Current medical research and opinion
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Review Meta Analysis
The prognostic role of FIGO stage in patients with vulvar cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
To perform a meta-analysis examining the survival of patients with vulvar cancer based on the 2009 International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) staging system. ⋯ More advanced 2009 FIGO stage and greater number of LN metastases are associated with worse outcomes in patients with vulvar cancer.
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Comparative Study
Retrospective comparison of ephedrine and phenylephrine for the treatment of spinal anesthesia induced hypotension in pre-eclamptic patients.
To compare neonatal acid base status in parturients who underwent cesarean delivery and received either ephedrine or phenylephrine boluses for the treatment of spinal anesthesia induced hypotension. ⋯ We found no difference in neonatal umbilical artery pH between ephedrine and phenylephrine when used to treat spinal anesthesia induced hypotension during cesarean delivery in pre-eclamptic patients. Limitations of the study include its retrospective single center design and the fact that the choice of vasopressor was not randomized.
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Purpose To compare the estimated effectiveness of seven frequently prescribed antibiotic classes as initial and secondary treatments of upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs) and lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs) 1991-2012. The main outcome measure was a surrogate for estimated antibiotic effectiveness. Methods Routine, primary care data from the UK Clinical Practice Research Datalink (CPRD) were used. ⋯ Limitations Antibiotic treatments were classified as intention to treat. It is unknown whether the prescription was redeemed or taken correctly. We do not know the etiology of these infections, therefore evidence of antibiotic non-response may relate to sub-optimal diagnosis and inappropriate treatment rather than antibiotic effectiveness for true bacterial infections.
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Background and objectives The painDETECT questionnaire (PD-Q), a simple and reliable screening questionnaire of neuropathic pain, was developed in 2004 in cooperation with the German Research Network on Neuropathic Pain. The initial aim was to implement quality management and to improve the situation of neuropathic pain (NeP) patients in Germany. The PD-Q proved immediately successful and was translated into and validated in multiple languages. ⋯ Conclusion To date more than 300,000 patients were assessed, providing the basis for one of the world's largest datasets for chronic pain. Among others the extensive pool of PD-Q data triggered the idea of subgrouping patients on the basis of their individual sensory profiles which might in the future lead to a stratified treatment approach and ultimately to personalized therapy. Started as a healthcare utilization project in Germany, the PD-Q is nowadays used for clinical and research purposes around the world.
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The European Society for Clinical and Economic Aspects of Osteoporosis and Osteoarthritis (ESCEO) treatment algorithm for knee osteoarthritis (OA) recommends symptomatic slow-acting drugs for osteoarthritis (SYSADOAs) first line for the medium to long term management of OA, due to their ability to control pain, improve function, and delay joint structural changes. Among SYSADOAs, glucosamine is probably the most widely used intervention. In the present review of glucosamine for knee OA, we have investigated whether the evidence is greater for the patented crystalline glucosamine sulfate (pCGS) preparation (Rottapharm/Meda) than for other glucosamine formulations. ⋯ In comparison, the effect size on pain of non-crystalline GS preparations and GH from randomized controlled trials is repeatedly demonstrated to be zero. In addition, there is evidence that chronic administration of pCGS has disease-modifying effects, with a reduction in the need for total joint replacement surgery lasting for at least 5 years after treatment cessation. Consequently, the pCGS preparation (Rottapharm/Meda) is the logical choice, with demonstrated medium-term control of pain and lasting impact on disease progression.