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Biomedical subjects

R Willers

Publications and source records attributed to R Willers.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed2001

Infectious complications in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia and T-cell lymphoma--a rationale for tailored supportive care.

Infections still remain a major cause of therapy-associated morbidity and death in patients with malignant diseases. To further lower the risk of serious and long-lasting infections by additional supportive measures, detailed information on the frequency and characteristic features of infections is needed. Therefore, patient data from 112 children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia and T-cell lymphoma who were treated according to the COALL-05-92 protocol in our department were analyzed for differences in the frequency and origin of febrile episodes in relation to age, immunological type of leukemia, treatment in group assessed as being at high or low risk of relapse, actual occurrence of relapse, and course of chemotherapy. At the time of diagnosis, low-risk patients more commonly presented with febrile episodes than high-risk patients. In total, patients developed a fever in 313 (24%) of 1,307 evaluated chemotherapy cycles. Febrile episodes were associated with microbiologically or clinically documented infections in 60% of all cases, while in 40% the fever was of unknown origin. Gram-positive pathogens had a markedly higher incidence than gram-negative or fungal ones. The incidence of febrile episodes during therapy appeared to be correlated with certain chemotherapeutic drug combinations. The highest rate was found after high-dose cytarabine and asparaginase causing a long period of leukopenia. However, after other chemotherapy courses with a similar duration of leukopenia the incidence of febrile episodes was significantly lower, suggesting that specific interactions of different chemotherapeutic agents with the immune response might be an important factor in development of infections. Individual factors might also account for an increased incidence of infections, since the number of high-risk patients with recurrent infections was significantly higher than expected on the basis of statistical evaluation. In conclusion, our findings suggest that the risk of infections during chemotherapy may not only be influenced by leukopenia, but that drug-specific effects of the various chemotherapeutic agents and individual factors may also be important contributory factors. These observations must be further expanded in prospective studies so that new tailored supportive care protocols can be elaborated.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

Quantitative heel ultrasound in assessment of bone structure in renal transplant recipients.

Many patients with advanced renal disease have osteopenia or even osteoporosis by the definition of the World Health Organization based on bone mineral density (BMD). Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), the standard method to assess BMD, is not always available. Quantitative heel ultrasound (QUS) is an inexpensive, mobile, and radiation-free diagnostic alternative, yet few data address this method's usefulness in patients with renal disease. The present study assessed the value of QUS in detecting changes in bone structure in renal transplant recipients compared with DXA. In a cross-sectional analysis, 50 patients (29 women) with a mean age of 50 +/- 13 years, mean time since transplantation of 60 months (range, 1 to 205 months), and stable renal allograft function were studied. BMD was quantified by DXA of the hip and spine. QUS of the left heel measured broadband ultrasound attenuation (BUA) and speed of sound (SOS). Stiffness index (SI) was calculated as SI = (0.67 * BUA + 0.28 * SOS) - 420. DXA measurements established the diagnoses of osteopenia and osteoporosis in 49% and 22% of the patients, respectively. Femoral neck BMD and QUS parameters showed good correlation (r = 0.638; P < 0.001). Sensitivities of BUA, SOS, and SI for diagnosing osteoporosis were 100%, and specificities were 73%, 76%, and 78%, respectively. Positive predictive values were 50%, 53%, and 56%, and negative predictive values were 100%. QUS can be recommended for screening patients who do not have osteoporosis. Those suspected of osteopenic bone structure should be examined by additional DXA measurement for quantification before initiation of therapy.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗
PubMed2001

Polymorphic methyl group metabolism genes in patients with transitional cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder.

Because polymorphisms in the methyl group metabolism genes methylene-tetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR), methionine synthase (MS), and cystathione beta-synthetase (CBS) affect plasma homocysteine levels and intracellular concentrations of S-adenosylmethionine (SAM), they modify the susceptibility to cardiovascular diseases and cancer. Specifically, genome-wide decreased DNA methylation ('hypomethylation') in human cancers might be a consequence of decreased SAM levels. Because hypomethylation is particularly prevalent in transitional cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder (TCC), the genotype distributions for the two each most prevalent MTHFR, MS, and CBS alleles were compared between 165 TCC patients and 150 population controls. The distributions of the MTHFR 677A/V and the MS 919G/D alleles were not significantly different between cancer patients and controls, even after stratification according to age, gender, tumor stage or grade. The CBS 844INS68 allele was slightly less frequent in TCC patients than in controls (q=0.07 versus 0.10), but was rarer among males in both groups. Among the TCC patients, this gender difference was highly significant (Mantel-Haenszel and chi(2)-test P=0.007). No significant difference between TCC patients and controls was found for any combined genotype. Likewise, the extent of DNA hypomethylation determined in 62 carcinoma specimens was not related to the respective genotypes. Thus, on their own, the MTHFR, MS and CBS genotypes do not appear to act upon susceptibility to TCC or influence the extent of DNA hypomethylation in this cancer.

5-Methyltetrahydrofolate-Homocysteine S-Methyltran↗
PubMed2001

[Gaucher disease: MR evaluation of bone marrow features during treatment with enzyme replacement].

PURPOSE: Enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) arrests and reverses the hematological and visceral symptoms of adult Gaucher disease, the most frequent lysosomal storage disorder. There are only a few studies available evaluating bone disease during ERT. The aim of this study was to investigate the features of bone marrow (bm) by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in these patients during ERT. MATERIALS AND METHODS: MRI was performed prospectively in thirty adult type I Gaucher patients before and during ERT with a mean follow-up of 3 years. Spin-echo sequences (T(1)/T(2)) of the lower extremities were obtained and the reconversion (response) or lack of reconversion (non-response) to fatty marrow during treatment was analyzed. The morphological features of bm involvement, a homogeneous or non-homogeneous distribution of bm changes and focal bone lesions surrounded by a rim of reduced signal intensity (SI), were analyzed. RESULTS: Infiltration of bm by Gaucher cells is characterized by a reduction of SI on both T(1)- and T(2)-weighted sequences. Bone marrow responses were seen in 19 patients (63 %) during treatment. Focal bone lesions, surrounded by a rim of reduced SI, did not respond to ERT and correlated with a non-homogenous distribution of bone involvement and splenectomy. CONCLUSION: In adult patients with type I Gaucher disease receiving ERT, treatment effects on bone disease can be demonstrated by MRI using Spin-echo sequences due to the partial reconversion of fat marrow. A non-homogeneous type of signal appearance and a status post splenectomy correlate with the presence of bone infarcts.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Allogeneic and autologous stem-cell transplantation in advanced Ewing tumors. An update after long-term follow-up from two centers of the European Intergroup study EICESS. Stem-Cell Transplant Programs at Düsseldorf University Medical Center, Germany and St. Anna Kinderspital, Vienna, Austria.

BACKGROUND: An update of results from the High Risk Protocol of the Meta-EICESS Study, conducted at the Pediatric Stem-Cell Transplant Centers of Düsseldorf and Vienna. In order to evaluate a possible therapeutic benefit after allogeneic SCT in patients with advanced Ewing tumors (AET), we compared outcome after autologous and allogeneic stem-cell transplantation (SCT). PATIENTS AND METHODS: We analyzed 36 patients treated with the myeloablative Hyper-ME protocol (hyperfractionated total body irradiation, melphalan, etoposide +/- carboplatin) between November 1986 and December 1994. Minimal follow-up for all patients was five years. All patients underwent remission induction chemotherapy and local treatment before myeloablative therapy. Seventeen of thirty-six patients had multifocal primary Ewing's tumor, eighteen of thirty-six had early, multiple or multifocal relapse, one of thirty-six patients had unifocal late relapse. Twenty-six of thirty-six were treated with autologous and ten of thirty-six with allogeneic hematopoietic stem cells. We analyzed the following risk factors, that could possibly influence the event-free survival (EFS): number of involved bones, degree of remission at time of SCT, type of graft, indication for SCT, bone marrow infiltration, bone with concomitant lung disease, age at time of diagnosis, pelvic involvement, involved compartment radiation, histopathological diagnosis. RESULTS: EFS for the 36 patients was 0.24 (0.21) +/- 0.07. Eighteen of thirty-six patients suffered relapse or died of disease, nine of thirty-six died of treatment related toxicity (DOC). Nine of thirty-six patients are alive in CR. Age > or = 17 years at initial diagnosis (P < 0.005) significantly deteriorated outcome. According to the type of graft, EFS was 0.25 +/- 0.08 after autologous and 0.20 +/- 0.13 after allogeneic SCT. Incidence of DOC was more than twice as high after allogeneic (40%) compared to autologous (19%) SCT, even though the difference did not reach significance (P = 0.08, Fisher's exact test). CONCLUSIONS: Because of the rather short observation period. secondary malignant neoplasms (SMN) may complicate the future clinical course of some of our patients who are currently viewed as event-free survivors. EFS in AET is not improved by allogeneic SCT due to a higher complication rate. The patient group was to small to analyze for a possible graft-versus-tumor effect.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

MRI evaluation of aseptic osteonecrosis in children over the course of hyperbaric oxygen therapy.

PURPOSE: The study aimed at MRI evaluation of aseptic osteonecrosis (AON) in children over the course of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) therapy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective analysis of 72 MRI studies in 20 children presenting with AON during chemotherapy. Two groups were differentiated: Gr. I (n = 8) was treated exclusively with relief of weightbearing structures, Gr. II (n = 12) was additionally treated with HBO therapy. The MRI examinations were evaluated by a point-score system (1-6 points) by two radiologists. RESULTS: Gr. II initially showed more severe findings (average score: 3.4) in comparison to Gr. I (average score: 2.65). During the follow-up time period the average scores rose to 3.2 score-points in Gr. I and 4.1 points in Gr. II. No statistically significant difference was evident between the two groups in the course of AON. CONCLUSION: The majority of chemotherapy associated AON which initially present with advanced findings show a progression in MRI over their further course. HBO therapy in addition to the relief of affected weightbearing structures statistically shows no significant improvement in MRI morphology during the course of the treatment.

Antineoplastic Agents↗
PubMed2000

Effect of acute intravenous ace-inhibition on the intrarenal doppler flow characteristics in hypertensive patients with and without unilateral renal artery stenosis.

Assessment of intrarenal doppler signals is of particular importance in screening for renal artery stenosis. We studied the effect of acute ACE-inhibition (1,25 mg enalaprilate i.v.) on intrarenal resistive indices in 10 hypertensive patients with unilateral renal artery stenosis versus 10 patients with essential hypertension. Any changes limited to poststenotic vessels could possibly improve the diagnostic value of duplex sonography. After ACE-inhibition a significant fall of the intrarenal Resistive Index occurred in both patient groups. In cases of unilateral renal artery stenosis we saw a tendency to an increased side difference of the Resistive Index due to a greater fall on the poststenotic side. Therefore a clear advantage of duplex scanning after acute ACE-inhibition due to a limited effect of enalaprilate on poststenotic vessels was not found. The results suggest that the vascular resistance and not only the degree of renal artery stenosis is of significance for the characteristics of the doppler signal.

Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors↗
PubMed2000

The size of the CAG repeat in exon 1 of the androgen receptor gene shows no significant relationship to impaired spermatogenesis in an infertile Caucasoid sample of German origin.

The androgen receptor (AR) gene, located on the X-chromosome at Xq11-12, contains in exon 1 a polymorphic CAG repeat which codes for a polyglutamine tract. Contractions of the CAG repeat are said to be related to prostate cancer. In contrast, sizeable expansion of the CAG repeat can cause spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy (SBMA). In infertile patients of Chinese origin and in a Melbourne multinational population impaired sperm production has been postulated to be related to moderate expansions of the polyglutamine tract. In a study of a Swedish population of infertile patients these findings could not be corroborated. The aim of our investigation was to examine the correlation between the length of the CAG repeat and impaired sperm production in an infertile Caucasoid patient sample of German ethnic origin. We found no statistically significant relationship between the size of the CAG repeat or polyglutamine tract and idiopathic impaired sperm production in the population studied. The variability of the results by various investigators may be attributed to different ethnic origins and hence different genetic modifiers of the populations studied and/or to the high probability that these infertile males may represent a heterogeneous group with respect to the causes of defective spermatogenesis.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Prostate-specific antigen: effect of pelvic irradiation.

PURPOSE: To study the effect of pelvic irradiation on the level of serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Of 33 patients treated with pelvic irradiation to the prostate and seminal vesicles for anal and rectal cancer, 26 received 50.4 Gy or more (1. 8 Gy per fraction), and seven received 25.0 Gy (5.0 Gy per fraction). PSA levels were measured before (n = 33), during (n = 26), and after radiation therapy (n = 33). In 24 patients, follow-up (mean, 15.7 months) PSA data were obtained. Actual and pretreatment PSA levels were compared (Wilcoxon rank test). RESULTS: During the first 3 weeks in all patients, PSA levels rose steeply, culminating in a 3. 7-fold increase (P =.02). At the end of radiation therapy (7 weeks), the PSA level was no longer significantly different from the pretreatment value. In the long term, the PSA level decreased to 77% of the pretreatment value (P =.04). CONCLUSION: Irradiation of the prostate initially elevates serum PSA levels. Apparently PSA release is determined by the duration of radiation therapy, while the accumulated dose has a minor effect. In the long term, PSA production is impaired after radical radiation therapy. PSA reference concentrations should be adjusted to these reduced levels.

Anus Neoplasms↗
PubMed1999

Retinoblastoma-protein (prb) expression and prognosis in squamous-cell carcinomas of the esophagus.

The retinoblastoma gene (RB) is a typical tumor-suppressor gene. Inactivation of RB has been shown in a variety of human cancers, including esophageal squamous-cell carcinomas. In the present study, samples of normal esophageal squamous epithelium (n = 10), severe squamous-cell dysplasias (n = 19), carcinomas in situ (n = 14), invasive squamous-cell carcinomas (n = 172), and 2 continuous esophageal-carcinoma cell lines were immunohistochemically analyzed for pRb expression. The specificity of immunostaining was tested by Western-blot analysis of pRb expression in the cell lines. In normal esophageal epithelium, nuclear pRb expression was restricted to the parabasal cell layer, whereas, in a considerable portion of severe dysplasias and carcinomas in situ, pRb over-expression was found. Among carcinomas, 161 of 172 cases showed pRb expression, as did the 2 esophageal-carcinoma cell lines, whereas 11 carcinomas were negative. Expression of pRb among carcinomas was not correlated with pT category, pN category or tumor grade. In the univariate survival analysis, patients with pRb-negative tumors showed lower 2-year and 5-year survival rates (27.3%/9.1%) than patients with pRb-positive tumors (42.8%/25.8%; not significant). In conclusion, pRb protein can be detected by immunohistochemistry in a high percentage of squamous-cell carcinomas of the esophagus and its precursor lesions. However, expression of the pRb protein has no significant impact on the prognosis. Int. J. Cancer (Pred. Oncol.) 84:618-622, 1999.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Prognostic significance of cyclin D1 in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma patients treated with surgery alone or combined therapy modalities.

In the present study, the expression of cyclin D1, as detected by immunohistochemistry, was compared with other prognostic variables and its prognostic impact was evaluated in a group of 172 patients with squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the esophagus who underwent potentially curative resection therapy and in a second group of 38 patients with SCC of the esophagus who were treated by combined modality therapy (radiochemotherapy +/- surgery). Expression of cyclin D1 in surgically treated carcinomas correlated negatively with tumor differentiation (p = 0.026) but positively with mitotic activity (p = 0.0199) and nodal status (p = 0.040). There were no significant correlations with pT category. Patients with cyclin D1-positive carcinomas showed significantly worse overall survival than patients with cyclin D1-negative carcinomas, both in univariate (p = 0.0016) and in multivariate survival analyses (p = 0.0038). Expression of cyclin D1 in carcinomas with multimodal treatment was correlated with poor response to chemotherapy (p = 0.026) but not with overall survival. We thus consider expression of cyclin D1 to be an important parameter, predicting an unfavorable overall survival of surgically treated esophageal cancer patients.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

FHIT gene in gastric cancer: association with tumour progression and prognosis.

The FHIT (fragile histidine triad) gene has been recently identified and cloned at chromosome 3p14.2 including FRA3B, the most common fragile site in the human genome. FHIT is suggested to be a candidate tumour suppressor gene in gastrointestinal tract tumours. To elucidate the role of the FHIT gene in gastric cancer, a total of 133 curatively R0-resected gastric carcinomas were investigated for loss of heterozygosity (LOH) at 3p14.2, using four polymorphic microsatellite loci (D3S1300, D3S1313, D3S1481, and D3S1234). LOH of the FHIT gene affecting at least one of the investigated loci was observed in 20 of 123 informative tumours (16.3 per cent). The presence of LOH was correlated neither with major prognostic factors such as pT category, pN category or vascular invasion, nor with histological type or grade of differentiation of the tumours. In addition, there were no differences in the prognosis between patients with gastric carcinomas showing LOH at the FHIT gene and patients with tumours lacking LOH at the FHIT gene. These findings suggest that LOH of the FHIT gene represents an event in the tumourigenesis of only a small subset of gastric carcinomas and does not correlate with tumour progression or prognosis.

Acid Anhydride Hydrolases↗
PubMed1999

The use of different buffers during continuous hemofiltration in critically ill patients with acute renal failure.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the impact of different hemofiltration (HF) replacement fluids on the acid-base status and cardiovascular hemodynamics in patients with acute renal failure (ARF) and continuous veno-venous hemofiltration (CVVH). DESIGN: Prospective, cohort study. SETTING: Intensive Care Unit of the Heinrich Heine University Hospital, Düsseldorf, Germany. SUBJECT AND METHODS: One hundred and thirty-two critically ill patients with acute renal failure and continuous veno-venous HF were studied. Fifty-two patients were subjected to lactate-based (group 1), and 32 to acetate-based hemofiltration (group 2) while 48 (group 3) were treated with bicarbonate-based buffer hemofiltration fluid. Fifty-seven had a septic, and 75 a cardiovascular, origin of the ARF. Creatinine, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), serum bicarbonate, arterial pH, lactate and Apache II scores were noted daily. MAIN RESULTS: The mean CVVH duration was 9.8 +/- 8.1 days, mortality was 65%. No difference was present between the groups under investigation with regard to the main clinical parameters. Lactate- and bicarbonate-based hemofiltration led to significantly higher serum bicarbonate and arterial pH values as compared to the acetate-based hemofiltration. Serum bicarbonate values at 48 h after the initiation of CVVH treatment were 25.7 +/- 3.8 mmol/l (p < 0.001) in group 1, 20.6 +/- 3.1 mmol/l in group 2 and 23.3 +/- 3.9 mmol/l (p < 0.001) in group 3. While a lack of increase in serum bicarbonate and arterial pH was correlated to poor prognosis in lactate- and bicarbonate-based hemofiltration, no such observation was made in acetate-based hemofiltration. Cardiovascular hemodynamics were superior in patients treated with lactate- and bicarbonate-based buffer solution as compared to those treated with acetate-based buffer solution. CONCLUSIONS: The degree of correction of acidosis during hemofiltration was determined by patient outcome in patients treated with lactate- and bicarbonate-based buffer solutions, but not in patients receiving acetate-buffered solution. Bicarbonate and lactate-based buffer solutions were found to be superior to acetate-based replacement fluid.

APACHE↗
PubMed1998

Hyperthermia for the treatment of patients with malignant germ cell tumors: a phase I/II study in ten children and adolescents with recurrent or refractory tumors.

BACKGROUND: Extracranial nontesticular germ cell tumors (GCTs) are rare malignancies in children and adolescents. Cisplatin-containing regimens and complete tumor resection are important determinants for a favorable outcome; however, patients with recurrent tumors that cannot be eradicated by surgical procedures and chemotherapy have a poor prognosis. Noninvasive electromagnetic technologies for superficial and regional deep hyperthermia (RHT) are under investigation to enhance local tumor control in various malignancies. The objectives of this Phase I/II study were to examine 1) whether RHT can be used in combination with platinum-based chemotherapy with acceptable toxicity in children and adolescents and 2) whether this combined regimen can induce objective tumor response in patients with malignant nontesticular GCT that persisted or recurred locoregionally after validated, intensive, cisplatin-based chemotherapy +/- surgery as unsuccessful first-line treatment. METHODS: The authors studied the effects of RHT induced by electromagnetic waves in combination with platinum-based chemotherapy in ten children and adolescents with recurrent or refractory GCTs. RESULTS: Seven of ten patients with recurrent or refractory GCTs had objective responses. Of these, two patients had a partial response and five patients had a complete response. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the current study found that combined RHT and platinum-based chemotherapy can be used in children and adolescents. This regimen was found to induce objective tumor response in 70% of study patients with recurrent or refractory GCTs. The results thus far are encouraging and the study has been extended to patients with a poor response to first-line treatment.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

Contiguous pattern spreading in patients with Hodgkin's disease.

BACKGROUND: In 1966, Rosenberg and Kaplan hypothesized that Hodgkin's disease (HD) arises at a discrete primary site and subsequently spreads in a predictable manner via functionally contiguous lymph nodes. However, their results were not statistically evident. It was our aim to describe the spreading in the lymphatic system more precisely and to confirm their postulate. METHODS: Between 1971 and 1992, 297 patients underwent pathological staging for HD. Our subsequent evaluation was restricted to the 236 cases with cervical involvement (65 bilateral, 80 dextral and 91 sinistral), those with lymph nodes on the right side (65 + 80 = 145) being analyzed separately from those with tumours on the left (65 + 91 = 156). Spreading via the lymphatic system was assessed by scoring of the number of involved and uninvolved nodes in six regions, which are functionally contiguous in the lymph system but not necessarily anatomically neighboured. The number of 'gaps' (i.e. missed nodes) observed according to a systematic spreading model was compared with that expected (probability model) if a random course had been followed. RESULTS: Of the 156 patients with left cervical HD, 117 (75%) had para-aortic or spleen involvement, 90 (58%) had mediastinal involvement, 65 (42%) had right cervical involvement, 50 (32%) had axillary involvement and 23 (15%) had inguinal involvement. Of the 145 patients with right cervical HD, 112 (77%) had mediastinal involvement, 89 (61%) had para-aortic or spleen involvement, 65 (44%) had left cervical involvement, 44 (30%) had axillary involvement and 16 (11%) had inguinal involvement. In patients with left or right cervical lymph nodes, the proportions observed with gaps in the spreading were 37 and 27% (SE 7%), respectively, whereas the corresponding values of gaps expected in a probability model if a random course of spreading had been followed would have been 84 and 73% (P = 0.0001 and 0.0001, respectively). CONCLUSION: Our data support the concept that HD spreads in a predictable manner via functionally contiguous lymph nodes. In patients with right cervical lymph nodes, HD spreads via the upper mediastinum and pulmonary hila to the upper abdominal nodes and the spleen. In those with left cervical tumours, HD spreads directly to the abdomen (bypassing the mediastinum), then upward again via the pulmonary hila and upper mediastinum to the neck region (bilateral involvement) and from here it proceeds to the axillary nodes. Finally the inguinal nodes are involved.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Patient-controlled versus staff-controlled analgesia with pethidine after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation.

Patients treated by allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (aBMT) suffer prolonged oropharyngeal mucositis pain. The aim of this study was to prospectively compare patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) with an established regimen of staff-controlled analgesia using pethidine (meperidine). Twenty patients undergoing aBMT for haematologic neoplasias or malignant lymphomas randomly received pethidine intravenously either continuously plus supplemental bolus doses on request through the transplant unit staff or by PCA. Pain intensity was assessed by patient self report using a visual analogue scale (VAS) and daily pethidine intake was documented. In addition, the pethidine consumption of 20 aBMT-patients receiving staff-controlled analgesia prior to initiation of the study, but not reporting pain, was compared retrospectively with that of patients receiving the same analgesia regimen under study conditions. PCA significantly diminished both pethidine consumption and pain intensity compared with staff-controlled analgesia. The maximum pethidine intake was 440.1 +/- 111.8 mg/24 h in the patient-controlled and 640.9 +/- 128.9 mg/24 h in the staff-controlled analgesia group (mean +/- 95% CI). Mean pain scores remained under 50% but reached 70% in the staff-controlled analgesia group. Pethidine dosage by staff-controlled analgesia increased under study conditions, suggesting that mere pain-assessment and a 'competing' analgesic method motivated the BMT-unit staff to administer higher pethidine doses. This observation is discussed as a possible Hawthorne effect. Previous studies using morphine demonstrated that PCA diminishes opioid requirement compared to continuous or staff-controlled application in bone marrow recipients. In contrast to these studies, PCA additionally improved pain relief in the present investigation.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Haemolytic-uraemic syndrome and thrombotic-thrombocytopenic purpura in adults: clinical findings and prognostic factors for death and end-stage renal disease.

BACKGROUND: Left untreated, haemolytic-uraemic syndrome (HUS) and thrombotic-thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) in adults have a poor prognosis with mortality rates reaching 90%. Patients who survive often develop end-stage renal disease. Because of similarities in clinical and morphological findings, both diseases are considered as one entity referred to as HUS-TTP syndrome. METHODS: From 1974 to January 1995, 45 adult patients received treatment for HUS-TTP at our clinic. By stepwise logistic regression analyses, we examined how known risk factors and plasma exchange with fresh-frozen plasma (PE) influenced mortality and end-stage renal disease. RESULTS: Three of 45 patients died (7%). Though we were not able to find significant predictors of mortality, low haemoglobin levels (5.93 +/- 0.32 vs 9.10 +/- 2.16 g/dl) and high leukocyte counts on admission (15.830 +/- 3.690 vs 11.150 +/- 4.580 microliters-1) appeared to indicate an unfavourable outcome. Regarding the development of end-stage renal disease, PE proved to be the only favourable indicator (P = 0.0001). PE was performed in 30 patients 3-20 times (9.2 +/- 4.8, mean +/- SD). Of 28 surviving patients treated with PE, only four developed end-stage renal disease, whereas dialysis was necessary in 11 of 14 patients not treated with PE. Application of PE led to an 81.8% reduction of the relative risk of developing end-stage renal disease. An additional prognostic influence of other potential risk factors such as age, sex, platelet count on admission, lactate dehydrogenase serum levels, serum creatinine, blood pressure, prodromal disease, and renal histology was not found. CONCLUSION: This retrospective clinical study confirms the therapeutic value of plasma exchange with fresh-frozen plasma to maintain renal function in patients with HUS-TTP.

Adolescent↗