Safety and tolerability of azilsartan medoxomil in subjects with essential hypertension: a one-year, phase 3, open-label study.

This 56-week phase 3, open-label, treat-to-target study, involving 2 consecutive, non-randomized cohorts, evaluated the safety and tolerability of azilsartan medoxomil (AZL-M) in essential hypertension (mean baseline blood pressure [BP] 152/100 mmHg). All subjects (n = 669) initiated AZL-M 40 mg QD, force-titrated to 80 mg QD at week 4, if tolerated. From week 8, subjects could receive additional medications, starting with chlorthalidone (CLD) 25 mg QD (Cohort 1) or hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) 12.5-25 mg QD (Cohort 2), if required, to reach BP targets. Adverse events (AEs) were reported in 75.9% of subjects overall in the two cohorts (73.8% Cohort 1, 78.5% Cohort 2). The most common AEs were dizziness (14.3%), headache (9.9%) and fatigue (7.2%). Transient serum creatinine elevations were more frequent with add-on CLD. Clinic systolic/diastolic BP (observed cases at week 56) decreased by 25.2/18.4 mmHg (Cohort 1) and 24.2/17.9 mmHg (Cohort 2). These results demonstrate that AZL-M is well tolerated over the long term and provides stable BP improvements when used in a treat-to-target BP approach with thiazide-type diuretics.

Investing in wellbeing.

A trust in the West Midlands has introduced wellbeing apprentices to offer one-to-one support to patients with dementia of at high risk of falls. As well as providing companionship to ease patients' stress during hospital stays, the young apprentices receive training that can set them on the path to a nursing career.

In their words.

Innovative work by specialist nurses in Manchester is helping young people with congenital heart conditions make the transition from paediatric to adult services. Young people contact nurses directly for advice using a text messaging service, and have access to a website and social group. Many ideas for the initiative came from young people themselves.

Wards in good cheer.

Over the past year a West Midlands trust has introduced activities to improve the experience of patients in a co-ordinated and sustainable way. The initiative is spreading to other settings across the country.

The right combination.

A community gynaecological service in the West Midlands combines GP and nursing skills to bring care closer to patients' homes.

Fast-track to efficiency.

Changing the way nurses work in one medical assessment unit has resulted in quicker and more efficient patient care.

One step at a time.

A cross-sector, nurse-led pilot project has reduced the number of falls in nursing homes. Now the work could be introduced elsewhere.

Paternal instincts.

When it comes to the care of their sick children, fathers can often feel marginalised, partly because nurses tend to interact more fully with mothers. However, healthcare staff can help ensure fathers are completely involved.

Testing boundaries.

The Christie hospital's clinical trials unit plays a major role in testing new cancer treatments. The clinical research nurses who work there are vital to its success.

The gift of life.

Theatre team leader Lisa Evans has written a manual detailing best practice and protocol when retrieving donated tissue and organs.

Impeccable timing.

Patients with HIV found attending clinics in working hours posed problems. Nurses in one unit have devised a way to make things easier.

Absolutely fabulous.

Staff are settling into the first new acute hospital to open in Birmingham for 70 years, which will treat military personnel injured overseas.

Life and limb.

Clinical nurse specialist Philippa Bridgeman supports patients through the lengthy treatment required to save a limb following a complex fracture. Up to 20 per cent of her patients at Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham are injured soldiers.

Free to visit all hours.

Helping patients keep in touch with relatives and friends is the objective of justvisiting.com, a website being piloted in Gateshead.

Lending a little hand.

Uncertainty among parents and health professionals about what toddlers should be eating has resulted in advice from the Infant and Toddler Forum.

Powers of observation.

Dudley Group of Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has redesigned its response to inpatients who need urgent attention.

Innovation in oncology.

Nurses are undertaking specialist procedures to improve the patient experience.

A life on the ocean wave.

Setting sail on a new career path as a nurse responsible for the health of the passengers and crew of cruise liners can be hugely satisfying.

Breathing space.

Respiratory nurse specialists are spearheading the Love Your Lungs health awareness campaign.

The rapid responders.

A Birmingham A&E department has introduced a 24-hour rapid response team to assess and treat patients with mental health problems.