Fatal acute pyelonephritis following pulsed methylprednisolone for rheumatoid arthritis

Evaluation of Urinary Tract Infection following Corticosteroid Therapy in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis Exacerbation

The first treatment for multiple sclerosis exacerbation is usually short-term intravenous methylprednisolone (IVMP), with or without a regimen of oral prednisone taper (OPT). This study aims to evaluate the effects of IVMP and OPT in comparison with IVMP alone in raising the risk of urinary tract infection (UTI) and posttreatment improvement of urinary tract symptoms in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis. This double-blind randomized clinical trial was conducted on 56 people with multiple sclerosis relapse who had undergone methylprednisolone for 5 days. Patients were randomly split into two groups: oral prednisolone and placebo (tapering for 20 days). Demographic data, duration of multiple sclerosis, urinary tract symptoms, the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score, and urine data were analyzed. The incidence of UTI in the intervention and control groups did not differ significantly ( $p=560$ ). However, the improvement of urinary tract symptoms in the intervention group was significantly more favorable than in the control group ( $p\le 0.001$ ). Furthermore, administering OPT after IVMP did not increase the risk of UTI occurrence in patients with multiple sclerosis exacerbation. The urine analysis results did not show any differences at baseline and after the corticosteroid tapering regimen. Due to the risk of infection by corticosteroids, it is no longer necessary to do further urinary screening in this group of patients.

Screening for urinary tract colonisation prior to corticosteroid administration in acute multiple sclerosis relapses: Validation of an updated algorithm

INTRODUCTION

To evaluate an updated algorithm in the detection of urinary tract infection (UTI) prior to high-dose corticosteroid treatment in acute relapses in multiple sclerosis (MS). This updated algorithm aimed to decrease the unnecessary use of antibiotics, whilst maintaining accuracy and safety.

METHODS

Prospective cohort study of 471 consecutive patients with MS relapses in a hospital-based outpatient acute relapse clinic. 172 patients met exclusion criteria, leaving 299 patients for analysis. Patients underwent urine dipstick and were treated for UTI if 2 or more of: nitrites, leukocyte esterase and cloudy urine were positive. Patients with confirmed acute MS relapse were treated with high dose intravenous or oral methylprednisolone.

RESULTS

Significant bacteriuria (>10⁵ colony forming units/mL) was present in 33 (11%, 95% CI 8-15) patients. The algorithm sensitivity and specificity was 24% and 94% respectively; the negative predictive value was 91%. The overall accuracy of the algorithm was 87%. No adverse sequelae were identified in 25 patients who received high dose methylprednisolone in the presence of an untreated UTI.

CONCLUSION

With an improved specificity, this updated algorithm addresses previous issues concerning the unnecessary prescription of antibiotics, whilst improving accuracy and maintaining safety.

Urinary tract infections in multiple sclerosis: under-diagnosed and under-treated? A clinical audit at a large University Hospital

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic demyelinating immune-mediated disease of the central nervous system. Infections have been implicated in different aspects of the disease such as induction of relapses and possibly, progression. Bladder dysfunction and associated urinary tract colonization (UTC) and infections (UTIs) are common in MS patients. UTIs can exacerbate neurological symptoms in MS, whilst high-dose steroid treatment of acute neurological worsening with concurrent untreated UTC may lead to unmasking of infection. This clinical audit was designed to investigate whether our institution is adhering to the National Institute for Health Care and Excellence (NICE) Clinical Guideline 148 for the management of patients with lower urinary tract symptoms due to neurogenic bladder dysfunction. We identified 21 patients with abnormal urine dipsticks out of 118 patients presenting at Nottingham University Hospitals for clinical review or for assessment of a relapse. Patients were asked about catheter status and the presence of any lower urinary tract symptoms. In all cases of relapse assessment, current practice at our institution had been to delay treatment with methylprednisolone (MP), pending the results of microbiology culture and sensitivity testing. If the patient was confirmed to have an infection, treatment with MP was delayed further awaiting completion of a course of antibiotics. We suggest that corticosteroid treatment need not be delayed but rather administered simultaneously with antibiotic treatment for the UTI, provided that the patient has no systemic symptoms of infection (e.g. fever, rigors, raised CRP). Patients must be educated and cautioned to contact their doctor in the event that systemic symptoms do develop during treatment.

Short-term tolerance of pulse methylprednisolone therapy in patients with diabetes mellitus

PURPOSE

To assess the short-term tolerance of pulse methylprednisolone in patients with diabetes.

DESIGN

Retrospective study in a national eye center.

PARTICIPANTS

Eighty patients with type 2 diabetes, half of them also treated for hypertension, who received 3-day pulse methylprednisolone between January 1999 and December 2002 for eye disorders and were monitored according to a written protocol.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE

Potentially serious side effects, serial blood glucose measurements, and hypoglycemic interventions during pulse therapy.

RESULTS

Each pulse induced about 10 hours later a mean 2-fold peak increase of blood glucose. According to a 14-mmol/l (250 mg/dl) threshold glucose level for intervention, rapid insulin was required in 27 of 27 (100%) and 24 of 53 (45%) patients with glycosylated hemoglobin levels higher than 8% and up to 8%, respectively. In the latter group, patients older than 70 years had a 3-fold increased risk of requiring insulin. Significant side effects were systolic and/or diastolic blood pressure elevation > or = 180/110 mmHg (n = 6), ketosis without acidosis (n = 5), silent myocardial ischemia (n = 1), and disorientation (n = 1). All side effects were transient or controlled successfully by medical intervention. No infectious complication occurred during the treatment period.

CONCLUSIONS

Pulse methylprednisolone is globally well tolerated in diabetic patients, but requires strict blood glucose and clinical monitoring.

Reappraisal of Rasmussen's syndrome with special emphasis on treatment with high doses of steroids

Eight patients with Rasmussen's syndrome and epilepsia partialis continua were treated with high doses of steroids, including pulses of methylprednisolone and prednisone in decreasing doses. Three patients exhibited clinical, radiological, or histological evidence of bilateral involvement. Epilepsy and focal deficit decreased within six months in seven patients. Only five patients, in whom steroid treatment had begun less than 15 months after the onset of epilepsia partialis continua, experienced a lasting effect although they had periodic episodes of transient relapse. Treatment with high doses of steroids seems advisable during the first year after onset of epilepsia partialis continua, before hemiplegia has developed and in cases with bilateral involvement.

Pierre Joseph Pelletier (1788-1842) and Jean Bienaime Caventou (1795-1887)

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A study of adverse effects of high-dose intravenous (pulse) methylprednisolone therapy in patients with rheumatic disease

OBJECTIVE

To determine the frequency of significant adverse effects associated with high-dose intravenous methylprednisolone therapy (HIVMP) given as methylprednisolone 1 g/d for three consecutive days.

DESIGN

Retrospective study of consecutive patients.

SETTING

Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VAMC), university teaching hospital, and private outpatient clinic.

PATIENTS

Eighty-four patients given HIVMP for systemic rheumatic disease.

MEASUREMENTS

Subjective complaints were elicited via a standardized questionnaire that identified adverse effects through organ system review. Medical records were reviewed for adverse effects occurring within two weeks of HIVMP therapy.

RESULTS

Two hundred seventy-five HIVMP treatments were examined by either patient questionnaire (76 patients) and/or chart review (78 patients). Sixty-five patients described symptoms after HIVMP treatment. Most symptoms were transient in duration, mild in severity, and required no medical treatment. Chart review found 42 possible complications occurring within two weeks of HIVMP therapy. In 18 instances medical intervention was required for problems that included hypertension, seizures, gastric erosions, sepsis, and other infections. It is impossible to attribute all of the complications to HIVMP alone because of underlying disease, use of other medications at the time of therapy, or both.

CONCLUSIONS

HIVMP has an acceptably low risk of significant adverse effects.