Postmenopausal Osteoporosis and Osteopenia Management with a Combination of Once-Monthly Oral Ibandronate and Cholecalciferol—A Systematic Review

Postmenopausal osteoporosis and osteopenia are chronic and uncurable conditions that invariably lead to an increased risk of vertebral, hip, and femoral neck fracture if left untreated. Clinical guidelines establish, in general, pharmacological combinations allied to lifestyle changes as the mainstay of their management, and also increasing bone marrow density, lowering fracture risk, and improving quality of life are their main therapeutic goals. The objective of this systematic review was to analyze the available data in the scientific medical literature regarding the role of the ibandronate and cholecalciferol combination in postmenopausal osteoporosis and osteopenia management. Based on our results, we concluded that the above combination is safe and feasible for the clinical control of both conditions.

Impact of Low Back Pain on Quality of Life: Assessment by Patient Functionality Questionnaire and Treatment Results Using a Combination of Diclofenac plus B Vitamins or Diclofenac Monotherapy

Objective: To analyze the Patient Functionality Questionnaire (PFQ) scores of the patients treated with either Diclofenac + B vitamins (Group DB) or Diclofenac monotherapy (Group D) in order to better understand the impact of the combination of diclofenac with vitamins B1, B6, and B12 on quality of life. Research Design/Methods: We performed a post-hoc analysis of tabulated data generated during the DOLOR study (Diclofenac plus B vitamins versus diclofenac monotherapy in lumbago: the DOLOR study), using the software GraphPad Prism 5 for Windows, v5.04. The absolute number or percentage of “True”/“False” respondents for each questionnaire item at each study visit, together with the absolute number and percentage of subjects with no change, improvement, or worsening of each PFQ item at each study visit, within and between treatment groups were arranged on contingency tables and analyzed with the Chi-squared or Fisher’s Exact test. Results: At pretreatment there were no statistically significant differences between treatment groups (p > 0.05 for all items). At Visit 2 in both treatment groups, there were statistically significant improvements in individual question responses in each of the 12 items of the questionnaire (p < 0.05 for all items). At Visit 2, comparing the distribution of patients in each treatment group with “improvement”, “no change”, or “worsening”, there was a statistically significant superiority among subjects of group DB in response to items 1, 6, 8, and 10. At Visit 3, both groups had statistically significant (p < 0.001) improvements in each individual item of the PFQ in relation to pretreatment values. The distribution of subjects in each treatment group presenting with “improvement”, “no change”, or “worsening” at Visit 3 varied significantly in favor of group DB in the responses to item 4. At Visit 4, the subjects remaining in treatment in both groups showed statistically significant improvement in PFQ responses in relation to pretreatment values (p < 0.05). The distribution of subjects in each treatment group presenting with “improvement” or “no change” at Visit 4 varied significantly in favor of group D in the responses to items 5, 8, and 12. Conclusion: Improvement in overall PFQ scores was observed in both treatment groups, though the specific items of the questionnaire of the subjects in group DB at Visit 2 showed greater improvement in areas related to sleep quality, mobility, ability to wash and dry, ability to walk distances, and posture comfort. These results serve to corroborate the previously published data, which indicates a benefit of combining the B vitamins with diclofenac in the treatment of patients with low back pain, yielding shorter treatment time to resolution of the lumbago in the treated patients.

Meningococcal disease, a clinical and epidemiological review

Meningococcal disease is the acute infection caused by Neisseria meningitidis, which has humans as the only natural host. The disease is widespread around the globe and is known for its epidemical potential and high rates of lethality and morbidity. The highest number of cases of the disease is registered in the semi-arid regions of sub-Saharan Africa. In Brazil, it is endemic with occasional outbreaks, epidemics and sporadic cases occurring throughout the year, especially in the winter. The major epidemics of the disease occurred in Brazil in the 70's caused by serogroups A and C. Serogroups B, C and Y represent the majority of cases in Europe, the Americas and Australia. However, there has been a growing increase in serogroup W in some areas. The pathogen transmission happens for respiratory route(droplets) and clinically can lead to meningitis and sepsis(meningococcemia). The treatment is made with antimicrobial and supportive care. For successful prevention, we have some measures like vaccination, chemoprophylaxis and droplets' precautions. In this review, we have described and clarify clinical features of the disease caused by N. meningitidis regarding its relevance for healthcare professionals.

Symptomatic improvement in an acute, non-traumatic spine pain model with a combination of uridine triphosphate, cytidine monophosphate, and hydroxocobalamin

Rationale: In a previously published trial on spinal acute non-traumatic pain, peripheral neuro- regenerative combination of UTP, CMP and hydroxocobalamin presented unexpected analgesicproperties. Objective: To corroborate analgesiceffects of UTP, CMP and hydroxocobalamin combination in a self-paired evolutionary model. Methods: Mean VAS scores from pretreatment, V2 (5th treatment day) and V3 (10th treatment day) were plotted and statistically analyzed (ANOVA) for differences. PFQ scores from pretreatment, V2, and V3 were analyzed using the chisquare test. Results: The difference between V3 and pretreatment mean VAS scores was statistically significant (p < 0.0001). The improvement in PFQ scores throughout the study was found to be statistically significant (p < 0.0001). Conclusion: The combination of UTP, CMP and hydroxocobalamin seems to have analgesic properties in mediumterm use. The complex peripheral neu-roregenerative pharmacodynamics of this combination provides a plausible basis for this finding. Further randomized studies are needed to explore this combination for the indication of neuropathic pain due to spinal structure involvement.

A Proof-of-Concept Assessment of the Safety and Efficacy of Intralesional Diclofenac in the Treatment of Cutaneous Neurofibromas

The objectives of this study were to assess the safety and efficacy of intralesionally administered diclofenac in the treatment of cutaneous neurofibromas in patients with NF1. This was a proof-of-concept, prospective, safety and efficacy study of the effect of intralesionally administered diclofenac 25 mg/ml given once a week to 3 target cutaneous neurofibromas for 4 consecutive weeks. Overall, there was no significant change in neurofibroma size. During the study, some treated lesions developed signs of necrosis and fell off after a few weeks, but none of the control neurofibromas fell off. There were no significant changes in patient’s vital signs. A few adverse events occurred, mostly at the injection sites. During the study, some neurofibromas developed necrosis after the diclofenac injections and eventually detached from the patient. Overall, diclofenac was well tolerated, suggesting minimal systemic exposure, which required confirmation and further studies, including bioavailability analysis.

Clinical Assessment of the Use of Propinox Hydrochloride and Scopolamine Hydrochloride in the Treatment of Abdominal Colic: A Retrospective, Comparative Study

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate and compare the use of propinox hydrochloride and scopolamine hydrochloride in patients presenting abdominal colic (abdominal pain), in terms of treatment efficacy and tolerability. Material & Methods: This was an analytical, retrospective, comparative study based on hospital records of outpatients treated at Serviço de Clínica Médica do Hospital das Clínicas Costantino Otaviano (HCTCO) and at Santa Casa de Misericórdia do Rio de Janeiro, from 1988-1998. Subjects were divided into two groups: patients from Group 1 were treated with propinox hydrochloride, while patients from Group 2 were treated with scopolamine hydrochloride. Statistical analysis was performed using GraphPad Prism version 5.0. For comparison of categorical variables, we used the chi-squared or Fisher’s test, while continuous variables were analyzed using ANOVA or the Student’s T test. Results: A total of 1042 subjects were included, of which 525 were allocated to Group 1 and 517 to Group 2. Mean treatment duration was 9.166 days (±4.208) in Group 1 and 8.795 days (±5.052) in Group 2, with no statistically significant difference in treatment duration between the two groups (p = 0.198). All subjects in Group 1 were treated with propinox 10 mg (2 coated tablets, three times per day) while all subjects in Group 2 were treated with scopolamine hydrochloride 10 mg (2 coated tablets, three times per day). There were no statistically significant between-group differences in weight, BMI, heart rate, and respiratory rate at pre- and post-treatment;with the exception of higher post-treatment systolic blood pressure in Group 1, blood pressure measures also remained homogenous. Adverse events were reported among both treatment groups with no significant between-group difference in incidence (p = 0566). At pretreatment, pain intensity was more severe in Group 1 (p = 0.0257), while at post-treatment, there was no statistically significant difference between the two treatment groups (p = 0.895). There was a statistically significant improvement in pain intensity within both treatment groups (χ2 = 631.4;df = 3;p < 0.0001 for Group 1 and χ2 = 554.3;df = 3;p < 0.0001 for Group 2). Conclusion: The results obtained in this study indicate a therapeutic equivalence between propinox hydrochloride and scopolamine hydrochloride. Both treatments demonstrated good efficacy and tolerability in the treatment of abdominal colic pain, in the population evaluated.

Assessment of Acute Episodes in Chronic Stable Angina: A Clinical-Laboratory Approach to the Use of the Coronary Vasodilator Propatyl Nitrate

Background/Objectives: Propatyl nitrate is a coronary vasodilator with immediate and prolonged action, indicated in the treatment and prevention of acute angina pectoris episodes. Methods: This was an open, self-paired comparative study performed at UNIFESO Medical School evaluating the clinical and laboratory results of treatment with propatyl nitrate in patients with chronic stable angina pectoris. Subjects received 10 mg of propatyl nitrate, at the dose of three sublingual tablets per day, to be taken at 8:00 A.M., 2:00 P.M., and 8:00 P.M. Subjects returned to the study center after 15 days of treatment for Visit 2 assessments, and at the end of the 30-day treatment period (Visit 3). Results: A total of 200 subjects were included in the study. There was a statistically significant reduction in blood pressure (p < 0.0001) and heart rate (p = 0.0001), but no change in respiratory rate (p = 0.23). Laboratory results did not vary throughout the treatment period. There was no significant change from pretreatment in the SAQ Physical Limitation scale (p = 0.7415). The Angina Stability, Angina Frequency, and Treatment Satisfaction, and Quality of Life scales showed a significant improvement from pretreatment (p < 0.0001). Adverse events were observed among 41 subjects at Visit 2 and 35 subjects at Visit 3. Conclusions: Propatyl nitrate was safe and effective in treating chronic stable angina pectoris over the course of the 30-day treatment period. Treatment with propatyl nitrate increased angina stability and reduced angina frequency while increasing treatment satisfaction and quality of life in the patient population evaluated.

Clinical Assessment of Treatment Outcomes Following Borago officinalis Extract Therapy in Patients Presenting with Cyclical Mastalgia

In order to evaluate the safety and efficacy of Borago officinalis (900 mg borage oil capsules) in the treatment of patients presenting with cyclic mastalgia, 91 subjects were included in the study. Efficacy assessments were performed based on data obtained prior to the start of treatment (Pretreatment), and after each menstrual cycle (Assessment 2—following 45 days of treatment;and Assessment 3—at the end of the 90-day treatment period). Primary efficacy measures considered the results of the Mastalgia Questionnaire, including a 100 mm visual analog pain scale assessing mean, most intense mastalgia severity, and impact on work, sleep, and sexual activity. Safety and tolerability measures included any changes in vital signs and physical exam in relation to pretreatment, any changes in clinical laboratory exams in relation to pretreatment, and the occurrence of adverse events after the first dose of study medication. The VAS scores of the mean mastalgia and most severe mastalgia both showed statistically significant