The American journal of medicine
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This study's purpose was to evaluate whether Medicare hospice care provided in nursing homes is associated with lower hospitalization rates. ⋯ When integrated into the nursing home care processes, hospice care is associated with less hospitalization for Medicare hospice patients. Additionally, possibly through diffusion of palliative care philosophy and practices, nonhospice residents who died in nursing homes having a hospice presence had lower rates of end-of-life hospitalizations.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Clinical Trial
Pioglitazone hydrochloride in combination with sulfonylurea therapy improves glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a randomized, placebo-controlled study.
To evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of pioglitazone in combination with a sulfonylurea in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus. ⋯ In patients with type 2 diabetes, pioglitazone plus sulfonylurea significantly improves HbA1C and fasting plasma glucose levels with beneficial effects on serum triglyceride and HDL-cholesterol levels.
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We sought to evaluate the effectiveness of self-monitoring blood glucose levels to improve glycemic control. ⋯ More frequent self-monitoring of blood glucose levels was associated with clinically and statistically better glycemic control regardless of diabetes type or therapy. These findings support the clinical recommendations suggested by the American Diabetes Association.
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Clinical Trial Controlled Clinical Trial
Influence of diuretics on the concentration of proteins and other components of pleural transudates in patients with heart failure.
Diuretic therapy increases the total protein and lactate dehydrogenase concentrations in pleural fluid in patients with transudates due to heart failure, but the effect of diuresis on other substances in pleural fluid constituents is not known. ⋯ The concentrations of the biochemical components commonly measured in pleural fluid increase progressively during diuretic therapy. Calculation of the serum-pleural fluid gradients for protein and albumin may be the most useful way to distinguish transudates from exudates in patients with congestive heart failure who have undergone diuresis.