Current medical research and opinion
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Abdominal obesity, measured by waist circumference (WC), is a more accurate predictor of cardiometabolic risk than general obesity measured by body mass index (BMI). The 'Shape of the Nations' survey was performed to assess knowledge and understanding of the increased risk associated with abdominal obesity. ⋯ The Shape of the Nations survey findings demonstrate the need for education and action to improve preventive health efforts worldwide by educating PCPs, the general population and patients at risk about the dangers of abdominal obesity and of WC as an easy, reliable way to assess cardiometabolic risk.
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This study examined patterns and determinants of antipsychotic prescribing in children and adolescents receiving outpatient care in the United States. ⋯ Although the findings were based on cross-sectional analyses of outpatient visit data, the study revealed that atypical antipsychotic medications are being commonly and extensively prescribed to children and adolescents despite the relatively limited scientific evidence to support their pediatric use. Well-designed studies are urgently needed in children and adolescents to address atypical antipsychotic use for a variety of psychiatric disorders.
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Data from two randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled studies were considered in order to investigate the efficacy and safety of a bio-adhesive plaster for topical administration containing diclofenac epolamine (DHEP) in patients with symptomatic knee osteoarthritis (OA). ⋯ Topical application of DHEP plaster was shown to be an efficacious and safe short-term treatment for symptomatic knee OA, reducing pain and increasing physical function and may be similar in efficacy to oral non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (as indicated by relative benefit data and NNT value).
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To characterize postmarketing clinical experience with daptomycin in treating complicated skin and skin-structure infections (cSSSIs) due to culture-confirmed MRSA and MSSA in real-life prescribing situations. ⋯ Given the limitations of this registry (which include its retrospective nature; limited numbers of MSSA patients; and lack of specific information on adverse events, type and duration of prior antibiotic therapy, timing and duration of concomitant antibiotic therapy, concomitant surgical interventions, and possible on-therapy dosing adjustments), daptomycin appeared effective in postmarketing clinical practice in the treatment of cSSSI caused by MRSA and MSSA.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Comparative Study
Cefdinir vs. cephalexin for mild to moderate uncomplicated skin and skin structure infections in adolescents and adults.
To compare the efficacy and safety of cefdinir to that of cephalexin in adolescents and adults with mild to moderate uncomplicated skin and skin structure infections (USSSI). ⋯ This study demonstrated that empiric coverage of USSSIs with cephalosporin therapy remains an appropriate clinical strategy. MRSA infections responded well in both arms of the study, suggesting that the choice of a cephalosporin did not adversely affect patient outcome. However, cephalosporins do not have accepted, clinically relevant in vitro activity against MRSA. Hence, the clinical response rates seen in this study against MRSA infections must be interpreted with caution. Cefdinir was more highly rated than cephalexin in a composite usefulness assessment.