Study of aversive and p38 mapk-inhibitory properties of kappa-agonist with analgesic activity-compound RU-1205

The clinical use of kappa-opioid agonists, despite their lack of significant drug potential, is limited by the development of severe sedation, dysphoria, depression, and anhedonia. To this date, there are kappa-opioid receptor agonists lacking these side effects due to the selective activation of intracellular signal transmission pathways without p38-MAPK-kinase activatio

Implications of Cannabis Use and Heavy Alcohol Use on HIV Drug Risk Behaviors in Russian Heroin Users

Cannabis and heavy alcohol use potentially increase HIV transmission by increasing risky drug behaviors. We studied 404 subjects entering treatment for heroin dependence, in St. Petersburg, Russia. We used the HIV Risk Assessment Battery (RAB) drug subscale to measure risky drug behavior. Although all heavy alcohol users had risky drug behaviors, their drug RAB scores did not differ from non-heavy alcohol users in unadjusted or adjusted analyses. Cannabis use was significantly associated with drug RAB scores in unadjusted analyses (mean difference 1.7 points) and analyses adjusted for age, sex, and employment (mean difference 1.3 points). When also adjusting for stimulant use, the impact of cannabis use was attenuated and no longer statistically significant (mean difference 1.1 points). Because of the central role of risky drug behaviors in the Russian HIV epidemic, it is important to understand how the use of multiple substances, including cannabis and alcohol, impacts risky drug behaviors

Integrated solution for patients of a very high cardiovascular risk. Final results

Secondary prevention should be actively implemented at all stages of treatment and rehabilitation of patients after acute coronary syndrome (ACS). The integration of remote monitoring of patients with the transfer of vital and laboratory data into clinical practice seems promising.Aim. To evaluate the clinical and patient-centered effectiveness of the original 12-month combined face-to-face and telecare program in patients with recent ACS.Material and methods. For the present analysis the data from 84 (out of 100) patients (median age, 56 (50;61) years, 70 males) was used. These patients had to have hypertension and/or type 2 diabetes and an ACS with percutaneous revascularization within 12 months. Their low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) had to be above 2,4 mmol/L. Telehealth program supplemented routine care. A program contained electronic self-control diaries for blood pressure (BP) and lipid profile, and teleconsulting service (text chat). Mandatory face-to-face visits were carried out at 3 and 12 months after the enrollment. The primary end point was ∆LDL-C. Additional clinical and patient-specific endpoints were evaluated.Results. At the 12-month visit, there was a significant decrease in LDL-C by 1,6 (-2,3;-0,9) mmol/L. Besides the initial LDL-C value, the decrease in LDL-C was associated with the proper adherence to keeping diaries of BP and lipid profile (β=0,7), and the number of text messages sent by the doctor in the 1st month after the enrollment (β=0,04). In more adherent patients, the ∆LDL-C was greater by 0,49 mmol/L (95% CI (-1,2; -0,1)) after adjustment for abovementioned covariates. In 35 patients (42%), target LDL-C was achieved, in 60 patients (71%) — a decrease ≥1 mmol/l. Other lipids also have changed for the better. Moreover, adherent patients were twice as likely to achieve the target LDL-C (OR 2,2; 95% CI (0,6; 3,8)) than non-adherent ones. A decrease in office systolic BP by 5,8 mm Hg was shown (p=0,03). The number of physician-to-patient messages exceeded those from patients to physician (median 143 and 111 per patient for 12 months, respectively). The quality of life has improved, but only in terms of emotions. Satisfaction with the program remained high at all timepoints of the study.Conclusion. Our study showed the effectiveness of the integrated care in ACS patients with the telehealth tool included. Commitment to BP self-monitoring, as well as active consultative support at the first stages of rehabilitation, contributes to additional dynamic control of lipid profile, timely correction of lipid-lowering therapy with the achievement of the target LDL-C level. Most of the patients did not experience any difficulties in using the program and are ready to recommend integrated approach to other peers

Prevalence of professional burnout among practicing cardiologists in the constituent entities of the Russian Federation

The burnout syndrome among healthcare professionals is a headline problem in the world, as it leads to poor health of medical workers, affects patient satisfaction with health care and the healthcare system as a whole. At the same time, existing preventive measures can improve the well-being of staff.Aim. To study the prevalence of professional burnout syndrome among practicing cardiologists in the Russian Federation (RF).Material and methods. This cross-sectional study was carried out using the method of online anonymous surveying. The inclusion criterion was the current practical activity in the RF. The study involved 452 cardiologists from 8 federal districts (women; n=377, 83,4%), 48,2% of which worked in a hospital. Occupational burnout was assessed using the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) questionnaire in the Russian language adaptation for healthcare workers by N. E. Vodopyanova and E. S. Starchenkova. The score was calculated on three subscales (emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, personal accomplishment), the maximum score for the subscales was 54, 30 and 48, respectively. The personal accomplishment subscale is the opposite as follows: the higher the score, the less the symptom severity. Additionally, demographic parameters, working conditions, the desire to change job and field of activity were taken into account. Regression analysis was used to establish associations of burnout with factors.Results. The median score of the emotional exhaustion subscale was 29,5 (23,0; 35,0) points, depersonalization — 12,0 (8,0; 16,0) and personal accomplishment — 32,0 (28,0; 37,0). Men had higher depersonalization score than women as follows: 15,0 (10,0; 18,0) vs 11,0 (8,0; 15,0), p=0,001. High degrees of emotional exhaustion and depersonalization (burnout) were found in 235 (52%) cardiologists, while all three symptoms simultaneously — in 132 (29,2%) doctors. There were no symptoms of burnout in 84 (18,6%) cardiologists. A high degree of burnout was associated with a desire to change job (p<0,001).Conclusion. A high prevalence of professional burnout among practicing cardiologists in the RF was revealed, which, in turn, is associated with the desire to change job or occupation

An integrated approach for very high cardiovascular risk patients. Intermediate results

The main objective of secondary prevention measures is to modify key risk factors such as hypertension (HTN) and dyslipidemia in patients with established cardiovascular diseases. Its proper implementation improves both short- and long-term outcomes. Telehealth technologies contributes to faster achievement of target levels and better control of key risk factors.Aim. To establish a comprehensive personalized follow-up framework for patients recovered from an acute coronary syndrome (ACS) that integrates telehealth software and to test its clinical and patient-centered efficacy.Material and methods. The three-month follow-up data of 50 patients (50% of planned enrollees; median age, 57 years [53; 61]; males, 84%) who suffered ACS with myocardial revascularization and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) at least 2,5 mmol/L at admission. We introduced the simple and save telehealth software for home BP monitoring and lipid profiling. The basic demographic, clinical and laboratory characteristics of patients were described, as well as the changes lipid profile, office and home BP over this period was analyzed. The primary endpoint was a change in LDL-C after 3 months. In addition, we also focused on pharmacological therapy and its dynamics, as well as on remote counseling and patient’ experience with the mobile application.Results. Three months after inclusion, we have noted significant decrease of total cholesterol (-1,67 mmol/L, p<0,0001) and triglycerides (-0,48 mmol/L, p<0,0001). LDL-C changes were also significant (-1,49 mmol/L, adjusted for age, sex and lipid-lowering therapy; p<0,0001) and was associated only with the baseline LDL-C levels (R2=-0,521, p<0,0001). Thirty-nine (78%) patients achieved at least 1 mmol/L drop of LDL-C. Nine of them reached target LDL-C <1,4 mmol/L (and/or a decrease of 50% from baseline). Both high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (-0,48 mmol/l, p=0,348), office and home BP remained mostly unchanged. The proportion of patients with target office BP levels was almost the same (χ2=3,06, p=0,08). Patients who were recommended combined lipid-lowering therapy with cholesterol absorption inhibitor (ezetimibe) were more likely to achieve target LDL-C (χ2=10,95; p=0,003) than those with single agent (67% versus 17%, p=0,003). No differences were found in subgroups of patients in LDL-C reduction. In each patient an average of 15 remote consultations have been performed (from 1 to 54 per patient per 3 moths). Investigators have had to send reminders to 22 patients regarding the need for regular home BP monitoring. The majority of patients treated telehealth software as easy-to-use and user-friendly.Conclusion. According to the 3-month follow-up of patients after ACS who used the framework integrated with telemonitoring and remote counseling, a positive trend in reducing atherogenic lipid levels was demonstrated, but not in office BP. Only a fifth of patients reached the target LDL-C, but the vast majority had target BP. Despite the fact that the program is convenient to use, almost half of participants require additional reminders from physician on self-monitoring

Коморбидность туберкулеза, алкоголизма и наркомании

One of the reasons of growing incidence of tuberculosis (TB) is spread of AIDS, drug dependence, and alcoholism. To investigate their mutual influence the authors examined 185 lung TB patients (of them, 124 males) admitted to TB hospitals of St-Petersburg in 2003-2005. Inclusive criteria were age of 18 to 79 yrs, recent admission to the hospital, the patient's consent to participate the study. Patients were excluded if they were severely ill or had psychiatric disorders. The lung TB was evaluated using medical history, physical, clinic, laboratory, radiologic, and bacteriologic data. Alcohol and drug abuse was assessed with Addiction Severity Index (ASI), retrospective analysis of alcohol and substance use for previous 90 days, Michigan Alcohol Screening Test (MAST), measurement of alcohol in exhaled air and detection of substances in urine. Somatic and psychic health was evaluated using ASI, Beck Depression Inventory, and Spielberger Trait Anxiety Inventory. Risk of HIV-infection was determined in a test of HIV risk assessment and with HIV risk questionnaire developed at Johns Hopkins University. The average age of the participants was 40.5 yrs. More than 60 % of them had abuse-related disorders: alcohol abuse in 51.9 %, alcoholism plus drug dependence in 8.6 %, and drug dependence in 3.8 %. Alcohol dependence facilitated development of TB multiple drug resistance (21 % vs 7.6 % in patients without alcohol dependence, p < 0.05), extensive (73.9 % and 40.9 %, respectively, p < 0.001) and chronic (28.6 % and 16.7 %, respectively) forms of TB. Most of TB patients with abuse-related disorders tended to have psychiatric disorders (depression, anxiety). The risk of HIV-infection was significantly higher in TB patients with drug abuse (3.51 vs 0.07). Thus, it is necessary to consider co-morbidity in TB patients for more effective treatment of lung tuberculosis.Одной из причин роста заболеваемости туберкулезом является распространение СПИДа, наркомании и алкоголизма. С целью изучения взаимного влияния этих заболеваний обследованы 185 больных туберкулезом органов дыхания (124 мужчины), находившихся в стационарах г. Санкт-Петербурга в 2003–2005 гг. Критериями включения в исследование были возраст от 18 до 79 лет, недавнее поступление в стационар и согласие больного на участие в исследовании. Из исследования исключались больные в тяжелом состоянии и больные с выраженными психическими расстройствами. Для оценки туберкулезного процесса анализировали анамнез, данные физикального, клинико-лабораторного, рентгенологического и бактериологического обследований. Для определения употребления алкоголя и наркотиков оценивали индекс тяжести зависимости (ИТЗ), ретроспективно анализировали употребление алкоголя и наркотиков за 90 дней, проводили Мичиганский алкогольный скрининг-тест (МАSТ), определяли алкоголь в выдыхаемом воздухе и наркотики в моче. Для оценки соматического и психического здоровья использовали ИТЗ, вопросник депрессии Бека, шкалу тревоги Спилбергера. Риск ВИЧ-инфекции устанавливали в тесте оценки степени риска ВИЧ-инфекции (ТОСР) и по вопроснику риска ВИЧ-инфекции, разработанному университетом Дж. Хопкинса. Средний возраст обследованных больных составил 40,5 лет. Более 60 % больных имели наркологическую патологию (злоупотребление алкоголем в 51,9%, алкоголизм в сочетании с наркоманией в 8,6 %, наркомания в 3,8 %). Алкогольная зависимость способствовала развитию множественной лекарственной устойчивости (21 против 7,6 % у больных туберкулезом без наркологической патологии, p < 0,05), развитию распространенных (73,9 и 40,9 % соответственно, p < 0,001) и хронических (28,6 и 16,7 % соответственно) форм заболевания. Большинство туберкулезных больных с наркологическим диагнозом склонны к психическим расстройствам (депрессии, тревожные состояния). Риск ВИЧ-инфекции у больных туберкулезом, употреблявшим наркотики, был существенно выше (3,51 против 0,07). Таким образом, для улучшения эффективности лечения туберкулеза у наркологических больных необходимо учитывать все стороны коморбидности указанных патологий