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 261,466 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Chronic pancreatitis is mostly caused by heavy alcohol consumption and is characterized by the onset of symptoms in the fourth and fifth decade. Beginning in patients older than 65 years of age is rare. Leading symptom is recurrent or persisting abdominal pain which is missed only in approximately 5% of the cases. Chronic pancreatitis is classified as idiopathic if there is no anamnesis of alcohol abuse or some rare specific causes. The Idiopathic Chronic Senile Pancreatitis (ICSP) is a subset of the non-alcoholic pancreatitis and is characterized by advanced age at the time of first manifestation. Although life expectancy especially in chronic alcoholic pancreatitis is reduced, there are many patients who reach older age. The natural history in all forms of chronic pancreatitis shows a decrease in pain and the manifestation of exocrine and endocrine insufficiency as late complications. Especially in the elderly loss of weight may occur with steatorrhea and pancreatic diabetes mellitus as the dominating clinical problem of chronic pancreatitis. If pain persists treatment is symptomatically with analgesics. The possibility of causal surgery or the indication for endoscopic treatment of painful chronic pancreatitis should be proven in every single case. Standard pancreatin treatment consisting of large amounts of enzymes will abolish maldigestion. Pancreatic diabetes requires often insulin, there is a tendency to hypoglycaemia. In contrast to chronic pancreatitis cancer of the pancreas is a typical and frequent disease of the elderly. The prognosis is bad and one year life expectancy is just about 11%. One of the reasons is, that the diagnosis is found lately because early symptoms are missing. Specific symptoms like pain, weight loss or jaundice occur lately. In suspicion of pancreatic cancer a lot of methods of morphological diagnostic are available such as CT, MRCP, ultrasound, ERCP and PET, in addition the specific tumor markers CA 19-9 and CEA. After diagnostic is completed, curative resection is possible in only a low percentage of all cases. Old age is no contraindication for surgery, prognosis and the risk of surgery don't differ to other age groups. In most cases palliative therapy is the only possible option because of an advanced tumor stage. Sufficient pain therapy, endoscopic stenting in case of obstructive jaundice or gastroenterostomy in case of duodenal are useful interventions.
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PMID:[Chronic pancreatis and pancreatic carcinoma in the elderly]. 1598 40

The serotonin1A receptor is the most extensively studied member of the family of seven transmembrane domain G-protein coupled serotonin receptors. Serotonergic signaling appears to play a key role in the generation and modulation of various cognitive and behavioral functions such as sleep, mood, pain, addiction, locomotion, sexual activity, depression, anxiety, alcohol abuse, aggression and learning. Since a significant portion of the protein lies embedded in the membrane and the ligand-binding pocket is defined by the transmembrane stretches in such receptors, membrane composition and organization represent a crucial parameter in the structure-function analysis of G-protein coupled receptors. In this paper, we have monitored the role of membrane cholesterol in the ligand-binding function of the hippocampal serotonin1A receptor. Our results demonstrate that the reduction of membrane cholesterol significantly attenuates the antagonist-binding function of the serotonin1A receptor. Based on prior pharmacological knowledge regarding the requirements for the antagonist to bind the receptor, our results indicate that membrane cholesterol modulates receptor function independently of its ability to interact with G-proteins. These effects on ligand-binding function of the receptor are predominantly reversed upon cholesterol-replenishment of cholesterol-depleted membranes. When viewed in the light of our earlier results on the effect of cholesterol depletion on the serotonin1A receptor/G-protein interaction, these results comprehensively demonstrate the importance of cholesterol in the serotonin1A receptor function and form the basis for understanding lipid-protein interactions involving this important neuronal receptor.
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PMID:Cholesterol modulates the antagonist-binding function of hippocampal serotonin1A receptors. 1600 46

Activities and outcomes in an outpatient palliative care clinic (PCC) have attracted little attention in the literature. We describe the results of our patient appointment scheduling process, our efficacy in relieving cancer-associated symptoms and an analysis of risk factors for patient non-compliance with the appointment schedule. Over a one-year study period, 730 first-time appointments were scheduled and 73.1% of them were kept. Only patients who had kept 3 consecutive visits (n=203) were included in the symptom control analysis. All symptoms except constipation, physical weakness, and anxiety improved significantly with palliative care. History of alcohol abuse was not associated with poorer pain control. A low Karnofsky index and high anxiety levels were identified as risk factors for early withdrawal from the PCC scheduled appointment. These data indicate that the PCC is an effective place for symptom management, but specific organizational strategies are needed to encourage patients to comply with scheduled appointments.
J Pain Symptom Manage 2005 Aug
PMID:Patient appointment process, symptom control and prediction of follow-up compliance in a palliative care outpatient clinic. 1612 29

We describe the clinical presentation and diagnostic tests of a patient with regional transient osteoporosis (RTO) of the foot. This patient presented with a 4-month history of left-foot pain, nonpitting edema, and brownish discolorations of both feet. He had a history of tobacco abuse, alcohol abuse, and malnutrition. Radiological studies revealed severe osteopenia in the feet, and a MRI revealed bone marrow edema. The bone biopsy was consistent with RTO. This patient also had vitamin C deficiency. This case suggests a link between vitamin C deficiency and RTO, a hypothesis supported by our review of relevant literature on osteoporosis and vitamin C.
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PMID:Regional transient osteoporosis of the foot and vitamin C deficiency. 1653 89

This paper reviews the current literature on chronic pancreatitis (CP). Despite marked progress in diagnostic tools, predominately imaging methods, no consensus has been reached on the nomenclature of CP, ie diagnosis, classification, staging, pathomechanisms of pain and its optimal treatment. A major problem is that no single reliable diagnostic test exists for early-stage CP except histopathology (rarely available). This stage is characterised typically by recurrent acute pancreatitis +/- necrosis (eg pseudocysts). Acute pancreatitis is a well-defined condition caused in 80% of cases by gallstones or alcohol abuse. Alcoholic pancreatitis, in contrast to biliary pancreatitis, progresses to CP in the majority of patients. However, a definite CP-diagnosis is often delayed because progressive dysfunction and/or calcification, the clinical markers of CP, develop on average 5 years from disease onset. The progression rate is variable and depends on several factors eg aetiology, smoking, continued alcohol abuse. Repeated function testing eg by the faecal elastase test, is the best alternative for histology to monitor progression (or non-progression) of suspected (probable) to definite CP. The pathomechanism of pain in CP is multifactorial and data from different series are hardly comparable mainly because insufficient data of the various variables ie diagnosis, classification, staging of CP, pain pattern and presumptive pain cause, are provided. Pain in CP is rarely intractable except in the presence of cancer, opiate addiction or extra-pancreatic pain causes. Local complications like pseudocysts or obstructive cholestasis are the most common causes of severe persistent pain which can be relieved promptly by an appropriate drainage procedure. Notably, partial to complete pain relief is a common feature in 50-80% of patients with late-stage CP irrespective of surgery and about 50% of CP-patients never need surgery (or endoscopic intervention). The spontaneous "burn-out" thesis of CP is in accordance with this observation although precise data of this phenomenon are scarce. Recent observations indicate that the progression to late-stage CP is markedly delayed in non-alcoholic compared to alcoholic CP. Therefore, spontaneous pain relief is also delayed but it occurs in close association with severe exocrine insufficiency suggesting that aetiology has a major impact on the duration of early-stage CP and that the "burn-out" thesis appears valid both in uncomplicated alcoholic and nonalcoholic late-stage CP. For treatment of steatorrhea and diabetes the reader is referred to recent reviews. Mortality and survival are closely related to aetiology with an increased death rate of about 50% within 20 years from onset in alcoholic CP compared to a markedly better prognosis in hereditary and idiopathic "juvenile" CP. The risk of pancreatic cancer is increased particularly in nonalcoholic CP based on the longer survival, whereas the risk of extra-pancreatic (smoking-related) cancer is about 12-fold higher in alcoholic CP.
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PMID:Diagnosis and management of chronic pancreatitis: current knowledge. 1663 63

Conservative therapy is applied to various extent in all subjects with chronic pancreatitis. It includes removal of the provoking agent (most frequently alcohol abuse and biliary disease), dietary regimen, treatment of pain, maldigestion, and diabetes. Removal of the provoking agent prevents progression of the disease and relieves intensity of the main symptoms, particularly of pain. Diet in remission should include approximately 1g of protein/kg body mass. Fat intake should be encouraged within limits of individual tolerance. With low caloric intake carbohydrates should be enriched up to 65 - 70% of total energy intake. Abdominal pain may be due to a complication or to the underlying disease itself. For this reason one approach cannot be effective in all subjects. Conservative methods represent the first line of pain therapy. They include alcohol withdrawal, analgesics, narcotics and negative trypsin-induced feedback control of pancreatic secretion. Pancreatin medication is the cornerstone of maldigestion therapy. This is indicated with weight loss and/or symptoms associated with steatorrhea or with 15 - 20 g stool fat/day without additional symptoms. The effect may be evaluated by increase of body mass, decrease of loose stools and by markers of the nutritional status. Adequate replacement therapy with pancreatic enzymes influences also elaboration and secretion of some gastrointestinal hormones. The appearance of secondary diabetes makes abstinence from alcohol again mandatory. Food intake should be divided into 5 - 6 daily doses and adequate enzyme replacement should be applied. Peroral antidiabetics may be considered at the early stage, but many of these patients ultimately require insulin therapy. Its dosage should be adjusted to glucose urinary losses rather than to adhere to tight normoglycemia because of the increased risk of hypoglycemia. The therapeutic options in chronic pancreatitis may stabilize the disease and prevent its progression. The patients may be at the best asymptomatic, but not cured.
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PMID:[Conservative therapy of chronic pancreatitis]. 1673 30

We report an interesting case of a patient with neither family nor personal history for pancreatic diseases that was admitted to our department in 1982, at the age of 25 years. At that time, medical history, absence of alcohol abuse, and radiological imaging suggested a diagnosis of idiopathic chronic pancreatitis. The patient underwent a left-pancreatectomy, with histological confirmation of chronic pancreatitis. He was asymptomatic until 1988, when episodes of pain arose, requiring a pancreatico-jejunostomy. No further problems ensued until 2004 when radiological investigation following pain-related symptoms revealed enormous dilation of the pancreatic duct. A pylorus-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy resulting in total pancreatectomy was performed. Histological examination revealed an intraductal papillary mucinous non-invasive carcinoma. Review of the previously resected specimen revealed former misdiagnosis. This tumour usually affects an elderly population and nowadays is recognised as a possible cause of chronic obstructive pancreatitis. This report represents a slippery case of misdiagnosis and demonstrates that follow-up is always mandatory following a diagnosis of idiopathic chronic pancreatitis.
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PMID:A case of intraductal papillary mucinous tumour following recurrent attacks of pancreatitis lasting 26 years. 1684 40

This paper reports cross-national data concerning back or neck pain comorbidity with mental disorders. We assessed (a) the prevalence of chronic back/neck pain, (b) the prevalence of mental disorders among people with chronic back/neck pain, (c) which mental disorder had strongest associations with chronic back/neck pain, and (d) whether these associations are consistent across countries. Population surveys of community-dwelling adults were carried out in 17 countries in Europe, the Americas, the Middle East, Africa, Asia, and the South Pacific (N=85,088). Mental disorders were assessed with the Composite International Diagnostic Interview, third version (CIDI 3.0): anxiety disorders (generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder/agoraphobia, posttraumatic stress disorder, and social anxiety disorder), mood disorders (major depression and dysthymia), and alcohol abuse or dependence. Back/neck pain was ascertained by self-report. Between 10% and 42% reported chronic back/neck pain in the previous 12 months. After adjusting for age and sex, mental disorders were more common among persons with back/neck pain than among persons without. The pooled odds ratios were 2.3 [95% CI=2.1-2.5] for mood disorders, 2.2 [95% CI=2.1-2.4] for anxiety disorders, and 1.6 [95% CI=1.4-1.9] for alcohol abuse/dependence in people with versus without chronic back/neck pain. Although prevalence rates of back/neck pain were generally lower than in previous reports, mental disorders were associated with chronic back/neck pain. The strength of association was stronger for mood and anxiety disorders than for alcohol abuse/dependence. The association of mental disorders with back/neck pain showed a consistent pattern across both developed and developing countries.
Pain 2007 Jun
PMID:Mental disorders among persons with chronic back or neck pain: results from the World Mental Health Surveys. 1745 78

Hypokalaemic rhabdomyolysis is unusual, but the association between hypokalaemia and rhabdomyolysis can be overlooked if intracellular potassium leakage normalizes serum potassium by the time of presentation. This report describes a patient who presented with severe pain due to non-traumatic rhabdomyolysis and was found to have serum potassium of 1.4 mmol/L; magnesium 0.40 mmol/L; phosphate 1.40 mmol/L; adjusted calcium 1.87 mmol/L and creatine kinase 6421 U/L. In this case, intervention occurred before rhabdomyolysis could progress to the stage at which serum potassium may have self-corrected. This patient's hypokalaemia was at first refractory to treatment with potassium chloride, possibly due to coexisting magnesium deficiency. Initially, the patient denied alcohol abuse, but later admitted alcohol misuse prior to withdrawal three days before presentation. Hypokalaemia is associated with alcohol misuse, but abrupt withdrawal may exacerbate hypokalaemia and hypomagnesaemia. Acute or chronic myopathy is common in alcoholics due to alcohol toxicity and paradoxically the risk of rhabdomyolysis may be increased during periods of abrupt alcohol withdrawal.
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PMID:Hypokalaemic rhabdomyolysis. 1745 2

Chronic pancreatitis (CP) is characterized by progressive pancreatic damage that eventually results in significant impairment of exocrine as well as endocrine functions of the gland. In Western societies, the commonest association of chronic pancreatitis is alcohol abuse. Our understanding of the pathogenesis of CP has improved in recent years, though important advances that have been made with respect to delineating the mechanisms responsible for the development of pancreatic fibrosis (a constant feature of CP) following repeated acute attacks of pancreatic necroinflammation (the necrosis-fibrosis concept). The pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs) are now established as key cells in fibrogenesis, particularly when activated either directly by toxic factors associated with pancreatitis (such as ethanol, its metabolites or oxidant stress) or by cytokines released during pancreatic necroinflammation. In recent years, research effort has also focused on the genetic abnormalities that may predispose to CP. Genes regulating trypsinogen activation/inactivation and cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) function have received particular attention. Mutations in these genes are now increasingly recognized for their potential 'disease modifier' role in distinct forms of CP including alcoholic, tropical, and idiopathic pancreatitis. Treatment of uncomplicated CP is usually conservative with the major aim being to effectively alleviate pain, maldigestion and diabetes, and consequently, to improve the patient's quality of life. Surgical and endoscopic interventions are reserved for complications such as pseudocysts, abscess, and malignancy.
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PMID:Chronic pancreatitis: challenges and advances in pathogenesis, genetics, diagnosis, and therapy. 1763 Nov 65


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