International journal of clinical practice
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Int. J. Clin. Pract. · Apr 2011
Randomized Controlled TrialExtended-release niacin/laropiprant lipid-altering consistency across patient subgroups.
In patients with primary hypercholesterolemia or mixed dyslipidemia, extended-release niacin/laropiprant (ERN/LRPT) improves key lipid parameters associated with increased atherosclerotic coronary heart disease (CHD) risk. ⋯ Extended-release niacin/laropiprant represents an effective therapeutic option for the treatment of dyslipidemia across a range of patient types.
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Int. J. Clin. Pract. · Apr 2011
Kidney function estimating equations in patients with chronic kidney disease.
The current guidelines emphasise the need to assess kidney function using predictive equations rather than just serum creatinine. The present study compares serum cystatin C-based equations and serum creatinine-based equations in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). ⋯ Our results indicate that serum cystatin C-based equations are reliable markers of GFR comparable with creatinine-based formulas.
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In patients with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), anaemia is common and associated with impaired long-term survival and quality of life. Whether anaemia is also prevalent in patients with other severe, non-inflammatory respiratory diseases has not yet been systematically tested. ⋯ Anaemia is frequent not only in COPD but also in other severe respiratory diseases combined with CRF. It was associated with advanced age, several comorbidities, impaired nutritional state and elevations of pH and PaO(2) , probably because of hyperventilation. Its prognostic impact has to be elucidated in future studies.
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Int. J. Clin. Pract. · Apr 2011
Clinical TrialBowel function during pain therapy with oxycodone/naloxone prolonged-release tablets in patients with advanced cancer.
The World Health Organization (WHO) step-III opioids are often required right from the start of pain therapy in order to achieve sufficient symptom control. Bowel dysfunction, particularly constipation, is one of the most frequent and persistent side effects of opioid therapy, and it is known to cause considerable distress in many patients. The aim of the study was to evaluate whether patients with advanced cancer and moderate to severe cancer pain will benefit from treatment with oxycodone/naloxone prolonged-release tablets (OXN), with particular regard to constipation. ⋯ Patients with OXN treatment throughout the whole study phase showed a clinically relevant improvement in pain intensity and bowel function as well as increased satisfaction. Well-known disadvantages of laxative treatment might be spared or even circumvented under OXN treatment, if appropriate.