International journal of clinical practice
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Int. J. Clin. Pract. · Feb 2008
Randomized Controlled TrialThe efficacy of oxycodone for management of acute pain episodes in chronic neck pain patients.
Most treatments of acute pain associated with non-malignant chronic pains are not satisfactory. The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy and side effects of oxycondone controlled release (Oxy-CR) in managing chronic neck pain with acute pain episodes. ⋯ Oxycondone controlled release could be an important optional drug for the management of refractory and frequent acute episodes of chronic neck pain in patients who failed to respond to non-opioid conservative treatment.
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Int. J. Clin. Pract. · Feb 2008
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative StudyEffect of levosimendan on right ventricular systolic and diastolic functions in patients with ischaemic heart failure.
Levosimendan is a novel positive inotropic calcium sensitiser agent used in acute left heart failure. In this study, the effect of levosimendan on the right ventricular systolic and diastolic functions was evaluated by tissue Doppler comparing them with dobutamine in patients with ischaemic heart failure. ⋯ Levosimendan improves right ventricular systolic and diastolic functions.
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Int. J. Clin. Pract. · Feb 2008
ReviewA clinically relevant review of tizanidine hydrochloride dose relationships to pharmacokinetics, drug safety and effectiveness in healthy subjects and patients.
Tizanidine, one of the few oral antispastic therapies approved for use in the USA, has a narrow therapeutic index that can often make optimal patient dosing difficult. We surveyed the published literature for data on potential tizanidine dose relationships to pharmacokinetics, drug safety and effectiveness, as well as to provide practical drug dosing advice. ⋯ There is substantial evidence to show that plasma tizanidine concentrations are linearly related to dose in healthy subjects and patients, although there is a high degree of intersubject variability. The most common adverse events and pharmacodynamic effects are related to plasma concentrations. The clinical implications of the large interpatient variability in plasma tizanidine concentrations and its narrow therapeutic index make it necessary to individualise patient therapy. Practical advice on tizanidine dosing and/or switching between formulations is provided.
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Int. J. Clin. Pract. · Feb 2008
Multicenter StudyFunctional gastrointestinal disorder is associated with increased non-gastrointestinal healthcare consumption in the general population.
Comparison of comorbidity and healthcare consumption in primary healthcare subjects with persistent functional gastrointestinal disorder (FGID) and a strictly gastrointestinal (GI) symptom-free group (SSF). ⋯ Functional gastrointestinal disorders are related to an increased demand on primary healthcare because of an increased overall comorbidity, which signifies a need for a holistic healthcare approach.
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Int. J. Clin. Pract. · Feb 2008
Clinical TrialEfficacy and safety of high concentration lidocaine for trigeminal nerve block in patients with trigeminal neuralgia.
Local anaesthetics, which act as neurolytics and Na(+) channel blockers, have been used for disrupting the neural firings in certain neuropathic pain conditions. This study was undertaken to investigate the clinical outcome of trigeminal nerve block with 10% lidocaine in the management of trigeminal neuralgia (TN). ⋯ Trigeminal nerve block with high concentration lidocaine (10%) is capable of achieving an intermediate period of pain relief, particularly in patients with lower pain intensity and shorter pain duration prior to the procedure.