The effect of continuous positive airway pressure therapy on blood pressure and arterial stiffness in hypertensive patients with obstructive sleep apnea.

Aim: We aimed to evaluate the effect of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy on blood pressure (BP) and arterial stiffness in hypertensive patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

Patients And Methods: We studied 38 hypertensive patients who suffered from severe OSA. Ambulatory BP measurement was performed at baseline and after at least 3 months of uninterrupted CPAP therapy.

Comparative efficacy of exenatide versus insulin glargine on glycemic control in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients inadequately treated with metformin monotherapy.

Purpose: Comparative efficacy of exenatide versus insulin glargine primarily on glucemic control, and secondarily on body mass index (BMI), lipid profile and blood pressure, in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients suboptimally treated with metformin monotherapy.

Material/methods: Forty-seven inadequately treated T2DM patients on metformin assigned to exenatide (n=18) or insulin glargine (n=29) for 26 weeks. Glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), serum lipids, BMI, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and adverse events, including episodes of hypoglycemia and gastrointestinal symptoms, were recorded.

Prevalence of primary hyperaldosteronism in resistant hypertension: a retrospective observational study.

Background: Results of several studies published since 1999 suggest that primary hyperaldosteronism (also known as Conn's syndrome) affects more than 10% of people with hypertension; however, such a high prevalence has also been disputed. Experts generally agree that resistant hypertension has the highest prevalence of primary hyperaldosteronism, on the basis of small studies. We aimed to assess the prevalence of primary hyperaldosteronism in a large group of patients with resistant hypertension.

Pheochromocytoma presenting as diabetic ketoacidosis.

Pheochromocytoma is a rare form of secondary hypertension and may be potentially lethal if left untreated. The classical symptoms are paroxysmal hypertension, headaches, palpitations and sweating. They are caused by sudden catecholamine release.

Hypertension associated with rhabdomyolysis.

Primary aldosteronism accompanied by hypokalemia is a cause of secondary hypertension. Diagnosis of primary aldosteronism has increased dramatically in recent years with the wider availability of aldosterone and plasma renin activity measurements. The authors present the case of a patient with resistant hypertension and severe hypokalemia that evaded diagnosis until complications from hypokalemia occurred.

Successful treatment of refractory rash in paraneoplastic amyopathic dermatomyositis.

Skin involvement in dermatomyositis does not always parallel muscle disease and can be the most active or severe component of the disease, failing to respond to therapeutic interventions that are adequate for myositis and other systemic involvement. This case refers to a resistant paraneoplastic amyopathic dermatomyositis rash which readily resolved with intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG), practically in the form of monotherapy. This observation gains particular significance considering that IVIG is still regarded as a second-line therapeutic regimen in the treatment of dermatomyositis despite its prevalence in matters of safety.