The British journal of clinical practice
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The recent European Carotid Surgery Trial (ECST) and North American Symptomatic Carotid Endarterectomy Trial (NASCET) have clearly defined a population who benefit from carotid artery endarterectomy (CAE). However these trials used different criteria to identify > 70% stenosis of the internal carotid artery (ICA). The role of CAE in asymptomatic ICA stenosis has been investigated by the Carotid Artery Stenosis with Asymptomatic Narrowing Operation Versus Aspirin (CASANOVA) study, the Veterans Administration Asymptomatic Carotid Study (VAACS) and the Asymptomatic Carotid Artery Stenosis (ACAS) trials, all of which have design limitations. The Asymptomatic Carotid Stenosis Trial (ACST) is still recruiting patients but until the natural history of asymptomatic ICA disease is understood, the role of surgical intervention will continue to be controversial.
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We review advances in the treatment of schizophrenia. We begin with an overview of antipsychotic drug development, focusing on the in vitro and in vivo binding profiles of clozapine and a new generation of D2:5HT antagonists. ⋯ Within this framework, we review the mechanisms of action and clinical uses of the 'atypical' antipsychotic drugs. We also show how a variety of psychosocial interventions, particularly those that incorporate cognitive techniques, can be used in combination with pharmacotherapy to overcome the same clinical hurdles.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Comparative efficacy and tolerability of two diclofenac formulations in the treatment of painful osteoarthritis.
The efficacy and tolerability of a new resinate formulation of diclofenac 75mg taken once or twice daily were compared with that of conventional enteric-coated diclofenac sodium 50mg tablets given two or three times daily in a double-blind, randomised, between-patient, 12-week trial in 216 adult patients suffering from painful osteoarthritis of the hip and/or knee. Similar and clinically significant reductions in the mean intensity scores of pain at rest or on activity were observed after treatment with either formulation. ⋯ A significant analgesic effect was obtained within two weeks of treatment with 150mg diclofenac daily; this improvement was maintained on reduction of the dosage to 75-100mg over the next ten weeks. One or more drug-related adverse events, predominantly gastrointestinal adverse events, were reported by 40% and 38% of patients in the diclofenac resinate and diclofenac sodium groups, respectively.
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Chronic non-malignant pain is often treated inadequately because of opiophobia. There is no scientific justification for this fear. ⋯ There is no scientific evidence that patients with chronic non-malignant pain are more prone to addiction or tolerance. It is also pertinent to consider that the endpoint of chronic pain treatment is not just freedom from pain but global wellbeing.
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Case Reports
Acute psychosis associated with abrupt withdrawal of carbamazepine following intoxication.
Carbamazepine is regularly used in the treatment of trigeminal neuralgia. Although exacerbation of psychosis has been described following abrupt discontinuation of carbamazepine in chronic schizophrenics, a withdrawal syndrome has not been reported previously in patients treated for trigeminal neuralgia. The case presented here suggests that abrupt withdrawal of toxic concentrations of carbamazepine may precipitate a withdrawal reaction, which is manifest some days after discontinuation of the drug. Therefore it may be advisable to withdraw therapy slowly in these situations.