European journal of haematology
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Invasive fungal diseases (IFDs) are an important cause of morbidity and mortality in patients undergoing allogeneic stem cell transplantation (SCT). ⋯ Our results suggest that both prophylactic regimens, POS and POS-MIC are feasible, safe and effective. Our data suggest that bridging with intravenous micafungin could indeed improve exposure to antifungal prophylaxis, which may explain the reduced incidence of pneumonia and IFD in the bridging group.
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The study objectives were to determine the intensity and duration of pain, factors that may influence pain experience during and after trephine biopsy, and to assess bleeding and infectious complications related to the procedure. Patients scheduled for trephine biopsy were recruited to the study. Local anesthesia was applied in all patients. ⋯ Secondary bleeding occurred in two patients; both required hospitalization. In conclusion, the study shows that despite the application of local anesthetic, more than 50% of the patients experienced pain of ≥ 3 points. Procedure-related bleeding is mild to moderate and managed by local pressure only.
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Painful vaso-occlusive crises (VOCs) are the hallmark of sickle cell disease (SCD); however, many patients experience frequent daily pain that does not follow the pattern of typical VOCs. This pain of variable severity, also referred as persistent pain in the SCD literature, contributes to significant morbidity and poor quality of life and often fails to respond adequately to standard SCD therapies. ⋯ We describe the advances in the non-SCD pain field that may help improve the understanding of SCD pain. We highlight the need for further investigation in this area because some of these patients with persistent pain may benefit from receiving adjuvant mechanism-based therapies used successfully in other non-SCD chronic pain conditions.
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Describe the treatment of patients with vaso-occlusive crises (VOC) in a Brazilian emergency department (ED) and the successful switch from intravenous to oral morphine. ⋯ Patients treated with oral morphine stayed a shorter time in the ED, had more pain relief, were admitted less frequently, and had less acute chest syndrome. These differences may be due to environmental, cultural, psychological, and pharmacogenetic factors.