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Cureus May 2024The antibiotic cefepime is a fourth-generation cephalosporin with extended-spectrum coverage against both gram-positive and negative bacteria. It is commonly used in...
The antibiotic cefepime is a fourth-generation cephalosporin with extended-spectrum coverage against both gram-positive and negative bacteria. It is commonly used in the inpatient setting to treat community-acquired pneumonia or urinary tract infection and has side effects, including diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, pruritus, headache, and, more rarely, hypersensitivity reactions or neurotoxicity. The current report is about an 88-year-old female patient who was brought to the hospital by her daughter due to an acute change in mental status resulting from a urinary tract infection. The patient received intravenous cefepime and subsequently developed a low-frequency tremor after one day of treatment. Cefepime was discontinued with a resolution of tremor in three days. Though neurotoxicity has been documented as a serious adverse event with cefepime, tremor is not one of the known neurotoxic manifestations. This patient is the first reported to develop a tremor as a neurotoxic side effect from taking cefepime. Healthcare providers should be aware of this potential side effect and may consider discontinuing treatment with cefepime if their patient develops a new tremor within days of initiating treatment.
PubMed: 38826906
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.59518 -
Frontiers in Oncology 2024This study comprehensively assesses the incidence and profiles of treatment-related adverse events (trAEs) of immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI)-based therapies across...
AIM
This study comprehensively assesses the incidence and profiles of treatment-related adverse events (trAEs) of immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI)-based therapies across cancer at various sites.
METHODS
We systematically searched the PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane databases for trials investigating ICI-based therapies published between their inception and August 2023.
RESULTS
In total, 147 studies involving 45,855 patients met the inclusion criteria. Among them, patients treated with ICIs reported 39.8% and 14.9% of all-grade and grade ≥3 immune-related adverse events (irAEs), respectively. The most common all-grade irAEs were dermatological and gastrointestinal issues, diarrhea, and pruritus, whereas patients who received ICIs showed most common grade ≥3 irAEs, including gastrointestinal events, diarrhea, increased aspartate aminotransferase and alanine transaminase levels, and hepatic and dermatological events. The overall trAE incidence in patients treated with ICIs was 83.2% for all-grade trAEs and 38.2% for grade ≥3 trAEs. TrAE incidence was highest for patients treated with cytotoxic T lymphocyte antigen-4 inhibitors for all-grade and grade ≥3 trAEs, with incidences of 86.4% and 39.2%, respectively. ICIs combined with targeted therapy showed the highest all-grade and grade ≥3 trAEs, with incidences of 96.3% and 59.4%, respectively. The most common all-grade trAEs were anemia, decrease in white blood cell count, decrease in neutrophil count, nausea, fatigue, diarrhea, and alopecia; patients who received ICIs presented relatively high incidences of grade ≥3 trAEs.
CONCLUSION
This study provided comprehensive data regarding irAEs and trAEs in patients receiving ICIs. These results should be applied in clinical practice to provide an essential reference for safety profiles of ICIs.
SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION
INPLASY platform, identifier INPLASY202380119.
PubMed: 38826783
DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2024.1391724 -
Case Reports in Hepatology 2024Drug-induced liver injury resulting from herbal and dietary supplement use is increasingly common and underrecognized. We report a case of a 34-year-old male...
Drug-induced liver injury resulting from herbal and dietary supplement use is increasingly common and underrecognized. We report a case of a 34-year-old male recreational bodybuilder who presented with muscle cramping, fatigue, and diffuse itching in the setting of bodybuilding supplement use. Labs showed cholestatic liver injury, and liver biopsy revealed bland cholestasis and sinusoidal dilation. He was diagnosed with anabolic-androgenic steroid-induced liver injury. He was symptomatically managed with plasmapheresis for debilitating pruritus. This case highlights drug-induced liver injury as a complication of bodybuilding supplement use containing unlabeled anabolic-androgenic steroids. Sports medicine providers should inquire on herbal and dietary supplement use and be aware of potential contaminants.
PubMed: 38826497
DOI: 10.1155/2024/5112461 -
Research Square May 2024The central amygdala (CeA) is a crucial hub in the processing of affective itch, containing a diverse array of neuronal populations. Among these components, Neuropeptide...
The central amygdala (CeA) is a crucial hub in the processing of affective itch, containing a diverse array of neuronal populations. Among these components, Neuropeptide Y (NPY) and its receptors, such as NPY2R, affect various physiological and psychological processes. Despite this broad impact, the precise role of NPY2R CeA neurons in itch modulation remains unknown, particularly concerning any potential lateralization effects. To address this, we employed optogenetics to selectively stimulate NPY2R CeA neurons in mice, investigating their impact on itch modulation. Optogenetic activation of NPY2R CeA neurons reduced scratching behavior elicited by pruritogens without exhibiting any lateralization effects. Electrophysiological recordings confirmed increased neuronal activity upon stimulation. However, this modulation did not affect thermal sensitivity, mechanical sensitivity, or inflammatory pain. Additionally, no alterations in anxiety-like behaviors or locomotion were observed upon stimulation. Projection tracing revealed connections of NPY2R CeA neurons to brain regions implicated in itch processing. Overall, this comprehensive study highlights the role of NPY2R CeA neurons in itch regulation without any lateralization effects.
PubMed: 38826337
DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-4463812/v1 -
Archives of Dermatological Research Jun 2024Based on the presence of chronic pain and the potential use of common treatment agents in Notalgia Paresthetica (NP) and Fibromyalgia Syndrome (FMS) for improvement, we...
Based on the presence of chronic pain and the potential use of common treatment agents in Notalgia Paresthetica (NP) and Fibromyalgia Syndrome (FMS) for improvement, we aimed to investigate the frequency of FMS symptoms in NP patients and its impact on quality of life. This study is a case control cohort study including 26 patients diagnosed with NP and a total of 26 controls matched for age and gender. The 2016 revised fibromyalgia diagnostic criteria by the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) were used to inquire about FMS diagnosis criteria in the study. According to the 2016 ACR revised FMS diagnostic criteria, the frequency of FMS was significantly higher in the patient group (n = 9, 34.6%) compared to the control group (n = 2, 7.7%) (p = 0.042). The Wide Pain Index (WPI) score in the control group was 2.00 (3.25), while in the patient group, it was 4.00 (8.00), with a statistically significant difference between them (p < 0.035). Furthermore, significant statistical differences were found between the two groups in terms of Symptom Severity Scale (SSS), Fibromyalgia Score (FS), and FIQ (p < 0.035, p < 0.001, p < 0.001, respectively). In NP patients with accompanying FMS, Dermatology Life Quality Index was significantly more affected compared to those without FMS (p = 0.025). In conclusion, we recommend that NP patients be questioned about FMS, which is characterized by generalized pain, as well as regional neuropathic symptoms. Treatment success can be enhanced by using common agents in the treatment choice for accompanying FMS.
Topics: Humans; Fibromyalgia; Quality of Life; Female; Male; Case-Control Studies; Adult; Middle Aged; Severity of Illness Index; Pain Measurement; Paresthesia; Chronic Pain
PubMed: 38822886
DOI: 10.1007/s00403-024-03027-8 -
Journal of Infection and Public Health Jul 2024Interdigital tinea pedis is the most common type of foot infection, which is often treated by topical or systemic antifungals. Due to the increase in antifungal...
BACKGROUND
Interdigital tinea pedis is the most common type of foot infection, which is often treated by topical or systemic antifungals. Due to the increase in antifungal resistance, antifungal socks are becoming potential alternatives for the daily management of tinea pedis.
METHODS
In this study, antifungal fibres were adopted to produce interdigital hygiene socks to split the third and fourth toe seams of the feet. In vitro antifungal activity was first examined to verify the effectiveness of the socks. Preventive efficacy against tinea pedis was then evaluated among healthy participants, followed by therapeutic effect detection in patients diagnosed with tinea pedis by analysing the improvement in total symptom scores (TTS).
RESULTS
The interdigital-type hygiene socks exhibited apparent antifungal activities in vitro. An in vivo study demonstrated significant preventive effects against tinea pedis for interdigital socks compared to plain socks (P = 0.011) and a lower TTS than noninterdigital (P = 0.04) or plain socks (P < 0.0001). Moreover, interdigital socks showed a total effectiveness rate of 72.9% in patients with tinea pedis, with most of the symptoms alleviated.
CONCLUSION
Interdigital-type hygiene socks not only exhibited in vitro antifungal activities but also showed significant prophylactic and therapeutic effects against interdigital tinea pedis in vivo.
Topics: Tinea Pedis; Humans; Male; Female; Antifungal Agents; Adult; Middle Aged; Young Adult; Treatment Outcome; Adolescent; Toes
PubMed: 38820891
DOI: 10.1016/j.jiph.2024.05.043 -
Supportive Care in Cancer : Official... May 2024Radiation dermatitis is the most common reaction to radiotherapy, almost all breast cancer patients receive radiotherapy on an outpatient basis. Currently, there are no...
OBJECTIVES
Radiation dermatitis is the most common reaction to radiotherapy, almost all breast cancer patients receive radiotherapy on an outpatient basis. Currently, there are no studies on the experience of radiation dermatitis and the ability to self-manage it. Therefore, we aimed to use qualitative approaches to gain a deeper understanding of the actual experiences and self-management ability in order to provide a reference for further improving the effectiveness of self-management and to optimize symptom management strategies.
METHODS
A descriptive qualitative study was conducted using purposive sampling to select 17 breast cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy. Semi-structured interviews were conducted from September to November 2023. The Colaizzi seven-step analysis method was used to classify the data into summarized themes.
RESULTS
Four themes were identified from the interview responses: (1) multiple self-reported skin symptoms in breast cancer patients with radiation dermatitis; (2) the multidimensional impact on patient's quality of life, especially pruritus, ulceration; (3) the ability to self-manage radiation dermatitis: strong mental toughness, positive response, and self-doubt; (4) challenges faced: concerns about radiotherapy side effects and recurrence, targeted symptom management and continuity of care after the radiotherapy.
CONCLUSIONS
Healthcare professionals should consider patients' self-reported symptoms when assessing radiation dermatitis. For pruritus and pain, we can enhance precision symptom management to improve patients' quality of life. By utilizing information technology tools, we can increase breast cancer patients' ability and confidence in managing radiation dermatitis effectively while enhancing accurate symptom management during radiotherapy.
Topics: Humans; Female; Breast Neoplasms; Middle Aged; Self-Management; Qualitative Research; Radiodermatitis; Adult; Quality of Life; Aged; China; Interviews as Topic; Radiotherapy; East Asian People
PubMed: 38814489
DOI: 10.1007/s00520-024-08583-3 -
JAAD Case Reports Jun 2024
PubMed: 38813063
DOI: 10.1016/j.jdcr.2024.04.017 -
Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences 2023To explore the dermatological lesions associated with chronic pruritus in patients who were followed up at our clinic for type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM).
BACKGROUND/AIM
To explore the dermatological lesions associated with chronic pruritus in patients who were followed up at our clinic for type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM).
MATERIALS AND METHODS
The study population consisted of 249 patients with DM, who presented to the endocrinology clinic at Ankara University Faculty of Medicine between January 2022, and March 2022, regardless of whether they had reported experiencing pruritus symptoms. The visual analog scale and 5-D itch scale were used to determine the severity of itching in patients. Dermatological examination findings were also evaluated.
RESULTS
Of the 249 patients with DM, mean duration since diabetes was diagnosed was 12 ± 9.2 [median 10 (0.3-46)] years, and the mean HbA1c levels were 8.1% ± 2.1%. Pruritus was detected in 77 (30.9%) patients and the mean duration of diabetes diagnosis was 13.4 ± 9.7 years. Examination of the microvascular and macrovascular complications showed that the incidence of retinopathy, nephropathy, neuropathy and peripheral arterial disease was 31.2% (p = 0.003), 31.2% (p = 0.005), 66.2% (p < 0.001) and 10.4% (p = 0.038), respectively, in the group with pruritus. These incidences were significantly higher in the group with pruritus than in those without pruritus. Dermatological examination showed that the most common condition was xerosis (64%), followed by fungal skin infection (16%) and bullous pemphigoid (8%). No skin findings were noted in 7% of patients who complained of itching.
CONCLUSION
Chronic pruritus may be associated with several factors such as poor glycemic control, high BMI and microvascular and macrovascular complications in patients with DM. Especially in patients with severe generalized pruritus who do not respond to standard antipruritic treatments, the use of DPP-4 inhibitors, a class of oral antidiabetic agents, should be questioned and all medications being used by the patient should be reviewed.
Topics: Humans; Pruritus; Female; Male; Middle Aged; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; Aged; Chronic Disease; Adult; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1; Skin Diseases; Skin
PubMed: 38813039
DOI: 10.55730/1300-0144.5716 -
Acta Medica Philippina 2024Pruritus is a common and disabling symptom affecting as much as 50-90% of chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients undergoing dialysis. The pruritus experienced by these...
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES
Pruritus is a common and disabling symptom affecting as much as 50-90% of chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients undergoing dialysis. The pruritus experienced by these patients is often resistant to common anti-pruritic agents and has an overall negative impact on quality of life. With its antioxidant property and anti-inflammatory effects, omega-3 fatty acids have been used to alleviate pruritus. The objective of this study is to assess the effect of omega-3 fatty acid supplementation in reducing the severity of pruritus among dialytic CKD patients.
METHODS
Various electronic databases were searched from inception to August 2022. Randomized controlled trials comparing the effect of omega-3 fatty acids versus placebo on the pruritus scores were included. The studies were independently assessed by three reviewers. Revman version 5.4 was used to analyze the data extracted from the studies while heterogeneity was evaluated using Chi and I.
RESULTS
A total of four studies with a population of 166 patients were included in the meta-analysis. The results show an overall beneficial effect of omega-3 fatty acids with a standardized mean difference of -1.40 (CI -1.74 to -1.05, Z=7.95, value <0.00001). With a Chi of 2.91 (=0.41) and I of 0%, there was no significant heterogeneity observed in the pooled analysis.
CONCLUSION
Overall, the results of the meta-analysis support the finding that omega-3 fatty acid supplementation may have a beneficial effect on reducing the severity of pruritus among CKD patients on dialysis.
PubMed: 38812761
DOI: 10.47895/amp.vi0.7015