Current medical research and opinion
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Pulmonary hypertension may be a consequence of intrinsic elevation in pulmonary vasculature resistance or complicate numerous other conditions affecting the cardiac and respiratory systems. In this review we sought to explore the relationship between pulmonary hypertension and intravenous drug use. ⋯ Eliciting a history of intravenous drug use is important and may be associated with a number of less common etiologies, each with specific diagnostic and therapeutic implications.
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The association between pneumonia and neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) has never been reported in detail. We address this relationship with reference to the general population. ⋯ The ND cohort had a higher risk of pneumonia, regardless of age, sex, comorbidities or statin use. The risk of pneumonia was higher in elderly and male patients in the ND cohort.
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Comparative Study
Effectiveness and safety of micronized purified flavonoid fraction for the treatment of concomitant varicose veins of the pelvis and lower extremities.
Concomitant varicose veins of the pelvis (VVP) and lower extremities (VVLE) frequently coexist. This study evaluated the effectiveness and safety of micronized purified flavonoid fraction (MPFF) in the treatment of patients with both conditions. ⋯ Phlebotropic treatment with MPFF is an effective and safe method of conservative therapy in patients with concomitant VVP and VVLE.
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Acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD) is a common and life-threatening complication of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). The extent to which aGVHD increases inpatient costs associated with allo-HSCT has not been thoroughly evaluated. In this analysis, mortality, hospital length of stay (LOS) and costs associated with aGVHD during allo-HSCT admissions are evaluated. ⋯ Occurrence of aGVHD during allo-HSCT admissions resulted in a tripling of the mortality rate and a near doubling of hospital LOS and total costs. In addition, death during allo-HSCT hospitalizations was associated with greater healthcare utilization and costs. Effectively mitigating aGVHD may improve survival and substantially reduce hospital LOS and costs for allo-HSCT.
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Everolimus is the only FDA approved drug to treat renal angiomyolipoma or subependymal giant-cell astrocytoma (SEGA) in tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC). Potential differences exist between patients with commercial and Medicaid insurance on everolimus use; however, there is limited information from the real world. This study compared compliance and persistence of everolimus between commercial and Medicaid patients using US claims data. ⋯ Among TSC patients with renal angiomyolipoma or SEGA and treated with everolimus, everolimus MPR was between 0.74 and 0.81. Medicaid patients had lower MPR than commercial patients but better persistence.