International journal of clinical practice
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Int. J. Clin. Pract. · Sep 2017
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Comparative StudyReduction in microalbuminuria by calcium channel blockers in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and hypertension-A randomized, open-label, active-controlled, superiority, parallel-group clinical trial.
It has been suggested that renoprotection with calcium channel blockers (CCBs) may differ. This study aimed to compare the anti-proteinuric effect of different CCBs in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D). ⋯ Cilnidipine did not show any additional anti-albuminuric effect compared with amlodipine in patients with T2D and microalbuminuria treated with an RAS blocker. However, the anti-albuminuric effect of cilnidipine might differ according to the duration of diabetes.
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Int. J. Clin. Pract. · Sep 2017
The Maastricht Frailty Screening Tool for Hospitalised Patients (MFST-HP) to Identify Non-Frail Patients.
The Maastricht frailty screening tool for hospitalised patients (MFST-HP) is a frailty screening tool that is fully integrated in the nursing assessment at admission. This study aims to determine the predictive value of the MFST-HP for the health outcomes length of hospital stay, discharge destination, readmission and mortality. ⋯ The MFST-HP seems to operate more strongly as a non-frailty indicator than as a frailty indicator and may in this respect help professionals to decide upon subsequent care. The MFST-HP is able to rule out 84% of the non-frail population in this study. The remaining 16% need to be assessed by means of a comprehensive geriatric assessment or rapid geriatric assessment, to gain more insight in the level of vulnerability in the frail-group.
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This is a medical kitty hawk moment. Drones are pilotless aircrafts that were initially used exclusively by the military but are now also used for various scientific purposes, public safety, and in commercial industries. The healthcare industry in particular can benefit from their technical capabilities and ease of use. ⋯ The FAA is challenged with keeping pace legislatively with the rapid advances in drone technology. This relative lag has been perceived as slowing the proliferation of drone use. Despite these regulatory limitations, drones are showing significant potential for transforming healthcare and medicine in the 21st century.
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Int. J. Clin. Pract. · Aug 2017
Improving pharmacotherapy outcomes in patients with hepatitis C virus infection treated with direct-acting antivirals: The GRUviC project.
Pharmaceutical care is needed in hepatitis C virus (HCV)-infected patients treated with direct-acting antivirals (DAA). We describe the implementation of a comprehensive pharmaceutical care programme (CPCP) for HCV-infected patients treated with DAA in a tertiary-care hospital and provide data about health outcomes and costs. ⋯ The implementation of a CPCP developed by hospital pharmacists in patients treated with DAAs for HCV infection is an effective approach that improves patient safety and education. The active involvement of the pharmacist in improving adherence to local guidelines promoted the selection of the most cost-effective treatment in the majority of cases.
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Int. J. Clin. Pract. · Aug 2017
ReviewAnti-PCSK9 antibodies for hypercholesterolaemia: Overview of clinical data and implications for primary care.
To put data from our recent systematic review of phase 3 studies of anti-proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) antibodies into the context of clinical practice. ⋯ Anti-PCSK9 antibodies effectively lower LDL-C levels in a broad patient population. While awaiting comprehensive data from CV outcome trials, these agents should be considered in very high risk patients, such as those in secondary prevention and those with familial hypercholesterolaemia who are already receiving maximally tolerated LLTs, have not achieved their LDL-C goal and require substantial reductions in LDL-C.