The Effect of a Comprehensive, Interdisciplinary Medication Review on Quality of Life and Medication Use in Community Dwelling Older People with Polypharmacy.

We conducted a comprehensive medication review at the patients' home, using data from electronic patient records, and with input from relevant specialists, general practitioners and pharmacists formulated and implemented recommendations to optimize medication use in patients aged 60+ years with polypharmacy. We evaluated the effect of this medication review on quality of life (QoL) and medication use. Cluster randomized controlled trial (stepped wedge), randomly assigning general practices to one of three consecutive steps.

Effectiveness of an exercise training programme COPD in primary care: A randomized controlled trial.

Background: Pulmonary rehabilitation is very effective in improving exercise capacity, dyspnea and quality of life in the small group of patients with moderate to severe COPD. Given that little is known about exercise training in the large group of patients with mild to moderate COPD, we assessed the effectiveness of an exercise training programme in primary care.

Methods: In this RCT, 90 patients with mild to moderate COPD (FEV 74.

Discrepancy between functional exercise capacity and daily physical activity: a cross-sectional study in patients with mild to moderate COPD.

Background: In patients with moderate to severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) the six-minute walk distance reflects the functional exercise level for daily physical activity. It is unknown if this also applies to patients with mild to moderate COPD in primary care.

Aims: To assess the relationship between functional exercise capacity and physical activity in patients with mild to moderate COPD.

The influence of six cardiovascular polymorphisms on a first event of ischemic heart disease is modified by sex and age.

Objective: To examine the contribution of six cardiovascular polymorphisms to the occurrence of a first event of ischemic heart disease (IHD) in a primary care population with a high prevalence of hypertension. Furthermore, we specified the data for sex and age.

Methods: In this cross sectional case-control study, patients with a first event of IHD (157) and event-free controls (571) were studied.

Sex-specific effect of the alpha-adducin (G460W) and AGTR1 (A1166C) polymorphism on carotid intima-media thickness.

Objective: In a primary care population covering a broad spectrum of cardiovascular risk (HIPPOCRATES project) the relationship between carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) and six cardiovascular polymorphisms were analyzed in a cross-sectional study.

Methods: CIMT was assessed in 618 participants, who were genotyped for the AGTR1 (A1166C), AGT (M235T), ACE (4656(rpt)), NOS3 (E298D), GNB3 (C825T) and ADD1 (G460W) polymorphisms. Linear regression analyses were performed to assess the relationship between CIMT and the polymorphisms.

The association between arterial stiffness and the angiotensin II type 1 receptor (A1166C) polymorphism is influenced by the use of cardiovascular medication.

Objective: To examine in a population with a high prevalence of hypertension, the association between six cardiovascular polymorphisms, arterial stiffness and medication use.

Methods: In this cross-sectional study (Hypertension: Interaction and Prevalence of POlymorphisms related to Cardiovascular Risk and the Association to Treatment Efficacy Study project), arterial stiffness was assessed by measuring pulse wave velocity (PWV) in 575 patients in one primary care practice. Patients were genotyped for the angiotensin II type 1 receptor [AGTR1 (A1166C)], angiotensinogen (M235T), angiotensin-converting enzyme (4656rpt), endothelial nitric oxide synthase (E298D), G-protein beta3 (C825T), and alpha-adducin (G460W) polymorphisms.

Assessment of readiness to change in patients with osteoarthritis. development and application of a new questionnaire.

Objective: To develop a self-report measure for assessment of the stage of change in patients with osteoarthritis, in order to identify patients who would benefit from a self-management programme.

Methods: According to the 'stages of change' model a questionnaire was developed with three groups of items corresponding to the precontemplation stage (Pre), the contemplation (Cont) and the action (Act) stage. Internal consistency and factor structure of this questionnaire were investigated by assessing Cronbach's alphas and by performing factor analysis.

Self-management in osteoarthritis of hip or knee: a randomized clinical trial in a primary healthcare setting.

Objective: To assess in a primary healthcare setting the efficacy of a self-management program in middle-aged patients with osteoarthritis (OA).

Methods: This was a 2-group randomized controlled trial, with 273 patients aged 40 to 60 years with OA of the hip(s) and/or knee(s). The experimental intervention was compared with care-as-usual.

Pain-related fear and daily functioning in patients with osteoarthritis.

There is growing evidence supporting the relationship between pain-related fear and functional disability in chronic musculoskeletal pain conditions. In osteoarthritis (OA) patients the role of pain-related fear and avoidance has received little research attention so far. The present study investigates the degree to which pain-related fear, measured with the Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia (TSK), influences daily functioning in OA patients.