Articles: treatment.
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Implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) are the standard treatment for patients with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF ≤35%) to reduce the risk of sudden cardiac death. Loop diuretics can cause electrolyte imbalances, leading to an increased incidence of ICD shocks. Sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2is) have shown cardiovascular benefits in patients with heart failure (HF), but their effects on ventricular arrhythmias and ICD shocks, particularly in patients receiving different doses of loop diuretics, are not fully understood. This study evaluated the effects of furosemide dose and SGLT2i use on ICD shocks in HF patients with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (HFrEF). ⋯ SGLT2i was associated with reduced ventricular arrhythmias and ICD shocks in HF patients, even when high doses of furosemide were used. The absence of SGLT2i in HF treatment was an independent predictor of ICD shocks.
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In this randomized, double-blind, parallel placebo-controlled clinical trial, we evaluated the efficacy of methadone as an add-on therapy for people with chronic neuropathic pain (NP). Eighty-six patients were randomly assigned to receive methadone or placebo for 8 weeks. The primary outcome was the proportion of participants achieving at least 30% pain relief from baseline using a 100-mm pain Visual Analogue Scale. ⋯ No serious adverse events or deaths occurred. Discontinuation due to adverse events was reported in 2 participants in the methadone and none in the placebo arm. Methadone use as an add-on to an optimized treatment for NP with first- and/or second-line drugs provided superior analgesia, improved sleep, and enhanced global impression of change, without being associated with significant serious adverse effects that would raise safety concerns.
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Singapore medical journal · Oct 2024
Association of psychological distress with health-related quality of life in Asian adolescents seeking obesity treatment.
There is limited research on the psychosocial health of Asian adolescents undergoing obesity treatment. Our study examined the predictors of psychological distress, disordered eating and poor health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in these adolescents and the associations between them. ⋯ Understanding the determinants of psychological distress, disordered eating and HRQoL will facilitate targeted screening and management of the psychosocial complications of adolescent obesity.
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The aim of this study was to explore the impacts of subthalamic nucleus deep brain stimulation (STN-DBS) on both motor and nonmotor symptoms in individuals with Meige syndrome, as well as further investigates prognostic factors for long-term postoperative outcomes. ⋯ Bilateral STN-DBS is an effective, safe, and promising treatment option for Meige syndrome, which can improve motor function and quality of life without cognitive and mood side effects. Early diagnosis, prompt intervention, and accurate lead placement in the dorsolateral STN are crucial to optimize long-term therapeutic outcomes.
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The 2024 Australian evidence-based guideline for unexplained infertility provides clinicians with evidence-based recommendations for the optimal diagnostic workup for infertile couples to establish the diagnosis of unexplained infertility and optimal therapeutic approach to treat couples diagnosed with unexplained infertility in the Australian health care setting. The guideline recommendations were adapted for the Australian context from the rigorous, comprehensive European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE) 2023 Evidence-based guideline: unexplained infertility, using the ADAPTE process and have been approved by the Australian National Health and Medical Research Council. ⋯ The guideline includes 40 evidence-based recommendations, 21 practice points and three research recommendations addressing: definition - defining infertility and frequency of intercourse, infertility and age, female and male factor infertility; diagnosis - ovulation, ovarian reserve, tubal factor, uterine factor, laparoscopy, cervical/vaginal factor, male factor, additional testing for systemic conditions; and treatment - expectant management, active treatment, mechanical-surgical procedures, alternative therapeutic approaches, quality of life. CHANGES IN ASSESSMENT AND MANAGEMENT RESULTING FROM THE GUIDELINE: This guideline refines the definition of unexplained infertility and addresses basic diagnostic procedures for infertility assessment not considered in previous guidelines on unexplained infertility. For therapeutic approaches, consideration of evidence quality, efficacy, safety and, in the Australian setting, feasibility, acceptability, cost, implementation and ultimately recommendation strength were integrated across multidisciplinary expertise and consumer perspectives in adapting recommendations to the Australian context by using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) framework, which had not been used in past guidelines on unexplained infertility to formulate recommendations. The Australian process also included an established data integrity check to ensure evidence could be trusted to guide practice. Practice points were added and expanded to consider the Australian setting. No evidence-based recommendations were underpinned by high quality evidence, with most having low or very low quality evidence. In this context, research recommendations were made including those for the Australian context. The full guideline and technical report are publicly available online and can be accessed at https://www.monash.edu/medicine/mchri/infertility and are supported by extensive translation resources, including the free patient ASKFertility mobile application (https://www.askfertility.org/).