Maintenance treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease: an evaluation of continuous and on-demand therapy with rabeprazole 20 mg.

Objective: To evaluate continuous therapy (COT) and on-demand therapy (ODT) with rabeprazole 20 mg for maintenance in uninvestigated gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

Methods: This randomized, open-label study enrolled 331 GERD (heartburn-predominant) patients with a pre-existing proton pump inhibitor history of one month or longer, to an acute four-week trial with 20 mg rabeprazole daily for heartburn management. Patients who achieved satisfactory heartburn control during the acute phase (three days or less of heartburn, with no more than one episode rated as moderate, and heartburn rated satisfactorily or completely controlled with minimal rescue antacid use in the seven days preceding randomization) were randomly assigned to six months of rabeprazole 20 mg given as either daily COT or daily ODT, which was initiated upon symptom recurrence and stopped upon symptom resolution.

Transdermal fentanyl improves pain control and functionality in patients with osteoarthritis: an open-label Canadian trial.

Current treatment guidelines advocate opioids for arthritis when standard analgesics produce inadequate relief. Efficacy, adverse effects (AEs), dosing regimens, physician expertise and patient preference influence treatment selection. This study assessed transdermal fentanyl (TDF) as a treatment option for osteoarthritis (OA) patients.

Chronic pain in Canada: have we improved our management of chronic noncancer pain?

Background: Chronic noncancer pain (CNCP) is a global issue, not only affecting individual suffering, but also impacting the delivery of health care and the strength of local economies.

Objectives: The current study (the Canadian Chronic Pain Study II [CCPSII]) was designed to assess any changes in the prevalence and treatment of CNCP, as well as in attitudes toward the use of strong analgesics, compared with a 2001 study (the CCPSI), and to provide a snapshot of the current standards of care for pain management in Canada.

Methods: Standard, computer-assisted telephone interview survey methodology was applied in two segments, ie, a general population survey and a survey targeting randomly selected primary care physicians (PCPs) who treat moderate to severe CNCP.

Relative abuse potential of opioid formulations in Canada: a structured field study.

Introduction: While prescription opioids can improve quality of life through pain relief they are susceptible to misuse. This field study characterizes the relative susceptibility and attractiveness of a new analgesic patch, with fentanyl embedded in a matrix material, compared to other opioid dose formulations.

Methods: Recreational opioid abusers (N = 42; 31 male, 1 female)from three Canadian sites participated in structured interviews.

Oral rabeprazole vs. intravenous pantoprazole: a comparison of the effect on intragastric pH in healthy subjects.

Background: Intravenous pantoprazole is often administered inappropriately to hospitalized patients who can take oral medications.

Aim: To compare the antisecretory effects of oral rabeprazole and intravenous pantoprazole in healthy subjects.

Methods: In a double-blind, double-dummy, two-way crossover study, 38 Helicobacter pylori-negative volunteers were randomized to oral rabeprazole 20 mg or intravenous pantoprazole 40 mg daily for 3 days followed, after a 14-day washout period by the comparator treatment.

Preference for and satisfaction of Canadian women with the transdermal contraceptive patch versus previous contraceptive method: an open-label, multicentre study.

Objective: To document Canadian women's experience with the transdermal contraceptive patch, a method delivering 150 microg norelgestromin and 20 microg ethinyl estradiol daily.

Methods: We conducted an open-label, multicentre, descriptive cohort study of the contraceptive patch over 9 cycles in 392 women requiring contraception. A single treatment cycle consisted of 3 consecutive 7-day patch applications followed by 1 patch-free week.

Efficacy and safety of transdermal fentanyl and sustained-release oral morphine in patients with cancer and chronic non-cancer pain.

Purpose: To evaluate effectiveness and safety information of transdermal fentanyl (TDF) (Duragesic/Durogesic) and sustained-release oral morphine (SRM) in cancer pain (CP) and chronic non-cancer pain (NCP), a pooled analysis was conducted on datasets of published, open label, uncontrolled (no comparator group) and randomised controlled (with SRM as comparator) studies of TDF.

Patients And Methods: Eight trials with treatment durations of at least 28 days met the inclusion criteria. The effectiveness analysis assessed changes in average pain and pain 'right now' scores between baseline and Day 28.

Efficacy and safety of itraconazole prophylaxis for fungal infections after orthotopic liver transplantation: a prospective, randomized, double-blind study.

Background: There is significant morbidity and mortality related to fungal infections in the solid-organ transplant population.

Methods: A prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, restricted sequential design trial was performed in 71 adults undergoing orthotopic liver transplantation. Patients were randomly assigned to receive either itraconazole (5.

Double-blind comparison of carbetocin versus oxytocin in prevention of uterine atony after cesarean section.

Objective: The goal of this study was to compare carbetocin, a long-acting oxytocin analog, with oxytocin in the prevention of uterine atony after cesarean section.

Study Design: We enrolled 694 patients undergoing elective cesarean section in a Canadian multicenter, double-blind, randomized clinical trial. We compared the effect of a single 100 microg dose of carbetocin with that of a standard 8-hour infusion of oxytocin.

Double-blind, randomized comparison of the effect of carbetocin and oxytocin on intraoperative blood loss and uterine tone of patients undergoing cesarean section.

Objectives: A double-blind randomized study involving pregnant women undergoing cesarean section was conducted to compare the effectiveness of a single 100 micrograms intravenous injection of the long-acting oxytocin analog, carbetocin, with that of a standard infusion of oxytocin with respect to intraoperative blood loss. The two treatments also were compared for safety and ability to maintain adequate uterine tone.

Study Design: The study drug was administered to 57 women during elective cesarean section after placental delivery; blood was collected until abdominal closure.

Transfer of carbetocin into human breast milk.

Objective: To study the transfer of carbetocin into human breast milk.

Methods: Five healthy nursing women, 7-14 weeks postpartum, emptied their breasts using a breast pump and then received 70 micrograms carbetocin by intramuscular injection. Using a radioimmunoassay, the concentrations of carbetocin were measured in plasma and breast milk samples obtained before carbetocin administration and at 15, 30, 60, 90, 120, and 240 minutes after drug administration.

Multiple follicular recruitment and intrauterine insemination outcomes compared by age and diagnosis.

We studied the outcome of our intrauterine insemination (IUI) programme, evaluating female age and diagnosis. One-hundred-and-twenty-six patients less than 36 years of age (mean 30.91 +/- 3.