Efficacy of a Combined Strategy to Improve Low-density Lipoprotein Cholesterol Control Among Patients With Hypercholesterolemia: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Introduction And Objectives: Several interventions can improve low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) control. Our main objective was to evaluate the efficacy of a combined intervention to improve LDL-C control in patients with hypercholesterolemia. The study also assessed the efficacy of the intervention in improving adherence (pharmacological, diet, and exercise).

Treatment Satisfaction Among Patients Taking Antidepressant Medication.

This study sought to assess treatment satisfaction among patients on antidepressants, ascertaining whether there might be an association with depressive symptomatology and other variables. Cross-sectional study conducted on 564 adult patients taking antidepressant medication. Satisfaction with antidepressant treatment was assessed using the Assessment of Satisfaction with Antidepressant Treatment Questionnaire (ESTA/Evaluación de la Satisfacción con el Tratamiento Antidepresivo).

Effectiveness of a combined strategy to improve therapeutic compliance and degree of control among patients with hypercholesterolaemia: a randomised clinical trial.

Background: In subjects with hypercholesterolaemia, cholesterol values remain above guideline levels. One of the limiting factors to the achievement of goals in such patients is therapeutic non-adherence. The aim of this study is to assess the effectiveness of an intervention designed to improve control of hypercholesterolaemic patients, consisting of a combined strategy that would include the delivery of printed information, treatment-compliance check cards and the dispatch of text messages as complementary measures in support of the intervention at the general practitioner's practice.

[Adherence to patients antidepressant treatment and the factors associated of non-compiance].

Objective: To know the adherence to treatment in patients who initiate antidepressant drugs and to analyze the determinant factors of non-compliance, so much clinical as sociodemographic.

Design: Prospective longitudinal observational study.

Location: Primary Health Care and Mental Health Surgeries of three Castilla-La Mancha Areas.

[Validation of Questionnaire "ESTA": designed to assess the satisfaction with antidepressant treatment. Spain].

Background: We have no questionnaires to assess satisfaction with antidepressant treatment, which affects the health related quality of life. The objective was to develop and validate a specific instrument to assess satisfaction with antidepressant treatment, determining convergent validity regarding clinical effectiveness, fulfillment of expectations, adherence and tolerability.

Methods: Longitudinal observational study where 168 patients started antidepressant treatment and were followed for one year.

[Comorbidity and cardiovascular risk in subjects with initial diagnosis of hypercholesterolemia].

Background: For a proper approach to the subjects, in which the presence of hypercholesterolemia is identified for the first time, is important to consider simultaneously both cardiovascular risk factors and the presence of other diseases. The purpose of our study was to describe the lipid profile of patients in which the presence of hypercholesterolemia is detected for the frist time and to determine their cardiovascular risk and comorbidity.

Methods: Observational cross-sectional study in a Primary Care setting.

Visual function versus visual acuity in older people.

Purpose: To determine visual function (VF) status in older people, to establish its degree of correlation with visual acuity (VA), and to assess its association with other physical and mental functional limitations.

Participants: A sample of 1,160 persons aged 65 years or over were selected by simple randomization.

Methods: The participants' VF (The Visual Function Index - VF-14), VA, self-reported vision, mental and physical function (Katz Index, Pfeiffer's test, and Geriatric Depression Scale), and socio-demographic data were determined.

[Sleep disorders and environmental conditions in the elderly].

Objectives: To establish the prevalence and characteristics of insomnia and its relationship to other health problems, medication, socio-health status and sleep hygiene in the elderly over 65 years of age.

Design: Cross sectional study of prevalence.

Setting: Albacete (Castilla-La Mancha), 2004-2005.