Deep inspiration breath-hold technique in left-sided breast cancer radiation therapy: Evaluating cardiac contact distance as a predictor of cardiac exposure for patient selection.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of voluntary deep inspiration breath-hold (DIBH) over a free-breathing (FB) technique to minimize cardiac radiation exposure in radiation therapy of left-sided breast cancer. Also, to better select patients for DIBH, the correlation between cardiac contact distance (CCD) and cardiac dose was assessed.

Methods And Materials: Thirty-five patients with left-sided breast cancer underwent DIBH and FB planning computed tomography scans, and the 2 plans were compared.

Effects of methylphenidate on fatigue and depression: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

Context: Fatigue is highly prevalent in populations with advanced illness and is often associated with depressed mood. The role of psychostimulant therapy in the treatment of these conditions remains ill defined.

Objectives: To evaluate the response of fatigue and depression in patients with advanced illness to titrated doses of methylphenidate (MP) as compared with placebo.

Pharmacy-managed anticoagulation: assessment of in-hospital efficacy and evaluation of financial impact and community acceptance.

Background: The dangers of thrombosis are well known and yet current therapy presents a paradox; effective methods of pharmacological anticoagulation are available, but underemployed. The risks associated with the use of anticoagulants, especially warfarin, and the requirement of meticulous dosing with subsequent vigilant monitoring provides some explanation for this discrepancy. Efforts have been made to address this incongruity and increase anticoagulation treatment while mitigating complications; these include the development of dosing nomograms, patient self-monitoring of anticoagulation status, and increased pharmacist participation in anticoagulation management.

Performance of the provider recognition program's survey to assess patient satisfaction with the provision of diabetes care in primary care.

Objective: To measure, for the first time, the performance of the American Diabetes Association-National Committee for Quality Assurance Provider Recognition Program (PRP) survey in assessing patient satisfaction with the provision of diabetes care.

Study Design: Postal survey.

Patients And Methods: The PRP survey satisfaction questions and the Diabetes Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire were mailed to a random sample of 607 patients with diabetes attending 3 medical practices (63 primary care providers), with an additional mailing to nonresponders.