Search results for " Combination"

The clinical use of statistical permutation test methodology: a tool for identifying predictive variables of outcome.

2015

<b><i>Objectives:</i></b> To identify the predictive variables affecting the outcome after radical surgery for bladder cancer by a newer statistical methodology, i.e. nonparametric combination (NPC). <b><i>Methods:</i></b> A multicenter study enrolled 1,312 patients who had undergone radical cystectomy for bladder cancer in 11 Italian oncological centers from January 1982 to December 2002. A statistical analysis<b> </b>of their medical history and diagnostic, pathological and postoperative variables was performed using a NPC test. The<b> </b>patients were included in a comprehensive database with medical history and cli…

Intravitreal clindamycin and dexamethasone for zone 1 toxoplasmic retinochoroiditis at twenty-four months.

2009

Purpose To report the anatomic and functional outcomes of intravitreal clindamycin and dexamethasone for the treatment of zone 1 toxoplasmic retinochoroiditis (TRC). Patients had 1 or more of the following indications for local therapy: intolerance to oral medication, contraindication to oral medication because of pregnancy, lack of response despite oral antimicrobial treatment, or treatment with concomitant oral and local therapy to avoid or limit foveal or optic disc involvement. Design Noncomparative, retrospective, multicentric interventional case series. Participants We reviewed the medical records of 12 consecutive patients (eyes) with posterior pole (zone 1) TRC who were treated week…

Comparative neurocognitive effects of lithium and anticonvulsants in long-term stable bipolar patients

2015

Background: The aim of choosing a mood-stabilizing drug (lithium or anticonvulsants) or a combination of them with minimal neurocognitive effects is to stimulate the development of criteria for a therapeutic adequacy, particularly in Bipolar Disorder (BD) patients who are clinically stabilized. Method: Three groups of BD patients were established according to their treatment: (i) lithium monotherapy (n=29); (ii) lithium together with one or more anticonvulsants (n=28); and (iii) one or more anticonvulsants (n=16). A group of healthy controls served as the control (n=25). The following tests were applied: Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale, Trail Making Test, Wechsler Memory Scale, Rey Comple…

Pioglitazone in addition to metformin improves erythrocyte deformability in patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus

2010

The aim of the present study was to compare the effect of PIO (pioglitazone) or GLIM (glimepiride) on erythrocyte deformability in T2DM (Type 2 diabetes mellitus). The study covered 23 metformin-treated T2DM patients with an HbA1c (glycated haemoglobin) >6.5%. Patients were randomized to receive either PIO (15 mg, twice a day) or GLIM (1 mg, twice a day) in combination with metformin (850 mg, twice a day) for 6 months. Blood samples were taken for the measurement of fasting glucose, HbA1c, fasting insulin, intact proinsulin, adiponectin and Hct (haematocrit). In addition, the erythrocyte EI (elongation index) was measured using laser diffractoscopy. Both treatments significantly impr…

Glossitis, stomatitis, and black tongue with lansoprazole plus clarithromycin and other antibiotics

1997

Prevention of deep vein thrombosis in neurosurgical patients: a prospective double-blind comparison of two prophylactic regimen.

1992

In a prospective, randomized, double-blind investigation of anticoagulant agents for prevention of deep vein thrombosis in patients undergoing operations at the lumbar-vertebral disc, 179 patients were randomly allocated to two groups. 87 patients received a fixed combination of low-molecular weight heparin 1,500 U-aPTT plus dihydroergotamine 0.5 mg (LMWH/DHE) once a day and additionally one injection of placebo per day, 92 patients received a fixed combination of sodium heparin 5,000 U plus dihydroergotamine 0.5 mg (HDHE) twice a day. Treatment was initiated two hours preoperatively in both groups and continued for at least seven days. Deep vein thrombosis (DVT), detected by the 125Iodine-…

Biochemical interaction between effects of beclomethasone dipropionate and salbutamol or formoterol in sputum cells from mild to moderate asthmatics.

2005

Background:  Several in vitro studies demonstrate that corticosteroids and long-acting β2 agonists may have a complementary and synergistic mode of action on the inflammatory processes in asthma. Methods:  Sputum was induced in 20 mild to moderate asthmatic patients and the induced sputum cells (ISC) were cultured with beclomethasone dipropionate (BDP) 10−7 M, salbutamol 10−8 M and formoterol 10−8 M either alone or in combination, BDP plus salbutamol and BDP plus formoterol, for 24 h. We measured the levels of growth macrophages-colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF), released on activation normal T cells expressed and activated (RANTES) and interleukin-8 (IL-8), in the supernatant of stimulate…

[Treatment of sensorineural hearing loss in acute viral otitis media with intratympanic dexamethasone and hyaluronic acid in comparison with intraven…

2006

Background: Intratympanic dexamethasone with hyaluronic acid has shown to be an effective treatment of the inner ear damage in sudden hearing loss and Meniere's disease. It is not known yet if the same applies to the toxic inner ear damage in acute viral otitis media. Patients: Retrospectively, 26 patients who suffered from acute viral otitis media with sensorineural hearing loss were examined with regard to the improvement of their inner ear hearing loss. Twelve patients were treated with intravenous therapy only, consisting of hydroxyethylstarch, pentoxifylline and prednisolone. Fourteen patients additionally received intratympanic injections, consisting of dexamethasone and hyaluronic ac…

Prophylaxis of radiogenic sialadenitis and mucositis by coumarin/troxerutine in patients with head and neck cancer--a prospective,randomized, placebo…

2001

To study the efficacy of coumarin/troxerutine for the protection of salivary glands and mucosa during irradiation. Design: Prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial. Setting: University hospital, Germany. Patients: 48 patients who had radiotherapy to the head and neck. Main outcome measures: Salivary gland scintigraphy and acute side-effects of radiotherapy (Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) score). Results: 23 patients (11 experimental, 12 placebo) completed the study. The global efficacy measure combining scintigraphy and RTOG score favoured the experimental arm (P= 0.07). The RTOG score showed significantly fewer acute side-effects of radiation in the experime…

Long term structural effects of combination therapy in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis: five year follow up of a prospective double blind co…

2003

Objective: To evaluate whether early combined therapy with methotrexate (MTX) and sulfasalazine (SSZ) during the first year in early rheumatoid arthritis (RA) induces long term beneficial effects, compared with monotherapy, when the further treatment strategy is a free choice. Methods: Study design: five year multicentre prospective longitudinal trial. Participants: 146/205 patients with RA previously included in a one year prospective randomised trial comparing the effects of treatment with MTX, SSZ, or a combination of both. Criteria for inclusion: patients with early RA (⩽1 year duration). Follow up: between the end of years 1 and 5, patients were followed up and treated by their own rhe…