International journal of clinical practice
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Int. J. Clin. Pract. · Mar 2006
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Comparative StudyEfficacy and tolerability of diclofenac potassium sachets in acute postoperative dental pain: a placebo-controlled, randomised, comparative study vs. diclofenac potassium tablets.
This double-blind, randomised, parallel-group trial compared the analgesic efficacy of single 50 mg doses of diclofenac potassium sachets and tablets with placebo in 184 patients with moderate/severe pain after third molar extraction. The primary efficacy variable was the average pain reduction from baseline during the first 2-h postdose, using a visual analogue scale (VAS). During the first 2-h postdose, sachets and tablets significantly reduced pain (p < 0.05) vs. placebo with an incremental benefit seen for sachets over tablets (p < 0.05). ⋯ Fewer patients re-medicated vs. placebo. No safety issues were identified. This study demonstrates that both diclofenac potassium sachets and tablets offer patients suffering from acute pain conditions an effective treatment with incremental analgesic benefits seen for sachets.
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Int. J. Clin. Pract. · Dec 2005
Randomized Controlled TrialEffectiveness of pre-emptive metoclopramide infusion in alleviating pain, discomfort and nausea associated with nasogastric tube insertion: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.
Aim of this study was to demonstrate that intravenous metoclopramide can reduce pain, nausea and discomfort during nasogastric tube (NGT) insertion in ED. This prospective, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted in the university-based ED. One-hundred patients were enrolled. ⋯ Although initial VAS levels elicited for pain, nausea and discomfort were similar, consequent VAS levels of those in the metoclopramide group were significantly lower as compared with those in the normal saline group. The mean differences of VAS levels were statistically significant for three symptoms (p < 0.001). Mean VAS levels of nausea, discomfort and pain during NGT insertion were significantly lower following administration of IV metoclopramide as compared with normal saline.
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Int. J. Clin. Pract. · Dec 2005
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter StudyLipid-altering efficacy of switching from atorvastatin 10 mg/day to ezetimibe/simvastatin 10/20 mg/day compared to doubling the dose of atorvastatin in hypercholesterolaemic patients with atherosclerosis or coronary heart disease.
This randomised, double-blind study evaluated the efficacy and safety of ezetimibe/simvastatin (EZE/SIMVA) 10/20 mg tablet compared to doubling the atorvastatin (ATV) dose in hypercholesterolaemic patients with atherosclerotic or coronary heart disease (CHD). The study group included 435 male and female CHD patients (aged >or=18 years) who had not achieved their low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) goal of <2.50 mmol/l while on a stable dose of ATV 10 mg for >or=6 weeks. After a 1-week diet/stabilisation period, patients with LDL-C >or=2.50 mmol/l and
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Int. J. Clin. Pract. · Dec 2005
Randomized Controlled TrialSingle vs. two steroid injections for carpal tunnel syndrome: a randomised clinical trial.
We investigated the efficacy of a single vs. double steroid injections in the treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) in a randomised double-blind controlled trial. Patients with idiopathic CTS were randomised into (i) one group receiving a baseline methylprednisolone acetate injection plus a saline injection 8 weeks later and (ii) a second group receiving methylprednisolone acetate injection at baseline and at 8 weeks. The primary outcome was the Global Symptom Score (GSS). ⋯ By 40 weeks, the mean GSS improved from 25.6 to 14.1 in the single-injection group whereas from 26.7 to 12.6 in the reinjection group, but there was no significant difference in GSS between the two groups (p = 0.26). There were also no significant differences in terms of electrophysiological and functional outcomes. The results suggest that an additional steroid injection confers no added benefit to a single injection in terms of symptom relief.
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Int. J. Clin. Pract. · Jul 2005
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical TrialThe comparison of two lower extremity block techniques combined with sciatic block: 3-in-1 femoral block vs. psoas compartment block.
The objective of this study was to compare clinical and postoperative analgesic effects of femoral or psoas compartment blocks in patients undergoing arthroscopies. Fifty patients were randomly assigned to one of the two groups. Either femoral (group F) or psoas compartment (group P) block was applied followed by sciatic nerve block. ⋯ Total analgesic consumption at first 24 h in group P was lower than those of group F. Regarding heart rates, SpO2, SBP and DBP values, no significant differences were found between the groups. Combined psoas-sciatic technique provided more comfortable intraoperative anaesthesia and better postoperative analgesia when compared with femoral-sciatic technique for arthroscopic procedures.