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Introduction: Diabetes is associated with a number of complications, particularly if glycaemic targets are not achieved. Glycaemic control is highly linked to treatment persistence and adherence. To understand the burden of poor persistence and adherence, this systematic literature review identified existing evidence regarding basal insulin adherence/non-adherence and persistence/non-persistence among people with diabetes in Western Europe (defined as the UK, France, Spain, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Ireland, Austria, Portugal, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Italy, Germany, Iceland and Belgium). Methods: Eligible studies were systematically identified from two databases, Medline and Embase (published between 2012 and June 2022). Conference abstracts from ISPOR and EASD were manually included. Identified studies were screened by two independent reviewers in a two-step blinded process. The eligibility of studies was decided on the basis of pre-established criteria. A proportional meta-analysis and comparative narrative analyses were conducted to analyse the included studies. Results: Twelve studies were identified. Proportions of adherence/non-adherence and persistence/non-persistence varied across studies. Pooled rates of non-persistence at 6, 12 and 18 months were 20.3% (95% CI 13.8; 27.8), 33.8% (95% CI 24.1; 44.3) and 36.5% (95% CI 33.6; 39.4), respectively. In the literature, the proportion of adherent people ranged from 41% to 64% (using the outcome measure medication possession ratio (MPR) > 80%), with a pooled rate of 55.6% (95% CI 45.3; 65.6), suggesting that approximately 44% of people with type 2 diabetes (T2D) are non-adherent. Conclusion: The results highlight that almost half of patients with T2D in Western Europe have poor adherence to insulin therapy and, at 18 months, one in three patients do not persist on treatment. These findings call for new basal insulin therapies and diabetes management strategies that can improve treatment persistence and adherence among people with T2D. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is no evidence for the superiority of conventional in vitro fertilization (IVF) or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) using donor oocytes. This retrospective descriptive study aimed to compare the outcomes of conventional IVF (n = 506) and ICSI (n = 613) with donor oocytes in (n = 968) normozoospermic patients. Although the fertilization rate was statistically higher in the ICSI group (p < 0.001), conventional IVF provided better results than ICSI with respect to embryo quality (number of grade A embryos, p < 0.001). In addition, we observed more blastocysts in the conventional IVF group (p < 0.001) and more good quality embryos were obtained for cryopreservation compared to ICSI (p < 0.001). Regarding clinical results, there were no statistical significant differences in the positive pregnancy test, clinical pregnancy and clinical miscarriage rates between IVF and ICSI. However, the implantation rate was statistically higher when IVF was performed (50.4% vs. 43.0%, p = 0.031, OR (95% CI): 1.185 (1.050–2.530)). In conclusion, with the use of normozoospermic samples in our oocyte donation programme, IVF offers more embryo efficiency and increased implantation rates than ICSI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The main barrier for an appropriate primary management of the reproductive health was lack of knowledge about the risk factors and prevention measures for infertility and the main recommendations was to involve primary care physicians in reproductive health. Aims: To reach a consensus around barriers and enablers for appropriate primary management of the reproductive health. Methods: An observational study was performed using the modified Delphi technique, from October 2017 to April 2018 in private and public assisted reproduction clinics in Spain. A questionnaire consisted of 58 items, divided into four blocks to explore consensus among a group of experts by synthesizing opinions. Results: In the first Delphi round, the response rate was 50% and panelists reached a 72.4% of consensus. In second round, the response rate was 55% and panelists reached a 25% of consensus. To minimize limitations related to the use of a structured questionnaire, a space for free text responses was provided. The following items yielded unanimous agreement: "It is necessary to promote reproductive planning—not just contraception—from secondary school," "The media should not trivialize pregnancies in women aged over 50," "Postponing family formation is the main cause of the increase in assisted reproduction treatments in Spain," and "Postponing motherhood implies an inherently decreased probability of having children." Conclusions: These recommendations could set the basis for a public health action plan for primary management of reproductive health. The findings may be applicable to any country whose health services system provides primary healthcare. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to assess atrial fibrillation (AF) incidence and predictive factors in hypertensive patients and to formulate an AF risk assessment score that can be used to identify the patients most likely to develop AF. This was a cohort study of patients recruited in primary healthcare centers. Patients aged 40 years or older with hypertension, free of AF and with no previous cardiovascular events were included. Patients attended annual visits according to clinical practice until the end of study or onset of AF. The association between AF incidence and explanatory variables (age, sex, body mass index, medical history and other) was analyzed. Finally, 12,206 patients were included (52.6% men, and mean age was 64.9 years); the mean follow-up was 36.7 months, and 394 (3.2%) patients were diagnosed with AF. The incidence of AF was 10.5/1000 person-years. Age (hazard ratio [HR] 1.06 per year; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.05–1.08), male sex (HR 1.88; 95% CI 1.53–2.31), obesity (HR 2.57; 95% CI 1.70–3.90), and heart failure (HR 2.44; 95% CI 1.45–4.11) were independent predictors (p < 0.001). We propose a risk score based on significant predictors, which enables the identification of people with hypertension who are at the greatest risk of AF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To investigate if the vaginal microbiome influences the IVF outcome. Methods: Thirty-one patients undergoing assisted reproductive treatment (ART) with own or donated gametes and with cryotransfer of a single euploid blastocyst were recruited for this cohort study. Two vaginal samples were taken during the embryo transfer procedure, just before transferring the embryo. The V3 V4 region of 16S rRNA was used to analyze the vaginal microbiome, and the bioinformatic analysis was performed using QIIME2, Bioconductor Phyloseq, and MicrobiomeAnalyst packages. Alpha diversity was compared between groups according to the result of the pregnancy test. Results: Fourteen (45.2%) patients did not and seventeen (54.8 %) did achieve pregnancy under ART. A greater index of alpha diversity was found in patients who did not achieve pregnancy comparing to those who did, although this difference was not significant (p = 0.088). In the analysis of beta diversity, no statistically significant differences were observed between groups established as per the pregnancy status. Samples from women who achieved pregnancy showed a greater presence of Lactobacillus spp. The cluster analysis identified two main clusters: the first encompassed the genera Lactobacillus, Gardnerella, Clostridium, Staphylococcus, and Dialister, and the second included all other genera. Women who achieved pregnancy were mainly detected microorganisms from the first cluster. Conclusions: The vaginal microbiome can influence the results of ART. The profiles dominated by Lactobacillus were associated with the achievement of pregnancy, and there was a relationship between the stability of the vaginal microbiome and the achievement of pregnancy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to assess the cost-effectiveness of the "Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) 11" injury prevention programme for ankle and hamstring injuries. This retrospective cohort study included eighty-four male amateur football players aged 18–40 years. The exposed group performed the FIFA 11 protocol twice a week throughout the 2010–2011 and 2011–2012 seasons; the unexposed group performed the usual training during the 2008–2009 and 2009–2010 seasons. Lateral ankle ligament and hamstring injuries were recorded over the whole study period. We compared the mean costs associated with lateral ankle ligament and hamstring injuries in the two groups. The mean cost per player and lateral ankle injury was EUR 928 in the unexposed group versus EUR 647 in the exposed group (p = 0.19). The mean cost of hamstring injury per player was EUR 1271 in the unexposed group versus EUR 742 in the exposed group (p = 0.028). The mean total cost per player was EUR 2199 in the unexposed group versus EUR 1273 in the exposed group (p = 0.008). We concluded that the use of the FIFA 11 injury prevention programme reduced both the direct and indirect costs associated with lateral ankle ligament and hamstring injuries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To assess the association between periodontitis and preterm birth in women of childbearing age. Materials and Methods: This review included analytical case‐control studies and prospective cohort studies evaluating the association between maternal periodontitis and preterm birth. Of the 3104 screened articles, 31 met the inclusion criteria for the review, and 20 met the quality criteria. The selected studies included a total of 10 215 women. Results: Twenty articles contributed to the meta‐analysis; 16 used a case‐control design, and 4 were prospective cohort studies. The study heterogeneity was low (Q = 24.2464; P = 0.1869; I2 = 21.63%). A positive association between maternal periodontitis and preterm birth was found in 60% of the studies. Under the random‐effects model, meta‐analysis gave an odds ratio (OR) of 2.01 (95% CI 1.71, 2.36), representing a significant positive association between the explanatory and outcome variables. Conclusion: Pregnant mothers with periodontitis double the risk of preterm birth. There is a lack of international consensus for diagnosing maternal periodontitis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Despite the epidemiological evidence about the relationship between diabetes, mortality and cardiovascular disease, information about the population impact of uncontrolled diabetes is scarce. We aimed to estimate the attributable risk associated with HbA1c levels for all-cause mortality and cardiovascular hospitalization.Methods: Prospective study of subjects with diabetes mellitus using electronic health records from the universal public health system in the Valencian Community, Spain 2008-2012. We included 19,140 men and women aged 30 years or older with diabetes who underwent routine health examinations in primary care.Results: A total of 11,003 (57%) patients had uncontrolled diabetes defined as HbA1c ≥6.5%, and, among those, 5325 participants had HbA1c ≥7.5%. During an average follow-up time of 3.3 years, 499 deaths, 912 hospitalizations for coronary heart disease (CHD) and 786 hospitalizations for stroke were recorded. We observed a linear and increasingly positive dose-response of HbA1c levels and CHD hospitalization. The relative risk for all-cause mortality and CHD and stroke hospitalization comparing patients with and without uncontrolled diabetes was 1.29 (95 CI 1.08,1.55), 1.38 (95 CI 1.20,1.59) and 1.05 (95 CI 0.91, 1.21), respectively. The population attributable risk (PAR) associated with uncontrolled diabetes was 13.6% (95% CI; 4.0-23.9) for all-cause mortality, 17.9% (95% CI; 10.5-25.2) for CHD and 2.7% (95% CI; - 5.5-10.8) for stroke hospitalization.Conclusions: In a large general-practice cohort of patients with diabetes, uncontrolled glucose levels were associated with a substantial mortality and cardiovascular disease burden. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The potential impact of targeting different components of an adverse lipid profile in populations with multiple cardiovascular risk factors is not completely clear. This study aims to assess the association between different components of the standard lipid profile with all-cause mortality and hospitalization due to cardiovascular events in a high-risk population. Methods: This prospective registry included high risk adults over 30 years old free of cardiovascular disease (2008–2012). Diagnosis of hypertension, dyslipidemia or diabetes mellitus was inclusion criterion. Lipid biomarkers were evaluated. Primary endpoints were all-cause mortality and hospital admission due to coronary heart disease or stroke. We estimated adjusted rate ratios (aRR), absolute risk differences and population attributable risk associated with adverse lipid profiles. Results: 51,462 subjects were included with a mean age of 62.6 years (47.6% men). During an average follow-up of 3.2 years, 919 deaths, 1666 hospitalizations for coronary heart disease and 1510 hospitalizations for stroke were recorded. The parameters that showed an increased rate for total mortality, coronary heart disease and stroke hospitalization were, respectively, low HDL-Cholesterol: aRR 1.25, 1.29 and 1.23; high Total/HDL-Cholesterol: aRR 1.22, 1.38 and 1.25; and high Triglycerides/HDL-Cholesterol: aRR 1.21, 1.30, 1.09. The parameters that showed highest population attributable risk (%) were, respectively, low HDL-Cholesterol: 7.70, 11.42, 8.40; high Total/HDL-Cholesterol: 6.55, 12.47, 8.73; and high Triglycerides/HDL-Cholesterol: 8.94, 15.09, 6.92. Conclusions: In a population with cardiovascular risk factors, HDL-cholesterol, Total/HDL-cholesterol and triglycerides/HDL-cholesterol ratios were associated with a higher population attributable risk for cardiovascular disease compared to other common biomarkers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To assess the barriers that make it difficult for the health care professionals (physicians, nurses and health care managers) to achieve a better control for dyslipidemia in Spain.Methods: The study has an observational design and was performed using the modified Delphi technique. One hundred and forty-nine panel members from medicine, nursing and health care management fields and from different Spanish regions were selected randomly and were invited to participate. Individual and anonymous opinions were asked by answering a 42-items questionnaire via e-mail (two rounds were done). Level of agreement was assessed using measures of central tendency and dispersion. We analysed commonalities/differences between the three groups (Kappa index and McNemar chi-square).Results: Response rate: 81%. The agreement index was 33.3 (95% CI: 18.9-47.7). Regarding the non-compliance with therapy, it improves with patient education degree in dyslipidemia, patient motivation, the agreement on decisions with the patient and with the use of cardiovascular risk measure and it gets worse with lack of information on the objectives to achieve. Clinical inertia improves with professional's motivation, cardiovascular risk calculation, training on objectives and the use of indicators and it gets worse with lack of treatment goals.Conclusion: Different perceptions and attitudes between medicine, nursing and health care management were found. An agreement in interventions in non-compliance and clinical inertia to improve dyslipidemia control was reached. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To assess Spanish and Portuguese patients' and physicians' preferences regarding type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) treatments and the monthly willingness to pay (WTP) to gain benefits or avoid side effects. Methods: An observational, multicenter, exploratory study focused on routine clinical practice in Spain and Portugal. Physicians were recruited from multiple hospitals and outpatient clinics, while patients were recruited from eleven centers operating in the public health care system in different autonomous communities in Spain and Portugal. Preferences were measured via a discrete choice experiment by rating multiple T2DM medication attributes. Data were analyzed using the conditional logit model. Results: Three-hundred and thirty (n=330) patients (49.7% female; mean age 62.4 [SD: 10.3] years, mean T2DM duration 13.9 [8.2] years, mean body mass index 32.5 [6.8] kg/m², 41.8% received oral + injected medication, 40.3% received oral, and 17.6% injected treatments) and 221 physicians from Spain and Portugal (62% female; mean age 41.9 [SD: 10.5] years, 33.5% endocrinologists, 66.5% primary-care doctors) participated. Patients valued avoiding a gain in bodyweight of 3 kg/6 months (WTP: €68.14 [95% confidence interval: 54.55-85.08]) the most, followed by avoiding one hypoglycemic event/month (WTP: €54.80 [23.29-82.26]). Physicians valued avoiding one hypoglycemia/week (WTP: €287.18 [95% confidence interval: 160.31-1,387.21]) the most, followed by avoiding a 3 kg/6 months gain in bodyweight and decreasing cardiovascular risk (WTP: €166.87 [88.63-843.09] and €154.30 [98.13-434.19], respectively). Physicians and patients were willing to pay €125.92 (73.30-622.75) and €24.28 (18.41-30.31), respectively, to avoid a 1% increase in glycated hemoglobin, and €143.30 (73.39-543.62) and €42.74 (23.89-61.77) to avoid nausea. Conclusion: Both patients and physicians in Spain and Portugal are willing to pay for the health benefits associated with improved diabetes treatment, the most important being to avoid hypoglycemia and gaining weight. Decreased cardiovascular risk and weight reduction became the third most valued attributes for physicians and patients, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses a prospective study to construct a model to predict nonadherence to guidelines for prescribing antiplatelet therapy (NGAT) to hypertensive patients. The study was performed in 2007-2009 to determine whether hypertensive patients were or were not being prescribed antiplatelet therapy. It concludes that a tool was constructed to predict NGAT and that the associated factors were related with cardiovascular risk.

The article describes the case of a 67-year old woman with iatrogenic subclinical hyperthyroidism due to an overdose of thyroxine. It reports the patient's response to levothyroxine and the results of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) analysis following elevation of the TSH concentration. Data presented shows the laboratory procedures and results in order to identify the interference with the determination of TSH.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D) is a growing healthcare burden primarily due to long-term complications. Strict glycemic control helps in preventing complications, and early introduction of insulin may be more cost-effective than maintaining patients on multiple oral agents. This is an expert opinion review based on English peer-reviewed articles (2000-2012) to discuss the health economic consequences of T2D treatment intensification. T2D costs are driven by inpatient care for treatment of diabetes complications (40%-60% of total cost), with drug therapy for glycemic control representing 18% of the total cost. Insulin therapy provides the most improved glycemic control and reduction of complications, although hypoglycemia and weight gain may occur. Early treatment intensification with insulin analogs in patients with poor glycemic control appears to be cost-effective and improves clinical outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Routine general practice data collection can help identify patients at risk of cardiovascular disease. Aim To determine whether a training programme for primary care professionals improves the recording of cardiovascular disease risk factors in electronic health records. Design and setting A quasi-experimental study without random assignment of professionals. This was an educational intervention study, consisting of an online-classroom 1-year training programme, and carried out in the Valencian community in Spain. Method The prevalence rates of recording of cardiovascular factors (recorded every 6 months over a 4-year period) were compared between intervention and control group. Clinical relevance was calculated by absolute risk reduction (ARR), relative risk reduction (RRR), and number of patients needed-to-attend (NNA), to avoid under-recording, with their 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Linear regression models were used for each of the variables. Results Of the 941 professionals initially registered, 78.1% completed the programme. The ARR ranged from 1.87% (95% CI = 1.79 to 1.94) in the diagnosis of diabetes to 15.27% (95% CI = 15.14 to 15.40) in the recording of basal blood glucose. The NNA ranged from 7 in blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood glucose recording to 54 in the diagnosis of diabetes. The RRR ranged from 26.7% in the diagnosis of diabetes to 177.1% in the recording of the Systematic Coronary Risk Evaluation (SCORE). The rates of change were greater in the intervention group and the differences were significant for recording of cholesterol (P<0.001), basal blood glucose (P<0.001), smoking (P<0.001), alcohol (P<0.001), microalbuminuria (P = 0.001), abdominal circumference (P<0.001), and SCORE (P<0.001). Conclusion The education programme had a beneficial effect at the end of the follow-up that was significant and clinically relevant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Background: To evaluate the effectiveness of a new multifactorial intervention to improve health care for chronic ischemic heart disease patients in primary care. The strategy has two components: a) organizational for the patient/professional relationship and b) training for professionals. Methods/design: Experimental study. Randomized clinical trial. Follow-up period: one year. Study setting: primary care, multicenter (15 health centers). For the intervention group 15 health centers are selected from those participating in ESCARVAL study. Once the center agreed to participate patients are randomly selected from the total amount of patients with ischemic heart disease registered in the electronic health records. For the control group a random sample of patients with ischemic heart disease is selected from all 72 health centers electronic records. Intervention components: a) Organizational intervention on the patient/professional relationship. Centered on the Chronic Care Model, the Stanford Expert Patient Program and the Kaiser Permanente model: Teamwork, informed and active patient, decision making shared with the patient, recommendations based on clinical guidelines, single electronic medical history per patient that allows the use of indicators for risk monitoring and stratification. b) Formative strategy for professionals: 4 face-to-face training workshops (one every 3 months), monthly update clinical sessions, online tutorial by a cardiologist, availability through the intranet of the action protocol and related documents. Measurements: Blood pressure, blood glucose, HbA1c, lipid profile and smoking. Frequent health care visits. Number of hospitalizations related to vascular disease. Therapeutic compliance. Drug use Discussion: This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of a multifactorial intervention strategy involving patients with ischemic heart disease for the improvement of the degree of control of the cardiovascular risk factors and of the quality of life, number of visits, and number of hospitalizations. Trial registration: NCT01826929 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Family function may have an influence on the mental health deterioration of the caregivers of dependent family members and it could have a varying importance on the care of dependents. Little attention has been paid to the preparation of minor stroke survivors for the recovery trajectory or the spouse for the caregiving role. Therefore, this study protocol intends to analyze the influence of family function on the protection of patients with stroke sequels needing physiotherapy in the family environment. Methods/Design: This is an analytical observational design, prospective cohort study and using a qualitative methodology by means of data collected in the "interviews of life". The study will be carried out by the Rehabilitation Service at Hospital of Elda in the Valencia Community. All patients that have been diagnosed with stroke and need physiotherapy treatment, having a dependency grade assigned and consent to participate in the study, will undergo a monitoring of one year in order to assess the predictive factors depending on the dependence of the people affected. Discussion: Our research aims to analyze the perception of caregivers, their difficulties to work, and the influence of family function. Moreover, it aims to register the perception of the patients with stroke sequel over the care received and whether they feel protected in their family environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To analyze the differences in placental perfusion in pregnancies following oocyte donation compared to spontaneous pregnancies. Participants and Methods: A total of 33 patients who became pregnant after oocyte donation are studied and compared to 42 spontaneously pregnant participants. A 3-dimensional Power Doppler is used to obtain 3 placental volumes. Of each volume, 3 portions are analyzed in the form of a spherical "placental biopsy." Four vascularization rates are applied, using the virtual organ computer-aided analysis (VOCAL) method: grey index (GI), vascularization index (VI), flow index (FI), and vascularization-flow index (VFI). Results: Vascular alterations are demonstrated, manifested by a lower IG and a significantly higher IV in the group of spontaneous pregnancies (GI P = .001; (VI) P = .039) and is almost statistically significant in comparison to the IVF (P = .051). Conclusions: Placental perfusion in pregnancies obtained following oocyte donation is deficient in comparison to spontaneous pregnancies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The Escarval-Risk study aims to validate cardiovascular risk scales in patients with hypertension, diabetes or dyslipidemia living in the Valencia Community, a European Mediterranean region, based on data from an electronic health recording system comparing predicted events with observed during 5 years follow-up study. Methods/Design: A cohort prospective 5 years follow-up study has been designed including 25000 patients with hypertension, diabetes and/or dyslipidemia attended in usual clinical practice. All information is registered in a unique electronic health recording system (ABUCASIS) that is the usual way to register clinical practice in the Valencian Health System (primary and secondary care). The system covers about 95% of population (near 5 million people). The system is linked with database of mortality register, hospital withdrawals, prescriptions and assurance databases in which each individual have a unique identification number. Diagnoses in clinical practice are always registered based on IDC-9. Occurrence of CV disease was the main outcomes of interest. Risk survival analysis methods will be applied to estimate the cumulative incidence of developing CV events over time. Discussion: The Escarval-Risk study will provide information to validate different cardiovascular risk scales in patients with hypertension, diabetes or dyslipidemia from a low risk Mediterranean Region, the Valencia Community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Among the various treatments for osteoporosis, calcium and/or vitamin D supplements are frequently included. Objective: The objective of the study was to analyse adherence to calcium and/or vitamin D treatment and to identify related predictors of non-adherence in a sample of postmenopausal women treated for osteoporosis in primary care. Methods: A cross-sectional, observational study was conducted in a sample of postmenopausal women receiving pharmaceutical treatment for osteoporosis with vitamin D and/or calcium. Sociodemographic, general and osteoporosis- related data were collected. Patient's perceptions of the adverse effects of treatment, their knowledge of osteoporosis (Batalla test), their attitude towards treatment (Morisky-Green test) and their self-reported therapeutic adherence (Haynes-Sackett test) were assessed. Results: Of 630 women (mean age±SD 64.1±8.7 years) evaluated, 36.2% (95% CI 32.4, 39.9) had problems with treatment tolerability, 63.5% (95% CI 59.7, 67.3) had good knowledge of osteoporosis, 20.5% (95% CI 17.3, 23.6) had a good attitude to treatment and 50.0% (95% CI 46.1, 53.9) had good self- reported adherence to treatment. Patients in the poor adherence group had higher mean body mass index (p=0.014), more concurrent pathologies (p=0.003), more tolerability problems (p<0.001) and worse attitude to treatment (p<0.001). The multivariate model showed a positive relationship between therapeutic adherence and good attitude to treatment (odds ratio [OR]= 11.7; p<0.001), not having tolerability problems (OR=3.3; p<0.001) and no polymedication (OR=0.80; p=0.017). Conclusions: Only one in two postmenopausal women with osteoporosis who take calcium and/or vitamin D have good self-reported therapeutic adherence to this treatment. Determinant factors of adherence to calcium and/or vitamin D treatment were patient's attitude to the treatment, tolerability problems with the treatment and number of concurrent treatments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: To evaluate the effectiveness of a new multifactorial intervention to improve health care for chronic ischemic heart disease patients in primary care. The strategy has two components: a) organizational for the patient/professional relationship and b) training for professionals.Methods/design: Experimental study. Randomized clinical trial. Follow-up period: one year.Study Setting: primary care, multicenter (15 health centers). For the intervention group 15 health centers are selected from those participating in ESCARVAL study. Once the center agreed to participate patients are randomly selected from the total amount of patients with ischemic heart disease registered in the electronic health records. For the control group a random sample of patients with ischemic heart disease is selected from all 72 health centers electronic records.Discussion: This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of a multifactorial intervention strategy involving patients with ischemic heart disease for the improvement of the degree of control of the cardiovascular risk factors and of the quality of life, number of visits, and number of hospitalizations.Trial Registration: NCT01826929. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Family function may have an influence on the mental health deterioration of the caregivers of dependent family members and it could have a varying importance on the care of dependents. Little attention has been paid to the preparation of minor stroke survivors for the recovery trajectory or the spouse for the caregiving role. Therefore, this study protocol intends to analyze the influence of family function on the protection of patients with stroke sequels needing physiotherapy in the family environment.Methods/design: This is an analytical observational design, prospective cohort study and using a qualitative methodology by means of data collected in the "interviews of life". The study will be carried out by the Rehabilitation Service at Hospital of Elda in the Valencia Community.All patients that have been diagnosed with stroke and need physiotherapy treatment, having a dependency grade assigned and consent to participate in the study, will undergo a monitoring of one year in order to assess the predictive factors depending on the dependence of the people affected.Discussion: Our research aims to analyze the perception of caregivers, their difficulties to work, and the influence of family function. Moreover, it aims to register the perception of the patients with stroke sequel over the care received and whether they feel protected in their family environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Patients with resistant hypertension are at greater risk for cardiovascular complications. Spreading out medication for the treatment of hypertension is a well known and widely used practice. Chronotherapy, the optimisation of schedules for administering drugs, constitutes a new option in optimising blood pressure control and reducing risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]