Current medical research and opinion
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Review Comparative Study
Cost-effectiveness analysis of a new 8% capsaicin patch compared to existing therapies for postherpetic neuralgia.
The purpose of this study was to compare the cost effectiveness of a new 8% capsaicin patch, compared to the current treatments for postherpetic neuralgia (PHN), including tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), topical lidocaine patches, duloxetine, gabapentin, and pregabalin. ⋯ The effectiveness results demonstrated that 8% capsaicin and topical lidocaine patches had significantly higher effectiveness rates than the oral agents used to treat PHN. In addition, this cost-effectiveness analysis found that the 8% capsaicin patch was similar to topical lidocaine patch and within an accepted cost per QALY gained threshold compared to the oral products.
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Multicenter Study Clinical Trial
Current practice of darbepoetin alfa in the management of haemoglobin levels in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy - data from the CHOICE study.
To evaluate adherence to European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) and European Summary of Product Characteristic (SmPC) guidance on recommended haemoglobin (Hb) values in routine clinical practice use of darbepoetin alfa (DA) in cancer patients internationally. ⋯ This IA suggests most patients were treated according to European SmPC guidance. Hb evolution during the study is consistent with data from clinical trials, implying DA is effective in increasing Hb levels in chemotherapy-induced anaemia patients. Hb levels >13 g/dL were infrequent. Limitations are related to the observational nature of this study.
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Comparative Study
Disability in COPD and its relationship to clinical and patient-reported outcomes.
To assess the presence of disability in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients and its relationships with disease severity, comorbidities, and patient-reported outcomes. ⋯ Disability can be identified in each disease stage, with dyspnea serving as the most relevant inducing factor. Since disability substantially impacts patient perception of and experience with COPD, its presence must be taken into account during disease management. The cross-sectional nature of the study and the characteristics of the sample size represent a limitation in the possibility to generalize the results.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study
Efficacy and tolerability of sitagliptin monotherapy in elderly patients with type 2 diabetes: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.
Type 2 diabetes in the elderly is an important and insufficiently studied public health problem. This study evaluated sitagliptin monotherapy in patients with type 2 diabetes aged ≥ 65 years. ⋯ In this study, sitagliptin treatment significantly and rapidly improved glycemic measures and was well tolerated in patients aged ≥ 65 years with type 2 diabetes.
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Review Comparative Study
Special considerations on the management of Latino patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Latinos are the largest minority population in the United States, and are characterized by higher rates of obesity and diabetes compared to Whites. The prevalence of diagnosed diabetes in Latinos is two-fold higher than in Caucasians, and Latinos suffer from higher rates of diabetic complications and mortality. As the diabetes epidemic continues to expand and exert greater socioeconomic strain on national healthcare systems, the success of global and national healthcare initiatives for diabetes prevention and improvement of care will depend upon strategies targeted specifically toward this population. Essential to such strategies is an understanding of success factors unique to the Latino population for diabetes prevention and achievement of optimal treatment outcomes. ⋯ A number of studies have highlighted various ethnic disparities in Latinos with diabetes including higher HbA1c levels, greater rates of obesity and metabolic syndrome, and a larger proportion of individuals with inadequate access to care. While relatively fewer studies describe success factors for redressing cultural disparities in diabetes, the current body of literature supports primary care strategies aimed at effective provider-patient relationships and culturally tailored education and lifestyle modification regimens. Further research demonstrating effective, culturally tailored practices that are suitable to the primary care setting would be of value to providers treating Latinos with diabetes.