Comparison between the effects of one-day treatment regimen with cisplatin on renal function and various biochemical parameters in patients with gastric and lung cancer compared with two-days divided cisplatin treatment regimen.

INTRODUCTION: Cisplatin is an efficient chemotherapeutic drug used for the treatment of different cancers. Clinical trials represents cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity in a dose dependent manner. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to compare the effects of 1-day treatment regimen with cisplatin on renal function, potassium, calcium, magnesium and uric acid in patients with gastric and lung cancer compared with 2-day divided cisplatin treatment regimen to suggest appropriate management for decrease nephrotoxic effects and >electrolyte abnormalities. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study was conducted as a randomized clinical trial. The sample consisted of 60 patients with gastric and lung cancer treated with cisplatin in Ahvaz Shafa hospital. Patients were randomly divided into 2 equal groups. Both groups were treated with cisplatin over a period of 6 to 18 weeks. The first group received 50 mg/m(2)/day of cisplatin during one day and the second group received 25 mg/m(2)/day in 2 days. Electrolytes in each period and renal function at baseline and 6 months after starting treatment was assessed. RESULTS: Difference of mean of renal function and nephrotoxicity incidence in the 2 groups was statistically significant. The odds of hypokalemia in 1-day group was higher than 2-day group (odds ratio [OR] = 6.5), which was statistically significant. However there was no significant relationship between the types of treatment and the risk of hypocalcemia, hypomagnesemia and hyperuricemia. CONCLUSION: The result of this study showed that, the divided administration of cisplatin reduces the nephrotoxic and hypokalemia effects of this drug, however it had not significant influence on hypomagnesemia, hypocalcaemia, and hyperuricemia.

Preventive effect of greater occipital nerve block on severity and frequency of migraine headache.

BACKGROUND: Despite a favorable clinical experience, little evidence exists for the efficacy of greater occipital nerve block (GONB) in migraine treatment. Considering such a premise, we wished to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of GONB in patients affected by migraine headaches. METHODS: A randomized double-blinded controlled trial was conducted on 48 patients suffering from migraine headaches. A syringe containing 1.0 mL of lidocaine 2%, 0.5 mL of either saline (control group, N = 24) or triamcinolone 0.5 mL (intervention group, N = 24) was prepared for each patient. Patients were assessed prior to the injection, and also 2 weeks, 1 month, and 2 months thereafter for severity and frequency of pain, times to use analgesics and any appeared side effects. RESULTS: No significant differences were revealed in pain severity, pain frequency, and analgesics use between the two groups at the four study time points including at baseline, and 2, 4, and 8 weeks after the intervention. However, in both groups, the indices of pain severity, pain frequency, and analgesics use were significantly reduced at the three time points after the intervention compared with before the intervention. CONCLUSION: GONB with triamcinolone in combination with lidocaine or normal saline with lidocaine results in reducing pain severity and frequency as well as use of analgesics up to two months after the intervention, however any difference attributed to the drug regimens by assessing of the trend of pain characteristics changes.