Biomedical subjects

David Murdoch

Publications and source records attributed to David Murdoch.

14 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Māori have a much higher incidence of community-acquired pneumonia and pneumococcal pneumonia than non-Māori: findings from two New Zealand hospitals.

To determine the incidence rates of community-acquired pneumonia and pneumococcal pneumonia requiring hospitalisation among Maori and non-Maori, an observational study was conducted in Christchurch and Hamilton. Self-reported data were collected using an interviewer-administered questionnaire. Routine clinical, radiological, and microbiological techniques were used apart from the BinaxNow pneumococcal antigen test for diagnosis of this infection. Census data was used to determine the denominator for statistical analyses. The pneumonia rate overall was 3.03 times higher among Maori than non-Maori (p<0.001). Differences were significant for each 10-year age group from age 45-74 years (p<0.05). The rate of pneumococcal pneumonia was 3.23 fold higher for Maori than non-Maori (p<0.001), but it did not reach statistical significance in the age-related comparisons. These ethnic disparities are of major concern, and policy planners should consider further interventions to improve the efficacy of current anti-smoking campaigns and to undertake studies of conjugate pneumococcal vaccines for Maori.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2006

Triflusal: a review of its use in cerebral infarction and myocardial infarction, and as thromboprophylaxis in atrial fibrillation.

Triflusal (Aflen, Disgren, Tecnosal, Triflux) is a novel platelet antiaggregant with structural similarities to salicylates, but which is not derived from aspirin. It has similar efficacy to aspirin in patients with cerebral or myocardial infarction, but has a reduced risk of haemorrhagic complications. In addition, triflusal plus moderate-intensity anticoagulation has demonstrated efficacy when used as thromboprophylaxis in atrial fibrillation. As such, triflusal has a role in the primary prevention of cerebrovascular events in atrial fibrillation, and for the secondary prevention of cerebral and myocardial infarction, primarily as an alternative to aspirin in patients for whom aspirin is unsuitable.

Atrial Fibrillation↗

PubMed2006

Spotlight on escitalopram in the management of major depressive disorder.

Escitalopram (Cipralex), Lexapro), the active S-enantiomer of the racemic SSRI citalopram (RS-citalopram), is a highly selective inhibitor of the serotonin transporter protein. It possesses a rapid onset of antidepressant activity, and is an effective and generally well tolerated treatment for moderate-to-severe major depressive disorder (MDD). Pooled analyses from an extensive clinical trial database suggest that escitalopram is consistently more effective than citalopram in moderate-to-severe MDD. Preliminary studies suggest that escitalopram is as effective as other SSRIs and the extended-release (XR) formulation of the serotonin/noradrenaline (norepinephrine) reuptake inhibitor venlafaxine, and may have cost-effectiveness and cost-utility advantages. However, additional longer-term, comparative studies evaluating specific efficacy, tolerability, health-related quality of life and economic indices would be helpful in definitively positioning escitalopram relative to these other agents in the treatment of MDD. Nevertheless, available clinical and pharmacoeconomic data indicate that escitalopram is an effective first-line option in the management of patients with MDD.

Citalopram↗

PubMed2006

Sertindole : a review of its use in schizophrenia.

Oral sertindole (Serdolect) is an atypical antipsychotic approved in the EU for once-daily use in patients with schizophrenia who are intolerant to at least one other antipsychotic agent. Extensive data from post-marketing studies do not indicate an excess of overall mortality with sertindole. Sertindole is at least as effective as haloperidol and risperidone in the treatment of neuroleptic-responsive schizophrenia. Sertindole improves negative symptoms, and is also effective for the treatment of neuroleptic-resistant schizophrenia. Sertindole is generally well tolerated and is associated with a low rate of extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS). Thus, sertindole is a useful option in the treatment of patients with schizophrenia.

Antipsychotic Agents↗

PubMed2005

Subcutaneous recombinant interferon-beta-1a (Rebif): a review of its use in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis.

Subcutaneous recombinant interferon-beta-1a (Rebif) 22 or 44 microg three times weekly is a valuable option in the first-line treatment in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). It has shown benefits on outcome measures related to relapses, progression of disability and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in clinical trials. A significant efficacy advantage for subcutaneous interferon-beta-1a three times weekly over intramuscular interferon-beta-1a 30 microg once weekly was shown at 24 and 48 weeks. The most common adverse events are generally mild and clinically manageable. Considering both direct and indirect comparative clinical trial data, an assessment suggests that subcutaneous interferon-beta-1a 44 microg three times weekly has the best benefit-to-risk values of the available disease-modifying drugs used to treat RRMS.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗

PubMed2005

Escitalopram: a review of its use in the management of major depressive disorder.

Escitalopram (Cipralex, Lexapro), the active S-enantiomer of the racemic selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) citalopram (RS-citalopram), is a highly selective inhibitor of the serotonin transporter protein. It possesses a rapid onset of antidepressant activity, and is an effective and generally well tolerated treatment for moderate-to-severe major depressive disorder (MDD). Pooled analyses from an extensive clinical trial database suggest that escitalopram is consistently more effective than citalopram in moderate-to-severe MDD. Preliminary studies suggest that escitalopram is as effective as other SSRIs and the extended-release (XR) formulation of the serotonin/noradrenaline (norepinephrine) reuptake inhibitor venlafaxine, and may have cost-effectiveness and cost-utility advantages. However, additional longer-term, comparative studies evaluating specific efficacy, tolerability, health-related quality of life and economic indices would be helpful in definitively positioning escitalopram relative to these other agents in the treatment of MDD. Nevertheless, available clinical and pharmacoeconomic data indicate that escitalopram is an effective first-line option in the management of patients with MDD.

Antidepressive Agents↗

PubMed2005

Spotlight on subcutaneous recombinant interferon-beta-1a (Rebif) in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis.

Subcutaneous recombinant interferon-beta-1a (Rebif) 22 or 44 microg three times weekly is a valuable option in the first-line treatment in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis. It has shown benefits on outcome measures related to relapses, progression of disability, and magnetic resonance imaging in clinical trials. A significant efficacy advantage for subcutaneous interferon-beta-1a three times weekly over intramuscular interferon-beta-1a 30 microg once weekly was shown at 24 and 48 weeks. The most common adverse events are generally mild and clinically manageable. Considering both direct and indirect comparative clinical trial data, an assessment suggests that subcutaneous interferon-beta-1a 44 microg three times weekly has the best benefit-to-risk values of the available disease-modifying drugs used to treat relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis.

Humans↗

PubMed2005

Altitude sickness.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Acclimatization↗

PubMed2004

Anidulafungin.

Anidulafungin is a novel antifungal agent which, like other echinocandins, inhibits beta-(1,3)-D-glucan synthase and disrupts fungal cell-wall synthesis. It has marked antifungal activity against a broad spectrum of Candida spp. and Aspergillus spp., including amphotericin B- and triazole-resistant strains. In clinical trials, anidulafungin has primarily been evaluated in patients with oesophageal and invasive candidiasis. Preliminary data are emerging for other indications such as invasive aspergillosis. In a large, multicentre, double-blind, double-dummy, randomised trial in patients with oesophageal candidiasis, intravenous anidulafungin 50 mg/day was as effective as oral fluconazole 100 mg/day regarding end-of-treatment rates of endoscopic cure and clinical and microbiological success. Duration of treatment was approximately 2-3 weeks, and patients in both groups received a loading dose of study drug (twice the daily maintenance dose) on day 1. Anidulafungin is generally well tolerated. Across the dosage range 50-100 mg/day, adverse events appear not to be dose- or infusion-related. In the largest clinical trial to date, the most common treatment-related adverse events were phlebitis/thrombophlebitis, headache, nausea, vomiting and pyrexia.

Anidulafungin↗

PubMed2004

Ezetimibe/Simvastatin: a review of its use in the management of hypercholesterolemia.

Ezetimibe/simvastatin (Inegy, Vytorin) therapy combines two lipid-lowering compounds with complementary mechanisms of action, thereby blocking the two sources of plasma cholesterol and improving lipid profiles. Thus, intestinal absorption of dietary cholesterol and related phytosterols is blocked by ezetimibe, with the biosynthesis of cholesterol in the liver inhibited by simvastatin. Developing management trends for primary hypercholesterolemia include the aggressive reduction of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) to goals lower than previously considered appropriate, the targeting of lipid subfractions and atherogenic indices other than LDL-C alone, and the broader use of combination lipid-lowering therapy. In line with these trends, ezetimibe/simvastatin is an effective and generally well tolerated adjunct to dietary therapy for markedly reducing LDL-C levels, providing a 52% reduction with the recommended starting dosage. Furthermore, ezetimibe/simvastatin is formulated with variable doses of simvastatin (i.e. 10/10 mg, 10/20 mg, 10/40 mg, and 10/80 mg) and hence, the dosage may be adjusted to suit the individual patient's needs. As longer-term efficacy, tolerability, economic and outcome data accrue, ezetimibe/simvastatin will be positioned more definitively relative to existing and emerging lipid-lowering treatments. Currently, ezetimibe/simvastatin therapy represents a valuable novel option for the management of primary hypercholesterolemia across diverse patient populations and as an adjunct to other lipid-lowering treatments in those with homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

Altitude sickness.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Acclimatization↗

PubMed2003

Desloratadine: an update of its efficacy in the management of allergic disorders.

UNLABELLED: Desloratadine (Clarinex, Neoclarityn, Aerius, Azomyr, Opulis, Allex), the principal metabolite of loratadine, is itself an orally active, nonsedating, peripheral histamine H(1)-receptor antagonist. It is indicated in the US and Europe for the treatment of seasonal allergic rhinitis (SAR), perennial allergic rhinitis (PAR) and chronic idiopathic urticaria (CIU). It has a rapid onset of effect, efficacy throughout a 24-hour dosage interval, and sustained efficacy in these allergic conditions, as demonstrated in placebo-controlled trials of up to 6 weeks' duration in adult and adolescent patients. At present, there are no published direct comparisons of desloratadine and other H(1)-antihistamines; however, the principal, potential clinical advantages of desloratadine over late-generation H(1)-antihistamines are the drug's decongestant activity, which has been corroborated in several studies of patients with allergic rhinitis, and its anti-inflammatory effects. Indeed, the decongestant activity of desloratadine did not differ from that of pseudoephedrine in a trial in patients with SAR, and in patients with SAR and coexisting asthma, desloratadine reduced asthma symptoms and beta(2)-agonist use, and improved forced expiratory flow in 1 second. However, these issues warrant further study. Desloratadine is generally well tolerated. The overall incidence of adverse events in adults, adolescents and children was not significantly different to that with placebo, and similar proportions of desloratadine or placebo recipients reported events such as pharyngitis, dry mouth, myalgia, somnolence, dysmenorrhoea or fatigue. Desloratadine does not cause sedation or prolong the corrected QT (QTc) interval, can be administered without regard to concurrent intake of food and grapefruit juice, and appears to have negligible potential for drug interactions mediated by several metabolic systems. CONCLUSION: Although comparative studies with second-generation and other recently developed H(1)-antihistamines are needed to define the drug's clinical profile more clearly, desloratadine can be expected to claim a prominent place in the management of allergic disorders in general, and in the amelioration of specific symptoms of allergy (e.g. nasal congestion) in patients with such disorders.

Animals↗

PubMed2003

The sirolimus-eluting stent: a review of its use in the treatment of coronary artery disease.

UNLABELLED: The sirolimus-eluting stent (CYPHER( trade mark )) is a metal stent coated with 140 micro g/cm(2) of sirolimus blended with synthetic polymers. After stent implantation, sirolimus is slowly released causing localized cytostatic inhibition of proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells in the peri-stent arterial wall over a period of about 1 month. Only minimal amounts of sirolimus enter the bloodstream and these appear to be insufficient to be of clinical relevance. In clinical trials that evaluated single de novo lesions and in-stent restenosis in patients with coronary artery disease, the sirolimus-eluting stent was associated with minimal neointimal hyperplasia. In four randomized trials in de novo lesions, sirolimus eluting stents produced a significantly lower incidence of major adverse cardiac events (MACE) than that observed in patients with uncoated stents, during periods of up to 2 years (p < 0.05 for all comparisons). The lower incidence of MACE was mostly due to a reduced requirement for repeat target vessel revascularization. At angiographic follow-up at periods of up to 8 months, late luminal loss was significantly smaller in the sirolimus-eluting stent groups than in the uncoated-stent groups (p < 0.001 in all studies). The sirolimus-eluting stent was well tolerated in clinical trials of up to 3 years' follow-up. Because minimal blood levels of sirolimus are achieved, systemic adverse effects appear to be avoided. To date, there has been no evidence of any potential adverse effects resulting from the polymer coating or local drug toxicity. As yet, there is no evidence of an increased risk of subacute or late thrombosis, or aneurysm formation with the sirolimus-eluting stent compared with the uncoated stent. Long-term follow-up is needed to fully assess these theoretical concerns. Cost-effectiveness analyses over 12 months demonstrated a cost advantage for the sirolimus-eluting stent compared with an uncoated stent because of a reduced requirement for repeat target vessel revascularizations. CONCLUSION: Initial clinical trials with the sirolimus-eluting stent in patients with de novo coronary lesions have shown a significantly reduced incidence of MACE and of restenosis compared with a standard stent. Efficacy appears to be maintained throughout follow-up periods of up to 2 years in randomized trials, and to date, systemic or local adverse effects have been avoided. If efficacy and tolerability are consistently demonstrated over the long term, the sirolimus-eluting stent will be a major advance in the control of in-stent restenosis.

Coronary Artery Disease↗

PubMed2002

Acquired hyperopia with choroidal folds.

Acquired hyperopia with choroidal folds is an uncommon but well recognized condition that is often benign and classically shows flattening of the posterior pole of the affected eye, variable enlargement of the optic nerve complex, and a space between the optic nerve and its sheath. A case is presented that shows the perineural space is best seen on magnetic resonance imaging. Lumbar puncture to exclude increased intracranial pressure should be performed even in the absence of papilloedema.

Choroid Diseases↗