Articles tagged with Drug Studies
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Comprehensive examination of tools, techniques, methodologies, and approaches used across scientific disciplines to conduct research, collect data, and analyze results. Encompasses experimental procedures, analytical methods, measurement techniques, instrumentation, imaging technologies, spectroscopic methods, laboratory protocols, observational studies, statistical analysis, computational methods, data visualization, quality control, and methodological innovations. Addresses the practical techniques and theoretical frameworks enabling scientists to investigate phenomena, test hypotheses, gather evidence, ensure reproducibility, and generate reliable knowledge through systematic, rigorous investigation across all areas of scientific inquiry.
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A comprehensive review of 14 antidepressants found that only fluoxetine was more effective at relieving depression symptoms than placebo. However, the true effectiveness and risk of serious harms remains unclear due to limited clinical trials and selective reporting.
A large-scale national study found that early use of stimulant medications for ADHD does not increase the risk of substance abuse in later adolescence, while short-term use during middle or high school may lead to higher risks. The research highlights the importance of monitoring teens who start using these medications later in life.
A new study from Umeå University in Sweden suggests that exposure to air pollution is associated with an increased risk of psychiatric diagnoses in children and adolescents. The research found a 9% increase in medication for at least one psychiatric diagnosis with a 10 microgram per cubic meter increase in nitrogen dioxide concentration.
A large-scale observational study found significant variations in treatment pathways for patients with type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and depression worldwide. The study analyzed 250 million patient records from four countries and identified unique treatment patterns for each condition.
A new study found that intensive glucose treatment can nearly double the risk of severe hypoglycemia in older patients and those with serious chronic conditions. Patients taking multiple medications to lower HbA1C levels were at higher risk of experiencing severe low blood sugar episodes.
A recent study found that approximately one-third of women taking oral bisphosphonates continue to be at elevated risk for bone fracture. Despite the medication being effective in reducing fracture risk, various factors such as other medical conditions and fall-related problems contribute to this increased risk.
A meta-analysis of phase I clinical trials involving thousands of patients found that precision medicine treatment arms showed a higher response rate (30%) compared to non-personalized arms (4.9%), leading to improved outcomes and longer disease remission.
A study led by Loyola Medicine researchers found that taking tamoxifen for breast cancer reduces the risk of uterine cancer in postmenopausal patients. The study also showed that a normal ultrasound before treatment may provide additional reassurance.
Researchers developed a new compound to target mutated p53 genes, found in over 50% of cancers, which are responsible for uncontrolled cell growth. The treatment has shown promising results in patients with modest toxicity, and trials will now expand to 400 patients across Europe and the USA.
In a phase II clinical trial, pembrolizumab elicited partial responses in 17% of patients with recurrent or metastatic head and neck cancer. The overall response rate was more than triple that of methotrexate, the current standard treatment for resistant cases.
A UK drug was licensed for alcohol treatment despite weak evidence, a new study found. Nalmefene's effectiveness in reducing drinking in patients dependent on alcohol is uncertain due to flawed trials.
A phase II clinical trial found that pembrolizumab reduces tumor size in four types of soft tissue sarcomas and three types of bone sarcomas. Undifferentiated pleomorphic and osteosarcoma subtypes showed particularly promising results, with 44% and 30-40% reductions in tumor size, respectively.
Researchers found that patients who used metformin before diagnosis had a higher risk of death, while those who started using it after diagnosis were more likely to survive. Metformin also showed promise as a treatment for endometrial hyperplasia, with 56% of patients responding to treatment.
A Johns Hopkins study found that undiagnosed dementia patients are nearly twice as likely to engage in potentially unsafe activities, such as driving and cooking. Those without a diagnosis, however, were less frequently engaging in these activities compared to those with possible or no dementia.
Millions of Americans take long-term opioid medications to manage chronic pain, but transitioning away can be complex and anxiety-provoking. However, study participants reported improved quality of life after the transition, highlighting the importance of intensive support from family and healthcare providers.
A new investigational drug propiverine hydrochloride has shown promising results in treating overactive bladder, demonstrating better efficacy than an existing medication in reducing voiding frequency and incontinence episodes. Patients reported significant improvement in symptoms after treatment, with response rates increasing over time.
A Mayo Clinic study analyzed 55 cancer drugs approved using surrogate endpoints, finding that many lacked formal empirical verification. The FDA's reliance on these surrogates may compromise patient outcomes and drug safety.
A new trial aims to assess the efficacy of Chinese herbal medicine in preventing and treating urinary tract infections (UTIs), with potential to replace some antibiotic treatments. The study's findings could help reduce antibiotic resistance and improve treatment outcomes for women affected by UTIs.
A prospective economic study published in Annals of Internal Medicine found that computed tomographic angiography and functional diagnostic testing strategies for diagnosing coronary artery disease have similar costs through 3 years of follow-up. The study included 9,649 patients enrolled in a clinical trial between 2010 and 2013.
A subgroup analysis from the ATMOSPHERE trial found that aliskiren was not superior or non-inferior to standard treatment with an ACE inhibitor in heart failure patients with diabetes. In those with diabetes, aliskiren was associated with a lower risk of symptomatic hypotension but did not demonstrate better cardiovascular outcomes.
Researchers developed a dual nanoparticle delivery system for piperlongumine and TRAIL, demonstrating increased therapeutic efficacy in vitro and in vivo. The system sensitizes cancer cells to TRAIL, leading to higher apoptotic rates and improved anti-cancer effects.
A Phase I study of plitidepsin in combination with bortezomib and dexamethasone demonstrated a 56% overall response rate, including very good partial responses. The treatment was well-tolerated, with no dose-limiting toxicities, and showed clinical benefit in 72% of patients.
Researchers found that taking aspirin immediately after a minor 'warning' event significantly reduced the risk of major stroke over the next few days. The study showed that aspirin also reduced the severity of early strokes by about 70-80%.
A Queen's University researcher is conducting a study on high-dose selenium supplementation to reduce complications and improve recovery in cardiac surgery patients. The SUSTAIN study aims to show that a simple, inexpensive substance can affect health outcomes.
A small feasibility trial involving 12 people with treatment-resistant depression found that psilocybin was safe and well-tolerated, reducing symptoms of depression in about half of the participants at 3 months post-treatment. Further research is needed to understand the therapeutic benefits of psilocybin.
A study of 701 Canadian adults found that 30% of those diagnosed with asthma did not have current asthma after medication withdrawal. Careful testing revealed no evidence of airflow obstruction or bronchial hyper-reactivity in 37.5% of subjects.
A new study reveals that smokers without COPD diagnosis often experience respiratory symptoms, and those with 'normal' breathing tests still require medical attention. Researchers are exploring the use of bronchodilator medication to improve symptoms for this patient group.
A new study found that monthly resident handoffs are associated with increased in-hospital, 30-day, and 90-day mortality rates. Researchers analyzed data from 230,701 internal medicine patient discharges and found a significant increase in mortality following end-of-month resident handoff.
A review of nine observational studies found antipsychotic drug users nearly twice as likely to experience a heart attack as non-users. Patients with schizophrenia and those taking the drugs for less than 30 days had even higher risks.
The minimally invasive implantation of tiny coils improves exercise ability, lung function and quality of life for patients with severe emphysema. Patients who received coils showed a modest improvement in walking distance and lung function compared to those who didn't receive them.
New techniques and devices are being developed to treat heart failure, mitral valve regurgitation, and coronary artery lesions. Studies show high procedural success rates and improvements in heart function and quality of life.
The MR CLEAN trial demonstrated the effectiveness of physical removal of blood clots in improving outcome for stroke patients. The HERMES collaboration found that patients with large ischemic core volumes can still benefit from thrombectomy, while the ACTION study showed promise with intravenous natalizumab for acute ischemic stroke. O...
A randomized clinical trial found that sitagliptin was not significantly better than a placebo in reducing liver fat in patients with NAFLD. However, advanced imaging techniques such as MRI-PDFF and magnetic resonance elastography proved to be accurate and useful in measuring disease state and progression.
A Cochrane Review evaluated the evidence for psychosocial interventions in adults who self-harm. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) was found to be effective in reducing self-harm behaviors and improving emotional well-being. The review included 55 trials with a total of 17,699 participants.
A new smartphone-based system improved blood pressure control, reduced medication errors, and increased patient engagement among patients with chronic kidney disease. The system provided personalized feedback and alerts to clinicians, leading to better patient outcomes.
A new system devised by clinicians uses blockchain technology to prevent changes to clinical trial documents, reducing the risk of ineffective or unsafe medications being distributed. This approach has the potential to prevent issues such as outcome switching and selective publication in clinical trials.
A €3.5 million pan-European consortium is developing Blood Biomarker-based Diagnostic Tools for Early Stage Alzheimer's Disease (BBDiag) to improve diagnosis and clinical trial success rates. The project aims to train a new generation of researchers and develop disease-modifying treatments and prevention strategies.
Macitentan, a medication for pulmonary arterial hypertension, does not reduce digital ulcers in patients with systemic sclerosis. Few new ulcers appeared regardless of treatment, suggesting no benefit in managing this common complication.
Researchers found that long-term PPI use damages blood vessel cells by accelerating biological aging and impairing acid production. The study suggests that PPIs may not be suitable for extended treatment and highlights the need for re-evaluation of their safety and specificity.
A new study suggests that therapeutic substitution could help drive down the cost of prescription medications by substituting chemically different compounds within the same class of drugs. The study estimated potential savings through therapeutic substitution for drug classes with both generic and brand-name options, resulting in reduc...
A study of TAVR patients using different anticoagulation medications found comparable survival and vascular complication rates between men and women. However, a trend was observed that women given bivalirudin experienced less mortality, warranting further investigation.
Research reveals that type 2 diabetes drug trials frequently exclude women who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or may become pregnant without clear justification. The criteria most often excluded women who were currently pregnant or breastfeeding, but more than 50 studies excluded all women of childbearing potential.
A Mayo Clinic study found that metformin does not limit the action of hormone glucagon, which may mitigate its ability to lower glucose production in the liver. The researchers discovered a compensatory increase of glucagon in prediabetic individuals taking metformin.
A UBC study found that nearly one-third of British Columbia women aged 65 and older received inappropriate prescriptions, compared to one-fourth of men. The study highlights the importance of addressing gender-based disparities in healthcare prescribing practices.
The new technique could lead to more precise dosing of drugs in intensive care units, where up to two-thirds of patients experience serious kidney injury. By simulating the flow of medication through human kidneys, researchers can test medications and determine safe doses more accurately.
Research analyzed newspaper articles from 2010 to 2015, finding that social embarrassment due to gout was reported in 23.7% of articles and jokes about gout were featured in 26.3%. Effective medication was underemphasized compared to dietary solutions. The study highlights the potential consequences of stigmatizing people with gout.
A study published in Annals of Emergency Medicine found that loperamide, a key ingredient in Imodium, is being abused by people seeking to self-treat opioid withdrawal symptoms or euphoria. The medication's safety is compromised when used in high doses, leading to cardiac dysrhythmia and death.
A new study reveals that newborns are likely being over-treated for reflux disease, with clinical symptoms only rarely confirmed by the gold-standard reflux test. The study suggests that doctors should use the MII-pH test to confirm diagnoses before treating infants with medications or surgery.
A recent NIH-funded study found that half of patients with age-related macular degeneration (AMD) maintained 20/40 vision or better after five years of anti-VEGF drug treatment. The study also showed that the two most commonly used drugs, Avastin and Lucentis, were equally effective in preserving visual acuity.
A large-scale study has identified 69 factors linked to gut flora composition, including diet, health, and lifestyle. The research provides valuable insights for future disease studies and clinical trials.
A consensus report from the International Osteoporosis Foundation Fracture Working Group recommends that patients with recent fractures should start osteoporosis medications as soon as possible. The panel agreed that anabolic agents like teriparatide may have a beneficial effect on fracture healing, while bisphosphonates may delay it.
According to a study published in The Journal of Pediatrics, nearly 1 in 4 babies in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) received acid-suppressing medications from 2006 to 2013. While the number has decreased since then, concerns remain about the medication's potential risks and effectiveness.
A University of Wisconsin-Madison researcher has used an experimental drug to reverse damage from the mutation that causes fragile X syndrome in mice. The treatment, Nutlin-3, blocks a chain reaction that leads to memory deficits and neural stem cell formation issues.
A meta-analysis of nine randomized trials found that Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) is an effective treatment option for preventing major depression relapse. Participants who received MBCT had a 31% lower risk of relapse compared to those who did not receive the therapy.
A new Cochrane Review suggests that yoga may have a beneficial effect on symptoms and quality of life in people with asthma. However, the effects on lung function and medication use are uncertain. Researchers found some moderate quality evidence that yoga exercise reduces the impact of asthma on people's quality of life.
A UBC study found that taking psychedelic drugs like LSD, psilocybin, and MDMA reduced the rate of domestic battery among released inmates. The observational study followed 302 inmates for six years, suggesting a potential public health benefit.
A clinical trial shows that high-dose methotrexate improves survival rates for children with high-risk acute lymphoblastic leukemia. The use of steroid decadron is beneficial for younger patients, but not older ones, who are at a higher risk of osteonecrosis.
An intervention at a Canadian acute care facility screened and isolated asymptomatic C. difficile carriers, leading to a 50% decrease in health-care associated infections. The study estimated that the intervention prevented approximately 63 cases, suggesting a cost-effective strategy for preventing C. difficile infection.
A national PrEP program for injection drug users is cost-prohibitive due to high drug prices, but investing in naloxone therapy, medical insurance, and detoxification programs could prevent HIV infections more effectively. The study suggests that alternative approaches may be a better use of HIV prevention resources.
The Alzheimer's Association has awarded $4.3 million to accelerate the testing of new potential therapies and diagnostic approaches for Alzheimer's disease. The funding will support innovative trial designs, including tau PET imaging and home-based cognitive testing, to improve early detection and treatment options.