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AbstractBackgroundMuscle cramps are common among persons with cirrhosis and are associated with poor health‐related quality of life (HRQOL). Treatment options are limited. We compared stretching or meditation in a randomized‐controlled trial (RCT).PatientsWe enrolled 98 patients with a history of >4 muscle cramps in the prior month from 7/22–7/23. We randomized patients 1:1 to stretching versus meditation for 35 days. Our primary outcome was the change in cramp severity measured by the visual analogue scale for cramps (VAS‐cramps, scaled 0–10). Secondary outcomes included a patient global impression of change (PGIC), change in sleep quality and global HRQOL measured using the EQ‐5D and VAS‐global HRQOL.ResultsOverall, 48% of patients had cirrhosis, 40% had diabetes, 16% the median age was 63, most were women (67%) and 81% were college educated. Both arms experienced a reduction in cramp severity—a median of 1.44 (.58–2.29) points for stretching and 1.97 (1.01–2.93) points for meditation. These changes were significant changes from baseline (p = .001 for stretching, p < .0001 for meditation) but these changes were equivalent between arms (p = .4). The PGIC was improved: 1.33 (1.02–1.65) for stretching, 1.05 (.70–1.41) for meditation, p‐difference .2. Sleep was also improved for both. HRQOL did not change according to the Eq5D; according to the VAS, HRQOL rose for meditation by 6 (.1–11.8) points but not for stretching. More patients recommended stretching than meditation (79.2% vs. 55.3%, p = .02).ConclusionIn a randomized trial, stretching and meditation both reduced cramp severity and improved sleep quality and global impression of change. While patients preferred stretching, there was no difference in effect between arms.

Purpose: Among phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors, tadalafil offers clinicians a once-daily alternative to 3 times daily sildenafil for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). This study assessed the safety and patient satisfaction with conversion from sildenafil to tadalafil. Methods: In this multicenter, prospective, 6-month study, patients with PAH were instructed to take their last dose of sildenafil in the evening and initiate tadalafil 40 mg/d the next morning. Patients completed the Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire for Medication at baseline and 30, 90, and 180 days after transition to assess PAH symptoms and patient satisfaction. Safety was assessed on the basis of recorded adverse events (AEs). Results: Of the 35 patients who met the study criteria, 56% were receiving ≥2 PAH therapies. At the time of transition, the sildenafil dose ranged from 40 to 300 mg/d, with 20% of the patients on >20 mg of sildenafil 3 times daily. Transition to tadalafil was generally well tolerated, and the incidence of common AEs, except for myalgia, appeared to decrease over time on tadalafil therapy. Five (14%) patients switched back to sildenafil. A greater percentage of patients were satisfied than were dissatisfied after conversion to tadalafil (55% vs 19% at 90 days), while 26% felt about the same degree of satisfaction. Conversion to tadalafil resulted in significant improvement in patient ratings of therapy convenience. Conclusions: Transition of patients from sildenafil to tadalafil was usually well tolerated, with improved convenience and may enhance treatment satisfaction.