Current medical research and opinion
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Multicenter Study Comparative Study
Management of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease in primary care: a European observational study.
To describe the management of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in primary care, as part of the RANGE (Retrospective ANalysis of GERD) study. ⋯ The findings of this pan-European study indicate that current management of primary care patients with GERD is far from optimal, and accounts for a marked burden on patients and healthcare systems alike. A more structured approach to GERD management, by tailoring treatment according to the impact of the disease, may reduce this burden.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study
A comparison of intranasal fentanyl spray with oral transmucosal fentanyl citrate for the treatment of breakthrough cancer pain: an open-label, randomised, crossover trial.
The efficacy of intranasal fentanyl spray (INFS) was compared with that of oral transmucosal fentanyl citrate (OTFC) for the relief of cancer-related breakthrough pain (BTP) in an open-label, crossover trial. ⋯ In this open-label, randomised, crossover trial, significantly more patients attained faster 'meaningful' pain relief with INFS than OTFC, and more patients preferred INFS to OTFC.
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Review Comparative Study
Gastroduodenal toxicity of low-dose acetylsalicylic acid: a comparison with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
Low-dose acetylsalicylic acid (ASA; aspirin; 75-325 mg/day) is effective for the prevention of cardiovascular events, and its use in this indication is rapidly increasing. However, the use of ASA and, indeed, other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) is limited by the incidence of adverse gastroduodenal events. OBJECTIVES AND SCOPE: To review the clinical evidence for, and the pharmacodynamic basis of, ASA-induced gastroduodenal toxicity in comparison with NSAIDs, and address the question of whether low-dose ASA is 'safe' from a gastroduodenal perspective. This was a narrative, descriptive review, rather than a formal systematic review. ⋯ Data suggest that ASA causes significant gastroduodenal damage even at the low doses used for cardiovascular protection. These effects (both systemic and possibly local) may be pharmacodynamically distinct from the gastroduodenal toxicity seen with NSAIDs. Studies are required to establish strategies for improving the tolerability of low-dose ASA, allowing patients to continue to benefit from the cardiovascular protection associated with such therapy.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study
Diclofenac plus B vitamins versus diclofenac monotherapy in lumbago: the DOLOR study.
To assess the influence of vitamins B1, B6 and B12 on the analgesia success achieved by diclofenac in subjects with acute lumbago. ⋯ The combination of diclofenac with B vitamins was superior to diclofenac monotherapy in lumbago relief after 3 days of treatment. As a study drawback, daily VAS measurements were only recorded until subject withdrawal from treatment, whether after 3, 5, or 7 days. There were no differences in safety profile between the two study groups.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study
Evaluation of atomoxetine for first-line treatment of newly diagnosed, treatment-naïve children and adolescents with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder.
To test the hypothesis that first-line treatment with atomoxetine provides superior efficacy than placebo for up to 12 weeks in improving the symptoms of Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). ⋯ A continued improvement of symptoms is expectable until 12 weeks in treatment-naïve ADHD patients treated with atomoxetine as first-line medication. Chief limitations are the small, national sample size and the absence of data beyond the 12-week time-point.