Arch Intern Med
-
It is widely assumed that "futile" treatment consumes significant health care resources. This is a prospective cohort study. ⋯ The frequency of futile interventions appears to be low unless one is willing to accept a definition that includes patients who could survive for many months. If confirmed in other settings, this suggests that concepts of futility will not play a major role in costs containment.
-
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
Effect of potassium supplementation on blood pressure in African Americans on a low-potassium diet. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.
To determine the effect of potassium supplementation on blood pressure in African Americans consuming a low-potassium diet. ⋯ Potassium supplementation reduces blood pressure substantially in African Americans consuming a diet low in potassium. Increased potassium intake may play an important role in reducing blood pressure in this population at high risk for hypertension.
-
Complementary (or alternative) medicine has become a prevalent phenomenon in most industrialized countries. At present the evidence from randomized controlled trials investigating its effectiveness is fragmentary and therefore inconclusive. ⋯ Complementary medicine may be useful; however, the notion urgently needs to be tested in randomized controlled trials.
-
Comparative Study
Impact of marital status on outcomes in hospitalized patients. Evidence from an academic medical center.
Prior studies have described the importance of social support on long-term patient outcomes. Few studies have investigated the impact of social support on outcomes in hospitalized patients. ⋯ The findings suggest that marital status was an independent risk factor for several important hospital outcomes. This adds to our understanding of the importance of social support and other nonbiological factors on outcomes in hospitalized patients. This also has implications for the design of hospital-based interventions to improve patient outcomes and for the development of equitable prospective and capitated hospital payment formulas.
-
Delirium, a common and often overlooked syndrome in acutely ill elderly patients, may present with signs and symptoms of depression. ⋯ Health care providers should consider the diagnosis of delirium in hospitalized elderly patients who appear to be depressed.