Physicians' Perception of Oral Nutritional Supplement Acceptance and Tolerability in Malnourished Outpatients: PerceptiONS Study.

Malnutrition is a common condition associated with various pathologies such as infections, neoplasms and digestive system disorders. Patients can be managed using different strategies, which include dietary modifications or oral nutritional supplements (ONS). It is important to promote good ONS adherence in order to attain clinical efficacy and cost-effectiveness.

A telephone support program for patients with home enteral nutrition contributes to nutrition status and quality of life maintenance and reduces health resource use.

Background: Appropriate patient/caregiver training and continuity of care after hospital discharge are key factors for the success of home enteral nutrition (HEN). This study aims to assess the effects of a specific patient support program (PSP) on the nutrition status, health-related quality of life (HRQoL), and healthcare resource utilization and associated costs of patients with HEN.

Methods: Observational study of adult patients with HEN enrolled in a PSP.

The cost effectiveness of vacuum-assisted versus core-needle versus surgical biopsy of breast lesions.

Objectives: To determine the cost effectiveness of breast biopsy by 9G vacuum-assisted guided by vertical stereotaxy or ultrasonography in comparison with breast biopsy by 14G core-needle biopsy and surgical biopsy.

Material And Methods: We analyzed a total of 997 biopsies (181 vacuum-assisted, 626 core, and 190 surgical biopsies). We calculated the total costs (indirect and direct) of the three types of biopsy.

[Neurosurgery in the elderly patient: Geriatric neurosurgery].

Objective: Between 2000 and 2050, the proportion of the world's population over 60 years will double, and the number of people aged 80 and older will quadruple. Health professional training does not include instructions about specific care for older people. The World Health Organization maintains that all health providers should be trained on ageing issues.

[Therapeutic equivalence of the new oral anticoagulants].

In an attempt to minimize the economic impact due to the incorporation of innovative drugs, health authorities have promoted and supported the evaluation and market positioning of drugs, as equivalent therapeutic alternatives. This issue has recently gained importance, possibly due to the current economic crisis. The equivalent therapeutic alternatives are justified by the need to compete on price, and by the authorities recommendation to establish therapeutic equivalence, price and financing of medicinal products at the same time.

Quality of life and fear for hypoglycaemia in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Objectives: Hypoglycaemia can negatively impact many aspects of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) management. The aim was to determine the impact of hypoglycaemia and the fear for hypoglycemic episodes on HRQoL in T2DM patients in Spain, as well as healthcare professionals' attitudes and knowledge of these issues.

Patients And Methods: An observational, cross-sectional study, with consecutive recruitment of T2DM patients in 661 healthcare centers, between September 2010 and May 2011.

[Reference population values of the Spanish version of the COOP/WONCA charts of quality of life in an urban adult population].

Background And Objective: We intended to obtain reference population values of the COOP/WONCA charts of health-related quality of life (HRQOL) among a Spanish urban adult population.

Material And Method: Cross sectional study based on data from the Survey of Health of the City of Madrid 2005. 7341 adults were selected by biphasic cluster sampling.

[How does intensive therapy of cardiovascular risk factors affect health-related quality of life in diabetic patients?].

Objective: To assess the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in diabetic patients who have followed a protocol of intensive treatment of cardiovascular risks (CVR).

Design: Clinical trial randomised by cluster. A convenience sample of 65 primary care practitioners, randomly assigned to a control or intervention group.

[Initial treatment of patients with subjective memory complaints and/or cognitive impairment in primary care: ISSEA Study].

Objective: To describe the initial treatment of patients >60 years who had subjective memory complaints and/or cognitive impairment for at least 6 months.

Design: Observational, longitudinal, multicentre, and naturalistic study, with a follow-up period of 12 months.

Setting: A total of 105 primary care centres.

[Impact of psoriasis on health-related quality of life].

Background And Objective: Different studies have reported of physical, social and psychological disadvantages in patients with psoriasis. Nevertheless, its impact on the health-related quality of life is not clarified sufficiently. Our objective is to know the repercussion of the moderate-severe psoriasis on the health-related quality of life with the Psoriasis Disability Index (PDI).

[Analysis of cost-minimization treatment with paracetamol or COX-2 inhibitors (rofecoxib) for pain from arthrosis of the knee or hip].

Objective: To assess the efficiency of paracetamol, indicated in first instance for light-to-moderate pain from hip and knee arthrosis, against rofecoxib, the COX-2 inhibitor most commonly used in Spain.

Design: Pharmaco-economic model: cost-minimisation analysis based on the information provided by a systematic review of the literature.

Setting: Spain: statewide.

[Study on health related quality of life based on information from COOP/WONCA sheets].

Background: The main objective of this study is to describe the quality of life related to health (QLRH) in primary health patients, in escorts of primary health care patients, in pregnant women, in relatives caring for Alzheimer patients, and in drug addicts.

Patients And Methods: The sample consists of 1,408 persons: primary health care patients (n = 475), escorts of primary health care patients (n = 200), in pregnant women (n = 510), in relatives caring for Alzheimer patients (n = 169), and in drug addicts (n = 68). The QLRH has been measured according to the Spanish version of the COOP/WONCA charts.

[Cross cultural adaptation of a health related quality of life measurement: the Spanish version of the COOP/WONCA cartoons].

Objectives: Cross-cultural adaptation to Castilian Spanish of the original COOP/WONCA charts questionnaire and its validation for use in Spain.

Design: Descriptive crossover study.

Setting: Primary Care.