High dose glucocorticoids (GC) are commonly used for the treatment of autoimmune diseases. The frequencies, occurrence day and dose-dependency for side effects may be different among the events such as diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, infectious disease, osteoporosis, and peptic ulcer. We investigated GC-induced side effects in 68 patients treated with GC for autoimmune diseases. Initial dose of GC (prednisolone equivalent) was 0.67±0.35 mg/kg/d. Hypercholesterolemia (66%), hypertension (62%), insomnia (50%), hypertriglyceridemia (44%), excessive appetite (38%), hyperglycemia (18%), digestive symptom (16%), moon-shaped face (13%) and oral candidiasis (12%) were observed in 63 patients treated with GC. Hypercholesterolemia, excessive appetite, digestive symptom, moon-shaped face, and oral candidiasis were associated with the initial dose of prednisolone greater than 0.80 mg/kg/d. Insomnia [median 6 days (range 1-88)], excessive appetite [7 days (2-57)], hypertension [8 days (1-37)], digestive symptom [15 days (1-87)] and hypercholesterolemia [19 days (3-77)] were observed early after 6-19 days starting GC. On the other hand, hypertriglyceridemia [33 days (2-131)], oral candidiasis [35 days (7-52)] and hyperglycemia [60 days (4-134)] were developed after 33-60 days starting GC. Since the frequencies, dose-dependency and occurrence day were different among the side effects of GC, medical staffs including physicians and pharmacists should pay attention such features of the events in the treatment of autoimmune diseases.
Perforation of intra-abdominal organs such as the bowel and urinary bladder is one of the most serious complications related to peritoneal dialysis catheter (PDC) insertion procedures. Such a risk increases in patients with a history of prior abdominal surgery or irradiation. The “alpha-replacer” is a unique wire that is usually soft, but becomes harder if coiled in the hand. Application of this equipment as a stylet might improve the safety and effectiveness of PDC insertion. A total of eight high-risk patients (organic adhesion, bleeding tendency, poor cardiac function, or malnutrition, or some of these) underwent a new peritoneal dialysis catheter (PDC) insertion procedure named “flexible stylet method” using alpha-replacer as a stylet. As a consequence, the maneuver was completed successfully in all patients and neither patient developed any major complications. The novel “flexible stylet method” as described herein offers effective and safe treatment.
Poster: ECR 2014 / C-0749 / Sex determination based on measurements of the subpubic and greater sciatic notch angles using three-dimensional computed tomography images. by: K. Abiko, A. Usui, Y. Hosokai, A. Nakajima, M. Kozakai, M. Funayama, Y. Kawasumi, H. Saito; Sendai/JP
