Skull Base Dural Thickness and Relationship to Demographic Features: A Postmortem Study and Literature Review.

Dural membrane is an important anatomic structure that surrounds and protects the entire central nervous system. Physical properties of the dura have many pathophysiological and therapeutic implications in cranial surgery, especially skull base disorders. The aim of this study is to investigate variation in skull base dural thickness and correlation with different demographic parameters.

Health-Related Internet Use Among Otolaryngology Patients.

Objective: The association between online health resources use in specific otolaryngology patients is poorly understood. To better understand health-related Internet use by otolaryngology patients, we surveyed first-visit patients at academic and private practice clinics in Iowa.

Methods: Data on socioeconomic status, access, and utilization of online resources were collected.

Screening for Behavioral Health Conditions in Primary Care Settings: A Systematic Review of the Literature.

Background: Mounting evidence indicates that early recognition and treatment of behavioral health disorders can prevent complications, improve quality of life, and help reduce health care costs. The aim of this systematic literature review was to identify and evaluate publicly available, psychometrically tested tools that primary care physicians (PCPs) can use to screen adult patients for common mental and substance use disorders such as depression, anxiety, and alcohol use disorders.

Methods: We followed the Institute of Medicine (IOM) systematic review guidelines and searched PubMed, PsycINFO, Applied Social Sciences Index and Abstracts, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, and Health and Psychosocial Instruments databases to identify literature addressing tools for screening of behavioral health conditions.

Prescribing of benzodiazepines and opioids to individuals with substance use disorders.

Background: Benzodiazepines are recommended for short-term use due to risk of dependence. This study examined characteristics associated with benzodiazepine and opioid dispensing of 7+ days in a Medicaid population with substance use disorder (SUD).

Methods: Using 2014 MarketScan data, we performed zero-inflated negative binomial regression to ascertain characteristics associated with longer-term use of these medications.