Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / Placebo has been found to be an important component of treatments including psychological and pharmacological treatment of depression, transplant surgery for Parkinson’s, acupuncture, smoking cessation interventions, and analgesic treatment of pain. Although the placebo effect has been observed across a wide range of disciplines, the effect sizes vary widely and it is not well understood how placebo effects are produced. The current study draws upon research in perception and motivation to propose a more comprehensive model of the placebo effect. Specifically, the model proposes that more motivated persons pay greater attention to bodily sensations and other stimuli, which are then interpreted according to expectations, producing a placebo response. In the current study, both motivation and outcome expectancy were manipulated, creating a 2x2 study design. College students (N=152) were asked to evaluate a series of placebo pheromone substances (slightly scented water) and attention/task diligence was assessed as the amount of time spent on the rating task and the number of evaluations made. The placebo response was assessed as the attractiveness rating of the chosen sample and the variability in ratings, with greater variability and higher attractiveness ratings indicating greater placebo response. It was predicted that those in the high motivation group would have greater diligence on the rating task, which would, in turn, lead to greater placebo response. It was further predicted that there would be a main effect for expectancy on placebo response. Consistent with hypothesized effects, more highly motivated students had greater placebo responses, and the relationship was mediated by task diligence. Thus, as students spent greater time on the evaluation task, they found the scent of their chosen sample to be more pleasing and perceived greater differences among samples. No effect was found for expectancy. These findings are important because they suggest possible mechanisms for maximizing treatment effects in medical and psychological settings, where factors such as nonspecific treatment effects and placebo are believed to influence outcomes. Future research should seek to further clarify the relationship of expectancy and motivation to placebo outcomes by examining mediating factors such as attention and carefully manipulating both variables to ensure maximum effects.

Placebo treatments have long been used to study the psychological effects of expectancy and conditioning on an inert intervention. Interestingly, open-label placebo treatments (i.e., directly telling subjects they are receiving an inactive intervention) have recently shown promise in minimizing pain in clinical patient populations. We utilized a repeated measures design to examine the acute effects of placebo, open-label placebo, and control treatments on muscle strength and voluntary activation (Experiment #1), as well as neuromuscular fatigue (Experiment #2). Twenty-one untrained males (n=11) and females (n=10) visited the laboratory on three occasions to receive each treatment in a randomized, counter-balanced manner. All visits involved a pretest, 15-minute intervention period, and posttest. In Experiment #1, knee extensor maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) peak torque and percent voluntary activation were evaluated. In Experiment #2, subjects performed 20, six-second MVICs while surface electromyographic signals were detected from the vastus lateralis. Subjective assessments of energy and perceived exertion were also examined. In Experiment #1, no differences among interventions were demonstrated for peak torque or voluntary activation, but a main effect revealed that energy levels increased following each treatment (p = .016, η2 = .257). Experiment #2 demonstrated that placebo and open-label placebo treatments had no influence on neuromuscular fatigue, but there were main effects for declines in absolute (p = .001, η2 = .675) and normalized peak torque (p = .001, η2 = .765), electromyographic mean frequency (p = .001, η2 = .565), neuromuscular efficiency (p = .001, η2 = .585), and energy levels (p = .006, η2 = .317). Collectively, placebo and open-label placebo treatments had minimal influence on strength, voluntary activation, and fatigue resistance in untrained subjects. We speculate that our subject population and study design intricacies that are unique to placebo trials may explain our findings.

Yes / Background: The aim of this study was to investigate whether the prior consumption of 200mg of pure caffeine affected neuropsychological test scores in a group of elderly participants aged over 60 years. Method: Using a double blind placebo vs. caffeine design, participants were randomly assigned to receive 200mg of caffeine or placebo. A neuropsychological assessment testing the domains of general cognitive function, processing speed, semantic memory, episodic memory, executive function, working memory and short-term memory was carried out. Results: Significant interaction effects between age, caffeine and scores of executive function and processing speed were found; participants who had received caffeine showed a decline in performance with increasing age. This effect was not seen for participants who received placebo. Conclusion: The results highlight the need to consider and control prior caffeine consumption when scoring neuropsychological assessments in the elderly which is important for accuracy of diagnosis and corresponding normative data.

No description available.

Syfte: Det behövs mer forskning inom diagnostik för orofacial smärta. Syftet med studien är att undersöka om den subjektiva bedövningsupplevelsen som erhålls vid aktiv anestesi kan jämföras med den som erhålls vid injektion av aktiv placebo, samt om aktiv placebo påverkar smärttröskel samt smärtkänslighet vid stickstimuli hos friska individer. Material och metod: 31 friska deltagare randomiserades i tre grupper. En grupp fick aktiv injektion (Xylocain 2,0 %), en grupp fick aktiv placebo injektion (Xylocain 0,1%) och en grupp fick icke aktiv placebo (fysiologisk koksaltlösning). Deltagarna utsattes för tre intraorala tester före och efter injektion som mätte mekaniskt beröringsstimuli, smärta vid stickstimuli, smärttröskel samt stimuluskvalitet. Deltagarna fick efter injektion gradera sin bedövningsupplevelse på en 0-10 NRS skala. Resultaten analyserades med parat T-test, ANOVA One-Way, post-hoc T-test med Bonferronickorrektion samt Fishers exakta test. P<0,05 ansågs vara statistiskt signifikant. Resultat: Bedövningsupplevelsen i gruppen aktiv placebo skilde sig signifikant från aktiv injektion (p<0,001) men inte från icke-aktiv placebo (p=0,980). Sticksmärttröskeln vid aktiv placebo skilde sig signifikant från aktiv injektion (p<0,001) men inte från inaktiv placebo (p = 0,052). Smärtintensitet vid stickstimuli skilde sig signifikant mellan före och efter injektion inom gruppen aktiv injektion (p=0,035) men inte för aktiv placebo (p = 0,690) och icke-aktiv placebo (p = 0,726).Slutsats: Ingen skillnad sågs mellan icke-aktiv placebo och aktiv placebo i förmågan att förändra friska deltagares smärttröskel samt smärtkänslighet för stickstimuli och samtidigt ge en upplevelse hos deltagaren om att vara bedövad. Aktiv placebo gav alltså ingen fördel framför icke aktiv placebo. 0,1 % Xylocain uppfyller inte de krav som kan ställas på en bra aktiv placebo. / Aim: More research is needed in diagnostics of orofacial pain. Investigating whether the subjective anesthetic experience obtained in active anesthesia can be compared to that obtained with the injection of active placebo, and whether active placebo affects pain threshold and pain sensitivity under a piercing stimulus in healthy individuals.Materials and Methods: 31 healthy subjects were randomized into three groups. One group received active injection (Xylocain 2.0 %), one group received active placebo (Xylocain 0.1 %) and one group received non-active placebo (physiological saline). The participants were subjected to three intraoral tests before and after injection, which measured allodynia, pain sensitivity under a piercing stimulus, pain threshold and stimulus quality. Participant appreciated their anesthetic experience on a 0-10 NRS scale after injection.Results: The anesthetic experience in the active placebo group was significantly different from active injection (p <0.001) but not from non-active placebo (p=0.980). The pain threshold at active placebo was significantly different from active injection (p <0.001) but not from non-active placebo (p = 0.052). Pain intensity in stick stimuli was significantly different between pre- and post-injection within the active injection group (p =0.035) but not for active placebo (p = 0.690) and non-active placebo (p = 0.726).Conclusion: The study found no difference between non-active placebo and active placebo in the ability to alter healthy participant's pain threshold and pain sensitivity under a piercing stimulus and at the same time give the participant an experience of being anesthetized. 0.1% Xylocain does not meet the requirements for a good active placebo.

Yes / Introduction: Skin ageing involves senescent fibroblast accumulation, disturbance in extracellular matrix (ECM) homeostasis, and decreased collagen synthesis. Objective: to assess a cell therapy product for aged skin (RCS-01; verum) consisting of ~25 × 106 cultured, autologous cells derived from anagen hair follicle non-bulbar dermal sheath (NBDS). Methods: For each subject in the verum group, 4 areas of buttock skin were injected intradermally 1 or 3 times at monthly intervals with RCS-01, cryomedium, or needle penetration without injection; in the placebo group RCS-01 was replaced by cryomedium. The primary endpoint was assessment of local adverse event profiles. As secondary endpoints, expression of genes related to ECM homeostasis was assessed in biopsies from randomly selected volunteers in the RCS-01 group taken 4 weeks after the last injection. ­Results: Injections were well tolerated with no severe adverse events reported 1 year after the first injection. When compared with placebo-treated skin, a single treatment with RCS-01 resulted in a significant upregulation of TGFβ1, CTGF, COL1A1, COL1A2, COL3A1, and lumican mRNA expression. Limitations: The cohort size was insufficient for dose ­ranging evaluation and subgroup analyses of efficacy. Conclusions: RCS-01 therapy is well tolerated and associated with a gene expression response consistent with an improvement of ECM homeostasis. / Replicel Life Sciences Inc, Vancouver, Canada.

Introdução: O presente estudo tem como objetivo avaliar a eficácia da estimulação magnética transcraniana de repetição (EMTr) em freqüência excitatória, aplicada ao córtex pré-frontal dorsolateral direito (CPFDLd), quando adicionada ao tratamento vigente de pacientes com transtorno obsessivocompulsivo (TOC) resistente. Método: 30 pacientes com TOC resistente ao tratamento foram alocados aleatoriamente para receber EMTr ativa ou placebo, sendo que a condição de tratamento permaneceu oculta para pacientes e avaliador. O tratamento vigente permaneceu estável por ao menos 8 semanas. A EMTr foi realizada com uma bobina em formato de oito à freqüência de 10Hz, com 110% do limiar motor em 30 sessões diárias de 40 séries de 5 segundos com 25 segundos de intervalo. A gravidade dos sintomas foi avaliada inicialmente, após 2 e 6 semanas de tratamento e 2 e 6 semanas de seguimento com a escala de Yale-Brown para avaliação de sintomas obsessivo-compulsivos (Y-BOCS), Escala de Impressão Clínica Global (CGI), Escala de Hamilton para ansiedade (HAM-A), Escala de Hamilton para depressão com 17 itens (HAM-D17), e inventário SF-36 de qualidade de vida. A medida primária de eficácia foi definida como redução de 30% ou mais nos escores da Y-BOCS e avaliação melhor ou muito melhor na sub-escala de melhora clínica da CGI ao término do seguimento. Resultados: A análise da medida primária de eficácia revelou que apenas um paciente em cada grupo preencheu critérios de resposta para o tratamento com EMTr (P=1.00). A análise de medidas repetidas dos escores de Y-BOCS mostrou um efeito significativo do tempo (F=7.33, P=0.002). Entretanto, não foi observada diferença entre os grupos ou interação grupo/tempo. A análise de medidas repetidas da CGI (gravidade), HAM-D17 e HAM-A também mostrou efeito significativo do tempo (P<0.001, =0.001 e <0.001 respectivamente), novamente sem diferença significativa entre os grupos ou interação. Conclusão: EMTr excitatória aplicada ao CPFDLd de pacientes com TOC resistente ao tratamento não foi diferente de placebo na redução de sintomas obsessivo-compulsivos ou melhora da impressão clínica global. Entretanto, ocorreu uma resposta placebo significativa / Introduction: The present study aims to evaluate the efficacy of added excitatory repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), applied to the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex in patients with treatment resistant obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Methods: 30 treatment resistant OCD outpatients were randomized to receive either active or sham rTMS, remaining both patients and rater blind to treatment condition. Baseline treatment was kept stable for at least 8 weeks, and rTMS was performed with a figure-of-eight coil at 10Hz, 110% of motor threshold at 30 daily sessions of 40 trains of 5 seconds with 25 seconds interval. Symptom severity was determined at baseline and after 2 and 6 weeks of treatment and further 2 and 6 weeks of follow-up, using the Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS), Clinical Global Impression Scale (CGI), Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A), Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D17) and SF-36 quality of life inventory. The primary outcome measure was defined as 30% or more improvement in Y-BOCS scores and a much improved or improved score at the CGIimprovement subscale by the end of follow up. Results: The analysis of primary outcome measure revealed that only one patient on each group met response criteria for treatment with rTMS (P=1.00). Repeated-measures analysis of Y-BOCS scores showed a significant effect of time (F=7.33, P=0.002). However, no significant group effect or group by time interaction was observed. Repeated measures analysis of CGI (severity), HAM-D17 and HAM-A also showed a significant effect of time (P<0.001, =0.001 and <0.001 respectively) with no significant group effect or group by time interaction. Conclusion: Excitatory rTMS delivered to the rDLPFC of treatment resistant OCD patients was not different from placebo in reducing obsessive-compulsive symptoms or improving clinical global impression. However, a significant placebo response occurred

INTRODUÇÃO: A rinite alérgica é uma condição clínica comum que apresenta sintomas diversos num significante número de pacientes, deteriorando a qualidade de vida daqueles refratários aos tratamentos usuais (anti-histamínicos e corticosteróides nasais tópicos). Apresentando princípios curativos similares, a imunoterapia sublingual e a homeopatia podem reduzir os sintomas e a necessidade de medicamentos na rinite alérgica, embora a eficácia e a efetividade de ambas terapêuticas não sejam ainda suficientemente conhecidas. OBJETIVOS: O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a efetividade clínica do tratamento homeopático individualizado prolongado, comparativamente ao placebo, em adultos portadores de rinite alérgica perene. MÉTODOS: Um total de 41 pacientes com rinite alérgica perene foi alocado numa primeira fase duplo-cego e placebo-controlada durante seis meses, sendo tratada com doses sublinguais semanais de medicamentos homeopáticos individualizados ou placebo. Após esta fase inicial fechada, todos os pacientes foram convidados a participar de uma segunda fase controlada aberta, em que receberiam tratamento homeopático pelo período máximo de 36 meses, e os resultados foram comparados com a melhora da fase inicial. O escore dos sinais e sintomas, a necessidade de medicamentos de resgate e a qualidade de vida foram mensurados por questionários e avaliações clínicas pessoais, aplicadas por um mesmo avaliador independente, antes e após cada fase. As doses dos medicamentos homeopáticos e de resgate utilizados, assim como os efeitos colaterais, foram documentados num diário pessoal. Os desfechos clínicos primário e secundários foram, respectivamente, os escores dos sinais e sintomas alérgicos específicos e gerais. Títulos da IgE total foram mensurados antes e após cada fase. RESULTADOS: Após os seis meses da fase placebo-controlada inicial, na análise por protocolo de todos os pacientes incluídos no estudo, não foram observadas diferenças significativas entre os grupos ativo e placebo nos escores clínicos, na utilização de drogas de resgate, na qualidade de vida e nos títulos da IgE total. Entretanto, as análises dos subgrupos da segunda fase mostraram uma crescente e significativa melhora nos desfechos clínicos primário e secundários após 12 meses de tratamento homeopático individualizado, comparativamente à variação de melhora dos mesmos pacientes na fase inicial fechada. Diferença significativa na qualidade de vida foi observada apenas após o segundo ano de tratamento homeopático. CONCLUSÃO: Neste estudo, o tratamento homeopático foi acompanhado de um significante efeito placebo. A efetividade da homeopatia pôde ser observada após 12 meses da terapêutica, apresentando efeito preventivo de longa duração após 36 meses de tratamento homeopático individualizado. / INTRODUCTION: Allergic rhinitis is a common clinical condition which presented several symptoms in a significant number of patients, deteriorating the quality of life in those resistant to the usual treatments (antihistamines and topical nasal corticosteroids). Presenting similar curative principles, sublingual immunotherapy and homeopathy can reduce symptoms and medication requirements in allergic rhinitis, although the efficacy and effectiveness of both therapeutics are not still sufficiently known. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to evaluate clinical effectiveness of prolonged individualized homeopathic treatment, compared with placebo, in adults with perennial allergic rhinitis. METHODS: A total of 41 adults with perennial allergic rhinitis were enrolled in a first double-blind placebo-controlled phase for six months, and treated on a weekly basis with sublingual doses of single individualized homeopathic medicines or placebo. After this closed initial phase, all patients were invited to participate in an open label controlled phase, in that they would receive homeopathic treatment for the maximum period of 36 months, and the results were compared with the improvement of the initial phase. Signs and symptoms scores, rescue medication requirements and quality of life were assessed by questionnaires and personal clinical evaluation by a same independent researcher, before and after each phase. Applied homeopathic and rescue drugs dosage, and side effects were documented by diary cards. Primary and secondary clinical outcome were, respectively, specific and general allergic signs and symptoms scores. Total IgE titles were performed before and after each phase. RESULTS: After six months of placebo-controlled phase, analyzing all patients included in the study per protocol, we observed no significant difference between treatment and placebo groups in primary and secondary clinical outcomes, use of rescue drugs, quality of life and total IgE. However, second phase subgroups analysis showed a significant and growing improvement of clinical symptoms after 12 months of individualized homeopathic treatment, comparatively to the same patients\' variation in closed initial phase. Significant difference in quality of life score were observed only after second homeopathic treatment year. CONCLUSION: In this study, homeopathic treatment was accompanied by a significant placebo effect. Effectiveness of homeopathy could be seen after 12 months of therapy, presenting preventive effect of long duration after 36 months of individualized homeopathic treatment.

Introdução: A acromegalia é uma doença crônica geralmente causada por adenoma hipofisário produtor de hormônio do crescimento (GH). Os pacientes com acromegalia são expostos a altos níveis de GH e do fator de crescimento semelhante à insulina 1 (IGF-1) e têm risco aumentado de doenças cardiovasculares. Os distúrbios respiratórios do sono, caracterizados por apneia obstrutiva do sono (AOS) e apneia central (AC), são comuns nos pacientes com acromegalia. Os distúrbios respiratórios do sono causam hipóxia intermitente e sono fragmentado e são fatores de risco para pior prognóstico cardiovascular. No entanto, não está claro se os distúrbios respiratórios do sono contribuem para pior desfecho cardiovascular entre pacientes com acromegalia. Objetivo: Elucidar a contribuição dos distúrbios respiratórios do sono na gênese de doenças cardiovasculares em pacientes com acromegalia. Neste contexto foram realizados dois estudos, um estudo transversal (Estudo I) e um estudo de intervenção (Estudo II) que serão descritos a seguir. Método: Estudo I: Foram avaliados pacientes consecutivos com diagnóstico confirmado de acromegalia e acompanhados no ambulatório da Disciplina de Endocrinologia e Metabologia do Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo. Os pacientes foram submetidos à avaliação clínica, questionário de sonolência de Epworth (ESE, escore variando entre 0 - 24), índice de qualidade de sono de Pittsburgh (PSQI, escore variando entre 0 - 21), questionário de qualidade de vida SF-36 (escore variando entre 0 - 100), polissonografia (PSG), monitorização ambulatorial da pressão arterial (MAPA), velocidade de onda de pulso (VOP), e ecocardiograma. Estudo II: Pacientes com acromegalia e AOS moderada a grave (índice de apneias hipopneias (IAH) 15 eventos/h) foram tratados por 3 meses em sequência aleatória com CPAP ou adesivo nasal. Os pacientes foram submetidos à avaliação clínica, questionários de ESE, PSQI, SF-36, questionário de satisfação do tratamento (0 - 10), MAPA, VOP, diâmetro e distensibilidade de carótida e PSG ao entrar no estudo, 3 meses e 6 meses. Resultados: Estudo I: Foram avaliados 48 pacientes (sexo masculino = 31%; idade = 52 ± 11 anos; índice de massa corpórea = 32,0 ± 5,5 Kg/m2). Vinte e nove pacientes (60,4%) apresentaram distúrbios respiratórios do sono moderado a grave (IAH 15 eventos/h) distribuídos em 23 (88%) com AOS e 6 (12%) com AC. Os pacientes com distúrbios respiratórios do sono eram mais velhos (56 ± 9 vs. 48 ± 12 anos, p= 0,018), mais obesos (33,3 ± 5,9 vs. 29,4 ± 4,0 Kg/m2, p = 0,014), apresentaram maior pressão arterial sistólica (131 ± 17 vs. 122 ± 11 mm Hg; p = 0,02) e diastólica (88 ± 14 vs. 81 ± 6 mm Hg, p = 0,02), maior diâmetro da carótida (7244 (6646 - 7685) vs. 6795 (6072 - 7341) m, p = 0,03), menor distensibilidade carotídea (5,01 ± 1,80 vs. 6,32 ± 2,16 m, p = 0,04) e pior qualidade de sono (9 (6 - 14) vs. 6 (5 - 8), p = 0,005) do que pacientes sem distúrbios respiratórios do sono. A presença de distúrbios respiratórios do sono se associou de forma independente com maior idade (p = 0,01), maior pressão arterial diastólica (p = 0,04) e menor distensibilidade carotídea (p = 0,04). Estudo II: Dezessete pacientes com acromegalia e AOS moderada a grave (masculino/feminino = 9/8, idade = 54 ± 10 anos, índice de massa corpórea = 34,0 ± 5,7 Kg/m2, IAH = 49,8 ± 23,7 eventos/h, ESE = 12 ± 6, PSQI = 12 (7- 14) completaram o estudo. A média da pressão do CPAP foi de 11 ± 2 cm H2O. O CPAP foi usado em média 6 ± 2 h/noite. O uso do adesivo nasal foi utilizado em 80% das noites. O IAH diminuiu significativamente com CPAP, mas não mudou com dilatador nasal (8,1 ± 5,2 vs. 47,4 ± 25,4 eventos/h, respectivamente, p = 0,0001). Todos os sintomas subjetivos melhoraram com ambos os tratamentos, no entanto significativamente mais com CPAP do que com dilatador nasal (ESE = 5 ± 4 vs. 9 ± 7, p = 0,002; PSQI = 3 (1- 5) vs. 5 (4-10), p <0,0001; satisfação do tratamento = 9 ± 1 vs. 6 ± 3, p = 0,001, respectivamente). O tratamento da AOS com CPAP comparado com adesivo nasal não resultou em melhora significativa nos níveis de pressão arterial no período da vigília (pressão arterial sistólica = 127 ±11 vs. 129 ± 10, p = 0,23; pressão arterial diastólica = 79 ± 11 vs. 80 ± 10, p = 0,46, respectivamente) e no período do sono (pressão arterial sistólica = 120 ± 14 vs. 124 ± 15, p = 0,66; pressão arterial diastólica = 71 (66 - 82) vs. 54 (52 - 63), p = 0,54, respectivamente) avaliado pela MAPA e rigidez da arterial (VOP = 9,0 ± 1,2 vs. 9,6 ± 1,5 m/s, p = 0,69 respectivamente). Conclusão: Os distúrbios respiratórios do sono são comuns entre os pacientes com acromegalia e estão associados de forma independente com maior pressão arterial diastólica, menor distensibilidade da carótida e pior qualidade do sono. O tratamento da AOS com CPAP em pacientes com acromegalia melhora a qualidade do sono. No entanto, não existe evidência até o momento de melhora em parâmetros cardiovasculares / Introduction: Acromegaly is a chronic disease usually caused by pituitary adenoma producing growth hormone (GH). Patients with acromegaly are exposed to high levels of GH and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) and have increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Sleep-disordered breathing, characterized by obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and central sleep apnea (AC), are common in patients with acromegaly. Sleep-disordered breathing cause intermittent hypoxia and fragmented sleep and are risk factors for poor cardiovascular outcome among patients with acromegaly. However, it is unclear whether sleep-disordered breathing are simply a result of acromegaly contribute to worse cardiovascular outcomes in patients with acromegaly. Objective: To elucidate the contribution of sleep-disordered breathing in the genesis of cardiovascular disease in patients with acromegaly. Two studies were conducted a cross sectional study (Study I) and a interventional study (Study II). Method: Study I: We evaluated consecutive patients with a confirmed diagnosis of acromegaly of a dedicated outpatient clinic of tertiary University Hospital (Hospital das Clinicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo). Patients underwent clinical assessment questionnaire for evaluation of daytime somnolence (Epworth sleepiness - ESS score, ranging from 0 - 24), index of Pittsburgh sleep quality (PSQI score, ranging from 0 - 21), quality of life questionnaire SF-36 (score ranging from 0 - 100), polysomnography (PSG), ambulatory blood pressure (ABMP), pulse wave velocity (PWV), diameter and distensibility carotid and echocardiography. Study II: Patients with acromegaly and moderate to severe OSA (apnea index - hypopnea index (AHI) 15 events / h) were treated for 3 months in random sequence with nasal CPAP or nasal dilator strips. The patients underwent clinical evaluation, questionnaires ESS, PSQI, SF-36, treatment satisfaction questionnaire (0-10), ABMP and PWV, diameter and distensibility carotid and PSG at study entry, 3 months and 6 months. Results: Study I: We evaluated 48 patients (male = 31%, age = 52 ± 11 years, body mass index = 32.0 ± 5.5 kg/m2). Twenty-nine patients (60.4%) had moderate to severe sleep-disordered breathing (AHI 15 events / h) distributed n = 23 (88%) OSA and n = 6 (12%) CA. Patients with sleep-disordered breathing were older (56 ± 9 vs. 48 ± 12 years, p = 0.018), more obese (33.3 ± 5.9 vs. 29.4 ± 4.0 kg/m2, p = 0.014), had higher systolic blood pressure (131 ± 17 vs. 122 ± 11 mm Hg, p = 0.02) and diastolic (88 ± 14 vs. 81 ± 6 mm Hg, p = 0.02), larger Carotid diameter (7244 (6646 - 7685) vs. 6795 (6072 - 7341) m, p = 0.03), lower carotid distensibility (5.01 ± 1.80 vs. 6.32 ± 2.16 mm, p = 0.04) and worse sleep quality (9 (6 -14) vs. 6 (5 - 8) score, p = 0.005) than patients without sleep-disordered breathing. The presence of sleep-disordered breathing was independently associated with older age (p = 0.01), higher diastolic blood pressure (p = 0.04) and lower carotid distensibility (p = 0.04). Study II: Seventeen patients with acromegaly and moderate to severe OSA (male / female = 9/8, age = 54 ± 10 years, body mass index = 34.0 ± 5.7 kg/m2, AHI = 49.8 ± 23.7 events / h, SE = 12 ± 6 score, PSQI = 12 (7 - 14) score) completed the study. The average CPAP pressure was 11 ± 2 cm H2O. CPAP was used on average 6 ± 2 h / night. The use of the nasal dilator strips was used in 80% of nights. The AHI decreased significantly with CPAP, but did not change with nasal dilator (8.1 ± 5.2 vs. 47.4 ± 25.4 events / h, respectively, p = 0.0001). All subjective symptoms improved with both treatments, but significantly more than with CPAP than nasal dilator strips (ESE = 5 ± 4 vs. 9 ± 7, p = 0.002; PSQI = 3 (1 - 5) vs. 5 (4 - 10), p <0.0001; treatment satisfaction = 9 ± 1 vs. 6 ± 3, p = 0.001, respectively). Treatment of OSA with CPAP compared with nasal dilator strips did result in significant improvements in ABMP during wakefulness (systolic blood pressure = 127 ± 11 vs. 129 ± 10, p = 0.23, diastolic blood pressure = 79 ± 11 vs. 80 ± 10, p = 0.46, respectively) and during sleep (systolic blood pressure = 120 ± 14 vs. 124 ± 15, p = 0.66; diastolic blood pressure = 71 (66 - 82) vs. 54 (52 - 63), p = 0.54, respectively) measured by ABMP and arterial stiffness (PWV = 9.0 ± 1.2 vs. 9.6 ± 1.5 m / s, p = 0,69 respectively). Conclusion: Sleep-disordered breathing is independently associated with higher diastolic blood pressure and lower carotid distensibility. However, there is no evidence that treatment of OSA with CPAP in patients with acromegaly results in significant improvement in blood pressure and carotid artery distensibility.

Introdução: O presente estudo tem como objetivo avaliar a eficácia da estimulação magnética transcraniana de repetição (EMTr) em freqüência excitatória, aplicada ao córtex pré-frontal dorsolateral direito (CPFDLd), quando adicionada ao tratamento vigente de pacientes com transtorno obsessivocompulsivo (TOC) resistente. Método: 30 pacientes com TOC resistente ao tratamento foram alocados aleatoriamente para receber EMTr ativa ou placebo, sendo que a condição de tratamento permaneceu oculta para pacientes e avaliador. O tratamento vigente permaneceu estável por ao menos 8 semanas. A EMTr foi realizada com uma bobina em formato de oito à freqüência de 10Hz, com 110% do limiar motor em 30 sessões diárias de 40 séries de 5 segundos com 25 segundos de intervalo. A gravidade dos sintomas foi avaliada inicialmente, após 2 e 6 semanas de tratamento e 2 e 6 semanas de seguimento com a escala de Yale-Brown para avaliação de sintomas obsessivo-compulsivos (Y-BOCS), Escala de Impressão Clínica Global (CGI), Escala de Hamilton para ansiedade (HAM-A), Escala de Hamilton para depressão com 17 itens (HAM-D17), e inventário SF-36 de qualidade de vida. A medida primária de eficácia foi definida como redução de 30% ou mais nos escores da Y-BOCS e avaliação melhor ou muito melhor na sub-escala de melhora clínica da CGI ao término do seguimento. Resultados: A análise da medida primária de eficácia revelou que apenas um paciente em cada grupo preencheu critérios de resposta para o tratamento com EMTr (P=1.00). A análise de medidas repetidas dos escores de Y-BOCS mostrou um efeito significativo do tempo (F=7.33, P=0.002). Entretanto, não foi observada diferença entre os grupos ou interação grupo/tempo. A análise de medidas repetidas da CGI (gravidade), HAM-D17 e HAM-A também mostrou efeito significativo do tempo (P<0.001, =0.001 e <0.001 respectivamente), novamente sem diferença significativa entre os grupos ou interação. Conclusão: EMTr excitatória aplicada ao CPFDLd de pacientes com TOC resistente ao tratamento não foi diferente de placebo na redução de sintomas obsessivo-compulsivos ou melhora da impressão clínica global. Entretanto, ocorreu uma resposta placebo significativa / Introduction: The present study aims to evaluate the efficacy of added excitatory repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), applied to the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex in patients with treatment resistant obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Methods: 30 treatment resistant OCD outpatients were randomized to receive either active or sham rTMS, remaining both patients and rater blind to treatment condition. Baseline treatment was kept stable for at least 8 weeks, and rTMS was performed with a figure-of-eight coil at 10Hz, 110% of motor threshold at 30 daily sessions of 40 trains of 5 seconds with 25 seconds interval. Symptom severity was determined at baseline and after 2 and 6 weeks of treatment and further 2 and 6 weeks of follow-up, using the Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS), Clinical Global Impression Scale (CGI), Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A), Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D17) and SF-36 quality of life inventory. The primary outcome measure was defined as 30% or more improvement in Y-BOCS scores and a much improved or improved score at the CGIimprovement subscale by the end of follow up. Results: The analysis of primary outcome measure revealed that only one patient on each group met response criteria for treatment with rTMS (P=1.00). Repeated-measures analysis of Y-BOCS scores showed a significant effect of time (F=7.33, P=0.002). However, no significant group effect or group by time interaction was observed. Repeated measures analysis of CGI (severity), HAM-D17 and HAM-A also showed a significant effect of time (P<0.001, =0.001 and <0.001 respectively) with no significant group effect or group by time interaction. Conclusion: Excitatory rTMS delivered to the rDLPFC of treatment resistant OCD patients was not different from placebo in reducing obsessive-compulsive symptoms or improving clinical global impression. However, a significant placebo response occurred