Current medical research and opinion
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To assess the use of opioids by primary care physicians for the treatment of chronic pain. ⋯ The survey suggests physicians are concerned about drug abuse, addiction, adverse effects, tolerance, and medication interaction. Their comfort level in prescribing opioids varies with the patient characteristics. Urine toxicology testing is underutilized in the primary care setting.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Reductions in biomarkers of cardiovascular risk in type 2 diabetes with rosiglitazone added to metformin compared with dose escalation of metformin: an EMPIRE trial sub-study.
To compare the effects of rosiglitazone added to metformin with dose escalation of metformin on cardiovascular risk biomarkers in type 2 diabetes mellitus. ⋯ These results suggest that rosiglitazone plus metformin has positive cardiovascular effects against a background of similar glycemic improvements.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Clinical Trial
The economic value of anti-IgE in severe persistent, IgE-mediated (allergic) asthma patients: adaptation of INNOVATE to Sweden.
Severe allergic asthma patients may not be controlled even with guideline recommended care, including inhaled corticosteroids, long-acting beta-2 agonists, theophylline, oral steroids and anti-leukotrienes. They experience exacerbations requiring intensive healthcare use and which may be fatal. Omalizumab, a new monoclonal antibody for use in IgE-mediated allergic diseases, reduces exacerbations and daily symptoms in this patient population. The aim of this study is to estimate the cost effectiveness of adding omalizumab to optimized standard therapy (ST) in patients with severe persistent IgE-mediated (allergic) asthma. ⋯ Based on the model and the assumptions used, our results suggest that omalizumab provides cost offsets, improves quality of life and may have an attractive ICER in treating the severe allergic asthma population.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study
A polysomnography study of eszopiclone in elderly patients with insomnia.
To evaluate the safety and efficacy of eszopiclone 2 mg in elderly patients (aged 64-86 years) with chronic insomnia. ⋯ In this study, eszopiclone was well tolerated and produced significant improvements in both polysomnographic and patient-reported measures of sleep maintenance, sleep induction, and sleep duration in elderly patients with chronic primary insomnia.
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Meta Analysis
Remission, dropouts, and adverse drug reaction rates in major depressive disorder: a meta-analysis of head-to-head trials.
To summarize remission rates and dropouts due to adverse drug reactions (ADRs) or lack of efficacy (LoE) of serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), and tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) in treating major depressive disorder. ⋯ SNRIs had the highest efficacy remission rates (statistically significant for inpatients and outpatients), and the lowest overall dropout rates, suggesting clinical superiority in treating major depression.