I am always happy to see treatments that avoid medicines.
On the other hand, I am always sad to see that "cured" is not
defined, and as a result it is not possible to claim a cure for diabetes -
not even possible to know if a specific case, or a specific treatment, is
moving closer to cured, or farther away from cured.
When cured is defined, independent of treatment, we will be able to
find cures. Unt...
I am always happy to see treatments that avoid medicines.
On the other hand, I am always sad to see that "cured" is not
defined, and as a result it is not possible to claim a cure for diabetes -
not even possible to know if a specific case, or a specific treatment, is
moving closer to cured, or farther away from cured.
When cured is defined, independent of treatment, we will be able to
find cures. Until then, all research is questionable.
Conflict of Interest:
Author of: A Calculus of Curing
I blog about healthicine.
Dear Sir,
Though the authors claim that there was heterotopic pregnancy ideally they
should have done a curettage to prove chorionic villi from the
intrauterine pregnancy. The sac demonstrated in the uterus could be pseudo
sac. Without a clear evidence of villi in both sites, this will be wrong
message. The drop in the beta hCG can be a lab error or rupture of the
ovarian ectopic
Dear Sir,
Though the authors claim that there was heterotopic pregnancy ideally they
should have done a curettage to prove chorionic villi from the
intrauterine pregnancy. The sac demonstrated in the uterus could be pseudo
sac. Without a clear evidence of villi in both sites, this will be wrong
message. The drop in the beta hCG can be a lab error or rupture of the
ovarian ectopic
An excellent paper!
I think it would be useful if the authors explained if the patient was exposed to sclerogenic dusts, both in occupational and non-occupational scenarios.
Was this supplement a turmeric powder, simple water extract, or the
highly concentrated standardized turmeric extract with 95% curcuminoids
made using a hexane or organic solvent? This can be an important
determinant for causing liver toxicity.
Sirs,
As a neuromodulator and instructor with extensive (30 year) experience
with both "wired " and "wireless " systems, I feel compelled to repond to
the conclusions of the cited case report.
While the authors mention lead migration as an known complication of
spinal cord stimulation, it is useful to consider that Cameron (1) cited
361 lead migration events in 2753 patients , a 13.2% incidence.
Anderson (2) , i...
Sirs,
As a neuromodulator and instructor with extensive (30 year) experience
with both "wired " and "wireless " systems, I feel compelled to repond to
the conclusions of the cited case report.
While the authors mention lead migration as an known complication of
spinal cord stimulation, it is useful to consider that Cameron (1) cited
361 lead migration events in 2753 patients , a 13.2% incidence.
Anderson (2) , in his report of spinal cord stimulation for angina
pectoris, found lead migration to be the most frequent complication
requiring reoperation (23%), an incidence verified by North.
This is not the first case report of cephalad lead migration, although
less common than caudal migration. McGreevy and colleagues (3) at Johns
Hopkins reported a case of cephalad lead migration from T9 vertebral
segment to T1 two weeks postoperatively. The Titan (Medtronic) anchor was
sutured to lumbosacral fascia with a strain relief loop (SRL). An
additional SRL was placed beneath the implanted IPG.
This issue is not confined to percutaneous cylindrical leads, as
significant cephalad paddle -lead migration has also been reported (4).
A multitude of published research has confirmed that spinal cord
stimulation is indeed a safe procedure (5).
The author performing the procedure (MF) states that "this was the
implanters first experience with this (wireless) device". I can personally
attest that implanting the StimWave system is distinctly different in many
respects, than competing "wired " systems.
When teaching physicians , I continually stress these differences.
The manufacturer recommends anchoring either with traditional sleeve
anchors, or their proprietary Sandshark anchor. In addition, a knot is to
be tied in the lead distal to the last mark . A separate subcutaneous
incision (0.5cm) is made to secure the distal lead tip to the subcutaneous
fascia. There is no indication that the author followed these recommended
techniques. The authors also relate " challenges with connectivity and
aberrant programming".
I was informed personally that the StimWave engineer was able to obtain
connectivity and paresthesia mapping at the non-migrated lead, hoever the
patient expressed a preference for the "wired " system rather than the
"wireless" external system.
I concur with the authors recommendations for locking anchors and silicone
elastomer adhesives. . I strongly disagree with the assertions made that
this case "demands more research into the safety of externally powered
devices". I have successfully implanted this system for three years
,without any lead migration, as have countless physicians worldwide.
]The proper conclusion of this report should be that this new wireless
spinal cord stimulator system is distinctly different than previous wired
systems, requiring proper triaining, strict adherence to recommended
operative techniques and implanter experience. It is unfortunate that the
authors first case utilizing this system was unsuccessful, however , their
contention that these systems are unsafe is completely unfounded.
Sincerely,
George J.Arcos D.O.,FAOCA
1) Safety and efficacy of spinal cord stimulation for the treatment
of chronic pain; A 20-year review.
Cameron,T J Neurosurg (Spine3) 100:254-267 2004
2) Anderson C Complications in spinal cord stimulation for the treatment
of angina pectoris. Acta Cardiologica 52:35-39 1995
3)McGreevy K, WilliamsKA,Christo PJ
Cephalad lead migration following spinal cord stimulator implantation
Pain Physician 2012 Jan-Feb; 15(1): E 79-87
4) DiSanto S, Ravera E
Significant cephalad laddle lead migration after lumbar spinal cord
stimulator implant.
Neuromodulation 2014 Jun ;17 (4): 385
5) Bendersky D, Yampolsky C
Is Spinal cord stimulation safe?
World Neurosurg 2014 Dec; 82(6): 1359-68.
Conflict of Interest:
No stock or investment ownership. Senior Consultant for BSC and StimWave.
Thankyou to Professor Bewley and colleagues for their comments.
We agree with many of the concerns raised and want to point out it is
essential to read and interpret this article for what it is - a case
report. As has been rightly pointed out, it is therefore only anecdotal
and is the lowest grade quality of evidence.
Our intention in writing this article is merely to point out a
temporal association...
Thankyou to Professor Bewley and colleagues for their comments.
We agree with many of the concerns raised and want to point out it is
essential to read and interpret this article for what it is - a case
report. As has been rightly pointed out, it is therefore only anecdotal
and is the lowest grade quality of evidence.
Our intention in writing this article is merely to point out a
temporal association between taking curcumin and the patient's disease
entering a quiescent and stable phase. But this is prone to many
confounding factors and like any case report, has severe limitations. The
only conclusion that can be drawn from this case is that further studies
are needed to establish whether curcumin is indeed beneficial for myeloma.
The media response has been disproportionate and regrettable. We
believe the article did use cautious language but for further clarity:
In no way do we endorse the use of curcumin in Myeloma, either in
addition to and especially not in place of established therapy. There is
insufficient evidence to support this, doing so can be potentially
dangerous and it can come at significant financial cost to patients.
The article should not be removed as we maintain there is still an
important observation to be noted - but this needs evaluation in the
context of a clinical trial.
HealthWatch UK is a charity that promotes ‘science and integrity in medicine’, values we might all expect to be shared by the BMJ and all its subsidiary journals. Accordingly, we ask you to think again about the Publishing Executive’s response (1) to the e-letter submitted by our colleague Les Rose (2) regarding a report by Zaidi et al. (3) about curcum...
HealthWatch UK is a charity that promotes ‘science and integrity in medicine’, values we might all expect to be shared by the BMJ and all its subsidiary journals. Accordingly, we ask you to think again about the Publishing Executive’s response (1) to the e-letter submitted by our colleague Les Rose (2) regarding a report by Zaidi et al. (3) about curcumin as a treatment for myeloma.
We regard the response as unsatisfactory because:
1. Zaidi et al. had little regard for the extensive published research on the medicinal chemistry of curcumin. Their conclusion made a clear case for the clinical use of curcumin in myeloma, when it would have been far more appropriate to call for rigorous clinical trials. The BMJ was wrong to say the language they used was ‘cautious’.
2. Zaidi et al. failed to respond to Rose and their use of citations of research by a discredited investigator was not commented upon (1). This should have been detected both by reviewers and editors and should have been put right.
3. It is poor judgment for BMJ Case Reports to deny responsibility for claims in other media – especially when our complaints to the BBC were rebutted by the justification that this was a peer-reviewed publication. Journal executives must know that such claims will be amplified by the lay media, especially when they are unusual and thus newsworthy. Indeed, journals often issue press releases for this purpose. Editors therefore have an obligation to ensure that peer review is rigorous and claims in published papers are made responsibly.
4. While case reports have a role in medicine, they are no more than a suggestion of where proper research should next be carried out. It is not appropriate even to suggest that a treatment should be prescribed on the basis of anecdote.
For all these reasons, HealthWatch UK considers that this report should be withdrawn and an editorial should be published explaining the reasons.
Susan Bewley, Professor of Women’s Health, Kings College London, Chair of HealthWatch UK
Nick Ross, writer, campaigner and broadcaster
Roger Fisken, consultant physician (retired)
On behalf of the Board of Trustees of HealthWatch UK.
References
(1) Thomas J. Association is not Causation. http://casereports.bmj.com/content/2017/bcr-2016-218148.full/reply#casereports_el_4149
(2) Rose L. Association is not Causation http://casereports.bmj.com/content/2017/bcr-2016-218148.full/reply#casereports_el_4149
(3) Zaidi A, Lai M, Cavenagh J. Long-term stabilisation of myeloma with curcumin. BMJ Case Reports 2017: published online 16 April 2017, doi:10.1136/bcr-2016-218148 http://casereports.bmj.com/content/2017/bcr-2016-218148.full
We sincerely thank the technical product manager of ACCU-CHEK
Performa (Roche) for going through our article entitled 'Erroneously
elevated glucose values due to maltose interference in mutant GDH-PQQ
based glucometer, Chakraborty PP, et al. BMJ Case Rep 2017.
doi:10.1136/bcr-2017-219928 with interest. We provide our response to the
issues raised by our learned colleague.
We sincerely thank the technical product manager of ACCU-CHEK
Performa (Roche) for going through our article entitled 'Erroneously
elevated glucose values due to maltose interference in mutant GDH-PQQ
based glucometer, Chakraborty PP, et al. BMJ Case Rep 2017.
doi:10.1136/bcr-2017-219928 with interest. We provide our response to the
issues raised by our learned colleague.
Regarding the removal of maltose-containing infusion tube from the
intravenous cannula by the patient himself; yes, it is unacceptable but
probably not that uncommon in real life. It is possible for an extremely
agitated patient experiencing respiratory distress to remove the IV line
himself if left unattended for fraction of a second without waiting for
medically trained staffs to do their jobs. They have also expressed their
concerns regarding measurement of capillary glucose from an uncleaned
hand. In an intensive care setting, it may not be possible to "wash the
hands in warm, soapy water. Rinse and dry completely" before checking
capillary blood glucose in a patient who is actively seizing or having
altered sensorium as instructed in the package insert of ACCU-CHEK
Performa.
The package insert of ACCU-CHEK Performa categorically mentions about
the elevated levels of galactose (>15mg/dl or >0.83 mmol/L),
triglycerides (>1,800mg/dl or >20.3 mmol/L) , ascorbic acid
(>3mg/dl or >0.17mmol/L), haematocrit (should be between 10-65%)
that may cause erroneous glucose values. It has pointed towards
"clinically relevant maltose interference" without mentioning the
concentration of maltose known to be associated with such interference.
This e-letter has discussed issues, which had already been focused in
our article. The probable reasons of erroneous capillary glucose values,
the difference of capillary glucose values between right and left hand
fingertips, the blood level of maltose which is unlikely to cause such
interference have already been highlighted in our article.
Sir, what we have discussed in our article is exactly what we had
experienced in our clinical ward rounds. We strongly believe proper
protocol has to be followed in each and every step and this article is
definitely a "reminder of important clinical lesson" of violating the
basic principles. We do not have the intention to spread false information
related to any manufacturing company & we do not endorse such ideas
ever. Having said that, we strongly believe that the package insert of
ACCU-CHEK Performa should specify the maltose concentration that may cause
overestimation of blood glucose.
I have seen now that a correction was asserted. It is not
satisfactory on its face for two reasons.
The first is that my criticism of the report was not acknowledged for
pointing out that the original claim was of swallowing a bleach tablet,
which meant that treatment could be understood as inappropriate or
inadequate.
The second is that a "correction" that ascribed the problem as that
the patient ing...
I have seen now that a correction was asserted. It is not
satisfactory on its face for two reasons.
The first is that my criticism of the report was not acknowledged for
pointing out that the original claim was of swallowing a bleach tablet,
which meant that treatment could be understood as inappropriate or
inadequate.
The second is that a "correction" that ascribed the problem as that
the patient ingested a 3.5g(!) tablet (!) of sodium hydroxide clarifies
little or nothing.
1. Sodium hydroxide does not appear as "tablets" in any pharmacopoeia
of which I am aware. I will withdraw my objection if there is such with
documented reference.
2. The article still refers to the treatment of bleach ingestion without
addressing the chlorine content thereof, thus misunderstanding the key
point I made in my previous email, and misses the value I brought to the
discussion.
3. "Prilled" sodium hydroxide, the only type of lye of which I am aware
might remotely be thought a "tablet" is typically 0.1 g in size, not 3.5g
(35 times a prilled version!). Nor would such a material be near the
counter of a random patient where it might be mistaken for a tablet (if I
may hone the point a bit).
I believe that there should be more explained about this unfortunate
event, that my email should be published for consideration by other
experts, and that the modality of treatment should be better addressed by
the physicians.
Thank you for your suggestion to add other risk factors the patient
could have had which may have lead to his diagnosis. According to the
records, the patient did have exposures to both radiation and petroleum.
I am always happy to see treatments that avoid medicines.
On the other hand, I am always sad to see that "cured" is not defined, and as a result it is not possible to claim a cure for diabetes - not even possible to know if a specific case, or a specific treatment, is moving closer to cured, or farther away from cured.
When cured is defined, independent of treatment, we will be able to find cures. Unt...
Dear Sir, Though the authors claim that there was heterotopic pregnancy ideally they should have done a curettage to prove chorionic villi from the intrauterine pregnancy. The sac demonstrated in the uterus could be pseudo sac. Without a clear evidence of villi in both sites, this will be wrong message. The drop in the beta hCG can be a lab error or rupture of the ovarian ectopic
Conflict of Interest:
...An excellent paper! I think it would be useful if the authors explained if the patient was exposed to sclerogenic dusts, both in occupational and non-occupational scenarios.
Conflict of Interest:
None declared
Was this supplement a turmeric powder, simple water extract, or the highly concentrated standardized turmeric extract with 95% curcuminoids made using a hexane or organic solvent? This can be an important determinant for causing liver toxicity.
Conflict of Interest:
Work for supplement industry
Sirs, As a neuromodulator and instructor with extensive (30 year) experience with both "wired " and "wireless " systems, I feel compelled to repond to the conclusions of the cited case report.
While the authors mention lead migration as an known complication of spinal cord stimulation, it is useful to consider that Cameron (1) cited 361 lead migration events in 2753 patients , a 13.2% incidence. Anderson (2) , i...
Thankyou to Professor Bewley and colleagues for their comments.
We agree with many of the concerns raised and want to point out it is essential to read and interpret this article for what it is - a case report. As has been rightly pointed out, it is therefore only anecdotal and is the lowest grade quality of evidence.
Our intention in writing this article is merely to point out a temporal association...
Dear Editor
Case report should be withdrawn
HealthWatch UK is a charity that promotes ‘science and integrity in medicine’, values we might all expect to be shared by the BMJ and all its subsidiary journals. Accordingly, we ask you to think again about the Publishing Executive’s response (1) to the e-letter submitted by our colleague Les Rose (2) regarding a report by Zaidi et al. (3) about curcum...
We sincerely thank the technical product manager of ACCU-CHEK Performa (Roche) for going through our article entitled 'Erroneously elevated glucose values due to maltose interference in mutant GDH-PQQ based glucometer, Chakraborty PP, et al. BMJ Case Rep 2017. doi:10.1136/bcr-2017-219928 with interest. We provide our response to the issues raised by our learned colleague.
Regarding the removal of maltose-contai...
I have seen now that a correction was asserted. It is not satisfactory on its face for two reasons.
The first is that my criticism of the report was not acknowledged for pointing out that the original claim was of swallowing a bleach tablet, which meant that treatment could be understood as inappropriate or inadequate.
The second is that a "correction" that ascribed the problem as that the patient ing...
Thank you for your suggestion to add other risk factors the patient could have had which may have lead to his diagnosis. According to the records, the patient did have exposures to both radiation and petroleum.
Conflict of Interest:
None declared
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