Self-management of oral anticoagulation.

Background: Properly dosed oral anticoagulation effectively prevents thromboembolic events. It is unclear whether adult patients with an indication for long-term oral anticoagulation can benefit from self-management in terms of patient-oriented endpoints and improved coagulation values.

Method: We selectively searched the Medline database for high-quality systematic reviews based on randomized controlled trials of self-measurement or self-management of oral anticoagulation, compared to standard treatment.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of the efficacy of lixisenatide in the treatment of patients with type 2 diabetes.

The aim of this study is to assess the efficacy and safety of lixisenatide for treating type 2 diabetes. A systematic search in electronic databases (up to October 2012) was conducted and the manufacturer was contacted regarding unpublished data. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were included if they provided information on at least one of the following outcomes: mortality, health-related quality of life, hypoglycaemic events, adverse events, change in HbA1c, body weight, blood pressure, gastric emptying, fasting plasma glucose or 2 h postprandial glucose (PPG).

Cost per patient and potential budget implications of denosumab compared with zoledronic acid in adults with bone metastases from solid tumours who are at risk of skeletal-related events: an analysis for Austria, Sweden and Switzerland.

Objectives: To assess cost implications per patient, per year, and to predict the potential annual budget impact when patients with bone metastases secondary to solid tumours at risk of skeletal-related events (SREs) transition from zoledronic acid (ZA; 4 mg every 3-4 weeks) to denosumab (120 mg every 4 weeks) in Austria, Sweden and Switzerland.

Methods: Country specific costs for medication and administration, patient management and SREs (defined as pathologic fracture, radiation to bone, surgery to bone and spinal cord compression) were assessed over a 1-year time horizon. Drug administration and patient management costs were taken from available public sources.

[Chronic pain. Overview of out-patient pain treatment in Austria].

Background: Chronic pain is a widespread social problem. This paper reports on the care situation for patients with chronic pain in out-patient community settings in Austria.

Materials And Methods: The study took the form of a telephone survey together with internet research.

Attitudes towards insulin pump therapy among adolescents and young people.

Purpose: This study investigated reasons for the rejection and discontinuation of insulin pump therapy and explored general attitudes towards this mode of therapy among young patients with type 1 diabetes.

Methods: A questionnaire was developed using a focus group of young people with diabetes. It was then used to survey a random sample of adolescents and young people identified by physicians specializing in diabetes care and participating in a voluntary quality improvement initiative in Germany.