Current medical research and opinion
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Observational Study
Assessing Risk of Future Cardiovascular Events, Healthcare Resource Utilization and Costs in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes, Prior Cardiovascular Disease and Both.
Description of risk of cardiovascular (CV) events associated with diabetes is evolving. This US-based real-world study estimated risk of future CV events and heart failure (HF) from type 2 diabetes (T2DM) only, prior CV events only or T2DM plus prior CV events, versus controls, and evaluated healthcare resource utilization (HCRU) and costs. ⋯ In this large and geographically broad US based cohort, CV risk for T2DM patients was elevated, as was the risk for patients with prior CV events, while patients with T2DM plus prior CV events had the highest risk of future CV events. The substantial clinical and economic burden of CV events and HF in patients with both T2DM and prior CV events suggest a need for an integrated treatment and targeted intervention across both conditions.
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Positive fluid balance is common among critically ill patients and leads to worse outcomes, particularly in sepsis, acute respiratory distress syndrome, and acute kidney injury. Restrictive fluid infusion and active removal of accumulated fluid are being studied as approaches to prevent and treat fluid overload. Use of human albumin solutions has been investigated in different phases of restrictive fluid resuscitation, and this narrative literature review was undertaken to evaluate hypoalbuminemia and the roles of human serum albumin with respect to hypovolemia and its management. ⋯ Hyperoncotic human albumin solution facilitates restrictive fluid therapy and the effectiveness of deresuscitative measures. Current evidence is mostly from observational studies, and more randomized trials are needed to better establish a personalized approach to fluid management.
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Multiple pharmacologic strategies are currently available to lower blood pressure (BP). Renin-angiotensin system (RAS)-inhibitors, calcium channel blockers and diuretics are widely recommended as first line therapies. Sympathetic activation is an important contributor to BP elevation but remains unopposed or is even increased by some of these drug classes. Selective imidazoline receptor agonists (SIRAs) reduce increased central sympathetic outflow and are considered as add-on therapy in most guidelines. We conducted an international survey to evaluate contemporary hypertension management strategies in countries with high prescription rates of SIRAs to better understand the rationale and practical indications for their use in a real-world setting. ⋯ Contemporary hypertension management varies between countries and therapeutic approaches in a real-world setting are not always in line with recommendations from available guidelines. In the countries selected for this survey prescription of SIRAs was common and appeared to be guided predominantly by considerations relating to the underlying pathophysiologic mechanism of sympathetic inhibition.
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To evaluate insulin treatment satisfaction, safety, and effectiveness of biosimilar insulin glargine (GLY) in real-world clinical practice for Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) who switched from originator insulin glargine (100 U/mL) or insulin degludec treatment to GLY treatment. ⋯ Not applicable.
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To examine opioid prescribing following cataract surgery among patients who did or did not receive Omidria (phenylephrine and ketorolac intraocular solution 1.0%/0.3%) referred to as "P/K". ⋯ Patients without recent opioid use who received P/K during cataract surgery, despite greater incidence of preoperative comorbidities and higher risk for surgical complexity, were prescribed fewer opioid pills following surgery than patients who did not receive P/K.