Safety assessment of an anti-obesity drug (sibutramine): a retrospective cohort study.

Background: Obesity is a serious and rapidly growing health problem worldwide. Few therapies are available beyond diet, exercise and bariatric surgery. A previously approved medication, sibutramine, has been withdrawn from the market due to concerns over the potential of increased risk of cardiovascular (CV) events, based on a phase IV clinical trial that included only individuals at high risk for CV events.

Patterns of treatment with chemotherapy and monoclonal antibodies for metastatic colorectal cancer in Western Europe.

Background And Objectives: Treatment outcomes improved in metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) due to the introduction of new chemotherapies and monoclonal antibodies. This study describes current patterns of pharmacological treatment for mCRC in clinical practice in four European countries.

Methods: This cohort study used physician-survey data from the LifeLink Oncology Analyzer Database for mCRC patients in France, Germany, Italy and Spain.

Major surgery in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer in Western europe.

Purpose: Given the potential interference between treatment for metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) and surgical procedures, we sought to determine the prevalence of major surgery following mCRC diagnosis in clinical practice.

Methods: This cohort study used physician-surveyed data from the LifeLink™ Oncology Analyzer database for mCRC patients in five European countries (France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom [UK]). All patients aged ≥21 years at mCRC diagnosis and with data collected during 2009 were included.

One-year treatment persistence and potential adverse events among patients with atrial fibrillation treated with amiodarone or sotalol: a retrospective claims database analysis.

Background: The risk-benefit profile of antiarrhythmic drugs (AADs) affects the choice of pharmacotherapy for maintenance of sinus rhythm. Adverse events (AEs) associated with AADs may influence patient compliance and compromise the management of atrial fibrillation (AF). There are limited data on the incidence of AEs or persistence with AADs outside the clinical trial environment.