Current medical research and opinion
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Meta Analysis
Meta-analysis of cannabis based treatments for neuropathic and multiple sclerosis-related pain.
Debilitating pain, occurring in 50-70% of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients, is poorly understood and infrequently studied. We summarized efficacy and safety data of cannabinoid-based drugs for neuropathic pain. ⋯ This review was based on a small number of trials and patients. Pain related to MS was assumed to be similar to neuropathic pain.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Cost-effectiveness of linezolid and vancomycin in the treatment of surgical site infections.
This decision-analytic study was intended to determine the expected cost-effectiveness of linezolid compared to vancomycin for treating surgical site infections (SSIs) caused by methicillin-resistant Staphyloccocus aureus (MRSA) from the perspective of a tertiary-care academic medical center. ⋯ Using decision-analytic modeling, treatment with oral linezolid during hospitalization and after discharge is expected to be the most cost-effective approach for treating SSIs caused by MRSA.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Comparative Study
The efficacy of rofecoxib 50 mg and hydrocodone/acetaminophen 7.5/750 mg in patients with post-arthroscopic pain.
To compare the efficacy and tolerability of rofecoxib, hydrocodone/acetaminophen 7.5 mg/750 mg (H/A) and placebo in treating pain after arthroscopy of the knee. ⋯ Rofecoxib 50 mg did not provide significantly different pain relief than placebo at 6 h, and the primary endpoint TOPAR was not attained, although it did show several efficacy benefits at 24 h, including a significant opioid-sparing effect. All treatments were well tolerated, with no significant differences observed. The limited efficacy of rofecoxib in this study contrasts to the results of previous surgical studies evaluating rofecoxib, and may be partially explained by the postoperative dosing in this arthroscopic surgical model.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study
Randomized study of tramadol/acetaminophen versus placebo in painful diabetic peripheral neuropathy.
To examine the efficacy and safety of tramadol/acetaminophen (APAP) for the management of painful diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN). ⋯ Tramadol/APAP was more effective than placebo and was well tolerated in the management of painful DPN.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study
Fentanyl buccal tablet (FBT) for relief of breakthrough pain in opioid-treated patients with chronic low back pain: a randomized, placebo-controlled study.
Short-acting opioids are commonly used to treat breakthrough pain (BTP) and rapid-onset formulations are being developed to improve the effectiveness of this approach. Fentanyl buccal tablet (FBT) is a new formulation of fentanyl that enhances transbuccal drug delivery via an effervescent reaction and may provide relatively rapid-onset analgesia. FBT was evaluated for BTP in opioid-treated patients with chronic low back pain--the first such study in a population with chronic non-cancer pain. ⋯ FBT was efficacious and well tolerated in the treatment of BTP in opioid-treated patients with chronic low back pain.