A systematic review of non-surgical treatments for pancreatic neuroendocrine tumours.

Introduction: Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumours (pNETs) are rare and the majority of patients present with advanced disease. Such patients have limited treatment options. We conducted a systematic review of published clinical trials of non-surgical interventions in pNET, to understand the efficacy, safety and health related quality of life (HRQoL) outcomes from the current evidence base.

An observational descriptive study of the epidemiology and treatment of neuropathic pain in a UK general population.

Background: This study updated our knowledge of UK primary care neuropathic pain incidence rates and prescribing practices.

Methods: Patients with a first diagnosis of post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN), painful diabetic neuropathy (PDN) or phantom limb pain (PLP) were identified from the General Practice Research Database (2006 - 2010) and incidence rates were calculated. Prescription records were searched for pain treatments from diagnosis of these conditions and the duration and daily dose estimated for first-line and subsequent treatment regimens.

A cost-utility study of the use of pregabalin in treatment-refractory neuropathic pain.

Objectives: A small but significant proportion of patients with peripheral neuropathic pain (NeP) are refractory to the typical treatments applied in clinical practice, including amitriptyline and gabapentin. Thus, they continue to suffer the debilitating effects of NeP. This study aimed to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of pregabalin in comparison to usual care, in patients with refractory NeP, from a third party payer's perspective (NHS).

A systematic review and mixed treatment comparison of the efficacy of pharmacological treatments for fibromyalgia.

Objectives: To review the literature on pharmacological treatments for fibromyalgia.

Methods: Relative efficacy was estimated in terms of outcome measures highlighted by the Outcome Measures in Rheumatology Network using a Bayesian mixed treatment comparison (MTC) meta-analysis. Randomized controlled trials reporting treatments for fibromyalgia were identified by systematically reviewing electronic databases (Cochrane Library, Medline, EMBASE; accessed February 2008) and conducting manual bibliographic searches.

Pregabalin, the lidocaine plaster and duloxetine in patients with refractory neuropathic pain: a systematic review.

Background: Patients frequently fail to receive adequate pain relief from, or are intolerant of, first-line therapies prescribed for neuropathic pain (NeP). This refractory chronic pain causes psychological distress and impacts patient quality of life. Published literature for treatment in refractory patients is sparse and often published as conference abstracts only.

Efficacy and safety of treatments for refractory generalized anxiety disorder: a systematic review.

This study systematically collated clinical evidence on refractory generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). Refractory GAD patients are those who have failed to respond adequately to at least one earlier treatment for GAD. MEDLINE, EMBASE, The Cochrane Library and conference proceedings were searched to identify trials.

The effects of antimuscarinic treatments in overactive bladder: an update of a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Context: Antimuscarinic agents are currently the first-line pharmacotherapy for overactive bladder.

Objectives: A systematic review published in 2005 was updated, including data on a newly licensed antimuscarinic (fesoterodine). The primary aim of this study was to systematically review evidence on the efficacy of licensed administration of antimuscarinic treatments in overactive bladder from randomised controlled trials.

The effects of antimuscarinics on health-related quality of life in overactive bladder: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

The objective of this study was to review the effects of antimuscarinic treatments on health-related quality of life (HRQL) in patients with overactive bladder (OAB). MEDLINE, EMBASE, the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register, and the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature databases were searched from 1966 through August 2004 for randomized controlled trials of antimuscarinic agents. HRQL data from included trials were extracted, and meta-analysis was performed where possible.

The effects of antimuscarinic treatments in overactive bladder: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objectives: To evaluate the tolerability, safety and efficacy of antimuscarinic drugs used to treat overactive bladder and to identify any differences between individual antimuscarinics.

Methods: Medline, Embase, CCTR and Cinahl databases were searched for published RCTs including an antimuscarinic agent from 1966 to August 2004. Data from included trials were extracted and meta-analysed where possible.

Let's ask them: a national survey of definitions of quality of life and its enhancement among people aged 65 and over.

This study aimed to explore older peoples' definitions of, and priorities for, a good quality of life for themselves and their peers. Nine hundred and ninety-nine people aged 65 and over, living at home in Britain, were interviewed for the study. Good social relationships were the most commonly mentioned constituent that gave respondents' lives quality (mentioned by 81 percent).