Characterization of patients in the European Forsteo Observational Study (EFOS): postmenopausal women entering teriparatide treatment in a community setting.

Objective: The European Forsteo Observational Study (EFOS) study was primarily designed to assess fracture incidence, degree of pain, health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and compliance in women prescribed teriparatide in a community setting. This report describes the design of the study and characteristics of the patients at entry.

Methods: At entry, 1645 postmenopausal women with a diagnosis of osteoporosis and about to initiate teriparatide treatment were enrolled in eight European countries.

COPD: illness severity, resource utilisation and cost.

COPD is a major source mortality and morbidity International evidence suggests the associated financial burden substantial. This research was undertaken to capture the costs associated with COPD in an Irish secondary care setting. 150 COPD patients attending a respiratory clinic were interviewed.