Postgraduate medicine
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Postgraduate medicine · Jun 2021
Safety and tolerability of fixed-dose combinations of ibuprofen and acetaminophen: Pooled analysis of Phase 1-3 clinical trials.
An ibuprofen (IBU)/acetaminophen (APAP) fixed-dose combination (FDC) for over-the-counter (OTC) use was developed with the goal of providing the same effective analgesic activity as full doses of the individual monocomponents, while reducing individual monocomponent drug exposures. Here, the safety and tolerability of the FDC is characterized using pooled safety data from phase 1-3 clinical trials in the FDC development program. ⋯ NCT01559259; NCT02912650; NCT02837952; NCT02761980. The pharmacokinetic studies (n = 3) did not require registration.
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Postgraduate medicine · Jun 2021
How to strengthen basic competencies in self-care - a pre-post interventional study with postgraduate trainees in Family Medicine in Germany.
Introduction: Self-care includes taking care of our psychosocial health. Many experts agree that self-care should be included in training for Family Medicine (FM) residents, though it is unclear to what extent and by what means. Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate competencies of FM residents in self-care and changes in knowledge, skills and attitudes after an educational compact intervention. ⋯ A total of 85.6% of IG reflected their attitudes towards psychosocial health of physicians in general (n = 95/111) and 22.5% of IG changed the views on their own health (n = 25/111) in terms of improved risk-awareness, increased intention for self-care and change of behavior. Conclusion: A compact intervention in self-care strengthens competencies, increases awareness, and helps FM residents identify their psychosocial health risks. Further research is necessary to specify the effectiveness of similar compact interventions in self-care and their long-term results.
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Postgraduate medicine · Jun 2021
ReviewJAK-STAT pathway inhibition and their implications in COVID-19 therapy.
As the incidence of COVID-19 increases with time, more and more efforts are made to pave a way out for the therapeutic strategies to deal with the disease progression. Inflammation being a significant influencer in COVID-19 patients, it drives our focus onto the signaling cascades of the JAK/STAT pathway. JAK phosphorylation mediated by cytokine receptor activation leads to phosphorylation of STATs that translocate into the nucleus to translate for inflammatory mediators. ⋯ With an attempt to reduce excessive inflammation, JAK/STAT inhibitors like Ruxolitinib, Baricitinib, Tofacitinib have been employed that mediate its actions via suppressors of cytokine signaling, cytokine inducible SH2 containing protein, Protein inhibitor of activated STAT and protein tyrosine phosphatases. Even though they are implicated with multiple adverse effects, the regulatory authorities have supported its use, and numerous clinical trials are in progress to prove their safety and efficacy. On the contrary, the exact mechanism of JAK/STAT inhibition at molecular levels remains speculative for which further investigations are required.
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Postgraduate medicine · Jun 2021
Review Case ReportsHydroxychloroquine sulfate related hypoglycemia in a non-diabetic COVID-19 patient: a case report and literature review.
Objective: Hypoglycemia is a serious adverse effect of hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) which is very rare in non-diabetic patients. This case report describes a non-diabetic patient without any other chronic diseases, who experienced mild hypoglycemia related to HCQ used for COVID-19 treatment. Methods: All etiologies causing hypoglycemia were investigated and a 72-hour fast test was performed. ⋯ Conclusion: Hypoglycemia may be observed as an adverse effect of HCQ used for COVID-19 infection even in patients without chronic diseases and comorbidities. We must be careful while using HCQ for these patients and must warn them about this effect. The warning about hypoglycemia effect of HCQ must be added to COVID-19 treatment guidelines.
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Postgraduate medicine · Jun 2021
Device use errors among patients with asthma and COPD and the role of training: a real-life study.
Background and objectives: Administration of inhaled medication for asthma and COPD is often difficult and incorrect device use is associated with unfavorable outcomes. We aimed to evaluate device use errors in asthma and COPD patients and to associate incorrect use with the patient's characteristics and medical history. Methods: Demographics and medical history were recorded. ⋯ The commonest error was associated with the inspiration maneuver and accounted for the 48.3% of errors in the DPIs and 53.0% of errors in the MDIs. Conclusion: Device use errors are common and associated with unfavorable outcomes. Trained patients were more likely to use the device correctly.