Sympathetic activity was determined in 13 ketoacidotic diabetics by evaluation of plasma and urinary catecholamines, before and in the course of medical management. Patients were divided into two groups. Group A (severe ketoacidosis, n = 5) and Group B (moderate ketoacidosis, = 8), depending on plasma glucose, pH and plasma bicarbonate levels. The results showed an enhanced sympathetic activity in all patients before treatment, with significant decrease during therapy. In Group A plasma catecholamines were higher than in Group B, both before and in the course of therapy. A significant correlation was found between basal plasma catecholamines and initial plasma glucose, plasma bicarbonate, hours of therapy and insulin dosage required to obtain plasma glucose levels below 150 mg/100 ml .These results, suggesting a close correlation between glycometabolic control and adrenergic activity, emphasize the role of the sympathetic nervous system as a powerful contrainsular factor in the pathogenesis and metabolic derangement of diabetic ketoacidosis.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Red cell 2,3-DPG levels in diabetic vasculopathy.

RBC 2,3-DPG resulted statistically increased versus normal subjects in 22 insulin-dependent diabetics affected by arterial vasculopathy and in 19 vasculopathic non-diabetic patients. RBC 2,3-DPG, on the other hand, did not differ from the normal mean in 16 insulin-dependent diabetics without vascular involvement. The increase of RBC 2,3-DPG represents principally a consequence of the vasculopathy.

Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Proposal of a questionnaire to evaluate the foot in the rheumatic diseases.

OBJECTIVE: To compile a simple questionnaire, named 'Foot Health Questionnaire-1' (FHQ1), which would evaluate the state of the foot in rheumatic diseases, such as osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty-three consecutive subjects entered the study: 25 with RA; 14 with OA; 10 with CTD and 14 healthy control subjects. RESULTS: It was possible to establish that the highest mean value of FHQ1 refers to RA patients (median FHQ1 value, 41) and OA patients (median FHQ1 value, 37) whereas for CTD patients the mean value was 14 and for healthy subjects was = 0, as expected. It results that 72% of RA patients and 65% of OA patients enter classes III and IV of FHQ1, whereas 70% of CTD patients were in class I. CONCLUSIONS: An evaluation questionnaire regarding the algo-functioning of the foot could be a useful tool in routine rheumatologic clinical practice.

Aged↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Short term efficacy of intra-articular injection of hyaluronic acid in osteoarthritis of the first carpometacarpal joint in a preliminary open pilot study.

OBJECTIVE: The use of hyaluronic acid (HA) in osteoarthritis (OA) is based on the findings that viscoelasticity of the synovial fluid is entirely due to its HA content and that HA itself may influence the disease by interacting with components of the synovial fluid. The aim of this pilot study was to evaluate the efficacy of HA in OA of the first carpometacarpal joint. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was performed on 43 patients with 56 total joints. Five parameters were been relieved: spontaneous pain; provoked pain; joint performances and related pain; algofunctional index of Dreiser; assumption of drugs. The administrations of HA have been performed with 0.5 ml of HA at each injection. RESULTS: The behaviour of pain shows a significant (p < 0.0005 for all the comparisons) reduction from base time to the end of the study and the Dreiser Index decreased as well. At base time 81.4% of the patients assumed NSAIDs and only 13.8% analgesics. During the following weeks a smaller requirement of NSAIDs (from 81% to 23%) and a greater number of patients without analgesic therapy were observed. CONCLUSIONS: Intra-articular HA seems to be effective in OA of CMC joint. This short term study suggests to observe and to treat these patients during a longer period of time in order to evaluate not only the efficacy but also the clinical safety.

Aged↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Osteoporosis prevention: a reasoned examination of food habits and physical activities in a schoolchildren population in central Italy.

OBJECTIVE: The dietary intake of calcium is fundamental for prevention of osteoporosis, especially in the first three decade of age to gain a valid peak bone mass; moreover physical activity is important for the same reason. The objective of our research is to examine the food habits and the way to practice sport in a homogenous population of schoolchildren. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data were collected by an original questionnaire in 500 schoolchildren (238 males, 262 females, 9-12 yrs) living in the centre of Italy. RESULTS: Data show that the calcium intake decreases while the age increases. According to the recommended daily calcium dose, the percentages of insufficient calcium intake were 21% in the 6 years old group, 35% in the 7 to 10 years old group and 52.5% in the 11 to 14 years old group. Milk and dairy products cover 57% of the calcium needs (17% and 40% respectively), water covers 24% and the other foodstuffs 19%; moreover most children (43.5%) practice non competitive sports with a preference (58.3%) for no-weightbearing sports (mainly cycling) over weightbearing sports (mainly football). CONCLUSIONS. This survey suggests that a high percentage of young people do not take the recommended daily dose of calcium (especially interesting that becoming older with consequent lower parental control over the diet, the higher the incidence of poor calcium intake increases), then it would be recommendable to establish a national health program promoting appropriate physical exercise plus a correct calcium intake as early as the primary school.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Insulin glargine in patients with severe hepato-gastroenterology diseases and hyperglycemia receiving parenteral nutrition.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this nonrandomized observational study is to verify and confirm whether it is possible to use insulin glargine (Lantus) subcutaneously in patients receiving parenteral nutrition (PN) and whether the analogue is capable of obtaining and maintaining good glycemic control without inducing hypoglycemia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The sample is made up of 25 patients with severe hepato-gastroenterology diseases receiving parenteral nutrition, diagnosed diabetics and non-diabetics, who had previously been prescribed traditional insulin therapy. All were to be given subcutaneous insulin glargine at a dosage equal to the average of insulin/day administered in the preceding days spent receiving PN. RESULTS: Twenty-five consecutive patients, not stratified in any way, were judged eligible in the last six months of 2004 and first eight months of 2005. Four out of these 25 cannot be evaluated, either because (2/4) they did not begin or complete the treatment with Lantus or because the proper number of glycemic tests were not done (2/4); 21/25 patients, 84% of the sample with a mean age of 65.9 years (range 46-93 yr), finished the study and can be evaluated. The mean glycemic values after treatment with glargine were already better on the second day, and on the seventh day the difference was statistically significant. No hypoglycemias occurred which required medical intervention. CONCLUSIONS: This study confirms the possibility of using insulin glargine in patients receiving parenteral nutrition with hyperglycemia diagnosed diabetics or not diabetics.

Aged↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Generalized sarcoid-type reaction associated with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Antibodies↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Rare immunological presentation in B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukaemia.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Adult↗