The Annals of pharmacotherapy
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Adverse drug events (ADEs) occur in older adults. ADEs occur in up to 6.5% of all hospitalized patients and outpatients, and about 28% of these events are preventable. The proportion of outpatients with an ADE ranges from 5% to 35%, depending on the exact definition used. There is a critical need to examine the risk factors associated with having an ADE to increase awareness about medication safety among older adults. ⋯ The number of pharmacies, concern beliefs about medicines, and number of symptoms experienced in the past month were associated with self-reported ADEs. Discussing patients' beliefs about their drug therapy with them is likely to affect their expectations and interpretation of symptoms, as well as future attributions regarding drug therapy.
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To review the efficacy of phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE-5) inhibitors for the treatment of lower urinary tract symptoms in men. ⋯ PDE-5 inhibitors consistently produced modest reductions in lower urinary tract symptoms. Further studies are needed to fully elucidate the efficacy, cost effectiveness, safety, and appropriate place in therapy of PDE-5 inhibitors. At this time, data are insufficient to routinely recommend chronic use of PDE-5 inhibitors for lower urinary tract symptoms in men.
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Little is known about longitudinal changes in drug utilization in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). ⋯ ADHD drug utilization continues to increase due to steady increases in diagnosis and chronic use of the drugs over several years. While racial, ethnic, and sex differences persist, the age distribution of drug users has shifted toward older children. These findings emphasize the need for studies that analyze determinants of treatment as well as outcomes, both benefits and risks, associated with long-term medication use.
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Comparative Study
Quality of anticoagulation monitoring in nonvalvular atrial fibrillation patients: comparison of anticoagulation clinic versus usual care.
Prior research suggests that receiving specialized anticoagulation services enables patients to achieve better clinical outcomes. ⋯ Results from this observational study reinforce the positive impact that anticoagulation services have on anticoagulation therapy outcomes, emphasizing the importance of providing such services for patients undergoing treatment with warfarin.
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The problem of low adherence to drug therapy is as prevalent in migraine as in any other disorder, with important consequences for the patient, such as impaired quality of life and absence from work. Beliefs about medicines have been identified as one of the most significant factors for adherence. ⋯ About one-third of the migraineurs did not adhere to their prophylactic drugs. Beliefs about medicines and medication-related factors could not predict nonadherence. We recommend further research on medication-related variables in relation to adherence among migraineurs.