Current medical research and opinion
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Objective: This descriptive study examined the quality of care received by individuals with serious mental illness observed in clinical care using established Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS) measures for individuals with serious mental illness. Methods: Administrative claims (Medicaid, Medicare, and commercial) from a national health and well-being company were used to identify adults with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. Performance rates for five HEDIS mental health quality measures were computed. ⋯ The rates for individuals with Medicare coverage were similar or marginally higher than those reported for those with Medicaid coverage, while rates for the commercially insured population were lower than the other groups. Conclusions: Most (>65%) individuals with serious mental illness received the recommended screening and monitoring for diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Barriers to and reasons for lack of follow-up should be investigated to guide future interventions to improve follow-up after hospitalization for individuals with serious mental illness.
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Patient support programs, such as the ASSURE Program for long-acting injectable aripiprazole, are designed to help support access to medications, including long-acting injectable (LAI) antipsychotics for patients with schizophrenia. This study was conducted to evaluate adherence to long-acting injectable aripiprazole among patients utilizing the program local care centers (LCC). ⋯ Patients utilizing the LCC demonstrated high medication adherence, suggesting that injection services provided by the centers may reduce barriers to treatment and help patients with schizophrenia remain on LAI antipsychotic treatment.
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Aim: The aim of study was to investigate the opportunities of local phlebectomy in the elimination of isolated pelvic-perineal reflux (PPR), as well as to determine the feasibility of endovascular embolization of the tributaries of internal iliac veins in PPR. Clinical trial no. NCT01598051. ⋯ Endovascular embolization of the tributaries of the internal iliac veins is not an essential component in the treatment of PPR. The present study has a limitation due to the absence of patients with PCS. The effectiveness of phlebectomy in the treatment of isolated PPR was studied.