Chronic conditions: results of the Medicare Health Outcomes Survey, 1998-2000.

This research examines the predictors of 2-year declines in physical and mental health for beneficiaries surveyed in the Medicare Health Outcomes Survey (HOS). Regression results indicate that age, arthritis of the hip/knee, sciatica, and pulmonary diseases, comorbidity at baseline, and increased comorbidity between baseline and followup were predictors of decline in physical health; however, these account for very small amounts of variance. The number of newly diagnosed chronic conditions and depression predicted decline in mental health.

Utilization of the propensity score method: an exploratory comparison of proxy-completed to self-completed responses in the Medicare Health Outcomes Survey.

Background: This research examined the use of the propensity score method to compare proxy-completed responses to self-completed responses in the first three baseline cohorts of the Medicare Health Outcomes Survey, administered in 1998, 1999, and 2000, respectively. A proxy is someone other than the respondent who completes the survey for the respondent.

Methods: The propensity score method of matched sampling was used to compare proxy and self-completed responses.

Folate, vitamin B12, and homocysteine status. findings of no relation between human papillomavirus persistence and cervical dysplasia.

Objectives: Human papillomavirus (HPV) infections are the cause of most, if not all, cervical cancers. Women consistently positive for oncogenic type HPV infections have a greater risk of developing cervical dysplasia compared with women transiently infected. HPV infection alone appears to be insufficient to produce disease, suggesting that other cofactors may be needed.