Current medical research and opinion
-
Few studies have examined compliance to disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) for multiple sclerosis (MS) in minority populations. This study compared adherence, discontinuation, and persistence for fingolimod (FTY) and glatiramer acetate (GA) initiators among Hispanic and African American patients with MS. ⋯ Hispanic and African American patients with MS who initiated FTY had higher adherence than those who initiated GA, similar to the general MS population. These findings suggest that adherence should be considered in DMT selection, and racial/ethnic variations in MS disease course may not be primarily attributable to differences in DMT compliance.
-
To examine treatment patterns, treatment response, and demographic and clinical characteristics of patients with chronic idiopathic urticaria (CIU) newly initiated on omalizumab therapy in real-world practice in the US. ⋯ In this real-world analysis, the majority of patients remained on omalizumab for ≥12 months, and had a positive response. OCS use decreased following omalizumab initiation.
-
To consider the key implications of iron deficiency for biochemical and physiological functions beyond erythropoiesis. ⋯ The widespread cellular and physiological effects of iron deficiency highlight the need for early detection and treatment of iron deficiency, both to ameliorate these non-erythropoietic effects, and to avoid progression to iron deficiency anemia.
-
Dietary magnesium may be associated with a lower risk of dementia; however, the impact of magnesium oxide (MgO), a common laxative, on dementia has yet to be elucidated. This study aimed to investigate the association between the usage of MgO and the risk of developing dementia. ⋯ The patients who used MgO had a decreased risk of developing dementia. Further studies on the effects of MgO in reducing the risk of dementia are therefore warranted.
-
Multicenter Study Comparative Study
Prolonged release oxycodone and naloxone treatment counteracts opioid-induced constipation in patients with severe pain compared to previous analgesic treatment.
Treatment with prolonged-release oxycodone/naloxone (PR OXN) has been shown to improve opioid induced constipation (OIC) in constipated patients. This publication reports on a real-life observational study investigating the efficacy of PR OXN with regard to bowel function in patients switching to PR OXN from WHO step 1, step 2 and step 3 opioids. ⋯ In conclusion, treatment with PR OXN results in a significant and clinically relevant improvement of bowel function. During the observation of the treatment with PR OXN patients reported an improvement of quality of life (QoL). More interestingly, non-constipated patients maintained a normal bowel function, showing prevention of constipation despite the use of an opioid.