جستجوی مقالات مرتبط با کلیدواژه « monotherapy » در نشریات گروه « پزشکی »

Regular packed cell transfusion in patients with thalassemia major leads to iron overload. Chelation therapy is one of the important aspects of thalassemia care as iron overload causes significant cardiac, hepatic, and endocrine dysfunction. We report a case of thalassemia major with severe iron overload causing cardiac and liver dysfunction who benefitted from triple drug chelation therapy. Triple iron chelation therapy in thalassemia major could be suggested in severe iron overload patients.

Antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) may lead to an increase in the plasma concentration of homocysteine. There is limited information, especially from Iran, regarding the risk in patients who are treated with levetiracetam as a new type of AED. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of levetiracetam on plasma homocysteine, vitamin B12, and folate levels in adult patients with epilepsy. We conducted a case‑control study and enrolled adult patients with epilepsy who had received monotherapy with levetiracetam for at least 6 months at some time prior to the study. homocysteine serum, vitamin B12, and folate were measured, and folate and vitamin B12 intake was determined by the food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). Thirty‑three patients on levetiracetam and 35 control subjects aged between 18 and 60 years were enrolled. No statistically signifcant differences in the means of the serum markers of vitamin B12, FA, and homocysteine levels were found between the two groups. In the frst model, i.e., the crude model, no signifcant differences were observed in the serum concentrations of homocysteine, vitamin B12, and folate. In the second model, education was considered, and body mass index and folate intake was controlled with no signifcant difference being observed in the mean homocysteine serum level. Treatment with levetiracetam in patients with epilepsy has no effect on the serum levels concentrations of homocysteine, vitamin B12, and folate. This medication is suggested for patients who use AEDs on a long‑term basis and at high dosages.

Psychotropic drugs use in the elderly with chronic schizophrenia is considered as an important issue in the field of psychiatry. The main goal of this study was to clarify the pattern of such drug use in these patients, in order to deem such therapy plan and focus on its cost attributing measures, for a more reasonable quality of care program. Methods &Materials: The study sample included 52 elderly resided at the Tehran`s Razi Mental Hospital who had chronic (more than six months) schizophrenia in the residual phase. Selected patients were taking at least two psychotropic drugs equivalent to 500 mg Chlorpromazine. We prepared the list of their drug use by obtaining their responses to our pre designed questionnaire charts. Data were collected and analyzed by SPSS version 17. In one case (1.92%), there was used for entries (Risperidone+Chlorpromazine+Fluphenazine Decanoate+Thiothixene). In 11 cases (21.2%) three entries and in 40 cases (76.8%), two entries of the psychotropic drugs were used. Chlorpromazine equivalent dose in each group ranged from the lowest dose (750 /mg) to the highest of (5600 /mg). The highest Chlorpromazine dose (5600) equivalent per milligram belonged to the four entries of(Risperidone+Chlorpromazine+Fluphenazine Decanoate and Thiothixene). The lowest Chlorpromazine dose (750/mg), was resulted in 3 entries of (Risperidone+Chlorpromazine and Fluphenazine Decanoate). At the end of the study, we found a high prevalence of using more than two psychotropic medications from the first atypical antipsychotic category. We also found, less frequent usage of the second and the third typical antipsychotic. We recommend more research to be applied for more feasible patterns of psychotropic prescriptions, with considerations of lowering the amount of medication use and deem their cost-benefits issues in elderly with chronic schizophrenia. Keywords: psychotropic drugs, chronic schizophrenia, elderly, monotherapy, polypharmacy

The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence and its determinants of Antipsychotic Use in patients with psychiatric disorders. Materials and

This study was on patients with psychiatric disorder that have discharged from the hospital. We have assessed all patients with psychiatric interview and evaluation of their psychiatric documentations.

90.7% of all of patients had taken antipsychotic medications and antipsychotic polypharmacy was in 27.2% of these patients. The most prevalent component of antipsychotic polypharmacy was consisting of Chlorpromazine, Halopreidol and Chlorpromazine, Risperidone and then Chlorpromazine, Olanzapine respectively. There were significant relations between pattern of antipsychotic use and gender, occupation status, type of psychiatric ward, duration of hospitalization and cost of treatment but no relationship with age, educational status and duration of illness.

This study suggests that prevalence of antipsychotic polypharmacy is high in in-patient psychiatric patients.

Major thalassemia is the most common form of anemia requiring blood transfusion in Iran. Since ribavirin provokes anemia in the treated patients, interferon monotherapy may be an appropriate treatment in major thalassemic patients. The aim of this study was to determine the safety and efficacy of interferon monotherapy in thalassemic patients with hepatitis C virus infection. Forty major thalassemic patients (20 male), with hepatitis C infection (detectable HCV RNA«by qualitative PCR««amplification assay) and elevated liver enzymes were enrolled. Liver biopsy was done for all patients. Then the patients were treated with interferon (3 MU, three times per week) for six months. They were followed by HCV RNA at the end of treatment, and at 6, 12, 24, 36, and 48 months later. Primary outcome measure was sustained virologic response defined by undetectable serum HCV RNA 6 months after end of treatment. Secondary endpoint was negative HCV RNA at the end of follow up (48 months posttreatment). Mean age of the patient at the beginning of the study was 17. 37±5 years. Three patients discontinued treatment because of interferon side effects. Twenty six (65% on intention to treat analysis) had undetectable HCV RNA 6 months after end of treatment but eleven of them became HCV RNA positive on follow up. Finally, 15 patients (37. 5%) had undetectable HCV RNA at the end of follow up. Interferon monotherapy is an effective treatment for major thalassemic patients with HCV infection. Definition of sustained virologic response for hepatitis C may require revision in high risk patients.