The American journal of managed care
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Although orthostatic hypotension in elderly patients is common, neurogenic orthostatic hypotension (NOH) is a condition with substantial morbidity and a variable prognosis. Patients with severe NOH have difficulty standing for any period of time and must scrupulously avoid orthostatic stressors that exacerbate their condition. ⋯ Two self-report questionnaires, the Orthostatic Hypotension Questionnaire and the Orthostatic Grading Scale, can help evaluate a patient's level of impairment, document progression, and assess the response to pharmacotherapy in clinical practice. There are many gaps in our knowledge of this rare disorder; this review summarizes what is currently known about the pathophysiology, epidemiology, prognosis, signs and symptoms, and the diagnosis of NOH.
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Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic lung disease of unknown etiology characterized by fibrosis of the interstitium, resulting in progressive respiratory insufficiency and shortened lifespan. Treatment focus tends to shift from disease-centered to symptom-centered as the disease progresses. Over the years, a number of pharmacologic strategies have been used to treat IPF, albeit without solid evidence demonstrating a beneficial impact on the disease course. ⋯ The treatment landscape changed in October 2014, when the FDA approved pirfenidone and nintedanib for the treatment of IPF. For the first time, clinicians have therapeutic options with demonstrated clinical efficacy to treat patients with IPF. To provide effective high-value care for patients with IPF, healthcare professionals require thorough knowledge and awareness about these medications, including their safety concerns.
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Healthcare expenditures for dually eligible individuals covered by both Medicare and Medicaid constitute a disproportionate share of spending for the 2 programs. Fragmentation, inefficiency, and low-quality care have been long standing issues for this population. The objective of this study was to conduct an early evaluation of an innovative program that coordinates benefits for elderly dual eligibles. ⋯ Our results suggest that coordinating the financing and delivery of services through an integrated managed program may not sufficiently address the problems of inefficiency and fragmentation in care for hospitalized dual eligible enrollees.