Current medical research and opinion
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Observational Study
Healthcare costs for allergic rhinitis patients on allergy immunotherapy: a retrospective observational study.
Subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT) for allergic rhinitis (AR) has been shown to control symptoms for up to several years following treatment discontinuation, but the effect of SCIT on healthcare costs for commercially insured patients is unknown. The objective of this study was to compare healthcare costs and resource utilization for patients with AR who received SCIT compared with those who discontinued SCIT shortly after initiation. ⋯ Continued SCIT use is associated with decreased emergency room visits and inpatient stays, decreased oral corticosteroid use, and lower respiratory-related costs, compared with early discontinuation.
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The aim of this review was to assess the role of tapentadol given at medium-high doses in opioid-tolerant patients for cancer pain management in place of step-3 analgesics. ⋯ More studies are necessary to confirm the role of tapentadol in cancer patients requiring strong opioids for their pain.
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There is scarce evidence comparing novel oral anticoagulants (NOACs) with warfarin in real-world settings in Japan. This study compared the risk of bleeding events among patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) initiating treatment with NOACs versus warfarin. ⋯ Among Japanese patients with NVAF, treatment with apixaban 5/2.5 mg BID was associated with a significantly lower risk of major bleeding and any bleeding when compared to warfarin. Treatment with dabigatran 150/110 mg BID or rivaroxaban 15/10 mg QD was associated with a significantly lower risk of major bleeding, but not any bleeding, than warfarin. The potential benefit of individual NOACs in real-world practice needs to be assessed further.
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Population-based data on the development of subsequent thoracic cancers following the initial diagnosis of lung cancer are scarce. We evaluated this clinical scenario in lung cancer patients registered within the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) database. ⋯ There is an excess risk for the development of esophageal cancer and second primary lung cancer following an initial lung cancer diagnosis. This risk is present irrespective of gender or receipt of radiotherapy.
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Review Meta Analysis Comparative Study
Comparison of bolus versus continuous infusion of propofol for procedural sedation: a meta-analysis.
To compare the efficacy and safety of bolus infusion versus continuous infusion for propofol sedation. ⋯ Propofol sedation by continuous infusion required a higher dose of propofol compared with bolus infusion, but the recovery time and frequency of complications were similar.