Improvement of the ocular surface using hypotonic 0.4% hyaluronic acid drops in keratoconjunctivitis sicca.

BACKGROUND: The ocular surface changes of keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS) could be the result of the effect of an altered tear film on the epithelial environment. PURPOSE: To evaluate the possibility of improving the environmental conditions of the ocular surface by lowering tear osmolarity, increasing tear film volume and stabilising the tear film. Also, to study the effect of such an improvement on the epithelial cells of the ocular surface. METHODS: One hundred and thirty-five patients with a diagnosis of KCS were treated on a randomised basis with either unpreserved hypotonic 0.4% hyaluronic acid (HHA) eye drops or 0.3% hydroxypropylmethylcellulose plus 0.1% Dextran 70 (HPMC) eye drops 6 times a day for 60 or 90 days. In all patients a Schirmer I test, break-up time (BUT), ocular surface staining with 1% Bengal Rose, or 2% fluorescein, as well as subjective symptoms, were recorded before and 15, 30 and 60 days after the beginning of the study. Patients were divided into three subgroups and the effect of the treatment was studied using three different techniques: the tear ferning test, conjunctival impression cytology and tear osmolarity measurement. RESULTS: Improvements in BUT, vital staining, Schirmer I and symptoms were recorded in both groups of treatment, with significant differences for patients treated with 0.4% HHA. On day 60, 30 min after installation: tear ferning patterns changed from 100% pathological (types III-IV) to 93% physiological (types I-II) in the 0.4% HHA group and from 100% pathological to 78% physiological in the 0.3% HPMC group (p < 0.01 between groups). Tear osmolarity shifted from 353 +/- 23 to 305 +/- 6 mosmol/l in the 0.4% HHA group and from 346 +/- 15 to 336 +/- 8 mosmol/l in the 0.3% HPMC group (p < 0.001 between groups). On day 90, the impression cytology score improved from 1.2 to 1.9 in the 0.4% HHA group while it did not change in the 0.3% HPMC group (p < 0.05 between groups). CONCLUSION: In KCS appropriate treatment with a hypotonic 0.4% HHA tear substitute can change the tear environment and results in improvement of the epithelial conditions of the ocular surface.

Immunosuppression and human genital papillomavirus infection.

A group of 39 patients who underwent iatrogenic immunosuppression for renal transplant were evaluated by means of colposcopic, cytologic, and histologic investigations. Evidence of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection was found in 30.7%, more frequently in the cervix. Biopsy specimens of the most atypical areas showed the presence of cervical intra-epithelial neoplasia in one case. The high incidence of HPV infection in this group suggests that immunodeficient patients should have close monitoring of the entire ano-genital tract.

Hormonal changes in hemodialysis.

When chronic renal failure becomes advanced, the serum or tissue levels and/or the functions of most hormones are altered because of several interplaying mechanisms involving synthesis, transport, accumulation of inhibitors, abnormality of target organ responsiveness, and impaired renal clearance. As regular dialysis treatment is performed, most of these uremic hormone abnormalities are not reversed, and some of them may even get worse. The main endocrine derangements can be grouped as sexual hormone dysfunction, thyroid abnormalities, growth retardation, hormone-related disorders of metabolism, derangements of pressor substances, gastrointestinal peptide abnormalities, renal osteodystrophy, and anemia. The endocrine abnormalities play a major role as for the clinical and metabolic rehabilitation of dialysis patients.

Hormonal abnormalities in renal transplantation.

It is generally maintained that the variety of endocrine disorders which occur in uraemia and persist in dialysis (above all hormones whose production and/or metabolic clearance are pertinent functions of the kidney) usually abate after successful renal transplantation. However, a retrospective analysis of long-term results in 71 out of 275 cases serially studied by regular checks, indicates that this event occurs in no more than 2/3 of successfully transplanted patients. In the other patients various endocrine abnormalities may be documented: some seem apparently 'inherited' from uraemia (hyperparathyroidism, sexual dysfunction, growth retardation); some are mainly related to steroids (hyperinsulinism), and some have a de novo origin (erythrocytosis, reno-vascular hypertension). These endocrine abnormalities may occur with a normal or reduced graft function, have a baseline or stimulated expression, a clinical or subclinical course, and a reversible or irreversible outcome. A proper grasp of these events in renal transplantation is of clinical significance particularly for the long-term patient and graft prognosis.

Short-term, high-dose muzolimine treatment in patients with chronic renal failure and acute fluid retention.

Muzolimine, the new sulphonamide-free loop-diuretic with both high ceiling and long-lasting activities, was tested in 21 adult patients with chronic renal failure (CRF) (creatinine clearance ranging from 30 to 5 ml/min) and acute fluid overload. Low-protein diet and individual drug therapy were unchanged throughout the study. All patients received a single oral dose of 240 mg of muzolimine for 4 or 6 consecutive days depending on individual response. Clinical status, diuresis, body weight, blood and urine chemistry were recorded daily. In 19 out of 21 patients muzolimine treatment induced reversal of edema and congestive heart failure and a satisfactory fluid balance was achieved. Only two patients did not respond to diuretic treatment and required dialysis to control fluid balance and azotemia. In responsive patients diuresis increased by 50-100% and no rebound antidiuresis was observed after drug withdrawal. Body weight decreased meanly by 9%. No significant change occurred in serum concentration of K throughout the study, even in the 11 patients on digoxin. Except for a slight decrease of serum Cl by the end of treatment, no significant change in serum electrolytes was recorded. No effect was observed on blood glucose, urea and creatinine clearance whereas a slight increase of serum uric acid was recorded. Urinary lysozyme and gamma-GT were similar before and after the trial. Apart from a single case of muscle cramps, no significant side-effects were recorded. In conclusion, the present results indicate that short-term, high-dose oral muzolimine treatment is effective and safe in most patients with advanced CRF and acute fluid retention.

Lipid abnormalities in insulin-dependent diabetic patients with albuminuria.

The relationship between serum lipid, lipoprotein, and apolipoprotein levels and abnormalities of renal function has been investigated in 112 insulin-dependent (type I) diabetic patients. They were subdivided into three matched groups according to the amount of albuminuria: group A (albuminuria less than 20 micrograms/min), group B (albuminuria between 20 and 150 micrograms/min; Albustix negative), and group C (albuminuria greater than 150 micrograms/min; Albustix positive). Twenty-one nondiabetic subjects with albuminuria above 150 micrograms/min but without nephrotic syndrome and/or renal failure and 77 healthy subjects were also studied. Mean total and LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, and apo B were higher, while HDL cholesterol and HDL/LDL cholesterol ratio were lower in group C than in groups A and B; the apo A/apo B ratio was lower in group C than in group A. Differences in apo B and in apo A/apo B ratio were found between groups A and B. No correlation between lipid parameters and amount of albuminuria was observed. Significant differences in lipid concentrations were also found in diabetic patients when compared with nondiabetic subjects with albuminuria and with healthy subjects. The present study confirmed previous reports of lipid disorders in insulin-dependent (type I) diabetes; however, the most important observation was the finding of albuminuria-related differences in lipid parameters in diabetic patients without renal failure. We think that the greater lipid abnormalities observed in diabetic patients with larger amounts of albuminuria might be the consequence both of impairment of glomerular permeability and of the diabetic state.

[Cataract extraction combined with trabeculotomy (author's transl)]. / Mit Trabekulotomie kombinierte Kataraktextraktion.

In this paper we report on a series of 56 eyes which underwent a combined cataract-trabeculotomy operation. After a follow-up of at least 6 months. 63% of the eyes had normal intraocular pressure while 34% of them required further medication to achieve the same. No serious complications were observed.