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AIDS prevention efforts for injection drug users (IDUs) since 1988 in over 60 inner-city areas within the United States have been based on a "provider-client" model called "street-based outreach." We document the research showing that these traditional outreach projects operate under conditions that cause hierarchy and supervision to break down easily. The result is an array of organizational problems that push outreach projects toward inertia, and invite high levels of mal- and nonperformance by outreach workers (OWs) as rational adaptations to their work conditions. Nevertheless, research has also documented that IDUs responded very impressively to the outreach services they received. Based on IDUs' responsiveness, we outline the operational features of a "Peer-Driven Intervention" (PDI) that relies on an active collaboration with IDUs in place of a "provider-client" model. Bused on a comparative study in eastern Connecticut, we present preliminary impact data comparing the effectiveness of a PDI with a traditional outreach intervention in terms of recruitment power, educational effectiveness of IDUs in the community, and comparative intervention costs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Importance: Health centers are vital primary care safety nets for underserved populations, but optimal clinician staffing associated with quality care is unclear. Understanding the association of clinician staffing patterns with quality of care may inform care delivery, scope-of-practice policy, and resource allocation., Objective: To describe the association of clinician staffing models and ratios with quality-of-care metrics in health centers., Design, Setting, and Participants: This cross-sectional study of US health centers used data from the 2022 Health Resources and Services Administration Uniform Data System (UDS)., Exposure: Clinician staffing ratios, expressed as the fraction of full-time equivalents (FTEs) per 1000 visits of physicians, advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs), and physician associates (PAs) to total clinician FTEs at each health center., Main Outcomes and Measures: Percentage of eligible patients receiving the corresponding service or outcome for 14 individual clinical quality metrics collected by the UDS, including infant immunizations; screening for cancer, depression, tobacco use, hypertension, HIV, and glycated hemoglobin levels; weight and body mass index (BMI) assessment; and appropriate statin, aspirin, and/or antiplatelet therapy., Results: This analysis of 791 health centers serving 16 114 842 patients (56.6% female) identified 5 clinician staffing models: balanced (similar FTEs of physicians, APRNs, and PAs; 152 [19.2%] of health centers), higher FTEs of APRNs than physicians (174 [22.0%]), higher FTEs of physicians than APRNs (160 [20.2%]), approximately equal FTEs of physicians and APRNs (263 [33.2%]), and large scale (42 [5.3%]). Adjusted linear models showed positive associations between physician FTEs per 1000 visits and cervical (β, 14.9; 95% CI, 3.1-26.7), breast (β, 15.7; 95% CI, 3.2-28.1), and colorectal (β, 18.3; 95% CI, 6.0-30.6) cancer screening. Generalized additive models showed nonlinear positive associations beginning at a physician FTE ratio of 0.45 (95% CI, 0.02-6.22) for infant vaccinations, 0.39 (95% CI, 0.05-2.21) for cervical cancer screening, 0.39 (95% CI, 0.02-1.67) for breast cancer screening, 0.47 (95% CI, 0.00-5.76) for HIV testing, and 0.70 (95% CI, 0.18-19.96) for depression in remission; APRN FTE ratio of 0.45 (95% CI, 0.17-7.46) for adult BMI assessment; and PA FTE ratio of 0.16 (95% CI, 0.11-3.88) for infant vaccinations. Staffing models were not associated with 7 of the 14 metrics analyzed., Conclusions and Relevance: In this cross-sectional study of health centers, physician FTE ratio was associated with higher performance in cancer screening, infant vaccinations, and HIV testing; APRN FTE ratio was associated with higher performance in preventative health assessments; and PA FTE ratio was associated with higher performance in infant vaccination. These findings suggest that targeted staffing strategies may be associated with quality of care in certain domains and that tailored approaches to health center staffing based on community-specific needs are warranted.

Importance: Individuals who use contraceptive pills, patches, and rings must frequently interact with the health care system for continued and consistent use. As options for obtaining these methods expand, better understanding contraceptive users' preferences for source of contraception can help facilitate access., Objective: To describe use of preferred source of contraception and to understand associations between prior reproductive health care experiences and preference for traditional in-person sources vs alternative sources., Design, Setting, and Participants: This was a cross-sectional nationally representative survey study fielded in the US in 2022 through NORC's population-based AmeriSpeak panel. Eligible panelists were assigned female sex at birth, aged 15 to 44 years, not infecund, and not personally using permanent contraception. Of the screened panelists, 3150 were eligible; 3059 completed the survey (97%). The analysis sample included 595 individuals who currently used a pill, patch, or ring contraceptive. Data were analyzed from January 25, 2023, to August 15, 2024., Main Outcomes and Measures: Primary outcomes were use of any preferred source and use of most preferred source when most recently obtaining contraception. Sources included in-person care, telehealth, pharmacist-prescribed, online service, and over the counter. A binary variable captured whether respondents most preferred traditional, in-person contraceptive care vs an alternative approach. Prior reproductive health care experiences included missing a pill, patch, or ring because they couldn't obtain it on-time and receipt of person-centered contraceptive counseling at most recent contraceptive visit. Sociodemographic characteristics and responses are presented as unweighted numbers with weighted prevalences., Results: In this study, 581 of 595 unweighted respondents (weighted prevalence, 95.9%) of the analytic sample identified as female, 256 unweighted respondents (weighted prevalence, 64.4%) were ages 15 to 29 years, and 448 unweighted respondents (weighted prevalence, 73.8%) had most recently obtained their contraception in-person. Only 197 unweighted respondents (weighted prevalence, 35.6%) selected in-person care as their most preferred source. Additionally, 296 unweighted respondents (weighted prevalence, 49.7%) had most recently obtained their method through any preferred source, and 227 unweighted respondents (weighted prevalence, 39.8%) had obtained it through their most preferred source. In adjusted regression analyses, respondents who previously reported being unable to get their method on time (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 2.57; 95% CI, 1.36-4.87) had higher odds of preferring an alternative source vs traditional in-person care. Those who recently received person-centered contraceptive counseling (aOR, 0.59; 95% CI, 0.35-0.98) had lower odds of preferring an alternative source., Conclusions and Relevance: In this national study of individuals who used the pill, patch, and ring, most preferred alternative sources to obtain their contraception, and only half had most recently used a preferred source. These findings suggest that expansion of alternative contraceptive sources can better meet the needs of contraceptive users and support reproductive autonomy.

Aim: To estimate financial implications of adopting niraparib as maintenance treatment in recurrent ovarian cancer. Materials & methods: A model was developed to estimate the budget impact of treating patients with niraparib compared with alternative maintenance treatment options (olaparib, rucaparib, bevacizumab or 'watch and wait') over 3 years. Results: For a hypothetical plan with 1 million lives representative of US/Medicare-only populations, projected cost savings with niraparib were US$78,721/$293,723, $276,671/$1,009,729 and $353,585/$1,289,712 at years 1, 2 and 3, respectively. Sensitivity analyses showed prices of niraparib, rucaparib and olaparib to have the most significant impact on the budget. Conclusion: Factoring in all treatment-related costs, the use of niraparib could result in significant cost savings compared with other maintenance treatment options.

Therapies for AL amyloidosis have dramatically improved, leading to longer patient survival; however, more AL amyloidosis patients are reaching end-stage renal disease (ESRD). There are no clear guidelines regarding eligibility for kidney transplantation in patients with AL amyloidosis, and data on outcomes are limited. We evaluated the clinical and laboratory data of 49 patients who were followed in the Amyloidosis Center at Boston University and underwent kidney transplantation at a center in the United States between 1987-2017. During a median follow-up of 7.2 years (range 0-19), the median patient survival from diagnosis was 15.4 years, and from kidney transplantation was 10.5 years. One, three, and five-year graft survival were 94%, 89%, and 81%, respectively. Patients with hematologic complete response or very good partial response prior to kidney transplantation had significantly better patient survival than patients with partial response or no response, and the median time to graft loss was 10.4 years versus 5.5 years, respectively. This is the largest published series of kidney transplantation in patients with AL amyloidosis, suggesting that kidney transplantation can have a good outcome in carefully selected patients, particularly in those who have achieved a complete response or very good partial response at the time of kidney transplantation., (Copyright © 2018 International Society of Nephrology. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Purpose: Although half of women and one-quarter of men aged 50 and older will sustain an acute low-trauma fracture, less than a quarter receive appropriate secondary fracture prevention. The goal of this quality improvement demonstration project was to implement a Fracture Liaison Service (FLS) focused on secondary prevention of an osteoporotic fracture in three open health care systems aided by a cloud-based tool., Methods: The pre-post study design examined the proportion of men and women over age 50 who received appropriate assessment (bone mineral density, vitamin D levels) and treatment (calcium/vitamin D, pharmacologic therapy) in the six months following a recently diagnosed fracture. The pre-study (Pre FLS) included a retrospective chart review for baseline data (N = 344 patients) within each health care system. In the post-evaluation (Post FLS, N = 148 patients), the FLS coordinator from each health care system examined these parameters following enrollment and for 6 months following the recently diagnosed fracture. Data were managed in the cloud-based FLS application tool., Results: Ninety-three participants completed the program. The FLS program increased the percentage of patients receiving bone mineral density testing from 21% at baseline to 93% (p < 0.001) Post FLS implementation. Assessments of vitamin D levels increased from 25 to 84% (p < 0.001). Patients prescribed calcium/vitamin D increased from 36% at baseline to 93% (p < 0.001) and those prescribed pharmacologic treatment for osteoporosis increased on average from 20 to 54% (p < 0.001) Post FLS., Conclusions: We conclude that the FLS model of care in an open health care system, assisted by a cloud-based tool, significantly improved assessment and/or treatment of patients with a recently diagnosed osteoporotic fracture. Future studies are necessary to determine if this model of care is scalable and if such programs result in prevention of fractures. Mini-Abstract: The goal was to implement a Fracture Liaison Service (FLS) focused on secondary prevention of an osteoporotic fracture in open health care systems aided by a cloud-based tool. This model significantly improved assessment and/or treatment of patients with a recently diagnosed fracture.

Objective: To describe knowledge about human papillomavirus (HPV) and HPV vaccination among women ages 19 to 26 seeking a variety of services at reproductive health centers. A secondary objective was to identify common sources of HPV information., Methods: Ten reproductive health centers enrolled 365 women ages 19 to 26 in a randomized, controlled trial to determine the effect of automated reminder messages on HPV vaccine completion. Using responses from a 61-item self-administered baseline questionnaire completed before initiating the HPV vaccine, this subanalysis assessed participants' knowledge regarding HPV and the HPV vaccine., Results: Knowledge of HPV prevention, transmission, and disease outcomes among the study population was highly variable. The mean HPV knowledge score was 11.0 of a possible 19 (SD = 3.8). Most participants (77%) had heard of the HPV vaccine before completing the questionnaire and indicated that their primary sources of information about the vaccine were television ads (61%), health care providers (52%), and friends (45%)., Conclusions: Despite a relatively high awareness of the vaccine, specific knowledge regarding HPV and the HPV vaccine varied substantially and participant scores highlighted knowledge gaps among vaccine-eligible young women. Media, health care providers, and friends were identified by participants as sources of information and may influence their knowledge of HPV and the HPV vaccine., (Copyright © 2015 Jacobs Institute of Women's Health. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Public health is increasingly emphasizing policy, systems, and environmental (PSE) change as a key strategy for population-level health promotion and disease prevention. When applied to childhood obesity, this strategy typically involves school systems, since children spend large portions of their days in school and are heavily influenced by this environment. While most school systems have implemented nutrition education and physical activity programs for some time, their understanding and use of PSE approaches to obesity prevention is accelerating based on several large federally funded initiatives. As part of one initiative's evaluation, key informant interviews reveal the specific obesity prevention PSE strategies schools are attempting and the corresponding barriers and facilitators to their implementation. These evaluation findings raise several fundamental issues regarding school-based obesity prevention, including the potential role of school personnel, the influence of grant funding on school health initiatives, and the fit between public health and educational priorities.

Objective: To describe medical services provided to sexual assault patients in US emergency departments and to identify the percentage of hospitals always providing the 10 elements of comprehensive medical care management (CMCM)., Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in a national sample of US hospitals. A 26-item telephone survey assessed provision of services to sexual assault survivors in accordance with CMCM. Management included acute medical care comprising history and physical examination; acute and long-term rape crisis counseling; STI testing and prophylaxis; emergency contraception counseling and provision; and HIV testing and prophylaxis. The primary outcome was extent of provision of these elements., Results: Overall, 582 emergency departments responded to the survey. The following components of CMCM were provided: acute medical care (582 [100.0%]); rape crisis counseling (234 [40.2%]); STI management (448 [77.0%]); emergency contraception (351 [60.3%]); and HIV management (380 [65.3%]). Only 101 (17.4%) hospitals provided all 10 elements of CMCM., Conclusion: Less than one-fifth of US hospitals provide comprehensive services to sexual assault patients. A national program incorporating clinical guidelines, checklists, and funding for sexual assault forensic/nurse examiner programs could improve the standard of care provided in emergency departments-the primary point of contact for acute care of sexual assault survivors., (© 2013.)

Background: The purpose of this analysis was to provide a concise report of the literature on the burden of intestinal failure associated with short bowel syndrome (SBS-IF) in adults, focused on clinical and humanistic issues important to clinicians and payers., Scope: A literature search was performed using the National Library of Medicine PubMed database ( http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed ) with the search term 'short bowel syndrome' limited to adult populations and English-language reports published from January 1, 1965, to January 18, 2013. Citations were assessed for relevance and excluded articles focused on single case studies, colon fermentation, absorption of medications with PN/IV, surgical technique, mesenteric artery complications/surgery, and transplantation focus. Additional hand searches were performed using the terms 'short bowel syndrome' AND 'cost', and 'home parenteral nutrition' AND 'cost', along with the exclusion criteria described above., Findings: Despite advances in management in recent decades, SBS-IF continues to carry a high burden of morbidity and mortality. In the absence of sufficient intestinal adaptation following resection, many patients remain dependent on long-term parenteral nutrition and/or intravenous fluids (PN/IV). Although potentially life saving, PN/IV is costly, invasive, and associated with numerous complications and deleterious effects on health and quality of life. Surgical interventions, especially intestinal transplantation, are costly and are associated with substantial morbidity and high mortality. New therapies, which show promise in promoting intestinal rehabilitation and reducing dependence on PN/IV therapy, are the subject of active research., Conclusions: Overall, the available literature suggests that although SBS-IF affects a relatively small population, the clinical and humanistic burden is significant, and there is an unmet need for effective therapeutic options that target the underlying problem of inadequate absorptive capacity of the remaining intestine. Consequently, many patients with SBS-IF remain dependent on long-term PN/IV support, adding to the burden imposed by the underlying disorder.

Aim: To assess advanced neuroendocrine tumor (NET) treatment patterns and resource utilization by tumor progression stage and tumor site in the United States., Methods: United States Physicians meeting eligibility criteria were provided with online data extraction forms to collect patient chart data on recent NET patients. Resource utilization and treatment pattern data were collected over a baseline period (after diagnosis and before tumor progression), as well as initial and secondary progression periods, with progression defined according to measureable radiographic evidence of tumor progression. Resource categories used in the analysis include: Treatments (e.g., surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, targeted therapies), hospitalizations and physician visits, diagnostic tests (biomarkers, imaging, laboratory tests). Comparisons between categories of resource utilization and tumor progression status were examined using univariate (by tumor site) and multivariate analyses (across all tumor sites)., Results: Fifty-five physicians were included in the study and completed online data extraction forms using the charts of 110 patients. The physician sample showed a relatively even distribution for those affiliated with academic versus community hospitals (46% vs 55%). Forty (36.3%) patients were reported to have pancreatic NET (pNET), while 70 (63.6%) patients had gastrointestinal tract (GI)/Lung as the primary NET site. Univariate analysis showed the proportion of patients hospitalized increased from 32.7% during baseline to 42.1% in the progression stages. While surgeries were performed at similar proportions overall at baseline and progression, pNET patients, were more likely than GI/Lung NET patients to have undergone surgery during the baseline (33.3% vs 25.0%) and any progression periods (26.7% vs 23.4%). While peptide-receptor radionuclide and targeted therapy utilization was low across NET types and tumor stages, GI/Lung types exhibited greater utilization of these technologies compared to pNET. Chemotherapy utilization was also greater among GI/Lung types. Multivariate analysis results demonstrated that patients in first progression period were over 3 times more likely to receive chemotherapy when compared to baseline (odds ratio: 3.31; 95%CI: 1.46-7.48, P = 0.0041). Further, progression was associated with a greater likelihood of having a study physician visit [relative risk (RR): 1.54; 95%CI: 1.10-2.17, P = 0.0117], and an increased frequency of other physician visits (RR: 1.84; 95%CI: 1.10-3.10, P = 0.0211)., Conclusion: Resource utilization in advanced NET in the United States is significant overall and data suggests progression has an impact on resource utilization regardless of NET tumor site.

Background: The PREVAIL (Prevention of VTE [venous thromboembolism] after acute ischemic stroke with LMWH [low-molecular-weight heparin] and UFH [unfractionated heparin]) study demonstrated a 43% VTE risk reduction with enoxaparin versus UFH in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS). A 1% rate of symptomatic intracranial and major extracranial hemorrhage was observed in both groups., Objective: To determine the economic impact, from a hospital perspective, of enoxaparin versus UFH for VTE prophylaxis after AIS., Design: A decision-analytic model was constructed and hospital-based costs analyzed using clinical information from PREVAIL. Total hospital costs were calculated based on mean costs in the Premier™ database and from wholesalers acquisition data. Costs were also compared in patients with severe stroke (National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale [NIHSS] score ≥14) and less severe stroke (NIHSS score <14)., Results: The average cost per patient due to VTE or bleeding events was lower with enoxaparin versus UFH ($422 vs $662, respectively; net savings $240). The average anticoagulant cost, including drug-administration cost per patient, was lower with UFH versus enoxaparin ($259 vs $360, respectively; net savings $101). However, when both clinical events and drug-acquisition costs were considered, the total hospital cost was lower with enoxaparin versus UFH ($782 vs $922, respectively; savings $140). Hospital cost-savings were greatest ($287) in patients with NIHSS scores ≥14., Conclusions: The higher drug cost of enoxaparin was offset by the reduction in clinical events as compared to the use of UFH for VTE prophylaxis after an AIS, particularly in patients with severe stroke., (Copyright © 2011 Society of Hospital Medicine.)

Major orthopedic surgery patients are at high risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in-hospital and post-discharge. This study assessed real-world inpatient and outpatient thromboprophylaxis practices following knee or hip arthroplasty. Patients from the Henry Ford Health System aged ≥18 years undergoing knee and hip arthroplasty (January 1997-June 2007) were identified using Current Procedural Terminology codes from administrative databases. Patients with <18 months of continuous enrollment in the system's health maintenance organization or with a current diagnosis of atrial fibrillation were excluded. Both inpatient and outpatient pharmacological prophylaxis was assessed. The analysis included 1393 (58.5%) patients following knee arthroplasty and 989 (41.5%) following hip arthroplasty. Average length of hospitalization was 4.9 days over the study period, although the median stay decreased from 5 days in 1997 to 3 days in 2007. Of patients included, 72.7% received pharmacological prophylaxis only in the inpatient setting following knee arthroplasty and 73.9% following hip arthroplasty. Both inpatient and outpatient pharmacological prophylaxis was received by 12.5% of knee and 12.3% of hip arthroplasty patients. Total length of pharmacological prophylaxis fluctuated between 2 to 4 days between 1997 and 2005, but increased to 11.5 ± 9.0 days in 2007. Although the duration of prophylaxis has recently increased, considerable numbers of hip and knee arthroplasty patients only receive prophylaxis for part of the time period recommended by guidelines. Further efforts are required to ensure the recommended duration of thromboprophylaxis is prescribed to all patients and continued outpatient VTE prophylaxis is provided.

The efficacy and safety of low-molecular-weight heparins (LMWHs) versus unfractionated heparin (UFH) has been demonstrated for the prevention of venous thromboembolism (VTE) after acute ischemic stroke. Few data exist regarding the economic impact of LMWHs versus UFH in this population. A decision-analytic model was constructed using clinical information from the Prevention of VTE after Acute Ischemic stroke with LMWH Enoxaparin (PREVAIL) study, and drug costs and mean Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services event costs. When considering the total cost of events and drugs, enoxaparin was associated with cost-savings of $895 per patient compared with UFH ($2018 vs $2913). Findings were retained within the univariate and multivariate analyses. From a payer perspective, enoxaparin was cost-effective compared with UFH in patients with acute ischemic stroke. The difference was driven by the lower clinical event rates with enoxaparin. Use of enoxaparin may help to reduce the clinical and economic burden of VTE.

Background: This study aimed to assess the efficacy of laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) during a 6-year follow-up period., Methods: A retrospective database analysis of patients who underwent LAGB at New York University Medical Center between 1 January 2000 and 29 February 2008 was conducted. Patients were included for the efficacy analysis if they were 18 years old or older at the surgery date and had one or more visits with a recorded weight after surgery. Efficacy was assessed using percentage of excess weight loss (%EWL) at 1-year intervals after surgery. Missing weight values were interpolated using a cubic spline function. Linear regression models were used to assess the characteristics that affected the last available %EWL. All patients had implantation of the LAP-BAND system., Results: The inclusion criteria for the efficacy analysis were met by 2,909 patients. The majority of the patients were white (83.3%) and female (68.4%). The mean patient age was 44.6 years, and the mean baseline body mass index (BMI) was 45.3 kg/m2. The %EWL 3 years after surgery was 52.9%, which was sustained thereafter. In multivariate models, increased number of office visits, younger age, female gender, and Caucasian race were significantly associated with a higher maximum %EWL., Conclusions: The LAP-BAND patients achieved a substantial and sustainable weight loss of approximately 50% at 6 years after surgery.

Contraceptive use in the United States is virtually universal among women of reproductive age. However, unplanned pregnancies continue to occur and can be largely attributed to the nonuse and misuse of contraception. Reducing unintended pregnancies constitutes a critical goal for managed care and the public. This can be achieved in part with intrauterine devices (IUDs), which are an effective method of contraception that require a one-time insertion and stay in place for 5-10 years. Therefore, compliance issues are largely mitigated, and actual use efficacy is the same as perfect use efficacy. The IUD is also reversible, unlike tubal ligation, and could potentially be the contraceptive of choice in today's environment. Unfortunately, safety concerns surrounding the use of older IUDs have precluded many women from recognizing the benefits of their use. Currently, the only approved IUDs in the United States are ParaGard, the copper IUD, and Mirena, the levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system (LNG-IUS). These devices offer superior safety profiles compared with those products that were withdrawn from the market in the 1970s. In addition to a favorable safety and tolerability profile, the LNG-IUS offers an advantage over copper IUDs, demonstrating improved efficacy in preventing intrauterine and ectopic pregnancies. Successful communication between patients and providers regarding the improved safety and efficacy of newer IUDs will ensure an appropriate place in therapy. Thus, greater numbers of women will recognize the IUD as a safe, cost-effective means to contraception, thereby reducing the economic and social burdens associated with unplanned pregnancies.

Menorrhagia impairs the quality of life and often leads to hysterectomy. Although hysterectomy provides definitive management of menorrhagia, the procedure is associated with morbidity, permanent sterility, and high cost. Alternative treatments, including pharmaceuticals, intrauterine devices, and other minor surgical procedures are less invasive and less expensive. In particular, the levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system (LNG-IUS), a nonsurgical, reversible treatment, provides effective management for many women with menorrhagia while minimizing morbidity and health care costs.

This study examines the use of bisphosphonates for treating Paget's disease of the bone through an analysis of drug, dose, and therapy-duration data. Data were obtained from a national, multi-managed care plan claims database (based on claims filed from 1996-2004). Patient eligibility criteria included at least one claim with Paget's disease International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision code 731.0, at least one bisphosphonate pharmacy claim, at least six months' continuous enrollment after initiating bisphosphonate therapy (index date), and no more than one claim for osteoporosis. The proportion of patients with bisphosphonate therapy extending beyond the initial recommended treatment regimen (incremental drug use) and associated costs were calculated for each drug. Of 433 patients with Paget's disease receiving bisphosphonate treatment (mean age, 65.0 yr; 64.3% women), 53.1% were prescribed alendronate at the index date; 34.9% and 7.4%, were prescribed risedronate and etidronate, respectively. More than 40% of patients with Paget's disease receiving at least one bisphosphonate were prescribed bisphosphonates beyond the recommended regimen duration at substantial incremental costs.

Background: Compliance with asthma medications probably results in improved outcomes, but few studies have examined this relationship., Objective: To examine the association between medication compliance and exacerbation in asthmatic patients., Methods: Retrospective analysis of a managed care database. The 97,743 participants (aged 6-99 years; mean age, 32.8 years) had asthma and prescriptions for controller medications. Compliance with the index medication (the first controller medication prescribed) was measured using 2 methods: medication possession ratio (MPR), calculated for 365 days after the index date, and number of prescriptions for each index medication. Exacerbation was defined as 1 or more emergency department visits or hospitalizations within 1 year of the index date. Multivariate models were used to determine the odds of exacerbation based on relative compliance for each definition of compliance., Results: Based on the median MPR, more-compliant patients were less likely to experience exacerbation than less-compliant patients (odds ratio, 0.94; 95% confidence interval, 0.91-0.97; P < .001). Using the 75th percentile MPR, risk of exacerbation was even smaller (odds ratio, 0.89; 95% confidence interval, 0.86-0.92; P < .001). All the cutoff points for compliance (> or = 2 through > or = 6 prescriptions) demonstrated significantly less exacerbations in more-compliant vs less-compliant patients after adjusting for covariates. As the criteria for compliance became more stringent, more-compliant patients became increasingly less likely to have an exacerbation vs less-compliant patients., Conclusion: More-compliant asthmatic patients were significantly less likely to experience exacerbation than less-compliant asthmatic patients. These findings demonstrate the importance of improving medication compliance among asthmatic patients to impact outcomes.

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The late Ilse Bry made numerous contributions to health science librarianship in the roles of scholar and librarian. Her professional interests lay in the literature and bibliography of the behavioral sciences; she served as Librarian of the New York Psychoanalytic Institute and later became the library associate in charge of the New York University Psychiatric Library. Upon leaving active librarianship Ilse Bry continued to work as a meticulous bibliographer and as Editor of the Mental Health Book Review Index.