In vivo and in vitro correlates of food allergy.

Sera of 86 patients clinically sensitive to foods were tested by passive sensitization of human and/or monkey lung (127 tests) and the radioallergosorbent test (RAST) (72 tests), using whole-food antigens; the results were compared with skin (prick) testing. Results of the prick test correlated with history in 76% of cases; lung sensitization correlated with history in 37% and with prick test in 57%; and RAST correlated with history in 54% and prick test in 72%. It is concluded that a very large percentage of adverse reactions to foods are IgE-mediated. The prick test is of use in diagnosis, particularly when combined with RAST; the lung sensitization test is technically impractical and not a reliable indicator. The best diagnostic method is careful history with food challenge and withdrawal and rechallenge; the latter is safe except in patients with a history of violent reaction.     

The economics of alternative payment models for pharmaceuticals

The European Journal of Health Economics - Pharmaceuticals are priced uniformly by convention, but vary in their degree of effectiveness for different disease indications. As more high-cost...     

Neurologic compression by thoracic disc in a case of scheuermann kyphosis - an infrequent combination

Scheuermann disease is a rigid kyphosis due to vertebral wedging in the thoracic or lumbar spine. It is very rarely associated with neurologic compromise. Thoracic disc herniation leading to dural sac compression is also an infrequent pathology. We describe here a young man with Scheuermann disease who presented with symptoms and signs of neural compression. The cause of compression was a thoracolumbar disc, rendering him non-ambulant without support. He required transthoracic surgical decompression. The neurological status of the patient improved rapidly after surgery. At his latest follow-up he was independently ambulant with full restoration to activities of daily living.     

The Relationship between Commercial Health Care Prices and Medicare Spending and Utilization

ObjectiveTo explore the relationship between commercial health care prices and Medicare spending/utilization across U.S. regions.ConclusionsCommercial health care prices are negatively associated with Medicare spending across regions. Providers may respond to low commercial prices by shifting service volume into Medicare. Further investigation is needed to establish causality.     

Chronic disease and severe disability among working-age populations

BACKGROUND: Recent work has shown that rates of severe disability, measured by the inability to perform basic activities of daily living, have been rising in working age populations. At the same time, the prevalence of important chronic diseases has been rising, while others falling, among working age populations. Chronically ill individuals are more likely than others to have activity of daily living limitations. OBJECTIVE: We examine the extent to which chronic disease trends can explain these disability trends. DATA: We use nationally representative survey data from the 1984-1996 National Interview Survey, which posed a consistent set of questions regarding limitations in activities of daily living over that period. METHODS: We decompose trends in disability into 2 parts-1 part due to trends in the prevalence of chronic disease and the other due to trends in disability prevalence among those with chronic disease. RESULTS:: Our primary findings are that for working age populations between 1984 and 1996: (1) disability prevalence fell dramatically among the nonchronically ill; (2) rising obesity prevalence explains about 40% of the rise in disability attributable to trends chronic illness; and (3) rising disability prevalence among the chronically ill explains about 60% of the rise in disability attributable to trends in chronic illness. CONCLUSIONS: Disability prevention efforts in working age populations should focus on reductions in obesity prevalence and limiting disability among chronically ill populations. Given the rise in disability among these population subgroups, it is unclear whether further substantial declines in elderly disability can be expected.     

Consequences of health trends and medical innovation for the future elderly

Recent innovations in biomedicine seem poised to revolutionize medical practice. At the same time, disease and disability are increasing among younger populations. This paper considers how these confluent trends will affect the elderly's health status and health care spending over the next thirty years. Because healthier people live longer, cumulative Medicare spending varies little with a beneficiary's disease and disability status upon entering Medicare. On the other hand, ten of the most promising medical technologies are forecast to increase spending greatly. It is unlikely that a "silver bullet" will emerge to both improve health and dramatically reduce medical spending.