Diabetes transitional care from inpatient to outpatient setting: pharmacist discharge counseling.

Purpose: Diabetes transitional care from the inpatient to outpatient setting is understudied. This study evaluated the effect of inpatient pharmacist discharge counseling on outpatient diabetes medication adherence.

Research Methods: Prospective, randomized, controlled study compared pharmacist discharge counseling (intervention) with usual patient care (control) in 127 patients with established diabetes and an A1C ≥8% who had a provider and medications filled within the county health system.

Key articles, guidelines, and consensus papers relative to the treatment of dyslipidemias--2005.

Hypercholesterolemia is a major risk factor for development of coronary heart disease. Proper diagnosis and adequate treatment are vital to reducing morbidity and mortality associated with elevated serum lipid levels. The amount of literature in this area is overwhelming.

Cost-efficacy analysis of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme a reductase inhibitors based on results of the STELLAR trial: clinical implications for therapeutic selection.

Study Objective: To compare the cost/1% reduction in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL) and the cost/patient achieving the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP ATP III) LDL goal based on the results of the Statin Therapies for Elevated Lipid Levels Compared Across Doses to Rosuvastatin (STELLAR) trial.

Design: Cost-efficacy analysis.

Intervention: Investigators in the STELLAR trial evaluated percentage reductions in LDL and achievement of the ATP III LDL goal for various doses of atorvastatin, pravastatin, rosuvastatin, and simvastatin.

Statin-associated peripheral neuropathy: review of the literature.

Various pharmacologic agents are available for the treatment of hypercholesterolemia, including 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitors, commonly referred to as statins, which offer favorable lipid-lowering effects and reductions in morbidity and mortality. Statins are usually better tolerated than other lipid-lowering agents and therefore have become a mainstay of treatment for hypercholesterolemia. However, recent case reports of peripheral neuropathy in patients treated with statins may have gone unnoticed by health care professionals.

Early experiences and clinical implications of restenosis and drug-eluting stents: Part 2.

Objective: To review early clinical experience and future implications of drug-eluting stents (DES) in percutaneous coronary interventions.

Data Sources: Using the search terms sirolimus, paclitaxel, and drug-eluting stents, a literature review was conducted to identify peer-reviewed articles and abstracts in MEDLINE (1966-June 2003). Recent meeting abstracts were also accessed through the American Heart Association and the American College of Cardiology Web sites.

Early experiences and clinical implications of drug-eluting stents: part 1.

Objective: To review the pathogenesis of in-stent restenosis and the evolution of drug-eluting stents (DES).

Data Sources: Using the search terms sirolimus, paclitaxel, and drug-eluting stents, a literature review was conducted to identify peer-reviewed articles and abstracts in MEDLINE (1966-June 2003). Recent meeting abstracts were accessed through the American Heart Association and the American College of Cardiology Web sites.

Rasburicase for the treatment and prevention of hyperuricemia.

Objective: To review the information currently available on rasburicase for treatment and prevention of hyperuricemia.

Data Sources: MEDLINE (1966-August 2002) was searched for primary and review articles.

Study Selection/data Extraction: Studies evaluating rasburicase, including abstracts and proceedings, were considered for inclusion.

Niacin-ER and lovastatin treatment of hypercholesterolemia and mixed dyslipidemia.

Objective: To review the currently available information on the once-daily combination of niacin extended-release (ER)/lovastatin in the treatment of patients with hypercholesterolemia and mixed dyslipidemia at high risk for cardiovascular events.

Data Sources: MEDLINE (1966-July 2002) was searched for primary and review articles. Data from the manufacturer were also included.

Lack of therapeutic interchangeability of HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors.

Objective: To review relevant literature and provide an opinion on the class effect of hydroxymethylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitors (statins).

Data Sources: Primary and review articles were identified by MEDLINE search (1990-July 2002).

Study Selection And Data Extraction: Editorials, studies, and review articles related to the class effect or therapeutic interchangeability of statins were reviewed.

High-density lipoprotein cholesterol and the role of statins.

Low levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) are currently considered to be a major risk factor for the development of coronary artery disease (CAD). Deficiencies in the HDL metabolic pathway promote atherosclerosis and contribute to CAD. Low HDL-C levels are included in the Framingham 10-year risk assessment for CAD although they are not yet targeted for therapy.

Rosuvastatin for the treatment of patients with hypercholesterolemia.

Objective: To review the currently available information on rosuvastatin in the treatment of primary hypercholesterolemia.

Data Sources: MEDLEY (2000-January 2001), MEDLIT, MEDLINE, EMBASE, SciSearch, Current Contents, Derwent, Drug, BIOSIS, Adis LMS Drug Alerts, and International Pharmaceutical Abstracts (1994-July 2001) were searched; unpublished data obtained from the manufacturer were also included.

Study Selection: Studies evaluating rosuvastatin including abstracts, proceedings, and data on file from the manufacturer were considered for inclusion.