanreotide). During the last twenty-five years large trials clarified the role of somatostatin analogues in the treatment of various gastrointestinal diseases. This study summarizes shortly these results. Somatostatin analogue treatment could be effective in various pathological conditions of the gastrointestinal tract, however, this therapeutic modality became a part of the clinical routine only in neuroendocrine tumours and adjuvant treatment of oesophageal variceal bleeding and pancreatic fistulas.

[Idiopathic retroperitoneal fibrosis. Pitfalls and challenges--experience with two cases]. / Idiopathiás retroperitonealis fibrosis. Buktatók és kihívások--két kórlefolyás tapasztalatai.

Retroperitoneal fibrosis is the chronic, nonspecific inflammation of the retroperitoneum. About 75% of the cases are idiopathic. The pathomechanism of the disorder is not clearly defined. Autoimmune inflammation and secondary fibrosis are the main suspected mechanisms against an unknown factor possibly related to atherosclerosis. Symptoms and laboratory parameters are nonspecific which make the diagnosis difficult. At the time of the diagnosis complications are often present. After the urological and surgical management of the complications, the aim of the medical treatment is immunosuppression. Corticosteroids are usually used for treatment, although the optimal dosage and the duration of the treatment are not known. After therapy cessation relapse may occur, requiring repeated steroid therapy or addition of steroid sparing drugs. Predicting factors for treatment response, corticosteroid demand or relapse are not known. Authors review the medical history of two patients with retroperitoneal fibrosis and discuss diagnostic difficulties of this disorder.

[Surgical treatment of acute type-B aortic dissection associated with cocaine use]. / B típusú aortadissectio sebészi kezelése kokaint használó beteg esetében.

UNLABELLED: Cocaine abuse is on a rise in Hungary as well. It is known that cocaine users have a higher risk developing cardiovascular complications, for example aortic dissection. Almost all patients in Hungary suffering from type B aortic dissection are referred to our department for treatment. AIM: We introduce the case of a regular cocaine user, who suffered an acute type B aortic dissection and was treated surgically. To our best knowledge this is the first similar case in our country to be published. METHOD: Case presentation. RESULTS: We performed a successful operation: acute thoracoabdominal aortic refenestration, no complication was detected. The patient is doing well three months after the procedure, returned to his regular activities, he is normotensively receiving medical treatment, and he gave up cocaine. CONCLUSIONS: Thoracoabdominal aortic refenestration can save the life of patients presenting with acute type B dissection. Good long-term result depends on adequate hypertension control and cocaine abstinence. As the frequency of cocaine abuse increases in Hungary, similar cases may be more often encountered.