Current medical research and opinion
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Fast dissemination of research is important for improving treatments and thus benefitting patients, caregivers, and researchers. However, getting scientific papers published may take a long time. The editorial handling time can be delayed by several processes both before and after acceptance of the paper. The aim of this study was to systematically review the editorial handling time of biomedical peer-reviewed literature (i.e. time from submission to publication). ⋯ Editorial handling times of journals varied widely from a few months to almost two years, which delays the availability of new evidence. The editorial handling time did not differ between submission-to-acceptance-time and acceptance-to-publication-time. Examining differences in editorial processes between journals with long and short editorial handling times may help uncover, which processes are frequent causes of delay and thereby where to improve.
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Assess the real-world efficacy of netarsudil, either as monotherapy or concomitant therapy, in patients with open-angle glaucoma (OAG) or ocular hypertension (OHT) requiring modification of intraocular pressure (IOP)-lowering treatment. ⋯ In the real-world treatment of patients with OAG or OHT, netarsudil consistently maintained IOP control when it replaced previous IOP-lowering therapies and provided additional IOP-lowering efficacy when added to other treatments.
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In March 2020, COVID-19 infection caused by SARS-CoV-2 has been declared to be a global pandemic, where its complications, severity and mortality are reported to be due to the released inflammatory cytokines or the so-called cytokine storm. This is quite similar to that observed in the autoimmune and chronic inflammatory rheumatic disease, rheumatoid arthritis (RA). ⋯ Also, many researchers are currently working to explore therapeutic agents that could aid in the eradication of COVID-19 infection. Due to the similarity between the inflammation status in COVID-19 and RA, many anti-rheumatic drugs such as hydroxychloroquine, tocilizumab, baricitinib and anakinra were proposed to be therapeutic modalities for COVID-19 infection.
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Paracetamol has an established place in the management of mild-to-moderate pain, but has certain limitations, including varying bioavailability, and potential hepatotoxicity if taken in overdose. Effervescent formulations may help to overcome these limitations. ⋯ Effervescent formulations of paracetamol result in faster drug absorption, and hence more rapid analgesia, than oral tablets, and offer a favorable tolerability and safety profile. The use of such formulations may therefore help to promote appropriate use of paracetamol.
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To conduct a systematic review and network meta-analysis of real-world evidence comparing adherence, persistence, cost, and utilization between oral anticoagulant (OAC) in non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) patients. ⋯ The current findings, despite multiple limitations, can raise awareness and understanding of real-world persistence associated with OAC therapy in NVAF patients.