Objective To explore the effectiveness and safety of ziprasidone in the treatment of female patients with schizophrenia. Methods A before-after study design with prospective consecutive data collection was adopted. From June 2006 to May 2007, 30 female patients with schizophrenia discharged from the Second Veterans Hospital of Shanxi Province were included. Ziprasidone 60-120 mg/d was orally administered for 6 weeks. Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) and Treatment Emergent Symptom Scale (TESS) were measured before the treatment and at the end of Week 2, 4 and 6 after the treatment, respectively.Results At Week 6, the significant improvement rate and the total improvement rate were 86.67% and 93.33%, respectively; the incidence of side effects was 86.67%. Conclusion Ziprasidone is safe and effective in the treatment of schizophrenia. Since it will not increase body weight or the level of prolactin, it can be especially applied to female schizophrenic patients.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the applicability and the long-term outcomes of percutaneous transluminal balloon angioplasty (PTBA) in the management of Budd-Chiari syndrome (BCS) secondary to hepatic venous obstruction. MethodsClinical data of 94 patients with BCS secondary to hepatic venous obstruction who underwent PTBA of the hepatic vein from Jan. 2005 to Dec. 2013 in The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University were analyzed retrospectively. ResultsPTBA were technically successful in 93 of the 94 patients (98.94%). Ninety-one of the 93 patients (97.85%) were treated with PTBA alone and 2 patients (2.15%) were treated with PTBA and stent. One patient with primary hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) underwent resection of liver cancer after interventional therapy. Hepatic venous pressure value of 93 patients was significantly decreased after balloon interventional procedures. Symptoms were significantly improved in the 93 patients who had successful PTBA. Procedure-related complications occurred in 6 of the 93 patients (6.38%), and 1 patient (1.06%) died in 2 months after operation because of intra-abdominal bleeding. Two patients lost during follow-up with a follow-up loss rate of 2.15% (2/93), and the 91 patients were followed-up for 1-96 months [(49.72±28.60) months]. HCC occurred in 3 patients during follow-up period. Restenosis of targeted hepatic vein developed in 8 patients (11 times), and the overall recurrence rate was 11.83% (11/93). One patient of them underwent surgical operation, the remaining 7 patients underwent PTBA successfully. The 1-, 2-, 3-, and 5-year primary patency rates were 97.47% (77/79), 94.20% (65/69), 91.67% (55/60), and 91.67% (33/36), respectively. The 1-, 2-, 3-, and 5-year secondary patency rates were 98.73% (78/79), 98.55% (68/69), 98.33% (59/60), and 97.22% (35/36), respectively. ConclusionsPTBA is a safe and effective treatment for BCS with the hepatic vein obstruction and had good mild-term outcomes. The liver function of the patients improved after treatment, with few patients died from HCC caused by hepatic cirrhosis, so we must pay attention on it, as well as the targeted hepatic vein.
Objective To assess the effectiveness and safety of photodynamic therapy (PDT) for patients with nonresectable bile duct cancer. Methods Two reviewers independently searched The Cochrane Library (issue 4, 2006), MEDLINE (1966 to February 2007), CNKI (1994 to February 2007) and VIP (1989 to February 2007), respectively. The quality of included studies was assessed according to the guidance in the Cochrane Handbook of Systematic Reviews of Interventions. Results Two randomized controlled trials involving 71 patients with nonresectable bile duct cancer met the inclusion criteria and were included. Both of these trials reported that the median survival time in patients who were treated with endoprostheses and PDT was longer than for those treated with endoprostheses alone (493 days versus 98 days, and 21 months versus 7 months, in the two trials respectively) One trial reported that the global quality of life in patients in the PDT with endoprostheses group was significantly better than that for the endoprostheses alone group: the difference of Karnofshy index between the two groups was 25.4 (14.4-36.3). The other trial reported no difference between the two groups. No severe adverse effects were observed during either trial. Conclusion Current evidence demonstrates that PDT can improve the survival time of patients with nonresectable bile duct cancer, and reduce the burden of treatment. The treatment might increase biliary infectious rate, but this can be managed by antibiotics therapy. No severe adverse effects are observed. More randomized controlled trials, with large sample sizes, may lead to more accurate results.
ObjectiveTo compare the effectiveness between the method of simple posterior debridement combined with bone grafting and fusion and internal fixation and the method of one-stage anterior radical debridement combined with bone grafting and fusion and posterior internal fixation in the treatment of thoracolumbar brucella spondylitis so as to provide the reference for the clinical treatment. MethodsA retrospective analysis was made on the clinical data of 148 cases of thoracolumbar brucella spondylitis between January 2002 and January 2012. Simple posterior debridement combined with bone grafting and fusion and internal fixation was used in 78 cases (group A), and one-stage anterior radical debridement combined with bone grafting and fusion and posterior internal fixation in 70 cases (group B). There was no significant difference in gender, age, disease duration, involved vertebral segments, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), visual analogue scale (VAS) score, neural function grade of America Spinal Injury Association (ASIA), and kyphosis Cobb angle before operation between 2 groups (P > 0.05). The peri operation period indexes (hospitalization time, operation time, and intraoperative blood loss) and the clinical effectiveness indexes (VAS score, ASIA grade, Cobb angle, and ESR) were compared; the bone fusion and the internal fixation were observed. ResultsIncision infection and paravertebral and/or psoas abscess occurred in 2 and 3 cases of group A respectively. All incisions healed by first intention and 2 cases had pneumothorax in group B. The operation time and the hospitalization time of group A were significantly shorter than those of group B (P < 0.05), and the intraoperative blood lossof group A was significantly lower than that of group B (P < 0.05). All of the cases in 2 groups were followed up 14-38 months, 25 months on average. The VAS, ESR, and Cobb angle were significantly decreased at each time point after operation when compared with preoperative ones in 2 groups (P < 0.05), but no significant difference was found between 2 groups (P > 0.05). The neurological function was significantly improved at 3 months after operation; there were 1 case of ASIA grade C, 14 cases of grade D, and 63 cases of grade E in group A, and there were 1 case of grade C, 11 cases of grade D, and 58 cases of grade E in group B; and difference was not significant (Z=0.168, P=0.682). The grafting bone fusion was observed in both groups. The fusion time was (8.7±0.3) months in group A and (8.6±0.4) months in group B, showing no significant difference (t=0.591, P=0.601) was found. At last follow-up, no loosening or fracture of internal fixation was found. ConclusionBased on regular medicine therapy, the effectiveness of the two methods is satisfactory in the treatment of thoracolumbar brucella spondylitis as long as the operation indications should be controlled strictly.
ObjectiveTo evaluate clinical curative effect of sphincter preservation method of improved minimally invasive surgery to primary cure for horseshoe-shaped perianal abscess. MethodsOne hundred and twenty hospitalized patients diagnosed as horseshoe-shaped perianal abscess were analyzed by prospective, random, single-blind, parallel-group design method, and were randomly divided into two groups, one group of sphincter preservation method of improved minimally invasive surgery (observation group), another group of traditional method of hanging line drainage and multiple incisions of radian shape (control group). The cure rate, long-term recurrence, postoperative pain score within 9 d, hospitalization time, incision healing time, scar area after healing, postoperative anal function score and perioperative and long-term complications were compared in these two groups. ResultsAll the operations were successfully completed in these two groups. There were 56 cases of primary healing in the observation group and 55 cases of primary healing in the control group. Compared with the control group, the postoperative pain score on day 2-4 or on day 7-9 was lower (P < 0.05), the incision healing time was shorter (P < 0.05), and the postoperative anal function score was lower (P < 0.05) in the observation group. There was no incision infection and hemorrhoea in these two groups. The hospitalization time, scar area after healing, incidence rate of urinary retention, hepatic and renal dysfunction, and the total white blood cells > 10.0×109/L had no significant differences between these two groups (P > 0.05). There was no long-term recurrence, anal stenosis, and anal incontinence during following-up of 6 months in these two groups. ConclusionPreliminary research results show that sphincter preservation method of improved minimally invasive surgery to primary cure for horseshoe-shaped perianal abscess has a reliable clinical curative effect, fast healing, and less postoperative complications.
Most statistical data in observational studies is expressed as the effect value and its 95% confidence interval (95% CI), which do not correspond to the data format used for traditional meta-analyses, so special data conversion is to be needed when Review Manager software is applied to do a meta-analysis for this type of data, which will make the operation complicated and cumbersome. In addition, Stata software is such a powerful statistical software that can be used directly to conduct a meta-analysis with the effect value and its 95% CI. Therefore, it is an indispensable statistical tool for meta-analysis in observational studies. And this study will give a brief introduction how to use Stata software to conduct a meta-analysis with effect value and its 95% CI based on the published meta-analysis data.
ObjectivesThe primary objectives of this rapid health technology assessment (RHTA) were to assess the safety and effectiveness of Da Vinci surgical system compared with traditional e surgeries, so as to provide the currently-available best evidence for health decision makers and clinical workers. MethodsA comprehensive search of electronic databases (EMbase, PubMed, The Cochrane Library, Web of Science, CNKI, VIP, CBM and WanFang Data) and relevant professional HTA websites were conducted from inceptionto October 9, 2012. Two reviews independently screen literature according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, extracted data, and assess the quality of included studies. The data based on secondary studies were reported, and a final recommendation and its level was made based on assessment outcome. ResultsA total of 21 studies were included, encompassing 7 HTAs and 14 systematic reviews/metaanalyses. The included studies involved radical prostatectomy, hysterectomy, nephrectomy, coronary artery bypass graft, and gastric fundoplication. Though the included HTAs and systematic reviews/meta-analyses focus on different diseases, the outcomes showed significant differences existed between Da Vinci surgical system and other routine surgery in clinical effectiveness and safety of different diseases. Compared with routine surgery, Da Vinci surgical system shortened hospital stay; decreased operation conversion rates, blood loss and blood transfusion rates during surgery; but it increased operative time. Besides, compared with traditional laparoscopic surgery, Da Vinci surgical system shortened operation time and hospital stay, and decreased operation conversion rates, blood loss and blood transfusion rates during surgery. ConclusionCurrent evidence shows that the clinical effectiveness and safety outcomes of Da Vinci surgical system differ in diseases. Currently, most included HTAs and systematic reviews/meta-analyses are based on observational studies, relevant prospective randomized controlled trials lack, and the evidence is graded as low quality, health decision makers are suggested to apply this evidence with caution on the basis of comprehensive consideration.
Objective To learn the status and compare the effect of improving drinking water and lavatories in potential endemic areas of schistosomiasis in the Three Gorges Reservoir Area. Methods A cluster random sampling method was adopted and a questionnaire survey was conducted to four selected villages and towns before and after organized and large scale drinking water and lavatories improvement in the potential endemic areas of schistosomiasis in the Three Gorges Reservoir Area. Results A total of 807 households in four demonstrate villages and towns were investigated for the baseline survey, while 856 households in the same four villages and towns were investigated for the terminal survey. The popularity rate of using tap water from waterworks went up from 33.58% to 66.12% (P=0.000); the summation of popularity rate of using tap water from both waterworks and water tower made by local residents went up from 76.33% to 96.38% (P=0.000); and the popularity rate of using decontaminated lavatories went up from 53.68% to 78.85% (P=0.000). According to Chi-square test, there were significant differences compared with the popularity rate before improvement (Plt;0.05). Conclusion The condition of intervention villages and towns gets greatly improved through the organized and large scale project of improving water quality and lavatories decontamination, and the potential danger of schistosomiasis is obviously reduced in the Three Gorges Reservoir Area.
Objective To evaluate the results of operative treatment of acetabular fractures and to investigate its influence factors. Methods The cl inical data were analyzed retrospectively from 82 patients with acetabular fractures treated between September 2004 and June 2009. Of 82 patients, 65 were male and 17 were female, aged 26-72 years (mean, 38 years).Fractures were caused by traffic accident in 62 cases, by crush in 13 cases, and by fall ing from height in 7 cases. The time from injury to admission was 30 minutes to 12 days (median, 7.6 hours) in 70 cases, 12 cases were transferred because poor result after 34-67 days of conservative treatment. According to Judet classification, there were 24 cases of posterior wall fracture, 3 cases of posterior column fracture, 1 case of anterior wall fracture, 2 cases of anterior column fracture, 6 cases of transverse fracture, 16 cases of transverse and posterior wall fracture, 4 cases of posterior column and posterior wall fracture, 5 cases of T-type fracture, 3 cases of anterior and posterior hemitransverse fracture, and 18 cases of complete both-column fracture; 24 cases combined with dislocation of the hip. During operation, Kocher-Langenbeck approach was used in 49 cases, anterior il ioinguinal approach in 19 cases, and the combination of anterior and posterior approaches in 14 cases. Reconstructive plate (74 cases) and hollow lag screw (8 cases) internal fixation were used. The function of the hip was evaluated according to the modified Merled’Aubigne- Postel hip score system postoperatively. According to fracture type, age, lower extremity fracture before operation, qual ity of reduction, timing of surgery, hi p dislocation and time of reduction, operative approach, deep vein thrombosis (DVT), and heterotopic ossification (HO), the patients were divided into the groups and the results were compared. Results Accordancewith the Matta X-ray evaluation criteria, anatomic reduction was achieved in 21 cases, good reduction in 37 cases, fair reduction in 16 cases, and poor reduction in 8 cases, and the excellent and good rate was 71%. All the cases were followed up 12-52 months mean, 34 months). Iatrogenic sciatic nerve injury occurred in 8 cases, infection in 3 cases, HO in 16 cases, DVT in 3 cases, hip posttraumatic arthritis in 12 cases, and avascular necrosis of the femoral head in 9 cases. X-ray examination showed that 80 cases achieved fracture union at 10-24 weeks after operation (mean, 14 weeks) and 2 cases had fracture delayed union at 10 months and 12 months after operation. According to the modified Merled’Aubigne-Postel hip score system, the function of the hip was rated as excellent in 26 cases, good in 32, fair in 20, and poor in 4 at 6 months after operation; the excellent and good rate was 71%. The affecting factors of cl inical results of acetabular fractures were fracture type, age, lower extremity fracture before operation, qual ity of reduction, timing of surgery, hip dislocation and time of reduction (P lt; 0.05). However the operative approach, DVT, and HO were not affecting factor of the acetabular fractures (P gt; 0.05). Conclusion Operative treatment of acetabular fractures has a satisfying therapeutic effect. Fracture type, age, lower extremity fracture before operation, qual ity of reduction, timing of surgery, hip dislocation, and time of reduction are risk factors affecting postoperative results.
ObjectiveTo analyze the clinical characteristics and evaluate the effect and safety of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) therapy in retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) in Sichuan province. MethodsA retrospective study. From January 2013 to January 2022, 156 patients (306 eyes) with ROP who received intravitreal anti-VEGF therapy for the first time in the Department of Ophthalmology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University were selected. According to the type of anti-VEGF drugs, the children were divided into intravitreal injection of ranibizumab (IVR) group and intravitreal injection of conbercept (IVC) group; IVC group was divided into hospital group and referral group according to the different paths of patients. After treatment, the patients were followed up until the disease degenerated (vascular degeneration or complete retinal vascularization) or were hospitalized again for at least 6 months. If the disease recurred or progressed, the patients were re-admitted to the hospital and received anti-VEGF drug treatment, laser treatment or surgical treatment according to the severity of the disease. Clinical data of these children was collected, including general clinical characteristics: gender, gestational age at birth (GA), birth weight (BW), history of oxygen inhalation; pathological condition: ROP stage, zone, whether there were plus lesions; treatment: treatment time, postmenstrual gestational age at the time of the first anti-VEGF drug treatment; prognosis: re-treat or not, time of re-treatment, mode of re-treatment; adverse events: corneal edema, lens opacity, endophthalmitis, retinal injury, and treatment-related systemic adverse reactions. The measurement data between groups were compared by t test, and the count data were compared by χ2 test or rank sum test. ResultsOf the 306 eyes of 156 children with ROP, 74 were male (47.44%, 74/156) and 82 were female (52.56%, 82/156). Each included child had a history of oxygen inhalation at birth. The GA was (28.43±2.19) (23.86-36.57) weeks, BW was (1 129±335) (510-2 600) g, and the postmenstrual gestational age was (39.80±3.04) (31.71-49.71) weeks at the time of the first anti-VEGF drug treatment. All patients were diagnosed as type 1 ROP, including 26 eyes (8.50%, 26/306) of aggressive ROP (A-ROP), 39 eyes (12.74%, 39/306) of zone Ⅰ lesions, and 241 eyes (78.76%, 241/306) of zone Ⅱ lesions. The children were treated with intravitreal injection of anti-VEGF drugs within 72 hours after diagnosis. Among them, 134 eyes (43.79%, 134/306) of 68 patients were treated with IVR, and 172 eyes (56.21%, 172/306) of 88 patients were treated with IVC. In IVC group, 67 eyes of 34 patients (38.95%, 67/172) were in the hospital group and 105 eyes of 54 patients (61.05%, 105/172) were in the referral group. 279 eyes (91.18%, 279/306) were improved after one treatment, 15 eyes (4.90%, 15/306) were improved after two treatments, and 12 eyes (3.92%, 12/306) were improved after three treatments. The one-time cure rate of IVR group was lower than that of IVC group, but the difference was not statistically significant (χ2=1.665, P=0.197). In different ROP categories, IVC showed better therapeutic effect in A-ROP, and its one-time cure rate was higher than that in IVR group, with statistically significant difference (χ2=7.797, P<0.05). In the hospital group of IVC group, the GA, BW and the postmenstrual gestational age at first time of anti-VEGF drug treatment were lower than those in the referral group, and the difference was statistically significant (t=－2.485, －2.940, －3.796; P<0.05). The one-time cure rate of the hospital group and the referral group were 94.94%, 92.38%, respectively. The one-time cure rate of the hospital group was slightly higher than that of the referral group, but the difference was not statistically significant (χ2=0.171, P=0.679). In this study, there were no ocular and systemic adverse reactions related to drug or intravitreal injection in children after treatment. ConclusionsCompared with the characteristics of ROP in developed countries, the GA, BW and postmenstrual gestational age of the children in Sichuan province are higher. Both IVR and IVC can treat ROP safely and effectively. There is no significant difference between the two drugs in the overall one-time cure effect of ROP, but IVC performed better in the treatment of A-ROP in this study.