Reprint of: Effect of pregabalin initiation on diuretic requirements in patients with chronic heart failure.

Background: Literature on pregabalin use in patients with heart failure is largely limited to patient case reports and cohort studies.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of pregabalin initiation on diuretic requirements in patients with heart failure.

Methods: A retrospective analysis of patients with heart failure who were started on pregabalin between January 1, 2014, and September 1, 2021, at the Veterans Affairs North Texas Health Care System was used.

Effect of pregabalin initiation on diuretic requirements in patients with chronic heart failure.

Background: Literature on pregabalin use in patients with heart failure is largely limited to patient case reports and cohort studies.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of pregabalin initiation on diuretic requirements in patients with heart failure.

Methods: A retrospective analysis of patients with heart failure who were started on pregabalin between January 1, 2014, and September 1, 2021, at the Veterans Affairs North Texas Health Care System was used.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, Part 5: Clinical Pearls for Comorbid COPD.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is often diagnosed with other comorbid conditions. This can complicate therapy overall by contributing to adverse events leading to poor outcomes to not only COPD, but other comorbid conditions. This manuscript will discuss common comorbid conditions often seen with COPD, update vaccination recommendations for COPD patients, and provide information regarding smoking cessation in COPD.

Assessment of Glycemic Control in Veterans With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus on Inhaled Corticosteroid Therapy.

Objective: To determine if the use of inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) therapy affects glycemic control in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

Background: Studies have shown mixed evidence on the association between ICS use and worsening glycemic control in patients with preexisting diabetes.

Methods: Data were recorded from electronic medical records of veteran patients aged 18 to 80 with COPD and T2DM on at least 2 oral antiglycemic medications from January 1, 2000, to December 31, 2017, at the Veterans Affairs (VA) North Texas Health Care System (VANTHCS).

An Evidence-Based Review of Statin Use in Patients With Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease.

Background: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a common complication in patients with metabolic syndrome. The role of statin therapy specifically for the treatment of NAFLD remains unknown. The aim of this review is to discuss outcomes of recent articles analyzing statin therapy in patients with NAFLD.

Assessment of appropriate antibiotic prescribing for urinary tract infections in an internal medicine clinic.

Objectives: Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are one of the most common infections encountered in ambulatory care and inpatient settings. Although these infections are common, not all patients are prescribed an appropriate antibiotic or duration of therapy. The primary objective of this analysis was to evaluate the appropriateness of antibiotic selection and duration of therapy for patients in an adult internal medicine clinic diagnosed as having a UTI.

Dosing considerations for obese patients receiving cancer chemotherapeutic agents.

Objective: To examine the available trials evaluating the effect of obesity on the pharmacokinetic parameters of chemotherapy agents.

Data Source: A PubMed search (January 1977-June 2013) was conducted for English-language articles evaluating obesity and its relationship to pharmacokinetic parameters of chemotherapy agents. Search terms included: chemotherapy, obesity, excess weight, overweight, neoplasm, pharmacokinetics, dosing, cancer, body mass index, toxicity, efficacy, body surface area.