Current medical research and opinion
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Estimate the incidence and prevalence rates and assess overall trends among patients with diabetes using insulin vial/syringe and pens over time. ⋯ The incidence and prevalence of patients using the traditional vial/syringe decreased over time, while the use of pens increased. Some patient populations may be under-represented, limiting generalizability of results.
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Administrative claims databases provide a wealth of data for assessing the effect of treatments in clinical practice. Our aim was to propose methodology for real-world studies in multiple sclerosis (MS) using these databases. ⋯ The methods suggested in this study offer a good foundation for performing real-world research in MS using administrative claims databases, potentially allowing evidence from different studies to be compared and combined more systematically than in current research practice.
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Patients with regionally or distantly metastatic melanoma have poor long-term prognosis. The objective of this analysis was to describe survival rates among patients diagnosed with unresectable stage IIIB/C or stage IV melanoma. ⋯ Among patients diagnosed with unresectable metastatic melanoma from 2004 to 2009, patients at later stages had lower median overall survival and higher mortality rates than patients at earlier stages. Limitations of this analysis include the lack of information on disease progression, therapies used, and genetic factors.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
Comparison of vortioxetine versus venlafaxine XR in adults in Asia with major depressive disorder: a randomized, double-blind study.
This randomized, double-blind 8 week study compared the efficacy and tolerability of fixed-dose treatment with vortioxetine (10 mg/day) and venlafaxine extended release (XR) (150 mg/day) in major depressive disorder (MDD) patients. ⋯ Vortioxetine was at least as efficacious as venlafaxine XR and was safe and better tolerated than venlafaxine XR.
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To assess the incidence and economic impact of postoperative ileus (POI) following laparotomy (open) and laparoscopic procedures for colectomies and cholecystectomies in patients receiving postoperative pain management with opioids. ⋯ Use of opioids in patients who develop ileus following abdominal surgeries is associated with prolonged hospitalization, greater costs, and increased readmissions. Furthermore, higher doses of opioids are associated with higher incidence of POI. Limitations are related to the retrospective design and the use of administrative data (including reliance on ICD-9 coding). Yet POI may not be coded and therefore underestimated in our study. Assessment of pre-existing disease and preoperative pain management was not assessed. Despite these limitations, strategies to reduce opioid consumption may improve healthcare outcomes and reduce the associated economic impact.