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Combined antiandrogen therapy (complete androgen blocking) implies surgical or chemical castration in combination with antiandrogen therapy. Both sources of androgens are thus blocked in patients with locally disseminated prostatic cancer. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficiency of bikalutamide (150 mg) monotherapy. The study was carried out in 58 patients with prostatic cancer (stages T3-T4) divided into 2 groups: 1) bikalutamide monotherapy (150 mg daily) and 2) bikalutamide (50 mg daily) + bilateral orchidectomy. All patients were examined before and 3, 6, 12, 18, and 24 months after the beginning of therapy. The efficiency of non-steroid antiandrogen was higher in group 1. The mean level of prostate-specific antigen in this group decreased to 10.6 ng/ml by 24 months, while in group 2 to 25.3 ng/ml. Hence, bicalutamide was effective, safe, and well tolerated in our study, and is therefore recommended as monotherapy for patients with disseminated forms of prostatic cancer.

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238 patients with initial BPH (mean age 64.07 years) were treated with alfusosine in a standard dose 5 mg twice a day for 6 months. After that 117 patients continued the above scheme while 121 patients continued to receive alfusosine in the same dose each other day. The results assessed by IPSS, QOL, maximal urine flow rate, levels of prostate-specific antigen in the serum appeared identical in both groups. Thus, the split course of alfusosine after 6-month standard therapy is perspective as it is more cost effective than the standard scheme being equally beneficial.

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Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) continues to be the second leading cause of death for persons ages 25 to 44 years in the United States, whereas new HIV infection rates remain steady. Coupled with the advent of new antiviral therapies that have significantly decreased mortality and morbidity rates, the importance of the primary care clinician in HIV prevention, early detection, and treatment is paramount. This article presents HIV risk analysis and prevention strategies for the primary care clinician practice. New HIV testing methods are reviewed as well as the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) pretest and posttest counseling guidelines.

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The skin may be the most commonly affected organ in patients with human immunodeficiency virus disease. As the body's natural immune mechanism deteriorates, susceptibility to bacterial, fungal, viral, and parasitic agents increases. This may be manifested in a variety of ways, ranging from pruritus and generalized xerosis to severe infections with opportunistic agents. It is important that all clinicians be aware of the dermatologic manifestations of the infection, because inspection may lead to early diagnosis of human immunodeficiency virus disease or early recognition of a life-threatening illness.

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94 patients with obstructive urination due to benign prostatic hyperplasia received finasteride (proscar), inhibitor of 5 alpha-reductase, in a single dose 5 mg and terazosine, alpha 1 adrenoblocker, in a daily dose of 9.7 mg/day. The follow-up averaged 16.1 months. As shown by overall score of the symptoms and quality of life, rectal and ultrasonic examinations, uroflowmetry, the prostate decreased by 17%, on the average in 72% of the patients. Subjectively, urination has also improved. Maximal flow rate elevated by 55% in the majority of patients. Combination of finasterine with terazosine is well tolerated and proved optimal as a conservative therapy in patients with obstructive urination as a result of benign prostatic hyperplasia.

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This study compared the health beliefs of Mexican Americans concerning the specific symptom of chest pain to beliefs of a group of predominant culture nurse practitioners and a lay predominant culture control group. Two hypotheses were examined; The health beliefs of groups differ significantly with culture and the health beliefs of groups differ significantly with professional education. A 43-item structured questionnaire was developed, based on literature review and unstructured interviews with Mexican American respondents. the questionnaire was administered to three nonprobability samples of 30 subjects each: Mexican Americans, nurse practitioners, and lay controls. Significant differences were found between Mexican Americans and the predominant culture groups of nurse practitioners and lay controls on folk beliefs regarding chest pain. On some items significant differences between nurse practitioners and the lay groups of Mexican Americans and predominant culture controls were based on professional education.

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