Current medical research and opinion
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Comparative Study
Pharmacy cost evaluation of risperidone, olanzapine, and quetiapine for the treatment of schizophrenia in acute care inpatient settings.
This study examines total pharmacy cost and usage patterns of schizophrenic patients in acute mental health inpatient settings for three atypical antipsychotics -- risperidone, olanzapine, and quetiapine. Despite the readily available unit cost information for drugs, actual pharmacy costs may deviate significantly from 'labeled costs'. Recent research findings indicate the need for more robust evaluation of such pharmacy costs. ⋯ This study provides the first US comparison of medication utilization patterns and pharmacy costs for olanzapine, risperidone, and quetiapine administered in acute mental health care inpatient settings. While this study did not estimate the full economic value of the three antipsychotics in these inpatient settings, it demonstrated that the mean daily costs for risperidone were lower than the mean daily costs for olanzapine (p < 0.001) and quetiapine although the later difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.38).
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To review clinical trial evidence supporting treatment of patients to a near-normal HbA(1c) target level and outline therapeutic strategies that optimize glycemic control. ⋯ The results of clinical trials confirm that stringent levels of glycemic control can be attained through the use of intensive multiple-injection insulin regimens (administration of insulin 3 or more times daily by injection or an external pump with dosage adjustments as needed), oral monotherapy or combination therapy, or a combination of insulin and oral therapy. The expanded choices for oral agents and the availability of insulin analogs now provide physicians with the tools to tailor therapy to prevent or delay the devastating complications of diabetes. Indeed, newer insulin analogs, both short-acting (insulin lispro, insulin aspart) and long-acting (insulin glargine), are an important part of a treatment strategy to circumvent diabetes complications and overcome the shortcomings of conventional insulin preparations.
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Migraine is associated with a significant productivity loss to employers, who may benefit from making a migraine intervention available to their employees. ⋯ This study documents the value of a workplace migraine intervention program, which focused on migraine prevention and rizatriptan-based symptomatic treatment. It also highlights the important role occupational health clinics can play in helping employers and employees reduce the burden of migraine.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Comparative Study Clinical Trial
A randomized controlled study comparing rofecoxib, diclofenac sodium, and placebo in post-bunionectomy pain.
The relative efficacy of rofecoxib, diclofenac sodium, and placebo were compared in the treatment of acute pain after bunionectomy surgery. ⋯ Rofecoxib 50 mg was significantly more effective than placebo on all measures of treatment of post-bunionectomy pain. Rofecoxib 50 mg was significantly more effective than diclofenac sodium 100 mg based on Day 1 endpoints of total pain relief, onset time, and duration of response. All study medications were generally well tolerated.
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To assess the impact of migraine on work, family, and leisure among young women who were employed full or part time, or as a full-time student. ⋯ We found substantial migraine-related impairment of productivity at work and school as well as of family and leisure time among young women in Israel and eight European countries.