Prevalence of diabetes and the burden of comorbid conditions among elderly nursing home residents.

Background: Although the reported prevalence of diabetes in nursing home residents varies greatly among studies, there remains a common trend: increasing prevalence. Diabetes in the elderly is often associated with the presence of multiple comorbid conditions. However, limited data exist regarding the characteristics, symptom severity, disease management, and outcomes of care for residents of nursing homes with diabetes.

Health care expenditures in ulcerative colitis: the perspective of a self-insured employer.

Objective: This study was designed to investigate the incidence, prevalence, treatment patterns, disease severity, and direct costs associated with ulcerative colitis (UC) for claimants in health plans offered by a large self-insured employer in the United States.

Methods: Retrospective analysis of medical claims with and without UC identified from a population of approximately 500,000 employees, retirees, and dependents.

Results: Costs for UC claimants were more than twice those for the comparator group ($14,486 vs $6158; P < 0.

Patterns of cholinesterase-inhibitor use in the nursing home setting: a retrospective analysis.

Objective: This study compared dosing and utilization patterns of the cholinesterase inhibitors (ChEIs) donepezil, rivastigmine, and galantamine in the nursing home setting.

Methods: An exploratory, retrospective analysis of prescription claims data from January 1, 2001, to March 31, 2003, was conducted using data from a nationwide network of long-term care facilities in the United States. Nursing home residents with > or =1 new prescription for donepezil, rivastigmine, or galantamine during the index period from June 1, 2001, through March 31, 2002, were identified, and those who received an index prescription for a ChEI >45 days after nursing home admission and remained in the nursing home for > or=1 year after the initiation of ChEI treatment were included in the analysis.