Current medical research and opinion
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To compare the cost effectiveness of the two-compound formulation (TCF) calcipotriol plus betamethasone dipropionate gel used first-, second- or third-line to standard topical treatments for moderately severe scalp psoriasis from a Scottish NHS perspective. ⋯ Scalp psoriasis is difficult to treat. Many different topical preparations can be used but several factors such as greasiness, irritation, time needed to apply, and lack of efficacy often result in reduced adherence to treatment regimens. Where cosmetic properties are important for patient acceptability and compliance is a major issue contributing to treatment failure, the once-daily TCF gel offers patients with scalp psoriasis an attractive, cost-saving treatment option.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Menorrhagia Impact Questionnaire: assessing the influence of heavy menstrual bleeding on quality of life.
Menorrhagia, or heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB), has a negative impact on women's quality of life (QOL). The objective was to develop, validate, and assess the performance of a disease-specific patient-reported outcome (PRO) measurement instrument for HMB (the Menorrhagia Impact Questionnaire [MIQ]). ⋯ NCT00113568 and NCT00386308 (ClinicalTrials.gov ID).
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Comparative Study
Retrospective real-world comparison of medical visits, costs, and adherence between nilotinib and dasatinib in chronic myeloid leukemia.
To compare healthcare resource utilization, costs, and treatment adherence associated with dasatinib versus nilotinib treatment as second-line therapies in chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) patients. ⋯ Among CML patients treated with second-line TKIs, nilotinib patients were more adherent and experienced lower healthcare resource utilization, resulting in medical service cost savings compared to dasatinib patients.
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To examine the predictors of duloxetine monotherapy versus other antidepressants among patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA). ⋯ Among the VHA patients with MDD, prior opioid use was the strongest predictor of duloxetine initiation, followed by moderate-to-severe pain and substance abuse diagnosis.
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The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect and tolerability of low doses of transdermal (TD) fentanyl patches in opioid-naive patients with cancer pain. ⋯ Low doses of TD fentanyl were well tolerated and effective. Observations from this study suggest that randomized, controlled, double-blind studies of TD fentanyl 12 µg/h in opioid-naive patients with cancer pain may be warranted.