Current medical research and opinion
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With limited data available on calcification prevalence in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients on dialysis, the China Dialysis Calcification Study (CDCS) determined the prevalence of vascular/valvular calcification (VC) and association of risk factors in Chinese patients with prevalent hemodialysis (HD) or peritoneal dialysis (PD). ⋯ High prevalence of total VC in Chinese CKD patients will supplement current knowledge, which is mostly limited, contributing in creating awareness and optimizing VC management.
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To assess the comparative efficacy and safety of cladribine tablets versus alternative disease modifying treatments (DMTs) in patients with active relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS), and in a subgroup with high disease activity (HRA + DAT), using systematic literature review (SLR) and network meta-analysis (NMA). ⋯ In this first NMA to consider cladribine tablets, ocrelizumab and daclizumab for treatment of RRMS, cladribine tablets are a comparatively effective and safe alternative to other DMTs in both active RRMS and HRA + DAT populations.
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Review
Change gout: how to deal with this "silently-developing killer" in everyday clinical practice.
Despite being regarded as an easily-treatable disease, gout diagnosis and management can be challenging. ⋯ Multidisciplinary management is crucial for the diagnosis and treatment of gout, in order to ensure treatment continuity and improve management. This review, therefore, advises that educational activities for General Practitioners and specialists should be implemented to help raise awareness on gout diagnosis, monitoring, and treatment.
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Observational Study
Patient perceptions of injection devices used with dulaglutide and liraglutide for treatment of type 2 diabetes.
Liraglutide and dulaglutide have demonstrated similar glycemic efficacy and safety. However, they differ in treatment administration and injection devices. The purpose of this study was to examine and compare patient perceptions of the injection devices used with liraglutide and dulaglutide. ⋯ High DID-EQ scores indicate positive perceptions of both the liraglutide and dulaglutide injection devices. The dulaglutide device was associated with slightly higher scores for ease of use and convenience than the liraglutide device.