Active clinical trials for "Syndrome"

The purpose of this Phase II study is to assess the feasibility of conducting a large scale trial which will evaluate the effectiveness of static magnetic field therapy as a treatment for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. This preliminary study will determine which of three strength magnets to use in the future. Participants will be recruited from three primary sources. 1) Patients with a possible diagnosis of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome who have been referred to the Orthopaedic and Rehabilitation Clinics of OHSU for Nerve conduction studies. If after conducting these studies a potential participant shows evidence of mild to moderate Carpal Tunnel Syndrome s/he will be informed about the study and invited to participate in additional screening. B) Patients seen at the National College of Natural Medicine (NCNM) Clinics who have a clinical diagnosis of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome will be informed about the study and invited to enter the screening process for further eligibility. C) Participants will also be recruited from the general public including staff and students at OHSU and NCNM). Eligibility will be determined through a stepwise process including telephone screening for general eligibility, Nerve Conduction screening for electrodiagnostic eligibility, and Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire screening for symptom severity eligibility. Those potential participants who meet all eligibility requirements will be randomized to one of three magnetic field dosages. They will be provided with a ¾" diameter x 1/8" thick magnet which they will be required to apply for six weeks during the hours of sleep. Over the course of the study participants will have four visits to the General Clinical Research Center of OHSU and three visits to the Orthopaedic and Rehabilitation Clinics of OHSU for Nerve Conduction studies to be performed by either Dr. Nels Carlson or Dr. Hans Carlson. Questionnaires to be completed during the course of the study include a general health information and demographics questionnaire, the Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire, which will be completed on six occasions, a general symptoms checklist and a Post Treatment Participant satisfaction questionnaire. Recruitment, retention, compliance and safety will be analyzed using descriptive statistics. Effectiveness of the three different strength magnets will be assessed by comparing participants' baseline scores on the Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire with their scores after six weeks of magnet use.

Background Somatostatin and octreotide LAR (long-acting analogue) exert a number of inhibitory effects: on gut hormones, but also on gastro-intestinal secretion and motility. Somatostatin analogues are effective in preventing symptoms and signs of both early and late dumping as demonstrated previously. However, octreotide LAR causes gastrointestinal side effects and the injection solution is difficult to prepare. Recently, a new somatostatin analogue with a prolonged release formulation, Lanreotide autogel (L-autogel), has become available. It is a viscous aqueous gel, composed solely of water and lanreotide. Deep subcutaneous administration may lead to increased treatment acceptance compared with intramuscular depot preparations. It is more easy to prepare and is though to cause less local side effects and technical problems than octreotide LAR. Recent studies have been done to measure the efficacy and safety of L-autogel in acromegalic treated previously with octreotide LAR. These studies showed that L-autogel is effective and well-tolerated in these patients, with equivalent or better disease control and less gastrointestinal adverse events. Until now, there is no data available on the effectivety of L-autogel in patients with a dumping syndrome. Therefore, this study aims to establish the effectiveness and tolerability of L-autogel in patients with a dumping syndrome, previously treated with octreotide LAR.

Probiotics are friendly bacteria normally present in food products like yogurt whereas irritable bowel syndrome is a longstanding functional disorder characterized by abdominal pain and altered bowel habits either diarrhea or constipation dominant without a definitive etiology. Study Hypothesis:Does probiotics(Saccharomyces boulardii improves daily bowel symptoms and quality of life in patients with diarrhea dominant irritable bowel syndrome?

ABSTRACT/EXECUTIVE SUMMARY BACKGROUND, SIGNIFICANCE & RATIONALE: Between 10-20% of the more than 6000 cases of spinal cord injury seen annually in the North America have the clinical pattern of traumatic central cord syndrome (TCCS). These patients are usually older, most likely have sustained a fall, and have incomplete spinal cord injury characterized by dysesthetic and weak upper extremities. CT scan of the cervical spine in patients with TCCS often shows disc/osteophytes complex superimposed on degenerative or congenital spinal stenosis and MRI reveals signal changes at one or multiple skeletal segments. A minority of these patients suffer from fracture/subluxations, however, this group of patients are younger and have been involved in a more dynamic trauma. Since 1951, when Schneider et al reported this syndrome, controversy has dominated its surgical management. The current "Guidelines for the Management of Acute Cervical Spine and Spinal Cord Injuries" recommendations are only at the level of options, since prospective outcome data are unavailable. HYPOTHESIS: in acute traumatic central cord syndrome, surgical decompression of the spinal cord within five days will result in more rapid motor recovery, than decompression 6 weeks following injury. To test this hypothesis, we will pursue the following specific aims: SPECIFIC AIM I: To compare American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) Motor Scores after three months post injury in patients with central cord syndrome operated on within five days of injury to a similar group of patients operated on 6 weeks following injury. SPECIFIC AIM II: To compare functional outcome, health related quality of life and posttraumatic syrinx size in patients with traumatic central cord syndrome operated on within five days to a similar group of patients operated on 6 weeks following injury. DESIGN: Single center prospective randomized study. PROCEDURE: In a two-year period thirty patients with traumatic central cord syndrome and cord compression (15 patients in each group) will be randomized to undergo surgical decompression either within the first five days or at 6 weeks following spinal cord injury. ASIA motor, functional recovery and health related quality of life between the two groups will be compared at admission, discharge from rehab facility 3 months and 12 months after surgery.

The purpose of this study is to determine whether pregabalin is an effective treatment for Chronic Prostatitis/Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome.

An abdominal distribution of fat is associated with the greatest heart disease risk, because commonly, several risk factors of metabolic origin cluster in these individuals. When this occurs the condition is called the 'metabolic syndrome'. Increased activity of the sympathetic nervous system resulting in enhanced release of the stress hormone 'noradrenaline', may be one mechanism by which adverse cardiovascular and metabolic sequela of the metabolic syndrome might be mediated. Impaired insulin action may be one factor contributing to increased noradrenaline release. The aim of this Study is to determine whether treatment with a drug called pioglitazone which is known to improve insulin action, results in reduced sympathetic nervous system activity and stress hormone release when compared to treatment with a dummy drug (placebo).

This study will evaluate patients with a rare inherited condition called Bardet-Biedl syndrome . The purpose of the study is to learn more about the genetics and clinical characteristics of this disorder. Patients may have the following problems: polydactyly (extra fingers and toes); retinal dystrophy (changes in the retina that may lead to vision problems, including blindness); obesity and diabetes (overweight and high blood sugar due to failure of body organs to respond to insulin); cognitive dysfunction (difficulties with learning and understanding); hypogenitalism (decreased functioning of the ovaries in women and the testes in men); kidney anomalies (changes in the structure or function of the kidneys); heart disease; and hepatic fibrosis (liver disease). Patients with Bardet-Biedl syndrome may be eligible for this study. First-degree relatives will also be enrolled for certain tests and procedures. Candidates are screened with a review of their medical records, laboratory tests, and x-rays. Patients in this study undergo the following tests and procedures: Medical and family history and physical examination, including body measurements. Blood tests to evaluation kidney, liver, heart, and hormonal function, and for genetic studies and other research purposes. Dual emission x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) scan to measure the amount of total body fat. For this test, the subject lies on a table for scanning with low-dose X-rays. Computed tomography (in adults) of the abdomen to measure abdominal fat. CT uses a small amount of radiation to obtain images of internal body structures. Magnetic resonance imaging (in children) of the abdomen to measure abdominal fat. MRI uses a magnetic field and radio waves to obtain images of internal body structures. Oral glucose tolerance tests to measure blood glucose and insulin levels. For this test, the patient drinks a glucose (sugar) solution. Blood samples are drawn through an IV catheter before the test begins and at 1, 2, and 3 hours after drinking the solution. Complete eye examination to look for retinal changes and to assess vision, and, if medically needed, an examination of the ear, nose, and throat to check for hearing and breathing abnormalities. Tests of learning ability in patients over 5 years of age. For younger patients, a parent is asked about the child's development. Ultrasound study of the ovaries and uterus in females and of the testes in males. Photographs of the face, hands, feet, body, and genitalia, if the patient agrees. Meeting with investigators and a genetic counselor for review of test findings when the studies are completed. Relatives of patients have a complete medical and family history and physical examination. Blood is drawn for assessment of kidney, liver, heart, and hormonal function and for genetic study and other research purposes. Relatives over 5 years of age may have tests of learning ability and cognition. For younger patients, a parent is asked about the child's development. Relatives meet with investigators and a genetic counselor for review of test findings when the studies are completed.

Participants wanted for study of mevalonate kinase deficiency (MKD), mevalonic aciduria, or hyperimmunoglobulinemia with periodic fever syndrome (HIDS). Patients with MKD (mevalonic aciduria or hyperimmunoglobulinemia with periodic fever syndrome (HIDS)) may be eligible for a research study conducted at Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) in Portland, Oregon USA. The purpose of the study is to find out more about how these diseases affect body chemistry and health. The researchers also want to find out how cholesterol in the diet affect blood cholesterol and how the body handles cholesterol. This is a short-term and long-term dietary study. The long-term goal of this research is to see if controlling dietary cholesterol can decrease any of the symptoms of the diseases. The study could involve up to 12 one-week admissions to OHSU over the course of 5 years.

This prospective randomized cross over study aims to compare nCPAP with mandibular advancement device for the treatment of sleep apnea syndrome.The effectiveness of nCPAP and oral appliance on apnea-hypopnea index, daytime sleepiness and quality of life will be compared in 60 patients.

In the present study, we examine the question "Will day-time aggression in children improve when their night-time sleep is treated with pharmacological intervention (i.e. clonidine)?" There is considerable anecdotal evidence that clonidine may provide an effective alternative to neuroleptics for treating aggression in children -- first by improving the overall quality of their sleep, and second by providing a safer and more readily tolerated medication with fewer side-effects and a greater probability of long-term compliance. This study uses a double blind placebo controlled design to gather scientific evidence that will help elucidate the mechanisms underlying this treatment effect and will help clarify the relationship between sleep disorders and aggression in children. Our results are expected to help physicians make informed treatment decisions regarding the use of clonidine to improve the quality of sleep and possibly treat problems with aggression in their pediatric patients