Early childhood allergy linked with development of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and autism spectrum disorder.

Background: Previous studies reported controversial results regarding the association between allergic disorders and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)/autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The aim of this article was to investigate whether allergic disorders are associated with ADHD/ASD in a large cohort of pediatric patients.

Methods: A retrospective study using the pediatric (0-18 year) database (ICD-9-CM codes) of Clalit Health Services during the years (2000-2018).

Is rosiglitazone use associated with an increase in intensive eye treatment in diabetic patients? A community based study.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of rosiglitazone on diabetic retinopathy in the usual care setting.

Methods: Type 2 diabetic patients, aged over 40, who received rosiglitazone therapy for at least one year during the study period, were considered for the study group. All diabetic patients who had never received rosiglitazone or insulin were candidates for the control group.

Screening practices of Israeli doctors' and their patients.

Objective: Doctors' health matters because healthy physicians are more productive and because physicians' health practices affects their patient counseling habits, but there are few objective data on this topic.

Methods: An examination of differences in screening quality health indicators between physicians (n=429) and 1621 age, gender, and socioeconomically matched patient controls from our district Health Maintenance Organization in Israel during the first half of 2008.

Results: Doctors and matched patients had similar rates for low-density lipoprotein measurement (85%/84%=NS), colorectal cancer screening (23%/27%=NS), influenza vaccine among the chronically ill (23%/24%=NS), and mammography (for women, 55%/57%=NS).

Association between rosiglitazone use and decline in renal function in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Background: Use of thiazolidinediones (TZDs) in treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) has recently become a matter of major controversy regarding their cardiovascular and renal safety. The aim of this study is to investigate the association between rosiglitazone use and renal function in diabetic patients.

Methods: This is a retrospective cohort study conducted on a population of patients with T2DM treated at a large public health service organization.

Treating hypertension in type II diabetic patients with device-guided breathing: a randomized controlled trial.

The objective of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of device-guided breathing to lower blood pressure (BP) in hypertensive type II diabetic patients. A randomized controlled trial was carried out in four urban family practice clinics in Israel. Non-insulin-dependent diabetic, hypertensive patients with uncontrolled BP, receiving antihypertensive therapy or those non-medicated were enrolled.

Adherence with statins over 8 years in a usual care setting.

Objective: To describe adherence with statin treatment in a usual practice setting and to investigate potential determinants of better adherence.

Study Design: Retrospective cohort study using administrative claims data.

Methods: Study patients were 47,680 individuals enrolled in the Central District of Clalit Health Services HMO in Israel who filled at least 1 prescription for statins between January 1, 1999, and December 31, 2006.