August 2009

Community-based persons with Alzheimer’s disease have a higher risk of fractures, hospitalization, and various comorbidities than persons without the disease.

The early months of a cluster-randomized trial suggest that Guided Care is associated with a trend toward a net reduction in total healthcare expenditures.

A dementia care management program proven to improve quality and outcomes showed a statistically nonsignificant cost offset (both payer and societal perspectives) over 18 months.

In this randomized controlled trial, women receiving monthly telephone calls had significantly higher use of osteoporosis medication at 1 year versus women receiving usual care.

This study demonstrates that patients with diabetes taking thiazolidinediones have higher proportions of distal upper and lower limb fractures than those not taking the drug.

Lipid levels can remain controlled with electronic laboratory reminder letters for most patients with coronary artery disease discharged from a cardiovascular disease management program.

A nationwide media campaign aimed at parents was associated with reductions in the use of antibiotics for pediatric upper respiratory infections, otitis media, and pharyngitis.

Study results indicate that outreach interventions performed by trained student pharmacists assist Medicare beneficiaries to effectively navigate their Part D benefit, thereby reducing out-of-pocket costs.

Coverage under Part D is comparable to that under non–Part D plans with respect to key features likely to be important to Medicare beneficiaries.

Patients with end-stage renal disease who began peritoneal dialysis had lower 1-year hospitalization rates and lower total healthcare costs than those who began therapy with hemodialysis.