Wegener's granulomatosis (WG) is characterized by granulomatous vasculitis of the respiratory tract and glomerulonephritis (GN). Prognosis of this disease is poor and about 20% of untreated patients die after one year from the onset. WG was recognized in 45-year-old patient on the basis of: 1) clinical symptoms (joint pain and swollen, purpura on the skin which appeared one week after respiratory tract infection, ulceration of the tonsils and lingula), 2) results of additional testing (X-chest-ray-infiltrates of both lungs), positive results of the cANCA (titre 1:640) and rapidly progressive renal failure [the increase of serum creatinine level (Pcr) from 123.7 to 707 mumol/l (1.4 to 8.0 mg/dl) during one week]. Renal biopsy revealed extracapillary GN (cellular crescents in 7 out of 8 glomeruli and scattered foci of fibrinoid necrosis of capillary walls in all). At the beginning of the treatment Pcr raised to 884 mumol/l (10 mg/dl) and the patient required hemodialysis. He was treated with methylprednisolone (M) at flash doses of 1000 mg/24 h by three days followed by 125 mg/24 h i.v.--because of peptic ulcer, with cyclophosphamide (C-150 mg/24 h p.p.), with trimetoprim/sulphametoxazole, with pentoxifylline and omeprazol. After six weeks of the treatment in the control kidney biopsy sclerotic changes in 10 out of 13 glomeruli and diffuse interstitial fibrosis were found. However, during the same time, we observed clinical remission of the disease and the decrease of Pcr to 176.8 mumol/l (2 mg/dl). The M dosis was reduced by 5 mg every weeks and the C dosis--to 50 mg (because of the increase of aminotransferase levels) After six months of the treatment Pcr was 132.6 mumol/l (1.5 mg/dl) and CANCA titer was 1:16. In this case of RPGN, despite off the progression of the morphological changes in the kidney, we obtained the clinical remission of the disease and significant decrease of Pcr level. These results suggest that aggressive treatment of WG is justified even in patients with advanced renal failure requiring dialysis and in such patients clinical remission is possible to occur.

Antibodies, Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Analysis of early and late results of progressive Graves-Basedow ophthalmopathy treatment with different methods].

The early (immediately after the end of treatment) and late (from 12 to 91, mean 46.3 months after the end of treatment) results of progressive Graves-Basedow ophthalmopathy treatment were evaluated in 71 patients (57 women and 14 men, aged 25-66, mean 47.3 years). In all patients the thorough ophthalmological evaluation was performed early and late after treatment and the abnormalities found were classified according to Werner's method and Donaldson's ophthalmopathy index. The patients were divided into 7 groups according to different methods of treatment. Groups I-V consisted of 31 patients treated with glucocorticoids or glucocorticoids with azathioprine (Imuran) in the first stage of medication (30 patients). Plasmapheresis (7 patients) or tele-cobalt irradiation (3 patients) was applied as the second stage of treatment when the first stage was ineffective. In one person plasmapheresis and tele-cobalt irradiation was applied without previous glucocorticoid therapy. Two patients were treated successively by glucocorticoids, plasmapheresis and tele-cobalt irradiation. Very good and good late results of treatment were found in 95% of patients out of 22 reexamined persons of groups 1-5. Group 6 consisted of 7 patients treated with cobalt irradiation alone, in all 6 patients evaluated late results were good or very good. Out of 33 patients of group 7 treated by combination of glucocorticoids and telecobalt irradiation 23 were evaluated late and the results were found good or very good in 96%. The results suggest that combined treatment of progressive endocrine ophthalmopathy with glucocorticoids and cobalt irradiation is the most effective method of treatment at present. The affectivity of stage treatment is comparable with combined treatment but lasts longer and usually is more expansive.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Titers of antibodies against thyroid membrane antigens in patients with Graves-Basedow disease and progressive infiltrative ophthalmopathy during treatment with glucocorticoids and retro-orbital tissue irradiation].

In 22 patients with progressive endocrine ophthalmopathy (classes 4-6 according to Werner's scale and ophthalmopathy index at least 4 and evidences of infiltrative changes in retro-ocular tissues in computerised tomography, after achievement of euthyroid state) the titers of antibodies against thyroid membrane antigens (ATMA) were determined by Gardas and all. method. Control group consisted of 26 patients with Graves-Basedow disease without clinical signs of ophthalmopathy who were investigated for ATMA before and after conventional methimazole treatment. The determinations of ATMA were performed before treatment, after 3-4 weeks and subsequently once a month. ATMA's titers exceeding 1:1000 were found in 68% of patients with progressive infiltrative ophthalmopathy and in 77% of patients with Graves-Basedow disease without ophthalmopathy. The incidence of elevated ATMA titers during treatment of ophthalmopathy with supervoltage retro-orbital tissues irradiation with high dose of prednisone, decreased markedly in 6th month of treatment with subsequent increase to average 55% at the end of treatment what suggests the influence of therapy on antibodies production. The changes in the incidence of elevated ATMA titers during conventional Graves-Basedow disease treatment were different. No relations between increased ATMA titers and intensity of infiltrative ophthalmopathy and the course of treatment in the patients with ophthalmopathy were found.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Comparison of thiamazole pharmacokinetics in healthy individuals and patients with hyperthyroidism].

Pharmacokinetic parameters of thiamazole in hyperthyroid patients (40 subjects with Graves-Basedow disease--32 female and 8 male patients) and in healthy individuals (8 subjects--5 women and 3 men) were compared. A one-compartment model was used for the analysis of examined pharmacokinetic parameters. Area under thiamazole concentration curve (AUC) and thiamazole peak plasma concentration (cmax) were significantly decreased in hyperthyroid patients in comparison with healthy individuals. An analysis of other pharmacokinetic parameters suggests that observed differences seem to depend upon lowered and retarded thiamazole absorption from the gut and acceleration of drug metabolism in hepatic microsomal system in hyperthyroid patients.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Alport's syndrome in twins].

Alport's syndrome consists of hereditary nephritis, often progressing to renal failure, and variable neural hearing loss. It was diagnosed in dizygotic twins, aged 32 years, suffering from nephropathy manifested by microscopic hematuria, proteinuria and chronic renal failure, accompanied by hearing loss and ocular disorders (observed in both retina and lenses). Gothic palate has been noted in both patients. Glomerulitis was diagnosed for the first time at the age of 11 and 12 years, respectively. Hearing loss began in one brother 10 years later, and in another 11 years later. Renal failure developed much later. Diagnostic problems were due to the fact, that streptomycin was used in childhood (another cause of hearing loss?) and to the lack of any symptoms of Alport's syndrome in other members of the family.

Adult↗