Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: UMLS:C0018681 (headache)
 56,091 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

A 57-year-old man had abnormal hepatic function identified in April 1994. In October 1994, chronic hepatitis C was diagnosed. Based on the findings of a liver biopsy, administration of recombinant interferon (rIFN)-alpha2b was begun. In the 16th week of treatment, the patient experienced headache and fever and developed a markedly decreased, platelet count and hemolytic anemia. He was admitted on May 19, 1995 and thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) was diagnosed. He died on the 3rd hospital day. The causes of TTP have yet to be elucidated, but in this patient the occurrence of TTP appeared to be related to the IFN treatment for chronic hepatitis C.
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PMID:Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura developed suddenly during interferon treatment for chronic hepatitis C. 971 49

Three patients, negative for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), with histologically and polymerase chain reaction-proven non-HIV Kaposi's sarcoma who received low-dose interferon (IFN) as first-line treatment because of disseminated symptomatic disease are reported. Applying 3-18 million IU of IFN-alpha 2a per day, 3 days a week, subcutaneously for 8-20 months, major responses were achieved in all three cases. Tumour regression was observed within 4 months and has continued for 57 and 18 months to date (cases 1 and 2, respectively). Influenza-like symptoms, including fever, headaches and fatigue, were mild side-effects. However, in the third patient interferon injections had to be stopped because of hepatic enzyme elevation. Including this case report, 27 non-HIV Kaposi's sarcoma patients subcutaneously treated with IFN-alpha have been reported in literature. Most therapy regimens included 3-18 million IU IFN-alpha per day for 3 days a week. Twenty of 27 patients, or 74%, responded to therapy, whereas seven patients or 26% had stable or progressive disease. Relapse after IFN withdrawal can occur but is frequently delayed and limited, as in case 1. Following the response to IFN treatment, human herpesvirus-8 DNA was detected in the blood mononuclear cells of all three patients, possibly contributing to future relapses.
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PMID:Non-human immunodeficiency virus Kaposi's sarcoma can be effectively treated with low-dose interferon-alpha despite the persistence of herpesvirus-8. 999 Mar 71

The objective of the study was to examine whether the beneficial effect of treatment of interferon alfa-2a on multiple sclerosis seen by magnetic resonance imaging is reflected in a corresponding improvement in the quality of life (QoL) and to address the impact of adverse events related to this treatment on the QoL. The study was a randomised double-blinded placebo-controlled treatment trial including 97 relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis patients. Thirty-two patients received 4.5 MIU recombinant interferon alfa-2a, 32 patients received 9.0 MIU recombinant interferon alfa-2a and 33 patients received placebo treatment for 6 months. All patients were followed up 6 months after end of treatment. QoL was assessed according to the eight scales of the SF-36 Health Survey and measured at baseline, month 3, 6 and 12. The effect found on MRI was not reflected in a corresponding change in the QoL. We found a relationship between the presence of new enhancing lesions and reduced QoL among the placebo patients, whereas this was not found among the patients treated with interferon. The presence of the adverse events fatigue, myalgia, headache and weakness were significantly negatively correlated to several of the QoL dimensions. Conclusively, the treatment with interferon alfa-2a does not seem to improve the patients' QoL after 6 months of treatment, in spite of a marked effect measured by MRI. The treatment is followed by adverse events that negatively affected the QoL.
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PMID:Type I interferons and the quality of life of multiple sclerosis patients. Results from a clinical trial on interferon alfa-2a. 1051 74

Beta-interferons possess anti-viral, cell proliferation inhibition and immunomodulatory characteristics which may be of use in the treatment of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN). Intralesional administration may avoid systemic side effects. Twenty-six women with cervical punch biopsy proven CIN I and II were treated by interferon injection into the cervical transformation zone according to three dosage regimens--6 million international units (IU) weekly for six weeks, 9 million IU weekly for six weeks and 12 million IU bi-weekly for three weeks. At the last treatment visit, cervical cytology and biopsy were taken to ensure no disease progression and large loop excision of the transformation zone (LLETZ) was carried out six months after treatment. Therapy was well-tolerated with 93% of the scheduled 156 treatments given. Side effects which caused cessation of treatment included severe myalgia, headaches and prolonged flu-like symptoms. The 2 patients who failed to attend for LLETZ at six months and another 2 patients who received fewer than five scheduled treatments were excluded from analysis. LLETZ histology was negative in 12 patients (54%), showed inflammatory changes or squamous metaplasia in 4 (18%), was unchanged in 4 patients and had progressed in 2 (10%). Whilst intralesional beta-interferon clearly has activity in CIN, the response rate is less than that seen for excisional or ablative procedures. Nevertheless, it may have a role in the management of CIN where, for medical reasons of patient preference, there is a desire to avoid surgical therapy.
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PMID:A pilot study of the efficacy and tolerability of intralesional recombinant human beta-interferons in cervical intraepithelial neoplasia. 1067 85

We report here a patient who suffered from PCR- confirmed human herpesvirus type 6 (HHV-6) meningoencephalitis after allogeneic purified CD34+ cell transplantation from his HLA-mismatched sibling donor, even though he had been on intense prophylaxis with i.v. ganciclovir (GCV), acyclovir (ACV) and gamma-globulin containing a specific antibody against HHV-6. Serological evaluation disclosed that both the donor and recipient had IgG antibody against HHV-6 before transplantation. His blood WBC count started to transiently increase on day 10, and all blood components had decreased by day 20. He then developed a severe headache and high blood pressure, and sporadic abnormal neurological findings including nystagmus and delirium. An analysis of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) revealed 8 cells/microl, a glucose level of 130 mg/dl and a protein level of 201 mg/dl (normal, 50 mg/dl) on day 26. At the time, HHV-6 was detected only in CSF by a PCR-based method and he was diagnosed as having meningoencephalitis due to the local reactivation of HHV-6. Although he failed to respond to high-dose therapy with ACV (60 mg/kg/day) and gamma-globulin, the DNA of this virus disappeared from the CNS upon treatment with GCV (30 mg/kg/day) combined with the intraventricular infusion of alpha-interferon. His clinical course was further complicated with meningoencephalitis due to staphylococcus epidermidis, and he died of tentorial herniation on day 79 without the recovery of blood components. This experience may indicate that intense prophylaxis to prevent reactivation of HHV-6 in the CNS is essential for the management of such profoundly immunosuppressed patients.
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PMID:HLA-mismatched CD34-selected stem cell transplant complicated by HHV-6 reactivation in the central nervous system. 1074 66

We analysed data from a multicentre interferon (IFN) treatment trial to evaluate symptoms in patients with chronic hepatitis C and to identify factors that might predict development of debilitating IFN side-effects. Two hundred and twenty-two patients (120 US, 102 French) received 3 or 5 million units (MU) of IFN-alpha three times weekly (t.i.w.) for 3 months. Those who had detectable hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA, as detected by the branched DNA signal amplification (bDNA) assay, at 3 months were intensified to daily therapy, while patients who were bDNA negative continued t.i.w. dosing for the subsequent 3 months of treatment. Symptoms were assessed at baseline, and adverse effects were evaluated at 6 months of therapy. Prior to treatment, the most common symptom that interfered with daily functioning was fatigue, occurring in 25% of patients. The frequency of debilitating fatigue, myalgia, arthralgia, headache, the presence of dry eyes and dry mouth, and use of antidepressant medication increased significantly from baseline to 6 months of IFN therapy (all P < 0.01). In multivariate analysis, the development of a debilitating side-effect at 6 months of treatment was associated with the presence of that symptom prior to therapy in all cases. Symptoms and adverse effects varied by gender and country. Compared with patients maintained on t.i.w. dosing, those who were dose intensified to daily IFN reported more debilitating fatigue, malaise, myalgia, arthralgia, fever, nausea, and headache, and the presence of dry mouth (all P < 0.05). In conclusion, patient characteristics, including pretreatment symptoms, gender and nationality, as well as daily IFN dosing are associated with the development of debilitating adverse effects on IFN therapy.
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PMID:Pretreatment symptoms and dosing regimen predict side-effects of interferon therapy for hepatitis C. 1084 63

Posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome is a newly recognised brain disorder that predominantly affects the cerebral white matter. Oedematous lesions particularly involve the posterior parietal and occipital lobes, and may spread to basal ganglia, brain stem, and cerebellum. This rapidly evolving neurological condition is clinically characterised by headache, nausea and vomiting, seizures, visual disturbances, altered sensorium, and occasionally focal neurological deficit. Posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome is often associated with an abrupt increase in blood pressure and is usually seen in patients with eclampsia, renal disease, and hypertensive encephalopathy. It is also seen in the patients treated with cytotoxic and immunosuppressive drugs such as cyclosporin, tacrolimus, and interferon alfa. The lesions of posterior leukoencephalopathy are best visualised with magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. T2 weighted MR images, at the height of symptoms, characteristically show diffuse hyperintensity selectively involving the parieto-occipital white matter. Occasionally the lesions also involve the grey matter. Computed tomography can also be used satisfactorily to detect hypodense lesions of posterior leukoencephalopathy. Early recognition of this condition is of paramount importance because prompt control of blood pressure or withdrawal of immunosuppressive agents will cause reversal of the syndrome. Delay in the diagnosis and treatment can result in permanent damage to affected brain tissues.
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PMID:Posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome. 1150 3

We describe the case of a 56-year-old man who had high aminotransferase levels and anti-hepatitis C virus (HCV) antibodies. He underwent liver biopsy and biochemical screening to evaluate whether he would benefit from interferon (IFN) treatment. The patient was discharged with a diagnosis of HCV-related active chronic hepatitis, skin porphyria, and type 2 diabetes. On December 5, 1995, he began therapy with recombinant IFN-alpha at a dose of 3 MIU three times a week. He stopped this therapy in February 1996 because of asthenia, diplopia, headache, and anxiety. During IFN therapy, he had normal aminotransferase levels and no detectable HCV RNA, a condition that persists to the present. Between March and May 1996, the patient was admitted several times to a neurology clinic, where myasthenia gravis was diagnosed and treatment with pyridostigmine and cyclosporine was initiated. This case and others indicate that caution should be exercised in administering IFN because low doses can be correlated with myasthenia gravis in patients without malignancies.
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PMID:Myasthenia gravis during low-dose IFN-alpha therapy for chronic hepatitis C. 1150 39

A 76-year-old man with postoperative renal cell carcinoma accompanied by multiple lung metastasis was being treated with recombinant interferon-alpha. After administration of 3 MU/day on 3 days/week for 1 month, he complained of headache and tinnitus. During continuous treatment for 3 months, he complained of appetite loss, low-grade fever and dyspnea. He was then referred to our Department of Internal Medicine. Electrocardiography indicated a complete A-V block, and chest radiography (CXR) showed a reticular shadow in both lower lung fields and bilateral pleural effusion. Chest computed tomography (CT) indicated subpleural emphysematous changes, multiple nodules, consolidation shadow with ground glass opacity in both lower lobes, and bilateral pleural effusion. The findings in the bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid included increases in the numbers of lymphocytes and eosinophils. We reached a diagnosis of interferon-alpha-induced pneumonitis on the basis of the patient's clinical course, and the CXR, chest CT and BAL fluid findings. Treatment with methylprednisolone pulse therapy for 3 days and then administration of prednisolone for 1 month resulted in marked improvement in the complete A-V block and interstitial pneumonitis. At day 7 after discontinuation of prednisolone, the serum level of C-reactive protein increased, and CXR showed bilateral pleural effusion. We therefore believe that the pleural effusion was probably also induced by interferon-alpha. Interferon is an effective drug for chronic hepatitis C and malignant diseases. Many complications have been reported during interferon therapy. However, although these complications, such as interstitial pneumonitis, complete A-V block and pleural effusion, have rarely been reported, careful attention is required during interferon therapy in case any appear.
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PMID:[A case of renal cell carcinoma complicated with interstitial pneumonitis, complete A-V block and pleural effusion during interferon-alpha therapy]. 1185 92

Interferon beta-1a is an established therapy for patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (MS). Adverse effects in the first weeks of treatment are common. This open-label, multicenter, randomized, prospective study compared treatment of flu-like symptoms (FLS) with paracetamol versus ibuprofen administered 48 h within interferon injection. The percentage of patients with FLS was comparable between both treatment groups and improved during the course of the study (baseline: paracetamol 92%, ibuprofen 90%; week 12: paracetamol 60%, ibuprofen 57%). More than 75% of patients receiving either paracetamol or ibuprofen reported no or only mild impairment of daily activities. There was no significant difference in general satisfaction or incidence of additional symptoms (weakness, nausea, headache; paracetamol 84.6% patients, ibuprofen 86.0% patients) between the two groups. A significant overall improvement from baseline to week 12 was observed for all parameters studied (paracetamol and ibuprofen groups were pooled). These results indicate that neither the paracetamol nor the ibuprofen treatment regimen is better.
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PMID:Both paracetamol and ibuprofen are equally effective in managing flu-like symptoms in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis patients during interferon beta-1a (AVONEX) therapy. 1193 82


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