Aim of study is to analyze Bromelain' effects on the most common early complications after BCS (oedema and seroma). From January 2021 to December 2023 a double-blind randomized placebo-controlled trial was performed on 114 candidates for BCS at our Academic Unit. Group A received a supplement of Casperome™-Boswellia Phytosome® + Bromelain (CBB) in combination with alpha-lipoic acid + superoxide dismutase + B and D vitamins + centella asiatica. Group B received a supplement of CBB + placebo. Group C received placebo. The therapies were administrated for 30 days. On GEE logistic regression, drugs combination in A seems to be associated with statistical fewer oedema compared with C (P = 0.018 at 1 day and P = 0.002 after 1 month). Comparing B to C, B gained a significative value after 1 month (P = 0.007). On GEE logistic regression, the drugs combination in A has been associated with statistical fewer seroma compared with C (P = 0.009 at 15thpostoperative day and P < 0.001 after 1 month). B vs C reaches significant values 15 day and 1 month after surgery (P = 0.002 and P < 0.001, respectively). The current study is the first analyzing the employment of CBB association with/without neurotrophic agent on prevention of early complications after BCS.
OBJECTIVES:Adapted physical activity (APA) has been recommended for fibromyalgia (FM) treatment as an essential component of a biopsychosocial therapeutic approach for patients. Previous studies report that aerobic and resistance training are the most effective programs in improving the quality of life and psycho-physical well-being. Patients with FM are frequently affected by an impairment of small fibers innervation, which is evident in the proximal somatic districts. Therefore, this pilot randomised controlled not pharmacological trial aimed to investigate if a 12-week home-based multicomponent (aerobic and resistance training and mobility) physical activity (PA) intervention was effective in improving pain perception, FM-related disability, and IntraEpidermal Nerve Fibers Density (IENFD) in adult FM patients. METHODS:Thirty-four female subjects with a fibromyalgia diagnosis (51.5±11.88 years) were randomly assigned to an experimental group (n=17) that received a supervised home-based multicomponent PA intervention twice a week and a control group (n=17) that received a generic program of aerobic exercise. Skin biopsy was performed before the physical program and after 18 months with constant execution of the supervised PA intervention or generic aerobic exercise. Both groups assumed pharmacological treatment with duloxetine and/or pregabalin. RESULTS:We found that the group performing physical activity in a supervised and regular way showed a significant improvement in the Fibromyalgia-linked invalidity questionnaire (FIQ) as well as epidermal fibers density at proximal and distal sites. CONCLUSIONS:Physical activity could improve FM outcomes, with a possible beneficial impact on peripheral factors contributing to pain-related disability.
OBJECTIVES:Small fibre pathology is frequently described in fibromyalgia (FM), but its evolution and its role in clinical outcome of the disease are unclear. This longitudinal observational real-life study aimed to monitor the evolution of skin nerve fibre density in FM, in view of the clinical data. METHODS:Sixty-two FM patients were controlled by means of skin biopsy and clinical assessment after 18 months of follow-up. RESULTS:At T0 intraepidermal nerve fibre density (IENFD) was normal in 10 patients, reduced at thigh-proximal-site in 46 cases and decreased at proximal and foot-distal-site in 6 patients. At follow up-T1-the IENFD was unchanged, while Brief Pain Inventory-BPI-pain sub score, DN4 and fatigue were improved. Reduced IENFD at proximal and distal sites, together with fatigue and BPI-motor and work sub scores were predictors of more severe disability measured with Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ) at T1. Reduced IENFD influenced a minor effect of drugs-antiepileptics and/or antidepressants, and physical exercise on fatigue. CONCLUSIONS:Small fibre impairment seems stable in medium term in FM. A possible influence of small fibre dysfunction on motor performance could have a role in FM evolution. The beneficial effect of physical exercise could be limited in patients with reduced IENFD.
QM-O001 RFID FOR STEM CELL TRACKING: CAN TECHNOLOGY IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF CARE? V. Montefusco1,*, M. Torresani1, P. Longoni1, P. Di Nuzzi1, F. Arienti1, R. Facchini2, N. Restifo2, M. Milanesi1, F. Ravagnani1, R. Luksch1, E. Sini3, P. Locatelli 2, P. Corradini 1, M. Magni 1 1Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori, 2Fondazione Politecnico di Milano, Milano, 3Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Rozzano, Italy
PURPOSE:To report on the treatment of patients with newly diagnosed neuroblastoma presenting with spinal cord compression (SCC).PATIENTS AND METHODS:Of 1,462 children with neuroblastoma registered between 1979 and 1998, 76 (5.2%) presented with signs/symptoms of SCC, including motor deficit in 75 patients (mild in 43, moderate in 22, severe [ie, paraplegia] in 10), pain in 47, sphincteric deficit in 30, and sensory loss in 11. Treatment of SCC consisted of radiotherapy in 11 patients, laminectomy in 32, and chemotherapy in 33. Laminectomy was more frequently performed in cases with favorable disease stages and in those with severe motor deficit, whereas chemotherapy was preferred in patients with advanced disease.RESULTS:Thirty-three patients achieved full neurologic recovery, 14 improved, 22 remained stable, and eight worsened, including three who become paraplegic. None of the 10 patients with grade 3 motor deficit, eight of whom were treated by laminectomy, recovered or improved. In the other 66 patients, the neurologic response to treatment was comparable for the three therapeutic modalities. All 11 patients treated by radiotherapy and 26 of 32 patients treated by laminectomy, but only two of 33 treated by chemotherapy, received additional therapy for SCC. Fifty-four of 76 patients are alive at time of the analysis, with follow-up of 4 to 209 months (median, 139 months). Twenty-six (44%) of 54 survivors have late sequelae, mainly scoliosis and sphincteric deficit.CONCLUSION:Radiotherapy, laminectomy, and chemotherapy showed comparable ability to relieve or improve SCC. However, patients treated with chemotherapy usually did not require additional therapy, whereas patients treated either with radiotherapy or laminectomy commonly did. No patient presenting with (or developing) severe motor deficit recovered or improved. Sequelae were documented in 44% of surviving patients.