Current medical research and opinion
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To investigate the relationship between time spent in the recommended target International Normalised Ratio (INR) range and the setting and intensity of anti coagulant monitoring, in both treatment-experienced and treatment-naive atrial fibrillation (AF) patients receiving oral anticoagulation (OAC) therapy for the prevention of ischaemic stroke. ⋯ INR control is variable and dependent on monitoring intensity and duration of anticoagulant therapy.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Functionality and health-status benefits associated with reduction of osteoarthritis pain.
To evaluate the association between pain intensity improvement and improvements in functionality and health status in patients with chronic osteoarthritis pain of the hip or knee. ⋯ Pain intensity improvement is associated with corresponding improvements in function and health status. While large improvements in pain intensity are associated with large improvements in health status and functionality, modest pain reductions are also associated with improvement of certain health status parameters.
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This prospective, observational, open study aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of hylan G-F 20 in a large cohort of patients with symptomatic hip osteoarthritis (OA), and identify predictors of clinical response. ⋯ This study supports the safety, tolerability and effectiveness of hylan G-F 20 in the treatment of symptomatic hip OA. Hylan G-F 20 may also offer economic benefits due to a reduction in NSAID usage and the resultant reduction in management costs of NSAID related side-effects. These data reflect those obtained in previous studies of hylan G-F 20 in patients with knee OA.
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Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is a common chronic disease with a lifetime prevalence estimated to range from 4.2% to 12.7%. GAD places a substantial burden upon patients and healthcare resources. ⋯ Escitalopram was found to be cost-effective compared with paroxetine in treatment of GAD from the Canadian MoH perspective, and dominating paroxetine from the SOC perspective. Therefore, a possible advantage may exist at the population level in the treatment of GAD with escitalopram in Canada.
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Relationships between the pharmaceutical industry and healthcare professionals continue to drive discussion about the potential for conflicts of interest. Despite greater regulation and oversight, there are still calls for increased transparency and further restrictions on these relationships. Regulatory authorities, the pharmaceutical industry, professional societies, and other interested parties have responded by developing robust guidelines for interactions between the pharmaceutical industry and healthcare professionals. This, in turn, is driving change in the way that healthcare communications agencies work, increasing the need for them to visibly demonstrate processes that ensure their employees comply with relevant laws, regulations, and guidelines. ⋯ With a robust internal compliance program, healthcare communication agencies can play a significant role in helping maintain appropriate pharmaceutical industry-healthcare professional relationships in an increasingly regulated and scrutinized environment.