Remission of major depressive disorder without adverse events: a comparison of escitalopram versus serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors

Abstract

Objective:

An antidepressant’s tolerability, generally captured as the frequency and severity of adverse events (AEs), is often as important as its efficacy in determining treatment success. This study used a composite outcome – remission of major depressive disorder (MDD) without AEs?– to compare the benefit–risk profiles of escitalopram versus the norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) duloxetine and venlafaxine extended release (XR).     

Effect of ticagrelor on pulmonary function in healthy elderly volunteers and asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients

Abstract

Background:

Ticagrelor is a direct-acting, reversibly binding, oral P2Y₁₂ platelet inhibitor that reduces thrombotic cardiovascular events in patients with acute coronary syndrome. Dyspnea is one of the most commonly reported adverse events associated with ticagrelor.     

Oral corticosteroid sparing with omalizumab in severe allergic (IgE-mediated) asthma patients

Abstract

Background:

Long-term oral corticosteroid (OCS) therapy and related adverse events are associated with a significant burden on patients and healthcare resources.     

Safety and effectiveness of azithromycin in the treatment of respiratory infections in children

Abstract

Objectives:

To describe clinical effectiveness of azithromycin in the management of respiratory tract infections in children up to 12 years of age; to examine duration of symptoms after commencement of therapy and to mark adverse events possibly caused by treatment with azithromycin.     

Adverse events of statin–fenofibric acid versus statin monotherapy: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Abstract

Background:

Patients with mixed dyslipidemia can benefit from the combination of fenofibric acid (FA) with statins, but concerns about adverse events make physicians reluctant to prescribe the combination therapy.     

Presentation of atrial fibrillation and its management by cardiologists in the ambulatory and hospital setting: MOVE cross-sectional study

Abstract

Objective:

The aim of the study was to collect comprehensive data on atrial fibrillation (AF) in ambulatory and hospital-based management in Germany.     

Factors associated with warfarin discontinuation,including bleeding patterns,in atrial fibrillation patients

Abstract

Objective:

To determine risk factors for both warfarin discontinuation and bleeding in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF).     

Current and emerging pharmacotherapy for ischemic stroke prevention in patients with atrial fibrillation

ABSTRACT

Introduction

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is associated with high morbidity and mortality rates due to thromboembolic complications, and anticoagulation is central to the management of this common arrhythmia to prevent acute thromboembolic events. The traditional anticoagulants: heparin, fondaparinux, and vitamin K antagonists (VKA, e.g. warfarin, acenocoumarol or phenprocoumin) have long served as pharmacotherapy for ischemic stroke prophylaxis.     

The effects of statin on atrial fibrillation: a meta-analysis of published data from randomized controlled trials

Abstract

Background:

Some clinical and experimental studies have shown the use of statins could protect against AF, but there are not adequate data at present.     

Quality-adjusted survival analysis of first-line treatment of hormone-receptor-positive HER2+ metastatic breast cancer with letrozole alone or in combination with lapatinib

Abstract

Aim:

Compare first-line lapatinib plus letrozole (L?+?Let) versus letrozole monotherapy (Let) in hormone-receptor-positive HER2?+?metastatic breast cancer, employing Q-TWiST (quality-adjusted time without symptoms and toxicity) analysis to account for differences in progression times, with offsets for the impact of adverse events during the treatment period.     

Mild depression versus C-reactive protein as a predictor of cardiovascular death: a three year follow-up of patients with stable coronary artery disease

Abstract

Objective:

Depression is common in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) and is associated with higher risk of cardiovascular adverse events. We aimed to explore the prognostic role of mild depression on cardiovascular mortality and compare its prognostic value with C-reactive protein (CRP) levels in patients with stable CAD.     

Evidence supporting an association between hypoglycemic events and depression

Abstract

Objectives:

This retrospective study investigated the association between hypoglycemic events (HEs) and depression events (DEs) in patients with diabetes mellitus (type 1 and type 2).     

Evaluation of vulvovaginal symptoms and Candida colonization in women with type 2 diabetes mellitus treated with canagliflozin,a sodium glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitor

Abstract

Background/objective:

Women with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) are at increased risk for vaginal Candida colonization, perhaps because of glucosuria. Sodium glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors, in development for the treatment of T2DM, improve glycemic control by increasing urinary glucose excretion. Vaginal Candida colonization and symptomatic vulvovaginal adverse events (VVAE) were assessed in females with T2DM treated with canagliflozin, a SGLT2 inhibitor.     

Assessment of time to follow-up visits in newly-treated hypertensive patients using an electronic medical record database

Abstract

Objective:

Use of electronic medical record (EMR) data for evaluating healthcare processes and outcomes is relatively new. Using EMR data, this study evaluated the time from antihypertensive initiation to the first follow-up office visit controlling for adverse events (AEs) and other factors that could influence follow-up timing. Findings were compared to treatment guidelines which recommend monthly follow-up in treatment naive patients until blood pressure (BP) levels are controlled.     

Risk of adverse cardiovascular outcomes and all-cause mortality associated with concomitant use of clopidogrel and proton pump inhibitors in elderly patients

Abstract

Objective:

To examine the effect of concomitant use of clopidogrel and PPIs in a national sample of elderly Medicare beneficiaries (age ≥65 years).     

Twice daily dosing of dabigatran for stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation: a pharmacokinetic justification

Abstract

Background and objective:

Dabigatran is a new oral anticoagulant recently approved for the prevention of stroke or systemic embolism in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). Based on its pharmacokinetic profile, dabigatran is dosed twice daily. This analysis provides a quantitative rationale for the selection of the dose regimen in this population.     

Outcomes After Cardioversion in Atrial Fibrillation Patients Treated with Non-Vitamin K Antagonist Oral Anticoagulants (NOACs): Insights from a Meta-Analysis

Background

There are limited data on outcomes following cardioversion in atrial fibrillation (AF) patients treated with non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs). A meta-analysis was performed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of NOACs in patients with AF undergoing cardioversion.

Methods

PubMed, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, Web of Science and CINAHL databases were searched from January 1, 2001 through to October 30, 2014. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing NOACs (apixaban, rivaroxaban and dabigatran) with warfarin in AF patients undergoing cardioversion were selected. The primary efficacy outcome was stroke and systemic embolism, and the primary safety outcome was major or clinically relevant non-major (CRNM) bleeding. We used random-effects models.

Results

Four RCTs were included, involving a total of 3635 randomized participants who underwent a total of 4257 cardioversions. A total of 12 events of stroke and systemic embolism were found in the NOAC group and ten events in the warfarin group [odds ratio (OR) 0.73, 95 % confidence interval (CI) 0.31–1.72]. Risk of major or CRNM bleeding was not different with NOACs, when compared with warfarin (OR 1.41, 95 % CI 0.87–2.28).

Conclusions

Data from patients enrolled in RCTs, showed that NOACs are effective and safe for AF patients undergoing cardioversion.

     

Systematic review on the prevalence,frequency and comparative value of adverse events data in social media

Aim

The aim of this review was to summarize the prevalence, frequency and comparative value of information on the adverse events of healthcare interventions from user comments and videos in social media.

Methods

A systematic review of assessments of the prevalence or type of information on adverse events in social media was undertaken. Sixteen databases and two internet search engines were searched in addition to handsearching, reference checking and contacting experts. The results were sifted independently by two researchers. Data extraction and quality assessment were carried out by one researcher and checked by a second. The quality assessment tool was devised in-house and a narrative synthesis of the results followed.

Results

From 3064 records, 51 studies met the inclusion criteria. The studies assessed over 174 social media sites with discussion forums (71%) being the most popular. The overall prevalence of adverse events reports in social media varied from 0.2% to 8% of posts.Twenty-nine studies compared the results from searching social media with using other data sources to identify adverse events. There was general agreement that a higher frequency of adverse events was found in social media and that this was particularly true for ‘symptom’ related and ‘mild’ adverse events.Those adverse events that were under-represented in social media were laboratory-based and serious adverse events.

Conclusions

Reports of adverse events are identifiable within social media. However, there is considerable heterogeneity in the frequency and type of events reported, and the reliability or validity of the data has not been thoroughly evaluated.     

Trigger tools are as effective as non-targeted chart review for adverse drug event detection in intensive care units

Objective

This study aimed to compare the use of trigger tools and non-targeted chart review as methods for the detection of adverse drug events in an intensive care unit considering the health system of a developing country.

Retrospective study of total healthcare costs associated with chronic nonvalvular atrial fibrillation and the occurrence of a first transient ischemic attack,stroke or major bleed

Abstract

Objective:

To determine the direct healthcare costs associated with the onset of chronic nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (CNVAF), warfarin utilization and the occurrence of cerebrovascular events in a commercially-insured population.