Several studies have demonstrated the decreased insulin resistance (IR) in persons with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) treated with glimepiride. Those suggest this might be associated with observed ...higher concentrations of adiponectin. We assessed if there is a difference in IR and metabolic syndrome components between glimepiride and glibenclamide treatment as well as adiponectin concentration in T2DM. Our research observed 20 T2DM patients treated with glibenclamid and 20 switched to glimepiride (n = 20) treatment for 24 weeks. Anthropometric measurements and laboratory analysis were performed at the beginning and at the end of treatment while IR was accessed by homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). The glimepiride group revealed better glycaemic control compared to glibenclamide group. Moreover, the adiponectin concentration increased (23.9 ± 17.3 to 29.1 ± 12.2 ng/mL, p = 0.087) whereas it decreased in the glibenclamide group (34.3 ± 22.6 to 20.3 ± 11.3 ng/mL, p = 0.011) following 24 weeks of treatment. The serum adiponectin and HOMA-IR were inversely correlated within the group of glibenclamide (r = –0.667, p = 0.009). The present study demonstrates that glimepiride might have beneficial effect on IR compared to glibenclamide, as suggested. However, this observation needs further study investigation among other formulations of SU.
Because of the efficacy of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), their the use is increasing dramatically. The risk of adverse effects of short-term PPI therapy is low, but there are important safety ...concerns for potential adverse effects of prolonged PPI therapy. Findings from studies assessing the association between PPI use and bone mineral density (BMD) and/or fracture risk are contradictory. The aim of this study was to prospectively assess potential association of PPI treatment with the 12-month change in BMD of the lumbar spine, femur neck, and total hip. The study was performed in 200 PPI users and 50 PPI nonusers. Lumbar spine (L1–L4), femur neck, and total hip BMD were measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry at the baseline and at 12 months. A total of 209 subjects completed the entire 12 months of the study and were included in the final analysis. A Wilcoxon signed-rank test showed that at 12 months PPI use was associated with statistically significant reductions in femur neck and total hip
T
scores (
Z
= −2.764,
p
= 0.005 and
Z
= −3.281,
p
= 0.001, respectively). A multiple linear regression analysis showed that only esomeprazole added significantly to the prediction of total lumbar spine and femur neck
T
scores (
p
= 0.048 and
p
= 0.037, respectively). Compared with the baseline, 12 months of PPI treatment resulted in lower femur neck and total hip BMD
T
scores. Among the four PPIs studied, esomeprazole was independently associated with significant reduction of BMD, whereas omeprazole had no effects on BMD. Considering the widespread use of PPIs, BMD screening should be considered in the case of prolonged PPI use.
Background: Antibiotics remain among the most prescribed drugs in primary healthcare, contributing to increased antibiotic resistance in the community and prevailing as an emerging global health ...concern. We aimed to quantify the prevalence and quality of antibiotic prescription in primary healthcare settings in the Municipality of Prishtina to identify targets for quality improvement.Methods and Results: This study represents a population-based, retrospective cohort, including data from eight randomly selected family medical centers in the Municipality of Prishtina. Each 150th patient on medical records was assessed for demographic data, diagnosis (ICD-10), antibiotic prescription, antibiotic class, and antibiotic form. In total, the study included 1614 cases reviewed. The antibiotic prescription rate was 16%. The health condition for which most of the cases received antibiotics was J18 - Pneumonia, unspecified organism (67%), followed by J03 - Acute tonsillitis (54%), J42 - Unspecified chronic bronchitis (46%), and N39 - Other disorders of the urinary system (43%) Broad-spectrum antibiotics, such as co-amoxiclav (17.7%), amoxicillin (16.5%), and ceftriaxone (12.6%), featured among the most routinely prescribed antibiotics. The antibiotic prescription rate was the highest for cases in the 3-5 age group, of whom 27% received an antibiotic prescription. In 73% of cases, oral antibiotics were prescribed, 69% of which belong to the WHO AWaRe (Access, Watch, Reserve) essential medicines list. Only 18% of antibiotics were prescribed with their generic names. Conclusion: The prevalence of antibiotic prescription in primary healthcare settings in Prishtina is moderately low. These data cannot be extrapolated to other municipalities in Kosovo or other countries due to different organizational levels. High antibiotic prescription rates for young age groups, prescription of broad-spectrum antibiotics, and high rates of parenteral antibiotics were identified as targets for quality improvement.
Abstract. Several studies have demonstrated the decreased insulin resistance (IR) in persons with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) treated with glimepiride. Those suggest this might be associated with ...observed higher concentrations of adiponectin. We assessed if there is a difference in IR and metabolic syndrome components between glimepiride and glibenclamide treatment as well as adiponectin concentration in T2DM. Our research observed 20 T2DM patients treated with glibenclamid and 20 switched to glimepiride (n = 20) treatment for 24 weeks. Anthropometric measurements and laboratory analysis were performed at the beginning and at the end of treatment while IR was accessed by homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). The glimepiride group revealed better glycacmic control compared to glibenclamide group. Moreover, the adiponectin concentration increased (23.9 +- 17.3 to 29.1 +- 12.2 ng/mL, p = 0.087) whereas it decreased in the glibenclamide group (34.3 +- 22.6 to 20.3 +- 11.3 ng/mL, p = 0.011) following 24 weeks of treatment. The serum adiponectin and HOMA-IR were inversely correlated within the group of glibenclamide (r = -0.667, p = 0.009). The present study demonstrates that glimepiride might have beneficial effect on IR compared to glibenclamide, as suggested. However, this observation needs further study investigation among other formulations of SU.
Several studies have demonstrated the decreased insulin resistance (IR) in persons with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) treated with glimepiride. Those suggest this might be associated with observed ...higher concentrations of adiponectin. We assessed if there is a difference in IR and metabolic syndrome components between glimepiride and glibenclamide treatment as well as adiponectin concentration in T2DM. Our research observed 20 T2DM patients treated with glibenclamid and 20 switched to glimepiride (n = 20) treatment for 24 weeks. Anthropometric measurements and laboratory analysis were performed at the beginning and at the end of treatment while IR was accessed by homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). The glimepiride group revealed better glycaemic control compared to glibenclamide group. Moreover, the adiponectin concentration increased (23.9 ± 17.3 to 29.1 ± 12.2 ng/mL, p = 0.087) whereas it decreased in the glibenclamide group (34.3 ± 22.6 to 20.3 ± 11.3 ng/mL, p = 0.011) following 24 weeks of treatment. The serum adiponectin and HOMA-IR were inversely correlated within the group of glibenclamide (r = –0.667, p = 0.009). The present study demonstrates that glimepiride might have beneficial effect on IR compared to glibenclamide, as suggested. However, this observation needs further study investigation among other formulations of SU.
Medical plants, including
Vitex agnus-castus
L., Lamiaceae, were used in folk medicine for a long time; however,
V. agnus-castus
mechanisms of actions on trachea are not known. This study was ...attempted to give evidence for medicinal use of
V. agnus-castus
as a relaxant and to identify its underlying mechanisms. To this end,
V. agnus-castus
extract was extracted with ethanol and tested in rabbit tracheal smooth muscle using isolated organ baths. The
V. agnus-castus
extract (0.15–60 mg/ml) relaxed against acetylcholine-induced constriction in isolated rabbit tracheal smooth muscle,
in vitro
. Further,
V. agnus-castus
extract (0.15–75 mg/ml) shown relaxing effects in carbachol and high K-induced contraction of rabbit tracheal smooth muscle, implying antimuscarinic and calcium channel blocking activities. The addition (preincubation) of
L
-NAME (inhibitor of nitric oxide synthases), as well as indomethacin (cyclooxygenase inhibitor), inhibited (102%, 95% respectively) relaxing effects induced by
V. agnus-castus
extract precontracted with carbachol. On the other hand, bradykinin (stimulator of nitric oxide synthases) and zaprinast (phosphodiesterase inhibitor) further potentiated (40%, 41%, respectively) relaxing-induced effects by the
V. agnus-castus
extract. Our data suggest that
V. agnus-castus
extract airway-relaxing properties have muscarinic antagonism, are dependent on calcium blockade, and are at least partly mediated by the nitric oxide/cyclic guanosine monophosphate- and cyclooxygenase-1-prostaglandin E2-dependent mechanisms. These effects justify
V. agnus-castus
extract use in various respiratory disorders.
Graphical abstract
Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) represent the most widely prescribed antisecretory agents, but their prolonged use, may influence iron and vitamin B12 status, which could have important implications ...for clinical practice.
We undertook this study aiming to investigate the association between PPIs use for 12 months and potential changes in iron and vitamin B12 status, as well as whether this potential association varies among four specific PPI drugs used in the study.
A total of 250 adult subjects were recruited into this study, of which 200 subjects were PPIs users while 50 subjects belonged to the control group. Serum iron, ferritin, vitamin B12, and homocysteine (Hcy) levels were measured before the start of the study and after 12 months. Mann - Whitney U test and Kruskal - Wallis test was used to compare the baseline characteristics of the study groups, while Wilcoxon test was used to analyse post - pre differences.
Statistical analysis showed significant changes within PPIs group and specific PPIs subgroups between the two-time points in serum ferritin and vitamin B12 levels, respectively, while no significant changes in serum iron and homocysteine levels were shown. However, subsequent diagnosis of hypoferremia and hypovitaminosis B12 in the whole study sample at 12 months was established in only 3.8% and 2.9% of the subjects, respectively.
PPIs use for 12 months did not result in clinically significant iron and/or vitamin B12 deficiency; thus, these findings argue routine screening under normal circumstances, although monitoring in elderly and malnourished may be of precious value.
Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are a widely used class of drugs because of a generally acceptable safety profile. Among recently raised safety issues of the long-term use of PPIs is the increased risk ...of developing hypomagnesemia. As there have been very few prospective studies measuring serum magnesium levels before and after PPI therapy, we aimed to prospectively assess the potential association between PPI therapy for 12 months and the risk of hypomagnesemia as well as the incidence of new-onset hypomagnesemia during the study. In addition, the association of PPI therapy with the risk of hypocalcemia was assessed.
The study included 250 patients with normal serum magnesium and total calcium levels, who underwent a long-term PPI treatment. Serum magnesium, total calcium, and parathormone (PTH) levels were measured at baseline and after 12 months.
Of the 250 study participants, 209 completed 12 months of treatment and were included in the statistical analysis. The Wilcoxon signed rank test showed no statistically significant differences in serum magnesium levels between measurements at two different time points. However, there were statistically significant differences in serum total calcium and PTH levels in PPI users.
Stable serum magnesium levels were demonstrated after 12 months and no association between PPI use and risk of hypomagnesemia was shown in the general population. Significant reductions of serum total calcium levels were demonstrated among PPI users; nevertheless, further research is required before recommending any serum calcium and PTH level monitoring in patients initiated on long-term PPI therapy.
The patient, a 40-year-old male, was referred to our clinic with intermittent nausea, vomiting and symptomatic anemia for 4 months. Notable hematological indices were low hemoglobin levels of 9.6 ...g/dl and hematocrit levels of 35.8%, while after receiving two units of concentrated red blood cells, at discharge; they achieved levels of 15.2 g/dl and 42.3%, respectively. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy revealed a 3 cm antral pedunculated polyp, prolapsing into pylorus thus causing intermittent pyloric obstruction and anemia. Histological examination revealed a hyperplastic polyp without evidences of malignancy. No atrophy, metaplasia, dysplastic changes or Helicobacter pylori infection were detected in samples taken from the antrum and the corpus; however, the examination provided evidence for gastritis. Follow-up endoscopy was provided after 12 weeks to see polypectomy site after a course of Pantoprazole administration, and to define symptom-free time after polypectomy. Endoscopic removal of complicated gastric polyps should be considered at the time of initial diagnostic endoscopy. Endoscopic resection of polyps enables to determine the exact histopathologic type as well as to effectively treat symptomatic gastric outlet obstruction and anemia.
Antibiotics are among the most commonly prescribed drugs in paediatrics. In most cases, antibiotics are started on an empirical basis, without proof of a bacterial infection, either before the start ...of therapy or afterwards.
The main objective of this study was to analyse the consumption of antibiotics in hospitalised paediatric patients.
This retrospective study investigated the consumption of antimicrobials in defined daily doses (DDDs according to the Anatomical Therapeutical Chemical/DDD index) in Pulmonology, Gastroenterology and Nephrology Departments at Pediatric Clinic of the tertiary hospital. The data on the consumption of antimicrobials were collected for five years by using properly designed form. The consumption was related to days of hospital care.
The most utilised antibiotics group in all three departments Pulmonology, Gastroenterology and Nephrology Departments were penicillins. Cephalosporins were mostly used in Pulmonology department. Metronidazole and Chloramphenicol were used in minimal quantities in all three departments.
This study demonstrates that surveillance programs on antibiotic resistance should be established and accompanied by analyses of drug utilisation data which can aid in the creation of valid cross-national studies on antibiotic usage and resistance, to motivate improvements in prescribing and guideline-directed antibiotic prescribing.
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