Biomedical subjects

G Kolarz

Publications and source records attributed to G Kolarz.

138 records · Page 8Linked to original sources

PubMedDate not supplied

The efficacy and safety of fentiazac and diclofenac sodium in peri-arthritis of the shoulder: a multi-centre, double-blind comparison.

In a double-blind parallel group comparison of efficacy and safety, 19 patients with peri-arthritis of the shoulder received 200 mg fentiazac twice daily and 19 received 50 mg diclofenac sodium twice daily, with both drugs given orally for 3 weeks. In both groups, observers' verbal rating scales of pain severity at rest and on movement showed decreases that were significant by week 1. Both groups also had significant improvement in abduction, external rotation, retroversion and anteversion. At week 1, the patients reported improvement, on a verbal rating scale, of global effectiveness, but there were no subsequent changes. There were no statistically significant differences between the treatments in any of these variables. Five (26%) fentiazac-treated patients and four (21%) diclofenac sodium-treated patients reported adverse effects, mostly gastro-intestinal. One case of rash in each group and one case of pruritus in a diclofenac sodium-treated patient were severe enough for the patients to be withdrawn from therapy. There were no clinically significant changes in laboratory values. It was concluded that fentiazac (400 mg/day) and diclofenac sodium (100 mg/day) were equally effective within 1 week in decreasing pain severity and improving shoulder mobility.

Acetates↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Approach to a hospital-based application of a medical expert system.

CADIAG-2 is a data-driven fuzzy medical expert system built for computer-based consultation in internal medicine. It has been integrated into the medical information system WAMIS of the Vienna General Hospital. Through the integration, CADIAG-2 is able to access patient data and laboratory test results already collected in the central patient database of WAMIS. CADIAG-2 operates in two subsequent phases: (1) as an automatic screening procedure for detecting pathological states in the patient, for generating diagnostic hypotheses, and for proposing further useful examinations; and (2) as an on-line consultation system for the clinician to assist him in clarifying patients' disorders completely and in great detail. At present, CADIAG-2 is subject to extended clinical trials. There are four application areas: rheumatic diseases, pancreatic diseases, gall bladder and bile duct diseases and colon diseases. First results on the performance of CADIAG-2 based on the evaluation of about 500 cases were obtained. In this paper, the principal goals, main components and concepts of CADIAG-2, and the experience gained until now are discussed.

Artificial Intelligence↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[EA rosettes in patients with progressive chronic polyarthritis].

One subpopulation of human lymphocytes contains Fc-receptors that form rosettes with antibody (IgG) coated human erythrocytes (EA-rosettes). On the average 8.9% of the lymphocytes from patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) form EA-rosettes compared with 5.3% in controls. When the lymphocytes were washed three times the EA-rosettes increased to 21.2% for RA patients and 9.5% for controls. This procedure thus reveals more Fc-receptors on the lymphocytes from RA patients than on those from healthy controls. The number of T-lymphocytes was normal in RA patients and controls, no matter how many times the lymphocytes were washed.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Mixed connective tissue disease. Clinical studies on a new group of collagenoses].

The clinical features of 6 patients with symptoms of various connective tissue diseases and rheumatoid arthritis are reported. The frequency of symptoms corresponded to that of the syndrome, which Sharp et al. (1971) termed mixed connective tissue disease. The antibodies to an extractable nuclear antigen are a characteristic feature. Moreover, one may detect a speckled staining pattern by indirect immunofluorescence. In addition, moderate immunoglobulin deposits were observed in the skin and kidneys of our patients. The pathomechanism of these deposits is discussed.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Tomographic examinations of sacroiliac joints in adult patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Tomography of the sacroiliac joints (SIJ) was performed in 72 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and in 50 controls. Twenty-seven rheumatoid patients (38%) showed typical sacroilitis with predominantly severe intraarticular ankylosis and subchondral erosions. Fourteen patients (19%) had a probable sacroilitis with mild erosions and intraarticular ankylosis and concomitant degenerative changes. Fifteen patients (21%) showed predominantly degenerative changes and 16 RA patients (22%) had no radiological manifestation of the SIJ. There was no relation between typical sacroilitis and age of patients, duration of disease, rheumatoid factor, Steinbrocker's stage and frequency of HLA B27.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[High dosage vitamin E therapy in patients with activated arthrosis].

The known antiphlogistic in vitro effect of vitamin E was tested in a double-blind randomized study in patients with osteoarthritis. Fifty-three in-patients with osteoarthritis of the hip (n = 34) or the knee (n = 19) were treated for 3 weeks with 400 mg vitamin E (d-alpha-tocopherolacetate, V, n = 26) or 50 mg Diclofenac (D, n = 27) three times daily. A standardized therapeutic exercise program was performed; local therapy was not permitted. There were no significant differences in the efficacy of the two drugs, although one patient of the V-group refused further treatment after 8 days because of inefficacy. V reduced or abolished the pain at rest in 77% (D in 85%), the pain on pressure in 67% (D in 50%), and the pain on movement in 62% (D in 63%). Both treatments appeared to be equally effective in reducing the circumference of the knee joints (p = 0.001) and the walking time (p less than 0.001) and in increasing the joint mobility (p less than 0.002). Patients (n = 11) with a plasma-alpha-tocopherol increase higher than two standard deviations of the mean value at onset (greater than 25.2 mg/l) seemed to have a more pronounced reduction of pain (eight out of 11 patients) compared with four out of 11 patients with a moderate increase of vitamin E. Side effects occurred in two out of 26 patients with V (7.7%), and in 25.9% during D-treatment. One patient with D therefore stopped the therapy after 9 days.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Differential diagnostic value of nephelometrically determined protein fractions in the synovial fluid].

Synovial fluids of patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis with effusions of the knees were examined. Different parameters were evaluated out of the synovial fluid (immunglobulins, Complement-1Q,-3,-4, haptoglobins, alpha-1-anti-trypsin, alpha-2-macroglobulin, transferrin, ceruloplasmin, rheumatoid factors, total count of cells, and ragocytes) and out of the plasma (blood sedimentation rate). The proteins were analysed by a nephelometricturbidimetric automatic centrifugal analyser. All parameters have been tested by valuable statistical methods and correlated to each other. The results worked out proved the reliability of the used test kits and apparative systems. Correlations within groups of parameters according to their formations (intra-and/or extraarticular) could not have been worked out in a way as it may be supposed. In contrast some parameters themselves are statistically different comparing rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. In general the results are on a higher level in the rheumatoid arthritis group. Using all parameters mentioned above the statistical differential diagnostic level is based on about 94%. If only blood sedimentation rate, total cell count and ragocytes are evaluated the level is based on 68%.

Acute-Phase Proteins↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Acetylcholine receptor antibody in D-penicillamine therapy].

Since 1978 a 63-year-old woman with rheumatoid arthritis received D-penicillamine (D-PA) in a daily dose of 250-500 mg (mean 300 mg/d). In 1982 the patient complained of diplopia for several days, the ophthalmological and neurological examinations three days later were normal. In July 1983 she developed a myasthenic syndrome, D-PA was stopped and treatment with mestinon was started. At this time anti-acetylcholine-receptor-antibodies (anti-AChR) were detectable in the patient's serum. The examination of sera stored at -80 degrees C since 1978 revealed anti-AChR existing since 1981 -1 1/2 years, however, before the temporary diplopia. Therefore in 13 other patients receiving D-PA for more than one year anti-AChR were examined. In two of these patients anti-AChR were found. The electroneurological tests were (still?) normal. The question arises whether anti-AChR should be measured routinely in patients with D-PA.

Aged↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[A non-steroidal antirheumatic agent (nabumetone): effectiveness and tolerance in short and long-term use].

Nabumetone, a new nonsteroidal antirheumatic drug (NSAD), is chemically a (6-methoxy-2-naphthyl) butan-2-on. This drug was investigated with regard to its effectiveness and tolerability in an open multicenter study of 3 weeks duration, involving 40 patients with osteo-arthrosis and 45 with rheumatoid arthritis. 11 patients with arthrosis of the hip and 8 suffering from rheumatoid arthritis were continuously treated 6-12 months. The evaluation showed a good result in 85% of the patients with osteo-arthrosis and in 80% of the rheumatoid patients therapy of 3 weeks. Side effects were comparable with those of other NSADs. The changes in laboratory findings were not clinically significant. During long-term therapy both good tolerability and persisting efficacy were evidenced.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Collagenolytic enzymes of the skin in chronic polyarthritis - transformations during D-penicillamin therapy].

Collagenolytic enzymes, soluble and nonsoluble collagen were determined in skin specimens of 5 healthy volunteers, and 16 patients with rheumatoid arthritis, 7 RA-patients being on D-penicillamine, 9 without basic therapy. The following results were obtained: Collagenolytic enzymes were elevated in patients with RA compared with age matched controls. After administration of D-penicillamine the enzyme activity was found lower than values obtained in controls. Acid soluble collagen and nonsoluble collagen was not found statistically different in the three groups. These findings strongly suggest an inhibitory effect of D-penicillamine on the elevated collagenase activity in RA patients. Similar results in corneal tissue were reported by Francois and coworkers who treated corneal ulcers with D-penicillamine.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Systemic lupus erythematosus and pulmonary hypertension.

Pulmonary hypertension is one of the complications in the pulmonary manifestation of SLE. Following a two year SLE history a patient developed pulmonary hypertension although his chest radiograph showed neither pulmonary changes nor signs of hypertension. In two other patients, interstitial fibrosis, pleurisy and pulmonary hypertension were the initial manifestations of SLE. They all complained of dyspnoea and respiratory chest pain. Lung function studies showed restrictive changes, reduced lung compliance and, by two patients, reduced diffusion capacity. Lung biopsy performed in one patient revealed interstitial fibrosis, focal lymphocyte infiltrations and intima proliferation of the arterioles. All three patients were treated with anticoagulants in addition to steroids and cytotoxic drugs. After a period of 8 to 42 months examinations were repeated and all three patients showed improved hypertension and less physical ailment. The radiographs from two patients even revealed an improvement of their pulmonary changes.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Possible involvement of the auditory system in rheumatoid arthritis].

32 patients with definite or classical rheumatoid artritis, aged between 22 and 60 years, were checked with respect to clinical aspects, laboratory data and pure-tone audiometry. None of them had received salicylates in former times or at the time of this study. The audiometric results in the arthritis patients did not differ from those in comparison with the results of a random sample study of clinically normal ears. Ototoxic salicylate therapy may have influenced earlier results about hearing loss in rheumatoid arthritis.

Adult↗