Background: Survival of patients with multiple myeloma (MM) has improved significantly with access to autologous stem cell transplant (SCT) and new treatments. This study aims to describe epidemiology, treatment patterns, and outcomes of MM in Israel.
Methods: A retrospective observational study was conducted in Maccabi Healthcare Services, a 2-million-member nationwide health plan in Israel.
We have utilized the computerized data of a nationwide health plan to elucidate several epidemiologic aspects and risk factor of myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) in Israel. The annual incidence rate (IR) of reported MDS was of 3.32 per 100,000.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe last decade has witnessed very significant developments in the field of bone marrow transplantation (BMT), resulting in the improved safety and availability of this procedure. The expansion of international registries of voluntary, unrelated donors, the establishment of banks of fetal cord blood stem cells, as well as improved technology for transplantation of stem cells derived from partially matched family members, offer this treatment to patients hitherto not eligible for BMT. In addition to better donor availability, there has been a change in the concept regarding the role of BMT in the treatment of cancer: the understanding that the transplanted donor cells are capable of mounting an immunological assault against the host malignant cells.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBlood Coagul Fibrinolysis
April 2005
The number of patients who need supervision during oral anticoagulant treatment is growing constantly. We have presently enrolled 156 patients who were referred to our anticoagulant clinic and who were taking sodium warfarin with target International Normalized Ratios (INR) of low (2-3), intermediate (2.5-3.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFOur objective was to investigate the impact of increased asthma awareness among primary care physicians on the asthma control and satisfaction of their patients. Physicians attended an asthma education session with emphasis on patient-physician partnership followed by 4 month monitored follow-up of patients aged 5-44 years with mild to moderate asthma. Findings were compared with a group of patients whose physician attended the session but did not participate in the follow-up and two other control groups.
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