Current medical research and opinion
-
To analyze the temporal trends of atrial fibrillation (AF)-related ischemic stroke (IS) and their relationship with the prescription patterns of antithrombotic treatment from 2013 to 2019 in the Health Assistance Area of a regional hospital. ⋯ The prescription of oral anticoagulants, particularly direct oral anticoagulants, has increased from 2013 to 2019 in our Health Assistance Area. This increase might partially explain the reduction in AF-related IS.
-
Seven prospective real-world studies conducted in general practices in Belgium of antihypertensive treatment with valsartan-centric regimens were pooled to examine similarities and differences in determinants of blood pressure (BP) values (mmHg) and BP control rates between female and male patients. ⋯ Valsartan-centric treatment regimens are associated with significant reductions in BP level and improvement in BP control in both women and men. The determinants revealed in modeling provide guidance to clinicians in the common and differential management of hypertension in female and male patients.
-
Content validation is essential in the development of patient-reported instruments to ensure relevancy and understandability. The aim was to evaluate patient understanding of the Prescription Opioid Misuse and Abuse Questionnaire (POMAQ) using cognitive interviewing among adults with chronic moderate to severe pain. ⋯ The POMAQ demonstrated content validity among patients with moderate to severe chronic pain and is undergoing psychometric evaluation among a larger cohort of patients.
-
Observational Study
Treatment sequencing for the care of patients with advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer in the United States.
Therapeutic advances for the treatment of patients with advanced/metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) have led to additional options for care. This observational study was designed to describe emerging treatment patterns and survival outcomes. ⋯ There is heterogeneity in sequencing strategies that limit the ability to conduct robust comparative effectiveness research of treatment sequences. Since few patients follow a similar treatment trajectory, comparative effectiveness research will be challenged to identify treatment sequences with sufficient sample size.
-
Adenylosuccinic acid (ASA) modifies Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) progression in dystrophic mdx mice and human DMD patients. Despite an established role for ASA in augmenting metabolism and cellular energy homeostasis, our previous data suggests an undiscovered ulterior mode of action capable of modifying DMD disease course. Here, we identify ASA as a novel inducer of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor-2 (Nrf2), master regulator of the antioxidant and cytoprotective response to cell stress.