The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of the sodium alginate preparation, Gaviscon Advance, with placebo in the relief of symptoms of reflux oesophagitis. This was a randomised, double-blind, parallel-group, multicentre study conducted at 13 GP centres in the UK. Patients aged between 18 and 70 years, who had experienced symptoms of reflux oesophagitis within the previous 24 h, and on two other occasions within the previous week, were recruited into the study. Patients were evaluated at baseline, and then reassessed after two and four weeks of treatment with sodium alginate or placebo, for symptoms of reflux oesophagitis in the previous 24 h. Patients were required to fill out a diary card twice daily, from which frequency and severity of symptoms were assessed, and the percentage of symptom-free days and nights calculated. Of the 100 patients recruited into the study, 98 received medication (safety population; placebo, n = 50; sodium alginate, n = 48) and 94 were eligible for inclusion in the intention-to-treat (ITT) population (placebo, n = 48; sodium alginate, n = 46). For this population, sodium alginate was assessed as significantly superior by both investigators and patients at week two (p < 0.001 and p = 0.004, respectively) and at week four (p = 0.001 and p < 0.001, respectively). Significantly more patients in the safety population on placebo withdrew from the study (40%) compared with sodium alginate (21%; p = 0.04), due primarily to lack of effect and adverse events. The sodium alginate preparation demonstrated a superior efficacy compared with placebo, which was achieved in a more acceptable volume of medication than a previous standard preparation, Liquid Gaviscon. The reduced dosage volume of the 'new' preparation (Gaviscon Advance) may be expected to improve patient compliance, and thereby increase treatment efficacy.
Diagnosis of McArdle disease is frequently delayed by many years following the first presentation of symptoms to a health professional. The aim of this study was to investigate the importance of misdiagnosis in delaying diagnosis of McArdle disease. The frequency of misdiagnosis, duration of diagnostic delay, categories of misdiagnoses and inappropriate medical interventions were assessed in 50 genetically confirmed patients. The results demonstrated a high frequency of misdiagnosis (90%, n = 45/50) most commonly during childhood years (67%; n = 30/45) compared with teenage years and adulthood (teenage: n = 7/45; adult n = 5/45; not known n = 3/45). The correct diagnosis of McArdle disease was rarely made before adulthood (median age of diagnosis 33 years). Thirty-one patients (62%) reported having received more than one misdiagnosis; the most common were "growing pains" (40%, n = 20) and "laziness/being unfit" (46%, n = 23). A psychiatric/psychological misdiagnosis was significantly more common in females than males (females 6/20; males 1/30; p < 0.01). Of the 45 patients who were misdiagnosed, 21 (47%) received incorrect management. This study shows that most patients with McArdle disease received an incorrect explanation of their symptoms providing evidence that misdiagnosis plays an important part in delaying implementation of appropriate medical advice and management to this group of patients.
McArdle disease is the most common of the glycogen storage diseases. Onset of symptoms is usually in childhood with muscle pain and restricted exercise capacity. Signs and symptoms are often ignored in children or put down to 'growing pains' and thus diagnosis is often delayed. Misdiagnosis is not uncommon because several other conditions such as muscular dystrophy and muscle channelopathies can manifest with similar symptoms. A simple exercise test performed in the clinic can however help to identify patients by revealing the second wind phenomenon which is pathognomonic of the condition. Here a patient is reported illustrating the value of using a simple 12 minute walk test.Keywords: McArdle Disease, glycogen storage disease type V, second wind phenomenon, exercise test, 12 minute walk test. RESUMO A doença de McArdle é o tipo mais frequente das glicogenoses. A apresentação clínica característica na infância inclui mialgia e intolerância aos esforços/exercício físico. Frequentemente, os sinais e sintomas das crianças não são considerados devidamente, sendo muitas vezes interpretados como "dores do crescimento", retardando o diagnóstico. Erros diagnósticos não são raros uma vez que outras doenças, como distrofia muscular ou canalopatias musculares, podem apresentar sintomas semelhantes. Entretanto, um simples teste de exercício físico realizado no ambulatório/consultório médico pode ajudar a identificar estes pacientes pois evidencia o fenômeno second wind, patognomônico da doença de McArdle. Aqui é descrito um relato de caso de um paciente ilustrando o valor do simples 12 minutes walk test.Palavras-chave: doença de McArdle, doença de depósito do glicogênio tipo V, fenomeno de second wind, teste do exercício, teste 12 minutos de marcha.
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