To investigate Botulinum toxin type B (BNT-B) injection's effect and duration depending on dose for patients with brain lesion.
Twenty one patients with brain lesion and severe drooling were included and divided into three groups. All patients received conventional dysphagia therapy. Group A patients (n=7) received an injection of 1,500 units and group B patients (n=7) received an injection of 2,500 units of BNT-B in submandibular gland under ultrasound guidance. Group C patients (n=7) received conventional dysphagia therapy. Saliva secretion was assessed quantitatively at baseline and at weeks 1, 2, 4, 8, and 12. The severity and frequency of drooling was assessed using the Drooling Quotient (DQ) by patients and/or caregivers.
Group A and B reported a distinct improvement of the symptoms within 2 weeks after BNT-B injection. Compared to the baseline, the mean amount of saliva decreased significantly throughout the study. However, there was no meaningful difference between the two groups. The greatest reductions were achieved at 2 weeks and lasted up to 8 weeks after BNT-B injection. Group C did not show any differences.
Local injection of 1,500 units of BNT-B into salivary glands under ultrasonic guidance proved to be a safe and effective dose for drooling in patient with brain lesion, as did 2,500 units.
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To investigate depressive symptoms and their related factors in patients with chronic low back pain in Korea.
A cross-sectional study using data from the fourth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES IV) 2009 was undertaken. The sample consisted of 1,426 participants with chronic low back pain. Multifactorial regression analysis was used to identify the association between depressive symptoms and socioeconomic demographics and other chronic diseases.
Among the 371 (26.0%) patients with depression, significant factors associated with depressive symptoms were female gender (odds ratio [OR], 2.691; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.724-4.199), medical aid beneficiary (OR, 1.371; 95% CI, 1.039-1.810), a dependent group for activities of daily living (OR, 1.570; 95% CI, 1.180-2.087), 'not good' in the perceived health category (OR, 2.309; 95% CI, 1.730-3.081) and in a cancer group (OR, 1.803; 95% CI, 1.051-3.093).
This study provides the foundation for managing patients with chronic low back pain and depressive symptoms. Clinicians managing chronic low back pain should consider risk factors for depressive symptoms.
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