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Biomedical subjects

W Pommer

Publications and source records attributed to W Pommer.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

[Chronic use of analgesics].

Quantitative aspects of longterm analgesic intake are presented, based on a case-control-study on the relation between regular analgesic intake and endstage renal failure in the area of West Berlin (1984-86). Lifetime analgesic consumption of more than 1000 persons were investigated. A total of 285 longterm analgesic users (185 cases = 35.8%; 100 controls = 19.3%) were detected. An odd ratio of 2.44 (95% CI: 1.77-3.39) was computed. Regular analgesic intake was defined as an intake of at least 15 analgesic doses per month continuously over a period of at least 12 months. 90% of the regular users preferred mixed analgesics compounds, in most cases with the psychotropic additive caffeine.

Adult↗

[Oncogenic hypophosphatemic osteomalacia].

In the courses of six years a severe hypophosphataemic osteomalacia, painful motor impairment and multiple rib fractures developed in a 51-year-old man. The symptoms gradually improved within one year under treatment with 3 micrograms daily of 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol, 3 g phosphorus and 3 g calcium, and biochemical parameters and the bone scintigram became normal. Ultimately, computed tomography, scintigraphy and digital subtraction angiography revealed a highly vascularized tumour in the condylar aspect of the right femur, and it was chiselled out. Histologically it was a mesenchymal phosphaturic tumour of haemangiopericytoma type of questionable benignity. After the operation the patient was symptom-free for some weeks without any drug treatment, but the latter was then resumed because of renewed bone pain. By now, two years later, he is essentially without pain and has full mobility. However, repeat scintigraphy and angiography revealed renewed tumour growth in the right femoral condyle.

Calcitriol↗

Regular analgesic intake and the risk of end-stage renal failure.

The strength of the association between regular analgesic intake (RAI) and end-stage renal failure (EF) has been insufficiently established until now. A case-control study was conducted to estimate the relative risks (RR) of EF after RAI (defined as consumption of 15 or more analgesic doses per month for a continuous period of at least 1 year) for cumulative drug intake, single-ingredient analgesics, combinations, and specific compounds. The case group included all patients with EF undergoing renal replacement therapy in the area of West Berlin (1984-1986, n = 921). Control subjects, matched to cases by sex, age, and nationality, were selected from a group of patients in outpatient clinics. Matching was possible for 517 cases. The RR of EF after RAI of any analgesic was 2.44 (95% confidence interval: 1.77-3.39) and after RAI of combination drugs 2.65 (95% confidence interval 1.91-3.67). No significant increase was found, however, after RAI of single-ingredient analgesics. The RR after RAI of combination drugs and for the most preferred analgesic ingredients (phenacetin, paracetamol, acetylsalicylic acid, phenazones, caffeine) increased with dose. Furthermore, a dose-time-related RR after RAI of the longest used preparation was found. Thus, the results clearly show an increased RR of EF after RAI related to both dose and exposure time of mixed analgesic compounds, but not for the use of only single-ingredient analgesics.

Adult↗

Characteristics and clinical course of hemodialysis patients with analgesic-associated nephropathy.

The knowledge of some characteristic findings on the personality of patients with analgesic-associated nephropathy (AAN) may facilitate diagnosis of the disease at an early stage. We therefore investigated the 144 patients at our hemodialysis center and compared the AAN patients (33%) with those having other kidney diseases (controls). Patients with AAN were older (60 +/- 10 vs 52 +/- 15 years, p less than 0.001) and predominantly women. Acetaminophen and metamizol metabolites were detected more frequently in blood from the AAN patients than in that from the controls (25% vs 3%, p = 0.002). More AAN patients were smokers, and they more frequently complained of vague symptoms (pain, sensitivity to changes in weather, insomnia) and also more frequently requested prescriptions for analgesics, hypnotics, laxatives, stomachics and antipruritics. Because they were older, AAN patients had fewer occupational and financial problems. The compliance of the AAN patients was significantly better with respect to important dialysis parameters such as weight gain between dialysis treatments (3.6 +/- 1.3 vs 4.0 +/- 1.3% body weight, p less than 0.05) and diastolic blood pressure (81 +/- 12 vs 86 +/- 12 mmHg, p = 0.025). Despite an older age and higher morbidity, the cumulative 17-year survival rate of the AAN patients did not differ from that of the controls. We conclude that AAN patients have characteristic personality traits. Their better compliance, adjustment to the hemodialysis situation and social conditions are responsible for their good survival on hemodialysis.

Acetaminophen↗

[Analgesic consumption in the Federal Republic of Germany. The extent and the risk groups].

An analysis of still unpublished sales statistics shows that during 1976-1983 the annual sales of all analgesic package units remained relatively stable (about 115 million units per year), while the consumption of large packings mostly preferred by analgesic abusers increased from 8.13 to 11.28 million (units of 100 tablets). The annual per capita consumption of analgesic substances (1983) was 18.2 g. Among these, drugs containing salicylate and phenazone headed the list, whereas phenacetin consumption is increasingly on the downgrade (0.87 g per capita). 95% of all analgesics are used outside of the clinics. Furthermore, 80% of them are purchased on the prescription-free market. High consumption of analgesics can be assumed in 5% of the normal population. Analgesic abuse is more prevalent in women, especially in some industrial areas.

Analgesics↗

Acute interstitial nephritis and non-oliguric renal failure after cefaclor treatment.

A case of acute interstitial nephritis (AIN) developing after cefaclor treatment is reported. Diagnosis was proofed by kidney biopsy and lymphocyte transformation test. The clinical course of the patient with non-oliguric renal failure was favourable. Four weeks after discontinuation of cefaclor treatment the renal function was completely restored and remained stable over the ten-month follow-up period. It is concluded that cefaclor can cause hyperallergic AIN and acute renal failure.

Acute Kidney Injury↗

The analgesic problem in the Federal Republic of Germany: analgesic consumption, frequency of analgesic nephropathy and regional differences.

The recent withdrawal of phenacetin from the pharmaceutical market in the FRG has stimulated the discussion of the extent of analgesic abuse and analgesic nephropathy (AN). Data from wholesale statistics, given here, revealed in the FRG population a high yearly per-capita consumption of analgesics (18.2 g), mostly used in mixed compounds. According to standardized data, the FRG ranks first among the north European countries. We suggest that the prevalence data given from the EDTA-registry (4.6% of the endstage renal population) underestimates the real extent of AN. AN in the FRG shows a north-to-south decline and is most prevalent in northern areas and West Berlin. It is assumed that the analgesic dilemma in the FRG is identical to the dilemma in Switzerland and Belgium.

Adolescent↗

[Characteristics of terminal analgesics-induced nephropathy].

The diagnosis of analgesic-associated nephropathy (AAN) may be missed because of the patients denial or regular analgesic intake. We therefore performed a cross-sectional study of the 144 patients of our hemodialysis center to investigate differences between the 48 patients with AAN (33%) and patients with other kidney diseases who served as controls. The aim was to find other attributes of analgesic users relating to social history, habits and morbidity. Dialysis patients with AAN were significantly older (60 +/- 10 versus 52 +/- 15 years) and more frequently women (65% versus 37%) compared with controls; they often had a family history of analgesic abuse. Comparison with an age-matched control group of hemodialysis patients with other kidney diseases showed that AAN patients smoked, used hypnotics and laxatives, and required prescriptions significantly more frequently; they were less frequently willing to undergo renal transplantation. With regard to accompanying diseases, they suffered significantly more often than the age-matched controls from anemia, renal osteodystrophy, peptic ulcer disease, diverticulosis, hemorrhoids, atrial fibrillation, coronary heart disease, hyperlipidemia, carpal tunnel syndrome, and urinary tract infections. The characteristic pattern of habits, social history and accompanying diseases may facilitate the diagnosis of AAN even in cases where analgesic consumption is denied.

Age Factors↗

Haemodialysis in 'hepatorenal syndrome': report on two cases.

We report two patients with hepatorenal syndrome who recovered from oliguria and renal failure after temporary treatment with haemodialysis. Hepatorenal syndrome developed under diuretic treatment in both patients. Volume expansion, dopamine, and prostaglandin I2 did not improve renal function. In the one patient with alcoholic cirrhosis, renal biopsy showed only minimal alterations of glomeruli, tubuli, and arterial vessels. In the other case, the deterioration and improvement in renal function parallelled changes in acute alcohol-toxic hepatic function. We conclude that haemodialysis should be considered for treatment of hepatorenal syndrome in selected patients where reversal of liver failure can be expected.

Acute Kidney Injury↗

Patients' expectations from renal grafting and transplantation outcome.

Prevailing reports on psychological prediction of renal graft integration are rare, mostly based on case studies. Focusing on patients' expectations from the transplantation process before grafting, we investigate the influence of psychological data and statements on the final transplantation results. In the whole group (n = 83) the attitude toward transplantation was very optimistic. Comparing the features of patients with successful graft outcome (n = 23) and graft failure or patient's death (n = 10) the latter group shows: lower scale values of optimistic attitude toward transplantation outcome, higher level of fear concerning surgical treatment, less willingness to agree preoperatively to second transplantation in case of first graft failure. Psychological data indicate a greater tendency toward more submissive, rigid, and depressive behavior. It is assumed that the patient's attitude and expectation on grafting is a part of the conditions influencing the final transplantation result. Further studies should prove this concept.

Adult↗

Morbidity of patients with analgesic-associated nephropathy and end-stage renal failure.

In our haemodialysis centre patients (n = 144), we compared 48 aspects of morbidity in patients with analgesic-associated nephropathy (AAN) and patients with other kidney diseases to determine the presence of characteristic diagnostic features of AAN in addition to a history of habitual analgesic intake. The comparison between 48 AAN patients and the control patients revealed statistically significant differences (p less than 0.05) with regard to myocardial infarction (25% vs 7%), angina pectoris (63% vs 32%), atrial fibrillation (21% vs 4%), arteriosclerosis obliterans of the lower extremity (52% vs 33%), anaemia (mean haemoglobin, 8.38 vs 9.16 g/dl), renal osteodystrophy (67% vs 41%), carpal tunnel syndrome (23% vs 7%), peptic ulcers and erosive gastritis (54% vs 23%), colonic diverticula (15% vs 4%), and haemorrhoids (67% vs 28%). AAN patients therefore have significantly higher morbidity with a characteristic pattern than do patients with other renal diseases.

Analgesics↗

[Acute interstitial nephritis caused by drugs].

Within 30 months the diagnosis of drug-induced acute interstitial nephritis was made in ten patients with acute onset of renal failure of clinically unknown cause. Allergenic substances were discovered to be antibiotics, pyrazol and indol derivatives, piromidic acid and chlorazanil. In contrast to the known course of methicillin nephritis the clinical signs were undramatic. Non-oliguric renal failure predominated, sometimes with leucocyturia, microhaematuria and moderate proteinuria. Intermittent haemodialysis was necessary in half the cases. Renal function developed favourably without further specific treatment, however, plasma creatinine did not return to normal levels in most cases. Percutaneous renal biopsy was the definitive diagnostic step. Indications for biopsy in cases of unclear acute renal failure should thus be handled liberally in order to prevent continued drug exposure with the danger of irreversible renal failure.

Acute Disease↗

De novo membrano-proliferative glomerulonephritis in a renal allograft.

De novo glomerulonephritis (GN) in the graft is an uncommon complication of renal transplantation. We report a case of de novo membrano-proliferative GN which occurred in a second cadaver allograft in a 42-year-old woman, who developed severe hypertension, nephrotic syndrome, and progressive renal failure. Our material and a review of the literature suggest an incidence of de novo GN of about 0.5-2%. In contrast to most of the cases described by other authors, the membrano-proliferative type of de novo GN in renal allografts seems to be very rare.

Adult↗