Current medical research and opinion
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To conduct a systematic review and network meta-analysis of real-world evidence comparing adherence, persistence, cost, and utilization between oral anticoagulant (OAC) in non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) patients. ⋯ The current findings, despite multiple limitations, can raise awareness and understanding of real-world persistence associated with OAC therapy in NVAF patients.
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Paracetamol has an established place in the management of mild-to-moderate pain, but has certain limitations, including varying bioavailability, and potential hepatotoxicity if taken in overdose. Effervescent formulations may help to overcome these limitations. ⋯ Effervescent formulations of paracetamol result in faster drug absorption, and hence more rapid analgesia, than oral tablets, and offer a favorable tolerability and safety profile. The use of such formulations may therefore help to promote appropriate use of paracetamol.
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During the COVID-19 pandemic, Americans have increasingly relied on internet versus television news. The extent to which this change in health news consumption practice impacts health knowledge is not known. This study investigates the relationship between most trusted information source and COVID-19 knowledge. ⋯ COVID-19 knowledge correlates with trusted news source. To increase public knowledge of COVID-19 in order to maximize information dissemination and compliance with COVID-19-related public health recommendations, those who provide health information should consider use of the public's most trusted sources of information, as well as monitoring and correcting misinformation presented by other sources. Independent content review for accuracy in media may be warranted in public health emergencies to improve knowledge.
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Burosumab is an orphan medicinal product (OMP) approved in Europe for the treatment of X-linked hypophosphatemia (XLH). The aim of this study was to assess the value of burosumab versus conventional therapy for the treatment of paediatric XLH, through a multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) framework for health technology assessment (HTA) of OMPs in Portugal. ⋯ MCDA represents a powerful tool in HTA decision-making for OMPs. The results of this MCDA acknowledge burosumab as a disease-modifying drug, deemed superior to conventional therapy for the treatment of paediatric XLH.
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In March 2020, COVID-19 infection caused by SARS-CoV-2 has been declared to be a global pandemic, where its complications, severity and mortality are reported to be due to the released inflammatory cytokines or the so-called cytokine storm. This is quite similar to that observed in the autoimmune and chronic inflammatory rheumatic disease, rheumatoid arthritis (RA). ⋯ Also, many researchers are currently working to explore therapeutic agents that could aid in the eradication of COVID-19 infection. Due to the similarity between the inflammation status in COVID-19 and RA, many anti-rheumatic drugs such as hydroxychloroquine, tocilizumab, baricitinib and anakinra were proposed to be therapeutic modalities for COVID-19 infection.