Current Therapeutic Research-clinical and Experimental最新文献

{"title":"Evaluation of Adverse Effects and Tolerability of Dietary Ginger Supplementation in Patients With Functional Dyspepsia","authors":"Lemlem Gebremariam Aregawi PhD ,&nbsp;Csiki Zoltan MD, PhD","doi":"10.1016/j.curtheres.2025.100792","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.curtheres.2025.100792","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Functional dyspepsia (FD) is a prevalent upper gastrointestinal disorder characterized by chronic or recurrent symptoms, including epigastric pain, bloating, and nausea. Ginger (<em>Zingiber officinale</em>), a natural dietary supplement traditionally used to relieve gastrointestinal discomfort, has limited evidence regarding its safety and tolerability in patients with FD.</div></div><div><h3>Objective</h3><div>To evaluate the safety, tolerability, and adverse effects of ginger supplementation in patients with FD.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>This open-label clinical trial was conducted at the Internal Medicine Outpatient Department, University of Debrecen. This study was conducted in full compliance with the ethical principles outlined in the Declaration of Helsinki. The study protocol was reviewed and approved by the Ethics Committee of the University of Debrecen (registry reference number: DE RKEB/IKEB 5622-2020). All participants provided written informed consent prior to their inclusion in the study. Fifty patients with FD were initially enrolled, and 47 participants completed the study. Ginger supplementation was administered at a dose of 1080 mg/d in divided doses over 8 weeks. Adverse effects were assessed weekly through clinical evaluations and self-reports, and tolerability was rated by participants at the end of the trial.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The study included 47 patients with FD who completed the trial, with a mean (SD) age of 51.49 (14.64) years. Of the participants, 78.7% were females. Ginger supplementation was well tolerated, with mild and transient adverse effects reported, including bloating (14.9%), heartburn (12.8%), and diarrhea (10.6%). None of these adverse events necessitated discontinuation of the treatment. Tolerability was rated as good or excellent by 87.2% of participants, and no severe adverse events were observed.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Preliminary findings suggest ginger is well tolerated and may be a viable complementary dietary therapy, though further research is needed. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT06313814.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":10920,"journal":{"name":"Current Therapeutic Research-clinical and Experimental","volume":"102 ","pages":"Article 100792"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143935151","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Tarlatamab and the Future of Immunotherapy: A New Approach to Small Cell Lung Cancer","authors":"Raza Ur Rehman MBBS,&nbsp;Ahmad Furqan Anjum MBBS,&nbsp;Rida Fatima MBBS","doi":"10.1016/j.curtheres.2024.100773","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.curtheres.2024.100773","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":10920,"journal":{"name":"Current Therapeutic Research-clinical and Experimental","volume":"102 ","pages":"Article 100773"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11772990/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143058343","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Pumpkin Seeds as a Natural Remedy for Anemia: Nutritional Insights and Therapeutic Potential","authors":"Andugula Swapna Kumari MSc ,&nbsp;Gowrishankar Arumugam MD ,&nbsp;Shyamaladevi Babu MPhil, PhD ,&nbsp;Madhan Krishnan MSc, PhD ,&nbsp;Nohini Sandhya Singampalli M.Sc ,&nbsp;Jayanthi Chandramohan M.Sc","doi":"10.1016/j.curtheres.2025.100797","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.curtheres.2025.100797","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Anemia is a widespread global health concern characterized by reduced hemoglobin levels and diminished oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood. According to the World Health Organization, anemia affects 40% of children aged 6 to 59 months, 37% of pregnant women, and 30% of women aged 15 to 49 years globally. The condition is primarily linked to iron deficiency, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, although other factors such as vitamin B12 insufficiency, parasitic infections, chronic diseases, and genetic disorders also contribute. The socioeconomic and health impacts of anemia highlight the need for effective prevention and management strategies. Dietary interventions play a critical role in addressing iron deficiency, with functional foods gaining prominence for their sustainable and cost-effective potential. Among these, pumpkin seeds (<em>Cucurbita</em> spp) stand out due to their rich nutrient profile and potential health benefits. This review explores the global and Indian prevalence of anemia, the nutritional complexity of the condition, and the therapeutic potential of pumpkin seeds. It discusses their nutritional composition, mechanisms of action, and current evidence supporting their role in combating anemia while identifying research gaps and future directions for establishing standardized dietary recommendations. Much literature and scientific research underscore the importance of nutrient-dense foods such as pumpkin seeds, which are rich in essential micronutrients such as iron, zinc, magnesium, and bioactive compounds that support hematopoiesis and overall health. Leveraging the therapeutic potential of these natural alternatives, alongside fortified food programs and precise monitoring methods, can significantly contribute to anemia reduction and improve public health outcomes.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":10920,"journal":{"name":"Current Therapeutic Research-clinical and Experimental","volume":"103 ","pages":"Article 100797"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144230488","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Cognitive Effect of Levetiracetam in Patients with Alzheimer’s Disease or Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Systematic Review","authors":"Mohamad Hosein Mohamadi MD ,&nbsp;Amir Bavafa PhD ,&nbsp;Sahar Salehi PhD ,&nbsp;Mahsa Abedi MSc ,&nbsp;Fahimeh Shahabi MSc ,&nbsp;Sana Jafarlou MD ,&nbsp;Pirhossein Kolivand PhD ,&nbsp;Sajad Sahab-Negah PhD","doi":"10.1016/j.curtheres.2025.100798","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.curtheres.2025.100798","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Various therapeutic interventions have been investigated for cognitive impairment, a common problem in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Levetiracetam (LEV), an antiepileptic drug, has been shown to alleviate cognitive impairment.</div></div><div><h3>Objective</h3><div>The present systematic review aimed to evaluate the cognitive effects of LEV in patients with AD or mild cognitive impairment (MCI).</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>We searched PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Sciences, and Embase databases for all studies on LEV and cognitive impairment. After multistep screening, we identified qualified interventional studies and performed further data extraction. We reviewed the methodological diversity across the studies and assessed the quality of each study using the critical appraisal of the Joanna Briggs Institute checklist (the risk of bias assessment).</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Of the 1091 publications, only 5 articles were qualified for review. All studies enrolled patients with AD or MCI, and at least 1 arm of the trial involved LEV therapy. Four of 5 studies reported significant cognitive improvement in patients with AD or MCI after the LEV trials, whereas 1 study found no significant change in cognitive status. The risk of bias assessment revealed that 4 studies had a low risk of bias. Among them, 3 showed significant improvement, whereas 1 did not report a significant change in cognitive function.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>The efficacy of LEV therapy for cognitive impairment varies across studies owing to different methodologies, dosages, treatment durations, and outcome assessment tools. This study suggests that LEV may exert a beneficial impact on cognitive function in patients with AD or MCI. However, a quantitative comparison or meta-analysis is essential to draw definitive conclusions about the cognitive effects of LEV in AD and MCI.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":10920,"journal":{"name":"Current Therapeutic Research-clinical and Experimental","volume":"103 ","pages":"Article 100798"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144297128","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effect of Emblica officinalis (Amla) Extract Versus Exercise on Lipid Levels in Participants With Abnormal Lipid Levels: An Open-Label Clinical Study","authors":"Kiran Jagalurappa MD ,&nbsp;Giriraja Kanakapura Vrushabaiah MD ,&nbsp;Suman Govindaraj BDS","doi":"10.1016/j.curtheres.2025.100800","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.curtheres.2025.100800","url":null,"abstract":"&lt;div&gt;&lt;h3&gt;Background&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;div&gt;Dyslipidemia, marked by abnormal lipid levels, significantly increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases. Effective management of these lipid abnormalities is essential for reducing cardiovascular risk. &lt;em&gt;Emblica officinalis&lt;/em&gt;, known as amla in Ayurveda, is traditionally considered the best fruit due to its numerous health benefits.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;h3&gt;Objective&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;div&gt;To evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of amla extract on participants with abnormal lipid levels and compare with the effect of physical activity in reducing atherogenic factors.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;h3&gt;Methods&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;div&gt;Forty-five inactive participants having abnormal lipid levels were selected and instructed to initiate lifestyle changes, including a healthy diet and aerobic exercise for 14 days. Thirty-nine participants who met the study criteria even after exercise were allocated a 500 mg capsule of amla extract (Tri-Low®) twice daily for 90 days. The effect of amla extract on lipid parameters, atherogenic index of plasma (AIP), apolipoprotein (Apo) B/Apo A ratio, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, coenzyme Q10, and hydroxy methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase levels was studied and compared with the effect of physical activity or exercise on these parameters. Laboratory parameters, global tolerability, and treatment-emergent adverse events were evaluated for the assessment of safety profile of amla extract.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;h3&gt;Results&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;div&gt;Amla extract over a period of 90 days significantly reduced triglyceride (&lt;em&gt;P&lt;/em&gt; = 0.007), total cholesterol (&lt;em&gt;P&lt;/em&gt; &lt; 0.001), LDL (&lt;em&gt;P&lt;/em&gt; = 0.006), VLDL (&lt;em&gt;P&lt;/em&gt; = 0.014), and AIP (&lt;em&gt;P&lt;/em&gt; &lt; 0.001) but reported no significant effect on HDL (&lt;em&gt;P&lt;/em&gt; = 0.967) and fasting blood sugar (&lt;em&gt;P&lt;/em&gt; = 1.00). Varying the intensity of exercise from low to moderate and high had no significant effect on triglyceride (&lt;em&gt;P&lt;/em&gt; = 0.516), total cholesterol (&lt;em&gt;P&lt;/em&gt; = 0.676), LDL (&lt;em&gt;P&lt;/em&gt; = 0.511), VLDL (&lt;em&gt;P&lt;/em&gt; = 0.454), or AIP (&lt;em&gt;P&lt;/em&gt; = 0.472). However, LDL exhibited a significant reduction with amla extract, combined with exercise (&lt;em&gt;P&lt;/em&gt; &lt; 0.001). Apolipoprotein B/Apo A1 ratio exhibited a trend toward significance (&lt;em&gt;P&lt;/em&gt; = 0.061). Weight and reductions were statistically significant with amla extract and exercise, after 45 days (&lt;em&gt;P&lt;/em&gt; &lt; 0.001) and 90 days (&lt;em&gt;P&lt;/em&gt; = 0.002). Hydroxy methylglutaryl coenzyme A, Apo B, and coenzyme Q10 exhibited no significant changes. Overall, it was evident that the significant changes in lipid parameters are attributable to amla extract rather than physical activity alone. All other factors are not affected by exercise intensity, and the significant changes observed are purely due to the effect of amla extract.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;h3&gt;Conclusions&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;div&gt;Exercise alone is often insufficient for optimal cardiovascular health. The supplementation of amla extract (Tri-Low®) from this study reported significant potential","PeriodicalId":10920,"journal":{"name":"Current Therapeutic Research-clinical and Experimental","volume":"103 ","pages":"Article 100800"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144365194","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Determination of the Accuracy of Thyromental Height Test for Predicting Difficult Laryngoscopy in Obstetric Patients Who Are Candidates for Cesarean Section: An Observational Study","authors":"Saghar Samimi Sadeh MD ,&nbsp;Babak Moayer MD ,&nbsp;Masoomeh Natajmajd MD ,&nbsp;Parisa Kianpour PharmD ,&nbsp;Kousha Farhadi MD ,&nbsp;Mahgol Etezadi PharmD ,&nbsp;Mojgan Rahimi MD ,&nbsp;Farhad Etezadi MD","doi":"10.1016/j.curtheres.2025.100784","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.curtheres.2025.100784","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Pregnant women frequently have face and upper airway edema, which makes managing the airways during anesthesia difficult and increases the risk of mask breathing complications and intubation failure. This necessitates an investigation into the sensitivity of various airway tests in predicting difficult intubation.</div></div><div><h3>Objective</h3><div>To assess the accuracy of the thyromental height test (TMHT) in predicting difficult laryngoscopy in obstetric patients undergoing cesarean section and to compare its effectiveness with other airway assessment methods.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>We included a cohort of obstetric patients, approved by the Ethics Committee of Tehran University of Medical Sciences, scheduled for elective cesarean sections. During laryngoscopy, preoperative evaluations of the airway were done. The primary aim was to determine the relationship between TMHT (the distance between mentum and the thyroid cartilage) and the Cormack-Lehane (which categories laryngoscopy view from fully observable vocal cords to nonvisible epiglottis) classification, which indicates the level of difficulty in laryngoscopy.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>After eligibility assessment, 156 patients entered the study, of which 16 had Cormack-Lehane grades III and IV and were considered difficult laryngoscopy. The TMHT demonstrated a higher Matthews correlation coefficient (0.695), sensitivity (0.75), and specificity (0.96) compared with other tests, suggesting that TMHT has the potential to serve as a dependable predictor of challenging laryngoscopy.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>The use of TMHT can improve patient outcomes and the preoperative evaluation process, making it a valuable tool for anesthesiologists managing obstetric patients. The TMHT could be considered a complementary tool to existing airway assessment methods, particularly in obstetric patients, due to its high predictive accuracy and ease of use.</div><div>This study is registered at Iranian Registry of Clinical Trial (IRCT) under identifier code of IR.TUMS.SINAHOSPITAL.REC.1399.061.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":10920,"journal":{"name":"Current Therapeutic Research-clinical and Experimental","volume":"102 ","pages":"Article 100784"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143821267","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Ethnomedicine Knowledge Among Iranian Patients With Gastrointestinal And Liver Disorders: A Cross-Sectional Study","authors":"Fatemeh Sadat Hasheminasab MD,Ph.D ,&nbsp;Yasaman Zamanian MD ,&nbsp;Saiedeh Haji-Maghsoudi Ph.D ,&nbsp;Alireza Bakhshipour MD ,&nbsp;Maryam Azimi MD,Ph.D","doi":"10.1016/j.curtheres.2024.100774","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.curtheres.2024.100774","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>The role of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) in healthcare is substantial and frequently overlooked, with widespread use in both developed and developing countries. This study aimed to explore the ethnomedicinal knowledge including prevalence, socio-demographic, and health related characteristics related to gastroenterology and hepatology disorders in Kerman province.</div></div><div><h3>Materials and methods</h3><div>This study included 400 eligible patients attending gastroenterology and hepatology outpatient clinic. Data collection was conducted using various assessment tools, that is, a self-administered demographic and ethnomedicine questionnaire, and quality of life questionnaire.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The findings of the present study revealed that 40.3% of the patients surveyed commonly used CAM. Among the participants, 63.4% did not alter their medication intake while using CAM, and 85.7% were satisfied with its effectiveness. The majority of consumers relied on friends and family, making up 41.6% of the sources of information on CAM, with only 14.9% disclosing their CAM usage to physicians. Furthermore, CAM users have a significantly higher level of education, with the physical functioning being a key aspect of QOL.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Although the results of this study may not be broadly generalizable, specific points in the findings are still significant. The utilization of CAM treating for gastrointestinal and liver issues is becoming more prevalent among patients in the area. It is essential to educate patients about the real effects of CAM in disease prevention and treatment, particularly considering patient concerns about side effects, and untrustworthy information sources.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":10920,"journal":{"name":"Current Therapeutic Research-clinical and Experimental","volume":"102 ","pages":"Article 100774"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143142208","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A Randomized, Prospective and Crossover Study, Comparing the Eradication Rate After 10 Days of Concomitant Therapy to Bismuth Quadruple Therapy Among a Sample of the Lebanese Population","authors":"Jad Chidiac MD ,&nbsp;Reine-Marie Kahwaji MD ,&nbsp;Souheil Hallit PharmD, MSc, MPH, PhD ,&nbsp;Yara Yazbeck MD ,&nbsp;Bassem Akiki MD ,&nbsp;Charbel Yazbeck MD","doi":"10.1016/j.curtheres.2025.100791","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.curtheres.2025.100791","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Concomitant therapy and bismuth quadruple therapy are both recommended as first-line treatment regimens for the empiric treatment of <em>Helicobacter pylori</em> infection, especially after the increased resistance to clarithromycin.</div></div><div><h3>Objective</h3><div>Our goal was to compare both treatment regimens among a sample of the Lebanese population to eventually conclude whether one of these therapies has a higher efficacy than the other one as a first- and second-line treatment regimens.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>It is a randomized, prospective, and crossover study, started from March 2016 to December 2018. Participants were randomly chosen patients diagnosed with active <em>H pylori</em> through histology. Two groups were then formed randomly and equally: patients in the first group received 10 days of concomitant therapy, whereas patients in the second group received 10 days of bismuth quadruple therapy. Eradication was evaluated by the ¹⁴C urea breath test done 6 weeks after the end of antibiotic use. A negative breath test indicated a successful eradication. All patients with a positive breath test were then given the other treatment regimen for another 10 days and then re-evaluated for eradication in the same manner.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Both regimens demonstrated similar efficacy as first-line therapies for <em>H pylori</em> eradication. Among 175 patients receiving concomitant therapy, 160 (91.4%) achieved eradication, whereas in the 174 patients treated with bismuth quadruple therapy, 164 (94.2%) were successfully eradicated (<em>P</em> = 0.306). Among patients requiring second-line treatment, 14 of 15 (93.3%) who failed concomitant therapy were successfully treated with bismuth quadruple therapy, whereas all 10 patients (100%) who failed bismuth therapy achieved eradication with concomitant therapy (<em>P</em> &lt; 0.001).</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Bismuth quadruple therapy and concomitant therapy are both equally effective first-line treatment regimens for the eradication of <em>H pylori</em>. They are also effective if used as second-line treatment regimens for this purpose. Lebanese Clinical Trials Registry identifier: LBCTR2024095653.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":10920,"journal":{"name":"Current Therapeutic Research-clinical and Experimental","volume":"102 ","pages":"Article 100791"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144124624","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Exploring the Use of Mobile Health Applications in Palestinian Community Pharmacy Practice","authors":"Ahmed Nouri PharmD, MSc","doi":"10.1016/j.curtheres.2025.100782","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.curtheres.2025.100782","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Mobile health applications have become essential tools in modern healthcare, enabling professionals to access real-time drug information, clinical guidelines, and patient management resources. While globally embraced, the adoption of these apps in resource-limited settings like Palestine remains under-researched, particularly among community pharmacists, who are pivotal to the healthcare system.</div></div><div><h3>Aims</h3><div>This study explores the perceptions, awareness, and challenges faced by Palestinian community pharmacists regarding mobile health applications. It aims to assess the feasibility of integrating these tools into their practice to improve pharmaceutical care and patient outcomes.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A cross-sectional online survey was conducted in 2023 among community pharmacists in Palestine. A self-administered electronic questionnaire was distributed via social media, targeting registered pharmacists. Data were collected using a structured, validated questionnaire addressing demographics, app usage patterns, perceived benefits, and barriers. Descriptive and inferential analyses were performed using SPSS® software, with P-values ≤0.05 considered statistically significant.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The study included 400 community pharmacists, predominantly female (65.8%). Pharmacists frequently used information resources for verifying drug interactions (89%) and dosages (98%), citing quick access to reliable information as a major advantage. Barriers included time constraints (92.3%) and concerns about patient trust (77.8%). No significant associations were found between demographics (e.g., gender, years of experience) and perceptions of app usefulness or trust. A strong positive correlation (<em>P</em> &lt; 0.001) was observed between community pharmacists’ support for mobile health applications and their perception of the applications’ reliability. This indicates that pharmacists who perceive mobile apps as reliable are more likely to support their use in practice.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Limited app use among Palestinian community pharmacists impacts medication safety, patient trust, and care quality. Adopting mobile tools can improve efficiency, reduce errors, and align pharmacy practice with modern standards, highlighting the need for future research.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":10920,"journal":{"name":"Current Therapeutic Research-clinical and Experimental","volume":"102 ","pages":"Article 100782"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143684679","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Efficacy of Cevimeline on Xerostomia in Sjögren's Syndrome Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials","authors":"Mehdi Karimi MD ,&nbsp;Fatemeh Ahmadi Hajikolaei MD ,&nbsp;Fahime Hoseinpour MD ,&nbsp;Seyed-Ali Hashemi MD ,&nbsp;Anita Fatehi MD ,&nbsp;Seyed-Abbas Pakmehr MD ,&nbsp;Niloofar Deravi MD ,&nbsp;Mahdyieh Naziri MSc ,&nbsp;Mohaddeseh Belbasi MD ,&nbsp;Sahar Khoshravesh MD ,&nbsp;Seyed Hossein Vaezzadeh MD","doi":"10.1016/j.curtheres.2024.100770","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.curtheres.2024.100770","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Xerostomia, or dry mouth, is a common and debilitating symptom in patients with Sjögren's syndrome, affecting their quality of life. Although Cevimeline, a muscarinic agonist, has been investigated as a potential treatment, its efficacy and optimal dosage remain uncertain. This study aims to assess the effectiveness of Cevimeline in relieving xerostomia in patients with Sjögren's syndrome by a meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials (RCT).</div></div><div><h3>Method</h3><div>A comprehensive search was conducted across PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane, and Web of Science databases, utilizing Medical Subject Headings terms and keywords related to “cevimeline,” “xerostomia,” and “Sjögren's syndrome” from inception until January 3, 2024. Studies were selected based on predefined inclusion criteria, focusing on clinical trials involving human subjects treated with cevimeline for xerostomia in Sjögren's syndrome. Data extraction was performed systematically, and statistical analysis was conducted using STATA software.</div></div><div><h3>Result</h3><div>This meta-analysis included three RCTs with a total of 302 patients with Sjögren's syndrome (Cevimeline = 187; Placebo = 115). The analysis demonstrated that Cevimeline significantly reduces xerostomia (regarded as salivary flow, mouth dryness) in patients with Sjögren's syndrome with a pooled odds ratio –5.79 (95% CI [–10.55, –1.03]; <em>I</em><strong>²</strong> = 39.6%).</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>In summary, cevimeline significantly increases salivary flow secretion rates in patients with Sjögren's syndrome. With a favorable safety profile at recommended dosages, cevimeline represents a viable therapeutic option for managing xerostomia, particularly in patients with mild to moderate salivary gland destruction.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":10920,"journal":{"name":"Current Therapeutic Research-clinical and Experimental","volume":"102 ","pages":"Article 100770"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11764655/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143045872","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}