Current medical research and opinion
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Evidence suggests that integrase strand transfer inhibitors (INSTIs) are associated with greater weight gain than other antiretrovirals. This real-world study compares weight/body mass index (BMI) change between insured US patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) initiating a protease inhibitor (PI) or INSTI. ⋯ Relative to INSTI, patients initiating a new PI were less likely to experience ≥5% weight/BMI gain post-index. Additionally, mean weight/BMI gain was lower in the PI than in the INSTI cohort.
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Background: Like other affected countries around the globe, Malaysia is shocked by the Coronavirus disease 2019, which is also known as COVID-19. Aims: This commentary article discusses the COVID-19 scenario in Malaysia, particularly in relation to the sudden increase in the number of new cases related to an international mass gathering. ⋯ Conclusion: There is no one-size-fits-all approach in managing disease outbreak. The fight against COVID-19 very much depends on their attitude during the 14-day Movement Control Order (MCO) which has been extended recently.
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Background: In the United States, the number of new cases of hepatitis C virus infection has risen in recent years, driven largely by transmission among young white adults in their 20s and 30s. Herein, we report an integrated analysis of participants with hepatitis C virus infection aged ≤35 years from 12 phase II/III clinical trials of elbasvir/grazoprevir. Methods: Treatment-naive and -experienced adults with hepatitis C virus genotype 1 or 4 infection received elbasvir (50 mg/day)/grazoprevir (100 mg/day) for 12 weeks without ribavirin. ⋯ Safety was favorable, with the incidence of drug-related adverse events similar in younger and older participants (30.1% vs 30.6%). One participant (0.4%) aged ≤35 years and 15 participants (0.7%) aged >35 years discontinued treatment owing to adverse events. Conclusions: Elbasvir/grazoprevir for 12 weeks was safe and highly effective in participants aged ≤35 years with hepatitis C virus genotype 1 or 4 infection.
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Observational Study
Breakthrough cancer pain treatment in Spain: physicians' perception of current opioids utilization and prescription.
Objectives: Multiple reasons for suboptimal treatment of breakthrough cancer pain (BTcP) have been reported in the literature. We aimed to ascertain the perception of physicians on the potential inappropriate use and prescription of rapid-onset opioids (ROOs) for breakthrough cancer pain (BTcP) and the causes thereof. Methods: Observational study based on an online survey addressed to doctors from different specialties (radiation oncology, medical oncology, anesthesia, palliative care and general practitioners) with experience in the management of BTcP in the Spanish public health setting. ⋯ Specialists also thought that they do not provide the necessary information to patients (51.8%) and caregivers (57.9%) to guarantee the correct use of these drugs. Conclusions: These results are of utmost importance as they highlight the need to increase physicians' awareness of BTcP and its management and the need to improve communication with patients and their caregivers. Our findings also indicate the need for future research on the possible misuse of opioids in BTcP patients and its causes.
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Objective: We assessed knowledge and awareness of MMR/MSI testing among advanced/metastatic CRC patients in the US who had previously taken the test. Methods: A non-interventional, cross-sectional online survey was conducted among 150 US CRC patients invited through a research panel. Eligible patients had to be ≥18 years, with stage III or IV CRC (self-reported), had undergone MMR/MSI testing for CRC in past 12 months and could recall the test, and provided informed consent. ⋯ Key barriers to testing included personal reservations regarding benefits of the test (29.3%), insurance coverage (27.3%), and out-of-pocket costs (18.7%); 45.3% reported no barriers. Conclusions: Patients were well informed about MMR/MSI testing. Increased education of testing benefits and addressing financial barriers may help to further improve testing rates.