Chronic use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or acetaminophen and relationship with mortality among United States Veterans after testing positive for COVID-19.

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and acetaminophen are among the most-frequently used medications. Although these medications have different mechanisms of action, they have similar indications and treatment duration has been positively correlated with cardiovascular risk although the degree of risk varies by medication. Our objective was to study treatment effects of chronic use of individual NSAID medications and acetaminophen on all-cause mortality among patients who tested positive for COVID-19 while accounting for adherence.

Incidence of non-severe hypoglycaemia and intensity of treatment among veterans with type 2 diabetes in the U.S.A.: a prospective observational study.

Aim: To quantify the incidence of non-severe hypoglycaemic events among veterans with Type 2 diabetes and its association with primary care provider prescribing behaviour.

Methods: This was a prospective observational study involving 30 primary care providers and patients enrolled with these primary care providers, identified from computerized pharmacy records. Two sampling frames were created consisting of (1) patients not treated with insulin and receiving sulfonylurea treatment (with or without other oral hypoglycaemic agents) and (2) patients treated with insulin (with or without sulfonylureas or other oral hypoglycaemic agents).

A comparison of diabetic foot ulcer patients managed in VHA and non-VHA settings.

Objective: To compare patients with diabetes and new onset foot ulcers treated in Veterans Health Administration (VHA) and non-VHA settings.

Methods: The treatment of patients with new onset diabetic foot ulcers was prospectively monitored in three VHA and three non-VHA hospitals and outpatient settings until ulcer healing, amputation, or death.

Results: Of the 302 individuals enrolled in this study, 47% were veterans receiving VHA care.

Diabetic amputations in the VA: are there opportunities for interventions?

Lower limb amputation (LLA) is a devastating complication experienced by some veterans with diabetes. The Veterans Affairs (VA) Healthcare system has identified the prevention of LLA as a priority goal. This study was designed to describe the sources of outpatient care received by veterans with diabetes who have undergone LLA, to determine whether these persons would have been impacted by a VA amputation prevention program.