Current medical research and opinion
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Patients with regionally or distantly metastatic melanoma have poor long-term prognosis. The objective of this analysis was to describe survival rates among patients diagnosed with unresectable stage IIIB/C or stage IV melanoma. ⋯ Among patients diagnosed with unresectable metastatic melanoma from 2004 to 2009, patients at later stages had lower median overall survival and higher mortality rates than patients at earlier stages. Limitations of this analysis include the lack of information on disease progression, therapies used, and genetic factors.
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To provide an understanding of the detrimental impact of cirrhosis and its complications, strengths and weaknesses of current treatment options for the management of these complications, and new developments in this rapidly changing field. ⋯ Although substantial progress has been made to prevent the complications and mortality associated with cirrhosis, liver transplantation in combination with resolution of the etiology of cirrhosis remains the only curative option for most patients. Emerging therapies such as anti-fibrotic agents hold promise in potentially halting or reversing the progression of cirrhosis, even in patients with decompensated cirrhosis.
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Despite the near concurrent publication by influential scientific organizations, there are important differences in interpretation of the evidence base and the conclusions derived from the recent Osteoarthritis Research Society International (OARSI) guidelines for the management of knee osteoarthritis, the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) guidelines (concerning also hip and hand osteoarthritis) and the algorithm recommendations by the European Society for Clinical and Economic Aspects of Osteoporosis and Osteoarthritis (ESCEO). This is particularly evident for the drug class of symptomatic slow-acting drugs in osteoarthritis. In this paper, we highlight these differences and try to understand where they derive from, proposing an evidence-based interpretation.
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Estimate the incidence and prevalence rates and assess overall trends among patients with diabetes using insulin vial/syringe and pens over time. ⋯ The incidence and prevalence of patients using the traditional vial/syringe decreased over time, while the use of pens increased. Some patient populations may be under-represented, limiting generalizability of results.
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Administrative claims databases provide a wealth of data for assessing the effect of treatments in clinical practice. Our aim was to propose methodology for real-world studies in multiple sclerosis (MS) using these databases. ⋯ The methods suggested in this study offer a good foundation for performing real-world research in MS using administrative claims databases, potentially allowing evidence from different studies to be compared and combined more systematically than in current research practice.