Southern medical journal
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Southern medical journal · Feb 2004
Concentrations of B vitamins and homocysteine in children with sickle cell anemia.
Elevated concentration of serum homocysteine contributes to thrombosis, a frequent event in patients with sickle cell anemia. We aimed to test whether children with sickle cell anemia have elevated concentrations of serum homocysteine with diminished levels of folate or B vitamins from accelerated blood cell turnover. ⋯ Despite comparable intake, children with sickle cell anemia had lower concentrations of vitamin B6 than unaffected children. Larger studies are needed to determine if chronically low serum vitamin B6 concentration contributes to hyperhomocysteinemia in this population.
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Southern medical journal · Feb 2004
Comparative StudyIncidence of constipation associated with long-acting opioid therapy: a comparative study.
Opioid therapy plays a key role in the management of chronic pain. Constipation is one of the more frequently occurring adverse effects associated with opioid therapy. ⋯ In this population, patients receiving transdermal fentanyl had a lower risk of developing constipation compared with those receiving oxycodone CR or morphine CR.