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Several studies have suggested that probiotics could play a role in the management of patients with chronic bacterial prostatitis (CBP). In this randomized, placebo-controlled clinical study, we evaluated the efficacy and safety of consumption of probiotics containing human Lactobacillus casei DG® as an add-on treatment in patients with clinical recurrences of CBP, through gut microbiota modification analysis. Enrolled patients with CBP were randomized to receive for 3 months probiotics containing human Lactobacillus casei DG® or placebo following 1 month treatment with ciprofloxacin. During the enrollment and follow-ups, urological examinations analyzed symptoms and quality of life, while microbiological tests analyzed gut and seminal microbiota. During the study, the development of adverse drug reactions was evaluated through the Naranjo scale. Twenty-four patients with CBP were recruited and treated for 3 months with placebo (n. 12) or with Lactobacillus casei DG® (n. 12). Lactobacillus casei DG® induced a significantly (p < 0.01) faster recovery of symptoms than placebo (2 days vs. 8 days) and an increased time free from symptoms (86 days vs. 42 days) without the occurrence of adverse events. In the probiotic group, the appearance of Lactobacilli after 30 days (T1) was higher vs. the placebo group, and a significant reduction in Corynebacterium, Peptoniphilus, Pseudomonas, Veillonella, Staphylococcus, and Streptococcus was also observed. These preliminary data suggest that in patients with CBP, the use of Lactobacillus casei DG after an antimicrobial treatment improves the days free of symptoms and the quality of life, without the development of adverse drug reactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Neuropathic pain is defined as pain induced by a lesion or disease of the somatosensory nervous system. Pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments are frequently employed. In the current clinical investigation, we assessed the effects of sex on the safety and effectiveness of medications used to treat neuropathic pain. Methods: We conducted a prospective analysis between 1 February 2021 and 20 April 2024, involving patients with neuropathic pain referred to the Ambulatory of Pain Medicine of "Renato Dulbecco" University Hospital in Catanzaro (Calabria, Italy). Patients over 18 years old with signs of neuropathic pain (Douleur Neuropathique en 4 questionnaire ≥ 4) were included. Exclusion criteria comprised patients with Alzheimer's disease; patients with nociplastic or nociceptive pain; and patients with neoplasms. Patients with fewer than two accesses to ambulatory care were excluded, as were those who did not sign the informed consent. Clinical data were collected from each enrolled patient and subsequently analyzed, considering clinical outcomes. Sex and gender differences in efficacy were estimated using multivariate linear modeling and propensity-score matching. Results: During the study, 531 patients were screened, and 174 were enrolled (33.5%, mean age 61.5 ± 13.1; 64 males and 110 females, mean age 60.6 ± 13.4 and 61.96 ± 13.0) in accordance with the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Only minor differences in treatment prescription were observed based on age, body mass index, and comorbidities. Smoking, sex, educational level, and body mass index did not induce a significant change in pain perception. Males required slightly higher, though not significantly, doses of drugs for pain control than females. The treatment was not significantly more effective for females than for males. Females did not exhibit a significantly lower number of adverse drug reactions compared to males. Conclusions: The current study found that there are no appreciable differences between the sexes when it comes to the treatment of neuropathic pain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Liver transplant patients are frail subjects due to lifelong therapy with immunosuppressants. In these patients, comorbidity and polytherapy increase the risk of adverse drug reactions. In this study, we report the development of hyponatremia, probably related to pantoprazole in a liver transplant patient. Sertraline dismission and treatment with sodium chloride did not improve clinical symptoms and laboratory levels. Pantoprazole dismission induced an improvement in clinical symptoms and the normalization of sodium levels. A five-month follow-up revealed the absence of clinical symptoms and normal serum sodium levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Drug treatment can be related to the development of adverse drug reactions (ADRs). Aim: In this paper, we evaluated ADRs in patients admitted to the Ambulatory of Pain Medicine of the University Hospital Renato Dulbecco in Catanzaro. Methods: We conducted a prospective analysis between 1 February 2021 and 20 July 2023 on patients with neuropathic pain referred to the Ambulatory of Pain Medicine of "Renato Dulbecco" University Hospital in Catanzaro (Calabria, Italy). Patients aged >18 years with clinical signs of neurologic pain and a score upon completing the Douleur Neuropathique en 4 Questions (DN4) questionnaire of ≥4 were included. The association between drugs and ADR or between drugs and drug–drug-interactions (DDIs) was evaluated using Naranjo's probability scale and Drug Interaction Probability Scale (DIPS), respectively. Results: During the study period, we analyzed 2370 patients referred to the ambulatory of pain medicine. After the evaluation of inclusion and exclusion criteria, 33.5% of patients were enrolled. All patients presented at least one comorbidity and daily used a mean of five drugs (range 3–11). Using the Naranjo score, the development of ADRs was documented in 112 patients (score 6). Using parametric and non-parametric statistical analysis, we failed to report an association between ADR and dosage or ADR and patient characteristics. Conclusion: Our results show the development of ADRs in 18% of patients with neuropathic pain. This low percentage of drug interaction could be a limitation in real life because it is probably due to the site of the study and the appropriate prescription of drugs. Therefore, it shows that it is necessary to motivate healthcare to pay attention to the prescription of drugs in poly-treated patients to reduce the risk of ADRs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]