The impact of pharmacist interventions on the inappropriate use of acid-suppression therapy.

Objective: The inappropriate use of acid-suppression therapy (AST) in non-intensive care unit patients contributes to inappropriate polypharmacy, drug interactions, community- and hospital-acquired pneumonia, and increased health care expenditures for institutions and individuals. The purpose of this study was to determine whether clinical pharmacist interventions significantly decreased the rate of inappropriately used AST.

Design: A single group, pre-test post-test.

The effect of patient education on calcium intake in elderly men at risk for osteoporosis.

Objective: To determine the effect patient education has on osteoporosis prevention and calcium intake has on elderly men who are at risk for developing osteoporosis.

Design: This was a prospective study in which subjects completed a Men's Osteoporosis Risk Questionnaire and watched a video on osteoporosis prevention. Subjects were then divided into groups based on osteoporosis status and contacted one month later to complete a telephone survey.

Monotherapy versus combination drug therapy for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Background: Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a medical condition occurring in older men (ie, those aged >60 years) resulting from enlargement of the prostate gland. Consequently, affected men may experience bother-some urinary tract symptoms and diminished quality of life. The risk of lower urinary tract symptoms and complications such as acute urinary retention (AUR) may increase if BPH is untreated.