Current medical research and opinion
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To describe and compare real-world treatment patterns and clinical outcomes among individuals with immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) receiving second-line therapies (rituximab, romiplostim, or eltrombopag). ⋯ Patients with ITP receiving rituximab were more likely to need other ITP therapies but did not experience higher risk of bleeding compared to those receiving eltrombopag or romiplostim. Benefits, risks, cost-effectiveness, and patient preference should all be considered in optimizing second-line therapy for ITP.
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To understand the preferences of healthcare providers (HCPs) in Switzerland for pediatric hexavalent vaccine attributes. ⋯ Hib seroprotection at 11-12 months was the most important hexavalent vaccine attribute to HCPs in this study.
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Infection with the hepatitis delta virus (HDV), a unique RNA virus that requires hepatitis B virus (HBV) antigens for its assembly, replication, and transmission, causes severe viral hepatitis. Compared to HBV monoinfection, HDV infection increases the risk of severe liver disease, necessity for liver transplant, and mortality. Global HDV prevalence estimates vary from 5% to 15% among persons with HBV, but screening guidelines for HDV are inconsistent; some recommend risk-based screening, while others recommend universal screening for all people with HBV. Among primary care providers (PCPs) in the US, there is a lack of awareness and/or insufficient adherence to current recommendations for the screening of HDV infection and management of chronic HDV. ⋯ PCPs can be a valuable point of care for patients to access HDV/HBV screening, HBV immunization, and education, and can comanage patients with HBV and/or HDV infection.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Clinical validation of a fast-acting acetaminophen: a randomized, active and placebo controlled dental pain study.
To address the need for faster pain relief of over-the-counter (OTC) analgesic users, a novel drug delivery technology was developed to achieve faster absorption of orally administered acetaminophen with the goal of delivering earlier onset of pain relief. Previous development studies suggested that a 1000 mg dose of this fast-acting acetaminophen (FA-acetaminophen) formulation provided faster absorption and onset of action versus, commercially available OTC fast-acting analgesics, 1000 mg of extra-strength acetaminophen (ES-acetaminophen) or 400 mg of liquid-filled ibuprofen capsules (LG-ibuprofen). This study was designed as the definitive trial evaluating the onset of pain relief of FA-acetaminophen versus these same OTC comparators. ⋯ NCT03224403 https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03224403.
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Multicenter Study Observational Study
Sex differences in clinical features, utilization of oral anticoagulant agents, and one-year outcome in Middle Eastern patients with atrial fibrillation.
Studies have revealed that sex can predict differences in multiple aspects of atrial fibrillation (AF). These differences are underreported in the Middle East. This study aims to describe sex-specific differences in risk factors, symptomatology, management, and outcomes in Middle Eastern patients with AF. ⋯ Females with AF are more symptomatic, yet they are treated less with rhythm control. Despite higher risk, females have similar risk-adjusted all-cause cardiovascular death and stroke rates compared to males. Future studies should explore how treatments and interventions can influence quality-of-life and cardiovascular outcomes in females with AF.