Arch Intern Med
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Multicenter Study Clinical Trial
Recombinant human erythropoietin treatment: investigational new drug protocol for the anemia of the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. Overall results.
Anemia associated with human immunodeficiency virus infection may be due to reduced erythropoiesis related to the disease itself or to concomitant medications (eg, zidovudine). Clinical studies have shown recombinant human erythropoietin (r-HuEPO) to be effective in correcting the anemia of zidovudine-treated patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus with baseline serum erythropoietin levels of 500 U/L or less. A treatment investigational new drug protocol that provided r-HuEPO to 1943 anemic patients with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome was studied. ⋯ In a study population of 1943 anemic patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome treated with r-HuEPO, the hematocrit increased and blood transfusion requirements decreased. Therapy with r-HuEPO was well tolerated.
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Multicenter Study
Pneumocystis prophylaxis and survival in patients with advanced human immunodeficiency virus infection treated with zidovudine. The Zidovudine Epidemiology Group.
Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in persons with advanced human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. We assessed the impact of prophylaxis for PCP on survival in patients with advanced HIV disease who were treated with zidovudine. ⋯ Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia was common in advanced HIV infection treated with zidovudine. Prophylaxis with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and aerosol pentamidine both were associated with a decreased likelihood of PCP, and consistent use of each was associated with improved survival. Prophylaxis for PCP is associated with prolonged survival for patients with advanced HIV disease.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Treatment of painful diabetic neuropathy with topical capsaicin. A multicenter, double-blind, vehicle-controlled study. The Capsaicin Study Group.
A multicenter study was conducted to establish the efficacy of topical 0.075% capsaicin cream in relieving the pain associated with diabetic neuropathy. Capsaicin or vehicle cream was applied to painful areas four times per day for 8 weeks in patients randomly assigned to one of two groups. ⋯ With the exception of transient burning, sneezing, and coughing, capsaicin was well tolerated. Study results suggest that topical capsaicin cream is safe and effective in treating painful diabetic neuropathy.