Effect of the new 75-mg orodispersible film of sildenafil on erection and sexual quality of life: insights from an observational study.

Background: The newly devised orodispersible film (ODF) of sildenafil is the first phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor (PDE5i) available in a 75-mg dose. This intermediate dose and the particular properties of the ODF formulation can improve the clinical management of erectile dysfunction (ED) patients.

Aim: We investigated the effects of the sildenafil ODF 75-mg dose on both sexual quality of life and erectile function based on the results from an observational study in daily practice in Italy.

Development and Validation of IBSA Photographic Scale for the Assessment of Inner Upper Arm Laxity.

Objective: To describe the development and validation of the 5-grade photographic IBSA inner upper arm scale.

Methods: From 2 real-life pictures, a scale made up of 5 morphed images showing increasing severity of inner upper arm laxity was created. For validation, a set of 50 images (half of which real and the other morphed) was developed and sent to 5 trained physicians in two rounds 30 days apart.

Effects of topical diclofenac plus heparin (DHEP+H plaster) on somatic pain sensitivity in healthy subjects with a latent algogenic condition of the lower limb.

Objective: To evaluate whether a diclofenac epolamine + heparin topical (plaster) is more effective than diclofenac plaster alone in reducing deep somatic hyperalgesia in subjects without spontaneous pain and whether the effect is linked to or independent of the anti-edematous action of heparin.

Design: Prospective, double-blind, randomized and controlled, four-arm parallel design trial.

Subjects: One hundred and four patients (84 women, 20 men, mean age 42.

OARSI-OMERACT initiative: defining thresholds for symptomatic severity and structural changes in disease modifying osteoarthritis drug (DMOAD) clinical trials.

Objective: Total joint replacement has been proposed as an endpoint in disease modifying osteoarthritis drug (DMOAD) randomized clinical trials (RCTs); however, disparities have generated concerns regarding this outcome. A combined Osteoarthritis Research Society International (OARSI)/Outcome Measures in Rheumatology (OMERACT) initiative was launched in 2004 to develop a composite index ['virtual total joint replacement' (VJR)] as a surrogate outcome for osteoarthritis (OA) progression in DMOAD RCTs. Our objective was to evaluate the prevalence of patients fulfilling different thresholds of sustained pain, reduced function, and X-ray change in existing DMOAD RCTs.