Effects of an interactive CD-program on 6 months readmission rate in patients with heart failure - a randomised, controlled trial [NCT00311194].

Background: Disease-management programmes including patient education have promoted improvement in outcome for patients with heart failure. However, there is sparse evidence concerning which component is essential for success, and very little is known regarding the validity of methods or material used for the education.

Methods: Effects of standard information to heart failure patients given prior to discharge from hospital were compared with additional education by an interactive program on all-cause readmission or death within 6 months.

[Insulin glargine--a systematic review of clinical studies. No documented advantages with Lantus compared to NPH insulin].

The prescription of insulin glargine has increased in Sweden and during 2003 the cost in the county of Skåne equalled all intermediate-acting insulins (ATC-code A10AC01). To investigate the evidence behind claimed advantages of insulin glargine over existing therapy, we carried out a systematic review. We analysed the available documentation presented after registration of the drug by the drug regulatory authorities FDA and EMEA.

[Audit of prescribing practices in nursing homes. Many preparations but few serious interactions].

Information on all prescribed drugs to 112 patients in three nursing homes in the community of Malmoe and Trelleborg were analysed. The age of the patients was 84.5 years (mean) and number of prescribed drugs was 9.

[Ranking the efficacy of drugs--a question of "class"? It is difficult to determine equivalency of two different treatments].

Criteria for equivalence are essential when classifying drugs. Results from clinical trials remain the most practical way of defining "class". Class effect cannot be assumed, it must be proven, and one should not attempt to generalize results from one drug to another drug in the same class.

Association of outpatient utilisation of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and hospitalised heart failure in the entire Swedish population.

Objective: Individual-based studies on restricted geographical settings have suggested that non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may precipitate congestive heart failure. As NSAID use is very extensive, it might increase the occurrence of symptomatic heart failure in the general population. Therefore, in order to study the impact of NSAID utilisation (prescribed and over the counter) on hospitalised heart failure in an entire country (Sweden), we performed an ecological analysis, a design appropriate for studying large geographical areas.

[Drug information must be critically scrutinized. Industry's only wish: prescription from the physician to the patient].

The purpose of drug information from the pharmaceutical industry is to increase sales. The message is often simplified, short, with emphasis on Unique Selling Points (USP). Information is often given in a pleasant environment, food is served, gifts handed out.

Survival after initial hospitalisation for heart failure: a multilevel analysis of patients in Swedish acute care hospitals.

Study Objective: Although national variation in short-term prognosis (that is, 30 day mortality) after a patient's first hospitalisation for heart failure may depend on individual differences between patients, dissimilarities in hospital practices may also influence prognosis. This study, therefore, sought to disentangle patient determinants from institutional factors that might explain such variation.

Design: A multilevel logistic regression modelling was performed with patients (1st level) nested in hospitals (2nd level).

The effects on knowledge of the systematic education of patients with joint diseases treated with NSAIDs and diuretics.

In a randomised, controlled trial, patients with joint diseases and concomitant treatment with NSAIDs and diuretics received systematic education. The intervention group was given information by a self-conducted, interactive Kodak Photo-CD program in addition to personal drug information and non-commercial drug leaflets. Awareness of drug interactions and encouragement of self-adjustment of treatment was focused on.

Health care costs of heart failure: results from a randomised study of patient education.

Background: Heart failure is a serious syndrome with a bad prognosis. Hospitalisation is common and readmittance rate is high; factors which influence the cost of care and treatment. Only scarce data on detailed patient materials regarding health care costs are known.

Effects of systematic education on heart failure patients' knowledge after 6 months. A randomised, controlled trial.

Background: Many procedures for patient education are introduced in clinical practice without proper evaluation in randomised trials.

Aims: To compare systematic nurse and pharmacist led education including an interactive Kodak Photo-CD Portfolio technique with conventional information regarding heart failure patients' knowledge.

Methods: One hundred and thirty heart failure patients discharged from hospital were randomised to receive either conventional information or additional structured education with a follow-up of 6 months.