Telemedicine- versus outpatient-based initiation and management of ketogenic diet therapy in children with drug-resistant epilepsy during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Introduction: Initiation of ketogenic diet therapies (KDT) for pediatric epilepsy is usually done on an inpatient basis and the diet is managed during clinical appointments following a protocol of visits and routine tests. Because of the 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic and the associated lock-down measures, we switched from outpatient to telemedicine-based KDT initiation.

Objective: To explore the feasibility, effectiveness, and safety of online KDT initiation and follow-up by comparing a group of children with drug-resistant epilepsy that was managed by telemedicine compared to a group that was treated on an outpatient basis.

The use of naltrexone to treat ambulatory patients with alcohol dependence.

Unlabelled: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of Naltrexone in decreasing craving symptoms among Puerto Rican male veterans with alcohol dependence.

Method: This is a double blind placebo control study with a convenience sample of eleven patients divided in two groups (placebo and Naltrexone). Scales consisting of Zung Depression, Zung Anxiety, MMSE, OCD Screener, Craving, and Somatization were administered at baseline, and weekly for four weeks as follow up.

Surveillance, prevention and control of drug abuse in hospitals.

Every citizen is morally responsible to contribute to solve the drug problem in the national front. Though we may understand that the uninformed and the naive may experiment with drugs, we do not expect patients nor hospital personnel to abuse them in the treatment environment. But hospitals are also hit by the epidemic.