Current medical research and opinion
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Although postmenopausal African-American women are at lower risk for osteoporosis-related fractures compared with white women, fractures in African-American women are associated with significantly higher morbidity and mortality. Therefore, early diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis in this population is just as important as it is for other ethnic groups and worthy of the attention of physicians and healthcare organizations. ⋯ Many risk factors for osteoporosis in African-American women are similar to those in white women and can aid in the selection of patients in need of bone density testing.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Randomized, placebo-controlled comparison of early use of frovatriptan in a migraine attack versus dosing after the headache has become moderate or severe.
To evaluate whether frovatriptan would provide greater relief if given early during a migraine attack. ⋯ Early use of frovatriptan resulted in a higher, earlier and sustained pain-free response, prevented progression to moderate/severe headache and reduced pain burden and functional disability.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Efficacy and safety of budesonide/formoterol single inhaler therapy versus a higher dose of budesonide in moderate to severe asthma.
This study evaluated the efficacy and safety of a novel asthma management strategy--budesonide/formoterol for both maintenance and symptom relief (Symbicort Single Inhaler Therapy)--compared with a higher maintenance dose of budesonide in patients with moderate to severe asthma. ⋯ Budesonide/formoterol single inhaler therapy has the potential to provide a complete asthma management approach with one inhaler, demonstrating a high level of efficacy in patients with moderate to severe asthma.
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To evaluate effectiveness and safety information of transdermal fentanyl (TDF) (Duragesic/Durogesic) and sustained-release oral morphine (SRM) in cancer pain (CP) and chronic non-cancer pain (NCP), a pooled analysis was conducted on datasets of published, open label, uncontrolled (no comparator group) and randomised controlled (with SRM as comparator) studies of TDF. ⋯ This pooled data analysis provides expanded insight into the safety and effectiveness profile of transdermal fentanyl in patients with chronic pain. It shows significantly improved pain relief with transdermal fentanyl compared with sustained-release oral morphine, and supports current evidence of favourable tolerability of transdermal fentanyl, particularly with regard to reduced constipation and somnolence.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Clinical Trial
Clinical implications of 750 mg, 5-day levofloxacin for the treatment of community-acquired pneumonia.
To evaluate the time to symptom resolution and i.v.-to-p.o. transition in community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) patients treated with 750 mg or 500 mg levofloxacin. ⋯ The 750 mg levofloxacin dose resulted in a greater proportion of patients with resolution of CAP symptoms by Day 3 when compared with 500 mg therapy. Consequently, the 750 mg regimen trended toward more rapid transition to p.o., potentially resulting in lower overall drug costs. Time to switch from i.v. to p.o. was determined by the investigators' discretion rather than a set protocol. Additionally, length of stay data was not collected in this study, which can significantly impact overall healthcare costs. Further research is required to fully understand the economic impact of the 750 mg, 5-day levofloxacin regimen.