Université de Montréal

About: Université de Montréal is a education organization based out in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Poison control. The organization has 45641 authors who have published 100476 publications receiving 4004007 citations. The organization is also known as: University of Montreal & UdeM.

Digital ulcers in systemic sclerosis: prevention by treatment with bosentan, an oral endothelin receptor antagonist.

Abstract: Objective Recurrent digital ulcers are a manifestation of vascular disease in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc; scleroderma) and lead to pain, impaired function, and tissue loss. We investigated whether treatment with the endothelin receptor antagonist, bosentan, decreased the development of new digital ulcers in patients with SSc. Methods This was a randomized, prospective, placebo-controlled, double-blind study of 122 patients at 17 centers in Europe and North America, evaluating the effect of treatment on prevention of digital ulcers. The primary outcome variable was the number of new digital ulcers developing during the 16-week study period. Secondary assessments included healing of existing digital ulcers and evaluation of hand function using the Scleroderma Health Assessment Questionnaire. Results Patients receiving bosentan had a 48% reduction in the mean number of new ulcers during the treatment period (1.4 versus 2.7 new ulcers; P = 0.0083). Patients who had digital ulcers at the time of entry in the study were at higher risk for the development of new ulcers; in this subgroup the mean number of new ulcers was reduced from 3.6 to 1.8 (P = 0.0075). In patients receiving bosentan, a statistically significant improvement in hand function was observed. There was no difference between treatment groups in the healing of existing ulcers. Serum transaminase levels were elevated to >3-fold the upper limit of normal in bosentan-treated patients; this elevation is comparable with that observed in previous studies of this agent. Other side effects were similar in the 2 treatment groups. Conclusion Endothelins may play an important role in the pathogenesis of vascular disease in patients with SSc. Treatment with the endothelin receptor antagonist bosentan may be effective in preventing new digital ulcers and improving hand function in patients with SSc.

Restless legs syndrome and sleep bruxism : prevalence and association among Canadians

Abstract: A survey conducted through personal interviews was done in Canada to estimate the prevalence of subjective symptoms related to restless legs syndrome (RLS) and to sleep bruxism. Of the 2,019 respondents, all over 18 years of age, 15% reported leg restlessness at bedtime; 10% reported unpleasant leg muscle sensations associated with awakening during sleep and with the irresistible need to move or walk. Both these complaints are related to RLS. The prevalence of RLS-related symptoms increased linearly with age. Tooth grinding, a symptom related to sleep bruxism, was reported by 8% of the subjects; in contrast to RLS-related symptoms, the prevalence of tooth grinding decreased linearly with age. RLS-related symptoms were reported more frequently in Eastern provinces than in Ontario and Western Canada, and more frequently in Roman Catholic and French-speaking responders. This was not the case for sleep bruxism; between 14.5% and 17.3% of the subjects who reported subjective RLS-related symptoms also reported tooth grinding. Conversely, 9.6-10.9% of the tooth grinders reported RLS-related symptoms. These data suggest that both sleep movement disorders can be concomitant and that socio-geographic and age characteristics influence the prevalence of reports.