Current medical research and opinion
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In two recent osteoarthritis trials, alanine aminotransferase (ALT) elevations were observed more frequently in patients receiving acetaminophen 3.9 g daily than in patients receiving placebo, and the rates were higher than aminotransferase values observed in some previous osteoarthritis studies with acetaminophen. ⋯ This analysis involving > 1000 acetaminophen-treated patients shows that low-level, transient ALT elevations usually resolve or decrease with continued acetaminophen treatment, are unaccompanied by signs or symptoms of liver injury, and, as such, appear to be clinically insignificant. Maximum recommended daily doses of acetaminophen did not cause liver failure or dysfunction.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study
Comparing bimatoprost and travoprost in black Americans.
To compare the intraocular pressure-lowering efficacy and safety of topical bimatoprost 0.03% with that of travoprost 0.004% for the treatment of black patients with open-angle glaucoma (OAG) and ocular hypertension (OHT). ⋯ Bimatoprost and travoprost each effectively lowered IOP in this population of black patients. More patients achieved clinically relevant IOP reductions with bimatoprost.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Intramuscular aripiprazole or haloperidol and transition to oral therapy in patients with agitation associated with schizophrenia: sub-analysis of a double-blind study.
A sub-population analysis of 325 patients with agitation (Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale Excited Component [PEC] score > or = 15 and < or = 32; score of > or = 4 on > or = 2 items) associated with schizophrenia in a randomized, double-blind study investigating the efficacy and tolerability of intramuscular (IM) aripiprazole 9.75 mg, IM haloperidol 6.5 mg, or IM placebo and the transition to oral therapy. ⋯ Intramuscular aripiprazole is effective in patients with acute agitation associated with schizophrenia, comparable to IM haloperidol, and enables convenient transfer to oral aripiprazole therapy.
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Dry eye syndrome is a highly prevalent, yet largely under diagnosed, condition that can substantially affect quality of life. Left untreated, dry eye is associated with chronic eye pain and increased risk of ocular surface disease. Current demographic changes and lifestyle factors indicate that the dry eye syndrome patient population will increase significantly, ensuring that general practitioners and ophthalmic clinicians alike will experience more patients presenting with dry eye symptoms. Greater public and practitioner awareness of emerging research, technologies, and therapies is crucial to ensuring appropriate interventions to meet specific patient needs and result in clinically favorable outcomes. ⋯ The growing prevalence of dry eye syndrome demands increased attention. Further research, enhanced diagnostic tests, increased use of preservative-free artificial tear formulations as first-line therapy, greater patient-practitioner interaction, and patient education are warranted.
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Patients with severe persistent asthma experience daily symptoms and frequent serious exacerbations that contribute to a significant impairment of health-related quality of life (QoL). ⋯ Add-on therapy with omalizumab improves QoL to a significant and clinically meaningful level in patients with severe persistent allergic asthma.