Current medical research and opinion
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To investigate the efficacy of direct computed tomography venography (CTV) in early and accurate detection of lower extremity venous (LEV) abnormalities. ⋯ Application of CTV for early and accurate detection of LEDV abnormalities including thrombosis has been proven to be efficient. Corresponding benefit in early intervention and reduction of severe complications of such abnormalities is of important value. CTV earned good recognition from medical staff and patients. Hence, it could be considered as part of global health assistance cooperation with developing countries to facilitate enhanced medical services.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Limitations of randomized, controlled, double-blinded studies in determining safety and effectiveness of treatments.
Randomized, controlled, double-blinded studies, in which treated subjects are randomly selected from the same pool as controlled (untreated) ones and neither the caregiver nor the patient knows which is which, are widely accepted as the gold standard of experimental medicine. There are well-documented advantages of such studies. ⋯ Some limitations of them are widely known and taught, such as inadequate sample size, failure of proper randomization, et cetera; others are less well-known. We shall focus on the latter.
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The 0-10 Numerical Rating Scale (NRS-11) is widely used with Arabic-speaking pediatric populations. However, there is no data about its validity or reliability. Thus, the aims of this research were to translate the NRS-11 into Arabic and study its dimensionality and construct (convergent and discriminant) validity, and reliability. ⋯ The data provide preliminary evidence of the unidimensionality, validity and reliability of the NRS-11-Arabic scores, thus supporting its use in clinical and research activities involving Arabic-speaking pediatric samples.
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Observational Study
Worsening of kidney function in patients with atrial fibrillation and chronic kidney disease: evidence from the real-world CALLIPER study.
Evidence is needed on the impact of anticoagulation therapy on kidney function in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). The objective of this analysis, which is part of the CALLIPER study, was to investigate the risk of worsening kidney function with rivaroxaban 15 mg once daily compared with warfarin in patients with AF and moderate-to-severe chronic kidney disease (CKD) in routine clinical practice in the United States. ⋯ Rivaroxaban 15 mg may be associated with a lower risk of worsening kidney function as compared with warfarin in the atrial fibrillation population with moderate-to-severe CKD.
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To know the dimensionality and internal consistency of the Tuberculosis-Related Stigma Scale in patients living with tuberculosis in Santa Marta, Colombia. ⋯ The Tuberculosis-Related Stigma Scale has an excellent internal consistency but poor goodness-of-fit indicators of unidimensionality. Evaluating the scale's psychometric performance is recommenced in future research.