Growth hormone is effective in treatment of short stature associated with short stature homeobox-containing gene deficiency: Two-year results of a randomized, controlled, multicenter trial.

Background: The short stature homeobox-containing gene, SHOX, located on the distal ends of the X and Y chromosomes, encodes a homeodomain transcription factor responsible for a significant proportion of long-bone growth. Patients with mutations or deletions of SHOX, including those with Turner syndrome (TS) who are haplo-insufficient for SHOX, have variable degrees of growth impairment, with or without a spectrum of skeletal anomalies consistent with dyschondrosteosis.

Objective: Our objective was to determine the efficacy of GH in treating short stature associated with short stature homeobox-containing gene deficiency (SHOX-D).

Impact of HIV/AIDS on care and outcomes of severe sepsis.

Introduction: There has been dramatic improvement in survival for patients with HIV/AIDS; however, some studies on patients with HIV/AIDS and serious illness have reported continued low rates of intensive care. The purpose of this study was to examine patterns of care and outcomes for patients with severe sepsis and HIV/AIDS and compare them with those of patients with severe sepsis without HIV/AIDS.

Methods: We assessed data from all 1999 discharge abstracts from all non-federal hospitals in six US states.

Severe sepsis in managed care: analysis of incidence, one-year mortality, and associated costs of care.

Objective: To determine severe sepsis (SS) incidence, hospital mortality, 1-year mortality, and costs associated with care in a sample of enrollees in a nationally representative individual practice association (IPA)-network managed care organization (MCO).

Methods: This was a retrospective analysis of administrative claims data for commercial (not managed Medicare) members. We identified MCO members hospitalized for SS between July 1995 and December 1998.

Hospitalized cancer patients with severe sepsis: analysis of incidence, mortality, and associated costs of care.

Introduction: Infection is an important complication in cancer patients, which frequently leads to or prolongs hospitalization, and can also lead to acute organ dysfunction (severe sepsis) and eventually death. While cancer patients are known to be at higher risk for infection and subsequent complications, there is no national estimate of the magnitude of this problem. Our objective was to identify cancer patients with severe sepsis and to project these numbers to national levels.

Billing for inpatient hospital care.

Pharmacy personnel billing patients for services rendered is discussed. Billing for services is a critical function for maintaining the financial viability of health care institutions. Poor understanding of the system can lead to incorrect documentation, which can result in a claim rejection.

Components of Medicare reimbursement.

The history of the Medicare reimbursement system, how it works, and issues related to fraud and abuse are discussed. The statutory charge of Medicare is to ensure adequate reimbursement through a Prospective Payment System (PPS) to cover the costs for providing a given service to Medicare beneficiaries. The PPS was introduced as a way to change hospital behavior through financial incentives that encourage cost-efficient management of resources.

The relation of body mass index, cardiorespiratory fitness, and all-cause mortality in women.

Objective: To examine the relation of body mass index (BMI), cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), and all-cause mortality in women.

Research Methods And Procedures: A cohort of women (42.9 +/- 10.