Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “ASTHENIA”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 883 records · Page 49Linked to original sources
PubMed2004

Role of the newer alpha, -adrenergic-receptor antagonists in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia-related lower urinary tract symptoms.

BACKGROUND: Although initially introduced for the management of hypertension, alpha(1)-adrenergic-receptor antagonists (alpha1-blockers) have become the standard of care for the medical management of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)-related lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). However, these agents have the potential to produce orthostatic hypotension and other blood pressure-related adverse effects in normotensive patients and in those receiving concurrent treatment with other antihypertensive agents. As a result, more "uroselective," less vasoactive alpha(1)-blockers have been developed. OBJECTIVE: This article reviews current information on the role of alpha(1)-blockers in the treatment of BPH-related LUTS. The focus is on tamsulosin and alfuzosin, newer "uroselective" agents in this class that have a decreased potential for cardiovascular adverse effects. METHODS: Relevant articles were identified through a search of the English-language literature indexed on MEDLINE and the proceedings of scientific meetings from 1976 to 2003. The search terms were benign prostatic hyperplasia treatment, alpha(1)-adrenergic-receptor blocker, uroselectivity, lower urinary tract symptoms, complications, and cardiovascular. RESULTS: Tamsulosin has selectivity for the a alpha(1) and alpha(1d) receptor subtypes. Alfuzosin, although not receptor subtype selective, is clinically "uroselective" and does not significantly affect vascular alpha-adrenergic receptors. Both agents are efficacious in relieving LUTS and have a decreased potential for such cardiovascular adverse effects as postural hypotension. Common adverse events with these agents include dizziness and asthenia. CONCLUSION: Based on the available data, "uroselective" alpha(1)-blockers should be considered over older, more vasoactive agents for the medical management of LUTS, particularly in patients with BPH and hypertension.

Adrenergic alpha-1 Receptor Antagonists↗
PubMed2006

Effects of food on the single-dose pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics of tizanidine capsules and tablets in healthy volunteers.

BACKGROUND: A multiparticulate capsule formulation of the alpha2-adrenergic agonist tizanidine has been developed to decrease C(max), AUC, and associated somnolence, while maintaining efficacy. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to compare the pharmacokinetics and impact of somnolence on cognitive function after single doses of the tablet and capsule formulations of tizanidine under fed and fasted conditions in healthy volunteers. METHODS: This Phase I, single-dose, randomized, open-label, 4-way crossover study was conducted at MDS Pharma Services, Belfast, United Kingdom. Healthy male and female adult subjects received tizanidine (8 mg) as tablets and capsules under fasting and nonfasting conditions. Blood samples were collected to determine plasma tizanidine pharmacokinetic profiles, and computerized cognitive function tests were performed that yielded a validated composite score, Power of Attention, an index of sedation. RESULTS: Ninety-six patients were enrolled in the study (54 men, 42 women; mean [SD] age, 27 [8] years [range, 18-52 years]; mean [SD] body weight, 71.7 [12.4] kg [range, 46-102 kg]). Tizanidine tablets and capsules were found to be bioequivalent after fasting. In the fed state, mean C(max) and AUC(0-t) were substantially decreased, by 33.8% and 15.4%, comparing the capsules and tablets, respectively. The median T(max) increased significantly from 1.41 to 3.0 hours (P < 0.001). Administration of the capsules with food resulted in <20% difference in mean C(max) and AUC(0-t) compared with the fasting state, whereas mean C(max) and AUC(0-t) were 22.6% and 45.2% higher when the tablet formulation was administered with food. The onset of impairment in Power of Attention was significantly delayed from 0.75 to 1.5 hours postdose when capsules were administered with food compared with the other conditions (P < 0.001). The most commonly reported adverse events were asthenia, somnolence, and orthostatic hypotension. A significantly lower adverse event rate was observed in the combined capsules group compared with the tablets, suggesting that differences in tolerability may exist. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study in healthy volunteers suggest that the capsule and tablet formulations of tizanidine were bioequivalent only in the fasted state. The capsule formulation exhibited a food effect that reduced C(max) and AUC(0-t), and significantly increased T(max), which was associated with a delay in cognitive impairment. The large interpatient variability in plasma profiles most likely dampened the ability to fully elucidate the differences between the 2 formulations.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

Hyperlactataemia and lactic acidosis in HIV-infected patients receiving antiretroviral therapy.

Nucleoside reverse-transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) have been associated with functional and structural mitochondrial abnormalities, leading to several adverse events, such as increased serum lactic acid levels and lactic acidosis. Mild-to-moderate, asymptomatic hyperlactataemia has been frequently reported in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients treated with NRTIs, with an estimated prevalence between 15% and 35%. On the contrary, symptomatic, severe hyperlactataemia and lactic acidosis are less common, with an incidence ranging from 1.7 to 25.2 cases per 1000 person-years of antiretroviral treatment, and are associated with a remarkable mortality rate, which varies from 30% to 60% in different studies. The clinical presentation of lactic acid syndrome is non-specific and includes asthenia, malaise, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, weight loss, tachypnoea, dyspnoea, liver steatosis and increased transaminase levels, and risk factors include previous or concurrent therapy with stavudine or didanosine. Management of symptomatic lactic acid alterations involves NRTI-therapy interruption and supportive care, while natural history of hyperlactataemia is still unknown, and it is uncertain whether asymptomatic patients with increased lactate concentrations are at increased risk of developing lactic acidosis.

Acidosis, Lactic↗
PubMed2006

A joined analysis of two European Organization for the Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) studies to evaluate the role of pegylated liposomal doxorubicin (Caelyx) in the treatment of elderly patients with metastatic breast cancer.

We have performed a retrospective analysis to evaluate the impact of age, using a 70 year cutoff, on the safety and efficacy of pegylated liposomal doxorubicin (Caelyx) given at 60 mg/m(2) every 6 weeks (treatment A) or 50 mg/m(2) every 4 weeks (treatment B) to 136 metastatic breast cancer patients in two EORTC trials, of whom 65 were 70 years of age or older. No difference in terms of toxicity was observed between younger and older patients treated with the 4-week schedule, while a higher incidence of hematological toxicity, anorexia, asthenia, and stomatitis was observed in older patients when the 6-week schedule was used. Antitumor activity was not affected by age. In the older cohort of patients, no dependence was found between the incidence of grade 3-4 toxicity or antitumor activity and patients' baseline performance status, number and severity of comorbidities, or number of concomitant medications. The higher therapeutic index of Caelyx 50 mg/m(2) every 4 weeks makes it, of the two dose schedules investigated, the preferred regimen in the elderly.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Phase IB and pharmacological study of the novel taxane BMS-184476 in combination with doxorubicin.

The aim of this study was to define the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) and the pharmacological profile of the paclitaxel analogue BMS-184476 given once every 3 weeks, or on days 1 and 8 every 3 weeks (d1&8), in combination with a fixed dose of 50 mg/m(2) of Doxorubicin (Doxo) administered on day 1 of a 21-day cycle. Adult patients with advanced solid malignancies received escalating doses of BMS-184476 infused over 1 h after bolus Doxo. Pharmacokinetics (PK) of BMS-184476, Doxo and metabolites were investigated. The effect of BMS-184476 on doxorubicinol formation was studied in the cytosol from human myocardium. The MTD of 3-weekly BMS-184476 was 30 mg/m(2). The MTD/recommended Phase II dose was 35 mg/m(2)/week (70 mg/m(2) per cycle) in the d1&8 schedule. The dose-limiting toxicity was neutropenia for both schedules. Other toxicities were loss of appetite, asthenia, and mild, cumulative peripheral neuropathy. The objective response rate in 17 previously untreated or minimally pretreated patients with breast cancer treated at 35 mg/m(2)/week of BMS-184476 was 59% (95% Confidence Interval (CI): 33-82%). Two of the 7 patients not responding to the study regimen later responded to Doxo and paclitaxel. Plasma disposition of BMS-184476 at 30, 35 and 40 mg/m(2) was linear without evidence of a PK interaction with Doxo. In studies with cytosol from human myocardium, the formation of cardiotoxic doxorubicinol was not enhanced by BMS-184476. Dosing of BMS-184476 for 2 consecutive weeks allowed the administration of larger doses of the taxane with a promising antitumour activity in patients with untreated or minimally pretreated breast cancer. The higher than expected myelotoxicity of the 3-weekly schedule is unexplained by the investigated interactions. Lack of enhanced doxorubicinol formation in human myocardium is consistent with the cardiac safety of the regimen.

Aged↗
PubMed2006

A phase I clinical and pharmacokinetic study of paclitaxel and docetaxel given in combination in patients with solid tumours.

The aim of this study was to determine the safety and feasibility profile of paclitaxel (PTX) and docetaxel (DTX) in combination and the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic interaction between these two drugs in two different alternated sequences of administration. The starting dose was PTX (100 mg/m(2)) as a 3-h IV infusion followed by DTX (50 mg/m(2)) as 1-h IV infusion or the alternative sequence in every other patient. The sequence was alternated in the second course in each patient treated. Cycle duration was 21 days. Twenty patients received 103 cycles of treatment through three dose levels. Febrile neutropenia and grade 4 neutropenia lasting longer than 7 days were dose-limiting and defined the toxic dose of DTX (50 mg/m(2)) and PTX (135 mg/m(2)) in patients with prior treatment and the recommended dose in patients without prior treatment. Non-hematological toxicities included asthenia, neuropathy, arthralgia/myalgia and stomatitis. Pharmacokinetics of DTX were significantly affected by the sequence. Nadir ANC was more profound when DTX was administered first (P=0.022). There were one complete response and six partial responses, giving an overall response rate of 35%. DTX (50 mg/m(2)) followed by PTX (135 mg/m(2)) can be administered safely and it is an active regimen. The pharmacokinetics of PTX are not influenced by DTX but DTX pharmacokinetics depend on the sequence of administration, which influences its haematological toxicity profile.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Using the continual reassessment method: lessons learned from an EORTC phase I dose finding study.

Many clinicians often do not feel comfortable with the Continual Reassessment Method (CRM). This article reviews its implementation, showing the characteristics, advantages and limitations of this method in Phase I studies as an alternative to the classical 'Fibonacci' escalation schema. A two center, dose escalation phase I study of rViscumin was carried out. Thirty-seven patients were included at 14 different dose-levels (10 to 6400 ng/kg). The complete clinical results are presented elsewhere. A 2-step CRM design enables one to speed-up the study and most importantly to obtain an accurate estimate of the maximum tolerated dose (MTD). Different management issues related to a multicenter study are illustrated and we show how the method can go wrong when severe toxicity, or dose limiting toxicity (DLT), is not considered by the clinician as being sufficient to limit dose escalation (here a grade 3 asthenia related to the drug). This would have affected any dose finding methods. We believe that CRM is a good alternative to the standard method from both a statistical and a practical point of view but further methodological research is necessary to address the issues related to the composite nature of the endpoint.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

Tolerability of levetiracetam in elderly patients with CNS disorders.

The purpose of this analysis was to compare treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAE) related to use of levetiracetam (LEV) reported by young and elderly patients with anxiety and cognitive disorders, and young epilepsy patients. The LEV database includes reports of TEAE from trials of patients with diagnoses of a cognitive disorder (N=719), an anxiety disorder (N=1510), or localization-related epilepsy (N=1023) who participated in clinical trials lasting up to 16 weeks. Patients were grouped as young (<65 years) or elderly (> or = 65 years). The most common TEAE occurring most frequently in the LEV-treated groups were abdominal pain, asthenia, headache, anorexia, weight loss, dizziness, insomnia, somnolence, and tremor. The only significant differences in TEAE were seen between young and elderly groups with anxiety disorders (>3% higher for LEV than for placebo-treated patients) in headache (5.2% elderly, -0.9% young, P=0.041), and tremor (5.2 and -0.5%, respectively, P=0.022) and between young anxiety patients and young epilepsy patients for somnolence (-0.7 and 5.4%, respectively, P=0.036). For the other TEAEs there was no evidence for consistent differences between young and elderly patients and between patients with different CNS disorders. Overall, LEV was well tolerated by all patient groups. The favorable adverse event profile suggests that LEV might be suitable for use by elderly patients.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

Late mitral annuloplasty failure: the loss of the ring.

An 81-year-old man complained with increasing dyspnoea and asthenia few months after a successful double mitral and tricuspid valvuloplasty intervention. The echocardiogram revealed a partial detachment of the mitral annuloplasty ring due to dehiscence determining a severe regurgitation. Curiously, at Color-Doppler analysis of mitral inflow, the prolapse of the detached ring produced a fascinating circular line inside the regurgitation signal, mimicking the shape of a gemstone ring. We described a case of a relatively uncommon cause of late mitral valvuloplasty failure characterized by a really unusual echocardiographic finding.

Aged, 80 and over↗
PubMed2004

Voice quality of prepubescent children with quiescent recurrent respiratory papillomatosis.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to assess the long-term impact of recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (RRP) and its treatment on voice quality in prepubescent children. STUDY DESIGN: Case-control study. METHODS: Prepubescent children with RRP in remission for at least 12 [according to MM section] months were asked to participate. Remission was documented by absence of papillomas on fiberoptic flexible laryngoscopy. An age- and sex-matched control was selected for each patient enrolled. Voice was evaluated using the voice-related quality of life (V-RQOL) questionnaire, perceptual evaluations of voice quality by speech-language pathologists using the GRBAS (grade of hoarseness, roughness, breathiness, asthenia, strain) scale, and acoustic analysis (fundamental frequency, maximal phonation time, and relative average perturbation) using the Visi-Pitch II 3300. RESULTS: Medical records of 84 patients were reviewed and 15 met study criteria. Five agreed to participate but one was excluded due to the presence of papillomas. The four study patients and four matched controls were between 9- and 11-years old. On the V-RQOL questionnaire, each control rated V-RQOL as normal (10/50) and the average patient group score was within the normal range (11.5/50). On perceptual evaluations, the patient's voices were more hoarse, breathy, and rough compared to controls'. Acoustic analysis showed that patients' voices had a lower average fundamental frequency (F(0)) (200 Hz compared to 243 Hz for controls) and a higher relative average perturbation (RAP) (1.10 compared to 0.77), although only one patient's voice actually had elevated RAP (2.89), which had a large impact on raising the average score for the patient group. The average maximal phonation times were similar for the two groups (7.8s for patients and 7.4s for controls) but lower than average normal scores reported in the literature. CONCLUSIONS: Although children with RRP do not perceive their voice quality to have a negative impact on V-RQOL, speech-language pathologist evaluations and acoustic measurements show objective differences between the voices of children with quiescent RRP and those of normal, healthy controls.

Age Factors↗
PubMed2005

Phase I trial of oxaliplatin in combination with cisplatin, protacted-infusion fluorouracil, and radiotherapy in advanced esophageal and gastroesophageal carcinoma.

PURPOSE: To define the maximum-tolerated dose of oxaliplatin given with cisplatin, protacted 96-h infusion of fluorouracil, and radiotherapy for patients with advanced esophageal cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Seventeen patients with locally advanced esophageal cancer and 2 patients with local recurrence were treated. Escalating doses of oxaliplatin, cisplatin, and fluorouracil were administered on Days 1 and 29 of radiotherapy. Radiotherapy was delivered in 1.8 Gy daily fractions to a total dose of 50.4 Gy. Dose-limiting toxicity was defined as a Grade 4 hematologic or Grade 3-4 nonhematologic toxicity. RESULTS: Dose-limiting toxicity caused by diarrhea and asthenia was observed at the IV level. The recommended dose was 85 mg/m- oxaliplatin, 55 mg/m2 cisplatin, and 3000 mg/m2 96-h fluorouracil infusion. Two pathologic complete responses were observed in 12 patients selected for surgery (16%). CONCLUSIONS: Oxaliplatin, cisplatin, fluouracil, and radiotherapy can be administered together with acceptable toxicity. A Phase II trial is ongoing with resectable esophageal and gastric carcinoma.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed2005

Association of cisplatin and intra-arterial injection of 131I-lipiodol in treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma: results of phase II trial.

PURPOSE: Intra-arterial injections of 131I-lipiodol (131I-Lip) provide an effective treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma. In hepatocellular carcinoma cell cultures, concurrent administration of cisplatin increases the cytotoxicity of 131I. The efficacy and tolerance of intra-arterial injections of 131I-Lip combined with systemic cisplatin was tested in a phase II trial. METHODS AND MATERIALS: The inclusion criteria were proven unresectable nonmetastatic hepatocellular carcinoma, compensated liver disease, and adequate laboratory test findings. Treatment comprised the combination of intra-arterial injection of 131I-Lip (2.2 GBq) with intravenous infusion of low-dose cisplatin. The combined treatment could be repeated. RESULTS: A total of 41 patients were included; 37 had cirrhosis and 38 had measurable tumors. One to four treatments (median, two) were given. The cisplatin dose was 75 mg for the first course and 72 mg for the second. Grade 3-4 (n/n) adverse effects were observed in 14 patients, polymorphonuclear leukocytes (3/0), platelets (5/1), asthenia (1/0), pain (1/0), and vomiting (1/0). Four patients developed pulmonary toxicity; 2 cases were likely related to 131I-Lip administration and 1 was fatal. The response rate was 47% (18 of 38), and the 1- and 2-year survival rate was 73% +/- 7% and 48% +/- 9%, respectively. CONCLUSION: This combination had a tolerable toxicity profile and provided an objective response rate, warranting a phase III trial.

Antineoplastic Agents↗
PubMed2006

A Phase II study of preoperative radiotherapy and concomitant weekly irinotecan in combination with protracted venous infusion 5-fluorouracil, for resectable locally advanced rectal cancer.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and tolerance of preoperative chemoradiotherapy (CRT) with irinotecan (CPT-11) and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) in patients with resectable rectal cancer. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Patients with resectable T3-T4 rectal cancer and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status <2 were included. CPT-11 (50 mg/m(2) weekly) and 5-FU (225 mg/m(2)/day continuous infusion, 5 days/week) were concurrently administered with radiation therapy (RT) (45 Gy, 1.8 Gy/day, 5 days/week), during 5 weeks. RESULTS: A total of 74 patients were enrolled: mean age, 59 years (20-74 years; SD, 11.7). Planned treatment was delivered to most patients (median relative dose intensity for both drugs was 100%). Grade 3/4 lymphocytopenia occurred in 35 patients (47%), neutropenia in 5 (7%), and anemia in 2 (3%). Main Grade 3 nonhematologic toxicities were diarrhea (14%), asthenia (9%), rectal mucositis (8%), and abdominal pain (8%). Of the 73 resected specimens, 13.7% (95% confidence interval [CI], 6.8-23.7) had a pathologic complete response and 49.3% (95% CI, 37.4-61.3) were downstaged. Additionally, 66.7% (95% CI, 51.1-80.0) of patients with ultrasound staged N1/N2 disease had no pathologic evidence of nodal involvement after CRT. CONCLUSIONS: This preoperative CRT schedule has been shown to be effective and feasible in a large population of patients with resectable rectal cancer.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Phase I trial of gefitinib with concurrent radiotherapy and fixed 2-h gemcitabine infusion, in locally advanced pancreatic cancer.

PURPOSE: Pancreatic cancers are resistant to radiotherapy (RT) and current chemotherapy agents. Epidermal growth factor receptor is overexpressed in pancreatic cancer, and in vitro studies have shown that epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors can overcome radio- and chemoresistance. The aim of the study was to determine whether the addition of gefitinib to RT and gemcitabine for patients with locally advanced pancreatic carcinoma (LAPC) was feasible and safe. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Eighteen patients with pathologically proven LAPC, based on major vascular invasion based on helical computed tomography (CT) and endoscopic ultrasound, were entered into the study. The targeted irradiated volume included the tumor and 2-cm margin. Prophylactic irradiation of regional nodes was not allowed. Patients with >500 cm(3) of planning tumor volume were excluded. An initial cohort of 6 patients was treated with RT (45 Gy/25 fractions/5 weeks) plus concomitant gefitinib (250 mg/day). Successive cohorts of patients received 100, 150, and 200 mg/m(2)/day of gemcitabine in a 2-h infusion over Weeks 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 with gefitinib (250 mg/day) and RT. Gefitinib was continued after RT until progression. A pharmacodynamic study of angiogenic markers was also performed to evaluate a possible antiangiogenic effect. RESULTS: There were no dose-limiting toxicities. Common toxicities were mild neutropenia, asthenia, diarrhea, cutaneous rash and nausea/vomiting. The median (95% confidence interval [CI]) progression-free survival was 3.7 (95% CI = 1.9-5.5) months, and the median overall survival was 7.5 (95% CI = 5.2-9.9) months. No significant reduction of vascular endothelial growth factor and interleukin-8 was observed after treatment. CONCLUSION: Our results support that the combination of gefitinib, RT, and gemcitabine has an acceptable toxicity but with modest activity in LAPC.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

A phase II open-label study of recombinant human interleukin-12 in patients with stage IA, IB, or IIA mycosis fungoides.

BACKGROUND: Interleukin-12 (IL-12) increases Th(1) cytokines, natural killer (NK) cells, and cytotoxic T-cell activities. Progression of mycosis fungoides is associated with Th(2) cytokines produced by a clonal proliferation of epidermotropic T-helper cells. OBJECTIVE: To determine the safety and efficacy of subcutaneous recombinant human IL-12 (rhIL-12) in early mycosis fungoides (MF; stage IA-IIA) in a multi-center, open label clinical trial. METHODS: rhIL-12 was administered biweekly (100 ng/kg for 2 weeks; 300 ng/kg thereafter). A modified severity-weighted assessment tool (SWAT) and the longest diameter of 5 index lesions measured efficacy. RESULTS: Twenty-three MF patients (stage IA, 12 patients; IB, 9; and IIA, 2) had previously received >3 therapies. Ten of 23 patients (43%) achieved partial responses (PR); 7 (30%) achieved minor responses; and 5 (22%) had stable disease. The duration of PRs ranged from 3 to more than 45 weeks. Twelve (52%) ultimately progressed with mean time to progressive disease of 57 days (range, 28-805). Ten completed 6 months of therapy; 1 completed 24 months. Of patients not completing 6 months of therapy, 6 progressed and 6 others discontinued because of adverse events or withdrew consent. Seventeen patients had treatment-related adverse events that were generally mild or moderate in severity, including asthenia, headache, chills, fever, injection site reaction, pain, myalgia, arthralgia, elevated aspartate and alanine aminotransferase levels, anorexia, and sweating. One patient in PR died of hemolytic anemia, possibly exacerbated by rhIL-12 treatment. LIMITATIONS: The original company was purchased during the conduct of the trial and rhIL-12 is currently unavailable. The quality of life data were not available for inclusion. CONCLUSION: Twice-weekly subcutaneously administered rhIL-12 (100 ng/kg escalated to 300 ng/kg) showed antitumor activity with a response rate of 43% in refractory patients. It was relatively well-tolerated in early-stage MF.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗
PubMed2005

Musculoskeletal manifestations of scurvy.

Scurvy occurs in individuals who eat inadequate amounts of fresh fruit or vegetables, often because of dietary imbalances related to advanced age or homelessness. Asthenia, vascular purpura, bleeding, and gum abnormalities are the main symptoms. In 80% of cases, the manifestations of scurvy include musculoskeletal symptoms consisting of arthralgia, myalgia, hemarthrosis, and muscular hematomas. Vitamin C depletion is responsible for structural collagen alterations, defective osteoid matrix formation, and increased bone resorption. Imaging studies may show osteolysis, joint space loss, osteonecrosis, osteopenia, and/or periosteal proliferation. Trabecular and cortical osteoporosis is common. Children experience severe lower limb pain related to subperiosteal bleeding. Laboratory tests show nonspecific abnormalities including anemia and low levels of cholesterol and albumin. The finding of a serum ascorbic acid level lower than 2.5 mg/l confirms the diagnosis. Vitamin C supplementation ensures prompt resolution of the symptoms.

Ascorbic Acid Deficiency↗
PubMed2005

Partial cricotracheal resection for pediatric subglottic stenosis: long-term outcome in 57 patients.

OBJECTIVE: We sought to assess the long-term outcome of 57 pediatric patients who underwent partial cricotracheal resection for subglottic stenosis. METHODS: Eighty-one pediatric partial cricotracheal resections were performed in our tertiary care institution between 1978 and 2004. Fifty-seven patients had a minimal follow-up time of 1 year and were included in this study. Evaluation was based on the last laryngotracheal endoscopy, the responses to a questionnaire, and a retrospective review of the patient's data. The following parameters were analyzed: decannulation rates, breathing, voice quality, and deglutition. RESULTS: A single-stage partial cricotracheal resection was performed in 38 patients, and a double-stage procedure was performed in 19 patients. Sixteen patients underwent an extended partial cricotracheal resection (ie, partial cricotracheal resection combined with another open procedure). At a median follow-up time of 5.1 years, the decannulation rates after a single- or double-stage procedure were 97.4% and 95%, respectively. Two patients remained tracheotomy dependent. One patient had moderate exertional dyspnea, and all other patients had no exertional dyspnea. Voice quality was found to improve after surgical intervention for 1 +/- 1.34 grade dysphonia (P < .0001) according to the adapted GRBAS grading system (Grade, Roughness, Breathiness, Asthenia, and Strain). CONCLUSIONS: Partial cricotracheal resection provides good results for grades III and IV subglottic stenosis as primary or salvage operations. The procedure has no deleterious effects on laryngeal growth and function. The quality of voice significantly improves after surgical intervention but largely depends on the preoperative condition.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

The relationship between ratings of voice quality and quality of life measures.

In the past several years, a number of scales have been developed that elicit a patient's self-assessment of the severity of his or her voice problem. The Voice Related Quality of Life Measure (V-RQOL) assesses a patient's perception of the impact of the voice problem on quality of life. Although this tool assesses the patient's perception of the voice disorder, it may not reflect the severity of dysphonia as perceived by a clinician. The GRBAS is an auditory-perceptual scale developed in Japan and used by clinicians to categorize the voice using five descriptive perceptual parameters: overall grade or severity (G), roughness of the voice (R), breathiness (B), asthenia (A), and strain (S). The purpose of this research is to determine the relationship between the patient's perception of voice related quality of life using the V-RQOL and the clinician's perception of voice severity using the GRBAS scale. Fifty patients with a complaint of a voice disorder completed the V-RQOL prior to their examination. In addition, 45 patients without voice complaints (controls) also completed the V-RQOL. All patients and control subjects were assessed by one of the voice clinicians using the GRBAS. For 25 of the subjects, both clinicians provided GRBAS perceptual ratings. Each of the two groups, were subsequently divided into subgroups consisting of those age 66 years and under and those over 66 years of age. The results indicate that the two clinicians were highly reliable in rating severity in the normal and voice disordered groups using the GRBAS scale. The results also indicate that perceived voice severity and voice-related quality of life are related; however, the relationship is a moderate one, which suggests that factors other than those directly related to voice quality may contribute to responses on voice assessment scales completed by patients. The relationship was stronger for the subgroup under 66 years old compared with the subgroup 66 years and older.

Adult↗