Journal of the Medical Association of Thailand = Chotmaihet thangphaet
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Evidence from Western countries has shown that informal relationships between the pharmaceutical industry and physicians could have some effect on physicians' prescribing behavior Many countries have, therefore, developed conflict-of-interest policies to mitigate the effects of such interactions. Interactions between pharmaceutical representatives and physicians, one among those relationships, have never been systematically studied in Thailand. ⋯ Frequency of interaction could have only been a marker for level of exposure, not a genuine influence on physicians' prescribing behavior Nevertheless, given that resident physicians in Thailand have frequent interaction with pharmaceutical industry representatives, guidance on managing conflict-of-interest should be included in medical training.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Effects of single shot femoral nerve block combined with intrathecal morphine for postoperative analgesia: a randomized, controlled, dose-ranging study after total knee arthroplasty.
Pain after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is severe, thus adequate pain control can be a challenge. Intrathecal morphine (ITM) provides excellent postoperative analgesia for TKA, but may have side effects. Femoral nerve block (FNB) also has been used for postoperative analgesia in TKA. We examined postoperative analgesia efficacy and side effects of ITM combined with single shot femoral nerve block (SSFNB) after TKA, over the dosage range of 0.0 to 0.3 mg. ⋯ The present study concluded that, low-dose ITM combination with SSFNB provided good pain relief with low side effects and reduced morphine consumption during the first 24 hours post TKA.
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Acetaminophen Psi Parameter (APP) is a composite of acetaminophen (paracetamol) level and lag time before N-acetylcysteine (NAC) therapy. The APP is a significant predictor of hepatotoxicity secondary to acute acetaminophen overdose. Acetaminophen Psi Nomogram (APN) was invented as a graphic analog of the APP for use in predicting individual patient's risk of hepatotoxicity. Clinical accuracy of the APN has never been validated ⋯ Acetaminophen Psi Nomogram is a sensitive and specific tool for prediction of hepatotoxicity secondary to acute acetaminophen overdose. By application of the APN, a significant proportion of patients may not require either further follow-up after the completion of NAC therapy or prolongation of NAC therapy. Patients in high APN's risk ranges may be treated and monitored more intensively with confidence.
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Management of patients with syncope in the Emergency Department now focuses on identifying patients who will be at future risk of serious morbidity. Among the risk stratification scoring systems being used were the San Francisco Syncope Rule (SFSR) and Osservatorio Epidemiologico sulla Sincope nel Lazio (OESIL) score. ⋯ Both scores have good accuracy and sensitivity, but they should not be used as the only device in patient disposition. However, both scores showed a low false negative rate. Therefore, they may help in helping physician discharge low-risk patients.
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Sleepiness is a common complaint in epilepsy. Also obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is increasingly detected and would affect the epilepsy prognosis. We aimed to determine the frequency and predictors of sleepiness and OSA in epileptic patients. ⋯ Excessive daytime sleepiness was identified around one third ofour epileptic individutals. Twenty percent had met the questionnaire criteria of having OSA. Overweight was the most important and modifiable risk factor ofOSA.