Controlled comparison of two dosage regimens of cimetidine in duodenal ulcer: a multicenter study.
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In a multicenter cooperative controlled study, individual test, accuracy, and precision control values were determined for 75-mug ticarcillin disks with Escherichia coli ATCC 25922 and Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853.
Introduction: Durvalumab plus tremelimumab (Durva/Treme) improved survival in the HIMALAYA trial for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), but real-world evidence remains limited. This study aimed to evaluate clinical outcomes of Durva/Treme in routine practice. Methods: This retrospective multicenter study included patients with unresectable or advanced HCC who received Durva/Treme through the Expanded Access Program in Thailand between August 2023 and November 2025. Treatment outcomes and adverse events (AEs) were analyzed and descriptively compared with the HIMALAYA trial. Results: Fifty patients were included; median age was 62 years and 80% were male. Etiologies included hepatitis B (44%), hepatitis C (30%), and nonviral liver disease (26%). Most patients had Child-Pugh A (92%), while 24% had macrovascular invasion, including five with Vp4 portal vein involvement. The objective response rate (ORR) and disease control rate (DCR) were 12% and 60%, respectively. Among 43 patients meeting HIMALAYA eligibility criteria, ORR and DCR were 12% and 56%, respectively. With a median follow-up of 28.9 months, median progression-free survival (mPFS) and overall survival (mOS) were 4.6 and 10.5 months in the overall cohort, and 6.9 and 14.0 months in the HIMALAYA-eligible subgroup. Any-grade AEs occurred in 76% of patients, with grade ≥ 3 AEs in 24%. Hepatitis was the most common toxicity (48% overall; 14% grade ≥ 3). Conclusions: Durva/Treme demonstrated clinically meaningful activity with manageable toxicity in unresectable HCC. Outcomes among HIMALAYA-eligible patients were broadly consistent with the pivotal trial, supporting the feasibility of this regimen in routine clinical practice.
BACKGROUND: Triazole resistance in Aspergillus fumigatus is a global public health concern associated with treatment failure, notably in invasive aspergillosis. However, population-level data on triazole resistance from India remain limited, with most reports originating from single-center studies. METHODS: We conducted a multicenter surveillance study to assess the prevalence of triazole resistance among clinical A. fumigatus isolates across India. Antifungal susceptibility testing was performed using the CLSI broth microdilution method (M38-Ed3), and molecular characterization was conducted on resistant isolates. A total of 518 isolates were analyzed: 115 prospectively collected from 13 tertiary-care hospitals from 2015-2020, and 403 archived isolates obtained from the National Culture Collection of Pathogenic Fungi (1994-2020). RESULTS: The overall pooled prevalence of non-wildtype isolates was 4.1% for itraconazole (95% CI: 2.54-6.17%), 3.9% for posaconazole (95% CI: 2.39-5.94%), while 1.4% were resistant to voriconazole (95% CI: 0.55-2.77%). One multi-azole-resistant isolate from an immunocompromised, mold-active triazole-naïve patient carried the TR34/L98H mutation, suggesting environmental acquisition. Prevalence of resistance did not differ significantly across geographic regions or between public and private sector hospitals. Linear regression analysis revealed a significant temporal increase in median MICs of all three licensed triazoles between 1994 and 2020. Approximately 29% of isolates exhibited amphotericin B MICs exceeding the epidemiological cutoff value; however, the clinical significance of this finding remains uncertain. CONCLUSIONS: Azole resistance among clinical A. fumigatus isolates in India remains uncommon (<5%), supporting the continued use of triazoles as first-line therapy. However, the observed temporal increase in triazole MICs underscores the need for sustained national surveillance to detect emerging resistance trends.
IgA vasculitis (IgAV) primarily affects small vessels, but rare cases with necrotizing arteritis (NA) raise questions about overlap with polyarteritis nodosa (PAN). To characterize IgAV with necrotizing arteritis (IgAV-NA) and compare its phenotype with classical IgAV and PAN. We performed a multicenter retrospective study combined with a systematic literature review (1990-2025). Patients fulfilled EULAR/PRINTO/PRES IgAV criteria, had pathological or imaging evidence of NA in small or medium arteries, and were ANCA-negative. Thirty patients were included (7 from databases, 23 from the literature). NA was confirmed by biopsy (n = 16) or vascular imaging (n = 14). Clinical features, treatments, remission, and mortality were compared with 257 adult IgAV and 196 PAN patients. Median age was 54.5 years. IgAV-NA was characterized by severe manifestations, including gastrointestinal bleeding, perforation, surgical abdomen, neuropathy, pancreatitis, and livedo. Compared with classical IgAV, IgAV-NA showed significantly higher rates of multi-organ involvement and mortality. Compared with PAN, IgAV-NA shared vascular complications but had less fever and neuropathy. Despite arterial involvement, patients did not fulfil PAN criteria. IgAV-NA represents a rare, severe IgAV phenotype with life-threatening complications rather than an IgAV-PAN overlap. Severe or atypical IgAV presentations should prompt vascular imaging and intensified immunosuppression.
BACKGROUND: Indiscriminate antibiotic use remains common in febrile patients with acute necrotizing pancreatitis (ANP), particularly during the early phase. Metagenomic next‑generation sequencing (mNGS) has shown diagnostic utility for infected pancreatic necrosis (IPN) and may offer a means to guide antimicrobial therapy. We aimed to explore whether mNGS could potentially improve the appropriateness of antibiotic use in ANP patients presenting with early fever. METHODS: This prospective multicenter cohort study was conducted at five hospitals in China, enrolling ANP patients who developed fever within two weeks of symptom onset. Antibiotic susceptibility was defined per local microbiology laboratory reports. The hypothetical impact of mNGS on reducing inappropriate antibiotic use was evaluated through a retrospective simulation using predefined criteria from the BGI China antimicrobial drug usage card, as mNGS results were not disclosed to the treating teams during the actual clinical course. RESULTS: Between May 2023 and December 2024, 125 ANP patients with early fever were enrolled. Antibiotics were administered to 91.2% (114/125) of patients, whereas only 23.2% (29/125)were eventually confirmed to have IPN, and the rate of appropriate antibiotic use was 14.5% (17/117) based on conventional culture. In our simulated model, if therapy had been guided by plasma mNGS results, the estimated rate of appropriate antibiotic use could have increased to 71.8%. CONCLUSIONS: Plasma mNGS facilitates rapid pathogen identification and shows potential for improving antibiotic appropriateness in ANP patients with early fever.
ObjectivesTo assess the feasibility and tolerability of continuous low-dose intravenous lidocaine infusion in patients with opioid-refractory cancer pain receiving palliative care, and to explore its potential impact on pain outcomes in real-world clinical conditions.MethodsWe conducted a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled feasibility study in palliative care units to evaluate continuous intravenous lidocaine infusion in patients with opioid-refractory cancer pain. Patients were randomized to receive lidocaine (5 mg/kg/day, increased to 8 mg/kg/day if pain reduction was <30% after 24 h) or placebo for 48 h. Pain intensity was assessed using the Numeric Pain Intensity Scale, with a clinically meaningful response defined as a ≥30% reduction from baseline at 40 min. Secondary outcomes included pain evolution over time, neuropathic pain, symptom burden, and tolerability.ResultsThirty-five patients were included in the final analysis (18 lidocaine, 17 placebo). No significant difference was observed between lidocaine and placebo for the primary endpoint or for secondary pain outcomes. Reductions in pain intensity were observed in both groups. In the lidocaine group, 61% of patients required dose escalation to 8 mg/kg/day. Continuous intravenous lidocaine infusion was generally well tolerated, with mostly mild adverse events and no unexpected toxicity.ConclusionIn this multicenter feasibility study, continuous low-dose intravenous lidocaine did not demonstrate a clinically meaningful analgesic benefit over placebo. As the planned sample size was not reached, the study was underpowered. These findings highlight the challenges of randomized trials in palliative care and may inform future feasibility-oriented designs.
In the era of disease-modifying therapy (DMT), almost all patients with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) type I treated after onset, but before 6 months of age, develop early-onset, rapidly progressive scoliosis by 2 years of age, despite improvements in their motor function. Seven symptomatic patients with SMA type I who were treated before the age of 6 months were included in this retrospective observational study. Scoliosis had developed in all patients by 27 months of age. Among them, the patients who could stand with support or independently (standing patients; n = 3) tended to present with more progressive scoliosis than the sitters (n = 4). All standing patients demonstrated thoracic hyperkyphosis before or at the time of their scoliosis diagnosis. Despite receiving DMT, these patients continued to show residual key manifestations of SMA type I. Chronic difficulty maintaining posture due to trunk muscle weakness in the lying, sitting, or standing position was considered to be the main contributor to the development and progression of the scoliosis. The development and progression of such scoliosis, which begins in infancy, may be related to inappropriate postural management, which is not currently recognized as such by clinicians, caregivers, or guardians. In this population, it is important to closely monitor patients for such scoliosis from soon after the diagnosis of SMA. As this type of scoliosis progresses rapidly during the early developmental stage, when surgery is not possible, it is necessary to establish a proactive non-surgical management strategy for it.
INTRODUCTION: Pulmonary sarcomatoid carcinoma (PSC) is a rare NSCLC subtype with poor prognosis. Outcomes to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) and genomic features in PSC remain underexplored compared with other NSCLC subtypes. METHODS: Patients from three institutions and the National Cancer Database (NCDB) with metastatic NSCLC treated with ICI alone or with chemotherapy were identified. Clinicogenomics and treatment outcomes were compared across PSC, lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD), and lung squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC). RESULTS: We analyzed 4841 patients including 165 PSC cases treated with ICI-based therapy from three institutions and 201 PSC from NCDB. In MDACC, 65 (4.3%) were PSC, 1138 (75.1%) LUAD, and 312 (20.6%) LUSC. Patients with PSC were older and more likely to present with metastatic disease. In both the MDACC and NCDB cohorts, ICIs resulted in better outcomes for patients with PSC compared with chemotherapy. In these patients, there was no difference in outcome between ICI-monotherapy and ICI-chemotherapy. Across the three institutional cohorts, 37% to 43% of patients with PSC who received ICIs were responders, compared with 26% to 29% in LUAD and 22% to 46% in LUSC (p < 0.05). Improved ICI outcomes in PSC appeared driven by high PD-L1 (≥50% in 73%-77% cases). Among patients with high PD-L1, response rates were similar across histologic subtypes. Conversely, TMB was similar in PSC compared with LUAD or LUSC and was not associated with ICI outcomes. Across cohorts, PSC tumors were enriched for TP53, NF1, NF2, and NRAS, with relative depletion of STK11 and KEAP1 compared with LUAD. Case observation revealed relatively better outcomes to ICI than targeted therapies in patients with PSC with MET exon 14 skipping or KRAS G12C. CONCLUSION: PSC exhibits improved outcomes to ICI relative to other therapies, potentially driven by high PD-L1 expression. Genomic analysis highlights a distinct genomic landscape of PSC when compared with LUAD.
PURPOSE: To compare patient satisfaction and oral health impact between individuals receiving complete dentures made by digital methods and those using conventional techniques. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this randomized crossover clinical trial, 23 patients aged 40 years and older with completely edentulous arches were enrolled at three treatment centers. Each participant received two sets of complete dentures: one set created using conventional methods (selective pressure impression) and the other through digital techniques (mucostatic digital impression). The order of denture placement was randomized, with each set used for 4 weeks. A trained specialist administered treatments alongside research tools, including a general information questionnaire, a denture satisfaction survey, and the OHIP-14 interview tool. Statistical analysis was conducted using Mann-Whitney U test. RESULTS: Participants with digital dentures reported significantly higher satisfaction regarding treatment duration, comfort, confidence, chewing ability, esthetics, and overall satisfaction compared to those with conventional dentures. There were no significant differences in satisfaction concerning speech and pronunciation. Overall, the oral health impact on quality of life was similar between denture types, but participants indicated improved quality of life while using dentures compared to being edentulous. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with digital dentures exhibited greater satisfaction across various domains compared to those with conventional dentures, despite similar satisfaction levels in speech and pronunciation. The impact on quality of life was comparable between both types, as measured by the OHIP-14.
BACKGROUND: Cefiderocol is a siderophore cephalosporin with potent, broad spectrum of activity against carbapenem-resistant (CR) Gram-negative bacteria. The objective of this surveillance study was to assess cefiderocol susceptibility in molecularly characterized CR Gram-negative pathogens collected from hospitalized patients across China. METHODS: Susceptibility testing was performed by the broth microdilution method according to Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute guidelines, using pre-prepared frozen 96-well microtiter Thermo Fisher plates. Susceptibilities to cefiderocol and most comparators were determined by Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute breakpoints, to tigecycline by US Food and Drug Administration breakpoints, and to colistin by European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing criteria. Carbapenemases were identified by whole-genome sequencing and polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: Of 149 CR Klebsiella pneumoniae, 95.3% were susceptible to cefiderocol (OXA-48-positive 100% [n = 15]; IMP-positive 100% [n = 9]; KPC-positive 95.4% [n = 108]; NDM-positive 88.2% [n = 17]) and against 103 NDM-positive CR Escherichia coli, cefiderocol susceptibility was 45.6%. Among comparator antibiotics, ceftazidime-avibactam was only active against K. pneumoniae carbapenemase-positive and OXA-48-positive K. pneumoniae isolates. Susceptibilities to tigecycline and colistin were between 22.2% and 97.1% and between 88.2% and 100% across CR Enterobacterales with different carbapenemases, respectively. High cefiderocol susceptibility rates were found for CR Pseudomonas aeruginosa (98.4%), CR Acinetobacter baumannii (99.6%), and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia (99.6%). Among comparator antibiotics, only colistin showed high activity against CR P. aeruginosa (99.2%) and CR A. baumannii (99.2%). CONCLUSIONS: Cefiderocol susceptibility rates were ≥88% against a collection of carbapenemase-positive CR Gram-negative isolates, except for lower susceptibility in NDM-positive CR E. coli isolates. Continuous monitoring of cefiderocol susceptibility is warranted.
This paper describes the rationale and radiology considerations in the implementation of the Preventing Liver Cancer Mortality through Imaging with Ultrasound versus MRI (PREMIUM) study. PREMIUM is a multicenter, randomized controlled trial sponsored by the Department of Veterans Affairs comparing dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE) abbreviated MRI (aMRI) plus serum AFP versus ultrasound (US) plus serum AFP for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) screening in patients with cirrhosis. PREMIUM aims to randomize 4,700 participants across over 47 Veterans Affairs Medical Centers to semiannual surveillance for up to eight years, with HCC-related mortality as the primary endpoint. To date, 35 sites have been activated with 1,085 patients randomized. To ensure uniform implementation and reporting of per-protocol screening, the PREMIUM Radiology Workgroup developed standardized imaging protocols, structured LI-RADS-based reporting templates, and a centralized training program for radiologists and technologists. They also perform ongoing quality control on both scans and reports. The aMRI protocols utilize multiphasic post-contrast imaging to allow LI-RADS scoring. A non-contrast-enhanced aMRI protocol is available for participants who develop renal impairment or contrast allergy during the study. US protocols conform to US LI-RADS standards. Structured reporting promotes consistency in documentation of findings, visualization scores, and follow-up recommendations. A centralized Image Repository was established, incorporating advanced de-identification methods to remove metadata and pixel-embedded protected health information from imaging files. More than 20,000 curated liver MRI and US exams are anticipated, supporting both trial outcomes and future radiomics and artificial intelligence research. PREMIUM aims to determine whether screening for HCC with a DCE aMRI protocol reduces HCC-related mortality and also facilitates ancillary studies utilizing the Image Repository.
Although core-binding factor acute myeloid leukemia (CBF-AML) is generally considered a favorable-risk subtype in children, disease relapse remains a significant concern. The prognostic relevance of co-occurring mutations, particularly KIT and FLT3-ITD, remains debatable, and treatment intensity may modulate their impact. This multicenter analysis included 289 children (< 14 years) with newly diagnosed CBF-AML enrolled in the C-HUANAN-AML-15 study (2015-2023). KIT and FLT3-ITD mutations were identified via cytogenetic analysis and targeted sequencing. Measurable residual disease (MRD) was evaluated by multiparameter flow cytometry (MFC) and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) following induction chemotherapy. Survival analyses were performed using Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression methods. This multicenter analysis included 289 children (< 14 years) with newly diagnosed CBF-AML enrolled in the C-HUANAN-AML-15 study (2015-2023). KIT and FLT3-ITD mutations were identified via cytogenetic analysis and targeted sequencing. Measurable residual disease (MRD) was evaluated by multiparameter flow cytometry (MFC) and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) following induction chemotherapy. Survival analyses were performed using Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression methods. KIT mutations were detected in 103 patients (35.6%), predominantly involving exon 17 (69.9%), and were associated with extramedullary disease, sex chromosome loss, and trisomy 22. No significant differences in 5-year event-free survival (EFS), overall survival (OS), or cumulative incidence of relapse (CIR) were observed between patients with and without KIT mutations. FLT3-ITD mutations (5.5% of patients) did not adversely affect outcomes. Neither mutation independently predicted survival. MRD positivity (MFC-MRD ≥ 0.1%) after the second induction cycle strongly predicted inferior EFS and OS and higher CIR, with corresponding results observed for molecular MRD and parallel findings for PCR-based MRD. In this large multicenter cohort, KIT and FLT3-ITD mutations did not adversely affect the prognosis of pediatric CBF-AML treated according to the C-HUANAN-AML-15 protocol. MRD after induction was the most powerful predictor of relapse and survival, underscoring its importance for risk stratification in future pediatric AML trials.
BACKGROUND & AIMS: We aimed to identify, among patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and Child-Pugh B cirrhosis, typically excluded from clinical trials, a subgroup that may benefit from first-line atezolizumab/bevacizumab (A/B). METHODS: We conducted a retrospective international multicenter study including patients with unresectable HCC treated with first-line A/B between 2020 and 2024 across 12 centers. A cohort of Child-Pugh B patients treated with sorafenib served as a control. Baseline clinical, biological, and tumor features were correlated with radiological response, progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS). RESULTS: Among 1,499 patients, 246 (16.4%) had Child-Pugh B cirrhosis. Within Child-Pugh B, 72% were B7, 21.5% B8, and 6.5% B9; 73% had albumin-bilirubin (ALBI) grade 2 and 27% grade 3. Median OS and PFS were significantly shorter in Child-Pugh B (8.1 and 5.2 months, respectively) vs. Child-Pugh A (16.8 and 8.6 months, respectively; both p <0.001). Two-year OS was 20% for Child-Pugh B vs. 38% for Child-Pugh A. Child-Pugh B patients treated with A/B had longer OS than those treated with sorafenib (p = 0.002). A score combining ALBI grade 1/2 and metastatic status identified prognostic subgroups (10.3 vs. 7.9 vs. 4.2 months; p <0.0001). Improvement to Child-Pugh A occurred in 31% and was associated with recent treatment of underlying liver disease. Radiological response (hazard ratio = 0.58, p = 0.021) and liver function improvement (hazard ratio = 0.59, p = 0.006) correlated with reduced mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Although Child-Pugh B patients have poorer survival, a subgroup, those with ALBI grade 1/2 and no extrahepatic metastasis, can derive meaningful benefit from A/B therapy. Improving underlying liver disease may contribute to better outcomes. IMPACT AND IMPLICATIONS: Child-Pugh B patients with advanced HCC are systematically underrepresented in clinical trials, creating a critical evidence gap for a population frequently encountered in real-world practice. This large multicenter study shows that a subset of these patients, those with ALBI grade 1/2 and without extrahepatic metastases, can have clinically significant benefit from first-line A/B, providing a practical prognostic tool to guide patient selection. Moreover, the association between treatment of the underlying liver disease and Child-Pugh class improvement suggests that optimizing hepatic function alongside systemic therapy may represent an actionable strategy to improve outcomes, warranting prospective validation.
Clobazam, a 1,5-benzodiazepine, was compared with placebo in 190 psychoneurotic outpatients with prominent symptoms of anxiety and tension of at least two weeks of duration. The design was one of double-blind parallel groups treated for one week. Clobazam subjects began on 40 mg daily in divided dosage, which was increased to 80 mg daily be day 3 if the drug was well tolerated. Two patients receiving clobazam had laboratory chemistry abnormalities which were possibly drug related. Adverse effects occurred more frequently in the clobazam group and were typical of those of marketed benzodiazepines. This study indicates that clobazam is an effective anxiolytic agent demonstrating its clinical effects during the first week of treatment.
BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Comprehensive genomic profiling (CGP) for tumors and germline genetic testing (GGT) inform precision therapy and clinical management of patients with colorectal cancer (CRC), and evidence is growing in support of universal paired CGP-GGT patient testing. However, the utility of combining CGP and GGT for early-stage CRC (ESC) and early-onset CRC (EOC) is unclear. METHODS: We performed a prospective, multisite study featuring GGT using an 80+ gene next-generation sequencing platform and exome-based CGP among CRC patients (unselected for age, stage, family history) receiving care at Mayo Clinic Cancer Centers between April 1, 2018, and March 31, 2020. RESULTS: A total of 150 CRC patients had GGT and exome-based CGP performed. ESC patients had an enrichment of high microsatellite instability and high tumor mutation burden. High microsatellite instability was also enriched in those with smoking history, and in tumors with mutated BRAF, homologous recombination deficiency, or at least 1 variant in the rat sarcoma virus pathway. Moreover, patients with smoking history were enriched in BRAF and other Tier 1 or 2 variants overall. Sixteen percent of patients harbored a pathogenic germline variant, most frequent being in Lynch syndrome genes. Paired GGT and CGP testing had high rates of clinically significant findings (≈70%) with the most frequent being high tumor mutation burden status. Pathway and mutational signature analysis revealed frequent CGP mutations in DNA repair and cell cycle pathways. CONCLUSION: These data suggest that universal, combined GGT-CGP increases clinical utility for EOC and ESC patients. This is key for EOC patients who tend to experience poorer outcomes. CGP-GGT expedites germline resolution for tumor mutations in hereditary cancer genes, reducing delays and facilitating identification of relevant therapies, clinical trials, and management recommendations.
A feasibility trial to investigate the practicality of determining the advantages and disadvantages of prompt pharmacologic treatment for mild hypertension was jointly funded by the Veterans Administration and the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. Its clinical phase has been completed, and it demonstrated 1. that the required relatively young asymptomatic population could be enrolled in the study and 2. that it could be persuaded to adhere to the protocol for 2 years; however, it was evident that intensive efforts would be required in both areas. The feasibility trial screened almost 120,000 potential subjects over a period of 16 months to randomize about 1,000 subjects at four clinical centers. These men and women were 21 to 50 years old, had diastolic pressures from 85 to 105 mm Hg as outpatients, and had no evidence of cardiovascular renal abnormalities. They were randomized in double-blind fashion into active drug therapy and placebo groups. Stepped care therapy involved 50 mg chlorthalidone (Step 1), 100 mg chlorthalidone (Step 2) and 100 chlorthalidone plus 0.25 mg reserpine (Step 3). Death, myocardial infarction, stroke, angina pectoris, and congestive heart failure were the "major" morbid events that were looked for; also recorded were "minor" morbid events consisting primarily of electrocardiographic arrhythmias. The development of significant hypertension was considered a treatment failure. Side effects were carefully tabulated in both active drug and placebo groups. The study revealed an average drop in diastolic pressure of almost 12 mm Hg for active drug group and less than half of that for the placebo group; once established 6 months after randomization, the new pressure levels persisted almost without change throughout the study. Although the feasibility trial was not designed to answer the primary question regarding the benefits of treatment, the events were tabulated for each group. A total of 12 placebo-treated subjects developed significant hypertension and were put on active drug. There was not a significant difference between the two groups in the incidence of "major" morbid events; a total of eight active and five placebo patients developed myocardial infarction or died suddenly. There, however, was an excess of arrhythmias among the active drug subjects (17 in the active group versus 8 in the placebo group on the basis of preliminary data). Finally, there were twice as many side effects and 20 times as many chemical abnormalities among the active as among the placebo subjects. A protocol for a full scale study of the benefits of pharmacologic therapy in mild hypertensives has been prepared and is ready for implementation as needed; it involves relatively minor modifications of the protocol tested in the feasibility trial.
In a multicentre study 15 physicians investigated the therapeutic efficacy and tolerance of Faktu suppositories and ointment (containing the active principle of Albothyl, a condensation product of m-cresolsulfonic acid and formaldehyde) in 585 patients with proctological affections. Highly satisfactory results were achieved in 486 patients (83.1%). The following were found to be the main indications: -treatment of wounds after proctological operations, -fresh and fissures, -bleeding internal haemorrhoids, -anal eczema and anal pruritus, -rhagades and perforated or prolapsed external haemorrhoids (perianal thrombosis). None of the investigators reported any persisting adverse side-effects. 16% of the patients complained of local discomfort of varying intensity such as pruritus, burning or irritation. The symptoms mostly appeared on commencement of the treatment and necessitated discontinuation of therapy in 5.3% only. The extremely favourable effect of Albothyl - the active principle of Faktu - is due to its unique mechanism of action: the markedly acid milieu of the substance. Furthermore the Faktu preparations do not contain any steroids and consequently they can be used without any misgivings over prolonged periods.