Medicine
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Observational Study
Decreased stroke risk with combined traditional Chinese and western medicine in patients with ischemic heart disease: A real-world evidence.
Both ischemic heart disease (IHD) and stroke are major causes of death worldwide. We investigated the effects of combined Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and western medicine (WM) on stroke risk in IHD patients. Taiwanese patients with IHD were enrolled in the TCM study during their outpatient visit. ⋯ There was 0.3-fold lower stroke risk in IHD patients with combination TCM and non-TCM treatment (95% CI = 0.11-0.84, P = .02). Moreover, the survival rate was higher (P < .001) and the incidence of hemorrhagic stroke was significantly lower (P = .04) in IHD patients with TCM treatment. IHD patients using combined TCM and WM had a higher survival rate and lower risk of new onset stroke, especially hemorrhagic stroke than those who did not use TCM treatment.
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To evaluate the incidence risk of programmed cell death-1/programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-1/PD-L1) inhibitor-related alopecia for cancer patients, the meta-analysis was put into practice. ⋯ The incidence risk of alopecia caused by PD-1/PD-L1 is significantly lower than chemotherapy, and there is no statistical significant evidence that PD-1/PD-L1 combined with chemotherapy would increase the incidence risk of alopecia.
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The standard treatment for diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG) is radiotherapy, although conventional fractionated radiotherapy (CFRT) may not be in the best interest of the patient. Instead, hypofractionated radiotherapy (HFRT) may shorten the treatment period and reduce related costs for this treatment, which is typically palliative in nature. ⋯ The results of this meta-analysis suggest that CFRT and HFRT provide similar survival outcomes for patients with DIPG.
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Observational Study
Topiramate-related adverse events: Pattern and signals in the Korea Adverse Event Reporting System, 2010-2017.
Despite safety concerns associated with topiramate use, the pattern of adverse events and signal analysis of antiepileptic drugs remain elusive. We aimed to determine patient demographics and characteristics of reported AEs of topiramate and to detect the associated signals by comparing those of other antiepileptics. We used the Korea Institute of Drug Safety & Risk Management-Korea Adverse Event Reporting System Database (KIDS-KD) from 2010 to 2017 to determine patient demographics and characteristics of reported AEs for topiramate and other antiepileptics. ⋯ Also, adverse events related to carbonic anhydrase isoenzyme showed specifically great disproportionalities. Rigorous clinical management is needed to ensure proper and safe use of topiramate. Special precautions should be taken when prescribing in women of childbearing age.
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Review Case Reports
A case report of acute pancreatitis with glycogen storage disease type IA in an adult patient and review of the literature.
Glycogen storage disease type IA (GSD IA) is an inherited disorder of glycogen metabolism characterized by fasting hypoglycemia, hyperuricemia, and hyperlipidemia including hypertriglyceridemia (HTG). Patients have a higher risk of developing acute pancreatitis (AP) because of HTG. AP is a potentially life-threatening disease with a wide spectrum severity. Nevertheless, almost no reports exist on GSD IA-induced AP in adult patients. ⋯ Fast and long-term reduction of triglycerides along with management of AP proved effective in relieving suffering of an adult GSD IA-patient and improving prognosis. Thus, therapeutic approaches have to be renewed and standardized to cope with all complications, especially AP, and enable a better outcome so that patients can master the disease.