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PubMed2003

Chlamydia pneumoniae DNA in patients with symptomatic carotid atherosclerotic disease.

OBJECTIVE: We evaluated the correlation between the presence of Chlamydia pneumoniae in atherosclerotic carotid plaques, lymph nodes, and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), and symptomatic carotid atherosclerotic disease. METHODS: Fifty-one consecutive patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy were enrolled; 18 of the 51 patients had symptomatic disease, whereas 33 had asymptomatic disease. Detection of C pneumoniae DNA in atherosclerotic carotid plaques, lymph nodes, and PBMCs was performed with polymerase chain reaction (PCR). C pneumoniae antibodies were measured with a microimmunofluorescence test. RESULTS: C pneumoniae DNA in atherosclerotic carotid plaques was detected in 44.4% of patients with symptomatic disease and in 30.3% of those with asymptomatic disease (P =.48). C pneumoniae DNA in lymph nodes was detected in 33.3% of patients with symptomatic disease and 18.2% of those with asymptomatic disease (P =.19). Prevalence of C pneumoniae DNA in PBMCs was significantly higher in patients with symptomatic disease (72.2%) compared with those with asymptomatic disease (30.3%) (P =.01). Serologic results support the association between C pneumoniae DNA in PBMCs and symptomatic carotid atherosclerotic disease, because seropositivity for anti-chlamydial immunoglobulin (Ig) A antibodies was significantly higher in PCR-positive PBMCs in patients with symptomatic disease compared with patients with asymptomatic disease (P =.02). CONCLUSIONS: Detection of C pneumoniae in PBMCs shows that C pneumoniae may be associated with symptomatic carotid atherosclerotic disease. Although we believe there is need for standardization of PCR methods and for assessing sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values of the tests, we suggest that presence of C pneumoniae DNA in PBMCs is a valid surrogate marker of risk for endovascular chlamydial infection. Only long-term cohort studies and interventional trials will clarify the etiopathogenic role of C pneumoniae.

Aged↗
PubMed2002

Prevalence of symptomatic hand osteoarthritis and its impact on functional status among the elderly: The Framingham Study.

Osteoarthritis is one of the most common joint disorders in the elderly, yet few studies have targeted symptomatic osteoarthritis, especially symptomatic hand osteoarthritis. The authors conducted a survey in 1992-1993 among an elderly population to estimate the prevalence of symptomatic hand osteoarthritis and to assess its impact on grip strength and functional activities. Framingham Study subjects received hand radiographs and answered queries on joint symptoms. Functional activities were assessed using an interviewer-administered questionnaire. Grip strength and observed functional performance were evaluated using standard procedures. A hand joint was defined as having symptomatic osteoarthritis if both symptoms and radiographic evidence of osteoarthritis were present. Of 1,041 subjects aged 71-100 years (36% men), the prevalence of symptomatic hand osteoarthritis was higher in women (26.2%) than in men (13.4%). Compared with those without symptomatic hand osteoarthritis, subjects with the disease had 10% reduced maximal grip strength, reported more difficulty writing, handling, or fingering small objects (odds ratio = 3.4), and showed more self-reported and observed difficulty carrying a 10-pound (4.5-kg) bundle (odds ratio = 1.7 and 1.6, respectively). In conclusion, in the context of a remarkable paucity of data on the epidemiology of symptomatic hand osteoarthritis, this study suggests that symptomatic hand osteoarthritis is a common disease among elders and frequently impairs hand function.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed2000

Early identification of patients at risk for symptomatic vasospasm after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage.

OBJECTIVE: To develop a scheme for early identification of individuals at risk for symptomatic vasospasm after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). DESIGN: Analysis of prospectively collected data from the placebo-treated group in a multicenter clinical trial. SETTINGS: Fifty-four neurosurgical centers in North America. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: We identified independent predictors of symptomatic vasospasm using stepwise logistic regression analysis from demographic, clinical, laboratory, and neuroimaging characteristics of the participants. We developed a scoring system (symptomatic vasospasm risk index) based on a combination of these predictors. Out of 283 patients in the analysis (all treated with oral nimodipine), 93 (33%) developed symptomatic vasospasm within 14 days after SAH. There were four independent predictors of symptomatic vasospasm: thickness of subarachnoid clot on computed tomographic scan (odds ratio [OR], 4.1; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.8-10.0); early rise in middle cerebral artery mean flow velocity (MCA-MFV), defined as a value > or =110 cm/sec recorded on or before post-SAH day 5 (OR, 1.9; 95% CI, 1.1-3.3), Glasgow Coma Scale score <14 (OR, 1.8; 95% CI, 1.1-3.1); and rupture of anterior cerebral or internal carotid artery aneurysm (OR, 1.9; 95% CI, 1.0-3.4). The probability of identifying patients who would develop symptomatic vasospasm (percentage of area under receiver operating characteristics curve +/- SEM) was higher with symptomatic vasospasm risk index (68%+/-8%) compared with thickness of clot (62%+/-8%; p = .08) or MCA-MFV (45%+/-7%, p < .05) criteria alone. CONCLUSIONS: Patients at high risk for symptomatic vasospasm can be identified early in the course of SAH using a risk index. A risk index based on a combination of variables may represent a predictive paradigm superior to conventionally used criteria based on clot thickness or MCA-MFV criteria.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Risk factors for symptomatic mitochondrial toxicity in HIV/hepatitis C virus-coinfected patients during interferon plus ribavirin-based therapy.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the incidence, clinical features, and risk factors for symptomatic mitochondrial toxicity in HIV/hepatitis C virus (HCV)-coinfected patients receiving anti-HCV therapy. METHODS: All cases of symptomatic mitochondrial toxicity reported in 416 patients participating in an open, randomized trial of peg-interferon alpha-2b plus ribavirin vs. interferon alpha-2b plus ribavirin for 48 weeks were reviewed. Associations with antiretroviral treatments and with clinical and laboratory findings were sought by univariate and multivariate analysis. RESULTS: Eleven of the 383 patients who received at least 1 dose of anti-HCV treatment developed symptomatic mitochondrial toxicity (symptomatic hyperlactatemia and pancreatitis in 6 and 5 patients, respectively). All cases occurred in patients being treated for HIV infection, and the incidence of symptomatic mitochondrial toxicity was 47.5 per 1000 patient-years. In multivariate analysis, symptomatic mitochondrial toxicity was significantly associated with didanosine-containing antiretroviral regimens (odds ratio 46; 95% CI, 7.4 to infinity; P < 0.001), but not with stavudine or with nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor regimens not containing didanosine. The incidence of symptomatic mitochondrial toxicity was 200.2 per 1000 patient-years in patients receiving didanosine. Demographic characteristics were not associated with symptomatic mitochondrial toxicity. CONCLUSIONS: Coadministration of ribavirin with didanosine should be avoided. If unavoidable, patients should be monitored closely for mitochondrial toxicity. Didanosine should be suspended if clinical signs or symptoms of mitochondrial toxicity occur.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

The relationship between symptomatic and biochemical hypoglycaemia in insulin-dependent diabetic patients.

The relationship between symptomatic (subjective feelings) and biochemical (blood glucose concentration less than 3 mmol l-1) hypoglycaemia was studied in 66 randomly selected insulin-dependent diabetic out-patients under normal conditions of daily life with conventional insulin injection regimens. The patients (a) collected 7-point diurnal blood glucose profiles at home on three consecutive days and then once weekly for 3 weeks, (b) indicated whether they felt hypoglycaemic at sampling times, and (c) collected extra samples if they felt hypoglycaemic at any time during the study period. The weekly frequencies of symptomatic and biochemical hypoglycaemia were 0.99 and 1.75 per patient, respectively. Biochemical hypoglycaemia was present in 29% of the symptomatic episodes, and symptomatic hypoglycaemia accompanied 16% of the biochemical episodes. Symptomatic hypoglycaemia was experienced at a median blood glucose concentration of 3.4 mmol l-1 (range 1.4-14.9 mmol l-1). Fifty per cent of both symptomatic and biochemical episodes occurred before lunch, while the remainder were evenly distributed throughout the day. The occurrence of biochemical hypoglycaemia, but not of symptomatic hypoglycaemia, was inversely correlated with HbA1c and median blood glucose concentration. Thus symptomatic hypoglycaemia is an unreliable indicator of biochemical hypoglycaemia and of the degree of glycaemic control. Blood glucose measurements are a prerequisite for the diagnosis of hypoglycaemia.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Investigation of bacterial communities associated with asymptomatic and symptomatic endodontic infections by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis fingerprinting approach.

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the bacterial communities associated with asymptomatic and symptomatic endodontic infections and to compare denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) fingerprinting patterns of these two clinical conditions. The root canal microbiota of teeth associated with asymptomatic or symptomatic periradicular lesions was profiled by the PCR-DGGE method and then compared, taking into consideration the banding patterns. Bacteria were present in all examined cases. Comparative analysis of the two clinical conditions revealed bands that were common to both symptomatic and asymptomatic cases, but most DGGE bands appeared to be unique for each clinical condition. No single band occurred in all profiles. The mean number of bands detected in the 16S rDNA community profiles were 12.1 +/- 9.4 (range 2-29) for symptomatic samples and 6.7 +/- 2.7 (range 2-11) for asymptomatic ones. Clustering methods and principal component analysis of DGGE banding pattern placed the samples according to the presence or absence of symptoms. Four intense bands that were excised from the gel and sequenced showed similarities to species of the Campylobacter genus (found in 5/12 asymptomatic and in 3/11 symptomatic cases), Fusobacterium genus (4/11 symptomatic cases), Acinetobacter genus (5/12 asymptomatic cases), and Enterobacteriaceae family (11/12 asymptomatic and 2/11 symptomatic cases). The profiles of the predominant bacterial community appeared to be unique for each individual. These findings confirm that endodontic infections are polymicrobial and showed that there are significant differences in the predominant bacterial composition between asymptomatic and symptomatic cases.

Acinetobacter↗
PubMed2004

Symptomatic and radiological follow-up after para-esophageal hernia repair.

The treatment of para-esophageal hernia by the laparoscopic approach has been described by a number of authors. The lower morbidity of the laparoscopic approach compared with the open approach holds some attraction, however, reservations regarding the durability of laparoscopic repair exist. There is a paucity of objective follow-up data in the literature with regard to repair durability and symptomatic outcome. A review was undertaken of 94 patients over a 7 year period undergoing attempted laparoscopic repairs of para-esophageal hernia. Preoperative and operative data was collected and patients underwent postoperative interview and barium meal. Laparoscopic repair was successfully completed in 86 patients. Symptomatic reherniation occurred in 12% (10/86) of patients undergoing laparoscopic repair. These patients underwent open reoperative surgery. There were no symptomatic recurrences in patients undergoing initial open repair. Symptomatic outcome was assessed by interview in 78% (73/94) of patients at a median of 27 months (3-93 months) postoperatively. Ninety-seven percent (71/73) of patients were satisfied with their ultimate symptomatic outcome however, this group included seven patients who had required reoperative surgery for symptomatic recurrence and were therefore laparoscopic failures. In order to determine the asymptomatic recurrence rate patients were requested to undergo a barium meal. A further nine small asymptomatic recurrences were diagnosed in 42 patients having had laparoscopic repair. This represents an asymptomatic radiographic recurrence rate of 21%. Laparoscopic repair in this series was associated with a 12% symptomatic recurrence rate. The majority of patients with symptomatic recurrence underwent open reoperation with good results. Strategies for reducing recurrences should be examined in prospective series.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

Symptomatic carotid ischaemic events: safest and most cost effective way of selecting patients for angiography, before carotid endarterectomy.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the safest, least costly, and most effective way to select patients with symptomatic carotid ischaemic events for carotid angiography before carotid endarterectomy. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. SETTING: University departments of clinical neurosciences and clinical neurology. PATIENTS: 485 Patients with carotid territory transient ischaemic attacks of the brain (n = 224) or eye (n = 162) or retinal infarction (n = 99) were referred to a single neurologist between 1976 and 1986. INTERVENTIONS: Clinical examination by auscultation over the precordium, supraclavicular fossae, and neck vessels (all patients). Cerebral angiography of patients suitable for carotid endarterectomy. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Financial cost and number of disabling strokes after angiography. RESULTS: 296 Patients were investigated by cerebral angiography. Ischaemic symptoms had occurred in the distribution of 298 internal carotid arteries (symptomatic) that were imaged, two patients having bilateral symptoms. The presence or absence of a carotid bruit and the maximum percentage diameter stenosis of the origin of the symptomatic internal carotid artery were correlated. The prevalence of mild disease (diameter stenosis greater than or equal to 25%) of the symptomatic internal carotid artery was 57%, and if an ipsilateral carotid bruit was heard the probability of mild stenosis rose to 92%. The prevalence of moderate disease of the symptomatic internal carotid artery (stenosis greater than or equal to 50%) was 39%, and if a bruit was heard the probability doubled to 78%. The prevalence of severe internal carotid disease (stenosis greater than or equal to 75%) was 22%, and if a bruit was heard the probability was more than double, at 49%. The direct cost to both the NHS and the private health sector of investigating patients with symptomatic carotid ischaemia was estimated for several strategies of carotid artery imaging and expressed in terms of financial cost and number of strokes after angiography incurred in detecting all patients with diameter stenosis of the symptomatic internal carotid artery of greater than or equal to 25%, 50%, or 75%. To detect diameter stenosis of the internal carotid artery of greater than or equal to 25% it is most cost effective to proceed directly to cerebral angiography in patients with a carotid bruit over the symptomatic carotid bifurcation and to screen patients without a carotid bruit by duplex carotid ultrasonography; patients in whom duplex ultrasonography discloses stenosis of greater than or equal to 25% are then referred for cerebral angiography. To detect only more severe internal carotid disease (stenosis of greater than or equal to 50%) the same policy applies, unless the local duplex ultrasonographic service is particularly efficient and reliable, when it is probably most cost effective and safer to screen all patients by this method irrespective of the findings on cervical auscultation. To detect stenosis of 75% or greater it is most cost effective to screen all patients with duplex ultrasonography, whether a carotid bruit is present or not, because this approach reduces the number of angiograms required, is the least expensive, and results in the least number of strokes after angiography. CONCLUSIONS: Patients selection for cerebral angiography before carotid endarterectomy needs to be appropriate and cost effective. Sound clinical evaluation and duplex carotid ultrasound are required. The findings of this study should not be applied to other medical centres without first considering possible differences in the prevalence of carotid artery disease, the efficiency and reliability of duplex ultrasonography, the local complication rates of cerebral angiography, and the local costs of the imaging procedures.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Management of symptomatic BPH in the UK: who is treated and how?

OBJECTIVE: To review the contemporary management of symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in the United Kingdom (UK). METHODS: Information was obtained from published scientific articles, IMS market analysis data and surveys among primary care practitioners and urologists. RESULTS: A survey in Stirling (Scotland) identified the number of men aged 40-79 years with symptomatic BPH defined as a prostate size >20 g with urinary symptoms (total symptom score >/=11) and/or a maximum urinary flow rate <15 ml/s. It appeared that 25% of men had symptomatic BPH. Approximately 2.5 million men fall in this category in the UK currently and the number is expected to grow by almost 50% by the year 2025. Although not every man with symptomatic BPH is bothered by his LUTS and will therefore seek medical advice, many men with mainly filling symptoms and greater symptom severity do visit their physician, especially now more medical treatment options are available. Due to the low number of urologists in the UK, general practitioners (GPs) have traditionally been more involved in the diagnosis and management of symptomatic BPH than in other countries. The contribution of GPs and nurses in managing this condition will probably increase even more when the National Health Services (NHS) reform with GPs and nurses co-operating in primary care groups (PCGs) which are responsible for the total healthcare budget is fully implemented. Although urologists will have to define their role in this new system, this trend will probably help them to cope with the increasing numbers of elderly males seeking medical advice for LUT problems in the next millennium and to reduce already existing out-patient and surgical waiting lists. First results suggest that two thirds of patients attending shared care prostate clinics have uncomplicated LUTS related to BPH and can initially be managed at primary care level. The number of consultations and prescriptions for medical therapy for symptomatic BPH has increased considerably during the 1990s whereas the number of surgical procedures performed on an annual basis has remained stable at around 40,000 cases/year accounting for 70 million Euro/year. Of the two medical treatment approaches approved for the treatment of symptomatic BPH in the UK, the sales for alpha(1)-adrenoceptor antagonists have increased steadily during the latter part of the 1990s whereas that for finasteride has remained flat. In 1998, alpha(1)-adrenoceptor antagonists had 64% market share and finasteride 36% from a total market of 53 million Euro. CONCLUSIONS: In the UK, challenges for the future management of symptomatic BPH will be the increased number of patients, further enhancement of efficient co-operation between PCGs and urologists and evaluation of most appropriate management of this condition from a disease progression and cost-effectiveness point of view. Copyrightz1999S. KargerAG,Basel

Forecasting↗
PubMed2006

Assessment of inflammatory burden contralateral to the symptomatic carotid stenosis using high-resolution ultrasmall, superparamagnetic iron oxide-enhanced MRI.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: It is well known that the vulnerable atheromatous plaque has a thin, fibrous cap and large lipid core with associated inflammation. This inflammation can be detected on MRI with use of a contrast medium, Sinerem, an ultrasmall superparamagnetic iron oxide (USPIO). Although the incidence of macrophage activity in asymptomatic disease appears low, we aimed to explore the incidence of MRI-defined inflammation in asymptomatic plaques in patients with known contralateral symptomatic disease. METHODS: Twenty symptomatic patients underwent multisequence MRI before and 36 hours after USPIO infusion. Images were manually segmented into quadrants, and the signal change in each quadrant was calculated after USPIO administration. A mixed mathematical model was developed to compare the mean signal change across all quadrants in the 2 groups. Patients had a mean symptomatic stenosis of 77% compared with 46% on their asymptomatic side, as measured by conventional angiography. RESULTS: There were 11 (55%) men, and the median age was 72 years (range, 53 to 84 years). All patients had risk factors consistent with severe atherosclerotic disease. All symptomatic carotid stenoses had inflammation, as evaluated by USPIO-enhanced imaging. On the contralateral sides, inflammatory activity was found in 19 (95%) patients. Contralaterally, there were 163 quadrants (57%) with a signal loss after USPIO when compared with 217 quadrants (71%) on the symptomatic side (P=0.007). CONCLUSIONS: This study adds weight to the argument that atherosclerosis is a truly systemic disease. It suggests that investigation of the contralateral side in patients with symptomatic carotid stenosis can demonstrate inflammation in 95% of plaques, despite a mean stenosis of only 46%. Thus, inflammatory activity may be a significant risk factor in asymptomatic disease in patients who have known contralateral symptomatic disease. Patients with symptomatic carotid disease should have their contralateral carotid artery followed up.

Aged↗
PubMed1998

Increased endothelial expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 in symptomatic versus asymptomatic human carotid atherosclerotic plaque.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The mechanisms that cause carotid atherosclerotic plaque to become symptomatic remain unclear. Evidence suggests that mediators of inflammation are not only instrumental in the formation of plaque but may also be involved in the rapid progression of atheromatous lesions leading to plaque fissuring, endothelial injury, and intraluminal thrombosis. Our goal is to determine whether intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), a known component of the inflammatory pathway, is preferentially expressed on symptomatic versus asymptomatic carotid plaques. METHODS: Carotid plaques from symptomatic (n = 25) and asymptomatic (n = 17) patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy with lesions involving >60% stenosis were snap-frozen at the time of surgery. Immunofluorescence studies were performed to measure the percentage of luminal endothelial surface that expressed ICAM-1. The relationships of stroke risk factors, white blood cell count, percent stenosis, and soluble ICAM-1 (sICAM-1) plasma levels to endothelial ICAM-1 expression were investigated. RESULTS: An increased expression of ICAM-1 was found in the high-grade regions of symptomatic (29.5%+/-2.4%, mean+/-SEM) versus asymptomatic (15.7%+/-2.7%, mean+/-SEM) plaques (P=0.002) and in the high-grade versus the low-grade region of symptomatic plaques (29.5+/-2.4, mean+/-SEM, versus 8.9+/-1.6; P<0.001). Plasma sICAM-1 levels were not predictive of symptomatic disease, and no significant correlation between risk factor exposure and endothelial ICAM-1 expression was found. CONCLUSIONS: An elevation in ICAM-1 expression in symptomatic versus asymptomatic plaque suggests that mediators of inflammation are involved in the conversion of carotid plaque to a symptomatic state. The data also suggest a differential expression of ICAM-1, with a greater expression found in the high-grade region than in the low-grade region of the plaque specimen.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Four-dimensional ultrasonographic characterization of plaque surface motion in patients with symptomatic and asymptomatic carotid artery stenosis.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: In vitro studies of atherosclerotic plaque fracture mechanics suggest that analysis of local variations in surface deformability may provide information on relative vulnerability to plaque fissuring or rupture. We investigated plaque surface deformations in patients with symptomatic and asymptomatic carotid artery disease using 4-dimensional ultrasonography and techniques for measuring optical flow. METHODS: Four-dimensional ultrasound examinations of carotid artery plaques were performed in 23 asymptomatic and 22 symptomatic patients with 50% to 90% stenosis of the internal carotid artery. Plaque surface motion during 1 cardiac cycle was computed with a hierarchical model-based motion estimator. Results were compared with plaque echogenicity and surface structure. RESULTS: Of the 45 patients examined, plaque surface motion estimates were obtained for 18 asymptomatic and 13 symptomatic patients. There were no significant differences in echogenicity or surface structure of asymptomatic and symptomatic plaques (P>0.05). Results of motion estimation showed that asymptomatic plaques had surface motion vectors of equal orientation and magnitude to those of the internal carotid artery, whereas symptomatic plaques demonstrated evidence of inherent plaque movement. There was no significant difference in maximal plaque velocity between symptomatic and asymptomatic plaques (P<0.14). Maximal discrepant surface velocity (MDSV) in symptomatic plaques was 3.85+/-1.26 mm/s (mean+/-SD), which was significantly higher (P<0.001) than MDSV of asymptomatic plaques with 0.58+/-0.42 mm/s (mean+/-SD). CONCLUSIONS: ++MDSV of carotid artery plaques is significantly different in asymptomatic and symptomatic disease. Further studies are warranted to determine whether plaque surface motion patterns can identify vulnerable plaques in patients with carotid artery stenosis.

Aged↗
PubMed1996

Cough, exertional, and sexual headaches: an analysis of 72 benign and symptomatic cases.

We analyzed our experience with cough, exertional, and vascular sexual headaches, evaluated the interrelationships among them, and examined the possible symptomatic cases. Seventy-two patients consulted us because of headaches precipitated by coughing (n = 30), physical exercise (n = 28), or sexual excitement (n = 14). Thirty (42%) were symptomatic. The 17 cases of symptomatic cough headache were secondary to Chiari type I malformation, while the majority of cases of symptomatic exertional headaches and the only case of symptomatic sexual headache were secondary to subarachnoid hemorrhage. Although the precipitant was the same, benign and symptomatic headaches differed in several clinical aspects, such as age at onset, associated clinical manifestations, or response to pharmacologic treatment. Although sharing some properties, such as male predominance, benign cough headache and benign exertional headache are clinically separate conditions. Benign cough headache began significantly later, 43 years on average, than benign exertional headache. By contrast, our findings suggest that there is a close relationship between benign exertional headache and benign vascular sexual headache. We conclude that benign and symptomatic cough headaches are different from both benign and symptomatic exertional and sexual headaches.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

The demographic and morphological features of rotator cuff disease. A comparison of asymptomatic and symptomatic shoulders.

BACKGROUND: Very little comparative information is available regarding the demographic and morphological characteristics of asymptomatic and symptomatic rotator cuff tears. This information is important to provide insight into the natural history of rotator cuff disease and to identify which factors may be important in the development of pain. The purpose of the present study was to compare the morphological characteristics and prevalences of asymptomatic and symptomatic rotator cuff disease in patients who presented with unilateral shoulder pain. METHODS: Five hundred and eighty-eight consecutive patients in whom a standardized ultrasonographic study had been performed by an experienced radiologist for the assessment of unilateral shoulder pain were evaluated with regard to the presence and size of rotator cuff tears in each shoulder. The demographic factors that were analyzed included age, gender, side, and cuff thickness. All of these factors were evaluated with regard to their correlation with the presence of pain. RESULTS: Of the 588 consecutive patients who met the inclusion criteria, 212 had an intact rotator cuff bilaterally, 199 had a unilateral rotator cuff tear (either partial or full thickness), and 177 had a bilateral tear (either partial or full thickness). The presence of rotator cuff disease was highly correlated with age. The average age was 48.7 years for patients with no rotator cuff tear, 58.7 years for those with a unilateral tear, and 67.8 years for those with a bilateral tear. Logistic regression analysis indicated a 50% likelihood of a bilateral tear after the age of sixty-six years (p < 0.01). In patients with a bilateral rotator cuff tear in whom one tear was symptomatic and the other tear was asymptomatic, the symptomatic tear was significantly larger (p < 0.01). The average size of a symptomatic tear was 30% greater than that of an asymptomatic tear. Overall, patients who presented with a full-thickness symptomatic tear had a 35.5% prevalence of a full-thickness tear on the contralateral side. CONCLUSIONS: There is a high correlation between the onset of rotator cuff tears (either partial or full thickness) and increasing age. Bilateral rotator cuff disease, either symptomatic or asymptomatic, is common in patients who present with unilateral symptomatic disease. As the size of a tear appears to be an important factor in the development of symptoms, we recommend surveillance at yearly intervals for patients with known rotator cuff tears that are treated nonoperatively.

Female↗
PubMed2005

The British Rheumatoid Outcome Study Group (BROSG) randomised controlled trial to compare the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of aggressive versus symptomatic therapy in established rheumatoid arthritis.

OBJECTIVES: To examine the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of symptomatic versus aggressive treatment in patients with established, stable rheumatoid arthritis (RA). DESIGN: A randomised observer-blinded controlled trial and economic evaluation with an initial assessment at randomisation and follow-ups at 12, 24 and 36 months. SETTING: Five rheumatology centres in England. The 'symptomatic care' patients were managed predominantly in primary care with regular visits by a rheumatology specialist nurse. The 'aggressive care' patients were managed predominantly in the hospital setting. PARTICIPANTS: Patients with RA for more than 5 years were screened in rheumatology clinics. INTERVENTIONS: The symptomatic care patients were seen at home every 4 months by a rheumatology specialist nurse and annually by the rheumatologist. The aim of treatment was symptom control. The aggressive care patients were seen at least every 4 months in hospital. Their treatment was altered (following predefined algorithms) with the aim of suppressing both clinical and laboratory evidence of joint inflammation. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The main outcome measure was the Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ). Others included the patient and physician global assessment, pain, tender and swollen joint counts, the erythrocyte sedimentation rate and the OSRA (Overall Status in Rheumatoid Arthritis) score. X-rays of the hands and feet were performed at the beginning and end of the study. The EQ-5D was used in the health economic evaluation. Comprehensive costs were also estimated and were combined with measures of outcome to examine between-group differences. RESULTS: A total of 466 patients were recruited; 399 patients completed the 3 years of follow-up. There was a significant deterioration in physical function (HAQ) in both arms. There was no significant difference between the groups for any of the clinical outcome measures except the physician global assessment [adjusted mean difference 3.76 (95% CI 0.03 to 7.52)] and the OSRA disease activity component [adjusted mean difference 0.41 (95% CI 0.01 to 0.71)], both in favour of the aggressive arm. During the trial, second-line drug treatment was changed in 77.1% of the aggressive arm and 59.0% of the symptomatic arm. There were instances when the rheumatologist should have changed treatment but did not do so, usually because of mild disease activity. The symptomatic arm was associated with higher costs and higher quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs). There was a net cost of 1517 Pounds Sterling per QALY gained for the symptomatic arm. Overall, the primary economic analysis and sensitivity analyses of the cost and QALY data indicate that symptomatic treatment is likely to be more cost-effective than aggressive treatment in 58-90% of cases. CONCLUSIONS: This trial showed no benefit of aggressive treatment in patients with stable established RA. However, it was difficult to persuade the rheumatologist and/or the patient to change treatment if the evidence of disease activity was minimal. Patients in the symptomatic arm were able to initiate changes of therapy when their symptoms deteriorated, without frequent hospital assessment. Approximately one-third of current clinic attenders with stable RA could be managed in a shared care setting with annual review by a rheumatologist and regular contact with a rheumatologist nurse. Further research is needed into disease progression and the use of biological agents, minimum disease activity level below which disease progression does not occur, cost-effectiveness through shared care modelling, the development of a robust and fail-safe system of primary-care based disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug (DMARD) monitoring, and predicting response to DMARDs.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

[One year follow-up study of symptomatic cases of ulnar neuropathy at the elbow in a rural population].

OBJECTIVES: This study examined the natural history of symptomatic patients who did or did not display abnormal results on nerve conduction studies (NCS). METHODS: Forty hundred fifty adults were selected among a total of 578 residents who participated in the health examination in a rural Korean district. A symptom questionnaire and NCS were used to diagnose ulnar neuropathy at the elbow (UNE). There were 6.4% of the subjects with UNE, 5.1% of the subjects showed symptoms without a NCS, and 84.2% of the subjects who were asymptomatic. One year later, 20 symptomatic limbs with an abnormality on the ulnar NCS and 22 symptomatic limbs without any abnormality in the ulnar NCS were enrolled in a follow-up study. The natural history of UNE was evaluated by examining the changes in the clinical and electrodiagnostic examinations. RESULTS: The 1-year follow-up of the enrolled limbs found that for the symptomatic limbs with an abnormality on the NCS, the degree of severe of the clinical grade changed from 20% to 10%. In contrast, for the symptomatic limbs that were without any abnormality in the NCS, the change of the severe degree of the clinical grade was from 0% to 18.2%. Also, for the electrodiagnostic change, only symptomatic limbs without NCS abnormalities showed significant changes in motor latency, amplitude and conduction velocity at the 1-year follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: The 1-year follow-up study revealed symptomatic limbs that were without any abnormality on the ulnar NCS were more likely to progress than the symptomatic limbs with an abnormality on the ulnar NCS.

Elbow↗
PubMed2006

Comparison between secretory leukocytic protease inhibitor and reactive nitrogen intermediates levels in cervicovaginal secretions from symptomatic and asymptomatic trichomoniasis Egyptians patients.

Although trichomoniasis is one of the most widespread sexually transmitted diseases, limited information is known about the host and parasite factors which cause symptomatic versus asymptomatic infections. Both of Secretory Leukocytic Protease Inhibitor (SLPI) and Reactive Nitrogen Intermediates (RNI) are major effectors in the innate immune response against infection. This study aimed to compare the level of SLPI and RNI in relation to the vaginal complains among trichomoniasis Egyptian patients. Two groups of trichomonas infected patients were included. Group I included 30 symptomatic patients distributed in three equal subgroups mild, moderate and severe accordiing to degree of symptoms and Group II included 10 asymptomatic patients. Besides, control Group III included 10 healthy females. Cervicovaginal levels of SLPI & RNI were determined in all patients. The mean level of SLPI was less in symptomatic patients (187.75+/-11.61 ng/ml) than in asymptomatic ones (361.18+/-53 ng/ml), with statistically significant difference. Mean level of SLPI was markedly lower in severe symptomatic patients (173.97+/--4.64 ng/ml) when compared with moderate (188.60+/-2.47 ng/ml) and mild (200.69+/-3.01 ng/ml) subgroups respectively. This difference was statistically significant. In controversy, mean levels of RNI in symptomatic patients were significantly higher (39.4+/-7.15 microM) than asymptomatic (38.89+/-6.49 microM). The mean level of RNI was significantly low in severe symptomatic (30.07+/-1.79 microM) than moderate (41.83+/-1.01 microM) and mild (46.30+/-2.02 microM) symptomatic subgroups. This difference was statistically significant. Both of SLPI & RNI levels returned to normal levels in 93.4% & 80% of symptomatic patients respectively one week after metronidazole therapeutic course.

Animals↗
PubMed2002

Identifying patients with symptomatic carotid artery disease at high and low risk of severe myocardial infarction and cardiac death.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The extent of cardiac investigation required in patients with coexistent symptomatic carotid and cardiac disease is unsettled. This study compared the outlook for patients symptomatic from carotid stenosis with and without a history of symptomatic ischemic heart disease (IHD). METHODS: The risk of combined outcome of severe myocardial infarction and cardiac death was evaluated in patients from the North American Symptomatic Carotid Endarterectomy Trial. RESULTS: A total of 1124 patients had a history of symptomatic IHD and 1691 did not. The median age was 66 years; 70% were male. With history of IHD at entry, the 5-year risk of combined outcome of severe myocardial infarction and cardiac death was 16.5% (95% CI, 13.9 to 19.0). Without history at entry, risk was 6.7% (95% CI, 5.1 to 8.3). Risk of unheralded severe MI and cardiac death was only 3.3%. One hundred ninety-four patients had > or =4 of the following risk factors: age > or =75 years, history of diabetes, history of hypertension, smoking in past year, left ventricular hypertrophy on ECG, myocardial infarction on ECG, or creatinine >115 micromol/L. The 5-year risk of severe myocardial infarction or cardiac death increased to 33.9% for patients with > or =4 risk factors and a history of IHD and to 23.5% for those without history of IHD. CONCLUSIONS: Most patients with symptomatic carotid stenosis without symptomatic IHD had a low risk of severe myocardial infarction and cardiac death. With many risk factors, these patients had a risk high enough to warrant cardiac investigations.

Aged↗