Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: UMLS:C0033774 (pruritus)
 14,546 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

This study sought to identify any benefit of routine liver function tests (LFTs) in chronically ill, geriatric patients and to assess which patients require evaluation for abnormal LFT levels. A retrospective chart review was carried out on 268 consecutive patients (M:F = 1.2, mean age 77 years, range 61-98 years) presenting for acute care from a long-term care facility. All were without jaundice, right upper quadrant pain, pruritus, bruising, or signs of chronic liver disease. The degree of LFT abnormality (aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, total bilirubin, or alkaline phosphatase) during admission was compared to the clinical diagnosis at the time of discharge. The most common diagnoses were pneumonia, urinary tract infection, and peripheral or coronary disease in 186 (60%). Thirty-seven patients (14%) had elevated LFT levels on admission. The levels normalized within 2 days in 26 of these patients, 25 of whom had a history of vascular disease (96%). Of the 11 remaining patients, 4 had coexistent vascular disease (36%), and 5 had LFT levels twice normal (none with vascular disease) and underwent abdominal ultrasound. One patient had a common bile duct stone successfully extracted. Enzyme abnormalities were due to hepatitis B or medication use in 10 of 11 patients. No patient had liver biopsy. All but one of the 268 patients were discharged without further evaluation. Over one year of follow up, no patient returned for a liver-related problem. Based on these findings, only those patients with LFT levels that are twice normal and which do not normalize within 2 days warrant further evaluation. Transient LFT abnormalities may be due to decreased liver perfusion.
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PMID:Outcomes of routine testing of liver enzymes in institutionalized geriatric patients. 1016 61

Uremic itching is an "orphan" symptom, almost equally frustrating patients and physicians. It is an unpleasant sensation and a subjective experience which is difficult to qantitate. Studying the frequency of itching among the chosen group of chronic dialysis patients, there were two questions to be answered: 1) Does the itching correlate causatively to the standard laboratory parameters? and 2) Does the itching disappear with only supplementary treatment? At the commencement of the research a sequence of laboratory parameters, presence and intensity of itching were determined, and the presence of itching 3 months afterwards. Itching of the 3rd, 4th and 5th grade was present in 44 patients (37.9%) at the beginning. Patients with itching did not differ from those without itching regarding mean predialysis values of urea, creatinine, uric acid, hematocrit, calcium, phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase, i-PTH, ALT, bilirubin, Kt/V and total heparin doses received during single dialysis procedure. Among those with itching there were not significantly more patients older than 60 years of age (chi 2 = 0.273; p > 0.05). Three months afterwards itching disappeared without particular treatment in 8 of 44 patients (22.7%), and appeared in 14 of 72 (19.5%) patients without itching at the beginning of the investigation. In conclusion, no correlation was found between uremic itching and standard laboratory parameters. Itching in chronic dialysis patients is considered to be a temporary symptom that often disappears without supplementary treatment.
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PMID:[Does uremic pruritus in hemodialyzed patients disappear only with replacement therapy?]. 1043 54

One hundred and twenty scabietic patients attending the outpatient clinic of the Department of Dermatology, Mansoura University Hospital, voluntarily participated in this uncontrolled, open label study to evaluate ivermectin 20 microg/kg as a scabietic after they had given their consent. The scabietic subjects included in this study were otherwise healthy, mentally competent, aged more than 18 years, and used no topical antiscabietic treatment in the week before ivermectin treatment, or during the 4-week study period. Patients were also required to show clinical evidence of scabies, and the microscopically demonstrated presence of Sarcoptes scabiei, their eggs, or their fecal pellets (scybala). A thorough history was taken, and a physical examination was conducted that included measurement of the pulse, blood pressure, temperature, and weight. For each participant, the distribution of scabies lesions was plotted on a body diagram, and the severity of disease was recorded as mild (10 or fewer lesions), moderate (11-49 lesions), or severe (50 or more lesions). Skin scrapings were examined for mites, eggs, or scybala. Urinalysis, stool analysis, a complete blood count, prothrombin time, and serum chemistry studies (serum creatinine, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and total bilirubin) were performed before treatment, and 2 and 4 weeks after the drug was given. Ivermectin was administered as scored 6-mg tablets with water, and the dose was designed to provide 200 micrograms/kg (ivermectin was provided by Delta Pharma, Tenth of Ramadan City, Egypt). The patients were instructed to have recently worn clothing, sheets, and towels washed in a hot cycle the day after treatment. The patients were interviewed 3 days after treatment about any symptoms or subjective evidence of adverse reactions. Follow-up examinations were carried out 2 and 4 weeks after intake of ivermectin, and all examination procedures and laboratory investigations were repeated. Cure criteria included absence of nocturnal itching as well as dermatologic evidence of scabies, and negative skin scraping. Patients showing evidence of active scabies or having new lesions during the follow-up visits were given a second dose of ivermectin. All members of the household and immediate family were treated with either topical 5% permethrin cream or 1% gamma benzene hexachloride to reduce the chance of reinfestation.
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PMID:Oral ivermectin in the treatment of scabies. 1063 75

The aim of our study was to assess the clinical, biochemical and virological profile of patients with atypical viral hepatitis A (protracted, relapsed and cholestatic forms). Five patients with the relapsed form and 2 patients with the cholestatic form were studied among 95 patients hospitalized in our Division of Infectious Diseases for viral hepatitis A during the years 1988 to 1998. A relapse was defined by a decrease in serum alanine transaminase levels > or = 50% followed by a > or = 50% increase in the minimal value. The protracted form was defined by elevated serum alanine transaminase levels for more than 6 months. The cholestatic form was defined by the highest value of bilirubinemia above 15 mg/dL or by a persistent jaundice for more than 8 weeks. All 5 of the protracted-relapsed forms had a biphasic course: the median time between onset and relapse of the disease was 8 weeks, and serum aminotransferase activities returned to the normal range within an average of 45 weeks after relapse. The two cholestatic forms were characterized by a very high level of bilirubinemia (24.58 and 19.03 mg/dL) and by protracted jaundice with itching (3 and 8 months). All patients were tested for hepatitis B and C, Cytomegalovirus and Epstein-Barr virus, with negative results. In short, viral hepatitis A is a benign, self-limiting disease which usually resolves in a few weeks. In a non-negligible percentage of cases (3-21%), however, it can assume atypical forms, which are more serious in patients with chronic liver diseases.
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PMID:[Viral hepatitis A with atypical course. Clinical, biochemical, and virologic study of 7 cases]. 1063 16

The beneficial effect of ursodeoxycholic add have been documented in adults but experience with this agent is limited in the pediatric population. The objective of this study was to evaluate ursodeoxycholic acid treatment in children with cholestatic liver disease. Twenty-four patients with intrahepatic cholestasis (neonatal hepatitis 7, Byler disease 7, idiopathic intrahepatic cholestasis 10) whose ages ranged from 1.5 months to 15 years were treated with ursodeoxycholic acid (15-20 mg/kg/day) for 12 months. Liver biopsy was performed initially on all patients and on 17 at the end of the twelve months. The outcome was evaluated by monitoring clinical and biochemical markers of cholestasis, including alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase, cholesterol, total serum tasting bile acids and total and conjugated bilirubin at entry and every three months of treatment. Pruritus was ameliorated in all patients; there was complete disappearance of itching in 16.7 percent. There were significant decreases in mean serum levels of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, total bilirubin and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase. Liver biopsy specimens showed a significant improvement in the cholestasis but not in fibrosis. No adverse effects of therapy were noted. The improvements in the clinical and biochemical parameters and tolerability of the drug suggest that ursodeoxycholic acid is a safe and effective treatment in children with intrahepatic cholestasis.
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PMID:Ursodeoxycholic acid therapy in children with cholestatic liver disease. 1077 Jun 81

We report a 72 years old diabetic male that, after the use of combined amoxicillin-clavulanic acid, developed pruritus and jaundice. Liver function tests showed serum total bilirubin of 4.3 mg/dL aspartate aminotransferase 140 U/l (normal < 35 U/L), alanine aminotransferase 470 U/L (normal < 40) and alkaline phosphatases of 400 U/L (normal < 100). Serology for hepatitis A, B and C viruses was negative, ERCP showed a normal biliary tree and liver biopsy disclosed a cholestatic hepatitis. Ursodeoxycholic was started to relieve pruritus. Liver function tests improved shortly thereafter, suggesting that this drug may be useful in the treatment of drug induced cholestasis.
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PMID:[Hepatotoxicity by amoxicillin/clavulanic acid: case report]. 1083 57

A 22-year-old female presented, in December 1998, with asthenia, itching and hypereosinophilia. In January 1997, due to the same clinical picture, the patient had inappropriately been diagnosed elsewhere to have an "idiopathic eosinophilic syndrome" and complete remission was obtained after short-term steroid treatment. Upon admission, physical examination was negative and blood tests revealed absolute eosinophilia [42%, i.e., 3,800 of 9,600 white blood cells], aspartate aminotransferase 4 x upper limits of normal, alanine aminotransferase 5 x upper limits of normal and alkaline phosphatase 2 x upper limits of normal. Both liver biopsy and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography findings were totally consistent with primary sclerosing cholangitis, while all known causes of hypereosinophilia and alteration in liver function tests were carefully excluded. The clinical course was characterized by complete clinical and biochemical normalization in absence of any treatment and further follow-up was completely negative.
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PMID:Recurrent cholestasis and hypereosinophilia in a young female. 1114 65

Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy is one of the primary disorders of the liver that adversely affects maternal well-being and fetal outcome. Early identification of this condition, careful interdisciplinary monitoring, and prompt delivery at fetal maturity can improve outcomes in the mother and child. Although the cause is unclear, IHCP probably arises from a genetic predisposition for increased sensitivity to estrogens and progestogens and altered membrane composition and expression of bile ducts, hepatocytes, and canalicular transport systems. As a result, the elevations in maternal levels of bile acids and their molar ratios seen in healthy pregnancy rise further in IHCP patients. Also, as the normal fetal-to-maternal transfer of bile acids across the trophoblast is impaired, the excess bile acids with abnormal profiles accumulate and are toxic to the fetus. The management of IHCP is dictated by the increased risks of fetal distress, spontaneous preterm delivery, and sudden death, as well as by alleviating pruritus in the mother. These risks to the fetus rise progressively to delivery, regardless of serum levels of bile acids and ALT. Close monitoring of these markers is essential but does not prevent sudden fetal distress and death. Provision should be made to induce labor as soon as fetal lung maturity has been established. Ursodeoxycholic acid is the only therapy that has proven effective, albeit in small studies, in alleviating pruritus and restoring towards normal the abnormal profiles of bile acids and sulfated steroids in serum and other body fluids. Ursodeoxycholic acid seems to have no obvious adverse effects on the fetus, but experience is insufficient to draw conclusions regarding teratogenicity and prevention of adverse outcomes.
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PMID:Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy. 1129 Dec 41

We describe a patient who suffered from intestinal perforation after abdominal trauma. Perioperatively, he was treated with a single dose of piperacillin and 9 doses of imipenem/cilastatin over 3 days. The patient was discharged 5 days after surgery in good clinical condition and with normal liver values except for a marginal elevation of alanine aminotransferase. Two weeks after discharge, he developed fatigue, fever and pruritus, necessitating rehospitalization. He was jaundiced and had elevated alkaline phosphatase and transaminases. After exclusion of an intra-abdominal fluid collection, a vascular problem, and infectious or autoimmune liver disease, a liver biopsy was performed. The biopsy revealed centrizonal bilirubinostasis, a portal infiltrate rich in eosinophils and cholangitis. Lymphocyte transformation tests for piperacillin and imipenem/cilastatin were positive, suggesting an immunological mechanism for the observed hepatopathy. Cholestasis gradually decreased but was detectable for several weeks. The patient had a full clinical and biochemical recovery after 3 months. We conclude that short-term therapy with piperacillin, imipenem/cilastatin or the combination of these drugs can lead to the same type of hepatopathy as described for amoxycillin/clavulanic acid or antistaphylococcal penicillins. Liver biopsy and positive lymphocyte transformation are compatible with an immunological mechanism.
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PMID:Cholangiopathy after short-term administration of piperacillin and imipenem/cilastatin. 1142 85

A 41-year-old man developed severe hepatic dysfunction following a 3.5-week course of terbinafine (250 mg/day). He suffered marked pruritus, jaundice, malaise, anorexia and loin pain. Serum bilirubin rose to a peak value of 718 micromol/l with alkaline phosphatase at 569 U/l, alanine aminotransferase at 90 U/l, aspartate aminotransferase at 63 U/l and a prolonged prothrombin time of 21 s, unresponsive to vitamin K. Transjugular liver biopsy showed canalicular cholestasis consistent with a drug reaction. Symptoms resolved 11 months after drug cessation, with liver function tests returning to normal values after 15 months. This case represents the most severe cholestatic reaction reported to date, resulting in patient recovery without liver transplantation. A comprehensive literature review is provided.
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PMID:Terbinafine-induced hepatic dysfunction. 1156 66


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