Current medical research and opinion
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Multicenter Study
Long-term treatment with plecanatide was safe and tolerable in patients with irritable bowel syndrome with constipation.
Objective: This open-label, multi-center, fixed-dose study (NCT02706483) evaluated the long-term safety and tolerability of plecanatide for the treatment of adults with irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C). Methods: Safety and tolerability of once-daily plecanatide 6 mg for up to 53 weeks was assessed in patients with IBS-C who either had been enrolled in one of the phase 3 studies or were study-naïve but met eligibility criteria of the double-blind studies. Safety was assessed by treatment-emergent adverse events (AEs). ⋯ Conclusions: Plecanatide 6 mg was safe and well tolerated in patients with IBS-C treated for up to 53 weeks, with an overall safety profile similar to the 12-week IBS-C studies. Patients reported high rates of relief and satisfaction with treatment, and interest in continuing therapy. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02706483.
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Multicenter Study Observational Study
Real-world effectiveness and safety of aripiprazole augmentation therapy in patients with major depressive disorder.
Augmentation therapy is an option for patients with major depressive disorder who do respond sufficiently to adequate dosages of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors or serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, but little is known about application of this strategy in everyday practice. ⋯ Aripiprazole augmentation therapy appears to be effective and safe in Japanese patients with depression/depressive symptoms treated in everyday clinical practice, taking into account factors associated with achieving remission.
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Multicenter Study Observational Study
Patient-reported treatment satisfaction with rivaroxaban in Japanese non-valvular atrial fibrillation patients: an observational study.
Rivaroxaban has previously been shown to be as efficacious and safe as warfarin for the prevention of stroke in non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF). Therefore, treatment satisfaction becomes an important consideration. Here we examine treatment satisfaction in Japanese NVAF patients who were switched from warfarin to rivaroxaban. ⋯ Findings suggest treatment satisfaction may improve in Japanese NVAF patients after a switch from warfarin to rivaroxaban. Higher treatment satisfaction may translate into improved treatment adherence, which is critical for the long-term prevention of stroke.
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Multicenter Study Observational Study
First-line disease-modifying drugs in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis: an Italian real-life multicenter study on persistence.
The introduction of oral disease-modifying drugs (DMDs) in addition to the available, injectable, ones for relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) could be expected to improve medication persistence due to a greater acceptability of the route of administration. The aim of the study was to compare the proportion of patients discontinuing injectable DMDs (interferon beta 1a/1b, pegylated interferon, glatiramer acetate) with those discontinuing oral DMDs (dimethylfumarate and teriflunomide) during an observation period of at least 12 months. Secondary aims were to compare the time to discontinuation and the reasons for discontinuation between the two groups and to explore the demographic and clinical factors associated with DMD discontinuation. ⋯ The route of administration alone (i.e. oral versus injectable) was not a significant predictor of persistence with first-line DMDs in RRMS.
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Multicenter Study Observational Study
The prevalence of constipation at admission and after 1 week of palliative care: a multi-center study.
To assess the prevalence and intensity of constipation in advanced-cancer patients referred to palliative care, and to assess changes after 1 week of specialist palliative care. ⋯ Constipation is present in approximately two-thirds of patients, and is principally associated with dehydration and the use of benzodiazepines. Patients with normal bowel function at initial assessment may see a worsening in their condition a week later due to lack of prevention or subsequent under-treatment.