Treatment profiles and costs of patients with chronic pain in the population setting.

Background: The purpose of this study was to gather information about analgesic drug therapy in patients with chronic pain and perform cost estimates to guide future cost-effectiveness research in the area.

Methods: Data from patients aged 44 years and over suffering from any chronic condition and receiving regular analgesic drug therapy (for ≥6 months) who attended health care facilities within the area of Badalona during 2008 were collected in a retrospective study. Morbidity profiles were defined according to treatment setting (pain unit, hospital), World Health Organization analgesic step (1-2 versus 3), and a raw cost model based on resource use and work absenteeism was applied.

[Influence of substitution of brand name for generic drugs on therapeutic compliance in hypertension and dyslipidemia].

Objective: To determine therapeutic compliance when brand name amlodipine and simvastatin are substituted for generic drugs, and to determine patients' and physicians' opinions of this substitution.

Patients And Methods: We performed an observational study with a control group, based on a review of the medical records in six primary care centers. Participants consisted of patients ≥ 40 years old initiating treatment with a brand name drug (initial period), which was later substituted by a generic drug (final period).