Current medical research and opinion
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Cold agglutinin disease (CAD) is a rare form of autoimmune hemolytic anemia that may manifest in complement-mediated chronic hemolytic anemia, profound fatigue, and transient agglutination-mediated circulatory symptoms. This study compared the healthcare resource utilization (HRU) of patients with CAD with a matched non-CAD comparison cohort using national Danish health registry data. ⋯ Characterization of HRU among European patients with CAD has not previously been conducted. This study shows that patients with CAD utilize significant resources in Denmark. Increased HRU uses among patients with CAD before diagnosis presents opportunities for earlier diagnosis and management.
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Several novel treatments have been approved for relapsed/refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (R/R DLBCL) since chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T) therapy became available. The objective of this study was to describe characteristics and treatment patterns in patients with R/R DLBCL post-CAR-T approval. ⋯ Post-CAR-T approval, the majority of patients were treated with CT/CIT or targeted therapies in 3 L and 4 L, though most of the targeted therapies prescribed are not indicated for DLBCL. Treatment duration was short. A high proportion of patients moved to the next line of therapy (LOT) during a short follow-up period. This study highlights the unmet need for more effective treatments for patients with R/R DLBCL in 3 L+.
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Serious mental illnesses (SMIs), including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and major depressive disorder (MDD), are often treated with antipsychotic medications. Unfortunately, medication non-adherence is widespread and is associated with serious adverse outcomes. However, little real-world data are available describing adherence, compliance, or other medication-taking-related discussions between providers and patients. This study described these communications in ambulatory care. ⋯ Increasing the frequency of antipsychotic treatment-related adherence/compliance discussions may represent an opportunity to improve the quality of care for these vulnerable patients and reduce the overall economic burden associated with the treatment of SMI diagnosis.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Observational Study
Effectiveness and tolerability of the thyme/ivy herbal fluid extract BNO 1200 for the treatment of acute cough: an observational pharmacy-based study.
Efficacy and safety of an oral thyme/ivy syrup for the treatment of acute cough was previously demonstrated in a randomized clinical trial. Here, we present real-life data from a pharmacy-based, observational study on the effectiveness and tolerability of another thyme/ivy combination (BNO 1200, Bronchipret drops). ⋯ Patients with acute cough taking BNO 1200 had a significant reduction in BSS, cough severity and improvement in HRQoL confirming RCT data with the syrup formulation. BNO 1200 was well tolerated.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Duration and onset of effect of incobotulinumtoxina for the treatment of blepharospasm in botulinum toxin-naïve subjects.
Blepharospasm is a focal dystonia whereby excessive eyelid muscle contractions cause involuntary eye closure. Botulinum neurotoxin type A (BoNT-A) injections are an approved treatment. This randomized placebo-controlled trial (NCT01896895; EudraCT number 2012-004821-26) assessed the efficacy, safety, and treatment effect duration of incobotulinumtoxinA (Xeomin, Merz Pharmaceuticals GmbH), a BoNT-A formulation without complexing proteins, in BoNT-A-naïve adults with blepharospasm. ⋯ Subjects reported an effect onset from 5 days after injection lasting up to 20 weeks (maximum observation period). Data indicate that incobotulinumtoxinA re-treatment of blepharospasm may not be required at fixed 12-week intervals and provide evidence for a patient-tailored approach.