International journal of clinical practice
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Int. J. Clin. Pract. · Oct 2007
Perceptual consistency of pain and quality of life between hospice cancer patients and family caregivers: a pilot study.
Clinicians usually adjust medical management based on caregivers' observation when caring for seriously ill or cognitive-impaired patients. The purpose of this study is to research the differences in perceptual congruence of patients and caregivers when assessing patients' global pain (GP) and quality of life (QOL) in a hospice ward. ⋯ This study indicates that caregivers have the propensity to under-rate patients' pain and overvalue QOL; moreover, 'religion' and 'gender' influence patients' perception near the end-of-life. Therefore, reassessment and proper holistic approach are important in hospice care.
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Int. J. Clin. Pract. · Oct 2007
Multicenter Study Clinical TrialOnce-daily OROS hydromorphone for the management of chronic nonmalignant pain: a dose-conversion and titration study.
The use of opioid analgesics for patients with chronic nonmalignant pain is becoming more widely accepted, and long-acting formulations are an important treatment option. ⋯ Patients with chronic nonmalignant pain who had been receiving opioid therapy easily underwent conversion to OROS hydromorphone, with no loss of efficacy or increase in adverse events.
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Int. J. Clin. Pract. · Oct 2007
Randomized Controlled TrialThe suppression of gastro-oesophageal reflux by alginates.
The aim of this study was to compare alginate products with the same amount of active ingredients but different dosage forms, in the suppression of reflux provoked by a standard meal in healthy human volunteers, using ambulatory oesophageal pH monitoring. ⋯ The study shows that alginate reflux suppressants containing a low amount of antacid are effective in suppressing acid reflux and that suspension and tablet forms are able to give equivalent acid suppression.
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Int. J. Clin. Pract. · Oct 2007
Effectiveness of statins in Medicare-eligible patients and patients < 65 years using clinical practice data.
This study compared effectiveness of rosuvastatin (RSV) with other statins on lowering LDL-C and LDL-C goal attainment among Medicare-eligible patients (age >or= 65 years) and patients with age < 65 years treated in usual clinical practice to provide evidence of real-world effectiveness of statins. ⋯ Rosuvastatin is more effective in lowering LDL-C in Medicare-eligible patients and patients < 65 years of age when compared with other statins in usual clinical practice. Moreover, RSV patients had higher LDL-C goal attainment rates when compared with other statins in high- and moderate-risk patients. The study results have implications for clinicians in selecting the optimal statin to meet individual patient care needs.