Current medical research and opinion
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Multicenter Study Comparative Study
Impact of adding prophylactic probiotics to a bundle of standard preventative measures for Clostridium difficile infections: enhanced and sustained decrease in the incidence and severity of infection at a community hospital.
In 2003, hospitals in Quebec, Canada experienced an increase of NAP1/027 Clostridium difficile infections following antibiotic administration (CDIAA). At Pierre-Le Gardeur Hospital (PLGH), the incidence increased from 10 to over 25 cases per 1000 patient admissions. ⋯ Specific probiotic product added to SPM and antibiotic stewardship activities resulted in a further reduction in CDI rates and was shown to be safe.
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Medical professionals are often challenged by lack of patient compliance with pharmaceutical treatments. Research has shown that patients with diabetes have one of the lowest medication adherence rates at 65% to 85%. Some causes have been identified in the literature, but the influence of type of medication is unknown. This study assessed the impact of a broad range of factors on medication adherence and persistence among adult patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. ⋯ Identified risk factors can guide medical professionals in their attempts to increase the likelihood of patient adherence to drug treatment regimens.
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Globally, ethical issues in research are becoming of major importance, being well established in developed countries with little information about research ethics committees (RECs) in Africa to assess whether these committees are actually improving the protection of human research participants. ⋯ Since 2005, the MREC in NRC Egypt has built up considerable experience of evaluating the ethical issues arising within the field of medical research.
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Review Meta Analysis
Do prokinetics influence the completion rate in small-bowel capsule endoscopy? A systematic review and meta-analysis.
The use of purging for bowel cleansing prior to small-bowel capsule endoscopy (SBCE) has now been established in clinical practice. Despite that, the number of incomplete SBCEs is still around 15-20%. To date, the use of prokinetics in SBCE - aiming to improve completion rate (CR) - remains a contentious issue resulting in lack of consensus among capsule experts. ⋯ Our pooled data shows that the use of prokinetics for capsule ingestion improves CR in SBCE. This effect appears to be particularly evident with metoclopramide, when used concurrently with purging and/or use of real-time monitoring. In a small number of studies, erythromycin showed - through its gastrokinetic effect - marginal benefit. No prokinetic has a beneficial effect on SBCE DY.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study
Diclofenac epolamine medicated plaster in the treatment of minor soft tissue injuries: a multicenter randomized controlled trial.
To investigate the efficacy and safety of a topical plaster containing diclofenac epolamine (DHEP) 1.3% in the treatment of patients with acute minor soft tissue injuries in China. ⋯ A medicated plaster containing DHEP applied to the affected site in Chinese patients with minor soft tissue injury, such as sprains, strains and contusions, was significantly more effective than placebo at reducing pain scores. Onset of action was rapid and the DHEP plaster was safe and well tolerated. The main limitation was the use of a subjective, though validated, self-reported VAS to assess the primary endpoint.