Gender differences in COPD management in a Sicilian general practice setting: a cohort study evaluating the impact of educational interventions.

Aim: The aim of this study was to measure gender differences among COPD patients' quality of care (QOC) before and after two educational interventions in Southern Italy.

Methods: In this prospective cohort study, COPD patients were identified from primary care electronic medical records (EMRs). Twelve process indicators concerning diagnosis, preventative measures and therapeutic processes were developed as a measure of QOC.

A minimum of two years of undertreated primary hypothyroidism, as a result of drug-induced malabsorption of l-thyroxine, may have metabolic and cardiovascular consequences.

Objective: Cross-sectional studies have reported that TSH above or close to the upper normal limit correlates with unfavorable metabolic and cardiovascular outcomes. Certain medications impair intestinal absorption of levothyroxine (L-T4), resulting in undertreated hypothyroidism (. failure of serum TSH to reach target levels, if hypothyroidism is primary).

Improvement in the management of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease following a clinical educational program: results from a prospective cohort study in the Sicilian general practice setting.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the lungs associated with progressive disability. Although general practitioners (GPs) should play an important role in the COPD management, critical issues have been documented in the primary care setting. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of an educational program for the improvement of the COPD management in a Sicilian general practice setting.

A Randomized, Double-Blinded, Clinical Trial on Effects of a Extract on Cognitive Function in Healthy Older Adults.

Gradual population aging is creating a new set of needs in the general population. Memory capacity decreases with age, and memory deficits are considered an early symptom of Alzheimer's Disease (AD), one of the most prevalent cognitive disorders in older people. Numerous studies have shown that grape polyphenolic compounds (GPs) are able to attenuate cognitive impairment and reduce brain lesions in experimental AD animal models.

Efficacy and Safety of a Natural Remedy for the Treatment of Gastroesophageal Reflux: A Double-Blinded Randomized-Controlled Study.

Gastroesophageal reflux (GER) is a common, chronic, relapsing symptom. Often people self-diagnose and self-treat it even though health-related quality of life is significantly impaired. In the lack of a valid alternative approach, current treatments focus on suppression of gastric acid secretion by the use of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), but people with GER have a significantly lower response rate to therapy.