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P OSTER
A BSTRACTS
edema (60%), and weakness (32%). Thirty six percents of the patients
reported a fall in the few days before the current episode of
heart failure. Fifteen percents of the patients had a delirium. The patients
with systolic heart failure had more cardiovascular diseases
(atrial fibrillation (28% versus 19%, p=0.028), angina (21% versus
4%, p=0.001), diabetes (9% versus 2%, p=0.074), and hypercholesterolemia
(15% versus 6%, p=0.041)) than the patients with diastolic
heart failure. Conclusions: Whether the heart failure is systolic or diastolic,
the clinical profile of old patients is poor and unusual, the
prevalence of malnutrition and anaemia is high and their treatment is
inadequate. Cardiovascular diseases are more frequent in patients
with systolic heart failure. Echocardiography enables the comprehensive
diagnosis of heart failure.
A34 Encore Presentation
Age Analysis of Long-Term Safety of Diclofenac Sodium 1% Gel
for Patients With Osteoarthritis of the Knee.
J. H. Peniston, 1 M. S. Gold, 2 M. S. Wieman, 3 L. K. Alwine. 4 1.
Feasterville Family Health Care Center, Feasterville, PA; 2. Novartis
Consumer Health, Inc., Parsippany, NJ; 3. Endo Pharmaceuticals
Inc., Chadds Ford, PA; 4. Downingtown Family Medicine,
Downingtown, PA.
Supported By: Novartis Consumer Health, Parsippany, NJ, and
Endo Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Chadds Ford, PA.
Background: Oral nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs should
be used with caution in the elderly. This study evaluated the safety of
topical diclofenac sodium 1% gel (DSG) in an open-label extension
of 2 double-blind, randomized, 3-month trials of DSG in patients ≥35
years with a ≥6-month history of symptomatic Kellgren-Lawrence
grade 1–3 knee OA.
Methods: Patients applied 4 g DSG to 1 or both knees 4 times
daily for 9 (continuing patients) or 12 (new patients) months; use of
rescue acetaminophen (≤4 g/d) was allowed. AEs were monitored
throughout the study and the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities
Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) pain, stiffness, and physical
function subscales were assessed at baseline and 3, 6, 9, and 12
months.
Results: The safety population (947 patients; 575