Short-term outcomes of treatment of active stage of Charcot foot in outpatient setting

Background: Treatment options in patients with an acute Charcot foot is not well standardized and still challenging.Aims: To evaluate the results of the non-operative treatment of patients with active stage of diabetic charcot arthropathy in outpatient foot clinic and to identify factors influenced on treatment results.Materials and methods: Medical files of 141 patients with unilateral ulcer-free active charcot arthropathy were reviewed. 78 patients agreed for treatment (total contact cast or walker), 63 patients refused of treatment (follow-up only). The time of resolution of the acute stage, severity of final deformities and foot-related complications were evaluated. Refusers were asked about the cause of their decision.Results: Mean delay of the diagnosis was 3,2±2,8 months. Main causes of the refuse were: mistrust to doctor - 38%, problems with employment - 33%, home/family problems - 18%, medical reasons - 11%. Median healing times (months) in the treatment group vs controls: 9 (6 - 19) 15 (13 - 25) (p=0,001) and progression of the initial deformity: 14% and 35%, respectively (p=0,01). Foot-related complications: 17,5% in the treatment group and in 55,6% of controls (including 6 amputations) (p=0,001). Frequency of breaking the cast/walker - 32%/16,6%. Foot lesions due to cast/walker: 13,6%/41,7% (p<0,01). Median healing times (months) with walkers - 13 (11 - 19), with casts - 9 (6 - 15) months (р=0,02). The use of crutches shortened healing time.Conclusions: The significant delay of diagnosis was revealed. The refuse rate in our cohort was high and main causes of the refuse were social and psychological. Neglect of treatment leads to high frequency and severity of foot-related complications. We noticed high rate of breaking of walkers and casts and device-related foot lesions. Total contact casts were more effective and safe compared with walkers

Combination of active stage of diabetic Charcot neuroosteoarthropathy and diabetic lower limb macroangiopathy

Combination of active stage of diabetic Charcot neuroosteoarthropathy and diabetic lower limb macroangiopathy is the rare condition. In the present paper we describe two cases of development of acute Charcot foot in the non-critically ischemic foot. The first case is the patient with previously diagnosed intermitted claudication and the second case is patient who developed the Charcot foot 5 months later after successful endovascular treatment of arterial occlusions of his left lower limb. In both cases the absence of redness in the early stage, the mild-to-moderate pain and mild temperature gradient between affected and non-affected feet were noticed. The clinical course of the Charcot disease in the first patient was favourable. He used walker for 9 months and his foot shape was preserved and deformity was considered as mild. The second patient had more active and profound destructions due to delay of the treatment. He was casted, however his deformity progressed and the treatment continues up to date. In both patients the MRI revealed more affected bones compared with X-ray. These cases emphasize the importance of keeping in mind the Charcot disease even in patients with diabetic peripheral vascular disease

Changes in loading distribution in patients with Charcot foot during long-term follow-up

Background. The inactive stage of the diabetic Charcot arthropathy foot (CA) is characterised by fixed foot deformities and an absence of inflammation. However, it remains unclear if the shape of the foot and its biomechanics change during long-term follow-up. Aim. To evaluate changes in loading distribution of the affected foot, in patients with inactive CA, during long-term follow-up. Materials and methods. Twenty seven patients with unilateral inactive CA (19 females, 8 males) were studied. Computer pedography (emed AT, novel gmbh) was performed and baseline and the last studies were analysed. Maximal peak pressures (PP) were obtained for the first and the last studies and the percentage of the PP change was calculated for the total follow-up period and for periods: 24 months, 2448 months, 48 months. Results. PP increased: under the hallux 50%; 1st metatarsal30.7%; 2nd toe20%; 2nd toe6%; midfoot9%. PP decreased under 35 toes up to 67%. Significant changes at the first period were found under 35 toes only (62%). The increase in loading under the other parts of the foot appeared at 24 months; however, these changes became significant between 24 and 48 months and peaked after 48 months of follow-up. The maximal increase of PP was noticed under the hallux, the 2nd toe, metatarsals 13 and the midfoot. Conclusions. We revealed the gradual redistribution of PP, under the different parts of the foot, in patients with inactive CA. This redistribution reflects changes in the shape of the affected foot. The loading increased under the hallux, the 2nd toe and the corresponding metatarsals, 3rd metatarsal and midfoot, and decreased under the 35 toes. These changes increased during the follow-up, becoming more pronounced after 4 or more years. Our data may be useful for constructing custom-made footwear for patients with CA

Clarithromycin for community-acquired pneumonia in adults: focus on anti-inflammatory properties

Aim. To evaluate clinical efficacy, anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory activity of clarithromycin in adults with severe community-acquired pneumonia (sCAP). Materials and methods. A prospective observational study recruited adult hospitalized patients with verified sCAP. Clarithromycin was prescribed as a component of combination antibiotic therapy (ABT) with a -lactam antibiotic (AB). The choice of -lactam AB was carried out by the attending physician in accordance with national clinical guidelines and routine practice of the medical institution. Along with assessment clinical efficacy, the dynamics of inflammatory markers in blood serum was recorded: C-reactive protein, procalcitonin (PCT), tumor necrosis factor , interleukins 1-beta (IL-1) and interleukin 6 (IL-6). The total duration of ABT was 714 days. Results. Altogether 20 patients (13 males, 7 females) aged from 18 to 84 years old were enrolled. As a result of the use of combined ABT with -lactam AB and clarithromycin, a significant decrease in the level of C-reactive protein was noted by the 35th day of therapy (from 74.6 to 14.1 mg/l). An increase in serum PCT was observed in half of the patients; during treatment, the level of PCT significantly decreased. Similar dynamics was detected for IL-6 its content in the blood serum decreased by the time of the end of ABT by 6.8 times compared with the baseline. A decrease in the level of tumor necrosis factor to the reference value was observed in most patients already in the early stages by 35 days of ABT. The majority of patients showed positive dynamics of clinical signs and symptoms with resolution of respiratory failure and other complications of sCAP. In almost half of the patients, the criteria for clinical stability were achieved in the early stages, which made it possible to switch to oral ABT. Conclusion. The results of the study are consistent with literature data indicating a rapid decrease in inflammatory markers when clarithromycin is administered to patients with sCAP. Its results can be a starting point for comparative randomized trials assessing both clinical outcomes and immunological parameters when using different classes of antibiotics for the treatment of sCAP

Pedographic assessment of the impact of off-the-shelf orthopedic shoes on the load distribution under the feet in patients with a high risk of developing diabetic foot syndrome

BACKGROUND: It is known that the so-called “rocker” outsole helps to reduce the load on the forefoot and toes. Such an outsole is available in ready-made orthopedic shoes of some Russian manufacturers, however, an objective assessment of their impact on the load distribution under the foot during walking has not been carried out.AIMS: To study the pressure distribution inside the off-the-shelf orthopedic shoes“Sursil-Ortho” in comparison with the load inside the shoes used by patients on a daily basis.METHODS: We studied 20 patients (40 feet) with a high risk of diabetic foot syndrome. According to clinical data, a risk regions were determined on the plantar surface of the feet. In-shoe pedography (pedar, novel,Germany) was performed in shoes usually worn by the patients, and in orthopedic shoes“Sursil-Orto”(Moscow). The maximum peak pressure (MPP) was calculated. Criterion of efficiency: MPP in the risk region<200 kPa or reducing it by 25% or more.RESULTS: There was a significant decrease of the median MPP in the forefoot and in the risk region. The percentage of feet with MPP >200 kPa in the risk region decreased from 58% to 30% (p=0,014), in any area of the forefoot — from 63% to 30% (p=0,04). The increase in MPP under the midfoot and hindfoot did not exceed +14% (ns). Tested footwear was effective in 71% of cases. Predictors of the insufficient effect were: higher initial MPP in the risk region, risk region on the hallux or in the lateral part of the forefoot.CONCLUSIONS: Shoes with a rigid rocker outsole significantly reduce the pressure under the forefoot and under the toes during walking. The degree of load reduction varies: the lateral part of the forefoot and 2-5 toes are most unloaded, and the hallux and medial forefoot are slightly less

Genome-Wide Mycobacterium tuberculosis Variation (GMTV) Database: A New Tool for Integrating Sequence Variations and Epidemiology

Background Tuberculosis (TB) poses a worldwide threat due to advancing multidrug-resistant strains and deadly co-infections with Human immunodeficiency virus. Today large amounts of Mycobacterium tuberculosis whole genome sequencing data are being assessed broadly and yet there exists no comprehensive online resource that connects M. tuberculosis genome variants with geographic origin, with drug resistance or with clinical outcome. Description Here we describe a broadly inclusive unifying Genome-wide Mycobacterium tuberculosis Variation (GMTV) database, (http://mtb.dobzhanskycenter.org) that catalogues genome variations of M. tuberculosis strains collected across Russia. GMTV contains a broad spectrum of data derived from different sources and related to M. tuberculosis molecular biology, epidemiology, TB clinical outcome, year and place of isolation, drug resistance profiles and displays the variants across the genome using a dedicated genome browser. GMTV database, which includes 1084 genomes and over 69,000 SNP or Indel variants, can be queried about M. tuberculosis genome variation and putative associations with drug resistance, geographical origin, and clinical stages and outcomes. Conclusions Implementation of GMTV tracks the pattern of changes of M. tuberculosis strains in different geographical areas, facilitates disease gene discoveries associated with drug resistance or different clinical sequelae, and automates comparative genomic analyses among M. tuberculosis strains

Atrasentan and renal events in patients with type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease (SONAR): a double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial

Background: Short-term treatment for people with type 2 diabetes using a low dose of the selective endothelin A receptor antagonist atrasentan reduces albuminuria without causing significant sodium retention. We report the long-term effects of treatment with atrasentan on major renal outcomes. Methods: We did this double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial at 689 sites in 41 countries. We enrolled adults aged 18–85 years with type 2 diabetes, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR)25–75 mL/min per 1·73 m 2 of body surface area, and a urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR)of 300–5000 mg/g who had received maximum labelled or tolerated renin–angiotensin system inhibition for at least 4 weeks. Participants were given atrasentan 0·75 mg orally daily during an enrichment period before random group assignment. Those with a UACR decrease of at least 30% with no substantial fluid retention during the enrichment period (responders)were included in the double-blind treatment period. Responders were randomly assigned to receive either atrasentan 0·75 mg orally daily or placebo. All patients and investigators were masked to treatment assignment. The primary endpoint was a composite of doubling of serum creatinine (sustained for ≥30 days)or end-stage kidney disease (eGFR <15 mL/min per 1·73 m 2 sustained for ≥90 days, chronic dialysis for ≥90 days, kidney transplantation, or death from kidney failure)in the intention-to-treat population of all responders. Safety was assessed in all patients who received at least one dose of their assigned study treatment. The study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT01858532. Findings: Between May 17, 2013, and July 13, 2017, 11 087 patients were screened; 5117 entered the enrichment period, and 4711 completed the enrichment period. Of these, 2648 patients were responders and were randomly assigned to the atrasentan group (n=1325)or placebo group (n=1323). Median follow-up was 2·2 years (IQR 1·4–2·9). 79 (6·0%)of 1325 patients in the atrasentan group and 105 (7·9%)of 1323 in the placebo group had a primary composite renal endpoint event (hazard ratio [HR]0·65 [95% CI 0·49–0·88]; p=0·0047). Fluid retention and anaemia adverse events, which have been previously attributed to endothelin receptor antagonists, were more frequent in the atrasentan group than in the placebo group. Hospital admission for heart failure occurred in 47 (3·5%)of 1325 patients in the atrasentan group and 34 (2·6%)of 1323 patients in the placebo group (HR 1·33 [95% CI 0·85–2·07]; p=0·208). 58 (4·4%)patients in the atrasentan group and 52 (3·9%)in the placebo group died (HR 1·09 [95% CI 0·75–1·59]; p=0·65). Interpretation: Atrasentan reduced the risk of renal events in patients with diabetes and chronic kidney disease who were selected to optimise efficacy and safety. These data support a potential role for selective endothelin receptor antagonists in protecting renal function in patients with type 2 diabetes at high risk of developing end-stage kidney disease. Funding: AbbVie