Prospective randomised comparison of photocoagulation and rubber band ligation in treatment of haemorrhoids.

Two hundred and sixty eight patients with haemorrhoids were allocated at random to treatment by either photocoagulation (group 1, n=141) or rubber band ligation (group 2, n=127) and followed up for one year. There was no significant difference in the symptomatic outcome of treatment between the two groups at one, four, or 12 months, irrespective of whether first or second degree haemorrhoids were treated. Side effects of treatment (bleeding or severe pain) were significantly more common after rubber band ligation (n=11) than after photocoagulation (n=2; p less than 0.01). Further outpatient treatment, however, was required significantly more often after photocoagulation (n=23) than rubber band ligation (n=6) (p greater than 0.02), and 19 patients (14 in group 1 and five in group 2; NS) subsequently had a haemorrhoidectomy. At one year 26 of 103 patients were dissatisfied after photocoagulation compared with 20 of 88 after rubber band ligation. Photocoagulation is a safe and comfortable treatment which gives long term results that are as good as those of rubber band ligation. Complications are more common after rubber band ligation, but further treatment is required more commonly after photocoagulation.     

Prospective trials of minor surgical procedures and high-fibre diet for haemorrhoids.

Two hundred and sixteen consecutive patients seen for the first time with symptomatic haemorrhoids entered trials of conservative and minor surgical treatment. They were divided into two groups according to their pretreatment maximal anal pressure. Patients with pressures of 100 cm H2O (73.7 mm Hg) or more (108 patients) were treated by anal dilatation (37), sphincterotomy (34), or high-fibre diet (37). Four and 12 months later anal dilatation had produced significantly better results than sphincterotomy or diet. Furthermore, anal dilatation was the only treatment associated with a significant reduction in anal pressure at four and 12 months. Patients with pressures under 100 cm H2O (108 patients) were treated by rubber-band ligation (35), cryosurgery (36), or diet (37). Four and 12 months later significantly more patients were improved by rubber-band ligation than by cryosurgery or diet. These results suggest that haemorrhoids in patients with excessive activity of the internal anal sphincter are best treated by anal dilatation and that in all other patients rubber-band ligation is the treatment of choice.     

前列腺癌根治性切除术后会阴部红外线照射提高患者控尿的 前瞻性的研究

目的:探讨对于前列腺癌根治术的患者,术后采用红外线会阴部照射,提高患者拔管后控尿的效果。方法:对76例前列腺癌根治术后患者,随机分为两组,实验组术后第一天起采用会阴部红外线照射治疗,连续10天,空白对照组不做任何处理,然后评估患者拔除尿管后控尿情况。结果:随访一年后发现,实验组中,37(97%)例的患者能够控制排尿,而对照组31(82%)例患者能够控制排尿(P=0.01)。实验组中可以控制排尿的患者,在拔除尿管以后,平均25±39天后可以控制排尿;而对照组中的患者则需要75±103天才能控制排尿(P<0.001)。接受红外线照射的患者尿控情况明显好于未接受治疗患者。结论:盆底红外线照射是前列腺癌根治术后提高患者尿控能力的有效的治疗方式。     

超声定位穿静脉结扎对下肢静脉性溃疡术后愈合影响的临床研究

目的:观察下肢静脉性溃疡患者穿静脉功能不全情况,探讨超声定位下肢穿静脉结扎对下肢静脉性溃疡术后疗效的影响。方法:40例大隐静脉曲张患者随机分成两组:A组采用大隐静脉高位结扎、静脉腔内微波射频闭合术及超声定位穿静脉结扎治疗,B组采用大隐静脉高位结扎和静脉腔内微波射频闭合术治疗。观察两组患者治疗后静脉性溃疡的愈合时间、复发率及瓣膜功能不全穿静脉数量部位,并比较两组患者临床预后评分。结果:术前两组瓣膜功能不全穿静脉数量分别是47条和44条,两组比较差异无统计学意义(P=0.5520)。术后两组愈合时间分别是(7.5±4.389)周和(11.6±6.489)周,两组比较差异具有统计学意义(P=0.048)。两组临床预后评分分别为(2.3±0.6)分和(1.1±1.5)分,两组比较差异具有统计学意义(P=0.042)。结论:多普勒超声可有效检测定位瓣膜功能不全的下肢穿静脉,在超声定位下行大隐静脉高位结扎、静脉腔内微波射频闭合术联合穿静脉结扎治疗下肢静脉性溃疡的疗效优于穿静脉不结扎。     

两种剂量阿托伐他汀治疗老年急性冠脉综合征的疗效及影响炎症、凝血因子的研究

目的:探讨两种剂量阿托伐他汀治疗老年急性冠脉综合征的疗效及对炎症、凝血因子的影响。方法:选择我院2010年1月~2012年12月收治的120例老年急性冠脉综合征患者作为观察对象,根据住院号随机分为观察组和对照组,每组均60例,两组患者均采用阿托伐他汀治疗,对照组予以10 mg/d,观察组予以20 mg/d,比较两组的临床效果以及炎症因子、凝血因子的变化。结果:治疗后,两组血脂达标率均显著提高,观察组治疗后1个月的血脂达标率为33.3%,治疗后3个月的血脂达标率为46.7%,均显著高于对照组的15.0%、23.3%,差异均具有统计学意义(均P0.05);治疗后1个月和3个月所有患者血浆CRP和TF均显著下降,观察组治疗后1个月和3个月CRP和TF水平均显著低于对照组,差异均具有显著性(均P0.05);观察组治疗后3个月TFPI水平显著高于对照组,差异具有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:大剂量阿托伐他汀治疗老年急性冠脉综合征患者临床疗效优于小剂量,对炎症因子和凝血因子的影响有利于预后的改善,值得临床进一步推广应用。     

辛伐他汀对慢性阻塞性肺疾病急性加重期患者凝血功能的影响研究

摘要 目的：探讨辛伐他汀对慢性阻塞性肺疾病急性加重期（chronic obstructive pulmonary acute exacerbation,AECOPD）患者凝血功能的影响。方法：选取2019年8月~2020年8月我科住院治疗的80例AECOPD患者作为本次研究对象,随机性分为对照组和观察组,每组分别40例。对照组给予常规治疗措施,观察组在对照组的治疗基础上另予辛伐他汀口服。比较两组患者刚入院时、治疗10 d后、30 d后的凝血功能指标、呼吸机使用时间、住院时间及治疗费用。治疗30天后所有患者按照肺功能损害严重程度分级,比较各级患者的凝血功能指标。结果：治疗后10 d和30 d,观察组患者的D-二聚体（D-dimer,DD）、同型半胱氨酸（homocysteine,HCY）及纤维蛋白原（fibrinogen,FBG）水平均明显减低,凝血酶时间（thrombin time,TT）明显缩短,凝血酶原时间（prothrombin time,PT）及活化部分凝血酶时间（activation of partial thrombin time,APTT）明显变长,各项指标与对照组相比较具有统计学意义（P<0.05）。观察组呼吸机使用时长及住院天数均明显低于对照组,治疗费用也明显低于对照组,其差异具有统计学意义（P<0.05）。治疗30天后按照肺功能中度损害患者的DD、HCY、FBG水平均显著低于重度和极重度患者,TT显著短于重度和极重度患者,PT和APTT显著长于重度和极重度患者（P<0.05）;重度肺功能损害患者的DD、HCY、FBG水平均显著低于极重度患者,TT显著短于极重度患者,PT和APTT显著长于极重度患者（P<0.05）。结论：辛伐他汀能够明显改善AECOPD患者的凝血功能,缩短住院时间,慢阻肺患者肺功能损害程度与其凝血功能异常程度存有一定关联性,肺功能损害程度较重者其凝血功能异常更为明显。     

尤瑞克林联合依达拉奉治疗房颤合并脑栓塞的疗效及对神经功能的影响

目的:分析尤瑞克林联合依达拉奉治疗房颤合并脑栓塞的疗效以及对神经功能的影响。方法:选取我院2013年1月至2015年1月收治的房颤合并脑栓塞患者220例,随机分为实验组与对照组,每组各110例。实验组患者采用尤瑞克林联合依达拉奉药物治疗,对照组采用低分子肝素治疗,记录治疗前后两组患者的凝血功能,对比两组患者的临床疗效,采用美国国立卫生研究院卒中量表(NIHSS)评价患者神经功能受损程度,日常生活活动能力量表(Barthel指数)评价患者的神经功能恢复情况。结果:治疗后两组患者的NIHSS评分较治疗前降低,且实验组明显低于对照组,Barthel指数较治疗前升高,且实验组明显高于对照组,差异均有统计学意义(P0.05);治疗后两组患者凝血酶时间(TT)、活化部分凝血活酶时间(APTT)、凝血酶原时间(PT)、INR均显著高于治疗前,且实验组显著高于对照组,差异具有统计学意义(P0.05);治疗后实验组患者的总有效率为90.91%,显著高于对照组的60.09%,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:尤瑞克林联合依达拉奉治疗房颤合并脑栓塞疗效较好,可修复受损的神经系统,值得在临床上大力推广。     

异种脱细胞真皮基质联合丝素蛋白辅料对幼儿Ⅱ度烫伤的临床疗效研究

目的分析异种脱细胞真皮基质联合丝素蛋白辅料对幼儿Ⅱ度烫伤的治疗效果。 方法随机选择湖北医药学院附属襄阳市第一人民医院104例Ⅱ度烫伤患儿,采用随机数字表法分为对照组（丝蛋白敷料覆盖）和试验组（异种脱细胞真皮基质联合丝蛋白敷料覆盖）,每组52例。实验结果中计量资料用 ±s表示,组间比较采用两样本t检验,治疗前后比较采用配对t检验;计量资料采用百分比表示,比较采用χ²检验,疼痛程度采用Z检验。 结果试验组患儿换药次数（2.87±0.98）?次、完全溶痂时间（8.26±3.18）d、温哥华评分（4.25±0.87）分,对照组分别为（5.64±1.02）次、（12.38± 3.02）d、（8.12±1.04）分,差异均有统计学意义（t = 14.121,6.775,20.582,P均< 0.001）。试验组患儿浅Ⅱ度创面感染率0.00%、愈合时间（8.53±1.49）d,对照组患儿分别为17.31%、（10.61±2.05） d,差异均有统计学意义（χ² = 9.853,P = 0.002,t = 5.918,P < 0.001）。试验组患儿深Ⅱ度创面感染率5.77%、愈合时间（12.90±1.64）d,对照组患儿分别为34.62%、（15.45±1.49）d,差异均有统计学意义（χ² = 13.425,P < 0.001,t = 8.299,P < 0.001）。治疗后比较,试验组患儿创面周围炎症评分（1.91±0.48）分、创面渗出物评分（2.86±0.45）?分,对照组患儿分别为（1.33±0.37）分、（2.09±0.53）分,差异有统计学意义（t = 6.901,7.986,P均?< 0.001）。试验组患儿疼痛程度与对照组比较,差异有统计学意义（Z = 41.657,P < 0.001）。 结论采用异种脱细胞真皮基质联合丝蛋白敷料覆盖治疗Ⅱ度烫伤患儿,可减少术后感染,缩短痊愈时间,降低疼痛程度,疗效优势明显。     

Fourier Transform Infrared Reflection Absorption Spectroscopy (FT-IRAS) of fibrinogen adsorbed on metal and metal oxide surfaces

We have investigated the possibilities of using Infrared Reflection Absorption Spectroscopy in the study of the interaction of proteins with metal surfaces. Structural information can be obtained since the infrared radiation at the metal surface interacts only with dipole transition moments perpendicular to the metal surface. Fibrinogen spontaneously adsorbed from solution onto gold, titanium and aluminum was used as model systems. The infrared studies were carried out on dried protein films. The amide I bands of fibrinogen adsorbed on the metal surfaces shift towards higher frequencies (ca. 20 cm-1) relative to the same band in buffer solution. The magnitude of these shifts indicates that conformational change of the protein occurs upon adsorption on metal surfaces. The change in conformation of the fibrinogen also can partly be due to one week of drying at room temperature. The amide I and amide II bands show a slightly different behaviour in terms of frequency and intensity for each metal-protein system studied. The side chains appeared to be more substrate sensitive than the peptide group. Orientational effects were observed for a number of side-chain related groups.     

血栓弹力图检测在卵巢过度刺激综合征中的应用

目的:研究血栓弹力图在卵巢过度刺激综合征(Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome,OHSS)患者血凝块形成评价中的应用及临床意义。方法:将35例接受胚胎移植治疗后发生OHSS患者及21例同期治疗未发生OHSS患者,进行血栓弹力图(Thromboelastography,TEG)检测,同时收集常规凝血参数(凝血酶原时间(Prothrombin time,PT)、活化部分凝血活酶时间(Activated partial thromboplastin time,APTT)、纤维蛋白原(Fibrinogen,FIB)等)。分析OHSS患者与对照患者凝血和TEG各指标的差异,以及OHSS患者治疗前后TEG各指标的差异。结果:(1)OHSS患者PT时间明显高于对照组,FIB水平明显低于对照组,但APTT时间无明显区别(P=0.112);(2)TEG检测OHSS组的血凝综合指数明显高于对照组(3.6±0.7:0.8±0.5);(3)治疗后,OHSS患者血凝综合指数2.8±0.9,较治疗前明显下降(P0.01)。结论:TEG检测可用于OHSS患者凝血功能的评估。     

机用ProTaper 进行恒磨牙根管预备的临床评价

目的:评价机用ProTaper镍钛根管器械进行恒磨牙根管预备的临床疗效。方法:2007年7月至2010年12月期间就诊的需进行根管治疗的109患者,共计128颗磨牙,包括牙髓炎54颗牙,慢性根尖周炎74颗牙。按随机配对原则分入实验组和对照组,每组64颗牙。实验组用机用ProTaper镍钛根管锉预备根管,对照组用不锈钢K型锉预备根管。两组均采用侧向加压法充填根管,记录每颗患牙的单个根管预备所用时间、根管充填效果、术后不良反应及随访到的远期疗效。结果:机用ProTaper镍钛器械预备单根管所耗时间明显少于对照组,根管预备后疼痛发生率明显低于对照组,根管适充率实验组明显优于对照组,根管治疗术后1年疗效比较也优于对照组。结论:使用机用ProTaper器械进行恒磨牙根管预备快速有效,根充效果好,并发症发生率低,远期疗效确切,值得临床推广。     

Infrared studies of the CO-inhibited form of the Fe-only hydrogenase from Clostridium pasteurianum I: examination of its light sensitivity at cryogenic temperatures

Infrared spectroscopy has been used to examine the oxidized and CO-inhibited forms of Fe-only hydrogenase I from Clostridium pasteurianum. For the oxidized enzyme, five bands are detected in the infrared spectral region between 2100 and 1800 cm(-1). The pattern of infrared bands is consistent with the presence of two terminally coordinated carbon monoxide molecules, two terminally coordinated cyanide molecules, and one bridging carbon monoxide molecule, ligated to the Fe atoms of the active site [2Fe] subcluster. Infrared spectra of the carbon monoxide-inhibited state, prepared using both natural abundance CO and 13CO, indicate that the two terminally coordinated CO ligands that are intrinsic to the enzyme are coordinated to different Fe atoms of the active site [2Fe] subcluster. Irradiation of the CO-inhibited state at cryogenic temperatures gives rise to two species with dramatically different infrared spectra. The first species has an infrared spectrum identical to the spectrum of the oxidized enzyme, and can be assigned as arising from the photolysis of the exogenous CO from the active site. This species, which has been observed in X-ray crystallographic measurements [Lemon, B. J., and Peters, J. W. (2000) J. Am. Chem. Soc. 122, 3793], decays above 150 K. The second light-induced species decays above 80 K and is characterized by loss of the infrared band associated with the Fe bridging CO at 1809 cm(-1). Potential models for the second photolysis event are discussed.     

The unreliability of estimates of group dissociation constants.

If a molecule contains two groups that bind a common ligand, then to determine their group dissociation constants it is necessary (1) to assume that some property of the molecule is affected by the degree of ligation of only one of the groups, and (2) to determine how this property varies with the concentration of free ligand. When assignment of group dissociation constants made on this basis suggests that the degree of ligation of each group greatly affects the dissociation constant of the other, then the original assumption that the chosen property is completely unaffected by ligation of the second group is rendered doubtful. Dissociation constants of interacting groups can therefore not be reliably determined.     

低分子肝素对早发型重度子痫前期治疗对母婴结局的影响分析

目的:探讨低分子肝素对早发型重度子痫前期治疗情况,并分析治疗对母婴结局的影响。方法:选择我院2012年1月~12月收治的早发型重度子痫前期患者120例,随机分为观察组和对照组,每组60例。对照组给予常规治疗,观察组在对照组治疗基础上加用低分子肝素。比较两组血压、24 h尿量、尿蛋白定量、尿酸、血常规、凝血功能及孕周延长时间、围产儿结局和产妇并发症。结果:两组患者临床指标无差异(P0.05),治疗后两组血压、24 h尿量、尿蛋白定量均显著改善,观察组红细胞压积、纤维蛋白原降低明显高于对照组,而观察组患者的产妇并发症和围产儿不良结局发生率均低于对照组,且产妇孕周延长时间明显多于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。两组患者的血小板、凝血酶原时间等治疗前后均无明显变化(P0.05)。结论:低分子肝素对早发型重度子痫前期的治疗能有效抑制高凝状态,改善肾功能,延长孕周时间,可有效减少患者并发症的发生,改善母婴预后,值得临床推广应用。     

Evaluation of a course for general practitioners on muscles and joints.

We attempted to evaluate a course on muscle and joint problems for general practitioners using a practice log diary and a factual test paper, which were completed both before and after the course by the doctors attending. A significant improvement was shown in the group score in the test paper taken after the course (p less than 0.001). Scores in the tests before and after had a negative correlation with age (p less than 0.001). In comparing the data in the second log diary with those in the first there was a significant reduction in the prescribing of drugs (p less than 0.001), use of heat treatment (p less than 0.001), and in "other" forms of treatment (p less than 0.01). No appreciable change in investigations or number of hospital referrals was shown. Those doctors who had low scores in the first factual test referred appreciably more patients to hospital and requested more x ray examinations (p less than 0.01).     

Effects of burn wound excision on bacterial colonization and invasion

Rates of survival after thermal injury have improved in the past two decades, and rates of wound infections and sepsis have decreased during the same period. Early excision has been advocated as one of the major factors, but its safety and efficacy and the exact timing of burn excision are still under debate. It was hypothesized that acute burn wound excision (in the first 24 hours after burning) would be superior to conservative treatment and delayed excision in preventing bacterial colonization and invasion. Twenty consecutive patients with thermal injuries were studied. Twelve patients underwent acute burn wound excision, and eight patients underwent conservative treatment and delayed excision. The second group of patients received topical treatments in another facility and underwent delayed excision after transfer to our service, on postburn day 6. Quantitative bacteriological assessments of the excised wound and biopsy samples of the wound bed, obtained before autografting and/or homografting, were performed. The effects of time on bacterial counts, differences between superficial and deep biopsy samples, and the effects of early versus late debridement were studied. Patients admitted early exhibited bacterial counts of less than 10 bacteria per gram of tissue. Patients in this group did not experience infection or graft loss. Patients admitted late exhibited counts of more than 10 bacteria (p = 0.001, compared with early admission). Three patients in the late excision group experienced infection and graft loss (p < 0.05, compared with the early excision group). Burn wound excision significantly decreased bacterial colonization for all patients (p < 0.001). Greater bacterial colonization and higher rates of infection were correlated with topical treatment and late excision (p < 0.001). It is concluded that burn wound excision significantly reduces bacterial colonization. Patients who undergo topical treatment and delayed burn wound excision exhibit greater bacterial colonization and increased rates of infection. Acute burn wound excision should be considered for all full-thickness burns.     

Basic and Clinical Research on the Therapeutic Effect of Intervention in Primary Liver Cancer by Targeted Intra-Arterial Verapamil Infusion

The aim of this study was assess the therapeutic effect of targeted intra-arterial verapamil infusion in liver cancer patients and its side-effects in a dog model. The blood verapamil levels in dogs were determined after one-off intra-arterial infusion (0.7 mg/kg). Blood pressure, breathing state, and II-lead electrocardiogram were measured. Primary liver cancer patients (100) were randomly assigned into two groups. Controls (50) were treated with targeted intra-arterial infusion, and every patient received once-a-month interventional therapy, twice. Treatment group (50) received chemotherapeutics plus verapamil. Therapeutic and toxic side effects were evaluated. Control (41) and treatment group (45) patients were further treated with a second round of targeted intra-arterial infusion of chemotherapeutics plus verapamil, in 30 days after the 2-time interventional therapy. Every patient accepted interventional therapy 4–5 times during the 6 months after the first confirmed diagnosis. Following verapamil infusion, verapamil in dog liver was tenfold higher than in blood and was 4- to 20-fold higher than that needed for reversing carcinoma drug resistance. After interventional therapy, there were no significant changes in iconographic evaluation indices between the groups. Average activities of aminotransferases were 332 and 178 U/l in the treatment and control groups (P < 0.05). The imaging parameters of the treatment group were significantly better than those of control group. No side effects were found among the 91 patients who accepted verapamil infusion. After verapamil infusion, verapamil levels in dog hepatic tissue exceeded the effective concentration that reverses carcinoma multidrug resistance without any visible changes in the vital signs. Targeted intra-arterial verapamil infusion could improve the chemotherapy for the primary liver cancer patients without any side effects.     

The efficacy and safety of solifenacin in patients with overactive bladder syndrome

The aim of the randomised, double blind, placebo controlled study was to evaluate the efficacy, tolerability and safety of solifenacin, a once-daily M3 selective receptor antagonist, in patients with overactive bladder syndrome. Following a single blind 2-week placebo run in period, patients who complained from symptoms of OAB for at least 6 months, were randomized to 4 weeks of solifenacin in 5 mg once daily doses or placebo. 171 patients were enrolled in the study and 157 patients completed the study. Patients with solifenacin had significantly improved micturitions per 24 hours after first week of treatment (1.75 +/- 0.63 vs. 2.64 +/- 0.48, p < 0.001), and after four weeks (1.56 +/- 0.58 vs. 2.71 +/- 0.45, p < 0.001) compared to placebo group. The mean number of urgency episodes per 24 hours had significantly decreased in patients with solifenacin compared to placebo after first week (5.75 +/- 1.43 vs. 6.65 +/- 0.65, p < 0.001), and after four weeks of treatment (5.77 +/- 1.33 vs. 6.54 +/- 0.50, p < 0.001). Solifenacin was also significantly more effective than placebo in reducing the mean number of episodes of severe urgency from baseline to end point (5.83 +/- 1.16 vs. 6.48 +/- 0.50, p < 0.001). Compared with changes obtained with placebo, episodes of urinary frequency were significanlty reduced after first week (0.3 vs. -0.5, p < 0.001) and four weeks check up periods in patients treated with solifenacin (0.19 vs. -0.15, p < 0.001). Episodes of nocturia was significantly reduced in patients treated with solifenacin after first week (0.3 vs. -0.5, p < 0.001), and after four weeks treatment period (0.45 vs. -0.50, p < 0.001). The number of incontinence episodes was also significantly decreased in solifenacin group compared to placebo group after first week (1.06 +/- 0.57 vs. 2.74 +/- 0.47, p < 0.001) and four weeks check up (0.96 +/- 0.57 vs. 2.75 +/- 0.43, p < 0.001). The most common adverse effects with solifenacin were dry mouth and constipation. Adverse effects were mild or moderate severity. The discontinuation rate owing to adverse effects was 4.5%-6.7% with solifenacin and 3.8%-6.1% with placebo, respectively. According to subjective estimation, significant improvement was achieved in 71 (92.21%) of patients treated with solifenacin and in 68 (85%) patients treated with placebo there was no change in OAB symptoms compared to baseline values. UDI score was significantly improved after solifenacin (22.26 +/- 5.91 vs. 29.61 +/- 8.45, p < 0.001) compared to placebo. IIQ score was significantly decreased in patients with solifenacin (36.25 +/- 10.34 vs. 46.86 +/- 6.81, p < 0.001) compared to placebo. In conclusion, solifenacin is a safe and effective treatment alternative for patients with overactive bladder symptoms.     

Comparable Long-Term Efficacy of Lopinavir/Ritonavir and Similar Drug-Resistance Profiles in Different HIV-1 Subtypes

Background

Analysis of potentially different impact of Lopinavir/Ritonavir (LPV/r) on non-B subtypes is confounded by dissimilarities in the conditions existing in different countries. We retrospectively compared its impact on populations infected with subtypes B and C in Israel, where patients infected with different subtypes receive the same treatment.

Methods

Clinical and demographic data were reported by physicians. Resistance was tested after treatment failure. Statistical analyses were conducted using SPSS.

Results

607 LPV/r treated patients (365 male) were included. 139 had HIV subtype B, 391 C, and 77 other subtypes. At study end 429 (71%) were receiving LPV/r. No significant differences in PI treatment history and in median viral-load (VL) at treatment initiation and termination existed between subtypes. MSM discontinued LPV/r more often than others even when the virologic outcome was good (p = 0.001). VL was below detection level in 81% of patients for whom LPV/r was first PI and in 67% when it was second (P = 0.001). Median VL decrease from baseline was 1.9±0.1 logs and was not significantly associated with subtype. Median CD4 increase was: 162 and 92cells/µl, respectively, for patients receiving LPV/r as first and second PI (P = 0.001), and 175 and 98, respectively, for subtypes B and C (P<0.001). Only 52 (22%) of 237 patients genotyped while under LPV/r were fully resistant to the drug; 12(5%) were partially resistant. In48%, population sequencing did not reveal resistance to any drug notwithstanding the virologic failure. No difference was found in the rates of resistance development between B and C (p = 0.16).

Conclusions

Treatment with LPV/r appeared efficient and tolerable in both subtypes, B and C, but CD4 recovery was significantly better in virologically suppressed subtype-B patients. In both subtypes, LPV/r was more beneficial when given as first PI. Mostly, reasons other than resistance development caused discontinuation of treatment.