Methotrexate is one of the most commonly used drugs in autoimmune disorders like rheumatoid arthritis. Gastrointestinal symptoms like nausea and stomatitis, skin rashes, alopecia, central nervous system symptoms like headache and confusion, hepatotoxicity and myelosuppression are some of the adverse effects. However, low oral doses on a weekly basis seldom show any signs of toxicity. Leucovorin or folinic acid is given along with methotrexate as rescue to reduce the toxic effects like bone marrow suppression. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, like aceclofenac, are also used in chronic inflammatory conditions like rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. Nephrotoxicity is one of the adverse effects of both methotrexate and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs; and its combined administration should be done with caution. This is a case of an elderly woman, a known case of rheumatoid arthritis, who presented in severe bone marrow suppression due to methotrexate toxicity following aceclofenac-induced acute kidney injury.
Background: Leukemic arthritis is commonly seen in children; and can mimic rheumatoid arthritis. The condition is usually pauciarticular involving large joints, but may also present as polyarthritis. Case Report: The patient being reported is an elderly male who presented with polyarthritis and fatigue, and was found to have acute myelomonocytic leukemia. Conclusion: Though arthritis is a common complication of leukemia in children, it may also occur in adults. The presentation is usually before the onset or during the course of disease. However, arthritis as an initial manifestation of leukemia is a rare scenario.
Background: Despite advances in symptom management, chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) remains one of the most dreadful consequences of cancer therapy.Methods: The study was carried out at Medical Oncology Department, Vydehi Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre, Bangalore. Hundred and forty-four cancer patients of either sex, aged 18-65 years with adequate blood counts requiring moderately emetogenic chemotherapy (MEC) as per Hesketh classification were included. The patients were prospectively divided into two groups before the initial cycle of chemotherapy. Patients in Group A (n=71) received ondansetron, and dexamethasone along with aprepitant capsules, Whereas, Group B (n=73) received palonosetron, and dexamethasone along with placebo capsules, 30 minutes before chemotherapy. Thereafter the patients were administered with the drugs and observed for nausea and vomiting. The efficiency of both regimens was assessed by adopting validated functional living index emesis (FLIE) questionnaire. Analysis of the data was done using the SPSS 21.0 software.Results: The mean age of the patients was 40.5 years and the male to female ratio was 1:2.4. In all the patients, no changes were detected in the ECG readings after MEC. The nausea and vomiting score were comparable in both groups. No significant difference (p>0.05) was noticed between group A and group B in both mm and in FLIE points. No serious adverse events were found relating to antiemetic treatment.Conclusions: Palonosetron in combination with corticosteroids was non inferior to ondansetron in combination with aprepitant and corticosteroids in controlling acute and delayed stages of CINV in patients requiring MEC. Thus, it can be recommended as first-line therapy for patients treated with MEC.
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