Current medical research and opinion
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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
A 12-week, randomized, placebo-controlled trial assessing the safety and efficacy of oxymorphone extended release for opioid-naive patients with chronic low back pain.
Determine the efficacy and tolerability of oxymorphone extended release (OPANA ER) in opioid-naive patients with moderate to severe chronic low back pain (CLBP). ⋯ Stabilized doses of oxymorphone ER were generally safe and effective over a 12-week double-blind treatment period in opioid-naive patients with CLBP.
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For patients with critical conditions including severe sepsis, minimizing the time from presentation to treatment is important to improving outcomes. Understanding the factors influencing high hospital mortality and resource utilization in severe sepsis continues to interest clinicians and researchers. This study examined the associations between timing of drotrecogin alfa (activated) (DrotAA) initiation and hospital mortality, length-of-stay, and costs. ⋯ Timing of DrotAA initiation is associated with clinical and economic outcomes in severe sepsis. The potential impact of this timing on hospital mortality, length-of-stay, and costs deserves further study.
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Abdominal obesity, measured by waist circumference (WC), is a more accurate predictor of cardiometabolic risk than general obesity measured by body mass index (BMI). The 'Shape of the Nations' survey was performed to assess knowledge and understanding of the increased risk associated with abdominal obesity. ⋯ The Shape of the Nations survey findings demonstrate the need for education and action to improve preventive health efforts worldwide by educating PCPs, the general population and patients at risk about the dangers of abdominal obesity and of WC as an easy, reliable way to assess cardiometabolic risk.
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This study examined patterns and determinants of antipsychotic prescribing in children and adolescents receiving outpatient care in the United States. ⋯ Although the findings were based on cross-sectional analyses of outpatient visit data, the study revealed that atypical antipsychotic medications are being commonly and extensively prescribed to children and adolescents despite the relatively limited scientific evidence to support their pediatric use. Well-designed studies are urgently needed in children and adolescents to address atypical antipsychotic use for a variety of psychiatric disorders.