Infectious Diseases: February 28, 2005

Other Infectious Diseases Studies

Scholes D, Hooton TM, Roberts PL, Gupta K, Stapleton AE, Stamm WE. Risk factors associated with acute pyelonephritis in healthy women. Ann Intern Med. 2005;142:20-27 . The goal was to identify the risk factors for pyelonephritis among healthy women. The method was an analysis of a large health maintenance organization (HMO), Group Health Cooperative in Seattle, Washington, with a population-based case-control format. Case patients included 242 women with pyelonephritis identified through a computerized database, and controls were 546 women matched by age without pyelonephritis in the previous 5 years. Participants underwent a structured interview to identify the variables associated with pyelonephritis. The results showed several interesting observations: The estimated annual incidence of pyelonephritis was 27.6 cases/10,000 persons;

The 2 most frequently reported symptoms within 2 weeks of the infection were flank pain in 86% and fever in 77%;

The dominant pathogen was Escherichia coli in 85% followed by Staphylococcussaprophyticus in 3.4% and K pneumoniae in 1.7%;

Sensitivity tests of the E coli showed 99% sensitive to ciprofloxacin; 91% to nitrofurantoin, ceftriaxone; and gentamicin; 85% to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole; and 60% to ampicillin; and

Only 7% of those with a diagnosis of pyelonephritis were hospitalized.

The risk factors that proved most important in multivariant analysis were a urinary tract infection in the previous 30 days and sexual intercourse on an average of 3 or more times per week. The data are summarized in Table 7 .

The investigators conclude that (as with cystitis) young, healthy, nonpregnant women are at risk for pyelonephritis on the basis of sexual behavior and a history of urinary tract infections.

Comment: The findings of this study support the recommendation of ciprofloxacin or a similar quinolone for the empirical treatment of pyelonephritis in nonpregnant, healthy women under 50 years of age. The finding that the predominant pathogens and risk factors apply to both cystitis and pyelonephritis supports the conventional teaching that the ascending infection accounts for the pathogenesis of upper tract involvement.

BSE, Bovine - Canada. ProMED-AHEAD Digest. January 8, 2005 . Pro-MED summarizes the second report of a case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) in Canada, as reported by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency on January 2, 2005. This cow was born in 1996, prior to the introduction of a feed ban in 1997. This brings the total number of cases in North America to 3, all from Canada: The first was detected in May 2003, the second in Washington State in December 2003 (involving cows born in Canada), and the third noted above. All 3 were born at a "period of time suggesting a common source of contaminated feed."

Recovery of a Patient From Clinical Rabies — Wisconsin, 2004. CDC MMWR. 2004;53:1171-1173 . This is the CDC report of the Wisconsin patient who recovered from rabies, the first person known to have recovered from rabies without a rabies vaccine. Details have been previously reported in this series on the basis of information from ProMED . In brief: The patient was a 15-year-old girl who picked up a bat at a church service in September and released it outside. The bat bit her left index finger and the wound was cleaned with hydrogen peroxide.

One month later, the girl complained of fatigue and tingling in the left hand. Two days later, she felt unsteady and had diplopia, then nausea and vomiting. A neurologist reported partial bilateral sixth-nerve palsy and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was normal.

On day 4 of illness, the patient was hospitalized where a lumbar puncture showed a white blood cell count of 23 cells/mL, with 93% lymphocytes and a protein level of 50 mg/dL. She then developed fever and slurred speech with tremors of the left arm and lethargy.

On day 6, the bat-bite history was reported; rabies was considered for the first time, and she was transferred to a tertiary care hospital. A lumbar puncture indicated positive serology for rabies by an immunofluorescent antibody test with a titer of 1:32, which increased to 1:2048. She was treated with drug-induced coma, ventilator support, and IV ribavirin. The coma was discontinued at 7 days; she became progressively alert, was extubated on day 33, and then transferred to a rehabilitation unit. She is now able to walk, solve math problems, and eat.

Rabies postexposure prophylaxis (PEP) has been given to 5 family members, 5 of 35 healthcare workers, and 27 of 55 community contacts. No healthcare workers at the tertiary care hospital received PEP because appropriate precautions were established at the time of admission.

The study authors note that this is the sixth patient known to recover from rabies infection, but all 5 prior cases were treated with rabies vaccine, and 4 of the 5 had persistent neurologic deficits. It is also noted that no treatment has proven effective, but treatments that have been proposed include rabies vaccine, rabies immunoglobulin, monoclonal antibodies, ribavirin, interferon-alpha, and/or ketamine.[24] The report also notes that between 1980 and 2000, there were a total of 26 rabies virus variants obtained from patients in the United States, representing 74% of all cases. With regard to recommendations, first, avoid bats. Second, with a bite from a potentially rabid animal — wash the wound with soap and water; capture the animal for quarantine (if this can be done safely); contact public health officials; and seek medical attention regarding the need for PEP. The investigators note that the long-term prognosis for this patient is unknown.

Mikszta JA, Sullivan VJ, Dean C, et al. Protective immunization against inhalational anthrax: a comparison of minimally invasive delivery platforms. J Infect Dis. 2005;191:278-288 . The investigators represent a collaboration between BD Technologies and the U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID), Fort Detrick, Maryland. The goal was to determine the effectiveness of microneedle-based cutaneous (intradermal [ID]) and nasal mucosal (topical) delivery of Bacillus anthracis protective antigen (PA) in mice and rabbits. The microneedles are stainless steel and have the approximate dimensions of a strand of hair; this is integrated into a hub that limits the depth of penetration and is inserted perpendicular to the skin. Mice were immunized with 10 mcg of PA on days 0, 21, and 42 with or without adjuvant. The PA immunogen was tested for serologic response when delivered by ID, intramuscular (IM), epidermal, and topical (nostril installation with both liquid and powder antigens) delivery systems. The most effective delivery was ID with 90% seroconversion with a single injection with adjuvant. Without adjuvant, the rate was 60% with a single dose. By contrast, results with IM delivery resulted in seroconversion in only 20%, with a single dose of PA with adjuvant. Titers by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) were 4-fold higher with ID delivery compared with IM delivery following the 3-dose series. Intranasal delivery resulted in essentially no seroconversions with a single dose; 3 doses were required to achieve seroconversion rates comparable to those achieved with single-ID delivery. In addition to the above, the study authors tested the vaccine efficacy in vivo with aerosol challenge with about 100 times the dose of anthrax spores (Ames strain) that is lethal to 50% of animals (LD50) at 6 weeks after immunization. This showed complete protection in animals with a serologic response following immunization IM, ID, or by intranasal challenge. The investigators conclude that the use of novel delivery systems, such as ID, permits vaccine protection with the potential to reduce the need for adjuvant and the number of immunizations required.

Comment: The science behind the use of ID challenge with vaccines is based on observations that the skin has robust immunostimulatory properties and abundance of antigen-presenting cells.[25] The study authors claim that this is the first systematic comparison of 5 methods of delivering anthrax vaccine: IM, ID, nasal installation of liquid, nasal installation of powder, and epidermal by microabrasion. The antigen used in this study, PA, mediates the entry of lethal factor and edema factor, which are the toxins of anthrax; antibody to PA blocks the entry of these toxins. Efficacy was further studied and supported by the rabbit model of inhalation anthrax; the investigators note that this is the first reported use of the rabbit model. These results are particularly attractive for anthrax vaccine, which is a high priority in bioterrorism planning. The current FDA anthrax vaccine requires 6 IM injections, and this study suggests that other vaccine strategies may be much better. Of note is the controversial, recent allocation of $877 million to VaxGen for a new anthrax vaccine as the first product of the BioShield legislation.

Brown DR, Shew ML, Qadadri B, et al. A longitudinal study of genital human papillomavirus infection in a cohort of closely followed adolescent women. J Infect Dis. 2005;191:182-192 . This is a report from Indianapolis, Indiana, of a cohort of adolescent girls aged 14-17 years who were attending 1 of 3 primary care clinics and enrolled in a 27-month longitudinal study. Sexual activity was not a criterion for participation. Participants made quarterly visits for interviews and had weekly, self-collected vaginal swabs for sexually transmitted infections, including human papillomavirus (HPV). The results showed that HPV was detected in 45% by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). HPV types that represent high oncogenic risks were detected in 38.6%. During the entire study period, 49 of 60 participants tested positive for HPV for a cumulative prevalence of 82%. The most frequent types were 52 (285 of 2107 total swabs or 13.5%), 16 (245 of 2107 total swabs or 11.6%), and 59 (138 of 2107 total swabs or 6.5%). The results are shown in Table 8 .

The study authors conclude that the prevalence HPV infection in adolescent girls is extremely high and involves numerous HPV types.

Comment: The natural history of this infection is quite unclear. Specific HPV types were inconsistent with sequential observations, but the study authors acknowledge that failure to detect by PCR is not proof of clearance, because these may persist at very low levels and reactivate later in life. All of this is now quite relevant in the context of the probability of an HPV vaccine directed against the most common oncogenic types.

Ozolins M, Eady EA, Avery AJ, et al. Comparison of five antimicrobial regimens for treatment of mild to moderate inflammatory facial acne vulgaris in the community: randomised controlled trial. Lancet. 2004;364:2188-2195 . The report is from the United Kingdom of a study to determine optimal therapy for mild-to-moderate facial acne. Participants were recruited from general practices and randomized to 1 of 5 regimens: (1) oxytetracycline (500 mg orally twice daily), (2) minocycline (100 mg orally once daily), (3) 5% benzoyl peroxide (topical twice daily), (4) 5% benzoyl peroxide plus 3% erythromycin (topical twice daily), or (5) 2% erythromycin (topical in the morning) plus 5% benzoyl peroxide (topical in the evening). Participants were required to have at least 15 inflamed and 15 noninflamed lesions on the face and were required to discontinue prior therapy for at least 4 weeks before participation. The 2 primary outcomes were (1) at least moderate improvement based on a 6-point Likert scale, with a baseline photograph and mirror to assist patient interpretation, and (2) counts of inflamed lesions on the face. The assessment was made at 18 weeks. There were 127-131 participants assigned to each of the 5 treatment groups. This was a placebo-controlled trial, so topical treatment was accompanied by oral placebo and oral treatment was accompanied by placebo topical agents. Baseline microbiology showed that 96% to 99% of participants in each of the 5 groups were colonized by Propionibacteria acnes , and in vitro sensitivity tests showed erythromycin resistance in 44% to 48%, clindamycin resistance in 38% to 45%, and tetracycline resistance in 12% to 27%. The results of the trial showed that all 5 regimens were nearly equally effective, as summarized in Table 9 .

The study authors also assessed cost-effectiveness by queries to participants about willingness to pay for treatment they had received. The median at baseline that participants were willing to pay for a treatment that is "almost certain to cure your spots" was 25 British pounds ($47); after 18 weeks, the median amount that they were willing to pay for the treatment that they had received in the study was again 25 British pounds ($47). On the basis of cost-benefit, the best treatment was topical benzoyl peroxide and the least cost-effective was oral minocycline. Analysis of outcome showed that the counts of inflamed lesions decreased less in patients treated with tetracycline if they had tetracycline-resistant P acnes at baseline vs those with tetracycline-sensitive strains at baseline. The investigators acknowledge that topical retinoids became popular treatments for acne after the study was completed, so that a study of these agents now needs to be done. With respect to the regimens tested, the conclusion is that they were all quite similar, but the topical benzoyl peroxide seemed to be the most cost-effective and not affected by antibiotic resistance.

Falagas ME, Vergidis PI. Narrative review: diseases that masquerade as infectious cellulitis. Ann Intern Med. 2005;142:47-55 . The study authors review the conditions that mimic infectious cellulitis and consequently do not respond to antibiotics and may present a diagnostic challenge. Table 10 lists these conditions and their appropriate treatment.   Printer- Friendly Email This

Medscape Infectious Diseases.  2005;7(1) ©2005 Medscape
This is a part of article Infectious Diseases: February 28, 2005 Taken from "Benzac Benzoyl Peroxide" Information Blog

The comic book genius of Stan Lee

Hulk is just the latest Stan Lee superhero creation to hit the big screen.

Many marvel at the man who gave his characters extraordinary powers and everyday headaches - a formula which revolutionised comics.

The Incredible Hulk has lost his superlative tag in Ang Lee's new film. But in Hulk, the director of Sense and Sensibility largely eschews the typical action blockbuster treatment, raising ethical issues instead. Fittingly, this echoes the tone set by the Hulk's creator, Stan Lee.

Born in 1922 to poor working-class Jewish immigrants from Romania, Stan Lieberman, got a job in Timely Publications, a company owned by a relative.

Fertile imagination

He was assigned to the comics division and - thanks to a fertile imagination - rose to editor by the age of 18.

For more than 20 years, he was "the ultimate hack" - knocking out crime stories, horrors, westerns, anything to sate the appetite of his juvenile readership.

Words of more than two syllables were discouraged. Characters were either all good or bad, with no shades of grey.

So embarrassed was Lieberman by much of what he was writing that he refused to put his real name on the byline. He assumed the "dumb name", Stan Lee, now legally adopted.

By the time he was 40, Lee had decided he was too old for the comic game. His British-born wife, Joan, suggested he had nothing to lose and, for his swansong, should write the kind of characters he really wanted to create.

After a rival comic had come up with a superteam consisting of Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman, Timely needed to respond.

Lee's answer, in 1961, was the Fantastic Four - a team of astronauts who gained super powers after being bombarded with cosmic rays.

They were to change Lee's life, and the comics industry, forever. Lee gave each character individual, everyday teenage problems such as dandruff, ingrown toenails and acne. They would frequently fall out with their parents and each other.

The fan letters poured in. Without immediately knowing it, Stan Lee had ushered in the golden age of comics, and his imagination was rekindled. His Marvel universe spawned the new title of Marvel Comics.

Soon after, nerdy Peter Parker was transformed - after a bite from an irradiated spider - into someone who could crawl up the sides of New York's skyscrapers. Spider-Man was born.

He was to become an icon of modern popular culture. Spidey, as he is affectionately known, had quite extraordinary powers - yet he had problems at work, at home and with his girlfriends.

At last, the teenager was no longer just the sidekick, but the main hero. And the hero was no longer just brawn, he had brains too.

"Just because he's a hero and has super powers doesn't mean he doesn't have problems," Stan Lee told the BBC.

The Incredible Hulk, The Mighty Thor, Iron Man and the rest all grappled with problems like drug abuse, bigotry and social inequality.

"Friendly" lawsuit

Radically, Lee gave the artists responsible for the comic designs credits for their work. Jack Kirby, Frank Miller, John Romitaand and others achieved cult status in their own right.

Other superheroes broke new ground in other ways. Daredevil was blind, Black Panther was black and Silver Surfer pondered the state of humanity. Lee's influence remains. Recently the Marvel hero, Northstar, came out of the closet.

In its heyday, Marvel was selling 50 million copies a year. Until he retired from editing in 1971, Stan Lee wrote all the copy for Marvel's covers. He continues to write the Spider-Man comic strip, syndicated to some 500 newspapers.

Stan Lee maintains links with Marvel, even though he is involved in a "friendly" lawsuit with them over royalty payments. Marvel reportedly pays him $1m a year for promotional work at lectures and conventions.

In 1999, his Stan Lee Media venture, aimed at marrying comic-strips with the Internet, went spectacularly wrong. Lee went bankrupt and his business partner landed in prison for fraud.

In 2001 though, he started a new company entitled POW! Entertainment, which is currently developing films and television programmes.

One in the pipeline is the cartoon Stripperella, with the title role being voiced by Pamela Anderson. "It's sexy," he says. "But clean sexy."

Still an adolescent at 80, he said recently, "I don't think I've ever been busier and can't remember when I had so much fun."

It seems that Stan Lee is as indestructible as his heroes.
This is a part of article The comic book genius of Stan Lee Taken from "Benzac Benzoyl Peroxide" Information Blog

Recombinant Human Growth Hormone to Treat HARS

Methods

Study Design

As shown in Figure 1, for the initial 12 weeks of treatment, eligible patients were randomized in a 3:1 ratio to receive induction therapy, 4 mg of r-hGH dosed daily (group A, DD) or PL (group B, PL). At week 12, subjects in group A were rerandomized in a 1:1 ratio to receive maintenance therapy, 2 mg of r-hGH on AD or PL on AD, from weeks 12 through 36. Subjects from group A, on r-hGH induction and r-hGH maintenance, are referred to as the DD-AD-AD group; those from group A on induction therapy with r-hGH followed by PL maintenance are the DD-PL-PL group. Subjects in group B, who received PL from baseline to week 24 and then received 4 mg/d of r-hGH for weeks 24 through 36, are the PL-PL-DD group.

Figure 1.  (click image to zoom)

Study design.      

The prespecified primary efficacy parameter was the absolute change from baseline to week 12 in area of VAT on a cross-sectional computed tomography (CT) scan at L4-L5. Secondary efficacy endpoints included changes in other body composition parameters, serum lipids, body image, and quality-of-life variables (results for body image and quality of life are reported separately).[13]

Safety data included glucose and insulin parameters, viral load, CD4 cell counts, adverse events (AEs), insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I and its main binding protein (IGF-BP3), hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c; an indicator of adequacy of glucose control over a 3-month period),[14] and standard hematologic and clinical chemistry parameters.

The primary prespecified criterion of efficacy for maintenance therapy at week 36 was maintenance failure rate, defined as the proportion of subjects originally given 4 mg/d of r-hGH 4 for weeks 1 through 12 who succeeded in losing VAT during baseline to week 12 but then regained more than 50% of their VAT loss by week 36 (see statistical analysis). Failure rates were also compared between those assigned to PL or 2 mg of r-hGH on AD for weeks 12 through 36. Mean changes from baseline to week 36 in VAT, other body composition parameters, lipid profile, and safety parameters were also examined.

Randomization was stratified by gender and implemented by a central system operated by an independent vendor (Clinphone, Nottingham, United Kingdom), assigning patients to treatment using a blinded computer-generated randomization list. The trial was conducted according to the Declaration of Helsinki principles and Good Clinical Practice. Independent institutional review boards approved the protocol at each site. Written informed consent was obtained from each patient before screening.Study Subjects

Eligibility criteria were the same as for the previous trial.[5] Patients were between 18 and 60 years old, had documented HIV infection, had been on stable antiretroviral therapy (ARVT) for ≥30 days, and agreed to continue on ARVT while on study. They also had fasting glucose <110 mg/dL, 2-hour postload glucose on oral glucose tolerance testing (OGTT) results <140 mg/dL, and evidence of excess abdominal adipose tissue as determined by waist/hip ratio (WHR) ≥0.95 and waist circumference (WC) >88.2 cm for men and WHR ≥0.90 and WC >75.3 cm for women.[5] The WHR criteria are similar to those identified as indicative of abdominal adiposity in the literature on obesity and are known to be associated with increased cardiovascular risk.[15,16]

Patients were excluded if they had active systemic infection, unstable or untreated hypertension (≥140/90 mm Hg), acute illness treated in an intensive care unit, a history of pancreatitis, carpal tunnel syndrome (unless resolved by surgical release), diabetes mellitus, malignancy (except for limited cutaneous Kaposi sarcoma or excised basal cell or squamous cell skin carcinoma), angina pectoris, coronary artery disease, or any disorder associated with moderate to severe edema. Patients must not have been receiving insulin or insulin-sensitizing agents, systemic glucocorticoids, or weight reduction agents for 3 months before screening or therapy for HIV-associated wasting (eg, anabolic steroids other than testosterone replacement, appetite stimulants, r-hGH) for 12 months before screening. Lipid-lowering agents were permitted if they were started at least 8 weeks before study entry.Treatment and Assessment

The 4-mg induction dose of r-hGH (Serostim; EMD Serono, Rockland, MA) and its PL were given as 1.0-mL single subcutaneous injections each evening. The 2-mg AD maintenance dose of r-hGH and its PL were given as single 0.5-mL subcutaneous injections every other evening. Active and PL study drug were labeled and packaged identically, and doses were sequentially numbered. Patients were taught to self-inject according to the prescribed sequence. The protocol for dose adjustments for weight and toxicity was the same as used previously.[5]

Study visits were scheduled at screening; baseline; and weeks 2, 4, 12, 16, 24, 26, 28, and 36. CT and dual x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scans to assess fat distribution were obtained at baseline, week 12, and week 36. OGTT and lipid profiles were obtained after a minimum 12-hour fast. These and serum IGF-I, IGF-BP3, HIV-1 RNA, and testosterone levels and CD4 T-cell count were obtained at baseline, week 12, week 24, and week 36. HbA1c levels were assessed at baseline and weeks 4, 12, and 36 by affinity chromatography. At each visit, standard hematologic and biochemistry panels, physical examinations, and reporting of AEs using the Medical Dictionary for Regulatory Activities (MedDRA), version 8.0 (MSSO, Reston, VA) were conducted. Laboratory testing was performed centrally (Esoterix Laboratories, Calabasas Hills, CA).Statistical Analysis

Data were analyzed in the modified intention-to-treat (ITT) population, which included subjects who received at least 1 dose of study drug and who had follow-up data. There were separate analysis plans for the initial 12-week induction treatment period and the 24-week maintenance period. The week 12 analysis was the primary analysis. The primary efficacy parameter, change from baseline to week 12 in absolute area of VAT, was analyzed using a nonparametric ANCOVA model with effects for treatment and gender, with baseline VAT as a covariate. The major efficacy endpoint for the maintenance phase of the study was the percentage of patients regaining >50% of the VAT they had lost during induction (weeks 1-12). Maintenance therapy was considered efficacious if, during maintenance (weeks 12-36), no more than half of the subjects who had lost VAT regained >50% of the amount they lost. Mean changes in VAT, other body composition parameters, and lipid parameters were examined in the ITT sample from baseline to week 36 and from weeks 12 to 36 as well. The trial was not powered statistically to test differences in changes in study endpoints between maintenance groups, however.

Between-group differences in continuous secondary efficacy parameters were analyzed using raw data with an ANOVA model, including effects for treatment, gender, and treatment-by-gender interaction, when parametric model assumptions were met or, using ranked data, when parametric assumptions were not met. Within-group differences were analyzed using the Wilcoxon signed rank test. Safety results were summarized for the population of patients who received at least 1 dose of study drug and had follow-up data (n = 325 for induction, n = 258 for maintenance). Between-group differences in categoric variables were analyzed using the Fisher exact test.  Printer- Friendly Email This

J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr.  2007;45(3):286-297.  ©2007 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
This is a part of article Recombinant Human Growth Hormone to Treat HARS Taken from "Actos Pioglitazone" Information Blog

Cardiovascular

correspondence questions PROactive conclusions

Susan Jeffrey
January 11, 2006

London, UK - Correspondence in the January 7, 2006 issue of the Lancet raises questions about the conclusions of the recently published Prospective Pioglitazone Clinical Trial in Macrovascular Events (PROactive) trial.

PROactive compared treatment with pioglitazone (Actos, Takeda Pharmaceutical Company/Eli Lilly) vs placebo in patients with type 2 diabetes at high risk for macrovascular events. The main results, published in the October 8, 2005 issue of the Lancet, showed a nonsignificant 10% reduction in the study's primary end point of all macrovascular events vs placebo but found a significant 16% reduction in the secondary composite end point of death, MI, and stroke with pioglitazone treatment [1].

The authors' conclusion that pioglitazone "reduces the composite of all-cause mortality, nonfatal myocardial infarction, and stroke in patients with type 2 diabetes who have a high risk of macrovascular events" draws fire from Lancet readers in this week's issue.
Concerns about interpretation

Several letters took issue with the fact that this conclusion was based largely on results from the secondary composite end point. For example, Dr Pierre-Jean Guillausseau (University Paris, France) points out, "Although the study is globally negative, a new 'main secondary end point' appeared?ie, a new composite not described in the study protocol published in 2004. The conclusions of the study are based solely on this composite. [2]"

The results should be adjusted for mean differences in hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) and blood pressure, and there remains a major concern about the increased incidence of heart failure seen with pioglitazone, Guillausseau adds. "Thus several questions remain, and the role of glitazones in type 2 diabetes mellitus is not yet fully defined."

In a separate letter, Drs Peter Gaede, Hans-Henrik Parving, and Oluf Pedersen (Steno Diabetes Center, Copenhagen, Denmark) point out that patients receiving pioglitazone had a greater decrease in HbA1c than those on placebo, although LDL increased with treatment. However, blood pressure was also lower in treated patients, by about 3 mm Hg [3].

"An accurate prediction of the relative risk reduction of a 3-mm-Hg systolic gradient seen in PROactive indicates that this is more than sufficient to explain the whole potential cardiovascular benefit of pioglitazone," they write. "Furthermore, it should be stressed that this prediction is conservative, since diabetic patients are particularly blood-pressure sensitive."
"Hypothesis generating," not "groundbreaking proof"

Drs John S Yudkin (University College London, UK) and Nick Freemantle (University of Birmingham, UK) are blunter [4]. In concentrating on the "main secondary end point," they write, the PROactive authors "ignore the statistically neutral primary outcome. One assumes that, had the 10% reduction in primary-end-point events been significant, Dormandy and colleagues would have felt no need to emphasize the analysis of the main secondary end point," an end point that should be considered "hypothesis-generating" rather than "groundbreaking proof."

An appropriate conclusion from PROactive, Yudkin and Freemantle assert, "is that glitazones reduce cardiovascular event rates with a point estimate of around 10% to 15%, but with a confidence interval including zero?a result in line with the equally uncertain reduction in macrovascular events seen in the United Kingdom Prospective Diabetes Study (UKPDS). Judging from the way in which the results were presented at the European Association for the Study of Diabetes in Athens in September 2005 and from the website (http://www.proactive-results.com), there is a risk that the marketing division of Takeda and Eli Lilly will use these questionable results mercilessly in their promotional material."

Freemantle also voiced his objection to the PROactive conclusions in a letter previously published by the BMJ [5].

Finally, Drs RR Holman, R Retnakaran, A Farmer, and R Stevens (Churchill Hospital, Oxford UK) write that they carried out an analysis using the UKPDS Outcomes Model to assess the expected outcomes given the risk-factor changes reported [6]. They point out that the nonsignificant 10% relative risk reduction seen with pioglitazone treatment on the primary end point was less than the 20% or more on which the power calculation for the study was based.

"Our analysis supports the explanation that any macrovascular benefits seen reflect the modest improvements obtained in established risk factors, with little evidence that changes seen previously in novel risk factors with pioglitazone have any substantive effect," they write. "More worryingly, the estimated macrovascular benefits are offset by an increased risk of heart failure and concerns about increased peripheral revascularization rates."
The authors respond

In a response undersigned by the principal investigator of the PROactive study, Dr John Dormandy (St Georges Hospital, London, UK), the PROactive investigators defend their interpretation of the main secondary end point [7]. "As described in the PROactive report, this end point was prespecified in the statistical analysis plan and submitted to the Food and Drug Administration before unblinding," they write. "It showed a 16% relative risk reduction with pioglitazone (p=0.027).

"We agree that in isolation this finding would not allow any definite conclusion to be drawn," Dormandy et al add. "However, the primary composite end point, which also included silent myocardial infarction, acute coronary syndrome, major leg amputation, and coronary and leg revascularization, also showed a reduction with pioglitazone?10% relative risk reduction (p=0.095)."

To the comment made by Yudkin and Freemantle about how they would have felt no need to present the main secondary-end-point analysis if the primary end point had been significantly positive, they respond, "On the contrary, it is the effect on mortality, myocardial infarction, and strokes that would be of most interest to patients and the regulatory authorities."

As for the increase in heart failure, they point out that the heart-failure events in this study were unadjudicated and the diagnoses made by the investigators, "who might have been sometimes misled by the known increase in edema with pioglitazone," Dormandy et al write.

"We are surprised by the comparison in the Comment [the editorial accompanying the PROactive publication by Dr Hannele Yki-J¿rvinen (University of Helsinki, Finland) (8)] of first events for end points avoided, on the positive side, vs all episodes of heart failure, on the negative side," they add. "Nevertheless, the executive committee is further exploring the issue of heart failure by setting up an independent commission of experts to review, in a blinded way, all source material for patients reported to have had fatal or nonfatal heart failure at any time during the trial."
Disclosure information is provided for correspondents and PROactive authors in the Lancet publication.

Sources

Dormandy JA, Charbonnel B, Eckland DJA, et al on behalf of the PROactive investigators. Secondary prevention of macrovascular events in patients with type 2 diabetes in the PROactive Study (Prospective Pioglitazone Clinical Trial in Macrovascular Events): a randomized controlled trial. Lancet 2005; 366:1279-1289. Guillausseau PJ. PROactive study. Lancet¿2006;¿367:23. Gaede P, Parving HH, and Pedersen O. PROactive study. Lancet¿2006;¿367:23-24. Yudkin JS, Freemantle N. PROactive study. Lancet¿2006;¿367:24-25. Freemantle N. How well does the evidence on pioglitazone back up researchers' claims for a reduction in macrovascular events? BMJ 2005; 331:836-838. Holman RR, Retnakaran R, Farmer A, and Stevens R. PROactive study. Lancet¿2006;¿367:25-26. Dormandy J. PROactive study?Authors' reply. Lancet¿2006;¿367:26-27. Yki-J¿rvinen H. The PROactive study: some answers, many questions. Lancet 2005; 366:1241-1242.
This is a part of article correspondence questions PROactive conclusions Taken from "Actos Pioglitazone" Information Blog

Recurrent Miscarriage: Causes, Evaluation, and Treatment

Recurrent Miscarriage: Causes, Evaluation, and Treatment

from Medscape General Medicine™

Anatomic Abnormalities

Diethylstilbesterol Exposure in Utero

From 1945 to 1971, diethylstilbesterol (DES), a synthetic estrogen, was prescribed for women with threatened or recurrent spontaneous abortion. The use of this agent in pregnant women was then banned in the US. The first evidence of the drug's adverse effects, which occurred a generation removed from the time of administration, was the report by Herbst and Scully[34] in 1970, indicating an increased incidence of vaginal adenosis and clear cell adenocarcinoma of the vagina. There is often relative absence of the vaginal fornices and a "cockscomb" or "hooded" deformity of the anterior cervix. The female offspring of DES-treated women may also have a diminution in the size and capacity of the uterus. The classical appearance of the constricted endometrial cavity on hysterosalpingogram is a "T" configuration. The severity of the abnormality is variable, depending on the dose and duration of administration of the drug during embryogenesis. Women who underwent DES exposure in utero experience an increased likelihood of ectopic pregnancy as well as first- and second-trimester spontaneous fetal losses and preterm labor.

In some cases, the likelihood of second-trimester pregnancy loss resulting from cervical incompetence may be diminished with cervical cerclage. Vigilant assessment of cervical length with transvaginal sonography allows the clinician to identify patients who may benefit from cerclage.[35] When treating patients with DES-induced abnormalities, the surgeon should be liberal in the performance of cerclage. Other than cervical cerclage, surgical intervention rarely improves anatomic abnormality of the DES-affected uterus.

Cervical Incompetence

Painless cervical dilatation during the second trimester, followed by bulging or rupture of the membranes and delivery of an immature fetus, typically suggests cervical incompetence. When cervical dilatation is advanced but membranes remain intact, it may be possible to perform cerclage. In this situation, a tocolytic agent may be necessary; the intervention is technically difficult to perform and frequently fails to salvage the pregnancy.

Often effective, therapeutic leverage may be applied during a subsequent pregnancy. Plans should be made to perform the cerclage by the tenth week of gestation or soon thereafter. Various techniques have been used to close the cervix at the level of the internal os. The most common surgical techniques for cerclage are minor variations of those described by Shirodkar[36] and McDonald.[37] The stitch should be removed by week 37 or upon active labor, to avoid amputation of the cervix. When vaginal fornices are absent and a secure transvaginal cerclage is impossible, a transabdominal cerclage should be considered.[38]

Congenital Müllerian Duct Malformations

The anatomic variations of the müllerian duct malformation are legion. The classic abnormality associated with recurrent second-trimester fetal loss is the septate uterus. The vertical septum extends a variable length from the fundus toward the cervix. The septum may be thick or thin, entirely fibrous or vascular, and partially covered by a layer of endometrium. In addition, the "compartments" into which the uterine cavity is divided by the septum may not be symmetrical. These anatomic variants, as well as the site of embryo implantation, dictate whether the septum might cause first- or second-trimester spontaneous abortion or preterm labor, or whether it will not present a problem.

Symptoms other than fetal loss seldom lead to the detection of müllerian duct malformation. Hysterosalpingogram and sonography usually establish the diagnosis, although on occasion there is difficulty in distinguishing the septate from the bicornuate uterus. Historically, clinicians required that a patient have 2 or 3 miscarriages before offering surgical intervention. In that era, laparotomy was required, and the septum was excised according to the techniques described by Jones or by Tompkins.[39] Both of these surgical procedures necessitated bivalving the uterus. Customary postoperative recommendations included deferring conception for at least several months to ensure complete healing of the uterine incision. It was also suggested that the subsequent delivery be performed by cesarean section.

Today, the management of this malformation is simple incision of the septum with a scissors at hysteroscopy.[40] Routinely, the hysteroscopy is accompanied by laparoscopy to distinguish definitively septate from bicornuate uteri and to ensure that the dissection of the septum is not overzealous. The bicornuate uterus would rarely require surgical intervention to improve obstetric outcome.

In addition to the aforementioned duct malformations, unicornuate and hypoplastic uteri are common. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is most useful in delineating the malformation when the abnormality cannot be precisely discerned by sonogram and hysterosalpingogram.

Leiomyoma

Many women with fibroids (if not the majority) have normal fertility and pregnancies that are without complication. Spontaneous abortion related to a leiomoyoma is the consequence of either the size or strategic location of the lesion. Submucous intracavitary fibroids are the most likely to interfere with successful progression of an early pregnancy. Large intramural lesions that compress the endometrial cavity, thereby altering the blood supply to the implantation site, may also cause early termination of pregnancy. Even very large subserous fibroids are unlikely to cause early disruption of pregnancy in the absence of an unusual event (acute degeneration resulting in an increase in myometrial contractions). Submucous lesions are almost always associated with a history of menorrhagia.

The hysterosalpingogram has been a traditional test to assess compromise of the endometrial cavity by fibroids. Sonography and, in selected instances, hysterosonography are helpful in determining the relevance of fibroids to pregnancy wastage. In exceptional instances, pelvic MRI may be required to define the pathology. Pretreatment with a gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist is frequently used to reduce the size of the fibroid before surgical intervention; such treatment also may diminish intraoperative blood loss. Large intramural leiomyomas necessitate myomectomy through laparotomy or laparoscopy, depending on the size/location of the tumor and the operative skills/experience of the surgeon. Submucous fibroids are usually best managed with a resectoscope at hysteroscopy.[41]

Intrauterine Synechiae

Intrauterine synechiae are an infrequent cause of spontaneous abortion. Diagnosis is made by hysterosalpingogram or hysterosonography, and lysis of the intracavitary adhesions may be performed under direct vision during hysteroscopy.[42]

This is a part of article Recurrent Miscarriage: Causes, Evaluation, and Treatment Taken from "Buy Clomid Clomiphene" Information Blog

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February 9, 2007: In the News

What your patients are reading onWebMD

Clomiphene Best for PCOS Infertility Clomiphene, one of the oldest treatments for a common cause of infertility, is still the best treatment, according to findings from a study that experts say will have a major impact on clinical practice.

Also in the news

Autism Rate Higher Than Thought A new comprehensive federal report finds autism disorders are more common than previously known. One in 150 children is estimated to be affected by the condition. Previous estimates had put the incidence rate at somewhere between 1 in 166 children and 1 in 175. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report analyzed data from 2000 to 2002 using a multi-state network of 8-year-olds identified as having autism, PDD-NOS (pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified), and Asperger's disorder. As Reported by USA TodayStudy Raises Hope for Rett Syndrome Cure A new experiment has erased symptoms of Rett syndrome in genetically engineered mice, according to research published in the journal Science. The findings challenge the long-held belief that the brain damage from Rett syndrome was irreversible. Scientists warned that while the test showed a reversal of symptoms in mice, it could be many years before an actual therapy is developed for humans. As Reported by Fox NewsBreast-Feeding Enhances Kids' Eyesight According to a study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, breast-fed children are more likely to do well in measures of stereoscopic vision compared to those that received formula during infancy. A higher concentration of the fatty acid docosahexaenoic (DHA) in breast milk has been proposed as a possible explanation for this boost in vision. As Reported by ABC NewsDoctors Don't Always Share All Therapies: Poll A survey of over a thousand U.S. doctors reveals than many physicians do not feel morally obliged to tell patients about medical options they oppose morally, such as abortion and teen birth control. The study found 86% of respondents believe doctors are obliged to present all treatment options, and 71% believe they must refer patients to other doctors for treatments they oppose. Female doctors were far more likely than male doctors to feel an obligation to refer patients. As Reported by CNN

Medscape.  2007; ©2007 Medscape
This is a part of article February 9, 2007: In the News Taken from "Buy Clomid Clomiphene" Information Blog

FDA Preventative Changes: Actos, Diprivan, Rituxan CME

News Engine: Yael Waknine CME Rootage: Yael Waknine Disclosures Loss Date: April 25, 2007 ; Valid for idea through April 25, 2008 Credits Available Physicians - limit of 0.25 AMA PRA Accumulation 1 Credit(s)
This is a part of article FDA Preventative Changes: Actos, Diprivan, Rituxan CME Taken from "Actos Pioglitazone" Information Blog