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Satisfactory Relief (satisfactory + relief)

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Medical Sciences100%

Selected Abstracts

The usual medical care for irritable bowel syndrome

ALIMENTARY PHARMACOLOGY & THERAPEUTICS, Issue 11-12 2004
W. E. Whitehead
Summary Aims :,To determine what constitutes usual medical care for irritable bowel syndrome, which patient characteristics influence choice of treatment and how satisfied patients are with care. Methods :,Patient encounters in a health maintenance organization were prospectively monitored to identify visits coded irritable bowel syndrome, abdominal pain, constipation or diarrhoea. Within 2 weeks these patients were sent postal questionnaires (n = 1770, 59% participation) to assess patient characteristics and treatment recommendations. Responders were sent follow-up questionnaires 6 months later (77% participation) to assess adherence and satisfaction with treatment. Results :,Treatments employed most frequently were dietary advice, explanation, exercise advice, reassurance, advice to reduce stress and antispasmodic medications. Primary care physicians and gastroenterologists provided similar treatments. Patient confidence was higher for lifestyle advice (63,67, 100-point scale) than for medications (46,59). However, adherence was greater for medications (62,79 vs. 59,69, 100-point scale). Satisfactory relief was reported by 57%, but only 22% reported that symptom severity was reduced by half. Usual medical treatment was less effective for irritable bowel syndrome than for constipation, diarrhoea, or abdominal pain. Conclusions :,Usual medical care for irritable bowel syndrome emphasizes education and lifestyle modification more than drugs; patients have a greater expectation of benefit from lifestyle modification than drugs. Overall 57% of irritable bowel syndrome patients report satisfactory relief. [source]

Clinical trial: the treatment of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease in primary care , prospective randomized comparison of rabeprazole 20 mg with esomeprazole 20 and 40 mg

ALIMENTARY PHARMACOLOGY & THERAPEUTICS, Issue 9 2009
A. EGGLESTON
Summary Background, A trial of empirical PPI therapy is usual practice for most patients with symptoms of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in primary care. Aim, To determine if the 4-week efficacy of rabeprazole 20 mg for resolving heartburn and regurgitation symptoms is non-inferior to esomeprazole 40 mg or 20 mg. Methods, In all, 1392 patients were randomized to rabeprazole 20 mg, esomeprazole 20 mg or 40 mg once daily. Patients, doctors and assessors were blinded. Symptom resolution data were collected on days 0,7 and day-28 using the Patient Assessment of Upper Gastrointestinal Disorders Symptom Severity Index with a shortened version used on days 8,27. Results, Rabeprazole 20 mg was non-inferior to esomeprazole 40 mg for complete resolution of regurgitation and satisfactory resolution of heartburn and regurgitation. For complete heartburn resolution, the efficacy of rabeprazole 20 mg and esomeprazole 40 mg was statistically indistinguishable, although the non-inferiority test was inconclusive. Rabeprazole 20 mg was non-inferior to esomeprazole 20 mg for all outcomes. Conclusions, In uninvestigated GERD patients, rabeprazole 20 mg was non-inferior to esomeprazole 40 mg for complete and satisfactory relief of regurgitation and satisfactory relief of heartburn, and not different for complete resolution of heartburn. [source]

Predictors of the placebo response in functional dyspepsia

ALIMENTARY PHARMACOLOGY & THERAPEUTICS, Issue 7 2006
N. J. TALLEY
Summary Background, Trials in functional dyspepsia report placebo response rates of 30% to 40%. Aim, We aimed to identify predictors of the placebo response. Methods, Patients from primary, secondary and tertiary practices with functional dyspepsia defined by Rome II criteria were enrolled into one of four clinical trials; 220 patients were randomized to receive placebo. Scintigraphic assessment of gastric emptying at baseline was repeated at the end of the treatment in those with delayed emptying. After a 2 week run-in period, patients were followed for 8 weeks on placebo. Response was assessed on a weekly basis and a responder was defined as satisfactory relief of meal-related symptoms on at least 50% of weeks. Results, The mean age was 44 years (range 18,82) and 74% were female; 76 (35%) were placebo responders. The predominant symptom was an unstable measure over the trial. Independent predictors of a lower placebo response were lower body mass index and a more consistent predominant symptom pattern (both P < 0.05). No association was seen with age, gender, centre type, baseline symptom score, baseline or change in gastric emptying, or baseline quality of life. Conclusion, In functional dyspepsia, a consistent predominant symptom pattern and lower body mass index may be associated with a lower placebo response rate. [source]

The usual medical care for irritable bowel syndrome

ALIMENTARY PHARMACOLOGY & THERAPEUTICS, Issue 11-12 2004
W. E. Whitehead
Summary Aims :,To determine what constitutes usual medical care for irritable bowel syndrome, which patient characteristics influence choice of treatment and how satisfied patients are with care. Methods :,Patient encounters in a health maintenance organization were prospectively monitored to identify visits coded irritable bowel syndrome, abdominal pain, constipation or diarrhoea. Within 2 weeks these patients were sent postal questionnaires (n = 1770, 59% participation) to assess patient characteristics and treatment recommendations. Responders were sent follow-up questionnaires 6 months later (77% participation) to assess adherence and satisfaction with treatment. Results :,Treatments employed most frequently were dietary advice, explanation, exercise advice, reassurance, advice to reduce stress and antispasmodic medications. Primary care physicians and gastroenterologists provided similar treatments. Patient confidence was higher for lifestyle advice (63,67, 100-point scale) than for medications (46,59). However, adherence was greater for medications (62,79 vs. 59,69, 100-point scale). Satisfactory relief was reported by 57%, but only 22% reported that symptom severity was reduced by half. Usual medical treatment was less effective for irritable bowel syndrome than for constipation, diarrhoea, or abdominal pain. Conclusions :,Usual medical care for irritable bowel syndrome emphasizes education and lifestyle modification more than drugs; patients have a greater expectation of benefit from lifestyle modification than drugs. Overall 57% of irritable bowel syndrome patients report satisfactory relief. [source]

The management of cancer pain,

CA: A CANCER JOURNAL FOR CLINICIANS, Issue 2 2000
Dr. Nathan I. Cherny MBBS
Any therapeutic strategy developed for patients experiencing cancer pain depends on the goals of care, which can be broadly categorized as prolonging survival, optimizing comfort, and optimizing function. The relative priority of these goals for any individual should direct therapeutic decision-making. By combining primary treatments, systemic analgesic agents, and other techniques, most cancer patients can achieve satisfactory relief of pain. In cases where pain appears refractory to these interventions, invasive anesthetic or neurosurgical maneuvers may be necessary, and sedation may be offered to those with unrelieved pain at the end of life. The principles of analgesic therapy are presented, as well as the practical issues involved in drug administration, ranging from calculating dosage to adverse effects, and, when necessary, how to switch and/or combine therapies. Adjuvant analgesics, which are drugs indicated for purposes other than relief of pain but which may have analgesic effects, are also listed and discussed in some detail. Surgical and neurodestructive techniques, such as rhizotomy or cordotomy, although not frequently required or performed, represent yet other options for patients with unremitting pain and diminished hope of relief. Although cancer pain can be a complex medical problem arising from multiple sources, patients should be assured that suffering is not inevitable and that relief is attainable. [source]