Home About us Contact
|
Home About us Contact | ||
|
|
||
Drug Consumption (drug + consumption)
Selected AbstractsEffect of Autogenic Training on Drug Consumption in Patients With Primary Headache: An 8-Month Follow-up StudyHEADACHE, Issue 3 2003Terezia Zsombok MD Objective.,To examine the effects of Schultz-type autogenic training on headache-related drug consumption and headache frequency in patients with migraine, tension-type, or mixed (migraine plus tension-type) headache over an 8-month period. Background.,Behavioral treatments often are used alone or adjunctively for different types of headache. There are, however, only a few studies that have compared the efficacy and durability of the same treatment in different types of primary headache, and the effects of treatment on headache-related drug consumption rarely have been assessed even in these studies. Methods.,Twenty-five women with primary headache (11 with mixed headache, 8 with migraine, and 6 with tension-type headache) were evaluated via an open-label, self-controlled, 8-month, follow-up study design. After an initial 4 months of observation, patients began learning Schultz-type autogenic training as modified for patients with headache. They practiced autogenic training on a regular basis for 4 months. Based on data from headache diaries and daily medication records, headache frequencies and the amounts of analgesics, "migraine-specific" drugs (ergots and triptans), and anxiolytics taken by the patients were compared in the three subgroups over the 8-month period. Results.,From the first month of implementation of autogenic training, headache frequencies were significantly reduced in patients with tension-type and mixed headache. Significant reduction in frequency was achieved in patients with migraine only from the third month of autogenic training. Decreases in headache frequencies were accompanied by decreases in consumption of migraine drugs and analgesics resulting in significant correlations among these parameters. Reduction in consumption of anxiolytic drugs was more rapid and robust in patients with tension-type headache compared to patients with migraine, and this outcome failed to show any correlation with change in headache frequency. Conclusion.,Schultz-type autogenic training is an effective therapeutic approach that may lead to a reduction in both headache frequency and the use of headache medication. [source] The use of drug detection dogs in Sydney, AustraliaDRUG AND ALCOHOL REVIEW, Issue 6 2009MATTHEW DUNN Abstract Introduction and Aims. At present there is little research into the use of drug detection dogs. The present study sought to explore the use of detection dogs in Sydney, Australia, utilising multiple data sources. Design and Methods. Data were taken from interviews with 100 regular ecstasy users and 20 key experts as part of the 2006 New South Wales arm of the Ecstasy and Related Drugs Reporting System, and secondary data sources. Results. The majority of regular ecstasy users reported taking some form of precaution if made aware that dogs would be at an event they were attending. A small proportion of the sample reported consuming their drugs when coming into contact with detection dogs. One group of key experts viewed the use of detection dogs as useful; one group disliked the use of detection dogs though cooperated with law enforcement when dogs were used; and one group considered that detection dogs contribute to greater harm. Secondary data sources further suggested that the use of detection dogs do not significantly assist police in identifying and apprehending drug suppliers. Discussion and Conclusions. The present study suggests that regular ecstasy users do not see detection dogs as an obstacle to their drug use. Future research is necessary to explore in greater depth the experiences that drug users have with detection dogs; the effect detection dogs may have on deterring drug consumption; whether encounters with detection dogs contribute to drug-related harm; and the cost,benefit analysis of this law enforcement exercise. [Dunn M, Degenhardt L. The use of drug detection dogs in Sydney, Australia. Drug Alcohol Rev 2009] [source] A review of drug prevention system development in Romania and its impact on youth drug consumption trends, 1995,2005DRUG AND ALCOHOL REVIEW, Issue 4 2009CSABA L. DÉGI Abstract Issues. A tremendous growth occurred in the reported drug use and abuse in Romania from 1995 to 1999. Lack of concern by government and little policy attention contributed to the surprising delay of drug policy and drug prevention system development. General public stigmatize drug users and drug consumption is considered a matter of personal fault and responsibility. There is some but not sufficient research and evaluation on drug use, abuse problem. Approach. Drug use, abuse and prevention are discussed from research-based, user-focused and prevention system development perspectives. Prevalence and trends of drug use, abuse in the past decade (1995,2005) are summarized. Prevention issues are discussed based on research data from adolescents, parents and teachers. The Romanian primary drug prevention system has been evaluated based on our experiences in drug use prevention activities carried out in schools and recreational environments. Key Findings. Public and scientific perspectives on drug consumption in Romania, between 1995 and 1999, were dominated by an idealistic, non-realistic perception. Since 1995, drug use among adolescents increased almost four times in less than 4 years. The first law against drug traffic and consumption was issued only in 2000. Now primary drug prevention strategies are in action, but in general they are lacking standard evaluation procedures. Implications/Conclusion. Conclusions are drafted for new perspectives in prevention activities. More long-term, user-focused, demand-centred prevention activities should be carried out in more and more diversified settings and evaluation should be thoroughly considered.[Dégi CL. A review of drug prevention system development in Romania and its impact on youth drug consumption trends, 1995,2005. Drug Alcohol Rev 2009;28:419,425] [source] Peering into dirty waters: the potential and implications of a new approach to monitoring drug consumptionADDICTION, Issue 8 2008NORBERT FROST No abstract is available for this article. [source] REVIEW: Behavioural assessment of drug reinforcement and addictive features in rodents: an overviewADDICTION BIOLOGY, Issue 1 2006Carles Sanchis-Segura ABSTRACT Some psychoactive drugs are abused because of their ability to act as reinforcers. As a consequence behavioural patterns (such as drug-seeking/drug-taking behaviours) are promoted that ensure further drug consumption. After prolonged drug self-administration, some individuals lose control over their behaviour so that these drug-seeking/taking behaviours become compulsive, pervading almost all life activities and precipitating the loss of social compatibility. Thus, the syndrome of addictive behaviour is qualitatively different from controlled drug consumption. Drug-induced reinforcement can be assessed directly in laboratory animals by either operant or non-operant self-administration methods, by classical conditioning-based paradigms such as conditioned place preference or sign tracking, by facilitation of intracranial electric self-stimulation, or, alternatively by drug-induced memory enhancement. In contrast, addiction cannot be modelled in animals, at least as a whole, within the constraints of the laboratory. However, various procedures have been proposed as possible rodent analogues of addiction's major elements including compulsive drug seeking, relapse, loss of control/impulsivity, and continued drug consumption despite negative consequences. This review provides an extensive overview and a critical evaluation of the methods currently used for studying drug-induced reinforcement as well as specific features of addictive behaviour. In addition, comic strips that illustrate behavioural methods used in the drug abuse field are provided given for free download under http://www.zi-mannheim/psychopharmacology.de [source] Chronic cocaine sensitizes striatal GABAergic synapses to the stimulation of cannabinoid CB1 receptorsEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE, Issue 6 2007Diego Centonze Abstract Behavioural studies indicate that cannabinoid receptors are implicated in cocaine addiction. The synaptic underpinning of cocaine,cannabinoid receptor interaction is however, obscure. We have studied electrophysiologically the sensitivity of cannabinoid receptors modulating synaptic transmission in the striatum of rats exposed to cocaine. One-day treatment with cocaine did not modify the synaptic response to HU210, a cannabinoid CB1 receptor agonist. Seven days cocaine-treatment, conversely, caused conditioned place preference, and sensitized striatal GABAergic synapses to the presynaptic effect of cannabinoid CB1 receptor stimulation. The cannabinoid receptor-induced modulation of glutamate transmission was unaltered by cocaine. Furthermore, the effects of chronic cocaine on cannabinoid-mediated regulation of striatal GABA synapses were attenuated one week after the discontinuation of cocaine, and absent two weeks later, indicating the progressive reversibility of the adaptations of cannabinoid system during abstinence of drug consumption. Our data support the concept that modulation of cannabinoid receptors might be useful against drug abuse. [source] Dextropropoxyphene withdrawal from a French university hospital: impact on analgesic drug consumptionFUNDAMENTAL & CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY, Issue 2 2009Sabine Gaubert Abstract Dextropropoxyphene is a weak opioid analgesic, widely used as a step 2 analgesic (according to WHO classification) in combination with peripheral analgesics, mainly paracetamol. Recent data have underlined its poor analgesic efficacy (in comparison with paracetamol), risks of serious adverse drug reactions (i.e. hepatic reactions, hallucinations, abuse, withdrawal symptoms, hypoglycaemia), possible lethality after overdose, its risk of accumulation in patients with renal failure or in elderly people and some pharmacokinetic insufficiencies (i.e. different half-lives for dextropropoxyphene and paracetamol). Taking into account these data, the drug committee of the Toulouse University Hospital (France) decided to withdraw dextropropoxyphene from the hospital formulary since 1 June 2005. The aim of our study was to investigate the consequences of this withdrawal by comparing use of analgesic drugs in Toulouse University Hospital before (2004) and after (2006) dextropropoxyphene withdrawal (using defined daily dose for 1000 hospitalization-days as the unit measure). Before withdrawal, dextropropoxyphene (in combination with paracetamol) was the second most used analgesic drug after paracetamol alone. After dextropropoxyphene withdrawal, total consumption of analgesic drugs decreased by 4.6% (2006 vs. 2004). There was a 28% decrease in consumption of step 2 analgesics [with an increase in oral tramadol and a slight decrease in codeine (in combination with paracetamol)]. During the same period, step 1 analgesic consumption increased by 11% (mainly paracetamol) and that of step 3 analgesics slightly decreased (,8%). These results show that dextropropoxyphene withdrawal was not associated with a marked switch in prescriptions towards other analgesic drugs. This paper underlines the interest of a hospital-based drug committee to promote rational drug use. Finally, the present data allow us to discuss putative misuse of dextropropoxyphene. [source] Effect of Autogenic Training on Drug Consumption in Patients With Primary Headache: An 8-Month Follow-up StudyHEADACHE, Issue 3 2003Terezia Zsombok MD Objective.,To examine the effects of Schultz-type autogenic training on headache-related drug consumption and headache frequency in patients with migraine, tension-type, or mixed (migraine plus tension-type) headache over an 8-month period. Background.,Behavioral treatments often are used alone or adjunctively for different types of headache. There are, however, only a few studies that have compared the efficacy and durability of the same treatment in different types of primary headache, and the effects of treatment on headache-related drug consumption rarely have been assessed even in these studies. Methods.,Twenty-five women with primary headache (11 with mixed headache, 8 with migraine, and 6 with tension-type headache) were evaluated via an open-label, self-controlled, 8-month, follow-up study design. After an initial 4 months of observation, patients began learning Schultz-type autogenic training as modified for patients with headache. They practiced autogenic training on a regular basis for 4 months. Based on data from headache diaries and daily medication records, headache frequencies and the amounts of analgesics, "migraine-specific" drugs (ergots and triptans), and anxiolytics taken by the patients were compared in the three subgroups over the 8-month period. Results.,From the first month of implementation of autogenic training, headache frequencies were significantly reduced in patients with tension-type and mixed headache. Significant reduction in frequency was achieved in patients with migraine only from the third month of autogenic training. Decreases in headache frequencies were accompanied by decreases in consumption of migraine drugs and analgesics resulting in significant correlations among these parameters. Reduction in consumption of anxiolytic drugs was more rapid and robust in patients with tension-type headache compared to patients with migraine, and this outcome failed to show any correlation with change in headache frequency. Conclusion.,Schultz-type autogenic training is an effective therapeutic approach that may lead to a reduction in both headache frequency and the use of headache medication. [source] Estimating the price elasticity of expenditure for prescription drugs in the presence of non-linear price schedules: an illustration from Quebec, CanadaHEALTH ECONOMICS, Issue 9 2005Paul Contoyannis Abstract The price elasticity of demand for prescription drugs is a crucial parameter of interest in designing pharmaceutical benefit plans. Estimating the elasticity using micro-data, however, is challenging because insurance coverage that includes deductibles, co-insurance provisions and maximum expenditure limits create a non-linear price schedule, making price endogenous (a function of drug consumption). In this paper we exploit an exogenous change in cost-sharing within the Quebec (Canada) public Pharmacare program to estimate the price elasticity of expenditure for drugs using IV methods. This approach corrects for the endogeneity of price and incorporates the concept of a ,rational' consumer who factors into consumption decisions the price they expect to face at the margin given their expected needs. The IV method is adapted from an approach developed in the public finance literature used to estimate income responses to changes in tax schedules. The instrument is based on the price an individual would face under the new cost-sharing policy if their consumption remained at the pre-policy level. Our preferred specification leads to expenditure elasticities that are in the low range of previous estimates (between ,0.12 and ,0.16). Naïve OLS estimates are between 1 and 4 times these magnitudes. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Direct-to-consumer advertising of pharmaceuticals: developed countries experiences and TurkeyHEALTH EXPECTATIONS, Issue 1 2007Semih Semin MD PhD Abstract While several major problems concerning drugs occur in the world, the attempts to direct-to-consumer advertising (DTCA) has gained a considerable impetus lately in both developed and developing countries. DTCA has increasingly become an appealing advertising alternative for the pharmaceutical industry as drug companies have come to wrestle with such problems as the expansion of the drug market; the decline of the medical representatives' work efficiency; drug reimbursement restrictions; and the escalating role of the Internet in the consumer market. Some of the main disadvantages of the DTCA are: increasing drug expenditures, unnecessary drug consumption and adverse effect risks. Even though the influence of pharmaceuticals on health services and the economy hold the same importance in the developed and developing countries, its negative consequences have increased by encompassing developing countries in its grip. Therefore, in this review, using Turkey as an example, the situation of direct-to-consumer advertisements in developing countries is analysed in relation with developed countries. [source] Vasodilators and Nootropics as Predictors of Dementia and Mortality in the PAQUID CohortJOURNAL OF AMERICAN GERIATRICS SOCIETY, Issue 3 2007Jean-François Dartigues MD OBJECTIVES: To assess the effects of treatment for memory impairment and the Ginkgo biloba extract (EGb 761) on dementia, mortality, and survival without dementia. DESIGN: Prospective community-based cohort study. SETTING: France. PARTICIPANTS: Three thousand five hundred thirty-four subjects aged 65 and older. MEASUREMENTS: Information on drug consumption was obtained by interview and visual assessment of patients' medicine chests. Active screening of dementia was performed every 2 years over a 13-year period. The independent effects of treatment for memory impairment and the Ginkgo biloba extract on the risks of dementia and death were estimated using Cox proportional hazards models, adjusted for potentially confounding factors (including comorbidities). RESULTS: The initial consumption of Ginkgo biloba did not modify the risk of dementia (relative risk (RR)=1.16, 95% confidence interval (CI)=0.84,1.60), whereas the consumption of other treatments for memory impairment was associated with a higher risk of dementia (RR=1.35, 95% CI=1.11,1.63). Subjects who took Ginkgo biloba had a significantly lower risk of mortality in the long term (RR=0.76, 95% CI=0.62,0.93), even after adjustment for potentially confounding factors. The initial consumption of treatment for memory impairment other than Ginkgo biloba did not modify the risk of mortality. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that treatment with EGb 761 may increase the probability of survival in the elderly population. These findings need to be corroborated and further assessed using randomized, controlled trials. [source] Stressful life events and suicidal behaviour in countries with different development levels: Nicaragua, El Salvador, Chile and SpainJOURNAL OF COMMUNITY & APPLIED SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY, Issue 4 2010José Juan Vázquez Abstract This paper presents a study conducted on 709 Latin American undergraduates from four countries with different development levels (Nicaragua, El Salvador, Chile and Spain). The intention of this paper is to value the differences in the number and characteristics of stressful life events (SLE) suffered by the participants. Another purpose is to confirm the relation between SLE and suicidal conduct in Spanish cultural contexts, through the study of a multicultural sample of Spanish-speaking university students, and finally, to isolate the SLE that allow predicting a later suicidal conduct to a greatest extent. The information was collected by means of a self-applied questionnaire. The results indicate a greater presence of SLE among those who live in countries with lower development levels and among those who have attempted committing suicide. It is observed that the fact of having suffered certain SLE,physical or sexual mistreatment, excessive alcohol or drug consumption and having left home during childhood or adolescence,aid in the prediction of later suicidal conducts in the studied samples. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Rapid throughput screening of apparent KSP values for weakly basic drugs using 96-well formatJOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES, Issue 6 2008Jeremy Guo Abstract A rapid-throughput screening assay was developed to estimate the salt solubility parameter, KSP, with a minimal quantity of drug. This assay allows for early evaluation of salt limited solubility with a large number of counter-ions and biologically promising drug leads. Drugs dissolved (typically 10 mM) in DMSO are robotically distributed to a 96-well plate. DMSO is evaporated, and drugs are equilibrated with various acids at different concentrations (typically <1 M) to yield final total drug concentrations around 2.5 mM. The plate is checked for precipitation. Filtrates from only those precipitated wells were subjected to rapid gradient HPLC analysis. An iterative procedure is employed to calculate all species concentrations based on mass and charge balance equations. The apparent KSP values assuming 1:1 stoichiometry are determined from counter-ion and ionized drug activities. A correlation coefficient >0.975 for eight drugs totaling 16 salts is reported. Intra-day and inter-day reproducibility was <10%. Conventional apparent KSP measurements were translated to 96-well format for increased throughput and minimal drug consumption (typically 10 mg) to evaluate at least eight different counter-ions. Although the current protocol estimates KSP from 10,3 to 10,7 M, the dynamic range of the assay could be expanded by adjusting drug and counter-ion concentrations. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc. and the American Pharmacists Association J Pharm Sci 97:2079,2090, 2008 [source] Randomized double-blind controlled study with sublingual carbamylated allergoid immunotherapy in mild rhinitis due to mitesALLERGY, Issue 7 2006G. Passalacqua Background:, The clinical efficacy of sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) in mite allergy and in mild disease is still a matter of debate, thus we performed a long-term clinical trial. Methods:, The study was randomized, double-blind and placebo-controlled. After a 1-year assessment, 68 patients with mild rhinitis with/without asthma due to mites were randomized to drugs + placebo or drugs + SLIT for 2 years. Sublingual immunotherapy was given as soluble tablets of monomeric carbamylated allergoid. Clinical scores for asthma and rhinitis (0, absent to 3, severe) and drug consumption were assessed by diary card in the period November,February. Quality of life was assessed before and after each observation period and pharmaco-economy data were evaluated as well. Results:, Fifty-six patients completed the study. The rate of dropouts was similar in the two groups. No relevant side effect was reported. There was a significant reduction of total clinical scores (P < 0.05) in the active group vs placebo at the first year, but not at the second whereas nasal obstruction significantly improved in both years (P < 0.05). The reduction of drug intake score was significant only at the first year. No change was observed concerning most of the Short Form-36 items, because at baseline all patients displayed a normal profile. A significant change in SLIT group was seen for the item ,change in health status'. The need for extra visits was significantly lower in the active group (25%vs 43%). Conclusions:, Sublingual immunotherapy was clinically effective and safe in mite-induced mild disease. [source] Psychotropics use in the Spanish elderly: predictors and evolution between years 1993 and 2003,PHARMACOEPIDEMIOLOGY AND DRUG SAFETY, Issue 4 2007P. Carrasco-Garrido PhD Abstract Purpose This study mainly aimed at describing the prevalence of psychotropic medication consumption in the Spanish elderly population between the years 1993 and 2003. Methods Descriptive, cross-sectional study covering the Spanish population aged 65 years and over, using data drawn from the 1993 and 2003 Spanish National Health Surveys (ENSS). A total of 9570 interviews were analysed (3436 from 1993 and 6134 from 2003). The independent variables were sociodemographic and health-related, and the dependent variable was total consumption of psychotropic medication. Using logistic multivariate regression models, we have analysed the temporal evolution of psychotropic medication consumption between 1993 and 2003. Results The prevalence of consumption was significantly higher in women (6.7% from 1993 and 26.4 % from 2003) versus men (2.4% from 1993 and 10.6% from 2003) (p,<,0.001). Multivariate analysis, highlighted the association between increased psychoactive drug intake and sex, nervous, depressive, sleep disorders and negative perception of health, displayed a strong association with consumption of psychoactive drugs across the 2 years. Conclusions In Spain, the prevalence of psychoactive drug consumption is higher among elderly women than men, and increases with negative perception of health. The prevalence of consumption was significantly higher in the year 2003. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Income related inequality in prescription drugs in Denmark,,PHARMACOEPIDEMIOLOGY AND DRUG SAFETY, Issue 5 2005Jens Gundgaard Abstract Purpose To examine income-related inequity in utilisation of prescription drugs in Funen County, Denmark after a new reimbursement system was implemented. Methods An individual level prescription database was merged with a health survey of 2927 respondents interviewed in 2000 and 2001 about their health status and socio-economic and socio-demographic characteristics. An index of horizontal inequity was used to estimate the degree of inequity in drug utilisation across income groups, using the indirect method of standardisation to control for age, gender and health status as a proxy for need. The results were compared to estimates from a traditional regression analysis. Results The least advantaged with respect to income consume a bigger share of the prescription drugs than the most advantaged. After standardisation for age, gender and health status the least advantaged have a lower share of the drug consumption than expected. However, traditional regression analysis showed no signs of an income effect on the level of consumption of prescription drugs. Conclusions The index of horizontal inequity suggests that some horizontal inequity favouring the better off is present. However, the results deviate from what can be found by traditional regression analysis. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] The Simple Analytics of Illicit Drug PolicyTHE AUSTRALIAN ECONOMIC REVIEW, Issue 3 2008D. P. Doessel The impact of alternative drug policy objectives, specifically harm reduction/harm minimisation or prohibition, is unclear. The literature is confusing. This article conceptualises the causal connection between drug consumption and health harm (or reduced health status) then clarifies the implication of ,drug related harm'. By applying some geometrical tools from economics, the choice of policy objective is analysed. The preferences of policy advocates are then incorporated. Policy advocates are conceived as arguing that decision-makers and consumers should adopt their preferences between drugs and health harm. With this approach, the difference between alternative drug policies, in particular prohibition and harm minimisation/reduction, is demonstrated. [source] Effects of high-dose sublingual immunotherapy on quality of life in patients with cypress-induced rhinitis: a placebo-controlled studyCLINICAL & EXPERIMENTAL ALLERGY REVIEWS, Issue 3 2006V. Di Rienzo Summary The efficacy of specific immunotherapy and particularly of sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) in subjects allergic to Cupressaceae pollen is well defined, but no study assessed its effects on quality of life (QoL). We evaluated the effectiveness of SLIT with a standardized, high-dose extract of Juniperus ashei in patients with cypress-induced rhinitis, using QoL as the major outcome measure. Thirty-four patients, 20 males and 14 females, mean age 33.8 years, with allergic rhinitis (AR) from cypress pollen were randomly assigned to receive an allergen extract standardized in index of reactivity (IR) of J. ashei (19 patients) or a placebo (15 patients). The schedule was pre-coseasonal, with a build-up phase in 12 days and a maintenance treatment with 300 IR a day up to the end of the cypress pollen season. All patients registered in diary cards their symptoms, drug consumption and side-effects. The QoL was measured before and after SLIT by the Rhinoconjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaire (RQLQ) by Juniper during the peak of the cypress pollen season. QoL significantly improved in respect to baseline in actively (P=0.017) but not in placebo-treated patients, and there was a significant difference in favour of actively treated patients during the pollen season (P=0.02). Actively and placebo-treated patients had comparable symptom,medication scores in the period from 15 February to 15 March, corresponding to the peak pollen season, but placebo-treated patients showed an uneven drug consumption compared with actively treated patients. Side-effects were relatively common, but mostly with local short-lasting symptoms, and no systemic reaction was reported. These findings show that SLIT with high doses of J. ashei in subjects with cypress-induced rhinitis significantly improves QoL and confirm previous observations on the disagreement between QoL , which assesses patient's perception , and medical parameters used in trials. [source] PERSONAL DIGITAL VIDEO: A METHOD TO MONITOR DRUG REGIMEN ADHERENCE DURING HUMAN CLINICAL INVESTIGATIONSCLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL PHARMACOLOGY AND PHYSIOLOGY, Issue 12 2006Chad C Carroll SUMMARY 1Maintaining patient adherence to a drug regimen has proven to be difficult. Missed doses can impact drug efficacy and disease control, leading to increased health-care costs. 2During clinical drug trials, poor adherence could lead to false conclusions regarding drug efficacy. Therefore, the purpose of the present study was to determine the feasibility of using personal digital video cameras to monitor adherence to a medication regimen during a clinical investigation. 3Older men and women (60,78 years) participated in a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial to determine the effect of ibuprofen or paracetamol on skeletal muscle adaptations to chronic resistance exercise training. Patients took three daily doses of either a placebo or the maximal daily over-the-counter dose of ibuprofen (1.2 g/day) or paracetamol (4.0 g/day) for 12 weeks. Prior to beginning the study, subjects were trained to use a personal digital video camera to record their drug consumption. 4Subjects correctly recorded 4956 of 5375 doses, resulting in an average camera compliance rate of 92% (71,100%). 5We describe a method of monitoring adherence to a prescribed drug regimen during a clinical investigation. Camera compliance rates, which directly confirm drug consumption, were higher than what is typically obtained with other methods of monitoring adherence. This camera compliance method provides the investigator with a simple and convenient means to generate direct evidence of drug consumption. [source] Being old-for-grade and drug use: Not such a clear connectionACTA PAEDIATRICA, Issue 12 2005Joan-carles Surís Abstract Aim: To assess whether repeating a grade was associated with drug use among adolescents after controlling for personal, family and school-related variables, and whether there were differences between students in mandatory and post-mandatory school. Methods: Data were drawn from the Catalonia Adolescent Health Survey, a cross-sectional study of in-school adolescents aged 14,19 y. The index group included 366 subjects who were repeating a grade at the time the survey was carried out (old-for-grade, OFG). A control group matched by gender, school and being one grade ahead was randomly chosen among all the subjects who had never repeated a grade. All statistically significant variables in the bivariate analysis were included in a multivariate analysis. In a second step, all analyses were repeated for students in mandatory (14,16 y) and post-mandatory (17,19 y) school. Results: After controlling for background variables, subjects in the index group were more likely to perceive that most of their peers were using synthetic drugs and to have ever used them, to have bad grades and a worse relationship with their teachers. OFG students in mandatory school were more likely to have divorced parents, bad grades and have ever used synthetic drugs, whereas they were less likely to be regular drinkers. OFG students in post-mandatory school were more likely to have below average grades, to be regular smokers and to perceive that most of their peers used synthetic drugs. Conclusions: When background variables are taken into consideration, the relationship between repeating a grade and drug use is not so clear. By increasing the familial and academic support of adolescents with academic underachievement, we could reduce their drug consumption. [source] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||