Survey nonresponders to a medication-beliefs survey have worse adherence and persistence to chronic medications compared with survey responders.

Objective: The primary objective of this study was to investigate whether nonresponders to a medication-beliefs survey exhibited different adherence and persistence patterns than survey responders.

Methods: A medication-beliefs survey was mailed to 7795 adults aged from 40 to 88 years, who filled a qualifying index prescription (cardiovascular, dyslipidemia, oral-antihyperglycemic, oral-bisphosphonate, and asthma-controller medications) in June 2008 at 1 national and 2 regional retail pharmacies. Adherence and persistence to the index drug class was measured using pharmacy-claims data over 12 months.

Factors correlated with NPPV use in ALS.

In spite of emerging evidence of therapeutic benefit from non-invasive positive pressure ventilation (NPPV), only a minority of ALS patients use this therapy. We examined factors which correlate with use of NPPV in ALS patients. Data were analyzed from the ALS CARE Database on the use of NPPV in patients with FVC less than 50% of predicted and probable or definite ALS based on modified El Escorial criteria.

Non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome in patients with renal dysfunction: benefit of low-molecular-weight heparin alone or with glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors on outcomes. The Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events.

Aims: To determine whether low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH)+glycoprotein (GP) IIb/IIIa inhibitors provide greater benefit than unfractionated heparin (UFH)+GP IIb/IIIa inhibitors, irrespective of renal status.

Methods And Results: Patients in the Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events (GRACE) were divided into three groups according to creatinine clearance (CrCl): normal renal function (CrCl >60 mL/min), moderate renal dysfunction (30 View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Implications of diabetes in patients with acute coronary syndromes. The Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events.

Background: There are limited data describing the presenting characteristics, management, and outcomes of diabetic and nondiabetic patients with an acute coronary syndrome (ACS).

Objective: To examine differences in these factors, patients with ST-segment elevation acute myocardial infarction, non-ST-segment elevation acute myocardial infarction, and unstable angina were enrolled in a large multinational coronary disease registry.

Methods: The Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events is a prospective observational study of patients hospitalized with an ACS at 94 hospitals in 14 countries.

Use of noninvasive ventilation in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

Introduction: Noninvasive positive pressure ventilation (NIPPV) is associated with improved survival in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and has been widely recommended. The extent of NIPPV use in ALS patients and the factors associated with its use have not been studied.

Methods: A cross-sectional study using the ALS Patient Care Database.