Praxis
-
Multicenter Study Comparative Study Clinical Trial
[Zolmitriptan as fast-melt tablet in the acute treatment of patients with migraine attacks: the ZORO study].
In an open, prospective study in 27 Swiss neurological practices and polyclinics, the fastmelt formulation of zolmitriptan was tested in 113 migraine patients as a therapeutic agent for migraine attacks (ZORO [= Zomig oro] Studie). A total of 311 attacks with and without aura were analyzed. With the help of a structured diary, the patients documented each attack in detail by recording the time of onset of the migraine, the intensity, when the medication was taken, the duration of the migraine, concomitant symptoms, concurrent medication and adverse effects. ⋯ Further research will be necessary to clarify this situation. With regard to efficacy in headaches, concomitant autonomic symptoms, rapid onset of effect, and acceptance, this fastmelt triptan formulation represents real competition with the other triptans in the usual tablet formulation. It is especially suitable for active migraine patients who would like to have an effective therapeutic agent available for rapid use in all life situations.
-
Three patients are presented, who developed a severe skin reaction after brain-irradiation and concomitant phenytoin treatment. A fourth patient from the databAse of the Swiss Drug Monitoring Center, showed a Stevens-Johnson-Syndrome after a severe electric shock and phenytoin treatment. Possible pathogenic mechanisms of these life-threatening complications and possible alternatives to the phenytoin treatment in irradiated patients are discussed.
-
Roughly half to two third of all published biomedical studies that use statistical methods contain unacceptable errors. The present article points at common errors that may be avoided without requiring profound statistical knowledge. ⋯ An analysis of 150 papers in the New England Journal of Medicine and in Circulation demonstrates that these errors can also commonly be found in respected journals after statistical peer review. Editors of biomedical journals could reduce the problem by means of statistical guidelines.