Current medical research and opinion
-
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Comparative Study
Comparative study of dulaglutide single-use pen Ateos versus insulin degludec FlexTouch on learning and mock administration time in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus - a post-hoc analysis.
Aims: Clinical data have shown that patients with diabetes require shorter training time to use Ateos versus FlexTouch. Using data acquired from a previous study, self-administration procedures that necessitated more time and repetition during mock injection were evaluated. Methods: In this open-label task- and interview-based crossover study, 48 self-injection naïve participants with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) were randomized to 1 of 2 sequences to perform a mock injection of Ateos and FlexTouch into a rubber pad after receiving training. ⋯ There was 1 repeat per person for Ateos injections versus multiple repeats for FlexTouch injections. Conclusions:Post-hoc analysis demonstrates the time needed for overall administration was shorter for Ateos than FlexTouch, and time for each procedure was shorter or similar for Ateos versus FlexTouch. Ateos was easy for participants with T2DM to learn with fewer repeated steps due to procedural errors, and easy for healthcare professionals to introduce to their patients.
-
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study
IncobotulinumtoxinA for upper- and lower-limb spasticity in Japanese patients.
Introduction: The safety and tolerability of incobotulinumtoxinA 400 U for upper- and lower-limb post-stroke spasticity was assessed in a small cohort of Japanese patients during the open-label lead-in tolerability periods (LITP) of two phase 3 studies (CTI-153029 and CTI-153030; Japan Pharmaceutical Information Centre). Methods: Adult patients received a single incobotulinumtoxinA injection session (total dose of 400 U) in the upper (J-PURE) or lower limb (J-PLUS). Adverse events (AEs) were assessed at 1, 4, 8 and 12 weeks post-injection during the 12 week follow-up. ⋯ Non-serious, transient AEs of special interest reported by two patients in J-PURE comprised muscular weakness and eyelid ptosis. No patient discontinued due to AEs. Conclusion: Preliminary results in this small population suggest that incobotulinumtoxinA 400 U is well tolerated for treating upper- or lower-limb post-stroke spasticity in Japanese patients.
-
Objective: Varenicline, a selective partial agonist of the α4β2 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor, is a smoking cessation pharmacotherapy that more than doubles the chance of quitting smoking at 6 months compared with placebo. This article reviews salient knowledge of the discovery, pharmacological characteristics, and the efficacy and safety of varenicline in general and in specific populations of smokers and provides recommendations to support use in clinical practice. Methods: Literature searches for varenicline were conducted using PubMed, with date limitations of 2000-2018 inclusive, using search terms covering the discovery, mechanism of action, pharmacokinetics, efficacy and safety in different populations of smokers, alternative quit approaches and combination therapy. ⋯ Initial concerns regarding the association of varenicline with increased risk of neuropsychiatric and cardiovascular adverse events have been disproven after extensive clinical evaluations, and the benefit-risk profile of varenicline is considered favorable. Conclusions: Varenicline is efficacious and safe for all adult smokers with a range of clinical characteristics. Evidence suggests that approaches offering greater flexibility in timing and duration of treatment may further extend treatment efficacy and clinical reach.
-
Meta Analysis
The impact of clinical heterogeneity on conducting network meta-analyses in transthyretin amyloidosis with polyneuropathy.
Objective: The comparative safety and efficacy of tafamidis, patisiran and inotersen treatments for transthyretin amyloidosis with polyneuropathy (ATTR-PN) has not been evaluated in clinical trials. In the absence of head-to-head evidence, indirect treatment comparisons such as network meta-analyses (NMAs) can be performed to evaluate relative effects of treatments. This study aims to assess the feasibility of conducting an NMA of available therapies for ATTR-PN patients. ⋯ Neuropathy outcomes were not evaluated consistently between trials. Conclusions: An NMA of ATTR-PN treatments was not feasible, given the observed cross-trial heterogeneity. This decision highlights the importance of careful consideration for clinical heterogeneity that may threaten the validity of indirect comparisons.
-
Objective: Endometriosis affects up to 10% of women of reproductive age, and the main goal of treatment is to relieve symptoms. Progestins have been the mainstay of endometriosis suppression, of which dienogest has become an important option in many parts of the world. This is an expert literature review, with recommendations on the use of dienogest in the context of various clinical considerations when treating endometriosis. ⋯ Counseling women on potential bleeding risks before starting treatment may be helpful, and evidence suggests that few women discontinue treatment for this reason, with the benefits of treatment outweighing any impact of bleeding irregularities. Conclusions: Overall, the evidence demonstrates that dienogest offers an effective and tolerable alternative or adjunct to surgery and provides many advantages over combined hormonal contraceptives for the treatment of endometriosis. It is important that treatment guidelines are followed and care is tailored to the woman's individual needs and desires.