ABSTRACT
After administration of Adriamycin, bleomycin, vincristine (ABV) as palliative chemotherapy in advanced AIDS-related Kaposi's sarcoma (AIDS.KS) patients with low Karnosfsky performance scores, the authors attempted to estimate the overall biological cost/benefit relating to the disease. The authors analyzed data from 20 consecutive AIDS patients with advanced Kaposi's sarcoma presenting skin and visceral involvement treated with ABV every 3 weeks. An increased rate of infections, HIV and ABV-related side effects was observed. The performance amelioration (about 30%) was not significantly correlated with AIDS.KS clinical remission. CD4 count at baseline (p < 0.05), ABV therapy duration (p < 0.001), the achieved AIDS.KS clinical amelioration score (p < 0.01) and the improved Karnofsky score (p < 0.001) were significant predictors of life expectancy which was unrelated to the rate of side effects. The authors conclude that ABV palliative chemotherapy can assist in protracting life expectancy and improving the Karnofsky score.
Subject(s)
Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome/complications , Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/therapeutic use , Palliative Care/methods , Sarcoma, Kaposi/drug therapy , Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome/mortality , Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/adverse effects , Bleomycin/administration & dosage , Doxorubicin/administration & dosage , Humans , Karnofsky Performance Status , Male , Reference Values , Retrospective Studies , Sarcoma, Kaposi/etiology , Sarcoma, Kaposi/mortality , Survival Rate , Vincristine/administration & dosageABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Pemphigus vulgaris is an autoimmune disorder, in which environmental factors seem to play a role, both in the pathogenesis and the activity of the disease. The purpose of the study was to correlate the biologic activity of pemphigus vulgaris with sun exposure and air temperature. METHODS: An epidemiologic study was carried out, analyzing results of serology, skin involvement, and proportional morbidity rates, related to sun exposure and air temperature. The study was based on retrospective and prospective series of patients. All data were evaluated in a yearly seasonal distribution. RESULTS: Strong correlations were shown between climatologic data and pemphigus activity in the populations studied. CONCLUSIONS: Environmental factors have a significant impact on the disease expression. This stresses the necessity of preventive measures against exposure to sun and high temperature.
