Clinical therapeutics
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Clinical therapeutics · Dec 2008
Comparative StudyCost-effectiveness of ranibizumab compared with photodynamic treatment of neovascular age-related macular degeneration.
This study compared the cost-effectiveness of ranibizumab with that of photodynamic therapy (PDT) in the treatment of predominantly classic choroidal neovascularization secondary to age-related macular degeneration (AMD) from the perspective of a third-party payer in a Spanish setting. ⋯ Based on these results, ranibizumab was not cost-effective when administered on a monthly basis. When administered as needed, ranibizumab was cost-effective compared with PDT for the treatment of AMD.
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Clinical therapeutics · Dec 2008
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Comparative StudyComparative effects of 10-mg versus 80-mg Atorvastatin on high-sensitivity C-reactive protein in patients with stable coronary artery disease: results of the CAP (Comparative Atorvastatin Pleiotropic effects) study.
The major beneficial effect of statins- reducing the risk for coronary events-has primarily been ascribed to reductions in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) but may in part be related to a direct antiinflammatory action (ie, decreased high-sensitivity C-reactive protein [hs-CRP] concentration). ⋯ In these patients with documented CAD, evidence of low-grade inflammation, and normal range lipid profiles, the effects of atorvastatin on changes in hs-CRP were dose dependent, with the high dose (80 mg) being associated with significantly greater reductions in hs-CRP concentrations. Both doses were associated with a significant and progressive decline in hs-CRP largely independent of changes in LDL-C, HDL-C, and TG. Clinical Trials Identification Number: NCT00163202.
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Clinical therapeutics · Dec 2008
Randomized Controlled TrialPharmacokinetics of 8-hour intravenous infusion of NXY-059: a phase I, randomized, double-blind (within dose panels), placebo-controlled study in healthy Chinese volunteers.
NXY-059 is a free radical-trapping neuroprotectant that has been reported to reduce infarct size and preserve brain function in experimental models of acute ischemic stroke. NXY-059 administered as an 8- or 72-hour IV infusion has been reported to be well tolerated in healthy young (age, 20-45 years) and older (55-75 years) white volunteers. NXY-059 is no longer in development following a lack of efficacy found in a Phase III trial in patients with acute ischemic stroke. ⋯ The results from the present study suggest that the PK properties of NXY-059 were similar in the Chinese and historical white healthy volunteer populations.
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Clinical therapeutics · Dec 2008
Multicenter StudyA US multicenter, retrospective, observational study of erythropoiesis-stimulating agent utilization in anemic, critically ill patients admitted to the intensive care unit.
Anemia is a common comorbid condition among patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU). Darbepoietin alfa and epoetin alfa are erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs) used to manage anemia in the ICU, although neither drug has an indication in critically ill patients. ⋯ Based on these results, it is apparent that the practice patterns associated with ESA treatment of critically ill patients admitted to the ICU between February 2005 and September 2005 were highly variable.
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Clinical therapeutics · Dec 2008
Persistence with migraine prophylactic treatment and acute migraine medication utilization in the managed care setting.
The aim of this study was to describe persistence with migraine prophylactic treatment and acute migraine medication utilization in patients prescribed migraine prophylaxis. ⋯ In this study, prescription of topiramate was associated with greater persistence with prophylactic treatment than the other prophylactic drugs. Furthermore, greater reductions in acute treatment utilization, particularly triptans, were observed among patients prescribed topiramate compared with the other prophylactic cohorts.