[Clinical study of 105 cases of isolated weight loss in internal medicine]. / Etude clinique de 105 cas d'amaigrissements isolés en médecine interne.

We arbitrarily define "isolated weight loss" as the loss of at least 10 p. 100 of body weight over less than one year, without any single cause being disclosed by questioning, physical examination and such paraclinical examinations as blood electrolytes, blood count and differential, routine dipstick urinalysis and X-ray of the chest. Among the 105 patients we studied, the causes of isolated weight loss were: (1) psychic disorders (chiefly depression) in 60 p. 100 of the cases; (2) a variety of organic diseases in 29 p. 100, including gastrointestinal diseases (8 p. 100), cardiovascular and respiratory diseases (6 p. 100), Horton's disease (4 p. 100), Portuguese amyloidosis (1 p. 100), unexplained inflammatory syndrome (1 p. 100), endocrine disease (hyperthyroidism, 4 p. 100) and intoxication with medicines, alcohol or heroin (5 p. 100); (3) no definite cause could be found in 11 p. 100 of the cases. We suggest a diagnostic approach involving a limited number of examinations, viz.: erythrocyte sedimentation rate, measurement of transaminases, gamma GT and alkaline phosphatase enzymes, abdominal ultrasonography and ultra-sensitive TSH assay. We consider it important to switch from useless paraclinical tests to the detection and management of psychic disorders. Weight loss is a frequent motive of consultation, but its diagnostic value is often misunderstood. The purpose of this study was to provide data for the artiological diagnosis of isolated weight loss--a relatively frequent problem in internal medicine.

[Inhibition of post-partum physiological milk secretion by caffeine dihydroergocryptine and dihydroergotoxine]. / Inhibition de la sécrétion lactée physiologique du post-partum par la dihydro-ergokryptine caféine et la dihydro-ergotoxine.

Starting from the structural analogy between bromo-ergocryptine (Parlodel) and dihydroergocryptine caffeine (Vasobral), as well as with dihydroergotoxine (Hydergine), the authors decided to test the efficacy of the last two products in inhibiting post-partum physiological milk secretion. Twelve patients will be treated with either one of the two products, with a clinical and biological efficacy (serum prolactin level assay) which is comparable to that found in the literature regarding Parlodel. This study confirm the results obtained in a study of the inhibition of hyper-prolactinemia of other origin, by the same authors.