Current medical research and opinion
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Multicenter Study
Frequency of self-monitoring of blood glucose in patients with type 2 diabetes: association with hypoglycaemic events.
The objective of this study is to describe current self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) practice for patients with type 2 diabetes by treatment type and adherence with healthcare professional advice concerning SMBG. In addition, the study aims to investigate the association of SMBG and self-reported episodes of low blood glucose. ⋯ Among patients with type 2 diabetes, those treated with insulin used SMBG at a greater frequency than those not treated with insulin. Increased frequency of testing was associated with increased frequency of self-reported episodes of low blood glucose, even among patients not taking insulin or sulfonylureas. This raises the possibility that episodes of hypoglycaemia may not be accurately identified, leading to unnecessary fear, or conversely that treatment is not being adjusted to avoid such morbidity. Although further work is needed to explore this association in a representative, prospective cohort of patients, possible explanations for reports of low-blood glucose should be discussed with patients using SMBG more frequently to ensure they are able to accurately identify episodes of hypoglycaemia.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study
Combination antihypertensive therapy with valsartan and hydrochlorothiazide in Chinese patients with mild-to-moderate hypertension.
To compare the efficacy and safety of valsartan (VAL)/HCTZ 80/12.5 mg with VAL 80 mg in Chinese patients with mild-to-moderate essential hypertension not adequately controlled with VAL 80 mg alone. ⋯ In Chinese patients with mild-to-moderate essential hypertension not adequately controlled by VAL 80 mg alone, VAL80/HCTZ12.5 mg combination was well tolerated and showed additional BP reduction. The limitations of this study were the inability to include an HCTZ arm as a control group and the short trial duration.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study
Efficacy, safety and tolerability of rivastigmine capsules in patients with probable vascular dementia: the VantagE study.
The aim was to evaluate the efficacy, safety and tolerability of rivastigmine capsules in patients diagnosed with probable vascular dementia (VaD). ⋯ VantagE (Vascular Dementia trial studying Exelon) was a 24-week, multicentre, double-blind study. VaD patients aged 50-85 years were randomized to rivastigmine capsules (3-12 mg/day) or placebo. Efficacy assessments included global and cognitive performances, activities of daily living and neuropsychiatric symptoms. Adverse events were recorded. Additional exploratory analyses determined whether heterogeneity in pathologies and symptoms extended to differential treatment effects.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study
24-hour control of intraocular pressure with 2% dorzolamide/0.5% timolol fixed-combination ophthalmic solution in open-angle glaucoma.
To evaluate the 24-hour efficacy and tolerability of 2% dorzolamide/0.5% timolol fixed combination (DTFC) solution in open-angle glaucoma and ocular hypertension. ⋯ Both DTFC and timolol provided significant IOP reduction over the entire 24-hour measurement period. Although this study was not designed or powered to compare DTFC and timolol, DTFC exhibited greater IOP-lowering than timolol during the daytime, but not at night.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study
Efficacy, safety, and tolerability of desvenlafaxine 50 mg/day and 100 mg/day in outpatients with major depressive disorder.
To assess the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of 50- and 100-mg/day doses of desvenlafaxine (administered as desvenlafaxine succinate), a serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor, for the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD). ⋯ These results demonstrate efficacy, safety, and tolerability of desvenlafaxine 50 mg/day for treating MDD. The significant findings on secondary measures support the efficacy of desvenlafaxine 100 mg, as seen in other trials. Conclusions may be limited by the exclusion of MDD patients with comorbid conditions and the short-term desvenlafaxine treatment duration.