International journal of clinical practice
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Int. J. Clin. Pract. · Nov 2015
Use of non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants in atrial fibrillation patients: insights from a specialist atrial fibrillation clinic.
Non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs) are broadly preferable to vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) for stroke prevention in non-valvular atrial fibrillation (AF) given their overall net clinical benefit. We report an audit of the profile of OAC usage and adverse events in patients attending a specialist AF clinic. ⋯ In this specialist AF clinic, patients prescribed NOACs had a favourable adverse event profile with good efficacy for stroke prevention, with a low rate of cessation or switch to warfarin.
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Int. J. Clin. Pract. · Nov 2015
Zopiclone use associated with increased risk of acute pancreatitis: a case-control study in Taiwan.
The purpose of this study was to assess the relationship between zopiclone use and the risk of acute pancreatitis in Taiwan. ⋯ Subjects actively using zopiclone are associated with increased risk of acute pancreatitis. Clinicians should take acute pancreatitis risk into account when prescribing zopiclone, particularly comorbid with alcohol-related disease or biliary stone.
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Int. J. Clin. Pract. · Nov 2015
Admission serum magnesium levels and the risk of acute respiratory failure.
The association between admission serum magnesium (Mg) levels and risk of acute respiratory failure (ARF) in hospitalised patients is limited. The aim of this study was to assess the risk of developing ARF in all hospitalised patients with various admission Mg levels. ⋯ Both admission hypomagnesemia and hypermagnesemia were associated with an increased risk for in-hospital ARF.
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Int. J. Clin. Pract. · Oct 2015
Randomized Controlled TrialAn investigation and comparison of the effectiveness of different exercise programmes in improving glucose metabolism and pancreatic β cell function of type 2 diabetes patients.
Moderately intensive aerobic exercise can improve glucose metabolism and pancreatic β cell function in diabetic patients. To date, there is no evidence to support the long-term effectiveness of home-based exercise interventions on these outcomes. ⋯ This study demonstrates that regardless of the type of exercise intervention, it is potentially beneficially effective for glucose metabolism and pancreatic β cell function in T2DM patients. The AMSG had better glucose metabolism and pancreatic β cell function compared with those in the AEG. Nurses can easily integrate exercise interventions into T2DM patient care plans.
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Int. J. Clin. Pract. · Oct 2015
Review Meta AnalysisShould patients prescribed long-term low-dose aspirin receive proton pump inhibitors? A systematic review and meta-analysis.
Several clinical guidelines recommend the use of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) in patients taking low-dose aspirin but report no or limited supporting data. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to examine the effects of co-administration of PPIs in patients taking low-dose aspirin on the risks of adverse gastrointestinal (GI) and cardiovascular (CV) events, and on patient adherence to aspirin. ⋯ The practice of co-prescribing PPIs in patients taking low-dose aspirin is supported by some data, but the evidence is rather weak. It currently remains unclear whether the benefits of co-administration of PPIs in users of low-dose aspirin outweigh their potential harms.