Publications by authors named "Kirsten Murtagh"
Objective: To measure the impact of invasive aspergillosis infection on US hospital costs and financial performance across different patient populations.
Methods: Hospital discharge data for patients with a primary or secondary diagnosis of aspergillosis were extracted from the 2003 Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) and the fiscal year 2003 (FYO3) Medicare Provider Analysis and Review (MedPAR) file. The data on patient demographics, length of stay (LOS), hospital charges, estimated costs, and reimbursement levels were reported.
Objective: Assess the impact of esophageal candidiasis on US hospital inpatient charges, length of stay (LOS), and costs across clinically relevant subgroups.
Methods: Total hospital charge (THC) and LOS data extracted from the 2005 National Inpatient Sample (NIS) were compared for patients with and without esophageal candidiasis within the top 20 most commonly assigned Diagnosis Related Groups (DRGs) for the disease. Total hospital costs were estimated using hospital charges in the 2005 Medicare Provider Analysis and Review (MEDPAR) file and hospital cost-to-charge ratios published in the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Service's (CMS) 2005 Inpatient Prospective Payment System Standardization File.
Objective: To examine disparities in disability, pain, and global health between Caucasian (n = 4294) and African American (n = 283) and Caucasian and Hispanic (n = 153) patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
Methods: Patients were from 9 Arthritis, Rheumatism, and Aging Medical Information System databanks. Cross-sectional data were derived from the Health Assessment Questionnaire.
Objective: Nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug (NSAID)-associated gastropathy is a major cause of hospitalization and death. This study was undertaken to examine whether recent preventive approaches have been associated with a declining incidence of NSAID gastropathy, and, if so, what measures may have caused the decline.
Methods: We studied 5,598 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) over 31,262 patient-years at 8 sites.
Objectives: We analyzed the role of sociodemographic factors, chronic-disease risk factors, and health conditions in explaining gender differences in disability among senior citizens.
Methods: We compared 1348 men and women (mean age = 79 years) on overall disability and compared their specific activities of daily living, instrumental activities of daily living (IADL), and mobility limitations. Analysis of covariance adjusted for possible explanatory factors.
Objective: Patient dropout (attrition) can bias and threaten validity of databank-based studies. Although there are several databanks of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in operation, this phenomenon has not been well studied.
Methods: We studied the attrition patterns of patients with RA in 11 long-running databanks where patients were followed using semiannual Health Assessment Questionnaires.