Current medical research and opinion
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study
Metabolic effect of repaglinide or acarbose when added to a double oral antidiabetic treatment with sulphonylureas and metformin: a double-blind, cross-over, clinical trial.
To compare the metabolic effects of acarbose and repaglinide in type 2 diabetic patients who are being treated with a sulphonylurea-metformin combination therapy. The primary endpoint of the study was to evaluate which add-on treatment between acarbose and repaglinide is more efficacious in reducing PPG. The second endpoint was to evaluate which of these two treatment is more efficacious in the global management of glucose homeostasis in the enrolled patients. ⋯ In addition from having a similar effect to repaglinide on PPG, acarbose appeared to have a more comprehensive positive effect on glucose metabolism compared to repaglinide in this relatively small sample of type 2 diabetic patients when used as add-on therapy to sulphonylureas and metformin.
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To compare the gastrointestinal (GI) tolerability of celecoxib and nonselective nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) at approved doses in patients with common musculoskeletal conditions. ⋯ In this pooled analysis of celecoxib at approved doses in OA, RA, and AS, fewer celecoxib-treated patients in the overall population had tolerability-related GI AEs than patients treated with naproxen, ibuprofen, or diclofenac. In addition, celecoxib-treated patients had a significantly longer time to study discontinuation due to GI AEs.
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Clinical trials have shown that implantable cardioverter defibrillators are effective in primary prevention of sudden cardiac death (SCD) in patients with high risk profiles. ⋯ In Canada, ICDs are a worthwhile alternative to amiodarone in the primary prevention of sudden cardiac death.
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With the availability of multiple echinocandins in the US, recommended dosages and dosing schedules vary by agent but actual utilization practices are unknown. The purpose of this study was to describe the utilization and dosage pattern of intravenous echinocandins for treatment of fungal infections in US hospitals. ⋯ In hospital practice, the mean dosages were consistent with the recommended loading and maintenance dosages for caspofungin and anidulafungin. Patients frequently received a loading dose of > 150 mg on day 1 of micafungin which was inconsistent with recommended dosing schedules. Micafungin maintenance dosages > 100 mg were also commonly used. Lack of information on reason for initiating echinocandin therapy was an important study limitation.
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This survey estimated differences in staff time requirements between fentanyl HCl iontophoretic transdermal system (fentanyl ITS) and intravenous patient-controlled analgesia (IV-PCA) in post-operative pain management. ⋯ Fentanyl ITS use was estimated, by expert opinion, to require 44% less staff time than IV-PCA use.