The impact of knowledge,attitudes and beliefs on the engagement of primary and community-based healthcare professionals in cancer care: a literature review

Abstract

Background:

Primary health services are well placed to reinforce prevention, early intervention, and connected care. Despite this important role, primary care providers (PCPs) have a limited capacity to meet the varied needs of people with cancer and their carers – furthermore, the reasons for this largely remain unexplored.     

Alosetron for severe diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome: improving patient outcomes

Abstract

Background:

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common gastrointestinal disorder often diagnosed and managed by primary care physicians (PCPs). Despite the high prevalence of IBS, symptom severity is often underappreciated and inadequately managed. The goal of this review is to discern IBS treatment gaps and identify opportunities for improving its management in the primary care setting, as well as describe the most current clinical experience with alosetron, a targeted treatment for severe diarrhea-predominant IBS (IBS-D) in women.     

Eldecalcitol normalizes bone turnover markers regardless of their pre-treatment levels

Abstract

Background:

Three-year treatment with eldecalcitol has been shown to improve lumbar and total hip bone mineral density (BMD), decrease bone turnover markers, and lower the incidences of vertebral and wrist fractures in patients with osteoporosis more than with treatment with alfacalcidol under vitamin D repletion. The purpose of this study was to determine whether there was a risk of eldecalcitol causing severely suppressed bone turnover in osteoporosis patients with low pre-treatment levels of bone turnover markers.     

Hospital visits and costs following outpatient treatment of CAP with levofloxacin or moxifloxacin

Abstract

Background:

Hospital admissions (inpatient and emergency room) are a major source of medical costs for community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) initially treated in the outpatient setting. Current CAP treatment guidelines do not differentiate between outpatient treatment with levofloxacin and moxifloxacin.     

Methadone maintenance and the cost and utilization of health care among individuals dependent on opioids in a commercial health plan

Background

Few health plans provide maintenance medication for opioid dependence. This study assessed the cost of treating opioid-dependent members in a commercial health plan and the impacts of methadone maintenance on costs of care.

Methods

Individuals with diagnoses of opioid dependence (two or more diagnoses per year) and at least 9 months of health plan eligibility each year were extracted from electronic health records for the years 2000 through 2004 (1,518 individuals and 2,523 observations across the study period—some individuals were in multiple years). Analyses examined the patterns and costs of health care for three groups of patients: (1) one or more methadone visits during the year (n = 1,298; 51%); (2) no methadone visits and 0 or 1 visits in the Addiction Medicine Department (n = 370; 15%); (3) no methadone visits and 2 or more visits in addiction medicine (n = 855; 34%).

Results

Primary care (86%), emergency department (48%) and inpatient (24%) visits were common. Mean total annual costs to the health plan were $11,200 (2004 dollars) per member per year. The health plan's costs for members receiving methadone maintenance were 50% lower ($7,163) when compared to those with two or more outpatient addiction treatment visits but no methadone ($14,157) and 62% lower than those with one or zero outpatient addiction treatment visits and no methadone treatment ($18,694).

Conclusions

Use of opioid maintenance services was associated with lower total costs of care for opioid-dependent members in a commercial health plan.     

Peripatetic intravenous service for metabolic bone disease: case study in patient centred-care for new NHS

Abstract

Objective:

To develop a ‘close to patient’ peripatetic intravenous service (PIVS) for delivery of specialist osteoporosis care in a community setting without increasing cost and with a reduced carbon footprint.     

Assessment of asthma control in primary care

Abstract

Objective:

To determine the prevalence of uncontrolled asthma in patients who are visiting their primary care provider for any reason.     

Sustained vertebral antifracture efficacy of oral anti-osteoporotic therapies in postmenopausal osteoporosis

Abstract

Objective:

Vertebral fractures are common in women with postmenopausal osteoporosis, a chronic condition requiring long-term treatment with anti-osteoporotic treatments. Therefore, it is important to assess sustainability of antifracture efficacy.     

Long-term treatment of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women: a review from the European Society for Clinical and Economic Aspects of Osteoporosis and Osteoarthritis (ESCEO) and the International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF)

Abstract

Introduction:

Postmenopausal osteoporosis is a chronic disease requiring treatment that balances long-term fracture efficacy against risk.     

Long-term raloxifene for postmenopausal osteoporosis

Abstract

Background:

Due to the chronic nature of osteoporosis and the risk of invasive breast cancer, raloxifene 60?mg/day (raloxifene) is intended to be used for long-term treatment (treatment >3 years).     

Metabolic outcomes of elderly patient populations initiating exenatide BID versus insulin glargine in an ambulatory care setting

Abstract

Aims:

The safety and efficacy of exenatide BID (exenatide) and insulin glargine (glargine) have been studied in clinical trials with few elderly patients. This study examined the clinical effectiveness of exenatide compared to glargine in patients 65 years and older with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).     

Comment and Reply on:International Society for Medical Publication Professionals (ISMPP) position statement: the role of the professional medical writer

Abstract

Objective:

To determine the safety and efficacy of full-length parathyroid hormone, PTH(1–84), treatment for up to 36 months by evaluating bone mineral density (BMD) changes, bone histomorphometric indices, and clinical fracture incidence in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis.     

Management of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease in primary care: a European observational study

Abstract

Objective:

To describe the management of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in primary care, as part of the RANGE (Retrospective ANalysis of GERD) study.     

Long-term outcomes of children and adolescents who had cerebral palsy with secondary osteoporosis

Abstract

Objective:

To investigate the long-term efficacy and index of treatment with vitamin D alone or with a bisphosphonate in children and adolescents who have cerebral palsy (CP) with secondary osteoporosis.     

Achieving recommended low density lipoprotein cholesterol goals and the factors associated with target achievement of hypercholesterolemia patients with rosuvastatin in primary care

Abstract

Objective:

Hypercholesterolemia is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease and requires continuous management. The role of primary physicians in this regard is important, yet the factors associated with successful lipid lowering treatments in primary clinics have not been clearly identified. We aimed to evaluate the rate of successful hypercholesterolemia treatment in Korean primary care, and to identify the factors associated with achieving low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) targets.     

Comprehensive review of generalized anxiety disorder in primary care in Europe

Abstract

Objective:

This review aims to summarize meta-analyses and other relevant data relating to the efficacy and safety of the various treatment options for generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) in Europe. In addition, it will provide an overview of the prevalence, burden, and recognition of the disorder, with a view to raise awareness of GAD and inform primary care practitioners.     

Vitamin D supplementation in elderly or postmenopausal women: a 2013 update of the 2008 recommendations from the European Society for Clinical and Economic Aspects of Osteoporosis and Osteoarthritis (ESCEO)

Abstract

Background:

Vitamin D insufficiency has deleterious consequences on health outcomes. In elderly or postmenopausal women, it may exacerbate osteoporosis.     

Adherence and persistence in patients with severe osteoporosis treated with teriparatide

Abstract

Introduction:

Medical intervention plays a key role in the treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis and patients’ adherence to therapy is essential for optimal clinical outcomes. While adherence in RCTs is usually around 70–90%, a previous study showed that in clinical practice only 27.8% and 46.5% of the women on oral daily vs. weekly alendronate were still on treatment after 12 months. Data on adherence to teriparatide (TPTD) treatment of severe postmenopausal osteoporosis are available from only few countries. This study assessed adherence and persistence with TPTD in Germany.     

Dosing patterns of three tumor necrosis factor blockers among patients with rheumatoid arthritis in a large United States managed care population

Abstract

Objective:

To describe dosing patterns of etanercept, adalimumab, and infliximab in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients in US managed care.     

Differences in rates of hypoglycemia and health care costs in patients treated with insulin aspart in pens versus vials

Abstract

Objectives:

To study whether initiation of insulin aspart therapy with a pen vs. a vial/syringe has an impact on the risk of subsequent hypoglycemic episodes and health care costs.