Multimodal Computed Tomography Based Definition of Cerebral Imaging Profiles for Acute Stroke Reperfusion Therapy (CT-DEFINE): Results of a Prospective Observational Study

PURPOSE

To prospectively evaluate the prognostic impact of multimodal computed tomography-based imaging in ischemic stroke patients potentially eligible for reperfusion therapy.

METHODS

Anterior circulation stroke patients underwent non-contrast CT (NCCT), CT-angiography, and CT-perfusion within 12 h from symptom-onset. Patients could be treated with intravenous-tissue plasminogen activator (IV-tPA), endovascular or combined reperfusion therapies. Cerebral imaging profiles (IP) were NCCT-Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score (ASPECTS) > 7 (IP1); NCCT-ASPECTS > 5 and proximal occlusion on CT-angiography (IP2); CT-perfusion mismatch between cerebral blood volume (CBV)-ASPECTS, and cerebral blood flow (CBF)-ASPECTS ≥ 2 (IP3). Favorable outcome was defined as modified Rankin Scale ≤ 2 at 3 months.

RESULTS

Of 102 included patients, 62 (61%) received any reperfusion therapy. In IP2 and IP3, favorable outcome was more frequent in patients with reperfusion therapy than in those without; however, this did not reach statistical significance (IP2: 39% vs 15%, p = 0.26; IP3: 50% vs 17 %; p = 0.31). No difference was seen in IP1 (58% vs 58%, p = 1.0). In IP2, patients with IV-tPA alone achieved better functional outcome (50% vs 11%, p = 0.03) and lower mortality (0% vs 28%, p = 0.045) than those without.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest a benefit with imaging profile selection based upon the combination of a small-to-moderate-sized infarction and a visible intracranial occlusion in patients receiving IV-tPA. Reperfusion therapy may be futile in patients without proven vessel occlusion.

Anti-Inflammatory and Skin-Hydrating Properties of a Dietary Supplement and Topical Formulations Containing Oligomeric Proanthocyanidins

BACKGROUND

Anti-inflammatory and skin hydration properties of a dietary supplement and 2 topical formulations (Anthogenol) with oligomeric proanthocyanidins were investigated.

METHODS

Forty-two subjects were randomized into 2 groups: one taking the dietary supplement (100 mg/day) and the other without supplement. After 4 weeks, erythema was induced using UV radiation followed by treatment with topical cream or lotion. Erythema was measured for up to 72 h after irradiation. Skin hydration after 1 and 2 weeks of application of the cream and lotion was also measured in separate test fields.

RESULTS

Both topical formulations led to a significant suppression of erythema formation and the dietary supplement led to an additional slightly stronger suppression. Thus 72 h after UV exposure and compared to the control fields of patients that had not taken a dietary supplement, erythema was slightly (13.2%) lower in the subjects that had taken a dietary supplement. The cream resulted in a maximal reduction of erythema of 45.9% (p = 0.0015), while the lotion resulted in a maximal reduction of 53.1% (p = 0.0002). Both topical formulations also increased skin hydration (by nearly 20%; p < 0.002 for all combinations of dietary supplementation and topical treatment) and the hydration was higher in the group taking the dietary supplement.

CONCLUSION

The regular use of Anthogenol products may help to protect from free-radical-mediated skin inflammation and to increase skin hydration.

Consistency of assessment of adverse drug reactions in psychiatric hospitals: a comparison of an algorithmic and an empirical approach

Within an ongoing drug surveillance project (AMUP) in psychiatric hospitals, a comparative study was carried out to evaluate two methods commonly used in the field of adverse drug reaction assessment. Two raters, who have cooperated with the project since its inception, evaluated 80 randomly selected ADRs twice; first, by an empirical (implicit) approach, and second, 4 weeks later, by using an algorithm as proposed by Kramer et al. 1979. Agreement on medication and related probability ratings was obtained in 81% of all 80 cases for the empirical method (weighted Kappa = 0.41), and in 69% for the algorithmic method (weighted Kappa = 0.62), indicating that agreement exceeded chance for both methods. By comparison with assessments made in previous case conferences of the project, empirical ratings were found to be reliable over time due to homogeneous use of criteria by project raters. In contrast to the reports on the subject, agreement between raters appeared to be superior in the empirical method as compared to the algorithmic assessment. Analysis of disagreements suggested that probability ratings based on the empirical method were nonspecific, due to conventional criteria applied in the project. Inter-rater agreement was reduced by polypharmacy, especially in the case of algorithmic assessments. The consistency of assessment was also lowered by the fact that the 2 methods assigned different weights to particular assessment criteria.

Reliability of adverse drug reaction assessment in psychiatric inpatients

Within an ongoing drug surveillance program in psychiatric hospitals the applicability of an algorithm for judgment on probability of causal relationship of adverse events and drug therapy was tested. Algorithmic interrater agreement was compared to agreement obtained with the conventional criteria used so far within the program in 80 cases by two raters, who had participated in the drug surveillance program since its beginning in 1979. With the use of the algorithm raters agreed on imputed drugs in 86% of all cases; total agreement on drugs and degree of probability was obtained in 69% (weighted kappa 0.618). Raters agreed on total score for the imputed medication in 49% and also on all subscores for the different axes of the algorithm in 43% of all cases. Differentiation of drug-related from illness-related changes, the use of judgmental terms within the algorithm and specific problems created by the frequent use of combinations of drugs with similar profiles of adverse drug reactions (ADR) in psychiatric patients were identified as the main sources of disagreement. Agreement on total judgment was comparable to results from similar studies in the literature using various algorithms, but in contrast to all these studies a higher percent of agreement (80%) was obtained with the use of the conventional criteria in this study.