ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Treatment with intravenous immunoglobin (IVIg) in the first two weeks of hospitalization has proven efficiency for shortening recovery time of patients with Guillain- Barré syndrome (GBS). The goal of the study is to determine if early treatment with IVIg in the first days after onset of symptoms has a significant effect on shortening average length of hospital stay. METHODS: We examined retrospectively the records of 69 patients with GBS. Group A (9 patients) received no treatment with IVIg, Group B (31 patients) received treatment on the sixth day or thereafter and Group C (29 patients) received treatment in the first five days from symptoms onset. RESULTS: Mean duration of hospitalisation time for Group A was 47.4 days, for Group B it was 32.4 days and for Group C, 21.3 days (p < 0.001). In summary, treatment with IVIg in the first five days after the onset of GBS symptoms reduces the length of hospitalisation by 11 days. Given the retrospective nature of our study, these findings should be confirmed in a prospective, randomised, multicentric study.
Subject(s)
Guillain-Barre Syndrome/diagnosis , Guillain-Barre Syndrome/drug therapy , Immunoglobulins, Intravenous/therapeutic use , Female , Humans , Length of Stay , Male , Middle Aged , Retrospective StudiesABSTRACT
Introducción. El tratamiento con inmunoglobinas (IVIg) administradas en las 2 primeras semanas del inicio de la clínica se ha demostrado eficaz para acortar el tiempo de recuperación de pacientes Guillain-Barré (GBS). El objetivo del trabajo consiste en averiguar si la administración precoz de IVIg en los primeros días del inicio de los síntomas influye de forma significativa en el acortamiento de la estancia media hospitalaria. Métodos. Se revisaron retrospectivamente 69 pacientes con GBS. El Grupo A (9 pacientes) no recibió tratamiento con IVIg, el grupo B (31 pacientes) recibió el tratamiento a partir del sexto día y el grupo C (29 pacientes) recibió el tratamiento en los 5 primeros días. Resultados. La estancia media para el Grupo A fue de 47,4 días; Grupo B, 32,4 días, y Grupo C, 21, 3 días (p < 0,001). En conclusión, la administración de IVIg en los primeros 5 días desde el inicio de los síntomas de un GBS acorta la estancia media hospitalaria en 11 días. Dado el carácter retrospectivo de nuestro trabajo, sería necesario realizar un estudio prospectivo, aleatorizado y multicéntrico para confirmar estos resultados (AU)
Introduction: Treatment with intravenous immunoglobin (IVIg) in the first two weeks of hospitalization has proven efficiency for shortening recovery time of patients with Guillain- Barré syndrome (GBS). The goal of the study is to determine if early treatment with IVIg in the first days after onset of symptoms has a significant effect on shortening average length of hospital stay. Methods: We examined retrospectively the records of 69 patients with GBS. Group A (9 patients) received no treatment with IVIg, Group B (31 patients) received treatment on the sixth day or thereafter and Group C (29 patients) received treatment in the first five days from symptoms onset. Results: Mean duration of hospitalisation time for Group A was 47.4 days, for Group B it was 32.4 days and for Group C, 21.3 days (p < 0.001). In summary, treatment with IVIg in the first five days after the onset of GBS symptoms reduces the length of hospitalisation by 11 days. Given the retrospective nature of our study, these findings should be confirmed in a prospective, randomised, multicentric study (AU)
Subject(s)
Female , Male , Middle Aged , Humans , Guillain-Barre Syndrome/diagnosis , Guillain-Barre Syndrome/drug therapy , Immunoglobulins, Intravenous/therapeutic use , Length of Stay , Retrospective StudiesABSTRACT
To evaluate the usefulness of chemotherapy in non-small cell lung cancer, objective response, length of remission and survival have been considered the main yardsticks. Subjective improvement and gain in Karnofsky performance status have attracted very little attention. Thirty-one patients with stages III and IV underwent combination chemotherapy with high-dose cisplatin, and were assessed with categorical scales and 100 mm visual analogue scales used by patients themselves to report on several symptoms of their illness. After chemotherapy 17 of 19 patients (89%) gained weight; 20 presented anorexia, 10 of those (50%) improved; 15 had pain, 7 of those (47%) were alleviated; cough was reported in 22, in 10 (45%) it was ameliorated; hemoptysis disappeared in 10 of 11 patients (91%); of the 9 patients who had dyspnea, 7 improved (78%); and astenia was attenuated in 8 of 16 patients (50%). Quality of life was reported improved in 75% of those patients who had considered themselves seriously affected prior to the treatment. When compared with Karnofsky performance status, no relationship was found (r = 0.31). It is concluded that, apart from the objective response achieved, a significant proportion of patients did benefit from treatment as demonstrated by a marked relief of symptoms.
Subject(s)
Antineoplastic Agents/therapeutic use , Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung/psychology , Lung Neoplasms/psychology , Quality of Life , Antineoplastic Agents/adverse effects , Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung/drug therapy , Humans , Lung Neoplasms/drug therapy , Surveys and QuestionnairesABSTRACT
The antiemetic effect of a new benzamide, alizapride, was investigated with escalating doses through four levels starting at 5 mg/kg/cycle up to 20 mg/kg/cycle. 39 patients were accrued who received cancer chemotherapy which included the following drugs in various combinations: cyclophosphamide, adriamycin, fluorouracil, carboplatin and etoposide (VP-16). Complete control of emesis was achieved in a third of the 39 patients. There was no statistically significant difference among the dose levels with regard to the patient's assessment of the incidence and severity of nausea and vomiting. Alizapride was well tolerated at all dose levels tested with minimal toxicity. Mild sedation was reported in 60% of the patients. Neither extrapyramidal reactions nor hypotensive side effects were observed. Thus the therapeutic yield of alizapride could be further studied concerning the optimal dose and schedule as well as its use in combination with other antiemetic drugs.
