Current medical research and opinion
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Review Comparative Study
Iron supplementation in the non-dialysis chronic kidney disease (ND-CKD) patient: oral or intravenous?
The management of iron-deficiency anaemia in patients with non-dialysis chronic kidney disease (ND-CKD) remains controversial, particularly regarding the use of oral versus intravenous iron supplementation. ⋯ Intravenous iron offers an effective, feasible route towards reducing the heavy burden of iron-deficiency anaemia in the non-dialysis CKD patient, even in the absence of ESA therapy.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study
Short- and long-term efficacy and safety of duloxetine in women with predominant stress urinary incontinence.
To evaluate short- and long-term safety and efficacy of duloxetine in women with predominant stress urinary incontinence (SUI). ⋯ Duloxetine seems to be an efficacious treatment with an acceptable safety profile for women with SUI. Achieved improvement is maintained over the longer term in those women who remain on therapy.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Safety and pharmacokinetics of subcutaneous ceftriaxone administered with or without recombinant human hyaluronidase (rHuPH20) versus intravenous ceftriaxone administration in adult volunteers.
To compare pharmacokinetics and safety of recombinant human hyaluronidase (rHuPH20)-facilitated subcutaneous (SC) ceftriaxone administration versus SC ceftriaxone preceded by SC saline placebo or intravenous (IV) ceftriaxone administration. ⋯ Ceftriaxone AUC did not differ significantly between the three administration routes. C(max) was higher and t(max) shorter with rHuPH20-facilitated SC than SC preceded by placebo. rHuPH20-facilitated SC ceftriaxone was generally well tolerated. This study is limited by evaluation of healthy adults and absence of repeated-dose groups.
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As exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) significantly worsen patients' health status and increase disease-related mortality, greater control of exacerbations has important implications for improving patients' health and survival. The incremental benefits of pharmacologic therapies in preventing COPD exacerbations remain unclear. The objective of this observational study was to examine the risk of COPD-related exacerbations between groups of patients receiving inhaled corticosteroids (ICS), anticholinergics (AC), long-acting beta(2)-agonists (LABA), or fixed-dose combinations of ICS and LABA. ⋯ The present study found that use of bronchodilators, with or without ICS, in COPD patients resulted in a lower exacerbation rate when compared with ICS monotherapy. Further research is required to understand the clinical effects of specific pharmacologic therapies on COPD exacerbations, as well as their impact on long-term outcomes and costs.
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To assess the impact of immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) on primary care and specialist visits and workplace productivity. ⋯ ITP was consistently associated with more physician visits and worse work and productivity outcomes. Future research should build on these findings by calculating a comprehensive cost-of-illness of ITP including both direct and indirect costs.