Effect of sulfasalazine on spermatogenesis.
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Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to S A Riley.
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To determine the factors responsible for ulcerative colitis relapse a cohort of 92 patients (18 to 78 years, 50 men) with clinically inactive disease have been followed for over 48 weeks. At 12 weekly intervals patients were asked, by means of standardised questionnaires, about infections, compliance with maintenance medication, new drug treatment, dietary changes, episodes of non-bloody diarrhoea, life stresses, and feelings of anxiety and depression. Thirty five patients (38%) relapsed (median interval 17 weeks, range three to 46 weeks). Patients who relapsed had a higher previous relapse rate than non-relapsers (p less than 0.001) and a shorter time from previous relapse to trial entry (p less than 0.05). Other clinical characteristics were equally matched in the two groups. Between and within group comparisons revealed that upper respiratory tract symptoms, antibiotic ingestion, analgesic intake, diarrhoeal episodes and stressful life events were no more common in the four weeks before relapse than before routine attendance. Anxiety and depression ratings were also similar in the two groups. The timing of ulcerative colitis relapse showed a clear seasonal pattern with 26 patients relapsing from August to January and only nine from January to July (p less than 0.001). In addition, a retrospective case note analysis revealed significant seasonality of onset of ulcerative colitis. We conclude that seasonal factors may contribute to both onset and relapse of ulcerative colitis.
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Sucralfate is well established in the treatment of upper gastrointestinal inflammation and ulceration, and preliminary evidence suggests it may be of benefit in active colitis. We have therefore undertaken a clinical trial to compare enemas of sucralfate (4 g) and prednisolone metasulphobenzoate (20 mg) in the treatment of active distal ulcerative colitis. Forty-four patients were entered into a 4-week study. Two patients were withdrawn because of non-compliance, and five were unable to complete the study: two developed constipation (both allocated to sucralfate) and three were unable to retain the enemas (two prednisolone and one sucralfate). Intention-to-treat analysis showed significant within-treatment improvement in rectal bleeding, sigmoidoscopic grade, and histologic grade in the prednisolone-treated group, and in stool frequency, rectal bleeding, and sigmoidoscopic grade in the sucralfate-treated group. Between-treatment comparisons, however, showed greater resolution of rectal bleeding and more marked improvements in histologic grade in patients treated with prednisolone metasulphobenzoate enemas. Further studies using higher doses of sucralfate would be useful.
The use of fluoroscopy has enabled orthopedic surgeons to become technically more proficient. In addition, these surgical procedures tend to have less associated patient morbidity by decreasing operative time and minimizing the area of the operative field. The trade-off, however, may be an increased risk of radiation exposure to the surgeon on an annual or lifetime basis. The current study was designed to determine the amount of radiation received by the primary surgeon and the first assistant during selected surgical procedures involving the use of fluoroscopy. Five body sites exposed to radiation were monitored for dosage. The results of this study indicate that with appropriate usage, (1) radiation exposure from fluoroscopy is relatively low; (2) the surgeon's dominant hand receives the most exposure per case; and (3) proper maintenance and calibration of fluoroscopic machines are important factors in reducing exposure risks. Therefore, with proper precautions, the use of fluoroscopy in orthopedic procedures can remain a safe practice.
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To assess the safety and efficacy of delayed-release mesalazine (5-aminosalicylic acid) as maintenance treatment for patients with ulcerative colitis, 100 patients with quiescent colitis were randomly grouped to receive either delayed-release mesalazine or an equivalent dose of enteric-coated sulfasalazine in a 48-wk trial. Groups were comparable for age, sex, and duration and extent of disease. Relapse rates at 48 wk were as follows: sulfasalazine 38.6% (95% confidence limits, 24%-54%) and mesalazine 37.5% (95% confidence limits, 24%-53%), chi 2 = 0.01, p greater than 0.90. Mean time to relapse, cumulative relapse rate, and relapse severity were similar in the two groups. Headaches and upper gastrointestinal symptoms--common at trial entry--improved to a greater extent in patients receiving mesalazine. Delayed-release mesalazine is an effective treatment for maintaining ulcerative colitis remission and is associated with fewer side effects than equivalent doses of enteric-coated sulfasalazine.
1. Delayed-release mesalazine has been formulated to deliver 5-aminosalicylic acid to the colon. We have therefore studied the ileostomy excretion and coat dissolution of this preparation. 2. Following ingestion of a single tablet 88% (range 69-114%) of the 400 mg dose appeared unchanged in the ileosomy effluent over the subsequent 12 h. 3. Ileostomy effluent pH appeared to be a major determinant of 5-aminosalicylic acid release. 4. In vitro studies revealed rapid coat dissolution above pH 7.0, slow dissolution between pH 6.0 and 7.0 and non-dissolution at pH 2.0 and 4.0.
Oral formulations of 5-aminosalicylic acid (mesalazine) appear less toxic than sulphasalazine. We have therefore compared sulphasalazine, low dose mesalazine and high dose mesalazine in the treatment of mild to moderate relapse of ulcerative colitis. Sixty one patients (32 men, aged 20-78 years) were randomly allocated to sulphasalazine 2 g daily, mesalazine 800 mg daily, or mesalazine 2.4 g daily in a double blind, double dummy, four week trial. Groups were comparable for age, sex, extent of disease, and pretrial sulphasalazine intake. Four patients were unable to complete the study because of treatment failure (two taking sulphasalazine and two high dose mesalazine). A further two patients taking sulphasalazine developed side effects necessitating withdrawal. Within treatment comparisons revealed significant improvement of: sigmoidoscopic grade in the sulphasalazine group; rectal bleeding, sigmoidoscopic and histological grade in the low dose mesalazine group; stool frequency, rectal bleeding and sigmoidoscopic grade in the high dose mesalazine group. Greater improvement in rectal bleeding (p less than 0.05) and sigmoidoscopic appearances (p less than 0.05) occurred in patients taking high dose mesalazine than in those taking sulphasalazine. In two patients taking high dose mesalazine minor rises of plasma creatinine concentrations occurred, suggesting the need to monitor renal function.
Seminal abnormalities are commonly found during sulphasalazine treatment. Although these changes appear reversible after drug withdrawal this may result in colitis relapse. Animal studies suggest that 5-aminosalicylic acid, the active component of sulphasalazine, does not impair fertility. Sixteen patients with quiescent ulcerative colitis were studied. Each patient produced three samples of semen at weekly intervals. Of the 48 samples analysed 39.6% showed oligospermia, 41.7% showed an increased number of abnormal forms and 91.7% showed impaired motility. Nine patients substituted enteric coated mesalazine (5-aminosalicylic acid) for sulphasalazine for a minimum period of three months. During this time one patient developed a salmonella associated colitis relapse; the others remained well. Improvement in sperm count (p less than 0.02), motility (p less than 0.001) and morphology (p less than 0.02) occurred in all cases. To date, four successful pregnancies have resulted, three in couples complaining of long term infertility. Treatment with enteric-coated mesalazine allows the recovery of seminal abnormalities induced by sulphasalazine in patients with colitis.
Hemarthrosis secondary to anticoagulant therapy is a well-known clinical problem. The pathologic process usually occurs in large joints and is reversible with the discontinuation of the anticoagulant medication. The condition presented for consideration here is unusual for two reasons. First, it is relatively uncommon for the ankle joint to be involved. Second, the destructive arthritis progressed after the medication was discontinued. Resting the involved joint until symptoms subside is often adequate treatment for anticoagulant-induced hemarthrosis. In an 84-year-old man, an arthrodesis was necessary to achieve a symptom-free ankle joint. Hemarthrosis secondary to anticoagulant medication may not be a benign disease process.
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We report a case of an adolescent girl who presented with painless massive ascites secondary to chronic pancreatitis and a ductal fistula. The diagnosis was delayed and an unnecessary laparotomy was performed, as initial evaluation of ascites did not include measurement of serum and ascitic amylase. Evidence of pancreatic abnormalities in asymptomatic relatives suggested an underlying hereditary pancreatitis. Hereditary pancreatitis presenting as pancreatic ascites, to our knowledge, has not been described previously.
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In a comparison of assessment methods of severity of depressive illness, the Montgomery-Asberg Scale had, broadly, a performance equal to the Hamilton Scale. The Beck Depression Inventory, it subscale, and the Wakefield Inventory all had overall poor performances and should now be abandoned in research. The two-patient-rated scales were, overall, similar and fairly satisfactory measures. The comparisons were at points in severity of illness and not on change of severity.