Captopril and bronchial reactivity.

In order to assess the effect of captopril on bronchial reactivity, 16 consecutive patients with asthma and hypertension were randomized in a double-blind crossover study, with increasing doses of placebo or captopril for 4 week periods. Forced expiratory flow (FEV1) and a dose-response curve with methacholine (PD20) were measured before and after treatment . Effective control of hypertension was achieved in all patients on captopril (P less than 0.

[Munchausen syndrome and recurrent haematuria (author's transl)].

The authors report an exceptional case of a patient drawing blood from the veins and introducing it into the bladder via a straw. This psychiatric syndrome was discovered only after several hospitalisations, being considered as a conversion hysteria and favourably influenced by psychotherapy.