South African medical journal = Suid-Afrikaanse tydskrif vir geneeskunde
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
Anti-inflammatory and combined anti-inflammatory/analgesic medication in the early management of iliotibial band friction syndrome. A clinical trial.
Forty-three athletes presenting with unilateral iliotibial band friction syndrome (ITBFS) were randomly divided into three groups for the first 7 days of treatment (placebo-controlled, double-blind): 1--placebo (N = 13); 2--anti-inflammatory medication (N = 14) (Voltaren; Geigy); and 3--analgesic/anti-inflammatory combined medication (N = 16) (Myprodol; Rio Ethicals). All subjects rested from day 0 to day 7 and all groups received the same physiotherapy outpatient treatment programme from day 3 to day 7. On days 0, 3 and 7 the subjects performed a functional treadmill running test (maximum 30 minutes) during which they reported pain (scale 0-10; 0 = no pain, 10 = unbearable pain) each minute. ⋯ In contrast, during the running test only group 3 improved their total running time and distance from day 0 to day 7, whereas in all the groups the area under the pain v. time curve decreased from day 0 to day 7. All the other groups improved total running time and running distance from day 3 to day 7. All three treatment modalities are effective in the early treatment of ITBFS but physiotherapy in combination with analgesic/anti-inflammatory medication is superior.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Synthetic laminaria tent for cervical ripening.
The efficacy and safety of a synthetic laminaria tent (Lamicel; Cabot) in ripening the cervix before induction of labour was compared with prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) oral tablets used intravaginally. Eighty patients were randomly assigned to use of the laminaria tent (N = 40) or PGE2 (N = 40). ⋯ However, the duration of labour was shorter in the PGE2 group than in the tent group (10, 14 h v. 11,61 h). These findings indicate that the synthetic laminaria tent is the preferred agent for cervical ripening in high-risk pregnancies and in developing countries.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
Obtunding the sympathetic response to intubation. Experience at 2 minutes after administration of the test agent in patients with cerebral aneurysms.
The sympathetic response to laryngoscopy and intubation was studied in 39 patients who were to undergo surgical clipping of a cerebral aneurysm. Intravascular radial artery pressure and ECG monitoring for ST-segment changes or dysrhythmias were used. Ward blood pressures were controlled on bed rest and labetalol. ⋯ Intubation produced an immediate increase in blood pressure and pulse rate, maximal at 30-60 seconds, falling rapidly towards normal within 2-3 minutes. Alfentanil was very effective in obtunding this response with stable cardiovascular parameters; fentanyl produced a more variable response; and intravenous lignocaine was less satisfactory. Lignocaine spray was ineffective.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
Tenoxicam in soft-tissue rheumatism.
A randomized double-blind trial with tenoxicam 10 mg/d and 20 mg/d and placebo was carried out for 2 weeks in 90 patients suffering from various extra-articular inflammatory conditions. Statistical analysis revealed significant differences in favour of tenoxicam as regards improvement of all parameters with an intensity which was moderate or severe at baseline, e.g. tenderness, mobility pain, functional limitation. The efficacy of tenoxicam at both dosages was similar (no statistically significant difference). Tenoxicam was well tolerated but some mild adverse reactions were observed in all three treatment groups.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Anti-endotoxin in the treatment of severe surgical septic shock. Results of a randomized double-blind trial.
A randomized double-blind trial of human antilipopolysaccharide (anti-LPS)-specific globulin (LG-1) versus placebo (albumin) in the treatment of severe septic shock of surgical origin was carried out over a 6-month period from June to December 1983. Hospital mortality was 10 patients (59%) out of 17 in the control group and 9 out of 17 (53%) in the treated group. ⋯ Measurement of serum endotoxin and anti-LPS levels at the time of admission to the study and 24 hours later revealed no significant difference between controls and treated patients. Significantly higher mortality rates were observed in patients who were endotoxemic after 24 hours of treatment compared with those who were not (chi 2 = 4,80; P less than 0,025).