Biomedical subjects

R Lattanzio

Publications and source records attributed to R Lattanzio.

29 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

PubMed1995

Bovine factor VIII derivative in the treatment of non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy.

The complexity of the pathogenesis of diabetic retinopathy (DR) makes it difficult to produce effective drugs for its treatment. Among the active principles recently suggested, the peptide fraction of bovine factor VIII of the clotting cascade deserves particular attention. Bovine factor VIII derivatives (vascular factor, VF) have been shown to have significant effects on the capillary basement membrane and on vascular endothelium and they are able to stabilise vessel walls. The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of VF in diabetic patients with non-proliferative DR. Nineteen consecutive patients (37 eyes) affected by non-proliferative DR were included in the study and randomly assigned to VF or placebo. An ophthalmological examination, colour photographies and a retinal fluorescein angiography were carried out before as well as 3 and 6 months after inclusion. Every eye in the study was classified in accordance with the ETDRS criteria. While the progress of macular oedema and visual acuity was very similar in the two groups (VF and placebo), there was no deterioration, i.e., no change to a worse classification than that at the start, in any of the eyes in the group treated with VF, but deterioration was seen in 19% of the eyes treated with the placebo. On the basis of these results, VF may ensure some protection of the blood-retinal barrier against the harmful influence of diabetic microangiopathy.

Administration, Oral↗

PubMed1995

Short- and long-term omeprazole for the treatment and prevention of duodenal ulcer, and effect on Helicobacter pylori.

OBJECTIVE: This study analyzes the effect of short- and long-term omeprazole (OM) on duodenal ulcer healing, recurrence, and H. pylori status. METHODS: Patients affected by active duodenal ulcer were randomly allocated to treatment with OM 20 mg or 40 mg once daily for 4 wk. Subsequently, patients with healed duodenal ulcer were randomly assigned to one of the following three groups: OM 20 mg once daily for 12 months, OM 20 mg alternate days for 12 months, and no treatment. Endoscopy was performed at entry, at 4 wk, and after 4, 8, and 12 months. Two biopsy specimens from antrum, body, and fundus were taken for histology and search for H. pylori. One hundred and eighty patients with active duodenal ulcer were admitted. Ninety-one were treated with OM 20 mg once daily and 89 with OM 40 mg for 4 wk. RESULTS: The results at 4 wk show 92.8% patients healed with OM 20 mg and 95.1% at 40 mg (NS). In the second part of the study, 96 of the patients who healed at 4 wk (45 with OM 20 mg, and 51 with OM 40 mg) entered the long-term study. Thirty-six patients received OM 20 mg daily for 12 months, 35 OM 20 mg on alternate days for 12 months, and 25 patients no treatment. The results show a healing rate of 100%, 100%, and 95% with OM 20 mg daily, of 97%, 95%, and 93% with OM 20 mg on alternate days, and of 81%, 50%, and 40% (p < 0.01) with no treatment at 4, 8, and 12 months, respectively. H. pylori that was found in 97% of patients at entry, at 4 wk was found in 92.8% of patients treated with OM 20 mg and in 97.5% of patients treated with OM 40 mg (NS). In one-third of the patients, H. pylori disappeared from the antrum but was found in the fundus. A 30% reduction in the presence of H. pylori was seen in the group treated with 20 mg daily for 12 months. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that both continuous and alternate-day long-term OM treatment at 20 mg are similarly efficacious in the prevention of duodenal ulcer recurrence. Healing active duodenal ulcers with 20 or 40 mg does not influence subsequent treatment. Long-term OM at 20 mg daily for 12 months suppresses H. pylori temporarily in one-third of the patients. In these patients however, H. pylori reactivates after the end of treatment.

Adult↗

PubMed1995

[Hypothesis of the correlation of personality characteristics and the clinical history of bronchogenic cancer].

A correlation between the personality profile and the clinical history in lung cancer patients was studied. Selection of cases included in the sample only surgical patients with a medium educational level and a tested capability to understand a specific questionnaire. One hundred and seventy patients were selected and the so-called C.R.I.C.S. (Clinical-Rated Inventory of Character Style) was applied. Score variations were recorded after curative resection as well as during relapse. Changes in the character profile pattern were found in all subjects who experienced the disease and its surgical treatment. These changes occurred either in "regression"-with an increase of schizoid, narcissistic or hysterical aspects-or in a "positive evolution", with a decrease of paranoid traits and into a depressive position. The two groups of responses demonstrated a similar percentage.

Adult↗

PubMed1994

Biomicroscopy and fluorescein angiography of pigmented iris tumors. A retrospective study on 44 cases.

The classification of pigmented iris tumors is a difficult clinical problem. Based on the retrospective observation of colour photographs and iris angiograms of 44 pigmented iris tumors observed over 19 years, the authors present an original grading scheme with scores depending on both the biomicroscopical and the fluoroiridographic patterns of the tumors. The biomicroscopical parameters considered were: thickening of the iris in the area of tumor, pupillary distortion and/or ectropion uveae and uneven pigment density. The fluoroiridographic parameters were: early visibility of the anomalous tumoral network, hyperfluorescence inside or around the tumor, and dye leakage at sites remote from the mass. Based on the score of each tumor, the 44 cases were divided into 3 groups with the different degrees of malignancy confirmed by either histological examination or by follow-up behaviour. The authors suggest that routine use of biomicroscopic-fluoroiridographic classification of pigmented iris tumors would be useful.

Female↗

PubMed1994

Relation between iridopathy and retinopathy in diabetes.

In order to assess the relation between diabetic iridopathy (DI) and retinopathy (DR), 225 eyes of 117 diabetics with clear media were evaluated. Each patient underwent iris and retinal fluorescein angiography, which was used to classify DI and DR. DI was classified as: absence of DI; non-proliferative DI; proliferative DI; neovascular glaucoma. DR was classified as: absence of DR; background DR; pre-proliferative DR; proliferative DR. The sensitivity of iris fluorescein angiography in assessing DR was 44.5%, the specificity 88%, the positive predictive value 92.8%, and the negative value 31.2%. In pre-proliferative and proliferative DR, fluoroiridographic detection of iris neovessels gave a sensitivity of 56% and a specificity of 100%. The positive predictive value was 100% and the negative value 65%. In conclusion, iris fluorescein angiography yields valuable information on DR and is a helpful basis for avoiding complications when scheduling eyes with dioptric media opacities for surgery.

Diabetic Retinopathy↗

PubMed1993

Diode versus argon-green laser panretinal photocoagulation in proliferative diabetic retinopathy: a randomized study in 44 eyes with a long follow-up time.

A clinical randomized study using argon-green (532 nm) and diode (810 nm) lasers was carried out on 44 eyes (34 patients) affected by proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR), with the aim of evaluating the long-term effects of diode panretinal photocoagulation. Of the total 44 eyes, 22 were randomized to argon laser treatment (ALT) and 22 to diode laser treatment (DLT). The mean follow-up time was 25 +/- 5 months in the ALT group versus 24 +/- 4 months in the DLT group. In the ALT group 20 eyes (91%) showed regression of PDR whereas 2 eyes (9%) deteriorated. In the DLT group regression of neovascularization was observed in 22 eyes (100%). These results show that the long-term efficacy of diode laser PRP in the treatment of PDR is similar to that of argon-green laser PRP.

Adult↗

PubMed1993

Biomicroscopy versus fluorescein angiography of the iris in the detection of diabetic iridopathy.

Iris fluorescein angiography is not commonly employed in clinical practice, but it is the most sensitive technique for the evaluation of iris vessel abnormalities. We used iris fluorescein angiography as the gold standard against which to test the ability of iris biomicroscopy to demonstrate diabetic iridopathy (DI). One hundred and fourteen eyes of 63 diabetic patients affected by preproliferative or proliferative diabetic retinopathy (DR) (the DR groups at high risk of developing DI) were considered. The DI fluorangiographic classification used was: (1) absence of DI; (2) nonproliferative DI; (3) proliferative DI. The sensitivity of biomicroscopy in detecting DI turned out to be 57%, while the specificity was 94%. The positive predictive value was 93% and the negative predictive value 50%. Our study proved that biomicroscopy can accurately judge when DI is absent. When it is present, however, there is a high probability that biomicroscopy will be less precise in the detection of iris lesions.

Aged↗

PubMed1993

Laser treatment of iris vascular tufts.

We describe a case of iris vascular tufts which came to our attention because of a hyphaema. Laser treatment was carried out for the vascular anomalies. After a period of 3 months, fresh vascular anomalies had appeared in different locations. Further treatment led to permanent obliteration. We emphasize the importance of fluoro-iridography in the monitoring of vascular anomalies as it allows accurate targeting treatment.

Female↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Iris fluorescein angiography in clinical practice.

Iris fluorescein angiography is a valuable technique for elucidating a wide range of eye pathologies, among them developmental anomalies, degenerative disease, retinal vascular occlusions, diabetic microangiopathy, uveitis of various etiologies, glaucoma, tumor, and surgical or accidental trauma. In fact, IFA is more sensitive than biomicroscopy in the evaluation of iris abnormalities. Moreover, it provides indirect but reliable information on the retinal circulation when this cannot be examined directly. Some of the most important clinical applications involve the early detection of iris new vessels, cataract management in diabetic patients, and monitoring of iris tumors. Equipment, procedures, and fluorescein angiography patterns in normal and disease states are described and extensively illustrated. More widespread use of this valuable technique is encouraged.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Macular thickness measured by optical coherence tomography (OCT) in diabetic patients.

PURPOSE: 1) To compare macular thickness (MT) by optical coherence tomography (OCT) in diabetics and controls; 2) to assess the relationship between MT and stage of diabetic retinopathy (DR) and macular edema (ME); 3) to quantify MT changes after laser treatment for ME. METHODS: One-hundred and thirty-seven patients with diabetes mellitus (216 eyes) were admitted to the study and examined by stereo-color fundus photos, retinal fluorangiography and OCT. DR was classified as: 1) no DR (46 eyes: 21.3%); 2) background DR (66 eyes: 30.6%); 3) pre-proliferative DR (50 eyes: 23.1%); 4) proliferative DR (54 eyes: 25%). The study group was then divided into three ME groups: 1) no edema (65 eyes: 30.1%); 2) not clinically significant ME (no CSME) (45 eyes: 20.8%); 3) clinically significant macular edema (CSME) (106 eyes: 49.1%). Three-month follow-up tomograms were taken to evaluate eyes laser-treated only for ME. The control group consisted of 50 eyes of 50 non-diabetic, age- and sex-matched subjects. RESULTS: MT was 369.3 +/- 163.2 microm in diabetics and 161.9 +/- 12.9 microm in controls (p < 0.001). In the four DR groups it was: 1) 211.0 +/- 37.6 microm; 2) 370.8 +/- 159.6 microm; 3) 419.1 +/- 138.2 microm; 4) 456.1 +/- 162.0 microm (p<0.001). In the three ME groups, MT was: 1)227.8 +/- 53.4 microm; 2) 321.8 +/- 124.2 microm; 3) 476.2 +/-146.6 microm (p < 0.001). In the 52 eyes treated with laser photocoagulation of the posterior pole only and with a follow-up > 3 months, MT before and after treatment was 468.2 +/- 83. 17 microm and 372.1 +/- 120.63 microm. CONCLUSIONS: MT was greater in diabetics than controls and tended to increase with DR and ME severity. OCT is a sensitive technique for detecting early diabetic macular abnormalities and quantifying their reduction after laser treatment.

Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[The endoscopic diagnosis of rectorrhagias].

The diagnosis of bleeding of gastrointestinal low tract is still a very controversial subject. At the Service of Digestive Endoscopy of Popoli (PE) Hospital, in a period of 4 years, 2074 colonoscopies have been effected. In 640 cases, that is 30.8%, the indication for the exam was suggested by rectal bleeding. In the 566 patients examined for minor rectal bleeding, the most frequent lesions were: haemorrhoids (35.3%), polyps (15.2%), malignant neoplastic disease (9.3%). In all active rectal haemorrhages (14 massive, 41 medium) an urgent colonoscopy has been carried out with a percentage of success of 90%; in the 20 cases of unexplained melena, colonoscopy has not led to a diagnosis; in the 14 patients with unexplained anemia, colonoscopy has shown 2 carcinomas, whereas in the 5 cases with occult blood in stools it has been diagnostic in the percentage of 60%. We have ascertained that, when barium enema was effected before colonoscopy, the diagnostic agreement between the two examinations was only of 21.4 (9/42); on the contrary there was an agreement of 95% when colonoscopy was effected before barium enema. In accordance with Siewert and Blum (25), Ottenjann (24) and Farrands (42), we believe that colonoscopy should be considered the main examination after either major or minor rectal bleeding, because it is a quick and safe investigation with high diagnostic specificity and sensitivity. We refuse William's position (41), because, even in presence of haemorrhoids or anal fissures, the colon must be studied as a whole, especially in a period when neoplastic disease of this tract of intestine is considerably increasing.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adolescent↗