Postgraduate medicine
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Postgraduate medicine · Nov 2017
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter StudyDose-response of pregabalin for diabetic peripheral neuropathy, postherpetic neuralgia, and fibromyalgia.
The pregabalin dose-response for pain, Patient Global Impression of Change (PGIC), and sleep quality measures in painful diabetic peripheral neuropathy (pDPN), postherpetic neuralgia (PHN), and fibromyalgia (FM) is relevant for physicians treating these patients. This analysis aimed to demonstrate the dose-response of pregabalin for each indication and describe the onset (incidence), onset/continuation (prevalence), and resolution of adverse events (AEs) occurring during treatment. ⋯ The dose-response of pregabalin for pain, PGIC, and sleep quality was demonstrated, highlighting the benefit of achieving the maximum recommended dose of 300 mg/day for pDPN, 300-600 mg/day for PHN, and 300-450 mg/day for FM. Common AEs are generally seen within 1 week of starting treatment, with few subsequent new reports at a given dose. New onset weight gain occurs after 6 weeks of treatment, reinforcing the need for regular monitoring of weight.
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Postgraduate medicine · Nov 2017
Randomized Controlled TrialAlbiglutide efficacy and safety in the Latino/Hispanic subpopulation for the integrated phase III program.
to evaluate the efficacy and safety of albiglutide compared with placebo and active comparators from an integrated trial subpopulation of Latino/Hispanic patients whose type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) was inadequately controlled on their current regimen of diet and exercise, with or without oral antidiabetic drugs (OADs) and/or insulin. ⋯ In the Latino/Hispanic population, albiglutide resulted in effective lowering of glucose and modest weight loss, and it was generally well tolerated.
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Postgraduate medicine · Nov 2017
ReviewIncorporation of PCSK9 inhibitors into prevention of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.
Primary and secondary prevention of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) has become recently more complex than ever, leaving the clinicians perplexed with outdated guidelines and emerging evidence about new LDL-C lowering therapies. 2013 American College of Cardiology (ACC)/American Heart Association (AHA) guidelines have focused on high intensity statin therapy for specific groups of patients, while abandoning long established LDL-C goals, a strategy which no longer seems valid. PCSK9 (proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9) inhibitors have emerged as the add-on therapy on top of statins and/or ezetimibe for the treatment of hypercholesterolemia and ASCVD prevention. In several clinical trials, PCSK9 inhibitors have demonstrated their safety and robust LDL-C-lowering power. ⋯ Several trials studying CV benefits of novel LDL-C-lowering therapies are also being conducted. Prompt revision of ACC/AHA guidelines is necessary. In the meantime, physicians need to use clinical judgment integrating the most recent evidence into their practice.
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Postgraduate medicine · Nov 2017
ReviewThe important role of primary care providers in the detection of alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency.
Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (AATD) is an underrecognized genetic disorder that can cause chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and liver cirrhosis, two clinical conditions commonly seen by primary care physicians. AATD is estimated to affect 1/4000-1/5000 people in the United States and 1-2% of all COPD cases. ⋯ Improving primary care provider awareness and promoting regular reflex testing all COPD patients for AATD may significantly improve the care of COPD patients.
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Postgraduate medicine · Nov 2017
Sex difference in the association of serum uric acid with metabolic syndrome and its components: a cross-sectional study in a Chinese Yi population.
Since the association between serum uric acid (SUA) and metabolic syndrome (MetS) has been reported extensively, it remains unclear whether SUA is associated with MetS and its components in a Chinese Yi population. ⋯ SUA levels were closely associated with MetS and several components by sex in Chinese Yi population.