Contraception
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Pharmacokinetic (PK) parameters based on short sampling times (48 h or less) may contain inaccuracies due to their dependency on extrapolated values. This study was designed to measure PK parameters with greater accuracy in obese users of a low-dose oral contraceptive (OC) and to correlate drug levels with assessments of end-organ activity. ⋯ Obesity results in significant alterations in OC steroid PK parameters, but the severity of these alterations did not correlate with end-organ suppression. A longer PK sampling interval (168 h vs. 48 h) improved the accuracy of PK testing.
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Here we estimate the direct medical costs to the National Health Service (NHS) of unintended pregnancies in 2010 and identify populations at risk for unintended pregnancies. ⋯ London, the North West and the West Midlands should be targeted in efforts to reduce unintended pregnancies. More specifically, women between the ages of 20 and 34 years produce the greatest costs.
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This study evaluated the total costs of unintended pregnancy (UP) in the United States (US) from a third-party health care payer perspective and explored the potential role for long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) in reducing UP and resulting health care expenditure. ⋯ Imperfect contraceptive adherence leads to substantial UP and high, avoidable costs. Improved uptake of LARC may generate health care cost savings by reducing contraceptive non-adherence.