Mitigation of medication mishaps via medication therapy management.

Background: In 2006, the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services incorporated the requirement for a Medication Therapy Management Program (MTMP) for individuals with Part D coverage to ensure that drug regimens provide optimal therapeutic outcomes through improved medication use, thereby reducing adverse drug events.

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of an MTMP implemented for Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug members enrolled with Health Alliance Plan (HAP) during 2006 and 2007.

Methods: Patient eligibility for MTMP was searched electronically.

Epidemiology of diabetes among Arab Americans.

Objective: To examine the prevalence of diabetes and glucose intolerance by age and sex in the Arab-American community of Dearborn, Michigan.

Research Design And Methods: Participants were randomly selected adult Arab Americans, 20-75 years of age, from randomly selected households in Dearborn, Michigan. Demographic and anthropometric data were recorded.

Aspirin dose for prevention of cardiovascular disease in diabetics.

Objective: To determine whether a specific dose of aspirin can be recommended for prevention of cardiovascular disease in patients with diabetes.

Data Source: Biomedical literature was accessed through MEDLINE (1990-February 2002). Key terms included diabetes, cardiovascular protection, and aspirin.

Pioglitazone: effect on CYP3A4 activity.

Clinical studies demonstrate CYP3A4 enzyme induction with troglitazone, a thiazolidinedione derivative structurally related to pioglitazone. The objective of this prospective, open-label study conducted in healthy volunteers was to evaluate the influence of multiple-dose pioglitazone therapy on the urinary excretion ratio of 6-beta-hydroxycortisol to cortisol, an endogenous marker of CYP3A4 activity. Twelve subjects were given pioglitazone hydrochloride 45 mg daily for 14 days.

Correlation between activated clotting time and activated partial thromboplastin times.

Objective: To evaluate the correlation between clotting time tests and heparin concentration, the correlation between activated clotting time (ACT) and activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) results, and to compare the clinical decisions based on ACT results with those based on aPTT results.

Methods: Retrospective evaluation of a large database containing heparin concentrations, ACT results (1 device), and aPTT results (3 different instruments: 2 bedside, 1 laboratory-based). Correlations between heparin concentrations and clotting time tests and between ACT results and aPTT results were determined.

Insulin-metformin combination therapy in obese patients with type 2 diabetes.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effects of insulin-metformin combination therapy compared to insulin monotherapyin obese, insulin-requiring patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Eighteen patients uncontrolled on > or = 70 U/day of insulin monotherapy were investigated in this prospective, open-label study. Patients continued their previous insulin and dietary regimens for 4 weeks, after which metformin was added with doses titrated to achieve a fasting plasma glucose (FPG) < 7.