Clinical therapeutics
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Clinical therapeutics · Dec 2008
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Comparative StudyComparison of the effectiveness and tolerability of lidocaine patch 5% versus celecoxib for osteoarthritis-related knee pain: post hoc analysis of a 12 week, prospective, randomized, active-controlled, open-label, parallel-group trial in adults.
Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) selective inhibitors and nonselective NSAIDs are commonly used to treat osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee. ⋯ Statistically significant differences in effectiveness and tolerability were not found between these 2 treatments in these patients with OA knee pain.
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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
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.