Current medical research and opinion
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To estimate the cost implications of blood transfusions and related surgical site infections (SSIs) in cancer patients undergoing elective colorectal resection in the hospital setting in the United States (US). ⋯ This is one of the first studies to specifically address the cost implications of postsurgical morbidity following colorectal resection in cancer patients. The cost of managing cancer patients undergoing elective colorectal resection who require a blood transfusion is expected to be 36% more than that of non-transfused patients, largely resulting from the development of SSIs.
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Obesity is associated with an increased incidence of diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidaemia and coronary artery disease. Current management strategies of obesity include lifestyle management strategies of obesity include lifestyle interventions and pharmaco therapy. Sibutramine is a drug with established efficacy in weight reduction and maintenance of weight loss. It reduces food intake and attenuates the fall in reduces food intake and attenuates the fall in metabolic rate associated with weight loss. ⋯ Weight loss following sibutramine administration is associated with several favourable metabolic effects.
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Multicenter Study
How treatment priorities influence triptan preferences in clinical practice: perspectives of migraine sufferers, neurologists, and primary care physicians.
In treating migraine sufferers, physicians can choose from among seven triptans with different attributes. ⋯ Almotriptan, eletriptan, and rizatriptan were the three triptans closest to the ideal, from the perspectives of migraine sufferers, PCPs, and neurologists alike. The TRIPSTAR model may be a potentially useful decision-support tool to help physicians select the triptan most likely to produce a successful outcome in migraine sufferers.
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To determine if therapeutic management programs that include self-monitoring of blood glucose result in greater HbA1c reduction in non-insulin-requiring type 2 diabetes patients compared to programs without blood glucose self-monitoring. ⋯ Multi-component diabetes management programs with self-monitoring of blood glucose result in better glycemic control among non-insulin-using type 2 diabetes patients.
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Comparative Study
A comparison of the resources used in advanced cancer care between two different strong opioids: an analysis of naturalistic practice in the UK.
To assess the resource implications of using strong opioids in patients with advanced cancer in the UK, based on naturalistic practice, in order to develop the evidence base supporting better management. ⋯ SR morphine and transdermal fentanyl seem to be used in different situations. The results also confirm previous findings that pain management in cancer patients is often sub-optimal. The low contribution of opioids to the overall costs indicates that this should not be an obstacle to starting this aspect of palliative care earlier in disease progression. This characterisation of the resource implications of using SR morphine and transdermal fentanyl should enable purchasers and providers to optimise the availability of strong opioids for cancer patients on medical, economic and humanitarian grounds.