Chemicals and Drugs Commons^™

Does The Addition Of Muramyl Tripeptide To Chemotherapy Improve Overall Survival For Patients With Osteosarcoma?, Jennifer Jones

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not “Does the addition of muramyl tripeptide to chemotherapy improve overall survival for patients with osteosarcoma?”

STUDY DESIGN: Review of three English language primary randomized controlled trials published between 2005 and 2009.

DATA SOURCES: Randomized controlled trials evaluating the addition of muramyl tripeptide (MTP) to chemotherapy for patients with osteosarcoma were found using Medline/PubMed databases.

OUTCOMES MEASURED: Event-free survival (EFS) and overall survival were the outcome measures used to determine the effectiveness of the additional chemotherapy treatment in osteosarcoma patients. EFS was defined as …

Is Reduction Of Caffeine Intake Effective In Reducing The Symptoms Of Panic Attack In Panic Disorder Patients?, Elizabeth Wasson

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

OBJECTIVE: The objective for this selective EMB review is to determine whether or not the reduction of caffeine intake is effective in reducing the symptoms of panic attack in panic disorder patients.

STUDY DESIGN: Review of three English language randomized control trials published in 2007, 2008, and 2009.

DATA SOURCES: The double-blind placebo-controlled randomized control trials were obtained via PubMed.

OUTCOMES MEASURED: The prevalence of a clinical panic attack. Pre and post caffeine/placebo administration questionnaires were given to the participants. These surveys included the Subjective Units of Disturbance Scale (SUDS) and the Diagnostic Symptom Questionnaire (DSQ). …

Does The Use Of An Oral Lipase Inhibitor (Orlistat) Increase Appetite?, Sandra Boyd

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether or not Orlistat ingested prior to a meal causes an increased appetite response.

STUDY DESIGN: A Review of three randomized controlled trials studies from 2003-2008 that were in the English language.

DATA RESOURCES: Randomized controlled trials comparing the effect of Orlistat on satiety were found using PubMed, OVID, and Cochrane databases.

OUTOMES MEASURED: Outcomes measured in the studies were: sensation of appetite, hunger, fullness, nausea, bloating, heartburn, belching, epigastric burning, and prospective food consumption. Each study measured individual patient responses using a VAS (visual analogue scale). Demarchi et al (2004) used a gastric barostat to measure …

Is Intravenous Ramosetron 0.3 Mg Effective In The Prevention Of Postoperative Nausea And Vomiting In Women Undergoing Gynecologic Surgery?, Keith S. Elsner

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not intravenous ramosetron 0.3 mg is effective in the prevention of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) in women undergoing gynecologic surgery.

STUDY DESIGN: Review of three English language primary research articles published later than 1995.

DATA SOURCES: Randomized, double-blinded, controlled clinical trials comparing intravenous ramosetron to placebo or other control groups were identified using Ovid MEDLINE and Cochrane Library databases.

OUTCOMES MEASURED: Measured outcomes include a complete response to the intervention within the first 24-48 hours, the incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting, need for rescue antiemetic, …

Does Tadalafil Improve Exercise Capacitance In Patients Over 12 Years Old With Pulmonary Hypertension?, Erin Chesnavich

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

Objective: The objective of this systematic review is to determine whether or not the oral Phosphodiesterase inhibitor Tadalafil improves exercise capacitance in those over 12 years with pulmonary hypertension.

Study Design: Review of three primary research materials published in English language in 2009. Data Sources: Randomized, controlled, double blind clinical trials found using PubMed, OVID and COCHRANE databases.

Outcome measured: Trials measured 6-minute walking distance and health related quality of life measurements which included: SF-36 (a measure of self reported health status), and the EQ-5D (a patient reported health related quality of life measure), WHO functional class, clinical worsening, and …

Does The Use Of Intravenous Zoledronic Acid, In Combination With Chemotherapy Regimens, Arrest The Development And Spread Of Cancer Cells To Increase Disease-Free Survival In Breast Cancer Patients?, Dara Colasurdo

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not “Does the use of intravenous zoledronic acid, in combination with chemotherapy regimens, arrest the development and spread of cancer cells to increase disease-free survival in breast cancer patients.“

STUDY DESIGN: Review of three English language primary randomized controlled trials published between 2009 and 2010.

DATA SOURCES: Randomized controlled trials and open label, randomized, phase 2 trial comparing the use of zoledronic acid in combination with chemotherapy to the use of chemotherapy alone were found using Medline/PubMed and Cochrane Databases

OUTCOMES MEASURED: The outcomes measured were incidence …

Is Afrin (Oxymetazoline) A Safe And Effective Drug In Normal, Healthy Adults With Reference To Nasal Congestion And The Nasal Response?, Allie Rubinstein

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not, “Is Afrin (Oxymetazoline) a safe and effective drug in normal, healthy adults with reference to nasal congestion and the nasal response?”

STUDY DESIGN: Review of three English language primary studies published in 1997, 1999, 2003.

DATA SOURCES: Randomized, controlled studies (double-blind, placebo-controlled) testing the efficacy and safeness of Afrin in comparison to a placebo group, were found using the PubMed database.

OUTCOMES MEASURED: Nasal patency, congestion, degree of nasal blockage, and symptoms (quantity, consistency, color of nasal secretions, turbinate size/color) were measured through patient diary card …

Is Asenapine More Effective Than Other Interventions In The Treatment Of Adult Patients With Bipolar I Disorder?, Mary H. Tsakiris

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not Asenapine is more effective than other interventions in the treatment of adult patients with bipolar I disorder.

STUDY DESIGN: Review of three English language primary randomized controlled trial studies published from 2009-2010.

DATA SOURCES: Three randomized controlled trials studying the effectiveness of Asenapine in the treatment of mania in adult patients with bipolar I disorder in comparison to other interventions.

OUTCOME MEASURED: Outcomes measured were reduction in severity of manic symptoms and tolerability of the medication. The severity of manic symptoms was measured using the Young …

Is Aspirin Effective In Helping To Prevent Breast Cancer In Women Ages 45 Years And Older?, Kristen M. Quartuccio

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not aspirin is effective in helping to prevent breast cancer in women ages 45 years and older.

STUDY DESIGN: Review of three English language primary studies published in 2005, 2007, and 2008

DATA SOURCES: Two randomized, double blind, placebo controlled clinical trials and one prospective, population based cohort study comparing aspirin to placebo were found using PubMed and Cochrane databases.

OUTCOMES MEASURED: Breast cancer development was measured in several ways. Tumor characteristics were measured at diagnosis, including size, metastasis to lymph nodes, histology of the mass, histology …

Is Ceftobiprole A Safe And Effective Treatment For Skin And Skin Structure Infections?, Laura Thompson

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this systematic review is to determine whether or not ceftobiprole is a safe and effective treatment for complicated skin and skin structure infections

STUDY DESIGN: Review of all English language primary randomized controlled trials from 1996-2010

DATA SOURCES: Three randomized controlled trials were found using Pubmed and Cochrane databases

OUTCOMES MEASURES: Skin or skin-structure infection cure with ceftobiprole intervention and adverse effects of this new pharmaceutical. Cure or failure to cure skin infection was determined based on both clinical and microbiological assessment. Adverse events were measured based on patient reports, clinician reports, labs, and vital sign …

Is Fixed-Combination Prostaglandin Analog/Β-Blocker Therapy Safe And More Effective Than Β-Blocker Monotherapy In The Prevention Of Disease Progression In Adults With Open-Angle Glaucoma?, My-Hang Pham

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

Objective: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether fixed-combination prostaglandin analog/β-blocker therapy is safe and more effective than β-blocker monotherapy in the prevention of disease progression in adults with open-angle glaucoma.

Study Design: Review of three English language randomized controlled trials published in 2008 and 2010.

Data sources: 3 randomized, controlled, double-blind trials comparing fixed-combination prostaglandin analog/β-blocker therapy to β-blocker monotherapy were found using Pubmed, Medline, and Cochrane databases.

Outcome Measured: Disease progression/regression was assessed by post-baseline measurement of IOP during three follow-up visits throughout the trials. The safety profile of each therapy was …

Is Rivastigmine Effective In The Treatment Of Alzheimer’S Disease?, Beena Patel

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not rivastigmine is effective for the treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease.

STUDY DESIGN: Review of two trials in the English language published in 2007 and 2010, and an open-label, singlearm, multi-center study from 2008.

DATA SOURCES: Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials comparing rivastigmine to a visually-matched capsule (placebo) was found using PubMed and Cochrane databases.

OUTCOMES MEASURED: Overall global performance using the Alzheimer’s Disease Assessment Scale (ADAS-cog), ability to perform activities of daily living, cognitive function using the mini mental status exam (MMSE), and neuropsychiatric symptoms using BEHAVE-AD.

RESULTS: …

Is Tesamorelin A Safe And Effective Drug To Treat Lipodystrophy In Hiv Patients?, Jazmine A. Cole

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

Objective: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not Tesamorelin is a safe and effective drug to treat lipodystrophy in HIV patients.

Study Design: Review of three English language primary randomized controlled trials published between 2005-2010.

Data Sources: Randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind clinical trials comparing Tesamorelin to a visually matched placebo were found using PubMed.

Outcome(s) Measured: Each of the three clinical trials assessed the improvement of lipodystrophy (accumulation of visceral adipose tissue) in HIV patients. In addition, they noted how the improvement in lipodystrophy would impact patient's self body image and quality of life. Prior …

Is The Use Of Apixaban Or Enoxaparin, More Effective In The Prophylaxis Of Venous Thromboembolism Post-Orthopedic Surgery?, Jolene Bohensky

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not the use of Apixaban or Enoxaparin is more effective in the prophylaxis of venous thromboembolism post-orthopedic surgery.

STUDY DESIGN: Review of three English language randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trials from 2009-2010.

DATA SOURCES: Randomized, double-blind placebo controlled, clinical trials comparing the effectiveness of Apixaban and Enoxaparin in the prophylaxis of Venous Thromboembolism (VTE) post-orthopedic surgery were found using PubMed, the Cochrane Database of Randomized Controlled Trials, and the Cochrane Databases of Systematic Reviews.

OUTCOMES MEASURED: Development of venous thromboembolism (VTE) post-orthopedic surgery including Total …

Is Green Tea An Effective Aid In Weight Reduction?, Lindsey A. Brown

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this systematic review is to determine whether or not green tea extract is effective in aiding in weight reduction.

Does Fish Oil Supplementation (Omega-3 Pufa) Cause Mood Improvement In Adults With Depression, Lauren Cabana

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

Objective: The objective of this systematic review is to determine whether or not “Does fish oil supplementation (omega-3 PUFA) cause mood improvement in adults with depression?”

Is White Bean Extract A Safe And Effective Treatment For Weight Loss?, Jamie Berkowitz

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

Objective: The objective of this systematic review is to determine whether or not white bean extract is a safe and effective treatment for weight loss.

Does Venlafaxine (Effexor) Decrease The Frequency Of Hot Flashes In Women With Breast Cancer?, Allison Berneking

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

Objective: The objective of this systematic review is to determine whether or not “Does venlafaxine (Effexor) decrease the frequency of hot flashes in women with breast cancer?”

Is Monotherapy Treatment Of Etanercept Effective Against Plaque Psoriasis?, Joseph Devito

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

Objective: The objective of this systematic review is to determine whether or not monotherapy treatment of etanercept is effective against plaque psoriasis.

Does Tranexamic Acid Effectively And Safely Reduce Menstrual Blood Loss (Mbl) In Women With Menorrhagia Or Iud Induced Mbl?, Veronica W. Chang

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

OBJECTIVE: To determine if Tranexamic Acid effectively and safely reduce menstrual blood loss (MBL) in women with Menorrhagia or IUD induced MBL?

Is Besifloxacin Ophthalmic Suspension 0.6% Safe And Effective For The Treatment Of Bacterial Conjunctivitis?, Hetal R. Desai

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this systematic review is to determine whether or not besifloxacin ophthalmic suspension 0.6% is safe and effective for the treatment of bacterial conjunctivitis.

Is Vitamin E Supplementation Effective In Reducing Mortality Related To Cardiovascular Events In People With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus?, Payal Amin

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this systematic review is to determine whether or not Vitamin E is effective in reducing the mortality related to cardiovascular event in patients with Type 2 Diabetes mellitus.

Is Chronic Use Of Bacopa Monnieri An Effective Treatment To Improve Memory Performance In Healthy And Aging Adults?, Brian M. Kairalla

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

OBJECTIVE: The objective of the systematic review is to determine whether or not chronic use of Bacopa monnieri is an effective treatment to improve memory performance in healthy and aging adults.

Is Esomeprazole (Nexium) More Effective Than Omeprazole (Prilosec) In Reducing Heartburn And In Increasing The Rate Of Esophageal Healing In Adults With Endoscopically Diagnosed Erosive Esophagitis (Ee)?, Shawn P. Mahoney

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this systematic review is to determine whether Esomeprazole (Nexium) is more safe and effective than Omeprazole (Prilosec) in reducing Heartburn and in increasing the rate of esophageal healing in adults with endoscopically diagnosed Erosive Esophagitis (EE)

Is Growth Hormone An Effective Adjunct To Standard Treatment Regimens For Promoting Fat Mass Loss And Retention Of Lean Body Mass In The Treatment Of Obesity?, J. Caleb Henson

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

Objective: The objective of this systematic review is to determine whether growth hormone is an effective adjunct in the treatment of obesity for promoting fat loss while retaining lean body mass.

Does Caffeine Consumption Effect Exercise Performance In Healthy Adults?, Meaghan E. Jones

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this systematic review is to determine whether or not caffeine ingestion prior to exercise effects exercise performance in healthy adults.

Is Extract Err731 From The Rheum Rhaponticum Effective In Relieving Menopausal Symptoms In Women Aged 45 To 55 Years Of Age?, Annette M. Merlino

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether ERr 731 extract from the Rheum rhaponticum plant is effective in relieving symptoms of menopausal symptoms in women aged 45 to 55 years of age

How Safe And Effective Is Infliximab In The Treatment Of Children With Moderate To Severe Crohn’S Disease?, Jackie Linh

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

Objective: The objective of this systematic review is to determine whether or not “how safe and effective is infliximab in treatment of children with moderate to severe Crohn’s disease?”

Is L-Carnitine An Effective Treatment To Improve The Quality Of Life For Patients With Rett Syndrome?, Bernadette Mason

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

Objective: To determine “Is L-carnitine an effective treatment to improve the quality of life for patients with Rett Syndrome?”

Is Actemra (Tocilizumab) In Combination With Methotrexate An Effective Treatment For Rheumatoid Arthritis In Patients Who Had An Inadequate Response To Methotrexate Alone?, Jennifer Nagle

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this systematic review is to determine whether or not Actemra (tocilizumab) in combination with methotrexate is an effective treatment for rheumatoid arthritis in patients who had an inadequate response to methotrexate alone. Previous studies have shown other biologic agents and disease modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) to have some efficacy in treating rheumatoid arthritis. However, tocilizumab is a newly approved FDA drug and therefore, its efficacy in treating RA has yet to be determined.