Failure to renew prescriptions for gastroprotective agents to patients on continuous nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs increases rate of upper gastrointestinal injury.

Background & Aims: Patients with risk factors for gastrointestinal (GI) disorders who continuously use nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) also should take gastroprotective agents (GPAs), such as proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). However, it is not clear how many physicians continue to prescribe GPAs to these patients, and whether stopping the GPA prescription increases GI complications.

Methods: We performed a retrospective, observational, longitudinal study using a validated electronic database of representative general practitioners in France.

A phase I trial combining oral cisplatin (CP Ethypharm) with radiotherapy in patients with locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

Purpose: To determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of oral cisplatin (CP Ethypharm®) in combination with radiotherapy in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) and the recommended dose for phase II trials.

Patients And Methods: Phase I, multicenter, open-labelled, non-comparative and dose escalating trial. CP Ethypharm® was administered on five consecutive days every other week for 7 weeks (4 treatment cycles) in combination with radiotherapy.

Pharmacokinetic assessment of a fast-release orodispersible tramadol tablet compared to a conventional tramadol capsule.

The purpose of this clinical trial was to compare the pharmacokinetics of a recently developed fast-release orodispersible tramadol tablet (CAS 27203-92-5, Zamadol Melt) to that of a conventional tramadol capsule. This new formulation, once placed into the mouth, disintegrates rapidly in contact with the saliva. Therefore, when the saliva is swallowed, the drug reaches the gastrointestinal tract.

Estimation of the prevalence of orally treated diabetes in France using a pharmacoepidemiologic approach: comparison between 1981 and 1992.

Purpose: Non-insulin-dependent diabetes may become a public health problem in the next decade, given the increasing life expectancy of populations and because the baby-boom generation will reach the age at risk. Moreover a modification of the diagnostic criteria may increase the number of diabetic patients. We studied the evolution of diabetes prevalence.

Trends in antihypertensive drug use among orally treated diabetic patients, in France between 1981 and 1992. Impact of guidelines and new drugs.

Objective: To compare antihypertensive drug use between diabetics and non-diabetics and to analyse the change between the two last decennial national surveys on health and medical care in France, in 1981 and 1992.

Material And Methods: These surveys included respectively 12,725 and 13,887 adults over 25 years. Use of all antihypertensive drugs marketed in France was compared between orally treated diabetics and non-diabetics who were non-insulin and non-oral anti-diabetic treated population.

[Pharmacoepidemiology of diabetes: assessment of good use of oral antidiabetic drugs].

Diabetes' treatment is specific; therefore diabetic patients can be identified by the prescription of antidiabetic drugs. This pathology is characterized by chronicity and occurrence of complications which need additional medications. All the drugs have official use guidelines due to drug interactions and/or physiological status of the patients.

[Totally reimbursed care for type 2 diabetes in 1994: characteristics and follow-up].

Non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) is an important health issue in France. According to projections from current data, the problem should increase over the upcoming years. The aim of this study was to determine the characteristics of patients with NIDDM who are enrolled on the list of 30 long term diseases (ALD30) and examine their follow-up and disease-related complications.

Analysis of mortality in French diabetic patients from death certificates: a comparative study.

This study was implemented in France to determine the causes of death in diabetic patients, whether diabetes was mentioned or not on the death certificate, and to assess the underestimation of the prevalence of diabetes at death. Two stratified random samples of death certificates were selected in the national mortality data base. The first included certificates mentioning diabetes as a cause of death (cases).

[Epidemiology, management and costs of type 2 diabetes in France in 1998].

Almost 10 years after the Saint Vincent declaration, a large effort was undertaken in France to improve medical care of type 2 diabetes and to limit the dreadful complications of this pathology. As expert recommendations grow in number, it appears necessary to update knowledge on the epidemiological, medical care, and cost aspects of this illness in France. In this aim, a systematic review of the medical and economic literature on type 2 diabetes was performed.

[Pharmacoepidemiology of diabetes: contribution of a survey of health insurance cases].

To determine the pattern of treatment of diabetes and its complications, data from a specific study performed by the French healthcare system were used. Between the 10th and 15th of May 1993, all the prescriptions for which a reimbursement was asked were registered with the age and sex of the subject for whom the prescription was written. Patients with a prescription of antidiabetic (AD) drugs were classified as diabetic.

Trends in aspirin, paracetamol and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug use in children between 1981 and 1992 in France.

Objective: Antipyretic/analgesic drugs (AADs) are among the most commonly used drugs in children. Their efficacy and adverse effects have often been debated and new AADs have been introduced over the past few years. The aim of this study was to assess the characteristics of the use of AADs in children in France, and their trends.

[Retrospective survey of fluoroquinolone use in children].

Background: Fluoroquinolones (FQ) are contraindicated in children because of the risk of cartilage damage.

Population And Methods: A retrospective survey concerning the use of FQ in children during the first 6 months of 1993 was organized in 1994. One hundred and sixty-seven Heads of pediatric departments were questioned.

Low prevalence of long-term complications in non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus in France: a multicenter study. CODIAB-INSERM-ZENECA Pharma Study Group.

The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of long-term complications in a large sample of French NIDDM patients. Therefore, 427 NIDDM patients 35-74 years old were recruited in ten centers. Standardized clinical criteria and central reading for retinal and electrocardiographic changes were used to assess the presence of complications.

Isoniazid dose adjustment in a pediatric population.

This retrospective analysis was designed to evaluate the inactivation index (I3) method used to adjust the isoniazid dose during long-term administration in a pediatric population. Before starting on antituberculosis therapy, sixty-one children received one 10 mg.kg-1 isoniazid test-dose (D).

Inappropriateness and variability of antibiotic prescription among French office-based physicians.

Objective: To describe oral antibiotic prescription in the community.

Design: Audit of anti-infective prescribing in office-based medical practice.

Setting: Center of France, in the Loiret, a 600,000 inhabitant administrative division.

Trends in antimicrobial drug use in the community--France, 1981-1992.

Trends in the use of antimicrobials in France between 1980-1981 and 1991-1992 were analyzed. Data were obtained from surveys of health and ambulatory care, which were based on national probability samples. In a 3-month period in 1980, 17% of the population of France was treated with an antibiotic, compared with 25% in 1991 (P < .

Low dosage and long treatment duration of beta-lactam: risk factors for carriage of penicillin-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae.

Context: The spread of drug-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae in the community is a public health problem in developed and developing nations, but whether antibiotic use is responsible for the increase in drug resistance is not known.

Objective: To analyze the relationship between penicillin-resistant S pneumoniae (PRSp) pharyngeal carriage and characteristics of beta-lactam use.

Design: Observational study of children attending 20 randomly sampled schools.

Equivalent antipyretic activity of ibuprofen and paracetamol in febrile children.

The antipyretic activity of ibuprofen in the Sparklets form was compared, in an equivalence study, with that of paracetamol in the same formulation. The study was conducted as a double-blind multicenter trial, with random allocation of the treatments. One hundred sixteen children of both sexes, aged 4.

Metoclopramide plasma concentration in neonates.

During the course of a multiple-dose metoclopramide (M) oral treatment, M plasma concentrations were measured just before (Cmin) and 1 hour after the administration (C1h) at steady-state in 5 (3 premature and 2 term) neonates. Mean Cmin was equal to 91.6 +/- 45.

Isoniazid acetylation metabolic ratio during maturation in children.

Isoniazid acetylation metabolic ratio (MR) was studied in 61 children with tuberculosis after administration of isoniazid. MR was calculated as the molar acetylisoniazid to isoniazid concentration ratio. MR was used as a probe for N-acetyltransferase activity and to determine the acetylation phenotype.

Pharmacokinetics of the individual enantiomers of vigabatrin in neonates with uncontrolled seizures.

The antiepileptic drug vigabatrin (VGB) is a selective irreversible inhibitor of GABA-transaminase. It is administered as a racemic R(-), S(+) mixture, but the pharmacological activity of vigabatrin resides in the S(+) enantiomer and the R(-) enantiomer is inactive. The pharmacokinetic parameters of the two enantiomers have been studied after administration of a single oral 125 mg dose of the racemate to six neonates.

Pharmacokinetics of tiaprofenic acid in infants after a single oral dose.

Ten healthy infants (15.2 +/- 10.6 months old, range 6-35) anesthetized for minor surgery were given a single oral dose (3 mg x kg-1) of tiaprofenic acid (TA).

Clinical correlates of advanced retinopathy in type II diabetic patients: implications for screening. The CODIAB-INSERM-Zeneca Pharma Study Group.

The clinical correlates of advanced retinopathy were determined in a sample of 427 type II diabetic outpatients, aged 35 to 74 years, recruited in eight centers from all parts of France. The presence of retinopathy was assessed by fluorescein angiography with centralized interpretation. Advanced retinopathy (proliferative and/or macular edema) was independently linked with nephropathy, peripheral neuropathy, and insulin therapy.

Influence of concurrent antiepileptic medication on the pharmacokinetics of lamotrigine as add-on therapy in epileptic children.

1. Lamotrigine is a new antiepileptic drug, chemically unrelated to currently used antiepileptic medication. Its pharmacokinetics can be influenced by concomitant antiepileptic medication.