Stress and brain functional changes in patients with Crohn's disease: A functional magnetic resonance imaging study.

BACKGROUND: In Crohn's disease (CD) patients, stress is believed to influence symptoms generation. Stress may act via central nervous system pathways to affect visceral sensitivity and motility thus exacerbating gastrointestinal symptoms. The neural substrate underpinning these mechanisms needs to be investigated in CD. We conducted an explorative functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) study in order to investigate potential differences in the brain stress response in CD patients compared to controls. METHODS: 17 CD patients and 17 healthy controls underwent a fMRI scan while performing a stressful task consisting in a Stroop color-word interference task designed to induce mental stress in the fMRI environment. KEY RESULTS: Compared to controls, in CD patients the stress task elicited greater blood oxygen level dependent (BOLD) signals in the midcingulate cortex (MCC). CONCLUSIONS & INFERENCES: The MCC integrate "high" emotional processes with afferent sensory information ascending from the gut. In light of these integrative functions, the stress-evoked MCC hyperactivity in CD patients might represent a plausible neural substrate for the association between stress and symptomatic disease. The MCC dysfunction might be involved in mechanisms of central disinhibition of nociceptive inputs leading to amplify the visceral sensitivity. Finally, the stress-evoked MCC hyperactivity might affect the regulation of intestinal motility resulting in exacerbation of disease symptoms and the autonomic and neuroendocrine regulation of inflammation resulting in enhanced inflammatory activity.

Update on Crohn's disease: a polymorphic entity.

Crohn's disease is a chronic transmural inflammatory disease that most commonly affects the intestinal wall, but may also occur in any part of the gastrointestinal tract; its incidence is higher in industrialized countries, urban areas and upper socioeconomic classes. Various environmental risk factors have been associated with the pathogenesis of Crohn's disease and possible infectious agents (viruses, bacteria, yeasts) have also been considered. However, none of these factors alone leads to the development of the disease, which may occur only when there is a genetic predisposition and/or an abnormal function of the intestinal immune system. Histopathology demonstrates mucosal hyperemia, with small superficial ulcers in mild forms of the disease; in moderate-to-severe forms, serpiginous ulcerations demarcating areas of edematous mucosa produce the characteristic "cobblestone" appearance. The earliest microscopic lesions appear as neutrophil-mediated cryptic damage, with the formation of focal cryptic abscesses and granulomas throughout the layers of the intestinal wall. In addition to weight loss, patients mainly refer chronic diarrhea and recurrent right iliac fossa abdominal pain. Extraintestinal manifestations include ocular or articular complications. There are several drugs classes available for treating Crohn's disease, but the therapeutic approach depends on the clinical picture and differs from patient to patient. The broad clinical and the histopathological features of Crohn's disease make it a highly polymorphic entity. Diagnostic tests and a thorough knowledge of its various aspects are essential for guiding diagnosis and treatment.

Umbilical endometriosis in pregnancy: a case report.

To our knowledge, this is the first case reported in the literature of umbilical endometriosis in a pregnant woman. We report a case of umbilical endometriosis in a pregnant woman at 16 weeks of gestation. The patient revealed a reddish-brown polypoid nodule within the umbilical depression, with the typical history of monthly bleeding from the umbilicus. A nodule biopsy, testing of serum levels of CA-125 and a transabdominal ultrasound examination were performed. The diagnosis of endometriosis was confirmed by pathological examination. Serum levels of CA-125 were slightly increased and the pelvic ultrasound examination did not identify ovarian cysts of a possible endometriotic nature. The patient was also examined at 24 weeks' gestation, after delivery and in the late postpartum period. No therapy was given and the lesion resolved spontaneously 2 months after the biopsy was taken.

Management of sexual dysfunctions in women.

The deeper understanding of female physiology changed the perspective used to evaluate sexual difficulties. Systems like: vascular, neurological, biochemical, and endocrine are investigated as their modifications for aging or medical conditions may alter the sexual responsivity of women. New data imply that pharmacological interventions may become suitable for women. Gonadal steroids influence mood, wellbeing, and genital physiology but evidence of actions is controversial. Hormone imbalance provokes symptoms that may also derive from other conditions. Clinicians must exclude dismetabolism, depression and family crisis before diagnosing gonadal problems. The female androgen insufficiency syndrome was defined in July 2001 as altered mood, memory and wellbeing, and loss of desire. Estrogen maintains wellbeing and healthy genitals, influencing mood and sexuality. Progesterone provokes tension and nervousness, causing premenstrual syndrome. Hormone replacement is indicated in the treatment of endocrine deficiency. In research projects women receiving one preparation containing androgen reported improvement of mood, and arousal. Sildenafil cures approximately 25% of sexually dysfunctional, menopausal patients; being more effective with hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and consistently active against the block of antidepressants on orgasm. Added to psychiatric regimens, sildenafil ameliorates excitement. Sex therapy helps patients change behavior, overcome anger, communicate needs and redefine sex. We strongly believe that such crucial aspects must be addressed in therapy, even when the etiology is organic.

Effects of cognitive-behavioural therapy on health-related quality of life in obese subjects with and without binge eating disorder.

OBJECTIVE: To measure the effects of cognitive-behavioural therapy on health-related quality of life (HRQL) in obese patients, in relation to binge eating disorder. DESIGN: Longitudinal, clinical intervention study consisting of structured sessions of cognitive-behavioural therapy, preceded by sessions chaired by a psychologist in subjects with binge eating. SUBJECTS: Two groups of obese patients (92 treated by cognitive-behavioural therapy (77 females); 76 untreated controls (67 female), selected from the waiting list (control group)). Of 92 treated patients, 46 had a binge eating disorder at psychometric testing and structured clinical interview. MEASUREMENTS: Health-related quality of life by means of Short-Form 36 questionnaire at baseline and after 3-5 months. RESULTS: Cognitive-behavioural treatment produced an average weight loss of 9.4+/-7.5 kg, corresponding to a BMI reduction of 3.48+/-2.70 kg/m(2). No changes were observed in the control group. All scales of HRQL improved in treated subjects (by 5-19%). In obese subjects with binge eating weight loss was lower in comparison to non-bingers (7.7+/-8.1 vs 11.1+/-6.6; P=0.034). However, the improvement in HRQL was on average larger, and significantly so for Role Limitation-Physical (P=0.006), Role Limitation-Emotional (P=0.002), Vitality (P=0.003), Mental Health (P=0.032) and Social Functioning (P=0.034). Bodily Pain was the sole scale whose changes paralleled changes in body weight. CONCLUSIONS: The positive effects of cognitive-behavioural therapy, mainly in subjects with binge eating, largely outweigh the effects on body weight, resulting in a significant change in self-perceived health status.

A prospective study of the long-term efficacy and toxicity of low-dose methotrexate in rheumatoid arthritis.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the long-term efficacy and safety of weekly low-dose methotrexate (MTX) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHODS: Fifty-one patients receiving MTX for RA were prospectively studied over a mean treatment period of 36 months. Standard clinical and laboratory measures of disease activity were assessed by the same investigator at baseline, and at 3, 6, 12, 24 and 36 months. RESULTS: The overall probability of continuing to take MTX was 80.3% at 12 months, 74.5% at 24 months, and 70.5% at 36 months. Of the 36 patients who completed 36 months of therapy, a significant improvement was noted compared to baseline in all of the clinical disease variables and acute phase reactants, with a steroid-sparing effect. There were no significant differences in these parameters between the 36-month visit and the 24- or 12-month visit. Adverse events occurred frequently (80.3%), but only 15.6% of the patients discontinued MTX permanently. Four patients (7.9%) withdrew due to a lack of efficacy. CONCLUSION: Our findings indicate that MTX remains effective over 36 months of therapy, with an acceptable toxicity profile.

Soluble interleukin-2 receptor in sera and synovial fluids of rheumatoid patients: correlations with disease activity.

The measurement of serum soluble interleukin-2 receptor (sIL-2R), a sensitive marker of lymphocyte activation, has been proposed as an indicator of disease activity and "outcome" in patients with inflammatory diseases characterized by the activation of immune cells. Serum sIL-2R levels have been reported higher in rheumatoid patients than in controls. Using an enzyme-linked immunoabsorbent assay (ELISA), we evaluated soluble IL-2R levels in the serum of 34 patients with RA and in the synovial fluid of 25 of these patients and we compared it with levels found in the serum of 13 healthy controls. Serum sIL-2R levels were significantly elevated in RA patients compared with the healthy age-matched control group (P < 0.005). The mean level of soluble IL-2R in synovial fluids was significantly higher than the mean sera levels in RA patients (P < 0.0001). Moreover, we examined the correlation between serum and synovial fluid sIL-2R levels and disease activity measures. Serum sIL-2R correlated only with ESR (P < 0.04). The synovial fluid sIL-2R correlated with ESR (P < 0.02) and a visual analogue scale (VAS) pain score (P < 0.04). Both serum and synovial fluid sIL-2R levels correlated with the chronic arthritis systemic index (CASI; P < 0.04 and P < 0.005, respectively). Our data suggested that in RA the measurement of sIL-2R may certainly mirror the degree of chronic inflammation and the continuous activation of the immune cells in the joint, although the role of this molecule in the immune response is still unclear.

Efficacy and tolerance of naproxen instant suspension formulation: a post-marketing survey.

A multi-centre uncontrolled clinical trial was performed in 42 Italian hospitals to evaluate the efficacy and tolerance of an instant suspension of naproxen, a well known anti-inflammatory drug. A total of 390 adults of all ages with musculoskeletal rheumatic diseases or minor traumatic injuries entered the trial. Patients received 500 mg naproxen instant suspension twice daily after meals, for 1-4 weeks. Assessment of signs and symptoms was made before starting the therapy, after 3 days and at the end of the treatment period. The drug produced a rapid and progressive relief of pain and articular symptoms in most patients and was equally effective in all the diagnostic sub-groups. The efficacy of treatment was 'excellent' or 'good' in about 85% of patients, 'moderate' in 10% and 'minimal' or 'absent' in about 5%. Almost 90% of patients had no side-effects; 5% were withdrawn because of unwanted effects. No correlation between incidence or intensity of side-effects and age of the patients or duration of therapy was observed. The complaints reported are common to other anti-rheumatic drugs, e.g. epigastric pain, pyrosis, nausea, vomiting and headache. In conclusion, naproxen instant suspension is highly effective and well tolerated.