Clinical therapeutics
-
Clinical therapeutics · Jul 2007
Review Comparative StudyComparison of botulinum neurotoxin preparations for the treatment of cervical dystonia.
Comparative studies of botulinum neurotoxin preparations to date have generally examined 2 preparations at prespecified dose ratios in relatively homogeneous groups of patients under controlled study conditions. It is unclear whether the differences in adverse-event rates that have been noted under these controlled conditions can be generalized to the broader population of cervical dystonia patients, who are treated with a wider range of doses in a variety of settings. ⋯ The results of this analysis indicate differences in adverse-event rates between botulinum neurotoxin preparations, suggesting that use of these products should be based on their individual dosing, efficacy, and safety profiles.
-
Clinical therapeutics · Jul 2007
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter StudyTolerability of a salmeterol xinafoate/fluticasone propionate hydrofluoroalkane metered-dose inhaler in adolescent and adult patients with persistent asthma: a 52-week, open-label, stratified, parallel-group, multicenter study.
Many patients with asthma require an inhaled long-acting beta(2)-agonist (LABA) in addition to an inhaled corticosteroid to adequately control their disease. ⋯ BID doses of SFC hydrofluoroalkane 50/100 pg, 50/250 pg, and 50/500 pg administered via MDI for 52 weeks were well tolerated in this population of adolescents and adults with persistent asthma.
-
Clinical therapeutics · Jul 2007
Randomized Controlled TrialSingle-dose intravenous tramadol for acute migraine pain in adults: a single-blind, prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial.
Tramadol, an atypical opioid, is a narcotic analgesic used for pain management. A search of the current literature found no studies examining the efficacy of intravenous tramadol on migraine pain. ⋯ Intravenous tramadol appeared to be more effective than placebo in pain response rate at the end of the first hour. The slow infusion of tramadol 100 mg in 100-mL saline solution was well tolerated in this group of adult migraineurs.
-
Clinical therapeutics · Jul 2007
Influence of antiretroviral therapy on oxidative stress and cardiovascular risk: a prospective cross-sectional study in HIV-infected patients.
Oxidative stress (OS) results from excessive free radical production, exceeding endogenous antioxidant defense mechanisms, which can damage a wide variety of cellular components. One of the main consequences is the attack of free radicals on polyunsaturated fatty acids contained in low-density lipoprotein (LDL) lipids, causing lipid peroxidation and subsequent elevated concentrations of lipid peroxides and their metabolites, which are strongly suggestive of oxidative damage. OS is increased among HIV-infected patients, but whether it implicates a higher risk for cardiovascular disease or the influence of antiretroviral therapy (ART) on OS remains unknown. ⋯ The results from this study suggest that, among this cohort of HIV-infected patients, peroxide concentration used as a marker of OS was associated with other established cardiovascular risk factors. Antiretroviral regimens based on NNRTIs were associated with low peroxide concentrations. In contrast, high peroxide levels were found in patients receiving PI-based regimens.
-
Clinical therapeutics · Jun 2007
Cost-effectiveness of clopidogrel in myocardial infarction with ST-segment elevation: a European model based on the CLARITY and COMMIT trials.
Several health economic studies have shown that the use of clopidogrel is cost-effective to prevent ischemic events in non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) and unstable angina. ⋯ Treatment of these STEMI patients with clopidogrel appeared to be cost-effective in all 3 European countries studied. Predicted ICERs were below generally accepted threshold values.