Current medical research and opinion
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To examine characteristics and patterns of healthcare utilization of patients with fibromyalgia (FM) under the care of general practitioners (GPs) in Germany. ⋯ Patients with FM under the care of GPs in Germany have comparatively more co-morbidities and higher levels of healthcare utilization.
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To evaluate the incremental cost effectiveness of rituximab in patients with rheumatoid arthritis that failed to respond adequately to tumour necrosis factor-alpha inhibitors (biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs; bDMARDs). A cost-utility model has been developed to simulate the long-term incremental cost and benefits of rituximab using data from clinical trials and registries. ⋯ Rituximab has lower average annual treatment costs compared to other bDMARDs and is a highly cost-effective treatment option for patients who have failed to respond adequately to one bDMARD. The cost per QALY gained of rituximab falls well below commonly accepted thresholds within the UK. Potential weaknesses of the model include the paucity of data on the efficacy of bDMARDs or non-biologic DMARDs when used as second-line options; the lack of consensus about the most appropriate therapy in patients who fail all available bDMARDs; probable underestimation of the non-drug related medical costs; indirect measurement of QALY gains with rituximab therapy; and the necessity of synthesising data from a number of clinical trials with different populations and study drugs.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study
Efficacy, safety and tolerability of rivastigmine capsules in patients with probable vascular dementia: the VantagE study.
The aim was to evaluate the efficacy, safety and tolerability of rivastigmine capsules in patients diagnosed with probable vascular dementia (VaD). ⋯ VantagE (Vascular Dementia trial studying Exelon) was a 24-week, multicentre, double-blind study. VaD patients aged 50-85 years were randomized to rivastigmine capsules (3-12 mg/day) or placebo. Efficacy assessments included global and cognitive performances, activities of daily living and neuropsychiatric symptoms. Adverse events were recorded. Additional exploratory analyses determined whether heterogeneity in pathologies and symptoms extended to differential treatment effects.
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Polymorphisms of genes encoding enzymes of the mevalonate pathway could modulate the response to amino-bisphosphonate treatment in postmenopausal osteoporosis. ⋯ Danish postmenopausal women with osteoporosis bearing the homozygous CC genotype for rs2297480 FDPS polymorphism showed a decreased response of bone turnover markers to amino-bisphosphonate therapy, when compared to the heterozygous AC and to the homozygous AA genotypes. Further investigation on larger and different populations, together with polymorphism functional studies are required to confirm these data.
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Good glycaemic control is crucial in reducing the risk of diabetes-related complications. Despite the availability of evidence-based treatment guidelines, glycaemic control appears to remain suboptimal in most countries. ⋯ Poor glycaemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes appears to be a worldwide problem. As the global rise in diabetes (and its complications) seems destined to affect many less affluent countries, it is essential that appropriate steps are taken to address the barriers to good glycaemic control and ultimately improve outcomes for all people with type 2 diabetes.