Internal medicine
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To evaluate the effects of six-month liraglutide treatment on body weight, visceral and subcutaneous fat and related markers in Japanese type 2 diabetic patients. ⋯ In addition to its glucose-lowering effects, liraglutide exhibits weight loss promotion actions, reducing subcutaneous fat areas in particular. The weight and total fat area reduction properties of liraglutide are likely to be beneficial when this medication is used in combination with other oral antidiabetic drugs and insulin.
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To investigate whether chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) screening that combines screening with questionnaires and pulmonary function testing is a useful method for the early detection of COPD. ⋯ Conducting COPD screening with questionnaires and pulmonary function testing among the general population is a useful examination method for the early detection and treatment of COPD.
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The aim of this study was to elucidate the efficacy of cyclophosphamide (CY) in Japanese patients with antineutrophil cystoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated microscopic polyangiitis (MPA). ⋯ We observed no increased efficacy of CY in ANCA-positive MPA in the Japanese patients, and hence, its efficacy may be limited in these patients.
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To assess the efficacy of pirfenidone in patients with advanced-stage idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), we conducted a retrospective study of patients who received pirfenidone therapy. In addition, the combined effects of inhaled N-acetylcysteine (NAC) and pirfenidone were evaluated. ⋯ Among the advanced-stage IPF patients with a more progressive status, pirfenidone decreased the rate of decline in FVC. In addition, patients treated with pirfenidone combined with NAC therapy exhibited favorable outcomes. Additional studies are needed to confirm the efficacy of this combined therapy for IPF.
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Patients who meet the Rome III criteria for functional dyspepsia (FD) are generally classified into the following two subgroups, those with postprandial distress syndrome (PDS) and those with epigastric pain syndrome (EPS), in order to treat the dyspeptic symptoms caused by the respective pathophysiological conditions. However, whether simple classification of FD can accurately distinguish the pathophysiological differences between PDS and EPS remains to be clarified because the pathophysiology of FD is characterized and complicated by various factors. ⋯ The simple classification of FD patients into two subgroups according to the Rome III criteria following diagnosis does not indicate any differences in the pathophysiology related to the respective dyspeptic symptoms of FD patients.