Experience with concomitant ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy and endovenous laser treatment in chronic venous disorder and its influence on Health Related Quality of Life: interim analysis of more than 1000 consecutive procedures.

Aim: The aim of this paper was to evaluate the efficacy of the concomitant use of endovenous laser treatment (ELT) and ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy (USGFS) in the management of chronic venous disorder and to objectively analyze the influence of the combination therapy on the Health Related Quality of Life (HRQL) of the treated patients.

Methods: In this prospective series, 1 114 varicose veins in 924 consecutive subjects were treated either with a 980 nm (7-15W) or a 1320 nm (3-10W) endovenous laser.

Inclusion Criteria: informed consent, clinical, etiologic, anatomical, and pathophysiological (CEAP) clinical class >or=2, and an accessible vein.

Restless legs syndrome in patients with chronic venous disorders: an untold story.

Objectives: To prospectively study the profile of restless leg syndrome (RLS) in patients presenting to a phlebology practice.

Methods: The study uses prospective questionnaire and clinical observation study. In all, 174 consecutive patients and 174 matched controls were evaluated in detail.

Higher efficacy of sequential therapy with interferon-alpha and lamivudine combination compared to lamivudine monotherapy in HBeAg positive chronic hepatitis B patients.

Background: Monotherapy with interferon (IFN) or lamivudine is effective in a limited proportion of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients. A sequential combination may have better therapeutic effects by sustained viral suppression combined with immunomodulation.

Aim: To compare the efficacy of sequential lamivudine and IFN therapy versus lamivudine monotherapy in HBeAg positive CHB patients.

Transmission of G145R mutant of HBV to an unrelated contact.

Household contacts of HBV-related chronic liver disease patients constitute a high-risk group for acquisition of HBV infection. Some of the HBsAg mutants are associated with liver disease and some are reported to be transmitted vertically. There is limited information on the horizontal transmission of Gly 145 Arg (G145R) mutant to related contacts.

Role of HBV genotype in predicting response to lamivudine therapy in patients with chronic hepatitis B.

Background: Predictors of response of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) to lamivudine therapy need better definition. Whether hepatitis B virus (HBV) genotypes could serve as such a predictor has not been well studied.

Aim: To study the association of HBV genotypes with the outcome of lamivudine treatment in patients with CHB.