Showing papers by "Aetna published in 2005"
TL;DR: Despite significant temporal increases in the frequency of screening for and treatment of glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis, absolute rates remain low, especially among men, African Americans, and patients of certain physician specialties.
Abstract: Objective
To evaluate patient and physician factors associated with prevention of glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis and to describe temporal trends in screening and prevention of glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis.
Methods
Using databases from a national managed care organization, enrollees who had been prescribed glucocorticoids (taken for at least 60 days) during an 18-month period were identified. Administrative data from January 2001 through June 2003 and linked survey data from October 2003 were examined for measurement of bone mass, prescription of antiresorptive medication, and use of over-the-counter calcium and/or vitamin D treatment. Factors associated with screening and bone-protective therapies were identified using multivariable logistic regression, focusing on physician specialty and survey respondent ethnicity. Trends in glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis prevention were assessed using administrative data from 2001–2003 versus 1995–1998.
Results
We identified 6,281 patients who were prescribed glucocorticoids in 2001–2003 (mean ± SD prescribed prednisone-equivalent dosage 16 ± 14 mg/day). Forty-two percent underwent bone mass measurement and/or were prescribed bone-protective medication; rates were lowest for men (25%). Compared with patients of internists, the odds of bone mass measurement were lowest among patients prescribed glucocorticoids by family physicians (odds ratio [OR] 0.56 [95% confidence interval] [95% CI] 0.30–1.04) and highest among patients prescribed glucocorticoids by rheumatologists (OR 1.48 [95% CI 1.06–2.08]). Patients prescribed glucocorticoids by gastroenterologists were less likely to be treated with antiresorptive agents (OR 0.49 [95% CI 0.28–0.86]). African American patients were less likely than white patients to be screened (OR 0.55 [95% CI 0.40–0.75]) or treated (OR 0.71 [95% CI 0.51–0.98]). The frequency of bone mass measurement among glucocorticoid-treated patients in 2001–2003 increased 3-fold compared with 1995–1998, and the use of prescription antiresorptive medication increased ∼2-fold.
Conclusion
Despite significant temporal increases in the frequency of screening for and treatment of glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis, absolute rates remain low, especially among men, African Americans, and patients of certain physician specialties.
160 citations
TL;DR: The substantial decline in chlamydia screening rates observed in the comparison offices was significantly attenuated for the intervention offices, and the mCME favorably influenced chlam Lydia screening by primary care physicians.
71 citations
TL;DR: The use of appropriate patient and physician educational interventions, such as Aetna's MMP incorporating disease management principles and the MTAQ questionnaire, can have a significant impact on patient-centered outcomes and satisfaction with their migraine treatment.
Abstract: The goals of this program were to evaluate the effectiveness of migraine disease management techniques in improving patient satisfaction with migraine care, decreasing the frequency and severity of...
17 citations
Patent•
3 May 2005TL;DR: A machine for forming tubular film lengths from a linear portion of film comprises: a unit ( 1 ) for feeding linear film portions ( 2 ); at least one forming roller ( 3 ) that revolves about an axis ( 7 ) transversal to the direction of film feed; and means ( 14 ) for applying the film portion ( 2 ) to the surface of the forming roller as it revolves, at least until opposite edges ( 4, 5 ) of the film portions overlap as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: A machine for forming tubular film lengths from a linear portion of film comprises: a unit ( 1 ) for feeding linear film portions ( 2 ); at least one forming roller ( 3 ) that revolves about an axis ( 7 ) transversal to the direction of film feed; means ( 14 ) for applying the film portion ( 2 ) to the surface of the forming roller ( 3 ) as it revolves, at least until opposite edges ( 4, 5 ) of the film portion ( 2 ) overlap; and means ( 11 ) for joining the overlapping edges ( 4, 5 ) to each other to form a tubular film length ( 6 ).
11 citations
Patent•
20 Apr 2005TL;DR: In this article, a carousel-based machine for wrapping groups of products in tubular lengths of stretch film is described, with a rotating carousel equipped with a plurality of wrapping units having bars for holding and stretching to size a succession of tubular film lengths.
Abstract: A machine for wrapping groups of products ( 7 ) in tubular lengths of stretch film ( 4 ) comprises a rotating carousel ( 1 ) equipped with a plurality of wrapping units ( 2 ) having bars ( 3 ) for holding and stretching to size a succession of tubular film lengths ( 4 ) fed to a station (S 1 ) and for placing the stretched tubular film lengths ( 4 ) around respective groups of products ( 7 ) to be wrapped fed one after the other.
11 citations
Journal Article•
TL;DR: Tegaserod use appeared to be associated with consistent decreases in GI-related resource utilization after 6 months of therapy; similarly consistent reductions were not observed in tegaserod nonusers, and early findings suggest that teGaserod may provide important clinical and economic benefits.
Abstract: This study sought to determine the real-world effectiveness of tegaserod therapy on gastrointestinal (GI)-related resource utilization in a managed care population with a retrospective, longitudinal pre-/post-parallel cohort study of tegaserod users and a matched reference cohort of tegaserod nonusers through medical and pharmacy claims data from a large, geographically diverse, managed care organization. Continuously enrolled benefit-eligible patients newly initiated on tegaserod therapy (index prescription) were identified between August 1, 2002, and June 30, 2003, and were categorized (using International Statistical Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision, Clinical Modification codes) as having irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or another GI-related disorder (e.g., gastroesophageal reflux disease). GI-related resource utilization (office visits, hospitalizations, emergency department visits, endoscopic and nonendoscopic procedures, and GI drug prescriptions) was determined for the 6-month period before and after the index prescription date for tegaserod users and nonusers. The study population consisted of 3365 tegaserod users and 3364 matched nonusers. Within-cohort differences before and after therapy were tested using the Wilcoxon signed rank test. The mean age of 3365 tegaserod users and 3364 matched nonusers was 47 years (+/-15 years); 92% were women, 47% had an index diagnosis of IBS, and 53% had an index diagnosis of another GI-related disorder. Within-cohort GI resource utilization comparisons before and after therapy initiation showed significant decreases (P < .01) in all utilization categories, except GI drug prescriptions, for tegaserod users; these decreases were not consistently observed for matched nonusers. Tegaserod use appeared to be associated with consistent decreases in GI-related resource utilization after 6 months of therapy; similarly consistent reductions were not observed in tegaserod nonusers. These early findings suggest that tegaserod may provide important clinical and economic benefits.
8 citations
Patent•
17 Feb 2005TL;DR: In this article, a plurality of containers (3, 4, 5, 6, 7) are used to receive a different type of waste and equipped with means for compacting the waste.
Abstract: A unit (1) for separately collecting urban waste
(2) comprises a plurality of containers (3, 4, 5,
6, 7) each used to receive a different type of
waste (2) and equipped with means (14) for
compacting the waste (2) in order to reduce its
volume. Each of the containers (3, 4, 5, 6, 7) also
comprises means (24) for expelling the waste (2)
through respective outlets (3c, 4c, 5c, 6c, 7c)
made in the containers (3, 4, 5, 6, 7) after the
waste (2) has been compacted by the compacting
means (14). [Figure 2]
6 citations
Patent•
31 Mar 2005TL;DR: An apparatus for banding individual, grouped or partially-palletised products comprises: a frame (4) mounted over a conveyor (2) and equipped with two rolls (5, 6) of film mounted on the frame uprights (7, 8) in such a way as to form a band of film (9) positioned inverse relative to the uprights so as to intercept the front of the products (3) as they move forward, thereby unwinding the film from the two rolls as discussed by the authors.
Abstract: An apparatus for banding individual, grouped or
palletised products comprises: a frame (4) mounted
over a conveyor (2) and equipped with two rolls (5,
6) of film mounted on the frame uprights (7, 8) in
such a way as to form a band of film (9) positioned
transversely relative to the uprights (7, 8) so as
to intercept the front of the products (3) as they
move forward, thereby unwinding the film (9) from
the two rolls (5, 6); a unit (10) for sealing and
cutting the film (9), supported by the frame (4)
and mobile between an idle position and a working
position where the unit (10) moves in such a way as
to define a film (9) wrapping cycle comprising the
steps of intercepting the film, sealing it and
cutting a portion of the film (9) wrapped around
the products (3); and, lastly, a unit (11) at least
for inspecting the film (9), said unit (11) being
associated with the sealing and cutting unit (10)
and being designed to come into operation after the
step of sealing the film (9) has been completed.
3 citations
TL;DR: Letters and correspondence submitted for possible publication must be identified as letters to the Editor and identified as such and must not exceed 500 words and five bibliographic references.
Abstract: Letters and correspondence submitted for possible publication must be identified as such. Text length must not exceed 500 words and five bibliographic references. A single concise figure or table may be included if it is essential to support the communication. Letters not typed double-spaced will not be considered for publication. Letters not meeting these specifications will not be returned to authors. Letters to the Editor are utilized to communicate a single novel observation or finding. Correspondence is to be used to supplement or constructively comment on the contents of a publication in the journal and cannot exceed the restrictions for Letters to the Editor. The Editor reserves the right to shorten text, delete objectional comments, and make other changes to comply with the style of the journal. Permission for publication must be appended as a postscript. Submissions must be sent to Jay Umbreit, MD, PhD, Editor of Brief Reports/Letters to Editors, American Journal of Hematology, Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, 1365-B Clifton Road, Suite B4100, Atlanta, GA 30322 to permit rapid consideration for publication.
3 citations
13 Jun 2005
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors pointed out the disadvantages of the formula of dumping margin on which the antidumping duty rate depends, which is used by the WTO and our domestic government.
Abstract: At first, according to the relevant economic theories, the author points out the disadvantages of the formula of dumping margin on which the antidumping (AD) duty rate depends, which is used by WTO and our domestic government. Then the author concludes the optimal model of working out antidumping duty rate under Cournot competition between different products. At last, the author analyses the factors impacting antidumping duty rate, meanwhile provides our government some suggestions on determining antidumping duty rate and gives the domestic firms some advices during investigation cases.
TL;DR: The work of a task force led by Aetna's chairman and CEO, charged with a number of strategic activities including cultural competency training and the identification of disparities occurring within the AETna membership population is described.
Abstract: Among the nation’s health plans, Aetna is considered the industry leader in efforts to eliminate racial and ethnic disparities in health care. This Perspective describes the work of a task force led by Aetna’s chairman and CEO, charged with a number of strategic activities including cultural competency training and the identification of disparities occurring within the Aetna membership population. The cornerstone of this quality-of-care initiative is a successful and ongoing data collection enterprise. Aetna is putting the data to work in its chronic disease management, breast health, and African American Preterm Labor Prevention and Breastfeeding programs.
TL;DR: In high-functioning older adults, low folate levels appear to be a risk factor for cognitive decline, and the risk of developing cognitive decline might be reduced through dietary folate intake.