Current medical research and opinion
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Transdermal buprenorphine for postoperative pain control in gynecological surgery: a prospective randomized study.
Although numerous methods are available for postoperative pain (POP) management, new approaches are constantly being investigated. This feasibility study assessed the buprenorphine transdermal therapeutic system (Bup-TTS) for the treatment of POP after gynecological open surgery. ⋯ Bup-TTS efficacy was directly proportional to its dosage, although additional analgesia was required, particularly in the first postoperative hour. Moreover, the consumption of morphine and ketorolac was inversely correlated to the Bup-TTS dosage. Increasing Bup-TTS doses were not associated with an increased incidence of side effects. Bup-TTS appears a safe and feasible approach for moderate POP management; further larger studies are warranted.
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Multicenter Study Clinical Trial
Low-dose 7-day transdermal buprenorphine in daily clinical practice - perceptions of elderly patients with moderate non-malignant chronic pain.
To assess patients' perceptions regarding the low-dose 7-day buprenorphine transdermal patch for treatment of moderate non-malignant chronic pain. ⋯ Our results indicate that the 7-day buprenorphine patch might be considered an effective treatment option for moderate non-malignant chronic pain management in daily clinical practice. The mostly elderly patient population of this patient survey experienced sustained pain relief and improvements in pain-related impairments of daily activities and quality of life, leading to a substantial reduction in overall burden of pain.
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Describe characteristics of diabetic patients who initiated basal insulin and assess their glycemic control. ⋯ A high proportion of T2DM patients did not have adequate glycemic control after initiating basal insulin. Various factors existing prior to insulin initiation were related to successful treatment of T2DM. Further research on how to improve glycemic control is encouraged.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Comparative Study
Efficacy and safety of flupirtine modified release for the management of moderate to severe chronic low back pain: results of SUPREME, a prospective randomized, double-blind, placebo- and active-controlled parallel-group phase IV study.
To demonstrate non-inferior/superior efficacy of flupirtine modified release (MR) compared with tramadol/placebo for the management of moderate to severe chronic low back pain (LBP). ⋯ The analgesic efficacy of flupirtine MR 400 mg OD was comparable to that of tramadol ER 200 mg OD and superior to that of placebo.
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Lack of response in some patients and relapse during the course of therapy in the treatment of HER2-positive early breast cancer and metastatic breast cancer continue to challenge researchers and clinicians towards a better understanding of the fundamental mechanisms of trastuzumab action and new therapies for HER2. The aim of this review is to discuss current and future treatment options with pertuzumab in the light of new insights into HER2-positive breast cancer. ⋯ Pertuzumab is the first HER dimerization inhibitor with a mechanism of action complementary to trastuzumab. Studies with anti-HER2 combination treatments indicate that the use of more than one HER2-targeted therapy was superior to one of these agents alone. Pertuzumab has produced impressive anti-tumor activity in combination with trastuzumab. There are ongoing studies with pertuzumab with an increasing tendency towards moving the study of these agents to earlier stages of the disease, namely in the adjuvant and neoadjuvant setting.