These results indicate that airway hyperresponsiveness to acetaldehyde is a sensitive and specific indicator for separating asthmatic and normal subjects. Airway responsiveness to methacholine or acetaldehyde and PEF variation are not reflecting the same pathophysiological process in the airways.
The aim of this trial was to compare the severity of neutropenia, the frequency of hospital admission for fever or infection, and the use of antibiotics among patients treated with a standard dose of lenograstim (263 microg/day of Euprotin) and others treated with half of this dose (131.5 microg/day) and the cost-effectiveness of each of the two doses. In this single-center study, 44 patients with solid tumors, who were all receiving standard-dose chemotherapy regimens following previous neutropenia or were at high risk of neutropenia, were randomized to receive lenograstim at a dose of 263 microg or 131.5 microg daily in the first cycle and then crossed over to the alternate dose for the following cycle. Crossover to the alternate dose was repeated for patients who received more than two cycles. Lenograstim was administered from day +5 to day +14. The absolute neutrophil count (ANC) was assessed on days +5, +8, +12 and +15 of each cycle. Statistical analysis was performed using a general lineal model for repeated samples. In all, 120 cycles were administered, with a median of 3 cycles (range 1-6). Only 4 patients received only 1 cycle. No statistically significant difference (P=0.324) in ANC was observed between standard-dose (mean 5.3, 10.7, 8.3, 11.4 x 10(9)/l) and low-dose (5.0, 8.6, 5.4, 7.5 x 10(9)/l) treatment at days +5, +8, +12 and + 15. Neutropenia grade III-IV was more common in patients receiving the low than in those receiving the standard dose of lenograstim (20% vs 12%, respectively), but the difference did not reach statistical significance (P=0.1). The incidence of fever and frequency of hospital admission were not affected by the dose of lenograstim: 3 patients presented with fever with the standard dose (all of those were admitted to hospital) and 2 patients with the low dose (1 was admitted). ANC in both groups (standard and low doses) was independent of chemotherapy line (first versus second or more). Lenograstim at a dose of 131.5 microg/day is as effective as the standard dose in limiting the severity of neutropenia and in preventing episodes of fever and hospital admissions after chemotherapy for solid tumors. The lower dose of lenograstim is cost-effective in neutropenia prophylaxis. Starting its administration on day +5 reduces costs while maintaining efficacy.
Aim: To evaluate the safety and effectiveness of a pilot program to control perioperative blood glucose in patients with diabetes. Methods: A pre-post intervention study was conducted in a 280-bed hospital in Spain. In the year 2008 we implemented perioperative insulin protocols aimed at blood glucose values from 80 to 180 mg/dL. Surgical patients with diabetes admitted on year 2009 (intervention group) were compared with a control group of patients with diabetes admitted for surgery on year 2007, matched 1:1 by traditional wound class. Results: We analyzed 96 patients. Implemented protocols were followed in 48% of patients intra-operatively and 75% of patients postoperatively. Patients in the intervention group had reductions in blood glucose at surgery 150 +/- 61 mg/dL vs. 172 +/- 53 mg/dL; <i>p</i> = 0.05), greater proportion of target glucose values throughout hospitalization (67% vs. 55%; <i>p</i> = 0.07), and reductions in the incidence of nosocomial infections after controlling for confounders (Odds Ratio: 0.20; 95% Confidence intervals: 0.06 - 0.72; <i>p</i> = 0.014) when they were compared with the control group: The incidence of hypoglycemia was similar between two groups (0.12% vs. 0.10%, <i>p</i> = 0.867), respectively. Conclusion: Although our protocol needs improvements to increase implementation it was useful to control blood glucose safely and for reducing nosocomial infections
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