Archives of internal medicine
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Multicenter Study Comparative Study
Supratherapeutic dosing of acetaminophen among hospitalized patients.
We investigated acetaminophen use and identify factors contributing to supratherapeutic dosing of acetaminophen in hospitalized patients. ⋯ Supratherapeutic dosing of acetaminophen was significantly associated with multiple factors. Interventions to reduce the incidence of some risk factors may prevent supratherapeutic acetaminophen dosing in hospitalized patients.
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Comparative Study
Use of the Medicare posthospitalization skilled nursing benefit in the last 6 months of life.
In the last 6 months of life, many older adults will experience a hospitalization, followed by a transfer to a skilled nursing facility (SNF) for additional care. We sought to examine patterns of Medicare posthospitalization SNF use in the last 6 months of life. ⋯ Almost one-third of older adults receive care in a SNF in the last 6 months of life under the Medicare posthospitalization benefit, and 1 in 11 elders will die while enrolled in the SNF benefit. Palliative care services should be incorporated into SNF-level care.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
Zonisamide for weight reduction in obese adults: a 1-year randomized controlled trial.
Obese individuals who have failed to achieve adequate weight loss with lifestyle changes have limited nonsurgical therapeutic options. We evaluated the efficacy and tolerability of zonisamide, an antiepileptic drug, for enhancing weight loss in obese patients receiving diet and lifestyle guidance. ⋯ Zonisamide at the daily dose of 400 mg moderately enhanced weight loss achieved with diet and lifestyle counseling but had a high incidence of adverse events.