Current medical research and opinion
-
Multicenter Study
Efficacy and tolerability of a 5% lidocaine medicated plaster for the topical treatment of post-herpetic neuralgia: results of a long-term study.
Evaluation of long-term efficacy and safety of the 5% lidocaine medicated plaster for neuropathic pain symptoms in patients with post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN). ⋯ This study suggests that long-term treatment with the 5% lidocaine medicated plaster may provide substantial and maintained reductions in pain intensity, and that it is continuously well tolerated in patients suffering from peripheral neuropathic pain associated with previous herpes zoster infection. These findings support the use of the 5% lidocaine medicated plaster as one of the first-line therapies in this population.
-
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study
Cyclobenzaprine ER for muscle spasm associated with low back and neck pain: two randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled studies of identical design.
To evaluate efficacy and tolerability of once-daily cyclobenzaprine extended release (CER) 15- and 30-mg capsules in patients with muscle spasm associated with acute, painful musculoskeletal conditions. ⋯ Once-daily CER 15 mg (study 2) and CER 30 mg (study 1) were effective in treating muscle spasm associated with painful musculoskeletal conditions after 4 days of treatment. Differences between CER and placebo groups did not reach statistical significance on all efficacy measures, and the protocols were not powered to detect differences between active treatment arms. CER was generally safe and well tolerated, with low rates of somnolence.
-
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study
Tolerability of tapentadol immediate release in patients with lower back pain or osteoarthritis of the hip or knee over 90 days: a randomized, double-blind study.
Tapentadol is a novel, centrally acting analgesic with two mechanisms of action, mu-opioid receptor agonism and norepinephrine reuptake inhibition, in a single molecule. This phase III, randomized, double-blind, active-controlled study evaluated the tolerability of tapentadol immediate release (IR) and oxycodone IR for low back pain or osteoarthritis pain (hip or knee), using flexible dosing over 90 days. ⋯ During this 90-day study, tapentadol IR was associated with improved gastrointestinal tolerability compared with oxycodone IR while providing similar pain relief. Trial registration information: NCT00364546.
-
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study
Efficacy and safety of therapy with metformin plus pioglitazone in the treatment of patients with type 2 diabetes: a double-blind, placebo-controlled, clinical trial.
To assess the efficacy and safety of combination therapy with pioglitazone and metformin in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes. ⋯ UMIN 000001110.
-
Multicenter Study
Physicians' attitudes and adherence to use of risk scores for primary prevention of cardiovascular disease: cross-sectional survey in three world regions.
To evaluate physicians' attitudes and adherence to the use of risk scores in the primary prevention of cardiovascular disease (CVD). ⋯ Based on a survey conducted in a 'real-world' setting, risk scores are generally not used by a majority of physicians to guide primary prevention in asymptomatic persons at intermediate risk for CVD. Appropriate prescribing of lipid-lowering therapy in such patients is equally neglected. Changing physicians' attitudes towards the use of CVD risk scores is one of several challenges that need to be addressed to reduce the world-wide burden of CVD.