The effects of cigarette smoke on airway inflammation in asthma and COPD: therapeutic implications.

Asthma and COPD are two chronic inflammatory disorders of the airway characterized by airflow limitation. While many similarities exist between these two diseases, they are pathologically distinct due to the involvement of different inflammatory cells; predominantly neutrophils, CD8 lymphocytes in COPD and eosinophils and CD4 lymphocytes in asthma. Cigarette smoking is associated with accelerated decline of lung function, increased mortality, and worsening of symptoms in both asthma and COPD.

Comparison of the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of propiverine and oxybutynin for the treatment of overactive bladder syndrome.

Aim: To compare the effects of propiverine and oxybutynin on ambulatory urodynamic monitoring (AUM) parameters, safety, and tolerability in patients with overactive bladder.

Methods: This was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicentre, crossover study. Patients (n = 77) received two of the following treatments during two 2-week periods: propiverine 20 mg once daily, propiverine 15 mg three times daily, oxybutynin 5 mg three times daily, and placebo.

Development of an essential drugs list for Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Part of the impact of the war in ex-Yugoslavia and especially Bosnia and Herzegovina was to limit the supply of therapeutic drugs they had used before the war. The difficulties encountered made the health care system temporarily dependent on humanitarian assistance agencies which applied the concept of essential drugs; and, after initial difficulties, national health staff adapted to the need to prescribe from a very limited range of drugs. Meanwhile, national drug policy and procurement and prescribing practices were reviewed by working groups and a national List of Essential Drugs was drawn up by national experts with international support.