The American journal of the medical sciences
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Care for patients with chronic diseases is a challenge after a disaster. This is particularly true for individuals from health disparate populations as they are less likely to evacuate, have fewer financial resources and often depend on resource-strapped institutions for their care. The specific aim of the study presented here was to elicit challenges and solutions in the provision of health care to those with chronic diseases after Hurricane Katrina in coastal Alabama and Mississippi. ⋯ Lessons learned from those on the ground administering health care during disasters should inform future disaster preparations. Furthermore, the methodological approach used in this study engendered collaboration between health care institutions and may enhance future interagency disaster preparedness.
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Partial adherence to antihypertensive therapy remains a public health challenge and may be associated with increased cardiovascular risk. We quantitatively evaluated cardiovascular risk inherent in partial therapy adherence in spontaneously hypertensive rats with accelerated hypertension. ⋯ The results demonstrate that partial adherence to therapy reduces arterial pressure, but may not prevent target organ damage. If replicated in humans, these results may have important clinical implications in hypertensive patients.
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Clinical predictors associated with acute paraquat (PQ) poisoning have not been systematically studied. ⋯ The identified risk factors may allow better identification of those at greater mortality risk. Future development of a tailored clinical scoring system incorporating the identified risk factors for acute PQ poisoning may be of great help.