Effects of an Ambulation Orderly Program Among Cardiac Surgery Patients.

Background: Despite the known benefits of ambulation, most hospitalized patients remain physically inactive. One possible approach to this problem is to employ "ambulation orderlies" (AOs) - employees whose main responsibility is to ambulate patients throughout the day. For this study, we examined an AO program implemented among postcardiac surgery patients and its effect on patient outcomes.

Aspirin use in heart failure: is low-dose therapy associated with mortality and morbidity benefits in a large community population?

Background- Aspirin use in heart failure (HF) is controversial. The drug has proven benefit in comorbidities associated with HF; however, retrospective analysis of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor trials and prospective comparisons with warfarin have shown increased risk of morbidity with aspirin use. This study aims to evaluate the association of low-dose aspirin with mortality and morbidity risk in a large community-based cohort.

Prospective analysis of LDL-C goal achievement and self-reported medication adherence among statin users in primary care.

Background: Improvements in the control of LDL-C levels have occurred in the past decade due to the introduction of increasingly potent statins, such as atorvastatin and rosuvastatin. Many patients, however, do not achieve their LDL-C goals, which presents a practical dilemma for clinicians and highlights the need to identify adherence problems in a clinically relevant manner.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between LDL-C goal achievement and both medication adherence and beliefs assessed using structured questioning.

Are beta2-agonists responsible for increased mortality in heart failure?

Aims: Previous large-scale, retrospective studies have shown increased mortality in heart failure (HF) patients using β2-agonists (B2As). We further examined the relationship between B2A use and mortality in a well-characterized population by adjusting for natriuretic peptide levels as a measure of HF severity.

Methods And Results: This was a retrospective cohort study of patients attending an HF Disease Management Programme with mean follow-up of 2.

Factors affecting patient access in Thailand: understanding delay in care seeking for patients with cancer.

While nearly three-quarters of cancer mortalities occur in low- and middle-income countries, we know little about the factors contributing to patient delays in seeking care for cancer. Our study employs a multifactorial approach by examining three key areas: patient socio-demographic factors, structural factors of health-care access and cancer patients' beliefs about their illness and cancer in general as potential determinants of their delay in seeking care in Thailand. We conducted a cross-sectional study using a systematic sample of 264 patients with cancer treated during 2006-2007 at Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn Cancer Centre, a hospital of the National Cancer Institute of Thailand.

Factors influencing dietary protein sources in the PREMIER trial population.

Previous research suggests that protein intake, particularly plant protein, may benefit blood pressure control. However, very little has been published regarding protein sources in diets of US adults and factors influencing these choices. The purpose of this report is to describe specific sources of animal and plant proteins in diets of PREMIER clinical trial participants at baseline and how the PREMIER intervention, along with participant demographics, affected protein sources.