Of the 141 who underwent both tests, 32 (23%) had FENO > 25 ppb, and 58 (41%) had AHR to mannitol. A significant association between high FENO and AHR was found (p < 0.001); 26% responded to mannitol despite a normal NO, and 8% had a high FENO AZD6738 supplier but no AHR. Additionally, a weak association was found between log FENO and log response to mannitol (r = 0.32, p < 0.01). The area under the ROC curve for FENO as a predictor of AHR was 0.66 (95%CI 0.6-0.8) and for mannitol for having high FENO was 0.73 (95%CI
0.6-0.9). Conclusion: In a large sample of patients referred to an asthma clinic, an association was found between FENO and AHR to mannitol. However, a significant proportion of asthma patients had a normal FENO despite having AHR, suggesting that in some patients, AHR to mannitol is not driven by selective HDAC inhibitors eosinophilic airway inflammation.”
“Objective: To identify and examine mechanisms through which patients’ experiences of chronic disease can be accessed, understood, and used to improve outcomes, health care costs, and quality of life for individual patients.
Study Design and Setting: Interpretive synthesis
of the research literature on chronic disease and associated areas of clinical practice and service development. Searches of electronic databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, and British Nursing Index), Internet searches, and snowballing techniques identified 66 relevant publications. The analysis focused on identifying mechanisms; their strengths, weaknesses, and impact.
Results: Ten mechanisms were identified, each with differing potential to access and reach patients; involve patients in decisions about what information is important; enable patients to share experiences/expertise and
validate their knowledge; allow professionals and patients to deliberate and build understanding; support shared decision-making, continuity/partnership development, and potential to use patients’ experiences. buy AZD1152 The extent to which patients’ experiences led to improved outcomes, health care costs, or quality of life related to the aims of individual studies.
Conclusion: Patients can contribute to improving the design and delivery of chronic disease health care and research if appropriate mechanisms are in place. There is a need for future research about optimal configurations of mechanisms and links between mechanisms across health care and research. (C) 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.”
“Objective: To report on the creation of a leadership development program targeted exclusively at pharmacists working in management in the professional community.
Setting: Large staff-model health maintenance organization (HMO) in California between 2004 and 2008.