Acquired noncompaction in Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

Acquired left ventricular hypertrabeculation/noncompaction (LVHT) is rare and has been described in patients with mitochondriopathy, Barth syndrome, and Becker muscular dystrophy. Here we report acquired LVHT in a 28-year-old man with Duchenne muscular dystrophy who required non-invasive, positive-pressure ventilation for muscular respiratory failure since age 16 years. Transthoracic echocardiography at age 22 years revealed enlarged left atrium and ventricle and reduced fractional shortening, but no LVHT.

Methotrexate serum-level determinations during low-dose therapy of rheumatoid and psoriatic arthritis.

In 29 patients, 21 suffering from psoriatic arthritis and eight patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis, methotrexate serum-levels were determined by means of radioimmunoassay. The aim of the investigation was to recognize an eventual dependence of the serum level of methotrexate on the total cumulative dose and to test the possibility of a concomitant therapy control. Beside the determinations of the serum levels of methotrexate, clinical examinations and laboratory tests were done at regular intervals.

[Clinical effectiveness and tolerance of auranofin in patients with chronic polyarthritis. Results of a multicenter long-term study].

In an open multicenter trial, 90 patients with rheumatoid arthritis were treated with a daily dose of 6 mg auranofin. The duration of the treatment was 12 months. A significant improvement in the following parameters was observed: grip strength, number of swollen and painful joints after the 4th month, blood erythrocyte sedimentation rate decreased significantly after the 2nd month.

[Effect and tolerance of naproxen. Testing of a new Galenic preparation of an anti-rheumatic agent in an open clinical trial].

The non-steroidal antirheumatic drug naproxen has been available in capsule form since 1974. A new formulation, a film-coated tablet, has recently been developed and has various advantages, namely rapid release and absorption of the active substance, a lower volume, and a score-line. The efficacy and safety of the new tablet in a dose of 1000 mg daily was investigated in 30 patients in an open study.

[Parenteral gold therapy (Tauredon) in chronic polyarthritis].

Between 1972 and 1983, 519 patients with rheumatoid arthritis according to ARA criteria underwent basic antirheumatic treatment with Tauredon (sodium aurothiamalate). Patient age was 19 to 78 years, and the disease had been active for 6 months to 8 years. Results of treatment were recorded for periods of 14 days to 8 years.

Double-blind, multi-centre trial to compare a once-daily combination of trimethoprim and sulfamethopyrazine with ampicillin 4-times daily in patients with urinary infections.

Sixty-eight patients with urinary infection were allocated at random to receive treatment with either 500 mg ampicillin 4-times daily or a trimethoprim (250 mg)/sulfamethopyrazine (200 mg) combination given once daily after a double, loading dose on the first day. All patients complained of urinary symptoms and showed significant bacteriuria, E. coli being the pathogen most frequently recovered.

[Treatment of acute gout attacks with tolmetin (author's transl)].

In an open trial 15 patients with acute gout attacks were treated with Tolmetin. A statistically significant improvement of several pain values measured as well as subsidence of swellings and redness were observed. By summing up the scores "good" and "moderate", the joint judgement of physician and patients established a 90% success of treatment with regard to efficacy and tolerability.

[Chronic polyarthritis and erythema anulare centrifugum Darier].

A casuistic contribution considers possible aethiopathogenetic factors of an erythema anulare centrifugum Darrier in a 47 year-old female patient suffering from a seronegative rheumatoid arthritis. The course is traced until the erythema fades and disseminated leucoderma appears.