Current medical research and opinion
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Serum uric acid (sUA) levels are causally associated with the risk of gout flares. Our aim was to assess the magnitude of the association and time to first flare among patients in a managed care setting. ⋯ These findings confirm that higher sUA levels are associated with an increased risk of gout flares in a dose-response manner over 2 years. This data supports the need to treat to sUA target levels as recommended by recent gout care guidelines. Claims-based algorithms were used to identify gout flares; although this would not be expected to influence estimates of risk by sUA level, there may have been over- or under-estimation of the incidence of flares.
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To examine characteristics and outcomes of type 2 diabetes (T2DM) patients prescribed canagliflozin (CANA) and managed in the real-world setting of a diabetes clinic. Primary outcome was change in A1c, and secondary outcomes were change in weight and blood pressure. ⋯ ANA was associated with a statistically and clinically significant reduction in A1c, weight, and blood pressure when added to multiple diabetes medication regimens by prescribers in a diabetes clinic.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
Comparative efficacy of bilastine, desloratadine and rupatadine in the suppression of wheal and flare response induced by intradermal histamine in healthy volunteers.
To compare the peripheral antihistaminic activity of bilastine, rupatadine and desloratadine in inhibiting the histamine-induced wheal and flare (W&F) response. ⋯ Bilastine 20 mg induced significantly greater inhibition of the W&F response compared with desloratadine 5 mg and rupatadine 10 mg throughout the 24 hour study period, and had the fastest onset of action. Only bilastine significantly reduced itching sensation versus placebo.
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To assess the effect of vildagliptin relative to sulfonylurea (SU) on hypoglycemic events, in Muslim patients from the Middle East with type 2 diabetes who fast during Ramadan. The primary endpoint was the proportion of patients with at least one hypoglycemic event (HE) during the fasting period. Secondary endpoints included change in weight, HbA1c levels, treatment adherence and overall safety. ⋯ Anti-hyperglycemic treatment with vildagliptin led to significantly fewer hypoglycemia events compared to sulfonylurea treatment among Muslim diabetic patients who fast during Ramadan. Good glycemic control, weight control and safety results supported this outcome.
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Hepatitis C is the result of a ribonucleic acid (RNA) virus (hepatitis C virus; HCV). The Japan Society of Hepatology (JSH) estimated that 1.5-2 million people in Japan carry HCV. Six major HCV genotypes (GT) and a large number of subtypes have been described in the literature. In Japan, around 70% to 80% of people are infected with HCV genotype 1b. The progress of the disease primarily affects the liver and may lead to liver cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and death. Sofosbuvir (SOF) is a nucleotide analogue NS5B inhibitor and ledipasvir (LDV) is an inhibitor of the HCV NS5A protein. They are combined in a single tablet regimen for the treatment of GT1 patients and resulted in sustained virological response (SVR) above 94% in large phase III trials. This analysis assesses the cost-utility of LDV/SOF in GT1 patients in Japan. ⋯ LDV/SOF was cost-effective compared to most of the currently recommended treatments. Furthermore, LDV/SOF extends treatments to HCV-infected patients who are ineligible for interferon and RBV-based regimens. LDV/SOF thus has the potential to help reduce the burden of HCV in Japan.